May 26, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somalia declares non-stop war on al Shabaab
26 May – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV – 158 words
In reaction to al Shabaab’s attack on Somali parliament on Saturday, the Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheik Ahmed announced an ‘all-out war’ against the al Qaeda-linked group in the country.
The Prime minister made the announcement during a press conference at the ministry of defense after several soldiers were killed in an attack on the people’s parliament just before noon Saturday.
“I order the Somali National Army to ‘move now’ to eliminate the enemy whereever they are in the country—we must eradicate this enemy from our country,” the prime minister said angrily.
“We cannot tolerate that the enemy carries out such attacks on our people—we must all take part in the war,” the Prime minister emphasized urging the Somali people to help the army eliminate what he termed as the invading ‘enemy’.
This was the strongest announcement ever made by the Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed since he came to power earlier in the year.
Key Headlines
- Somali military court sentences al Shabaab member to death (Radio Mogadishu)
- Somalia declares non-stop war on al Shabaab (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
- Somali secret agency seizes electronic equipment from former al Shabaab commander (Hiiiraan Online)
- Somali PM visits the victims of Somali parliament attack at hospital (Radio Mogadishu/SNTV)
- Turkish national dies in Djibouti blast (Radio Goobjoog)
- Gedo Reconciliation conference kick start in Doolow district (Radio Goobjoog/Dhanaan Online)
- AMISOM Warns of Other al Shabaab Attacks (Radio Dalsan)
- Djibouti on Alert as investigation of the suicide attack underway (Somali Current)
- Mombasa police arrest 213 over terror attack (Star-Kenya)
- Five armed men arrested in Lughaya Awdal region (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somaliland: Dr Musa Replaces Dr Omar as Minister of Commerce (Somaliland Sun)
- Kenyan delegation arrives in Somaliland (Somaliland Informer)
- Two KDF soldiers killed in al Shabaab ambush near Lamu (Daily Nation)
- Military court chairman vows al Shabaab members will be sentenced when seized (Al Shahid)
- UN pays Kenya Sh4bn for troops based in Somalia (Business Daily)
- Somali national security chief steps down (Africa Review)
- In new video al Shabaab offers distorted view of history and current affairs (Sabahi Online)
- EEAS condemns attack in Mogadishu (neurope)
- Somali pirates who request asylum should stay in jail: minister (dutchnews)
- Star exclusive: Somalia’s new war order (the Star)
- Press Release Regarding the Attack Perpetrated against the Federal Parliament of Somalia (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
SOMALI MEDIA
Somalia declares non-stop war on al Shabaab
26 May – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV – 158 words
In reaction to al Shabaab’s attack on Somali parliament on Saturday, the Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheik Ahmed announced an ‘all-out war’ against the al Qaeda-linked group in the country.
The Prime minister made the announcement during a press conference at the ministry of defense after several soldiers were killed in an attack on the people’s parliament just before noon Saturday.
“I order the Somali National Army to ‘move now’ to eliminate the enemy whereever they are in the country—we must eradicate this enemy from our country,” the prime minister said angrily.
“We cannot tolerate that the enemy carries out such attacks on our people—we must all take part in the war,” the Prime minister emphasized urging the Somali people to help the army eliminate what he termed as the invading ‘enemy’.
This was the strongest announcement ever made by the Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed since he came to power earlier in the year.
Somali military court sentences al Shabaab member to death
26 May- Source: Radio Mogadishu/ Radio Goobjoog- 99 words
Somali military court has sentenced to death a member of al Shabaab on Sunday after the security forces in Daynile arrested him and seized a mortar shell and other ammunitions he was possessing. Present during the court’s verdict were the chairman of the military court col. Liiban Ali Yarrow, Banadir region security chairman Mohamed Abdikadir and the head of Somali military court Abdirahman Mohamed Tuuryare. The judgment of the military court comes a day after al Shabaab attacked the federal parliament of Somalia where over 10 people died and scores including lawmakers wounded. Al Shabaab has claimed the responsibility of the attack.
Somali secret agency seizes electronic equipment from former al Shabaab commander
26 May – Source Hiiiraan Online/Radio Dalsan – 150 words
Somali National security and Intelligence Agency has confiscated electronic equipment from former al Shabaab commander Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys who is currently under a house arrest.
Reports also indicate that the secret Agency who raided the home where the Islamist leader is being held have also cut his internet connections and confiscated some electronic equipment including a laptop, TV and mobile phones.
The operation was carried out by the secret agency Chief General Bashir Mohamed Jama on Saturdayafternoon, apparently hours after al Shabaab fighters attacked the Somali parliament building.
Former Internal Security Minister Abdikarim Hussein Guled ordered the operation before resigning from his post.
The exact cause for the operation has not yet been revealed, but it comes days after the militant leader released his first speech since he was arrested and alleged that the country was under a new colony. He also accused al Shabaab in his speech.
Somali PM visits the victims of Somali parliament attack at hospital
26 May- Source: Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/ Radio Bar-kulan- 140 words
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has on Sunday paid a visit to Medina Hospital where some of those injured on Saturday’s al Shabaab attack on Somali parliament complex were admitted for further treatments.
After his visit to the hospital, the prime minister stated that those injured in the attack were recovering well from their injuries and he further wished them a very quick recovery.
He thanked the medical staff and the doctors at Medina Hospital for their quick and professional attention and promised that the government will be ready to assist the hospital officials should they need it.
Meanwhile, the Director of Medina Hospital, Dr. Mohamed Yusuf said that most of those admitted at the hospital were suffering from minor injuries except two individuals who need further treatments.
Turkish national dies in Djibouti blast
25 May – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 110 words
A Turkish national was killed late Saturday in a suicide bombing targeting a French restaurant in downtown Djibouti city. Turkey’s Ambassador to Djibouti Hasan Yavuz told Anadolu Agency that the killed man was working for a Turkish company in Djibouti.
He said the Turkish national was recognized at the hospital morgue. The ambassador added that the Turkish embassy was making efforts to send the body back to Turkey.
In an earlier statement, Djibouti’s Interior Ministry said a French national was killed in the bombing along with two Somali suicide bombers. The restaurant is usually frequented by foreign nationals, including American soldiers. Djibouti hosts two major American and French military bases.
AMISOM warns of other al Shabaab attacks
26 May- Source: Radio Dalsan- 76 words
AMISOM spokesperson Ali Adan Xumad told reporters that al Shabaab militias are planning more attacks on the important government offices. He added that the army and AMISOM troops would try to prevent those attacks. He said the Somali Army and AMISOM have weakened al Shabaab and liberated most regions from them. Al Shabaab carried out an attack on the parliament building when there was a parliament session where at least ten people were killed.
Gedo Reconciliation conference kick start in Doolow district
26 May- Source: Radio Goobjoog/Dhanaan Online/Radio Bar-kulan- 213 words
Reports from Gedo region states that reconciliation conference is opened in Doolow district. Delegates from the interim administration of Juba, Ahlu Suna wal Jamaa, federal government of Somalia and members of parliament who hail from Gedo region reached the town to attended the conference.
The security of Dollow district, hosting the conference was tightened as the government forces are seen taking guard where the conference is to take place.
The main agenda of the conference is to solve the recent clashes between the government forces and Ahlu Suna Wal Jamaa in Bula Hawo district that claimed the lives of more 20 people mostly civilians.
One of the organizers of the conference in Doolow, Hilowle Adan told the media that the participants of the conference will discuss wide range issues of great concern to the region but resolving of the differences between the sides that clashed in Bulo Hawo will be given priority.
Over seventy traditional elders from Gedo region who met in Bula Hawo last week named 15 elders to end the tensions and hostilities between the sides who immediately embarked their duties.
The federal government of Somalia asked the sides to solve their difference in a peaceful dialogue and refrain from anything that might lead to further clashes in the region.
Djibouti on Alert as investigation of the suicide attack underway
26 May- Source: Somali Current- 217 words
Djiboutian security has been went on alert and ordered increased security presence for city subways and buses at Djibouti city after an attack government said was carried out by the two Somali suicide bombers which engulfed the lives of 3 people and injured another 15.
Djibouti’s Interior Ministry said on Sunday said two Somalis are suspected of having carried out a suicide bombing at the interior of La Chaumiere restaurant filled with Western military personnel. British government said the terror explosion had resulted the casualties of several members of European Union naval and civilian maritime security missions, including three members of the Spanish military air force, as Britain recommended extreme caution and vigilance in traveling to Djibouti.
Security armed forces of Djibouti have been patrolling Djibouti’s main areas and streets including Embassies and banks. witnesses said cops were ordered to immediately start searching city transit facilities — including buses and subways — and to stay vigilant and to take a proactive approach, while doing so.
Cops were also directed to provide additional security at synagogues and other “sensitive locations” in the city of Djibouti. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the blast, which marked the most shocked attack inside Djibouti as Djiboutian residents told to be terrific and shocking for them since ages.
The European Union and the African Union on Sunday both condemned an attack the government said involved two Somali suicide bombers dresses with western military personnel in Djibouti that killed 3 people and wounded 15 others.
Djibouti contributes troops to the African peacekeeping Union military force fighting militants in Somalia. al Shabaab fighters have previously carried out attacks in Uganda and Kenya, which also contribute troops.
Five armed men arrested in Lughaya, Awdal region
25 May- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 116 words
Local administration of Lughaya area in Awdal region has claimed to have arrested several armed men who are suspected of attempting to carry out insecurity activities in the area. Lughaya commissioner, Abdullahi Ali Aw-nur who talked to Bar-kulan said that local security forces managed to arrest five men armed with guns and added that the men were unfamiliar faces in the area. He added that the men are now being held in Borama after his administration handed them over to Borama officials for further investigations.
Meanwhile, officials in Borama who also talked to Bar-kulan said that the men will be taken to court after the investigations are concluded.
Somaliland: Dr Musa Replaces Dr Omar as Minister of Commerce
24 May – Source: Somaliland Sun – 99 words
A presidential Decree # JSL/M/XERM/249-2516/052014 has resulted in a change of minister in-charge of the Commerce and Investment Docket.
The decree by President Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo has named the appointment of Dr Musa Qassim Omar as the Somaliland minister of Commerce and Investment.
The president attributed his authority to make the appointment to Article 90 Section 2 of the Somaliland constitution, and pursuant to consultations with relevant stakeholders as well as the imperative need of enhancing the country’s Commerce and investment sectors.
Dr Qassim takes over from his predecessor Dr Mohamed Abdilahi Omar with immediate effect.
Kenyan delegation arrives in Somaliland
24 May – Source: Somaliland Informer – 99 words
Kenyan delegation has arrived in the country to officially open consular office in Hargeisa, Somaliland capital. The move will assist both countries to have close bilateral ties and on the other hand will assist people of both nations to have smooth trade. Somaliland representative to Kenya Mr. Mohamud Jama Sifir is accompanied by the delegation.
Kenyan Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Richard Onyonka said that Nairobi supports the recognition of Somaliland as an independent state and Kenya will encourage the countries of the African Union to officially recognize Somaliland, a Press TV correspondent in Nairobi reported late on Friday.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Two KDF soldiers killed in al Shabaab ambush near Lamu
26 May- Source: Daily Nation- 91 Words
Two Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers were killed in the early hours of Monday after their convoy was attacked by suspected al Shabaab militants. Several other soldiers were reportedly injured during the incident.
The soldiers were transporting food from Hindi, near Lamu, to Ras Kamboni military camp. Lamu East OCPD Samuel Obara confirmed that the two officers were killed by a group of about 10 militants who ambushed them. “Their vehicle got stuck at Milimani between Mangai and Basuba, about 21 kilometres from Hindi, where an exchange of fire ensued,” he said.
Military court chairman vows al Shabaab members will be sentenced when seized
26 May- Source: Al Shahid- 139 words
In his first massage, Abdirahman Mahamed Turyare, Somali high military court chairman said on Sunday that every al Shabaab member will receive death penalty and shot dead when seized without postponement.
Turyare who was appointed as Somali high military court chairman last week said, “al Shabaab will not be released if seized. Somali high military court will instantly sentence them to death penalty. I request security department to inform the court if they seize al Shabaab members”.
“Al Shabaab is enemy and will be punished. I am informing al Shabaab that they will meet the consequence of their acts if they fail to surrender,” Abdirahman Mahamed Turyare announced.
Somali people accuse security and justice departments of failing to punish Shabab members if detained for corruption manner though Somali government denies that.
Mombasa police arrest 213 over terror attack
26 May- Source: Star-Kenya- 656 words
Some 213 suspects were yesterday arrested after police carried a joint operation to flush out terror suspects behind recent grenade attacks in Mombasa.
Police mounted raids in Majengo and Mwembe Tayari areas perceived to be hideouts for al Shabaab returnees.
The Kenyans, who are said to have relocated from Somalia after training with the militia group, have been blamed for runaway terror attacks that have hit the Coastal city.
The counter terrorism operation was conducted after detectives circulated details of three suspects behindThursday grenade attack on Biashara Street, where a police officer was injured. Police have a collection of evidence that indicates they have been involved in various acts of terrorism.
Anti-Terrorism Police Unit say the three, who are in the early teens, are suspected to have been trained in Somalia and have links with the al Shabaab.
UN pays Kenya Sh4bn for troops based in Somalia
25 May- Source: Business Daily-431 Words
The United Nations has offered Kenya Sh4.3 billion as compensation for money spent by its troops fighting al Shabaab militants in Somalia. Treasury documents show that the reimbursement was above the Sh3.5 billion the Treasury was expecting from the UN in the nine months to March.
This helped ease budgetary constraints in a period that saw the State announce austerity measures including putting a stop to project spending, stoppage in hiring and pay rise freeze.
The cash also signals faster disbursement from the UN after delays last year that prompted Kenya to issue a protest to the Security Council, saying failure to reimburse Kenya the money was not only “unacceptable”, but also “unsustainable.”
The refund is linked to the money spent by its troops in Somalia under the African Union Mission (AMISOM). The UN will offer it Sh6.1 billion in the next fiscal year starting July.
“Security is necessary for encouraging investment, accelerating growth and creating more jobs for our youth. To this end, the following allocation has been provided; Sh6.1 billion for AMISOM,” reads a document submitted by the National Treasury secretary to Parliament.
Somali national security chief steps down
25 May – Source: Africa Review – 141 words
The Somali Minister for National Security, Abdikarim Hussein Guled, resigned late on Saturday just hours after al Shabaab militants loyal staged a deadly attack on the federal parliament. “After twenty months in office, I am hereby announcing my resignation from the ministerial portfolio I have been holding for the nation: The ministry of national security,” said Mr Guled through state-run media.
He has served under former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon and current premier Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed. Mr Guled was considered one of the closest allies of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud.
His departure is likely to reduce the mounting political pressure on President Mohamoud who has recently been facing calls from a section of the legislators to resign.
The MPs who openly challenge the president justify this on the ground that the security across Somalia, particularly in the capital has been deteriorating.
In new video, al Shabaab offers distorted view of history and current affairs
23 May- Source: Sabahi Online- 411 words
In a video released May 14th entitled “Muslims of Bangui and Mombasa: a Tale of Tragedy”, al Shabaab’s top commander Ahmed Abdi Godane gives a 36-minute presentation about his group’s views on the state of Muslims in Africa and the world.
In messages offered in Arabic, English, Somali, and Swahili, the group argues that enemies of Islam are “looting the resources of Muslims” in a continued conspiracy against Islam — even as al Shabaab itself has been one of the biggest offenders of the crimes it condemns by destroying water wells and confiscating aid in areas of Somalia where communities are vulnerable to water shortages and food insecurity.
The style of the video is markedly different than past productions. While it included the same high-quality graphics, al Shabaab went into depth about its interpretation of relations between Muslims and Christians dating back to the Crusades in the Middle Ages, Europe’s “Scramble for Africa” in 1884 and up to recent religious conflicts elsewhere in Africa and the Middle East.
The first part of the video addresses the crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR), where international peacekeeping forces from France and other countries are trying to contain ongoing violence between Muslim and Christian militias.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
EEAS condemns attack in Mogadishu
26 May- Source: neurope -155 words
The European Union External Action Office (EEAS) released a statement condemning the attack in Somalia’s Federal Parliament building on 24 May.
At least seven people were killed including six attackers and a soldier who tried to stop the suicide bomber from entering the Parliament. The attackers held a multi-prolonged strike involving a suicide bomber, gunmen on foot and a car bomb.
EEAS released a statement saying: “We condemn in the strongest terms the attack against the Federal Parliament in the Somali capital Mogadishu. We stress the importance of preserving and protecting this key institution. We deplore the loss of life and extend our condolences to the families of the deceased.
We commend the swift response of the security forces of the Federal Government of Somalia and AMISOM in responding to this vicious act.
Somali pirates who request asylum should stay in jail: minister
26 May- Source: dutchnews -139 words
Convicted Somali pirates, who are serving their sentences in Dutch jails, should no longer qualify for early release if they request asylum, says junior justice minister Fred Teeven.
At the moment, the pirates are released after serving two-thirds of their sentence with good behaviour, as is standard in the Netherlands.
However, Teeven is planning to change the law on this point as soon as possible, he told parliament on Monday.
In total, 25 Somali nationals have been found guilty of piracy in the Netherlands and Teeven says has reached agreement with the Somali authorities on their deportation.
Star exclusive: Somalia’s new war order
25 May- Source: the Star- 1248 words
Tall, lanky, wearing aviator shades, a button-down shirt open over a white undershirt, standing in the punishing morning sun. He is one of Somalia’s U.S.-trained elite fighters. Few here would know the 23-year-old’s role as part of a new secretive Special Forces unit known as “Danab,” which means lightning.
As the name suggests, this small force of Somalia’s National Army is trained to strike with precision, targeting the country’s hot spots and terrorism targets, fashioned after the U.S. Army’s Delta Force or Navy SEALs.
For the first time, members of Danab and the CIA-trained Somali intelligence unit known as “Alpha Group,” who agreed to be interviewed on the condition they were not identified, gave detailed accounts of the extent to which the Americans are now involved in training forces in a country from which they fled two decades ago.
Press Release Regarding the Attack Perpetrated against the Federal Parliament of Somalia
25 May- Source: Turkish Foreign Ministry-138 Words
We were saddened by the news of the death or injury of a large number of Somalis as a result of the attack perpetrated yesterday (24 May 2014) against the building of the Federal Parliament of Somalia. We strongly condemn this attack that targeted the democratically elected legitimate representatives of the people of Somalia during their parliamentary work. We wish God’s mercy upon those who lost their lives in the attack, convey our condolences to their relatives, and hope for a speedy recovery of those injured. Terrorism is a crime against humanity. It cannot be excused or condoned under any pretext. International cooperation is the most powerful way to fight terrorism. In the face of this heinous terrorist attack, we express once again our strong feelings of solidarity with the Federal Parliament and the people of brotherly Somalia.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Coming through passport control is an ordeal, I am followed on the street and hassled by security services. Not all citizens enjoy the same rights.”
I am a British citizen – not a second-class citizen
26 May- Source: The Guardian-665 Words
If you are British and think that every British citizen enjoys the same rights, my story and those of thousands of others should convince you otherwise. I arrived in Britain in 1999 having fled the civil war in my home country, Somalia. My asylum application was approved a year later. During that time I was given accommodation and a weekly food voucher worth £35. For this I will always be grateful.
As soon as I was permitted to seek employment I started looking for a job. I worked in a laundry, a warehouse and as a taxi driver – simply to survive. Later I trained to become a journalist. I joined Channel 4 News as a reporter, largely covering Africa – a role that required frequent travelling. And that is when my nightmare at the hands of Britain’s security services began. I have been detained, questioned and harassed almost every time I have passed through Heathrow airport. In 10 years, only one of my colleagues has been stopped.
“The point of the foregoing account is to illustrate the complexity of the matter at hand. Our approach to Somalia must necessarily be multifaceted and flexible. As such, any kind of international arrangements that we get into must not put us in a straightjacket with regard to strategy. Kenyan interests must always be front and centre. The last thing Kenya needs is to become a mere host to a conflict pitting the US and al Shabaab and its affiliates.”
Whose bidding is the KDF doing in Somalia now?
24 May- Source: Standard Media-782 Words
On Wednesday the US announced it was sending about 80 troops to Chad to help in the hunt for about 300 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram. This adds to the surveillance assistance the Nigerian government has been getting from the US government. The US involvement, right on the heels of the Paris conference on Boko Haram last week, is yet another reminder of the international dimension of the security threats to African states posed by groups like Boko Haram, al Shabaab or al Qaeda in the Magreb.
But while such a turn might help bring attention and international assistance in dealing with these groups, it also comes with risks. By internationalising their security challenges, African states expose themselves to the possibility of becoming mere theatres of the fight between the US (and the West) and transnational terrorist organisations. As the saying goes, ndovu wanapopigana, ni nyasi huumia.
Which brings me to the Kenyan case. Back in October 2011 when the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) invaded Somalia, we were told our two main objectives were to defeat or weaken al Shabaab and to protect ourselves from sporadic attacks and kidnappings from the terror group and its affiliates. In other words, Kenya’s involvement in Somalia was purely motivated by domestic security concerns.
Top tweets
@OCHASom TODAY! Live Twitter chat on #Somalia crisis with aid chief @UNLazzarini at 5pm Somalia time. Ask Qs to#UNLazzarini pic.twitter.com/yQDQIlCdPr
@amisomsomalia Training of #Somali Civil Servants organised by #AMISOM and conducted by Uganda Management Institute pic.twitter.com/KmicC2XdIa
@evolvingprimate Young cadets of the Somali Air Force at a Turkish Air Force Base where they are undergoing training.pic.twitter.com/fxTp2EVlsV
@samirasawlani The politics of not belonging & the pain of being Kenyan Somali (received via email so source unknown)pic.twitter.com/BnVXJVBfOQ
@rememberthegoat Assessing drought displacement risk for Kenyan, Ethiopian and Somali pastoralists http://shar.es/V6kmy via @reliefweb
Image of the day
First cadets to be trained as pilots for the Somali Air Force in decades. They are trained by the Turkish Air Force. Photo: @evolvingprimate