May 4, 2018 | Daily Monitoring Report
Joint Forces To Handle Mogadishu’s Security Following Increased Cases Of Assassination By Al-Shabaab Militants
04 May – Source: Dhacdo.com- 156 Words
Somali Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohamed Guled last night toured a military base where the government is assembling a joint force from the police, military and custodial corps with a view to secure Mogadishu followed increased cases of assassinations executed by the Al-Shabaab militant group. Accompanied by ministers, parliamentarians, Chief of custodial corps, Bashir Mohamed Jama Goobe and other officials, the deputy premier attended a brief passing out parade of the joint forces: “The purpose of this pass out is to encourage the youth, who have joined the army, that this force symbolizes the youthful generation, which is ready to secure their capital city, “said Jama Goobe.
Meanwhile, the deputy premier also promised to work together with the new force to guarantee security in Mogadishu and prevent criminal incidents. Mogadishu’s security remains unstable, following an increase of activities by Al-Shabaab militants who have lately targeted soldiers and other government officials in their hit list.
Key Headlines
- Joint Forces To Handle Mogadishu’s Security Following Increased Cases Of Assassination By Al-Shabaab Militants (Dhacdo.com)
- Dahabshiil To Deliver Food Aid To Flood Victims In Beledweyne (Hiiraan Online)
- Somaliland Administration Bans Humanitarian Agencies Working In South And Central Somalia (Radio Dalsan)
- Kenya: 4 People Killed In Mandera Al Shabaab Attack (Capital News)
- Mogherini Discusses Somali Situation With PM Ali Khaire (Kuwait News Agency)
- Spurn The Falsity Somalia Is On The Mend (Daily Nation)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Dahabshiil To Deliver Food Aid To Flood Victims In Beledweyne
04 May – Source: Hiiraan Online – 185 Words
Dahabshiil Group, one of the leading money transfer companies in Africa, has announced it will be distributing food aid to flood victims outside Beled Weyne. A Dahabshiil spokesman confirmed to Hiiraan Online that the group plans to hand out food supplies to 3,000 families that have been affected by the floods. Dahabshiil also announced plans to set up a special account for donations to flood victims. They encouraged willing donors to stop by their nearest Dahabshiil location or agent and inquire for more details.
The money transfer company said that it would be waiving all commission charges on money sent towards the flood victims. Dahabshiil has waived transfer fees in the past for emergencies. The United Nation has separately warned that the devastating flash floods across Somalia have affected close to a half million people and has displaced 175,000.
Beledweyne, in the Hirshabelle region, is among the worst hit areas. Local officials estimate that over 100,000 people have been displaced. President Farmajo recently toured the areas affected by the floods, near Beledweyne and appealed to the international community for urgent humanitarian assistance.
Somaliland Administration Bans Humanitarian Agencies Working In South And Central Somalia
04 May – Source: Radio Dalsan – 84 Words
The semi-autonomous Somaliland administration has banned humanitarian agencies operating in South and Central Somalia from implementing their programmes in Somaliland regions. The Somaliland Cabinet yesterday discussed several issues including the ban of the organisations working in South and Central Somalia and according to a press release, Somalia humanitarian agencies would no longer be able to carry out projects in Somaliland or operate under Somaliland regions. There were no immediate comments from the head of agencies operating in Central and Southern Somalia concerning this development.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya: 4 People Killed In Mandera Al Shabaab Attack
04 May – Source: Capital News – Words
At least four people were killed on Thursday night, in Mandera, Kenya, in what authorities blamed on Al Shabaab. The four were attacked in Shimbir Fatuma area, a remote location in Mandera town bordering Somalia, according to police and local authorities. “They were killed at the quarry during the attack and we are pursuing the attackers,” Mohamud Saleh, North Eastern Regional Commander said.
National Police Spokesman Charles Owino too confirmed the killings, and placed the toll at 4. “The four who were killed were businessmen who were located at the quarry and when the locals got wind of an imminent attack, they opted to remain in the area,” he said. A senior police officer on the ground who spoke on condition of anonymity said all those at the quarry were non locals. “The attack was targeting non locals and all those who died are not from here,” he said, “it is a similar attack those in the past when quarry workers were targeted.”
He said police there had been reports of the attacks for the past week, “There was word around about an impending attack but no one knew exactly where. Security was beefed up but it is unfortunate they still managed to penetrate.” He said 33 others were rescued following the incident. A major security operation comprising the Kenya Defence Forces, Regular Police and police reservists were Friday morning deployed there to search for the attackers, believed to have escaped to Somalia
Mogherini Discusses Somali Situation With PM Ali Khaire
03 May – Source: Kuwait News Agency – 155 Words
EU High Representative Federica Mogherini met with Somalia’s Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire in Brussels Wednesday and discussed the situation in Somalia, and the current political, economic and security reforms undertaken by the Government. A press release from Mogherini’s office said they stressed the EU’s critical role as the main partner in support of the country’s transition. They noted that, while high challenges remained, some encouraging progress had been made and should be maintained.
They stressed the link between the implementation of Somalia’s transition plan for security, the implementation of economic reforms and the political roadmap towards elections in 2020. This meeting came ahead of the Somalia Security High Level Meeting in Brussels that gathered ministers and senior officials from Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States of Somalia, the EU, United Nations, the African Union, AMISOM and its Troop Contributing Countries as well as other international partners, in support of the Somali Transition Plan
OPINION, ANALYSIS & CULTURE
“No doubt, Somalia’s progress will take time as democratising and fully securing a nation against opportunistic international terrorism cannot be done overnight. Kenyans, given their rich history, understand that national reforms take time and need unity and patience. In Somalia, this has finally been understood and, subsequently, Somalia is on the road to recovery. Kenyans must understand, believe and communicate that Somalia, their good neighbour, is no longer broken; it is slowly mending.”
Spurn The Falsity, Somalia Is On The Mend
04 May – Source: Daily Nation – 565 Words
Somalia is still a challenge for most people in Kenya to understand. Most Kenyans I have met cannot fathom what the genuine issues are in a country blessed with enormous resources both in land and at sea but “plagued by insecurity”. Many more wonder why the Somalis’ success in Kenya, especially in business and the society generally, cannot be replicated in their homeland. A Kenyan friend in Nairobi recently told me Kenyans still feel Somalia is broken and, for this, it is difficult for them to think long-term about it apart from being a security threat.
Somalia and Kenya share a land border and a visit to Nairobi’s Eastleigh suburb shows the deep people-to-people relations between the citizens. More importantly, across Kenya, the entrepreneurial spirit and partnership that bind the two peoples is clear for all to see. In Somalia, the most popular and trusted foreign contractors are Kenyan. Despite this, the Horn of Africa nation is still predominantly presented as broken and Kenyans are heavily influenced by these barometers. The fact that Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are in Somalia as part of the Amisom troops fighting global terrorism alongside the Somali National Army does not help matters.
But neighbours are always closer to each other than with the rest of the town. Therefore, Kenyans should adopt the Somalia-on-the-mend attitude because the glass is half-full, not half-empty. Somalia’s new government has prioritised security, economic development, good governance and public services. These are cross-cutting priorities in both countries, which provide tangible opportunities for cross-border learning and partnerships. The two governments enjoy strong ties but the best illustration of that radiates from the two peoples.
Somalis and Kenyans have a historic partnership which pre-dates the loud noises of cash registers in Eastleigh Somali hotels and shops. These relations are familial, neighbourly and, increasingly, based on trade. Because of this, most Kenyans who have engaged with Somalis and Somalia in any meaningful way understand that the country is not broken but on the rise. This is the message that needs to be amplified to correct the false narrative.
Just as most Kenyans admire the Somali people’s business acumen, Somalis respect their Kenyan neighbours for their openness, which has allowed them to settle, invest and ride out the worst of the storm of a lengthy civil war. This respect and admiration must be turned into real economic opportunities on both sides through deeper economic integration and cross-border investment.
TOP TWEETS
@shf_somalia: Supported by @SHF_somalia, @RadioErgofocuses its broadcasts on the drives of the humanitarian situation and provides critical information to help people make more informed decisions about their lives. Check this story on our Report & #investinhumanity >>https://www.unocha.org/sites/
@TC_Mogadishu: As promised, Ambassadors of Turkey and Qatar paid a visit to Beletweyne. Qatarity Charity, Turkish Red Crescent and TIKA distributed food and shelter to the people in need. @TurkKizilayi @Tika_Turkey
@radiogarowe: HALF a million #Somalis displaced by deadly flash floods, says @SC_Somalia https://www.garoweonline.com/
@LeFemme254: Heavily armed forces thought to be US military units have carried out raid on Al Shabaab bases in southern Somalia..US forces swooped into Bar-sanguni area near the coastal town of Kismayo where believed to be Al Shabaab group’s hideouts #AlShabaab @Magdashi3
@hashDoha: “Why Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are battling over Somalia … – Haaretz” https://ift.tt/2JUsoPE #Qatar
@jackeparrock: International mission in #Somalia,@amisomsomalia now has transition plan to hand back responsibility for security in the country to the national authorities. I caught up with head of the mission@AmbFMadeira following discussions in #Brussels. @cgtnafrica
@SIPAMinstitute: It is good to know that HR audit has been concluded successfully. This will weed out ghost employees. The next step is to recover the money paid irregularly.
@CIPSomalia @TheVillaSomalia @SomaliPM @Salahjama10@MofSomalia @MoPIED_Somalia @CBSsomalia @MoJ_FGS@mpfsomalia image@OPM
@LibanObsiye: Somalia is on the mend: please read my opinion in @dailynation
today. Somali-Kenyan relations are crucial for economic development https://mobile.nation.co.ke/
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Khaire met with representatives from Africa Caribbean Pacific group of states to discuss progress in Somalia.
Photo: @SomaliPM