May 28, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Explosion in Nairobi’s Moi Avenue
28 May – Source: Daily Nation/Africa Review/Capital news/ Standard/Reuters – 65 words
A huge blast that occurred at about 1:10pm has destroyed exhibition stalls along Nairobi’s Moi Avenue street. According to an eye witness, there was a huge blast as debris flew in different directions injuring 28 people in the environs.
The powerful explosion shook buildings surrounding the area and evacuation process began, with most occupants fearing for their safety. The explosion has disrupted activities along the street.
Key Headlines
- Explosion in Nairobi’s Moi Avenue (Daily Nation/Africa Review/Capital news/ Standard/Reuters)
- Somaliland will Attend the upcoming Istanbul Summit (Somaliland Press/Jowhar Online)
- Sufi sect boycotts Istanbul conference on Somalia (All Puntland Online/RBC)
- Grenades hurt 8 in Wajir Dadaab (Capital News)
- Elders’ and Civil Society meeting kicks off in Istanbul Turkey (Radio Mogadishu)
- UN calls for protection of thousands displaced in southern Somalia violence (Shabelle)
- Somalia’s Puntland police arrest 11 pirates (Reuters)
- TFG forces carry out operation in Afmadow district (Radio Mogadishu/SONNA)
- African Union Troops Secure Afgoye Corridor (AMISOM)
- Three killed in southern Somalia fighting (Shabelle)
- Al Shabaab plotting attack in Netherlands (Radio Netherlands World Wide)
- Groups plan terror strikes to mark Osama death (Africa Review)
PRESS STATEMENT
African Union Troops Secure Afgoye Corridor
27 May – Source: AMISOM – 261 words
Following a joint operation, AU and Somali forces have secured a critical corridor linking the capital Mogadishu and the agricultural town of Afgooye on the Shabelle River.
The Somali National Army, supported by troops from AMISOM’s Burundian contingent, yesterday took control of the market town of Elasha Biyaha, the last remaining stronghold of the al Qaeda-affiliated terror group, al Shabaab, on the corridor.
The week-long operation, code-named Operation Free Shabelle, has enabled a free flow of civilian traffic between Afgoye and Mogadishu, and provided the opportunity for humanitarian agencies to access the area. Previously, the al Shabaab had prevented aid groups from delivering assistance to the people in the corridor.
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra, congratulated the troops on this latest success noting that they had gone out of their way to avoid causing harm to civilians.
“This is testament to the African Union’s commitment to support the peace process and improve the lives of the people Somalia,” he said. “The humanitarian community can now provide much needed aid to the people of Afgooye.”
Brigadier General Audace Nduwumunsi, the Deputy AMISOM Force Commander, said that the AMISOM troops had demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and restraint. “By avoiding fighting in areas with large civilian concentrations, we have ensured that there was minimal displacement of people within the corridor,” he added.
Earlier in the week, the UN confirmed that it had received no reports of significant movement of people from Afgooye corridor as a result of the operation.
SOMALI MEDIA
Elders’ and Civil Society meeting kicks off in Istanbul, Turkey
28 May – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 375 words
For the last two days, hundreds of representatives of Somalia’s elders, civil society groups and officials from the government have been flocking to Istanbul, Turkey where the meeting commenced on Sunday at Dedeman Hotel.
The meeting opened at 9.00am and was opened by the foreign minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu reminding the representatives present at the meeting of the four key agendas to be discussed in the meeting:
- The Somalis should have a council standing for their interest.
- The elders and experts should collectively discuss the challenges and come up with solutions in the way forward.
- The Somalis should be given an opportunity to present their side of the solution and what they see fit for Somalia to be part of the world again.
- Turkey government should be given the opportunity to assess the need for security, political situations, humanitarian need and developmental aspects.
In the speech, Ahmet urged the civil society and the elders to revive the golden history of Somalia citing the example of Ahmed Guray. “As Somalis, your are required to revitalise the history of Ahmed Gurey”, he said comically drawing laughter from the crowd. He also took the example of Andalus war where those who ran from the war sought refuge in Somalia and the Somalis welcomed them, inter-married with the Somalis and interacted with them.
After the minister’s speech, some Somali elders and civil society members spoke at the meeting including the famous musicians Ahmed Naaji Saad, Abdishire Jama’ Ciyaar Jecel, world marathon Abdi Bile Abdi and Amina Muse Weheliye, a famous Somali journalist.
The meeting is scheduled to go on from 27th April to 2nd June 2012. The meeting’s agenda is ‘Istanbul meeting for Somali Civil Society’. The meeting’s outcomes and deliberations will then be brought forth in the forthcoming meeting where the participants will include the international community, leaders of the government and local administrations leaders. The coming meeting will give political directions on ending the transitional period on 20th August 2012 which brings an end to the transitional federal government tenure.
Meanwhile, a delegate headed by the speaker of parliament Sharif Hassan Sh. Adan has on Monday night reached Istanbul. President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the Prime Minister Abdiweli and local administration leaders are expected to attend the meeting in the coming days.
Three killed in southern Somalia fighting
28 May – Source: Shabelle – 153 words
At least three people have been killed and more than number injured in fighting between Somali, Kenyan troops and al Shabaab fighters in Lower Jubba region of southern Somalia, in a fast-moving offensive to capture a key militant stronghold.
Witnesses reported the heavy fighting broke out overnight when al Shabaab agents attacked Somali and Kenya troops at Qoqani and Tabta townships in region, killing three combatants from both rival sides.
No civilian casualties has been reported, but Somali and Kenyan troops were reported to have conducted search operations around Qoqani and Tabta, the battle zones in Lower Jubba region of Somalia.
Neither Somali nor al Shabaab have made any comments on the combat so far.
Al Shabaab has been fighting to overthrow Somalia’s U.N.-backed Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in the past three years, but has steadily lost ground in the past 9 months to AU, Somali, Kenyan and Ethiopian forces.
UN calls for protection of thousands displaced in southern Somalia violence
27 May – Source: Source: Shabelle – 158 words
The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, has said that the latest fighting between Somali government troops backed African Union forces and al Shabaab has displaced some 9,200 people who have arrived in the capital, Mogadishu.
The agency says some of these people don’t have any shelter and that there is need to provide urgent help for them. The warring sides have also been urged to open escape routes for those fleeing the fighting.
Somali government and AU forces entered the areas hosting the internally-displaced people on the outskirts of Mogadishu from different directions and managed to take over the entire town of Afgooye, which was under al Shabaab’s control for some time.
The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator recently said there was need for Somali government, AU and al Shabaab forces not to harass people in the areas where the fighting is continuing.
TFG forces carry out operation in Afmadow district
28 May – Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA – 135 words
TFG forces who have completely taken control of Afmadow district in lower Jubba region southern Somalia yesterday from the weak al Qaeda militias, have launched an operation ensuring the security, officials confirmed.
Somali military officials in Afmadow said that they are carrying out village to village search for al Qaeda militants hiding there, adding they also plan to go ahead with their push towards liberating lower Jubba region.
National forces backed by the African union peacekeeping forces recently removed al Qaeda linked group of al Shabaab from their greatest strong-hold in between Mogadishu and Afgoye district in lower Shabelle region and it’s not known where they would remain inthe moment since they lost support from Somali people and also from the misled youth they were using to wage war against Somali government.
Somaliland will Attend the upcoming Istanbul Summit
27 May – Source: Somaliland Press/Jowhar Online – 184 words
Somaliland Minister of Information has for the first time revealed in a press release that members of his government will be attending the upcoming Istanbul conference in Turkey scheduled for this Thursday (31st May).
Abdi Yusuf Ducale said the government will be attending the first phase of the Istanbul summit this after the government of Turkey extended an invitation to the government of Somaliland.
The Information Minister said, “the government of Turkey has made clear to us that the government of Turkey will be dealing separately with the government of Somaliland.”
Abdi Yusuf stated that during the Istanbul II summit they will be holding discussions on issues pertaining on how to enhance development and economical aid in areas such as energy, water, logistics and security.
Sufi sect boycotts Istanbul conference on Somalia
28 May – Source: All Puntland Online/RBC – 215 words
The Ahlu Sunnah wal Jama’as’ administration has suspended its plans to attend the Istanbul conference to be held from 31 May to 1 June 2012. In a statement, the group stated that its stands as follows
We, the administration of Somalia’s Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a, have decided to suspend plans to attend the Turkey conference for the following reasons:
1. Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a has previously expressed concern over [those representing] the civil society at the Istanbul conference and has suggested that either those representing the civil society be brought from all regions of Somalia or be shared on the 4.5 system on which the Somali transitional government is based so that the different sides in Somalia have a presence.
2. There was a meeting between us and Turkish officials and we suggested to them that the Turkish government put on hold the airlifting of traditional clan elders and those representing the civil society until all misunderstandings are resolved.
3. We sent a delegation to Turkey to negotiate with the Turkish government to postpone the airlifting of traditional clan elders and those representing the civil society.
The brotherly Turkish government has not accepted all these points we have noted above and it has airlifted the traditional clan elders and members from the civil society who are not known where they are from and who they represent.
Somalia receives medical aid from Saudi aid agency
27 May – Source: Radio Risaala – 126 words
Somalia’s Minister for Health, Abdiaziz Sheikh Yusuf officially received a medical aid from an organization based in Saudi Arabia. The medical aid package includes tones of drugs, 3 generators and an ambulance.
Dr. Mansuur Utayba, the head of the aid agency who talked at the event revealed that the aid package was intended for Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu and that the aid package was channeled through the Ministry of Health.
On the other hand, Somalia’s Minister for Health, Mr. Abdiaziz thanked the aid group for their generosity adding that the aid package came when it was most needed.
”Adhibaac Cabra Qaaraat” Aid group has been operating in Banadir Hospital during the recent famine and have brought in several shipments of medical care in the past.
Somali Elder gunned down in Mogadishu
28 May – Source: Radio Shabelle/Bar-kulan – 102 words
Assailants in Somalia shot dead a prominent Traditional Elder in Mogadishu, witnesses and officials said on Monday. Nor Hashi was shot Sunday evening near his home in Mogadishu’s Hamar-Jajab district, said a relative. “Two men armed with pistols shot my uncle three times in the head and the chest and dead on the spot.”
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the deceased was the governor of Hamar-Bile villageof Wardhigley administration for Somali government.
The killers were said to have escaped from the site after the shooting before dozens of Somali soldiers arrived at the crime scene and began investigation to find out the attackers.
Puntland Captures Seven Suspects in Hafun
27 May – Source: Somalia Report – 214 words
Members of the Puntland government and the Puntland Police Marine Force (PMPF) entered Hafun on May 26th, and this morning captured seven pirates (this was revised downward from the government statement of eleven pirates). Among them is a suspect named “Dhafoor”, believed to be the second in command to pirate Isse Yulux.
Dhafoor and Yulux are believed to be the pirates who captured and held the Danish yachting family until they were ransomed for between $2 and $4 million US dollars. Dhafoor is also being held of charges of ambushing and murdering five and injuring eleven Puntland government security forces members in Hul Anod in March 2011.
Dhafoor sustained a minor leg wound in the security operation, there were no other wounded. Although Dhafoor appears in our photo with a bandage on his leg. The government insists no one was wounded. Minister Khalif Issa Mudan who is in Hafun, said that he is in the town, everything is peaceful “that is rumors, no one injured, no one died and the troops are in the city peacefully”.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Explosion in Nairobi’s Moi Avenue
28 May – Source: Daily Nation/Africa Review/Capital news/ Standard/Reuters – 65 words
A huge blast that occurred at about 1:10pm has destroyed exhibition stalls along Nairobi’s Moi Avenue street. According to an eye witness, there was a huge blast as debris flew in different directions injuring 28 people in the environs.
The powerful explosion shook buildings surrounding the area and evacuation process began, with most occupants fearing for their safety. The explosion has disrupted activities along the street.
Groups plan terror strikes to mark Osama death
28 May – Source: Africa Review – 255 words
East and Central Africa has been put on alert following international intelligence reports that terrorists were planning attack. The reports say the attacks were planned in commemoration of one year anniversary since the al Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden, was killed.
As a result of this threat, there are heightened security alerts near airports, hotels and tourist sites in several African countries. Bin Laden, the mastermind of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York, was killed by American forces in Pakistan in May last year.
According to a document which was released by the International Anti-terror Network detailing the threat risk, the mastermind of the planned attack has been identified as Jose Mario Saladin.
“According to reliable security analysts in the Central African region, during the past few weeks, there is heightened threat of a terror attack in the Central African region planned by several terror groups,” read the report.
The report named terror groups as al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Boko Haram, Qods and al Shabaab, targeting Western interests, especially tourist sites, airports and hotels.
The Boko Haram have been attacking Christians in Nigeria, while the al Shabaab have carried out attacks in Kenya and Uganda, killing several people, including about 80 who died in the twin World Cup final bombings in Kampala in July 2010.
Grenades hurt 8 in Wajir, Dadaab
27 May – Source: Capital News – 427 words
At least eight people were wounded in separate grenade attacks at the Dadaab refugee camp and Wajir town on Saturday night, police said. According to police, five people were wounded when a grenade was hurled at them at a construction site at the Ifo II camp within Dadaab.
The second attack occurred in a restaurant in Wajir town where three people were wounded. “We had these two incidents, eight people were wounded and taken to hospital,” North Eastern Provincial Police chief Leo Nyongesa said.
At the Ifo camp, those attacked were constructing a school when the grenade was hurled at them, while in the second one, the three people wounded were in a restaurant. “No arrests have been made but an investigation is underway,” Nyongesa said.
A senior police officer in the region has told Capital FM News the attacks are blamed on members of the al Shabaab or their sympathizers who have lately targeted security forces and locals.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Al Shabaab plotting attack in Netherlands
28 May – Source: Radio Netherlands World Wide – 297 words
A former commander of the Somali al Qaeda-linked organisation al Shabaab has said that dormant cells in the Netherlands are secretly preparing terrorist attacks.
The commander, who left al Shabaab because of a dispute with its leaders, said the militant Islamist group is actively recruiting and training members of the Somali diaspora in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States to launch attacks in the countries where they have a residence permit.
Dutch public broadcaster VPRO spoke to a BBC reporter, Mary Harper, on its radio programme Bureau Buitenland. Ms Harper had interviewed Mohamed Farah al Ansari who said Somalia was becoming the new hub of jihadism. Al Ansari joined up with government forces and entered a protection programme with the interim government after he stopped activities with al Shabaab.
The Somali commander was question by US security officials at the American embassy in Nairobi.
Somalia’s Puntland police arrest 11 pirates
28 May – Source: Reuters – 233 words
Police in Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland arrested 11 pirates and recovered rifles, a heavy machinegun and a truck, the region’s authorities said. Somali pirate gangs typically seize ships in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, holding their cargo and crews for ransom. They have raked in an estimated $150 million in ransoms, security analysts say, in what has become a highly organised, international criminal enterprise.
“On Sunday morning … PMPF (Puntland Maritime Police Force) captured 11 pirates in a security operation in Hafun District,” Puntland’s Security Ministry said in a statement. “The pirates arrested … include Mohamed Mohamud Mohamed Hassan (Dhafoor), who is a well-known pirate wanted by Puntland authorities for hijacking commercial vessels travelling the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden waterways,” it said.
The ministry said the police also recovered a Toyota truck, seven AK-47 assault rifles and one heavy machinegun. The statement said Hassan was part of a gang that killed five members of Puntland’s security forces during an operation to rescue a kidnapped Danish family last year.
Despite successful efforts to quell attacks in the Gulf of Aden, international navies have struggled to contain piracy in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea owing to the vast distances involved. The hijack success rate for Somali pirates has dropped sharply in recent months, due in part to more merchant ships turning to armed security guards, razor wire and water cannons to protect themselves.
Somali, AU Forces clear last of al Shabaab near Afgoye
27 May – Source: VOA – 186 words
Somali and African Union forces have cleared pockets of al Shabaab resistance from Elasha Biyaha, a region west of Mogadishu and home to more than 400,000 internally displaced refugees.
Somali and AU fighters seized control Afgoye Friday, a major town in Elasha Biyaha. They have also reopened the road between Afgoye and Mogadishu. Somali officials say 20 al Shabaab militants were killed in the five day operation to take the town.
A VOA Somali service reporter says the few people who were on the streets of Afgoye Sunday appeared anxious and still afraid to speak out in support of the Somali government. Some people told VOA that a resident celebrating the liberation of the town was killed by an unidentified gunman.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“The first smashing procedural blow of the talks was dealt by the way President Sharif Ahmed selected five unknown ministers on April 14, 2012 to represent the TFG side. Among the five, there wasn’t a single individual who seemed to show a command of the issues at hand; neither did any of the five ministers showed a paper trail to inform their constituents how qualified they would have been to partake these important talks. Blame this incompetence on the now infamous 4.5 power-sharing at the TFG and the President’s informal way of delegating without any vetting process.”
Talks between TFG and Somaliland – Dead on Arrival (DOA)
26 May – Source: Wardheer News – 1122 Words
Following the highly touted February 23, 2012 London talks, the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) and the Somaliland administration in Hargaysa accepted a non-binding accord to start talks on the vexing question of Somaliland’s statehood. The talks were supposed to begin this past April or May, preferably in London as the venue. However, due to ideological and procedural mishaps, the prospective talks died on arrival.
Following is an appraisal of the factors that were responsible for the premature death of the talks.
“There is likely no going back at this point in the Roadmap process led by the UN and AU. The international community does not want to spend more money to amend the process or unravel the brittle social support in Somalia it has built so far.”
“Unless Somalis fund–as a means to lead–the processes that determine country’s fate, outside forces will continue to influence significantly Somalia’s political future.”
UN Roadmap Paved in Foreign Currency
27 May – Source: Somalia News Room – 371 Words
Several editorials have been published in recent weeks about the contentious process to ratify the draft version of the Somali constitution–the best of which may be found by Abdullahi Jamaa (Somalia Report) or Abdulwahid Sheikh Osman Qalinle (Pambazuka).
Criticisms of the constitution include that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) elites and the international community–rather than local communities–have driven the process, or that Somalia’s security issues should trump all else, or point out that the constitution is full of loopholes and contradictions.
The TFG holds a small consultative meeting with civil society members in Nairobi.
Somalia: I must find a way to support myself and my children.
25 May – Source: Save The Children Blog – 381 Words
“All I could think of was this one bag of maize. Why didn’t I carry it with me? Why didn’t I balance the two children and somehow manage to bring it? Because I could not, my children are hungry today and will sleep hungry.”
I am sat with Fatuma, a young mother who has just arrived into Mogadishu. Clearly exhausted, she is slumped on a piece of concrete.
All around us are more families arriving into Mogadishu, some clutching small fabric bags of belongings, but like Fatuma, most ran here with nothing.
“Although most of the world’s governments, fearful of encouraging other secessionist movements, are in solidarity with the central government of Somalia against Somaliland, the world’s capitalists are taking a second look. Somaliland may not have the official imprimatur of the United Nations or the backing of a major central bank, some investors’ reason, but it looks a lot more secure than a Greece, an Egypt, or many other countries blessed by officialdom.”
Lawrence Solomon: Capitalist haven
25 May – Source: Financial Post – 843 Words
It’s the only African country that doesn’t rely on foreign aid from the world’s rich governments. It’s a Muslim country in Africa that has had a functioning democracy for two decades. It’s an oasis of relative peace in one of the most vicious regions of the world, with a growing free-market economy, low inflation and a currency that has been appreciating against the U.S. dollar.
This anomaly of a country, Somaliland, is unrecognized by any other country in the world, even though the World Bank’s chief economist for Africa touts it as a “success story” and the World Bank itself doesn’t formally recognize it. Somaliland’s story is all the more astonishing given that it is officially part of Somalia, a failed state best known for its piracy at sea and al Shabaab terrorists on land, and given that it declared independence in 1991 after surviving a brutal repression by Somalia’s Marxist dictator that dispersed much of its population to the U.K., Canada and other safe havens.
Seven lessons for Kenya’s soldiers in Somalia that never were
26 May – Source: The East African – 730 Words
Although he addressed pertinent issues in his lessons, his biased approach kills the whole meaning of the lesson as highlighted below:
Lesson 1: “Al-Shabaab is not just a Somali force, but a multi-national force.”
Onyango-Obbo is not telling the Kenyan Security forces anything new here. However, as long as Kenya remain both a major tourist hub and transit point, we will continue seeing foreigners’ in Kenya who may turn out to be associated with these terrorist groups. But thank you all the same.
Lesson 2: “You need men with guts, not only fancy equipment and planes to win in the cities.”
Any soldier has to have guts to operate in military operations. Indeed, KDF has some of the best trained soldiers in AMISOM — one of the reasons why KDF casualties are at a bare minimum of about 12 deaths.
Top tweets
@vvanwilgenburg Inside Story – Can stability return to #Somalia after 20 years? http://bit.ly/KyM8Vm
@PeaceAndMilk The positive side of #Somalia was appreciated by the audience at the #PeaceAndMilk book launch. Look out for the english launch 12 June.
@MinisterHashi Just received an inter agency UN group from @FAO, @UNICEF and @WFP on developing a joint strategy on drought resilience for #Somalia.
@smgbristol Puntland and Galmudug Say Turkey Conference Is ‘Politically Motivated’ http://bit.ly/
@KhusaafMan didn’t we just had a #London conference &then a conference held in Addis, &now an #Istanbul conf,what is next one held in Mars? oh #Somalia.
@BillaoJournal HT @
@BillaoJournal ‘Battle for #Somalia‘. Photos from @Reuters of #AMISOM and #
Image of the day
Speakers at the meeting of Somali Civil Society Groups in Istanbul held ahead of the 2nd Istanbul Somalia Conference scheduled for May 31-June 1, 2012. Photo: Radio Mogadishu.