May 25, 2015 | Morning Headlines
Somalia Concludes Own Soldiers Behind MP’s Murder
24 May – Source: Radio Danaan- 191 Words
One day after gunmen shot and killed a Somali lawmaker in a drive-by shooting in the capital, Somalia’s government declared military soldiers in its army were behind the cold blood murder, spokesman said Sunday. Mohamed Yusuf, a spokesman for Somalia’s security minister told reporters that after thorough investigations, the government concluded that military soldiers shot the MP Yusuf Dirir from a passing vehicle. Mr. Yusuf dismissed militants claims of being behind the attack as ‘false’. The motives behind the attack remains unclear.
The MP later died in a hospital. Another legislator Abdalla Boss was also wounded in the attack.The attack took place on Maka Almukarramah road, which is mostly used by government officials and African Union forces in Mogadishu.The attack is another reminder of the security challenges facing the Somali government, which, despite deploying hundreds of soldiers across the seaside capital is still unable to prevent deadly attacks. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of Al-Shabaab. The al-Qaida-linked extremist group frequently carries out suicide bombings, drive-by shootings often targeting government troops, lawmakers and foreigners in Mogadishu, the seat of Somalia’s Western-backed government.
Key Headlines
- Somalia Concludes Own Soldiers Behind MP’s Murder (Radio Danaan)
- The Security Agencies Are Investigating Dirir’s Death And Those Behind It Will Be Brought to Justice -Somali Prime Minister (Goobjoog News)
- Relieve As Qatar Promise To Invest Somalia (Somali Current)
- Puntland Marks Int’l Day To End Obstetric Fistula (Garowe Online)
- Japan Donated $2.4M To Yemeni Refugees In Somalia (Somali Current)
- Dozens Killed In Al-Shabaab Fighting In Somalia Attacks In Capital (Reuters)
- Somaliland Says It Will Not Receive more Yemen refugees (Anadolu Agency)
- The Shadowy Centre Helping Former Al-Shabab Members Quit (BBC)
NATIONAL MEDIA
The Security Agencies Are Investigating Dirir’s Death And Those Behind It Will Be Brought to Justice -Somali Prime Minister
24 May – Source: Goobjoog News – 291 Words
Somali Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali has send condolences to family, friends, Somali MPs on the death of Yussuf Dirir a Somali parliamentarian who has succumbed to his injuries. “The deceased was Member of Parliament for last 10 years, he was peace-loving nationalist who used to struggle for development of the country” he said. He added that his government would publicise the full details the investigation of the death of the MP and who the assassins are, soon.
“The security agencies are probing the case of the late Mohamed Dirir and thorough investigations will be carried out which would make easy for the government hunt down those bloodsuckers, I called upon the security agencies to handle the safety of Somali lawmakers, government officials and public” he underscored. Meanwhile, security meeting was held in Mogadishu on Saturday night in attendance with security agents, Ministers and other government officials Somali premier Omar. The gathering which was chaired by Somali deputy prime minister, Mohamed Omar Arte, was focused on security issues including the latest incident which cost death of MPs and his chauffeur and leaving behind 7 wounded people including the bodyguard of the late MP and 6 Somali National Army.
Relieve As Qatar Promise To Invest Somalia
22 May – Somali Current – 136 Words
High delegate from Qatar government led by Foreign Minister Khalid Bin Mohamed has arrived Somalia capital Mogadishu. During his short visit to Mogadishu, the Foreign Minister met Somalia leaders and discussed wide range issues including security, Yemen conflict and many other issues.
Speaking to the media, Qatar foreign Minister said his government will support Somalia efforts to rebuild the country.The Minister also stated his government will invest Somalia considering the available rich natural resources. “There are many great opportunities for investment and this is something that is understood and taken seriously by Qatar government “, said the Minister. On the other hand, Somalia Foreign Minister appreciated Qatar government role saying Qatar plays crucial role in Somali’s progress towards security and stability. Early this year, Somalia and Qatar government signed several agreements including education and aviation.
Puntland Marks Int’l day to End Obstetric Fistula
24 May – Source: Garowe Online – 257 Words
Puntland Health Ministry along with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) marked International Day to End Obstetric Fistula with well-organized ceremony in the state capital of Garowe on Saturday, Garowe Online reports. The event held under the theme: “Let’s eradicate obstetric fistula and restore dignity for women,” attracted Puntland government officials, representatives from reproductive health services partners, doctors and other medical practitioners. Dr. Abdirisaq Hassan Isse, Director of Planning department at Health Ministry briefed participants at gathering marking international day to end fistula on the sufferings of Somali women living with childbirth injuries, asking women to seek assistances at medical facilities and break the silence.
UNFPA was picked as key partner in the prevention and eradication of obstetric fistula across Puntland. Speaking about the devastating injuries inflicted on Somali women by the disease, one of very few medical doctors who treat women of obstetric fistula in Puntland, Dr. Abdirisak Dhega’ade reckoned upon health problems of the injuries of childbirth, and requested women not to suffer in silence.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jama Warsame from UNFPA said at the commemoration that 100,000 women join fistula patients every year. State Minister for Health Abdullahi Jama Ali called for combined prevention efforts in his closing remarks at ministry headquarters. In November 2014, Puntland Health Ministry alongside UNFPA inaugurated Maternal and Neonatal Health Centre as part of campaign on accelerated reduction of maternal mortality in Africa (CARMMA). UNFPA has supported the expansion of five midwifery schools in Puntland according to a joint press statement by Health Ministry, AU-initiated CARMMA and the UN body.
Japan Donated $2.4M To Yemeni Refugees In Somalia
23 May – Source: Somali Current – 126 Words
Japan has donated $2.4M in an emergency grant aid for internally displaced people in Yemen and Yemeni refugees in Somalia and Djibouti. The aid will support the refugees in the area of medical care, food, non –materials and evacuations of foreign nationals from Yemen. According to Japan Foreign Minister, the money will be channeled through international organizations such UNHCR. The total amount of Japan’s contribution to Yemen has reached approximately $ 40M since the conflict started in 2014. In the recent months, large Yemeni refugees have been arriving in exodus in the port towns of Berbera and Bosaso in northern Somalia. Clashes between Houthi rebel fighters and forces loyal to internationally recognized President Mansour Hadi have triggered the exodus. Death tolls rises as the conflict continues.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Dozens Killed In Al-Shabaab Fighting In Somalia, Attacks In Capital
23 May – Source: Reuters – 358 Words
Fighting in south Somalia between Al-Shabaab militants and government forces killed at least 24 people, while a rebel attack in the capital killed three Transport Ministry workers and a lawmaker, officials and the group said on Saturday. Al-Shabaab launched an attack on government troops late on Friday in the Awdigle district and Mubarak village in the Lower Shabelle region, south of the capital Mogadishu. Clashes lasted until early Saturday and killed at least two dozen people, residents said.
In two gun attacks in the capital, the group, which wants to topple the Western-backed government, killed three people working for the Transport Ministry and in another assault shot dead a lawmaker, police and a parliamentarian said. Al-Shabaab said it was behind the attacks in the south and in Mogadishu. “We shall continue killing the enemies,” Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, Al-Shabaab’s military operations spokesman, told Reuters.
Somaliland Says It Will Not Receive more Yemen refugees
24 May – Source: Anadolu Agency – 291 Words
The breakaway region of Somaliland announced on Sunday that it would not accept any more refugees fleeing the war in Yemen.”We will not be accepting Somali refugees or any other refugees fleeing Yemen,” Mohamed Saed, an official of the Somaliland government, told Anadolu Agency.Up to 18,000 refugees have reportedly crossed the Gulf of Aden from war-ravaged Yemen to seek refuge in Djibouti, Somaliland and Somalia’s Puntland region.
According to the International Organization for Migration, at least 2,000 Somali and Yemeni refugees have docked at Berbera, Somaliland’s main port. ” Somaliland is not getting any assistance from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), any other international organisation.
http://www.aa.com.tr/en/rss/
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“Hanat, 25, says he joined Al-Shabaab in 2006. He was unemployed and bored, but quickly discovered that his new bosses would not let him leave.”In 2010 they took us to Mogadishu. We didn’t have enough ammunition, not enough training – we were fighting a hide-and-seek war,” he said, describing the intense urban warfare that raged in the capital against African Union and Somali government forces. But then Hanat made a phone call that changed everything.”My brother had been abroad, training in Uganda with the Somali national army.”When I joined Al-Shabaab I was told to switch off my phone, so I had no communication with my family, but later, in Mogadishu, I switched it back on and tried calling”
The Shadowy Centre Helping Former Al-Shabaab Members Quit
24 May – Source: BBC – 1373 Words
In a small, heavily guarded compound on the bullet-riddled outskirts of Baidoa, a secretive team is working to undermine Somalia’s Islamist militant group, Al-Shabaab, from the inside.”We can’t just solve this militarily,” said Aden Mohamed Hussein, ushering me past the soldiers at the gate.”So far so good… We hope for a domino effect.”
Mr Hussein runs a new “disengagement” programme for surrendering Al-Shabaab members at the camp here in Baidoa, an hour’s helicopter ride northwest of the capital Mogadishu, towards the Ethiopian border. Al-Shabaab no longer controls the town or, we’re assured, the surrounding countryside. But attacks are still frequent and our time inside the compound is strictly limited. Such are the alleged sensitivities surrounding what goes on behind the high stone walls, that the international organisation in charge has asked not to be named.