May 30, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somali government denies asking Kenyan and Ethiopian forces to leave
30 May – Source: Somaliatoday Online/SNTV/ Radio Mogadishu – 136 words
At a press conference in Mogadishu, the Minister of State for Presidency, Farah Sheikh Abdiqadir denied some media reports which suggested that the President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud ordered forces from neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia to leave the country within 48 hours.
The minister said that the Somali president’s relationship with the leaders of the two countries is good and constructive, and met the two leaders five times during the past six weeks for the purpose of cooperation and Somalia output in the current crisis.
Key Headlines
- President Hassan jets off to Japan (Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan)
- Somali government denies asking Kenyan and Ethiopian forces to leave (Somaliatoday Online/SNTV/ Radio Mogadishu)
- AMISOM and Government troops foil al Shabaab attacks (Shabelle)
- Gunmen wound Mustaqbal radio correspondent in Kismayo (Radio Mustaqbal/Somaliweyn/Bar-
kulan/Shabelle) - Civilian shot dead in Hargeisa by Somaliland MP (Garowe Online)
- Families flee to Luq after fighting in Bay and Bakool regions (Radio Ergo)
- Kenyan police dismiss human rights report accusations of torture rape (Standard)
- Man dies while planting Improvised Explosive Device in Garissa’ (Standard/Daily Nation)
- IFJ Hails Somalia Conference for Promoting Media Peace and Safety (IFJ)
SOMALI MEDIA
President Hassan jets off to Japan
30 May – Source: Shabelle/Radio Mogadishu/Bar-kulan – 118 words
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan S. Mohamud will be among more than 50 Heads of State and Government invited to the 5th Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICADV).
Mr. Hassan departed for the conference, which runs from June 1-3, will take place in Yokahama. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, World Bank and UNDP administrator Helen Clark will attend the conference providing an opportunity to Mr. Hassan to present Somali’s strategic interests at the multilateral level.
The conference aims to promote high-level policy dialogue between Japan and Africa. It also provides an opportunity to strengthen cooperation and support to Africa’s political, economic reforms and development.
Somali government denies asking Kenyan and Ethiopian forces to leave
30 May – Source: Somaliatoday Online/SNTV/ Radio Mogadishu – 136 words
At a press conference in Mogadishu, the Minister of State for Presidency, Farah Sheikh Abdiqadir denied some media reports which suggested that the President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud ordered forces from neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia to leave the country within 48 hours.
The minister said that the Somali president’s relationship with the leaders of the two countries is good and constructive, and met the two leaders five times during the past six weeks for the purpose of cooperation and Somalia output in the current crisis.
AMISOM and Government troops foil al Shabaab attacks
30 May – Source: Shabelle – 80 words
Somalia’s interior affairs and national security Minister, Abdikarim Hussein Guled who held a press conference said that the Somali government troops with the help of African Union forces have succeeded in stopping planned attacks from al Shabaab militia group.
The minister urged parliamentarians and members of the public to cooperate with the national security institutions to tackle insecurity in the major towns and cities controlled by the government.
Mr. Abdikarim also addressed the parliament where he forwarded proposed amendments to be passed in the parliament.
Gunmen wound Mustaqbal radio correspondent in Kismayo
30 May- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Somaliweyn/Bar-
The correspondent of Mustaqbal radio in southern Somali port city of Kismayo was reportedly wounded on Thursday night by armed men. Reports say that Abdikadir Abdirisak Jama’ known as (Jijile) was attacked by armed men with pistols while he was heading to his house in Kismayo.
A journalist named Fadumo Ali Ilmoge working for Radio Kismayo contacted Radio Mustaqbal in Mogadishu by telephone and confirmed that Abdikadir was wounded by armed men in Kismayo and just admitted in Kismayo hospital where he is being treated.
Fadumo said the journalist was also armed with pistol and defended himself against the attackers. Abdikadir was also correspondent in Kismayo for Royal TV. It is not known the reason why he was attacked, but it is part of violations hunting Somali journalists working in hard condition.
Families flee to Luq after fighting in Bay and Bakool regions
30 May- Source: Radio Ergo- 217 words
More than 380 family groups have arrived in Luq, Gedo region, over the past two weeks after fleeing heavy fighting in Bay and Bakool regions.
These families, mostly women and children, have been displaced by conflict that erupted in early May in Bardale and Owdinle locations of Bay region, between Somali government soldiers and al Shabaab forces.
More families from Hudur, capital of Bakool region, have also fled to Luq, after an attack by al Shabaab forces. These people had to walk for five days to reach Luq.
The al Shabaab offensive on Hudur was launched soon after Ethiopian troops had withdrawn from the area.
With this fresh influx, there are now an estimated 2,500-3,000 people living in IDP camps in Luq. Conditions in the camps are reported to be poor.
Abdi Dahir Aden is one of the IDPs who have been in Luq for several years. He said they had not received any assistance for the past six months. He said malaria and diarrhoea were rife among the displaced population and that there were no drugs available.
Displaced in the camps in Luq have requested emergency relief in the form of shelter, food and fresh water. Conditions have worsened with the sudden growth in numbers of those being displaced from Bay and Bakool and parts of Gedo.
Civilian shot dead in Hargeisa by Somaliland MP
29 May – Source: Garowe Online – 103 words
A Somaliland lawmaker was arrested and charged for the murder of his friend that was shot and killedTuesday night in Hargeisa, Garowe Online reports.
Mustafe Osman Dahir, a member of parliament in the breakaway region of Somaliland was charged for the murder of Abdirashid Adan Warsame, who was according to local media, a friend and neighbour of the MP.
Somaliland authorities charged the MP with murder on Wednesday after he turned himself over to police.
It is unknown what let up to the murder or what caused it. Somaliland authorities said that they investigating the case and would release a statement pending the investigation.
Somaliland investing in Scientific Animal Production Methods
29 May – Source: Somaliland Sun/ Somaliland Informer/ enca – 228 words
Somaliland’s government is investing in training veterinarians to become a regional hub for animal production. The Republic of Somaliland is currently a major exporter of livestock to Gulf States, but wants to expand that to guarantee quality livestock.
Minister of Livestock Dr Abdi Aw Dahir Ali said the major port of livestock for the Horn of Africa is Berbera, because of its location. “Berbera exports livestock from Ethiopia, from Somalia, from Kenya.”
The Sheik Technical Veterinary School was established over 10 years ago and has 118 students. It aims to improve the quality and health of livestock in Somaliland.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenyan police dismiss human rights report accusations of torture, rape
30 May- Source: Standard – 230 word
Kenya Police headquarters termed the Human Rights Watch (HRW) as populist and generally out to cause unnecessary “tensions” and attention. [The Human Rights Watch say Kenyan police unleashed a wave of torture, rape and arbitrary detention against Somali and Ethiopian refugees and asylum seekers and Somali Kenyans in Nairobi’s Eastleigh suburb between mid-November 2012 and late January in the pretext of fighting terrorism].
Acting police spokesman Charles Owino said the report did not name a single case of an individual claiming he was tortured, beaten up or raped in the said period.
“I find it too pedestrian because it is just giving stories. We achieved a lot in the operations and it is the duty of police to ensure there is law and order in any society,” he said.
Owino said police averted close to 100 planned terror attacks in the operations. He said some of the detained suspects provided crucial information that helped to prevent the attacks.
He added police were guided by various operational manuals to conduct the exercise in the cited places.
Owino said it was not true only refugees were arrested or detained in the period, arguing some of them were non-Somalis who were involved in terror activities. He said some of those arrested were not of Somali origin.
Man dies while planting Improvised Explosive Device in Garissa’
30 May – Source: Standard/Daily Nation – 209 words
A man was killed in Garissa town on Wednesday night after an Improvised Explosive Device ( IED) he was planting exploded. He was planting the IED on the roadside near the Garissa Provincial General Hospital.
The explosion jolted nearby buildings as confusion engulfed the town at about 9 pm.
Locals called The Standard newsroom saying they had heard loud explosion but did not know the cause.
The body parts of the suspected terrorist was scattered at the scene.
North Eastern Police chief Charlton Murithi said they heard the explosion on Wednesday night but they came to realize of death on Thursday morning.
Kenya ready to defend itself, says Defence Cabinet Secretary Omamo
29 May- Source: Daily Nation- 353 words
Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo has said the country is ready to defend itself against external aggression including from Somalia’s militia group al Shabaab. Ms Omamo said the Kenya Defence Forces was still keeping an eye on the militia. Her statement comes in the wake of attacks on two police camps on the Kenya-Somalia border. Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility.
“Our (Defence Ministry) mandate is to protect the territorial integrity of our county and we will do so and we are ready to do so. We are not incapacitated in any way. The Forces will continue to discharge the role given to them by the Constitution,” she said Wednesday.
Ms Omamo spoke during a ceremony to commemorate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers held at UNEP headquarters in Gigiri, where she was the chief guest.
Calm returns to Damajaley after al Shabaab attack
29 May- Source: Star (Kenya)- -268 words
Leaders from Garissa county have accused the government of laxity despite being warned in advance of Saturday’s attack in Damajaley location. Garissa County governor Nadhif Jama, SUPKEM secretary general Abdullahi Salat, Hamud Sheikh and peace lobby groups expressed concern in the manner in which the police have reacted to security threats in the area.
Garissa has been in the middle of retaliatory attacks by al shabaab ever since Kenyan troops marched into Somalia in late 2011. Calm is however said to be slowly returning to Damajaley location after the weekend attack that left left five people dead and two people abducted.
Dadaab DC Albert Kimathi said police officers had been deployed in the area to enhance security, adding that administration police posts in the district along the border would be beefed up.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenyan president moves to slash wages, continue war in Somalia
30 May – Source: Rinf – 1188 words
Uhuru Kenyatta was inaugurated as Kenya’s president on April 9, after winning 50.07 percent of the vote to defeat Raila Odinga. He ran as the leader of the National Alliance party, launched in May 2012, trying to cultivate an image as a reformer and “visionary” Pan-Africanist leader.
Three months after the election, the anti-working class character of his program and his close ties to the imperialist powers and their war in neighboring Somalia are transparently obvious.
Kenyatta has announced that he will cut public wage costs from 12 percent to 7 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in a society with 40 percent overall unemployment and 75 percent youth unemployment.
IFJ Hails Somalia Conference for Promoting Media Peace and Safety
29 May – Source: IFJ – 352 words
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today hailed the outcome of a Regional Conference on Peace and Safety for Somali Media, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“It is crucial that we remember at all times the plight of journalists in Somalia suffering at the hands of al Shabbab and other rebel groups,” said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. “The journalist community has been repeatedly targeted and many journalists have paid for their lives in their effort to keep their citizens informed. This must stop. In calling for peace, this conference could not have come at a better to also call for justice for journalists and their families.”
The IFJ has applauded the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) for taking the initiative to support Somalia’s endangered media, in collaboration with the IFJ’s Somalia affiliate, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ).
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Now the question is, whose UAV was it? Signs seem to point to US Special Operations forces, since back at the 2011 Paris Air Show a Schiebel exec said that he expected a contract for the S-100 with US Special Operations command to happen soon.”
UPDATED: Did a French UAV Crash in Somalia?
30 May – Source: Defence News Blog – 385 Words
The Somali Islamist group al Shabaab posted a series of Tweets earlier today claiming that an American drone had crashed south of Mogadishu near the town of Bulo-Marer, near where French commandos failed in their attempt to free a kidnapped French intelligence officer this past January.
The initial tweets claimed that “The Mujahideen intelligence teams have gathered the wreckage of the drone and transferred it to a safe location,” followed several hours later by actual pictures of wreckage. While there were no markings identifying the debris as American, one of the pics does show a piece of equipment labeled “Schiebel” — which is an Austrian company that makes UAVs and mine detectors.
Scheibel is known to have sold its “Camcopter” to several international customers, including the UAE, Jordan, and China, while France, Germany and Spain have conducted extensive trials flying the bird from ships at sea.
Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 UAV is a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft with a range of about 200 km that can operate at altitudes of about 18,000 ft., according to information on the company’s web site. It can also carry payloads of up to 75 lbs. up to 10 hours.
“Somalia’s Most Popular Band Ignores Death Threats and Hopes to Heal Their War-Torn Homeland”
Rapping for Peace in Somalia
29 May – Source: VICE – 1222 Words
Lihle Muhdin’s face was glued to the round airplane window. “Look how beautiful the beaches of Somalia are,” he sighed. Below us stretched Mogadishu’s coast—miles of white-sand beaches and blue sea dotted with tiny fishing boats. It was Lihle’s first visit to Somalia since he left the country with his parents in 1993 at the age of three.
The rapper and his band Waayaha Cusub (which means “New Era” in Somali) were headed to a music festival in Mogadishu—a routine event in many cities, but not for a capital city that until a few years ago was considered one of the world’s most dangerous places and where the Islamic fundamentalist rebel group al Shabaab is still spreading terror with frequent bomb attacks.
The festival was the last leg of the Somali Sunrise Tour for Peace, a concert series that has taken Waayaha Cusub around the US and Kenya to perform for Somali refugees. They are Somalia’s most popular band; their music fuses hip-hop, R&B, Somali pop, and traditional music while their lyrics reference Somali social and political issues.
The band hopes to build an alliance of musicians, artists, and other cultural personalities to promote a message of peace and also to convince vulnerable young people to turn away from violence and extremism. It’s something they’ve been doing for years in their home base of Eastleigh, a neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya, that’s home to many Somali refugees—and also a stronghold of al Shabaab. Their songs include “Yaabka al Shabaab” (“Get Out al Shabaab”) and Dhibaatada Waa (“Make an End to the Conflict”), and naturally this has made them a target of extremist violence. Shine Akhyaar Ali, the band’s other rapper, has been shot several times, and Lihle and the group’s female singer Falis Abdi have received death threats. The last one Lihle got appeared on his phone and Facebook wall: “If you don’t stop doing what you are doing within 60 days, we’ll kill you.”
“The violence and intimidation is the rough edge of a campaign to drive tens of thousands of Somali refugees out of Kenya’s cities and into the crowded and often lawless refugee camps on the border with Somalia and Sudan.”
Somalis in Kenya: Abuse in the name of security
29 May – Source: The Economist Blog – 438 Words
FATUMA (not her real name) was at home in Eastleigh, a Somali-dominated suburb of Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, when the police called on her. She showed them her refugee permits but they took the 23-year-old outside and loaded her onto a waiting truck. Along with four other women they were driven to a disused building where they were separated and raped. When they were taken back to the truck, bleeding and with their dresses torn, nobody spoke.
“We didn’t have to say anything to each other because we all knew what had happened to all of us,” she said. Her ordeal was part of a systematic campaign between last November and January this year of torture, rape, extortion and arbitrary detention of Somalis living in Kenya, under the guise of responding to terror threats. The abuses are documented in a new report released on May 29th by Human Rights Watch, a New York-based monitor.
“Kenyan police unleashed ten weeks of hell on communities close to the heart of Nairobi, torturing, abusing, and stealing from some of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people,” said Gerry Simpson, one of report’s authors. It is the fourth study into the abuse of refugees by Kenyan police in four years. So far no action has been taken against the officers or officials involved. The UNHCR, the UN’s refugee body, has been notably silent.
Top tweets
@MattBryden #Somali presidency denies having ordered#Kenyan troops to leave within 48 hours, says relations are good http://goo.gl/n6MhP
@YvonneKhamati For more info on #SORIC. #SomaliReconstruction and Investment Conference and Registration. Please visit: http://www.soric.so
@tresthomas_HOA #Somali Athletics Federation & IAAF host youth sports events at Mog’s re-turfed stadium for 18th World Athletics Day pic.twitter.com/1dBrWpTtH1
@evolvingprimate #somali parliament speaker Prof Jawaari denies he has a twitter account @Somali_Speaker is a fake account http://bit.ly/11d8epG
@Oxfam Great story: Separated #Somalia families in contact again after years apart! http://ht.ly/luMMF RT@genoworldview
Image of the day
Somali parliament Speaker Mohammed Osman Jawari bids farewell to outgoing UN Special Envoy Augustine Mahiga. Photo: @UNPOSomalia.