May 28, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

African Union troops cross Shabelle river and secure Afgooye town

25 May – Source: AMISOM – 362 words

AMISOM troops have today crossed the Shabelle River and secured all the major roads leading into and out of Afgooye town. The town is strategically located 30km from the capital, Mogadishu, and governing routes to the port town of Marka, as well as the towns of Baidoa and Jowhar.

Leaders of the Al Qaeda-affiliated terror group, al Shabaab are believed to have fled the town, which was their main base in the region and where they were known to have been extorting revenues from farmers, traders and pastoralists.

On Monday, AMISOM launched a joint military operation with the Somali National Army, code-named ‘Operation Free Shabelle’ with the objective of securing the Afgooye corridor, home to the world’s largest concentration of internally displaced people. Operations are still ongoing to secure the market town of Elasha Biyaha. Harabsca, a trading centre located 26km from Mogadishu, has also been secured.

Key Headlines

SRSG for Somalia: “With 90 Days until the end of the transitional period many obstacles to progress Cleared” (Source: UNPOS)
Somali traditional elders fly to Istanbul Turkey (Radio Kulmiye/ BBC Somali Service)
Somali peace foremost priority says Turkey FM (Source: Todays Zaman News)
Puntland and Galmudug Withdraw Participation at Istanbul Conference II on Somalia (Source: Garowe Online)
The battle for control in Somalia(Source: Reuters – Video: Top News)
Government forces reportedly capture key southern Somalia town (Source: Midnimo Online/Radio Kulmiye/Radio Shabelle)
On the frontline: Amisom’s mother of all battles to capture Afgoye Somalia (Source: Africa Review/East African)
We preparing for the final push to flush out Al-Shabaab remnants (Source: Shabelle/ Mareeg Online)

PRESS RELEASE

African Union troops cross shabelle river and secure Afgooye town

25 May – Source: AMISOM – 362 words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra said: “Securing the town of Afgooye is a great achievement for the Somali government and the Somali people. This will not only make possible the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the population, but will go a long way in consolidating the country’s peace process.”

AMISOM Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti, applauded the AU troops for taking all the necessary precautions to prevent harm or injury to civilians. “The soldiers have conducted this operation in an exemplary manner,” he said. “During the operation, AMISOM troops specifically avoided entering the built up areas and camps around the main road to Afgoye.”

Earlier in the week, the UN Humanitarian Coordination for Somalia, Mark Bowden stated that the UN had “no reports of significant movements of people from Afgooye corridor” as a result of the operation.

The SNA will now conduct security operations inside the town to remove any remaining terrorist elements and to ensure it is safe.
The Force Commander appealed to all those Al Shabaab militants who are still hiding in the liberated areas to surrender and join the peace process. He assured them of safety should they choose to abandon the Al Qaeda-backed al Shabaab and join other Somalis in rebuilding their country.

SRSG for Somalia: “With 90 Days until the end of the transitional period, many obstacles to progress Cleared”

25 May – Source: UNPOS – 320 words

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga, briefed the press today on the recent progress on the Somalia political process. The SRSG had just returned from three days of meetings and deliberations in Addis Ababa with the principal signatories of Roadmap for the End of
Transition in Somalia. The meeting cleared many of the obstacles that have blocked the drafting and adoption of the provisional new Somali constitution and ending the transitional period on 20 August this year.
On 23 May, the signatories to the Roadmap agreed that the Elders now meeting in Mogadishu would select the delegates for the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) no later than 20 June. They agreed that the NCA will convene on 2 July to adopt the new provisional Somali Constitution by 10 July. The new Somali Parliament will be selected by 15 July. The Elders will be assisted in the selection processes by a Technical Selection Committee which will ensure nominees meet the criteria set out in the Garowe
Conference.
“These meetings of the principals were dynamic and sometimes contentious. But most importantly, they were ultimately successful,” said SRSG Mahiga. Among the key decisions was the expansion of the Technical Selection Committee for the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) and the new parliament, which will now be broadened to represent the clans and to include international observers; and the convening of a technical committee which worked for three days to harmonize and incorporate the
recommendations of the signatories into the draft interim constitution to ensure that it is ready for presentation to the NCA in accordance with the new timetable.
“There is a real spirit of camaraderie and a drive for progress amongst the signatories of the Roadmap. The process is moving forward and the Somali leadership is committed to meeting the challenging, but achievable, timetable. It is critical that all parties, including the International Community, now pull together to support this process.”

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT

Puntland and Galmudug Withdraw Participation at Istanbul Conference II on Somalia

27 May – Source: Garowe Online – 312 words

The governments of Puntland and Galmudug have withdrawn from a planned trip to the Republic of Turkey, Where the Istanbul Conference Il on Somalia is supposed to take place 31 May 2012 -1 June 2012.

This decision came as a matter of principle, after Puntland and Galmudug recognized that the Turkish role in Somalia is a) misbalanced; b) objects to consulting the Somali people; c) politically motivated, in cohort with the foreign policy of some countries; and d) not transparent enough to for the people to make a sound judgment.

Puntland and Galmudug

1. Having valued adherence to the Roadmap agreement, the Garowe Principles I & ll, the Galkayo Principles, and most recently, the Addis Ababa Communiqué of 23 May 2012, on the way forward in the Roadmap and the constitutional process;

2. Having valued the limited amount of time until the end of the transitional period on 20 August 2012;

3. Having considered the confusion over the purpose of transporting Somali traditional elders to Turkey for a meeting and the subsequent mismanagement of the elders’ trip;

4. Having seen Turkey’s unilateral decision to organize a Somali civil society meeting without consulting the Somali people, Somali stakeholders and their institutions;

5. Having considered the worrying fact that Somali leaders and representatives from TFG, Puntland, Galmudug, and Ahlu Sunna have all stated that they have no reliable information about the purpose and agenda ofthe Istanbul meetings;

6. Having seen the situation of mismanagement and interference during the process of selecting Somali traditional elders;

7. Having considered the absence of Puntland and Galmudug role at the Istanbul Conference ll on Somalia;

Puntland and Galmudug withdraw participation at the Istanbul Conference Il on Somalia, as the conference is not a Somali-owned process, the purpose and agenda of the conference is ambiguous, and the Conference aims to defy all agreements and precedents in search of a fresh start folythe peace process in Somalia, which is unacceptable.

SOMALI MEDIA

President Sharif returns to Somalia

27 May – Source: Bar-kulan/Jowhar Online – 98 words

President Sharif Ahmed yesterday returned to the country after a week-long trip to Ethiopia, South Africa and Kenya. The president and his delegation were warmly received at the airport by some members of the cabinet, parliament members and army officials. He did not brief the media upon his arrival at the airport.

During the weeklong trip to the three countries, the president attended the Roadmap signatories meeting in Addis Ababa and African leaders’ summit in South Africa to mark Africa Day celebrations.

Defense minister says the operation is nonstop

27 May – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 116 words

Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense Affairs of the TFG, H. E. Hussein Arab Isse stated that operations against Al-qaeda militias by the national army backing AU forces are cooperative actions.

Defense minister of Somali Government, H.E. Hussein Arab Isse praised national forces and the African Union peacekeeping forces fighting side by side, reaching victory over the battle against al Shabaab.

Government forces reportedly capture key southern Somalia town

27 May – Source: Midnimo Online/Radio Kulmiye/Radio Shabelle/ Garowe Online – 122 words

Somali government military officials in Jubba regions, southern Somalia have said they have captured the town of Afmadow following fighting. Reports say fighting broke out this afternoon and government forces seized control of Afmadow, near Kismaayo which has been under the control of al Shabaab. Al Shabaab has not issued any statement regarding the issue.

We preparing for the final push to flush out al Shabaab remnants

27 May – Source: Shabelle/ Mareeg Online – 131 words

An official in Somali armed forces claimed major victory over the latest fighting against militants of al Shabaab in southern Somalia.

“In the past three-days Somali and AMISIOM forces weakened the capability of al Shabaab fighters in the combat and now the troops are preparing for the final push to flush out al Shabaab remnants in Lower and Middle Shabelle regions in southern Somalia, General A/Karin Yusuf Aden, the commander of TFG’s armed forces said in Afgoye district.

AU, government forces seize key road in southern Somalia

27 May – Source: Jowhar Online – 199 words

Somali government and AMISOM forces with armoured vehicles yesterday reached the road that links Afgooye and Balcad, particularly in the Basra area of Middle Shabeelle Region [southern Somalia] where brief clashes took place.

Reports say the forces have set up bases on the road that links Basra to Balcad in Middle Shabelle Region. The combined forces were in many army vehicles.

ASWJ official dies, three injured in car accident

27 May – Source: Shabelle/Bar-kulan – 124 words

A car accident in central Somalia region on Sunday left at least one dead and two others injured, witnesses said. The car, which was a minibus, was running very high speed is turning off road links Galka’yo and Dagari in Mudug region and subsequently overturned, according to local residents and witnesses.

National forces Chief commander, Dhega-badan warns soldiers against harming civilians

27 May- Source: Radio Mogadishu/SONNA- 141 words

Abdulkarim Yusuf Adam Dhega-badan, the chief commander of Somali national army ordered T.FG military officers leading forces fighting against al Shabaab to take legal action against soldiers harming innocent civilians.

Somalia to open new embassy in South Africa

27 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 103 words

Somali government has said that it will open a new embassy in South Africa after delegates from the TFG led by president Sharif Ahmed visited the country this week. Hussein Arab Isse, the defense minister of Somlia told Bar-kulan that TFG officials and their counterparts in South Africa have discussed the importance of restoring diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Puntland agrees for Mauritius to temporarily imprison pirates

26 May – Source: Garowe Online – 119 words

The Puntland government signed an agreement with Mauritius to temporarily hold inmates convicted of piracy until Puntland detention facilities meet the international standard.
Saeed Mohamed Ragge, Minister of Ports, Sea Transport and Counter Piracy for Puntland met with Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam and various Mauritanian government officials.

Somali traditional elders fly to Istanbul, Turkey

26 May- Source: Radio Risaala/ Radio Kulmiye/ BBC Somali Service- 189 words

Somali cultural elders who were recently holding talks in Mogadishu yesterday flew to Istanbul, Turkey.
The cultural elders are mandated to pick delegates who in return will be required to approve the draft constitution.
More than 130 elders accompanied by politicians, parliamentarians, clerics and women representatives flew on board of a Turkish Airliner jet.

The traditional elders were received at the airport by Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Abdiwahab Ugaas Hussein alias Ugaas Khalif.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Six injured in twin grenade attacks in northern Kenya

27 May- Source: Africa Review- 331 words

At least six people were injured in two simultaneous grenade attacks suspected to have been carried out by Al-Shabaab in two border districts in Kenya’s northern region bordering the war-ravaged Somalia.

The attacks in Ifo 1 in Dadaab refugee complex in Garissa County and a hotel in Wajir town occurred less than ten minutes of each at 1730 GMT and 1740 GMT local time.

Kenyan Police arrest suspect behind spate of attacks in Tana River

26 May – Source: Coast Week/Xinhua – 599 words

The Kenyan police have arrested a man whom they believe is behind a spate of grenade attacks in the northern part of the east African nation.

Regional police commander, Leo Nyongesa, confirmed on Friday that the suspect was arrested on Thursday with AK47 assault rifle and 37 rounds of ammunitions in Madogo division in Tana-River County in coastal region.

On the frontline: Amisom’s mother of all battles to capture Afgoye, Somalia

27 May- Source: Africa Review/East African- 1187 words

On the morning of Tuesday May 22, as showers of rain bombarded Mogadishu, African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) and Somali forces loaded and oiled their guns and shared last-minute jokes as they prepared for their bravest and most dangerous mission so far.

Somali militants vow revenge after fall of bastion

26 May – Source: Daily Nation/AFP – 169 words

Al-Qaeda-linked Somali militants have vowed to intensify the war against government and African Union troops, despite the fall of their key stronghold of Afgoye.

“God willing we will continue the war and we will win the battle without doubt,” said Sheik Abdiaziz Abu Musab, spokesman for the hardline al Shabaab, a day after AU and Somali troops entered Afgoye.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali peace foremost priority, says Turkey FM

27 May- Source: Todays Zaman News -440 words

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has emphasized that resolving the conflict situation in Somalia is one of Turkey’s highest foreign policy priorities, as peace in Somalia would mean peace in a large area covering Africa, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The battle for control in Somalia

26 May – Source: Reuters – Video: Top News – 28 words

African Union troops seize a rebel stronghold near Mogadishu from al Qaeda-linked insurgents. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.

9,000 displaced in Somalia violence

26 May- Source: nydailynews/ Xinhua- 93 words

At least 9,200 people have been displaced in a fierce battle raging between the coalition forces and the insurgents near the Somali capital, the UN refugee agency said here Saturday.

The fighting erupted in Afgooye, a stronghold of the Al-Shabaab insurgent group, some 30 km from Mogadishu. People have fled to Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle and Lower Juba regions to avoid the fighting, the UNHCR said.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“In such a short time, Turkey’s involvement in Somalia has made a tremendous impact on the ground. There are several reasons why this is the case, and this article would not be extensive enough to cover all. However, here are some that cannot be overlooked. First, Turkey’s prudent recognition that all problems are not nails, and all solutions are not hammers. Second, its recognition that it is not about how much money is raised or poured into a system, but how strategically those dollars are invested. Their prudence to rely on hands-on service delivery and steer away from the Nairobi-based money squandering institutions has proven a success. Theirs is a model worthy of emulation.”

The 21 Years Itch and Turkey’s Role in Somalia

27 May – Source: Eurasia Review – 822 Words

Two decades have passed since the collapse of the Somali state. Twenty one years to be exact. According to Lee Cassanelli, Professor of African history at the University of Pennsylvania, this exact number matters in Somali politics – perhaps in a subconscious way.

“This is the first time that a member of the international community has become so involved in Somalia, unguided by the contradictory agendas of regional and international actors that have dominated the country. The proposed Istanbul conference will host Somalis and members of the international community. It is timely and has the real promise of producing a progressive, Somali-friendly strategy for helping Somalis help themselves.”

A precious chance for Somalia

26 May – Source: Aljazeera English – 3012 Words

In February, the British government hosted a one day conference in London to help chart a new agenda for Somalia. Many leading politicians from the US, Africa and the UN attended the meeting and promised to help Somalia regain its dignity and nationhood. Unfortunately, there were few fresh or bold ideas introduced at the gathering, and the invited Somali personalities were the same clients of the international community who have been part of the mess in Somalia. Respected Somalis who could articulate a strategy that mutually served the interests of the Somali people and the international community were black-listed by the organisers of the conference

Seven lessons for Kenya’s soldiers in Somalia that never were

26 May – Source: The East African News – 598 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.