May 29, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Kenya: Police Abuse Nairobi’s Refugees

29 May- Source: Human Rights Watch- 1458 words

Kenyan police in Nairobi tortured, raped, and otherwise abused and arbitrarily detained at least 1,000 refugees between mid-November 2012 and late January 2013, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The Kenyan authorities should immediately open an independent public investigation, and the United Nations refugee agency – which has not spoken publicly about the abuses – should document and publicly report on any future abuses against refugees, Human Rights Watch said.

The 68-page report, “‘You are All Terrorists:’ Kenyan Police Abuse of Refugees in Nairobi,”is based on interviews with 101 refugees, asylum seekers, and Kenyans of Somali ethnicity. The report documents how police used grenade and other attacks by unknown people in Nairobi’s mainly Somali suburb of Eastleigh and a government order to relocate urban refugees to refugee camps as an excuse to rape, beat, extort money from, and arbitrarily detain, at least 1,000 people. The police described their victims as “terrorists,” and demanded payments to free them. Human Rights Watch also documented 50 cases in which the abuses would amount to torture.

Key Headlines

Security operations conducted by AMISOM and Somali government troops in Mogadishu (Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Mogadishu)
Puntland announces end to piracy (Radio Ergo)
Investment summit for Somalia enters day two in Nairobi (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mustaqbal)
Heavy rains hit Huddun district causing damage (Radio Bar-kulan
AMISOM health clinics treat Somalis in areas liberated from al Shabaab (Sabahi Online)
Displaced women struggle for work in war-scarred Kismayo (Radio Ergo)
Hargeisa local Councilor murders innocent man (Somaliland Informer)
Somali MPs plot to censure KDF in Parliament (Standard)
Somalia talks reforms in bid to woo foreign investors(Business Daily Africa)
Kenya: Police Abuse Nairobi’s Refugees (Human Rights Watch)
Somali president shows confidence in eliminating jihadists (Global Post)

PRESS STATEMENT

Business will drive a new future for Somalia, says Prime Minister as investors meet in Nairobi conference

29 May – Source: Prime Minister’s Media Office – 288 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon today welcomed the business community as the engine of growth for the Somali economy as investors gathered in Nairobi for the two-day Somali Reconstruction and Investment Conference.

“Not long ago this event would have been unthinkable,” said the Prime Minister. “Today it sends a very powerful message to the world that Somalia is back and we are open for business. We welcome investors in all sectors of our economy.”

The Nairobi conference and exhibition, which includes government policymakers, international business leaders and development organisations, is endorsed by the Somali Ministry of Trade and Industry and is the first private-sector-led meeting to focus on investing in Somalia. Among the sectors featured are mining, oil exploration, banking, water, food security, retail and infrastructure. “As everyone knows, after decades of neglect our economy has been starved of investment. As a result there are many opportunities in different sectors, from energy and tourism to retail and banking. My message to the region, to the international community and to Somalis living around the world, is come and have a look.

Surprise yourself. This is a reforming government picking up the pieces after years of war and do everything to create the most favourable conditions for new investment. Security is better than it has been for decades and the time is right to put Somalia back on the investment map.”

The Prime Minister noted another upcoming business conference focused on investment, security and infrastructure, due to be held in Nairobi on 17 June. “Businesses there will be looking at opportunities in agriculture and livestock, oil and gas, mining, telecommunications and financial services, among others. Somalis thrive on business and this is the time,” the Prime Minister said.

“Don’t take risks with your children’s health,” Prime Minister says, launching nationwide polio vaccination campaign

29 May – Source: Prime Minister’s Media Office – 222 words

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon today called on Somalis to protect their children from the ravages of polio in a new vaccination campaign.

“There is no treatment for polio. There is only prevention, which is the whole point of this vaccination,” the Prime Minister said. “I urge all Somalis to take advantage of this opportunity and have their children vaccinated. This is not an option, it’s a necessity.”

Four cases of polio have been reported in Somalia in the past six months. The vaccination will be available for all children aged 10 and under. The Prime Minister called upon civil society and the media to get behind the campaign and spread awareness into the most remote areas.

The Somali government will take the lead on the polio vaccination campaign through the Ministry of Social Development, assisted by the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and other NGOs.

“Children are the future for any country. We must be a society that raises fit and healthy children to take their rightful and productive place in Somalia. I would like to thank everyone involved in this campaign from the Ministry of Social Development and the UN agencies to doctors doing brave and important work in the most remote parts of our country,” the Prime Minister said.

SOMALI MEDIA

Security operations conducted by AMISOM and Somali government troops in Mogadishu

29 May- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Mogadishu/Kulmiye- 176 words

Somalia’s federal government forces and AMISOM have conducted security operations in the capital on Wednesday Morning. The allied troops have conducted the operations in Waberi district that resulted in the arrests of many people suspected to have links with al Shabaab, the anti-government element in Somalia.

Residents in Waberi district told to Mustaqbal radio that they have woken up to the presence of AMISOM and government troops. The joint forces went on house to house search, looking for people who have links with al Shabaab militants.

Eyewitness said that the suspects arrested during the operation have been interrogated by officials from the Somali police. Somali government and AMISOM troops have been conducting in the recent times security operation in the districts of Banadir region, the operations were aimed at maintaining the security of the capital.

Puntland announces end to piracy

29 May- Source: Radio Ergo- 203 words

The piracy threat off the coast of Somalia is over, according to the head of Puntland’s counter piracy agency. Abdirizak Mohamed Dirir, director of counter piracy within the Ministry of Ports, Marine and Transportation, told Radio Ergo that Puntland armed forces had wiped out the pirates centres of activity in Eyl, Garad and Bargal, in Nugal and Mudug regions.

He said the pirates who had plagued the coastal area had been either arrested, fled the region, or chosen to quit the illegal activities they had been engaged in.

The regional commissioner of Mudug, Mohamed Yusuf Jama, credited the huge anti-piracy campaign – spearheaded by elders and religious leaders and supported by the whole community – for convincing many young men to shun piracy and take up law-abiding ways of earning a living.

Some former pirates are reported to have been recruited into the armed forces, others are being trained to play roles in Puntland’s local administration, and the youngest have been encouraged to return to education.

For a year, there has been no reported case of piracy off the Somali coast. Puntland forces attacked and disrupted the last of the pirate “nerve centres” in Garad nine months ago.

Investment summit for Somalia enters day two in Nairobi

29 May – Source: Bar-kulan/Radio Mustaqbal- 130 words

An investment summit for the war-torn horn of Africa nation entered its second day in Kenya International Conference Center (KICC) in Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The two day summit was organized by foreign investing company called Harvard Africa, as international organizations, representatives from organizations take help Africa on investment, international dignitaries and Somali Federal government officials were also present.

Speaking at the summit, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Somali Federal government Mohamed Hassan Sheikh said that there are many opportunities of investing in Somalia now.

Britain ambassador to Somalia Matt Baugh who also spoke in the meeting said that his government will support Somalia’s development and also the investment sector. Hanvard Africa and Shirtliff have signed an agreement on developing and investing in Somalia during the conference in Nairobi.

Heavy rains hit Huddun district, causing damage

29 May- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 126 words

Reports from Huddun district of Sool region in southern Somalia suggest that heavy rains have hit many parts of the district, damaging livestock of pastoralists living in the outskirts of the district. Speaking to Bar-kulan, Ahmed Ali Farah, an independent reporter in Huddun district said that the heavy rains also affected the Huddun primary school premises, and also three other houses’ roof sheets were blown away by the wings.

Reports add that poor people’s houses made of twigs and branches, cardboard boxes and plastic sheets did not stand a chance against the flash floods and winds. Though the exact causality caused by this heavy rains is now yet known yet reports add that severe winds killed unknown number of livestock in the outskirts of Huddun district.

Mudug Governor visits farmland

28 May – Source: Garowe Online – 125 words

Mudug Governor Mohamed Yusuf Jama Tigey visited the town of Rooh an agricultural town during its harvest season in Mudug, Garowe Online reports. Governor Tigey went on a publicized visit to the famous farmland in Mudug to as he stated “encourage farmers” to keep farming the region.

“I want to encourage farmers in the region to keep farming. I praise them for their hard work and people should regard these farmers as role models. Others should work to improve their land as these people have,” said Governor Tigey.

Dressed in native Somali clothing, Mudug governor posed for photo ops with ripe bananas, limes and mangoes. He also herded camels, cattle, sheep and goats during his trip to the small farm land 30 KMs from Galkayo.

Displaced women struggle for work in war-scarred Kismayo

28 May- Source: Radio Ergo- 338 words

Women from IDP centres around Kismayo struggle to earn enough money from casual jobs to feed their families. There are 32 camps accommodating more than 4,000 displaced families spread within Kismayo town and in the outskirts.

Aisha Ahmed, living in Barawe IDP camp, is one of numerous women who look for daily domestic jobs in town. “I take care of 10 children, I go to town very early for laundry work, I earn just 10,000 Somali shillings, which is not enough. If I don’t find a washing job to do, I go back empty-handed and my husband too is jobless.”

Safiyo Ahmed, also from Barawe camp, said it was getting harder to come by washing jobs. Even when she did get work, she said, she was often cheated by employers who did not want to pay for her labour.

Mulki Aden Mohamed, another IDP, described a life of misery. “I’m a mother of eight; I rise very early every morning to collect rubbish. We live in misery, no proper job…the roof of our shelter leaks and when it rains we all get wet. The father of my children was killed in clashes in the town”

Hawo Abdi Yonbow, chairperson of Iftin IDP camp, east of Kismayo, told Radio Ergo’s reporter that most women who go to town for odd jobs earn less than two dollars a day. The camps, she said, have poor conditions and most IDP children are poorly nourished and vulnerable to sickness and diarrhoea.

Aburas Hassan Mohamed, head of a local NGO, IRDO, said recent feeding programmes supported by WFP had brought improvements for the displaced population, but much more needed to be done.

Abdinasir Serar, who claimed to be the head of public service in the Jubbaland administration, told Radio Ergo they had plans to open health centres, schools and water points in the IDP camps. He also said they were considering housing the IDPs in disuses building such as the former bank, old maize mill, hide and skin factory, and old school structures.

Hargeisa local Councilor murders innocent man

29 May- Source: Somaliland Informer- 109 words

A member of Hargeisa Local Councilor has murdered a man by the name of Rashiid Adam Warsame at around 4 am local time on Wednesday and the murder occurred in the eastern parts of Hargeisa.

The murderer is Mustafe Osman Dahir who is among the recently elected local councilors in Hargeisa district in November 2012 and police apprehended the guilty after having carried out the killing. The motive of the killing is not yet clear as there are rumors and speculations regarding the killing of the innocent man. Security Forces have not yet commented the barbaric killing carried out by the local councilor.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somali MPs plot to censure KDF in Parliament

29 May- Source: Standard- 359 words

Somali MPs plan to file a motion sponsored by the Government in Parliament this week to censure activities of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

Mohamed Amin Hassan Abdullahi, an MP with the Somali federal Parliament said they are mobilising other parliamentarians to support a motion against the activities of KDF under AMISOM in Kismayo, which they intend to table before the Speaker in the coming days. He said he is sure of passing the motion.This is set to further complicate the process of securing Kenya’s borders from the al Shabaab terror group, a process that was entering its homestretch.

The Standard has also established the MPs are angry at what they term KDF’s “active involvement in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development sponsored political process” in newly created Jubaland.

’10 weeks of hell’ for Somalis in Kenya

29 May- Source: Al Jazeera- 1095 words

Sitting on a mattress in her cramped flat in eastern Nairobi, Ubah Abdi Warsame, a refugee from war-torn Somalia, points to her left ear and says that is where a Kenyan police officer booted her in the head.

She still feels pain, she told Al Jazeera. Memories of the December morning – when baton-wielding paramilitaries ransacked her apartment block and beat, detained and demanded cash from the Somali refugees inside – continue to disturb her sleep.

According to New York-based Human Rights Watch, it was not a lone example. The rights group describes in a new report a 10-week campaign of police beatings, rapes and extortion against Somali refugees in a misguided attempt to combat terrorism.

US drone crashes in Somalia

29 May – Source: Daily Nation/BBC – 200 words

An American drone has crashed in Somalia, a US official said Tuesday, after al Shabaab militants claimed to have recovered the wreckage. “I can confirm an RPA (remotely piloted aircraft) crashed in a remote area of the Somali coastline south of Mogadishu,” said the defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“The incident is under investigation,” the official told AFP. Officials declined to comment on what type of unmanned aircraft had crashed, whether it was armed and why it had gone down.

Somalia’s al Shabaab insurgents said late Tuesday their fighters had recovered the wreckage of what they said was a crashed surveillance drone. “This one is off the scrap yard,” the al Shabaab said in a message on Twitter alongside photographs it said were “wreckage of a crashed US drone”.

Security fortified in Kenyan border villages after police attack

28 May- Source: Sabahi Online- 711 words

Kenyan security forces have posted more personnel along the border with Somalia after an attack on two police posts at the weekend prompted government officials to recommend more than doubling the number of security personnel deployed in the north-eastern region.

A security assessment team led by Deputy Inspectors General Grace Kaindi and Samuel Arachi on Sunday(May 26th) visited the Abdi Sugow and Damajaley police camps in Garissa County, where a raid Saturdaykilled at least five people, including a 15-year-old boy, and injured two others.

Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attacks, adding that its militants kidnapped two police officers during the raid. “Along with the Ghaneema (weapons and equipment), the Mujahideen dragged away two of the Kenyan Kuffar as PoWs and are now firmly in the custody of the Mujahideen,” al Shabaab said on Twitter.

Somalia talks reforms in bid to woo foreign investors

28 May- Source: .Business Daily Africa- 464 words

Kenyan investors have come face-to-face with weak investment laws and the lengthy process of obtaining visas and work permits in their pursuit of opportunities in Somalia. Industry players said expanding operations to Somalia required paying a Sh4,000 ($50) visa fee per worker, spending days to obtain work permits, and putting money in a regime with no clear capital transfer guidelines.

“While there is no question regarding our excitement to take part in Somalia’s reconstruction, these concerns need to be addressed to boost trade,”

AMISOM health clinics treat Somalis in areas liberated from al Shabaab

28 May- Source: Sabahi Online- 515 words

In the past six months, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has set up eight health clinics and three hospitals in areas liberated from al Shabaab, according to AMISOM spokesperson Colonel Ali Aden Humad.

The clinics are in several districts of Middle and Lower Shabelle regions, and the hospitals are in Beledweyne, Kismayo and Baidoa. They offer a full range of health services, Humad said.

“We have modern healthcare equipment, including laboratory equipment to diagnose common diseases, x-ray machines for bone injuries, machines to monitor high blood pressure and diabetes, and free medicine provided by highly qualified doctors,” he told Sabahi.

AMISOM staffs the hospitals with two doctors and ten nurses each, to serve as many as 300 patients daily. The smaller health centres serve fewer patients, Humad said. Mobile health clinics also are up and running in rural villages.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Kenya: Police Abuse Nairobi’s Refugees

29 May- Source: Human Rights Watch- 1458 words

Somali president shows confidence in eliminating jihadists

28 May- Source: Global Post- 461 words

The fledgling Somali government plans to restore security by eradicating militias in two years time as it embarks on a political and economic renewal after 22 years of civil strife and political turmoil. “The government is focusing on economic recovery to create employment to make young people less attracted to joining militant group al Shabaab,” Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in a recent interview with Kyodo News in the Ethiopian capital.

But to bring peace and stability, the government has to address the root causes of conflict such as poverty, lack of opportunities, hopelessness, access to arms and the spiral of revenge among clans.

Firefight rocks airport in Kismayo, Somalia

28 May – Source: UPI News – 100 words

A firefight began between militants and government troops at the airport in Kismayo, Somalia, while a government delegation was inside, defense officials said. The Defense Ministry said the militants, believed to be members of the outlawed fundamentalist al Shabaab militia, struck the airport Monday night as the airport hosted a government delegation that included Defense Minister Abdihakin Haji Mohamud Fiqi.

After the militants bombarded the airport, government troops retaliated with rockets and gunfire, witnesses said. Witnesses told the media that the fighting lasted for nearly an hour and caused severe damages at the airport in Kismayu, capital of the lower Juba region.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“Despite my friends’ concerns about my forthcoming visit to Somalia, I’m looking forward to going. They say that Mogadishu is rising from the ashes. That in itself makes it well worth the trip.”

Inside Track: Good news from Somalia

29 May- Source: Herald Scotland-519 Words

IN a few days time I’m off to Africa, Somalia to be precise. Whenever I mention the name of that country to friends or colleagues their face takes on a pained expression that suggests: “Nae luck.”

Somalia for most people conjures up images of marauding pirates, famine, terrorism and the high-octane war film Blackhawk Down.

Just a few days ago Somalia’s dubious reputation made the headlines yet again when it emerged that Michael Adebolajo, one of the two men held on suspicion of killing soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, was arrested during 2010 in Kenya, en-route for Somalia to join the Islamist militant group al Shabaab that has links to al Qaeda.

Before the Syrian conflict, there was little doubt that Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, lived up to its description as the most dangerous place in the world.

When I first went there it was Mad Max country with droves of militiamen roaring through the streets in converted pick-up trucks known as “technicals” with a heavy machine gun bolted down in the back.

Most were mad enough to do the bidding of their respective warlords and clan leaders. In Mogadishu I’ll never forget the stifling air heavy with faecal dust, the smell of the sea and rubbish baking in the hot sun.

“Now is the time for an end to Rhetoric. All stakeholders who support the constitutionally agreed federal state for Somalia should stand up and be counted. Somalia needs to know who its real friends are”

Storm clouds over Somalia: Rhetoric Vs Reality

28 May- Source: Hiiraan Online- 889 words

Recent developments in and out of Somalia have raised serious questions and doubt about the future direction of Somalia. Mixed signs and messages raise the ugly prospect of Somalia continuing to maintain its “Failed State” status. This time however, external forces may be at play to ensure that Somalia continues along the path of implosion.

The London Conference supposedly “co-chaired” by the Somali President is over. The speeches have been spoken, the protocols have been observed and pledges have been made. International window dressing and diplomatic jargon is in full flow. The international community is challenged to truly dissect and understand the significance of what was said and what was not said. The Communique made interesting reading but did not measure up to the pre-conference hype.

First, it was assumed that the London conference would provide ample opportunity for the international community to vocalize its support for the Central government of Somalia. While there may have been backroom strategies, there is an entire population that still needs to understand and accept the de facto and de jure existence of a Central Government. Somalis need to be convinced that this Government is not another TFG and will not meet a similar fate.

Top tweets

@Hamza_Africa Less than 24hrs after arriving in the country from the AU summit President Hassan is expected to fly out to Japan today. #Somalia #Mogadishu

@UNDPSomalia “#Somalia is back and we are open for business” says Somali PM to business community at the Somali Reconstruction and Investment Conference.

@cctvnewsafrica There is need for huge investment in power supply in #Somalia, Chamber of Commerce developing strategic plan and Govt Policy

@BillaoJournal #Pentagon finally confirms drone crashed in#Somalia denying it was shot down by #alShabaab. Interestingly insurgents also claim it crashed.

@Jr_sheekeye it appears in the ruble strewn of #Mogadishuyou can hire taxi like this renovates #Somalia http://fb.me/Qv6ADzMm

Follow the conversation →

Image of the day

Image of the day Participants attend Reconstruction and Investment Conference for Somalia held in Nairobi, Kenya on 28 May, 2013. Photo: Demotix