May 6, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
President leads Somali government delegation to London conference
06 May – Source: Raxanreeb/SNTV/Radio Mogadishu/alShahid/Universal TV – 109 words
The President of Somalia Federal Government Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday led a Somali government delegation to attend the upcoming ‘Somalia Conference in London’ on Tuesday May 7th, RBC Radio reports.
Somali Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Somali Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam said in an interview to the Somali media in Mogadishu ahead of the President’s departure that the Conference looking for the support of the Somali government in the areas of security and the restructuring of forces, justice and reconstruction and other issues.
According to President’s Spokesman Abdirahman Omar, the delegation included the Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf Haji Aden, the Minister of Finance Mohamud Suleyman, the Justice Minister Abdullahi Abyan, the State Minister for Foreign affairs Mohamud Nur and the State Minister of Presidency Farah Abdukadir. “President Hassan and his delegation will give detailed program of government institutions reform to the conference, and we hope the outcome of this meeting will be greater than before.” Omar said.
Key Headlines
- President leads Somali government delegation to London conference (Raxanreeb/SNTV/Radio Mogadishu/alShahid/Universal TV)
- US Special Representative for Somalia’s Denounces Terror Attack in Mogadishu (Somaliweyn/Radio Kulmiye)
- Qatari officials escape bomb attack in Somalia (Peninsula/ Agencies)
- Dubai to be hub for Somalia-bound mail (Gulf Today/Ameinfo)
- Somalia: London Meeting Should Emphasize Rights (Human Rights Watch)
- Al Shabaab claims suicide car bomb attack in Somali capital (Xinhua)
- London conference is a plot against Somalia: al Shabaab leader (Somali Midnimo Online)
SOMALI MEDIA
President leads Somali government delegation to London conference
06 May – Source: Raxanreeb/SNTV/Radio Mogadishu/alShahid/Universal TV – 109 words
The President of Somalia Federal Government Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday led a Somali government delegation to attend the upcoming ‘Somalia Conference in London’ on Tuesday May 7th, RBC Radio reports.
Somali Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Somali Fawzia Yusuf Haji Adam said in an interview to the Somali media in Mogadishu ahead of the President’s departure that the Conference looking for the support of the Somali government in the areas of security and the restructuring of forces, justice and reconstruction and other issues.
According to President’s Spokesman Abdirahman Omar, the delegation included the Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf Haji Aden, the Minister of Finance Mohamud Suleyman, the Justice Minister Abdullahi Abyan, the State Minister for Foreign affairs Mohamud Nur and the State Minister of Presidency Farah Abdukadir.
“President Hassan and his delegation will give detailed program of government institutions reform to the conference, and we hope the outcome of this meeting will be greater than before.” Omar said.
London conference is a plot against Somalia: al Shabaab leader
06 May – Source: Somali Midnimo Online – 141 words
Al Shabaab leader Ahmed Godane Abu Zubair said in an audio message broadcast by Somali media that the international conference on Somalia, which begins next Tuesday in London, UK is a conspiracies hatched by Western countries against Somalia. He added that the aim of the conference is sharing of goods and assets of Somalia.
He accused Britain of taking Somalia into the colonial era, saying that what is happening now is another attempt to split the country again. Godane’s comments come at a time when an international conference on Somalia is scheduled to start in London this week.
The conference will bring together delegates from governments, international organizations, who will discuss support for the Somali government based on the principles and priorities set by the Somali government.
Condemnations against suicide explosion in Somali capital
06 May – Source: Raxanreeb – 119 words
Somali government officials strongly condemned Sunday’s suicide explosion that killed 11 people in Somalia capital, RBC Radio reports. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on the security forces to work to eliminate the criminals.
“Every one who shows to stop violence will be forgiven, but he who insists to remain carrying explosions the government is committed to eradicate.” President Hassan said shortly after the explosion.“There is no reason to kill civilians or delegations that have visited to help our people.” he added.
Somalia premier Abdi Farah Shirdon has used the strongest terms to deplore the attack. “Nothing more criminal than killing innocent people with suicide explosion.” premier Shirdon said in a statement from his office on Sunday night.
US Special Representative for Somalia’s Denounces Terror Attack in Mogadishu
06 May – Source: Somaliweyn/Radio Kulmiye – 122 words
The United States Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador James C. Swan, condemns the senseless terror attack in Mogadishu that killed and wounded several people. “Our deep condolences go out to the families of the victims and we hope that survivors will recover quickly.”
The terrorist group al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack which targeted a delegation reportedly carrying diplomats who had come to Mogadishu to offer development assistance. “Once again,” Ambassador Swan said, “al Shabaab has demonstrated that its’ foreign-inspired ideology brings only death and destruction to Somalia and its people.”
Ambassador Swan called on Somalis affiliated with the terror organization to reject the group’s violent extremism and join their fellow citizens as they worked to stabilize and restore Somalia.
President Silanyo Returns to Somaliland After UK & USA Visits
05 May – Source: Qaran News – 116 words
The delegation led by Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud “Silanyo” has returned home after visits to the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The President and his delegation met with senior Ethiopian officials whilst in transit in Addis Ababa.
The President returns to Somaliland at a time when some serious issue face the nation including the controversy surrounding the proposed term extension of the the Somaliland House of Representatives, the attack on the Hubaal editor by elements from the Somaliland Police with alleged links to the presidency, the corruption of the Somaliland Business fund grants, the stalemate and subsequent jail break in Ainabo pertaining to the oil exploration programme and many other pressing issues.
Ethiopia PM Vows to Strengthen Ties with Somaliland
04 May – Source: Somaliland Press – 107 words
Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud (Silanyo) has for the first time officially met with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn at the Presidential palace in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.
The meeting between the leaders of the two countries lasted more than two hours in which they discussed security, economy, diplomacy and the movement of people between the two countries.
President Ahmed said Ethiopia has been and will be a good Friend of Somaliland and the two countries have a very close relationship, and it is hoped that the relationship will continue and grow even bigger mentioned in the Press briefing and will cooperate on security matters.
Women IDPs in Garowe benefit from skills training
04 May – Source: Radio Ergo – 209 words
More than 250 displaced women are learning job skills such as handicraft making, tailoring, cooking and beautician work at the SAACOM training school in Garowe. Asha Abdi Hussein, the school’s manager, told Radio Ergo the courses are offered free of charge to the women. “We want the women to learn things, at least learning how to read and write in Somali, and skills they can use for earning their livelihood,” she said.
The handicrafts and garments made by the women are sold in Garowe market. The school was established in 2003 and since then some of its graduates have opened successful small businesses in town such as beauty salons and restaurants.
Halima Hussein Kadiye, an IDP in Jowle camp, said; “I was just at home, for my parents were not able to send me to school. I got a place in this school two months ago and I’m so happy because I can write my name now. I will also be learning skills so I can earn a living for myself.”
SAACOM has similar centres in Jalam, Godob jiiraan and Diganle and is supported by the Women Groups in Nugaal region. The UN’s World Food Programme provides the women students with monthly food rations of rice, beans, and porridge.
Somaliland signs memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi Oil Company
04 May – Source: Somaliland Press – 119 words
Somaliland government has had preliminary talks with Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Petroleum, and even signed a memorandum of understanding with International Petroleum Investment Company, another Abu Dhabi investor. No estimates for oil and gas reserves exist, but Somaliland is proximate to countries that are producing or are gearing up to do so.
Nearby South Sudan is a significant exporter of oil, and recent discoveries are about to kick off a gas boom in Tanzania and Mozambique. On the other side of the Gulf of Aden, Yemen, Oman and Saudi Arabia all produce hydrocarbons.
Mr. Dualeh the Oil minister of Somaliland is unconcerned that tensions with Mogadishu, which does not recognise his government, will deter oil companies from coming to Somaliland.
Youth Volunteers restoring Mogadishu’s lost beauty
04 May – Source: Radio Ergo – 551 words
A group of young people belonging to Mogadishu City Volunteers is busy cleaning up the city, trying to restore it to its past glory. The group, formed in 2011, has taken advantage of the relative peace in the capital to step up its action. Khadija Isse, head of the group’s public awareness unit, talked to Radio Ergo about their work.
“There used to be youth gatherings convened every Thursday organised by the Banadir regional administration, seeking to rebuild the city. It was at one of those meetings that a few of us decided to form Mogadishu City Volunteers. As there was peace, our idea was to undertake some public service in restoring the beauty of the city.
Ergo: How many people are you in this group?
Khadija: So far 200 or more across the region but growing in number.
Ergo: What activities do you carry out?
Khadija: We help the regional administration in improving the city’s cleanliness, we engage in public education and awareness campaigns to sensitize young street people and the jobless on the importance of individual service for your country, we organize the city’s sections and facilitate neighbourhood forums, we use music and art to inform the general public and advocate for peace, planting trees and so on, we also help the humanitarian organization in distributing aid.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Dubai to be hub for Somalia-bound mail
06 May – Source: Gulf Today/Ameinfo – 249 words
Emirates Post Group and Somalia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which Dubai will act as the hub for mail forwarding, as the strife-torn African nation prepares to resume postal services after a gap of 23 years.
The MoU, facilitated and supervised by the Universal Postal Union (UPU), was signed by Abdullahi E. Hersi, Somali Minister of Information, Posts, Telecommunication and Transports, and Fahad Al Hosani, acting CEO of Emirates Post Group at UPU headquarters in Berne, in the presence of UPU director-general Bishar A. Hussein.
Qatari officials escape bomb attack in Somalia
06 May – Source: Peninsula/ Agencies – 242 words
A suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden car into a convoy carrying Qatari officials through the centre of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu yesterday, killing at least eight Somalis, officials said.
The Emir H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani received a phone call from Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, who assured him about the safety of the Qatari delegation, while expressing regret for the car bomb blast, QNA said. The Emir offered condolences to Sheikh Mahmoud over the victims of the bombing.
The visiting delegation of Qataris, who were travelling in the Somali interior minister’s bullet-proof vehicle, were “safe”, a security officer told Reuters, without going into further detail. The minister was not in the car at the time.
Free press advocates call for independent investigation into Somaliland attack
05 May – Source: Sabahi Online – 726 Words
Despite vows from Somaliland officials that the perpetrators of last month’s attack on the headquarters of Hargeisa-based Hubaal newspaper will face justice, free press advocates and opposition parties are calling for an independent inquiry into the matter.
During the April 24th attack, the assailants beat newspaper manager Mohamed Ahmed Jama, who is known as Aloley, with clubs and broke his arm. The assailants allegedly also tried to shoot him but failed. One of the suspects got away, while the other was arrested and turned out to be a police officer.
“The man accused will not be forgiven just for being part of the police,” vowed Somaliland regional Minister of Interior Mohamed Nur Arrale who appeared before the regional parliament for questioning on April 29th. He condemned the attack, calling it an ugly act that goes against what the regional government of Somaliland and its people stand for. The minister also cautioned against linking government officials to the attack or jumping ahead of the investigation.
Fears rife over the return of al Shabaab
04 May – Source: East African – 328 words
Countries in Eastern Africa are concerned that liberated areas in Somalia could fall back into the hands of al Shabaab in the absence of primary services and jobs. This was the main item on the agenda of a meeting of the heads of governments from the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) in Addis Ababa on Friday.
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) continues to liberate large sections of Somalia but concern is rising that the lack of service delivery could leave nationals susceptible to al Shabaab propaganda.
Among key challenges facing AMISOM is winning the hearts and minds of a population who are more often hostile towards external interventions. Kenya has also been pushing for the return of Somalia refugees to liberated areas but the campaign has been unpopular because of lack of guarantees for security and services.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia: London Meeting Should Emphasize Rights
06 May – Source: Human Rights Watch – 768 words
International donors meeting in London to discuss the new Somali government’s reform agenda should make accountability and women’s rights a priority, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper sent to conference participants. On May 7, 2013, over 50 countries will convene to discuss the government’s strategic plans for justice, police, and army reform, prevention of sexual violence, and financial management.
“International good will for the new Somali leadership and its proposed reforms should not mean unqualified support,” said David Mepham, United Kingdom director. “After the London conference, the government will need to address ongoing rights abuses in the country. Decisions made in London will have an enormous impact on all Somalis.”
The Somali government and its international partners should make commitments to take concrete measures to exclude rights abusers from any role in the security forces, hold all rights abusers accountable, and improve protections for women and children.
Somali restaurateur defies terrorists
06 May – Source: CNN – 03:34 min
CNN’s Nima Elbagir reports on restaurants in Mogadishu where business is humming despite two bloody bombings.
Seven die in Mogadishu blast as bombers target top officials
05 May – Source: Financial Times – 537 Words
A car bomb targeting high-level officials in Mogadishu has killed at least seven and injured several others, according to initial accounts. Visiting Qatari officials were among the delegation travelling in the Interior Minister’s convoy but were unhurt, according to officials. Abdikarin Hussein Guled, the interior minister, was not in the convoy, they said. Four passers-by and one soldier are reported to be among the dead.
The attack came two days before the UK is due to host an international conference to help Somalia rebuild after decades of civil war. The al Qaeda-linked militant group al Shabaab later claimed responsibility for the blast. According to eyewitnesses, a vehicle exploded as a convoy escorted by Ugandan peacekeepers drove past the K4 roundabout, the busiest junction in the city, which is not far from the airport and is a frequent target for improvised explosive devices.
“We are still finding out what has happened,” said Abdirahman Omar Osman, spokesman at the presidency, ahead of an internal security briefing. “The Qataris are shocked but are safe.”
The six-strong Qatari aid delegation caught in the attack was on its first mission to Somalia. Ahmad Alzoidi, leader of the delegation, said: “The car jumped in the air and then we came down again. We knew that there might be risks here but that’s why we came to help, and we will keep going.” Mr Alzoidi, who was travelling in the interior minister’s car, added: “We don’t know who was the target – Qataris coming here or the government.”
Al Shabaab claims suicide car bomb attack in Somali capital
05 May – Source: Xinhua – 420 words
The al Qaeda linked Somali radical group of al Shabaab on Sunday claimed responsibility for a suicide car bomb assault, which killed 10 people and injured several others.
The attack targeted a convoy carrying foreign officials, who survived the explosion, according to official sources. The death toll from the blast at the busy main K4 intersection in the capital Mogadishu has risen to 10 and several others, mostly civilians, sustained injures.
A pro-al Shabaab website quoted its commanders as saying the extremist group’s fighters were behind the deadly attack, vowing to continue such attacks.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“This conference is a historic opportunity for leading countries of the world to demonstrate their commitment to the Somali people. We must help the new government of Somalia to end the threats of war, terrorism, piracy and famine which have dominated Somalis’ lives for far too long, and to make the most of this opportunity to build a peace and stability for all Somalis. Now is the time to stand by Somalis as they rebuild their country.”
Somalia at the threshold of recovery
06 May – Source: New Straits Times – 550 Words
TEN days ago I stood alongside the president of Somalia and watched the Union Flag fly once again over a British Embassy in Mogadishu for the first time in 22 years. It was a proud moment, showing how far Somalia has come in recent years and the deep relationship between our two countries. For 22 years, the people of Somalia have suffered appallingly from conflict and insecurity.
Two generations of Somali children have grown up without access to healthcare, schools and jobs. Over a million Somalis were internally displaced, while hundreds of thousands more became refugees in neighbouring countries.
And many thousands of Somalis lost their lives. Terrorists and extremists used the absence of the rule of law in Somalia to gain a foothold. Yet against all the odds, the extraordinarily talented and resilient people of Somalia kept the hope alive that one day they would rebuild their homes and their livelihoods and create a peaceful future for their children.
“By trying to communicate the suffering of ordinary Somalis, my colleagues and I have suffered. We have lost our freedom to move around in our country, we have lost our peace of mind and some of us have lost our lives. I still hope that our new government will recognise our sacrifices and make sure we are able to work in peace as our role will be very important to creating a better, peaceful Somalia.”
Journalists in Somalia are under attack for doing their job
03 May – Source: The Guardian – 858 Words
When Somalia got a new president and government last year, I felt hopeful. Finally we had a government that would understand and respect the media. A few months later, my hopes were shattered. I sat in Mogadishu central prison charged with insulting the government for interviewing a woman who said soldiers had raped her. My new leaders branded me a criminal and dragged the woman before the media to pressure her to testify against me. During my 66 days in detention, the message was clear: reporting on government wrongdoing was not welcome.
As a journalist in Mogadishu for the worst years of the conflict, I have lost many friends and colleagues. Unknown gunmen killed my friend Mohamed Ibrahim Rageh on 21 April. The last time I saw Rageh, he visited me in prison during a diarrhoea outbreak there. I was very worried about getting sick and his visit made me feel stronger.
Despite international concern about journalists’ killings, and promises from the government that those responsible will be held to account, the attacks continue. When leaders meet in London on 7 May to speak about the future of Somalia, I hope they will discuss how to end attacks on my profession. They should also discuss how to ensure that no other Somali journalist faces criminal charges for doing their job.
“….Mogadishu citizens are now busy participating in the efforts of re-building Mogadishu as a great city to re-claim its past glory soon. And they know that acts of violence by villains will never ever stop them from getting on with their lives as they will not weaken their determination and resilience.”
Suicide bombers will never ever intimidate Mogadishu citizens
05 May – Source: Hiiraan Online – 545 Words
Suicide bombing by brainwashed Somalis is a frightening phenomenon that has instilled fear and anxiety in the hearts and minds of many Somalis who are now confused because suicide bombing has never been part of their culture. So far over 12 suicide bombings have been carried out by such lost souls and characters, the latest being the suicide bomber who has detonated his car at KM 4 in Mogadishu. The target was obviously to assassinate government officials. However, victims of this barbaric act of violence are all innocent people who were going about doing their daily business.
Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for this heinous crime against peace loving Mogadishu citizens. And what makes this action distasteful and heart-wrenching is that Ahmed Godane, leader of this criminal organisation, has released a recorded message, praising the action of his brained-washed puppets, calling them “martyrs” and “heroes”.
Having just killed 10 innocent civilians, the man then went on to indulge himself in political and religious propaganda based on self-delusion to justify his awful crime against innocent Mogadishu citizens whose only crime was to have dared to come out of their homes doing their daily business. This man is obviously crazy and mentally retarded, and his rhetoric and religious propaganda will only unite all Somalis against his illegal organisation.
“In the full version of this interview, Daljir and Dawo discuss the group’s exodus from Somalia during the conflict that gripped the country in the early 1990s — and NPR East Africa Correspondent Gregory Warner explains the political history that set the stage for Dur-Dur Band’s success.”
A Funky-Fresh Sound From Somalia, With A Political History
05 May – Source: NPR – 269 Words
Imagine the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu, in the 1980s. You can’t, right? Neither can most music critics. That’s why the recent re-release of a record by a popular ’80s-era Mogadishu dance band has caught the attention of critics lately.
The founders of Dur-Dur Band now live in Columbus, Ohio. Weekends on All Things Considered asked members Abdinur Daljir and Sahra Dawo to go to a studio there — accompanied by an interpreter — to talk about the newly reissued record and the story that precedes it.
“In the beginning, we used to sing and dance with American music,” Dawo tells host Kelly McEvers. “And later on, we decided to shape our own music in such a way that it is comfortable enough for people to dance with it — for people to enjoy it.”
“Kenya has been an island of peace in a region teeming with conflict hence the high number of refugees living in the country.”
Refugee repatriation plan is long overdue
05 May- Source: Business Daily Africa – 403 Words
Reports that the Kenya and Somalia governments have agreed on a plan to repatriate more than half a million refugees from the former are a welcome development. We welcome the initiative given that there is now relative peace in the Horn of Africa country after decades of misery and deaths brought about by a civil war.
Following the Kenya Defence Forces campaign against the al Shabaab militants in the war-torn country, Somalis who had known no peace for ages are now getting back to rebuilding their country.
However, this cannot succeed as long as scores of its citizens continue to live in refugee camps and other parts of Kenya after escaping the civil war that erupted following the ouster of President Siad Barre in 1991.
Top tweets
@amisomsomalia These cowardly, senseless acts of violence will not undermine the remarkable progress #Somalia has made http://on.fb.me/YJ6HUd.
@astroehlein International good will for the new Somali leadership should not mean a blank cheque for abuseshttp://ow.ly/kJE9U #Somalia.
@BBCAfrica Before #Somalia conference on Tue, food for thought with this #BBCNewsday collection.http://bbc.in/12auejo #londonsomalia13 @UKinSomalia.
@MarkC_Anderson #Somalia: @Number10gov on Somali agency in #SomaliaConference, need for gov transparency, financing & inclusivity | http://youtu.be/4SCQXNF2l08.
@ruchachitnis Western donors prioritised their geopolitical agendas over #famine prevention in #Somalia|@ColleeninLondon http://gu.com/p/3fhte/tw #US #aid.
Image of the day
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta joins Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn (right) in wishing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (left) of Somali well during the 21st Extraordinary Summit of Heads of States and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.