May 31, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
Kenyan forces take Somali town from militants
30 May – Source: CNN/ AFP – 422 words
Kenyan soldiers, as part of African Union forces in Somalia, captured the key Al-Shabaab-controlled town of Afmadow on Wednesday, according to a Kenyan Defence Force spokesman. “We now control Afmadow with our troops,” Maj. Emmanuel Chirchir told CNN.
The operation started early Wednesday, he said, with KDF forces capturing the town of Hayo. Six Al-Shabaab militants were killed in that operation.”(The troops) then moved straight onto Afmadow,” said Chirchir.
Key Headlines
- President Sharif Ahmed flew to Istanbul (Bar-Kulan)
- Ahlu Sunna group to attend ‘Istanbul Conference II’ on Somalia (Raxanreeb)
- Libya to attend Somalia conference in Turkey (Somaliland Press)
- Warships shell on militant-held Somali port town (Shabelle)
- Government forces apprehend more than 100 al Shabaab suspects (Raxanreeb)
- Kenyan security minister blames Somali Islamists for capital blast (KBC)
- France to take part in Istanbul conference on Somalia’s future (Kuwait News Agency)
- Poor rains in Somalia but famine unlikely – UN (Reuters
SOMALI MEDIA
President Sharif Ahmed flew to Istanbul
30 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 78 words
The president of the TFG, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed travelled to Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday. International leaders, representatives from over 50 countries and the United Nations will attend the Istanbul conference themed “Preparing Somalia’s Future Goals”.
Ahlu Sunna group to attend ‘Istanbul Conference II’ on Somalia
30 May – Source: Raxanreeb – 106 words
A delegation from the political office of Somalia’s Ahlu Sunna group yesterday traveled to Turkey to attend the ‘Istanbul Conference II’ on Somalia which will be held in Istanbul. The Ahlu Sunna delegation, spearheaded by Ahlu Sunna chairperson Sheikh Mohamed Mohamud Yusuf better known as Aw-Libax left Mogadishu at about 12.00 pm yesterday.
Standoff between al Shabaab commanders in Salagle village
30 May – Source: Bar-kulan – 85 words
Reports from Middle Jubba region in Somalia indicate that there has been a major standoff between al Shabaab commanders in Salagle village. The disagreement reportedly occurred after senior al Shabaab officials appointed a new administration to replace the old one. Some of the members from the old administration have vehemently refused to accept the new one, thus splitting the group into two opposing sides.
Libya to attend Somalia conference in Turkey
30 May – Source: Somaliland Press – 107 words
The Turkish ambassador in Libya, Ali Kemaleddine, on Tuesday held talks with the Libyan minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Achour Ben Khiyal, and invited him to attend a conference on Somalia due in Istanbul, Turkey, on 1 June. The head of the Libyan diplomacy thanked the Turkish ambassador for the invitation and promised to attend.
Warships shell on militant-held Somali port town
30 May – Source: Shabelle – 94 words
Suspected Kenyan warships have once again shelled a southern Somali port town controlled by al Shabaab insurgents, local residents said on Wednesday. Warships on Somali shore began on Tuesday firing missiles the port of Kismayu, 500 km south of Mogadishu. There are no reports of damage or injuries.
Government forces apprehend more than 100 al Shabaab suspects
30 May – Source: Raxanreeb – 256 words
Somalia government forces have arrested more than a hundred teenage al Shabaab suspects after a security operation launched in Afgoye district yesterday. The search operation was conducted in Afgoye’s main villages and its suburbs after al Shabaab fighters ambushed the convoy of Somalia president Sharif Sheikh during his first visit to Afgoye district on Tuesday killing three presidential guards.
REGIONAL MEDIA
France to take part in Istanbul conference on Somalia’s future
30 May – Source: Kuwait News Agency – 230 words
France said Wednesday it would be sending a delegation to participate in the Istanbul II conference on Somalia’s future which is being held in the Turkish city May 31-June 1.
Kenyan security minister blames Somali Islamists for capital blast
30 May – Source: KBC – 355 words
The government has now announced that the Monday explosion that left scores of people injured was an act terror by Somalia’s al Shabaab militia group. Internal Security Minister Prof. George Saitoti says the group remains a threat to this nation, but assured that the government will not relent on its quest to deal with the militia’s operatives in the country.
EU, AU call on Somali leadership to adhere to transition deadline
30 May – Source: Kuwait News Agency – 460 words
The European Union and the African Union Wednesday called upon the Somali leadership to implement their commitment to ensure that the 20 August deadline for transition is met. The call was made following the fifth meeting of the Political and Security Committee of the Europian Union (EUPSC) and the Peace and Security Council of the Afrcan Union (AU-PSC) in Brussels.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenyan forces take Somali town from militants
30 May – Source: CNN/ AFP – 422 words
Kenyan soldiers, as part of African Union forces in Somalia, captured the key al Shabaab-controlled town of Afmadow on Wednesday, according to a Kenyan Defence Force spokesman. “We now control Afmadow with our troops,” Maj. Emmanuel Chirchir told CNN.
Poor rains in Somalia but famine unlikely – UN
30 May – Source: Reuters/Alert Net/Trust News – 179 words
Somalia’s main rainy season has been below average, initial findings show, but the country is unlikely to slip back into famine this year, the United Nations said on Wednesday. In 2011, Somalia was hit by famine caused by several consecutive failed rainy seasons, conflict and a ban on agencies delivering food aid in rebel-held territory. The famine ended in January, thanks to better rains, a bumper harvest and increased humanitarian assistance.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“A photography exhibition comparing the cosmopolitan city of Mogadishu before and after the civil war opens in Nairobi next week. One of the photographers, Kenyan journalist Rasna Warah explains how a chance conversation sparked this opportunity to restore our collective appreciation of this once-vibrant metropolis.”
Restoring the splendour of Mogadishu in our collective memory
30 May – Source: Global Urbanist – 799 Words
When people think of Somalia, three images come to mind: terrorism, piracy and famine. They do not think of beautiful architecture, sandy beaches or cosmopolitanism. Yet, until the start of the civil war in 1991, these were the words associated with Somalia’s capital city, Mogadishu. It is extremely difficult, as I found out, to convince people that this historic city was once a modern metropolis with wide boulevards, restaurants, cinemas, museums, libraries and theatres.