May 7, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
500 refugees win order stopping their exodus to Somalia
07 May- Source: Star-Kenya- 422 words
A judge has temporarily barred the government from sending home some 500 Somali refugees in the wake of crackdown on terrorists. Also granted is an order stopping the state from putting the refugees concerned in any refugee camp pending hearing of their case.
Justice David Majanja’s order comes hot on heels after deputy president William Ruto urged judiciary to be tough on matters related to terrorism. Majanja issued the order following a successful application by Samow Mumin Mohammed and eight others through lawyer Bemih Kanyonge.
In their suit papers the refugees said that sending them back to Somalia amounts to infringement on their rights to dignity. They also said the government directive to have the refugees sent home is a blanket order which goes against international laws on asylum seekers and if implemented it will put them in jeopardy.
Key Headlines
- Parliamentarians to vote for the 2014 budget (Radio RBC)
- Gunmen kill Juba administration soldier in Kismayo (Radio Goobjoog/Hiiraan Online)
- UN Special Representative meets new Mogadishu Mayor (Radio Shabelle/Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somaliland President to address the two houses of representatives (Somaliland Informer)
- Sheikh Al-Qadi blame al Shabaab for the recent clash in Bula Hawa (Radio Goobjoog)
- 4 al Shabaab fighters dead; 7 injured in Bulo-burte gun battle (Hiiraan Online/Radio Bar-kulan)
- Heavy rainfall in Kismayo curtails public transport (Radio Goobjoog)
- 500 refugees win order stopping their exodus to Somalia (Star-Kenya)
- Somaliland Former Assistant Minister for Internal Security Reveals why he was sacked (Somaliland Informer)
- President Gelle calls Kenya to stop harassing Somalis in Nairobi (Al Shahid)
- Terrorists planning to strike churches US warns Uganda (Daily Monitor)
- Kenya: Committee opposes KDF recall from Somalia (Standard Media)
- Former Benadir officials left exposed to al Shabaab reprisals (Sabahi Online)
- US-Djibouti talks focus on Somalia (worldbulletin)
- Kenya detains two Somalis in Mombasa attack investigation (Reuters)
- Germany committed to support reconstruction in Somalia (Germany in Kenya)
- EU Ambassadors offer support to Federal Government work programme and consultations with the regions (EU Mission to Somalia)
SOMALI MEDIA
Parliamentarians to vote for the 2014 budget
07 May- Source: Radio RBC- 115 words
Somali Lawmakers will vote for the 2014 budget on Wednesday, according to MPs who spoke to RBC Radio this morning. Members of the country’s Federal Parliament on Tuesday postponed a session in which they were expected to vote for the approval of the budget due to lack of sufficient quorum to hold the gathering.
Deputy Parliament Speaker Jeylani Nur Ikar has told the lawmakers that the House should vote for the budget today, after a week of discussing the budget was finished.
“Our agenda on tomorrow [Wednesday] will be voting for the 2014 budget,” he told lawmakers on Tuesday.
The 2014 budget proposed by the cabinet a month ago is yet waiting to be approved as the ministries eagerly awaiting due to challenges facing the daily operations of the ministries and other government agencies which their three months budget ended at the end of March this year.
Gunmen kill Juba administration soldier in Kismayo
07 May- Source: Radio Goobjoog/Hiiraan Online/Dhoobley Online- 88 words
Armed men gunned down interim Juba administration soldier in Kismayo while in operations to maintain security of the region. Eye witness told Goobjoog radio that two men armed with pistols waylaid the soldiers and killed one of them on the spot before disappearing. Juba security forces reached the scene immediately and conducted security crackdown to pursue the perpetrators. This murder is one of the planned assassinations that occurred in the port city of Kismayo the last few days as our correspondent in Lower Juba Farah Sahal Omar reports.
UN Special Representative meets new Mogadishu Mayor
07 May – Source: Radio Shabelle/Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Mogadishu – 143 words
anadir Governor who is also the Mayor of Mogadishu, Hassan Mohamed Hussein Mungab has on Tuesdaymet UN Special Envoy to Somalia Nicholas Kay in Mogadishu. Ambassador Kay was received by the 16 district commissioners of Banadir region, traditional elders and members from the civil society groups in the capital.
The envoy then held separate talks with the governor at the new headquarters of Banadir administration in Heliwaa district.
Speaking to the press after the talks, Governor Mungab stated to have discussed the envoy on various issues including ways to enhance Banadir administration security forces and the role of the international community in the rebuilding process of the capital.
“If Mogadishu does not see economic and social progress, improvement in security and good governance then it will be difficult for the rest of the country to succeed” said SRSG Kay. “Federation of the country, constitutional review and elections are all possible by 2016. The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia will continue to support the Benadir Regional Administration and Somalia to achieve these goals” he added.
Ambassador Kay finally congratulated the governor and his commissioners for their new posts.
Sheikh Al-Qadi blame al Shabaab for the recent clash in Bula Hawa
07 May- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 120 words
Senior Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa official blamed al Shabaab of being behind the recent fight between government forces and Ahlu sunna militia in Bula Hawa district, near Kenyan.
The spokesman of Ahlu Sunna Sheikh Al-Qadi stated that Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa is not ready to ignite fresh war that claims the lives of innocent people in the region. He asked the federal government of Somalia to intervene immediately and solve the problems in the region.
Four people including a woman died in Bula Hawa two days ago after government forces from Doolow and Ahlu Sunna militia clashed in the town. Al Shabaab has not yet commented about the accusation of Ahlu Sunna.
4 al Shabaab fighters dead; 7 injured in Bulo-burte gun battle
06 May- Source: Hiiraan Online/Radio Bar-kulan- 109 words
Amisom and Somali security officials have confirmed that they have repelled an attack by al Shabaab militants in the outskirts of Bulo-Burte; a town in the central Hiran region.
Abdullahi Barre, the commander of the government forces in area told reporters from Bar Kulan that they have killed four al Shabaab fighters in the gun battle. He added that seven other fighters from the militant faction have been wounded and are being treated at a near by facility.
Somali government forces and AMISOM troops have had to ward off similar attacks from al Shabaab in the Bulo-burte region after wrestling the area from al Qaeda affiliates in March 2014.
Heavy rainfall in Kismayo curtails public transport
07 May- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 111 words
Heavy rains with floods in the port city of Kismayo has blocked the main roads, public transport was curtailed as markets and workplace turned into dams. The flash floods have affected several villages in the town mostly Internally displaced persons as the town witnessed a continued heavy downpour.
Most of the roads in Kismayo were washed by the flash floods that resulted from the heavy spring rain, the roads in the region has not received any repair since the collapse of central government in 1991.
Load lorries carrying heavy goods from the farms and nearby areas in the region have no access to the town due to heavy rains.
Somaliland President to address the two houses of representatives
06 May – Source: Somaliland Informer – 85 words
The president H.E Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud alias Silanyo is to address the Senate (Guurti) and the Lower House of parliament in his state of the union annual speech.
Deputy Chairman of the lower house Hon. Bashe Mohamed Farah has called members of the two houses to convene in this constitutional convention.
House of assembly is full of opponents of the ruling party and it is believed that they may ask the head of state awkward questions pertaining to the state affairs in the country.
Somaliland Former Assistant Minister for Internal Security Reveals why he was sacked
06 May – Source: Somaliland Informer – 155 words
The Former Deputy Minister for Internal Security Mr. Abdillahi Abokor has let the cat out of the bag concerning his sudden dismissal from his powerful position in the cabinet. Mr. Abdillahi said that his removal from office pertains to a conflict of interest in the Kulmiye executive council.
He was speaking during a press conference in Hargeisa where he told journalists that his exit is not related to his work. “If we want this country to have a stable government, we have to have free and fair election because I was critical to the way handpicked members elected to the party executive committee.”
He admonished the government to respect the right of its citizens and added that if it is not taken into account it may cause disunity amongst fellow countrymen. He advised the government to come up with clear policy so that Somaliland does not end up like many African countries which have failed.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Terrorists planning to strike churches, US warns Uganda
07 May – Source: Daily Monitor – 186 words
Terrorists are planning to hit Kampala this month or in June, an alert by the US Embassy to its citizens in Uganda indicates. The alert, which was issued yesterday, says places of worship, especially those frequented by expatriates, are the key targets.
“The threat information indicates a group of attackers may be preparing to strike places of worship in Kampala, particularly churches, including some that may be frequented by expatriates, in May or June,” reads the alert, posted on the embassy website.
The message also advises American citizens to keep away from places of worship for at least two months. Churches have been the target of attacks by terrorists in Kenya and Nigeria in the recent past.
Mr Daniel Travis, the US embassy public affairs officer, said the terror threat is real and they have an obligation to inform their citizens.
The alert comes a day after this newspaper reported a new raft of measures for buses crossing Uganda’s borders and tourists, announced by the police in wake of terrorist attacks in Kenya. Terrorists last Sunday planted bombs on two buses in Nairobi, killing two people.
President Gelle calls Kenya to stop harassing Somalis in Nairobi
07 May- Source: Al Shahid- 215 words
Djibouti president, Isma’il Omar Gelleh, called on Kenyan government on Wednesday to stop harassing Somali people for the sake of security crackdown after Kenya indiscriminately started at the beginning of April this year to target Somalis in Nairobi and elsewhere in the county, saying that they support al Shabaab terrorist group.
“Kenyan government has its right to protect citizens from terrorists, but its way of dealing with Somalis is unacceptable. The security forces detain Somalis indiscriminately, let them have refugee identity card, let them be Kenya origins or Somalis from Somali territory. There must be limit of targeting. This can be a fight against specific people”, Isma’il Omar Gelleh said.
“I am calling on Kenyan government to arrest criminals and stop human violation actions. All Somalis are not al Shabaab or terrorist supporters”, he added.
Kenya: Committee opposes KDF recall from Somalia
07 May – Source: Standard Media – 137 words
The National Assembly’s Defence and Foreign Relations Committee Tuesday told the Jubilee administration not to withdraw Kenya’s forces from Somalia, despite mounting pressure from the opposition.
The Vice-Chairman of the Committee, Barre Shill (Fafi) told a news conference at Parliament buildings that if the Jubilee Government got the Kenyan military out of the conflict-ridden Somalia, then Kenya will be seen to be “weak and cowardly”.
“We’re telling the Government of Kenya that they should never even dream of withdrawing the troops from Somalia,” said Shill. Mr Shill was at the press conference with MPs John Lodepe (Turkana Central), Ibrahim Sane (Garsen) and Elisha Busienei (Turbo).
“If our troops are there (in Somalia) and they (al Shabaab) have been hitting us, what do you think will happen when they (Kenyan military) leave? We’ll look cowardly and vulnerable,” said Shill.
500 refugees win order stopping their exodus to Somalia
07 May- Source: Star-Kenya- 422 words
A judge has temporarily barred the government from sending home some 500 Somali refugees in the wake of crackdown on terrorists. Also granted is an order stopping the state from putting the refugees concerned in any refugee camp pending hearing of their case.
Justice David Majanja’s order comes hot on heels after deputy president William Ruto urged judiciary to be tough on matters related to terrorism. Majanja issued the order following a successful application by Samow Mumin Mohammed and eight others through lawyer Bemih Kanyonge.
In their suit papers the refugees said that sending them back to Somalia amounts to infringement on their rights to dignity. They also said the government directive to have the refugees sent home is a blanket order which goes against international laws on asylum seekers and if implemented it will put them in jeopardy.
Former Benadir officials left exposed to al Shabaab reprisals
06 May- Source: Sabahi Online- 800 words
The killing of former Benadir administration secretary Abdikafi Hilowle at the weekend and al Shabaab’s continuing threats of more targeted killings have struck fear among former district commissioners who say the administration has left them exposed to potential assassination.
Since taking office in March, Benadir Governor and Mogadishu Mayor General Hassan Mohamed Hussein Mungab has replaced 15 of 16 district commissioners. In his inaugural speech, Mungab vowed that security in the city would be his first priority and has since reshuffled the security apparatus under his command.
But Hilowle’s death comes two weeks after al Shabaab assassinated two lawmakers in the space of 24 hours in Mogadishu, calling into question the government’s ability to protect current and former officials, as well as city residents.
The blast Saturday near the KM-4 intersection was believed to have been from a bomb attached to Hilowle’s car or a roadside bomb. It killed six other people, including three of Hilowle’s bodyguards, and injured more than 10 others.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
U.S. warns of plot to attack churches in Ugandan capital
07 May- Source: Reuters- 273 words
The United States has received intelligence of a “specific terrorist threat” against churches and other places of worship in the Ugandan capital, its embassy there said.
A security message on the embassy’s website did not say who was planning the attack, but Somali Islamist militants have previously threatened, and struck, Uganda and other east African countries that have sent troops into Somalia.
“The threat information indicates a group of attackers may be preparing to strike places of worship in Kampala, particularly churches, including some that may be frequented by expatriates, in May or June,” said the notice dated May 6.
Regional economies have been on a heightened state of alert since militants killed at least 67 people, including children, when they rampaged through an upscale Kenyan shopping mall in September. Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group claimed responsibility.
US-Djibouti talks focus on Somalia
07 May- Source: worldbulletin- 220 words
Talks between U.S. President Barack Obama and Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh on Monday were dominated by the situation in Somalia and other regional security issues, a Djiboutian presidential spokesman said Tuesday.
During the Monday meeting, the two leaders acknowledged that bilateral relations had recently grown, spokesman Najib Ali Tahir told Anadolu Agency by phone Tuesday. “Particularly, the military and security cooperation between the two countries has grown in recent years,” Tahir said.
The two sides, however, both recognized the need to further strengthen strategic ties, he added. “Guelleh and Obama discussed… the situation in Somalia and terrorism,” Tahir noted, adding that Obama had commended Djibouti for cooperating with the U.S. in the fight against terrorism and piracy in the Horn of Africa region.
Kenya detains two Somalis in Mombasa attack investigation
06 May – Source: Reuters – 154 words
A Kenyan court on Tuesday ordered two Somali men held in custody for 10 days based on police suspicions they were involved in twin explosions in the port city of Mombasa that killed four people at the weekend.
Attackers threw a bomb at passengers at a bus station while a separate blast damaged a luxury hotel in the city. Both those incidents were on Saturday, and were followed a day later by two bus bombings in the capital Nairobi that killed three people.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility but in the past Kenya has blamed similar attacks on al Qaeda-linked Somali group al Shabaab, which killed at least 67 people at the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi in September.
Kenyan investigators asked the court to detain the two Somalis to complete investigations, pending any formal charges. Another 102 people arrested in police operations that followed the weekend attacks have since been freed.
EU Ambassadors offer support to Federal Government work programme, and consultations with the regions
06 May- Source: EU Mission to Somalia- 214 Words
The Ambassadors for Somalia of the EU, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom met on 5 May Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed and offered their sympathies to the victims of the terror attack of 3rd May.
The Ambassadors welcomed the Federal Government presentation of the work programme to Parliament and the Government intention to have broad consultations on the Vision that will lead to a Federated Somalia, finalisation of the Constitution and elections in 2016. They encouraged the Government to establish the relevant Constitutional and other Commissions as quickly as possible, and hoped for the passage of key legislation during the current Parliamentary session.
The Ambassadors pledged support to the Federal Government’s political outreach efforts. They expressed appreciation on the outcome of the eight day mission of the Prime Minister to Kismayo and the flexibility and commitment shown by all sides. Ambassadors encouraged the Federal Government and the Interim Juba Administration to maintain the momentum to ensure the implementation of the Addis and Mogadishu Agreements.
The Ambassadors noted the ongoing reconciliation efforts on the Baidoa conferences and supported the Federal Government’s position to ensure the process is inclusive and peaceful.
The Ambassadors remain ready to consider with regional and international partners a range of options against those aiming to obstruct the Somali peace processes.
Germany committed to support reconstruction in Somalia
06 May- Source: Germany in Kenya-202 Words
On 6 May 2014, a German delegation headed by representatives from the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development visited Mogadishu for consultations on German development support to Somalia.
At the Brussels Conference on Somalia last September, Germany has supported the New Deal Process and vowed to support reconstruction in Somalia by reprogramming previously pledged funds which had been put on hold since the early 1990s due to the political circumstances.
A total of 94,5 million Euro has been made available.
During the consultations, Somalia and Germany stated to intensify their partnership and to enhance the dialogue on development cooperation support. It was mutually agreed that German cooperation will generally focus on support to economic infrastructure and the economic foundations of reconstruction, as specified under the umbrella of the New Deal process. Improvements in the day-to-day lives of Somali citizens and tangible economic recovery are very important for the people of Somalia to see the dividend of peace.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“A greater degree of vigilance is needed to keep the bad guys away. There is no better blow against agents of terror than eternal vigilance. For this we salute KDF for the good job. They should not relent until the job is done.”
Attacks not good reason to withdraw KDF from Somalia
07 May- Source: Standard Media-547 Words
One of the conditions set by those propagating the current wave of terror attacks is that Kenya must withdraw its forces from Somalia. The terror masterminds have put that proposition forth as a condition for the cessation of attacks on the Kenyan soil. After witnessing so much grief and pain among those whose loved ones have been killed or maimed in these attacks, it is tempting to throw up one’s hands in the air in surrender and do the terrorist’s bidding. That should not happen.
Where we stand, it is foolhardy to imagine that those hell-bent on causing death will honour any accord. Weighed against the option of inaction, it is unimaginable what would have happened had our troops not matched on Kismayo. The unprovoked terrorist attacks on aid workers and the abduction of tourists were the main reasons the Kenyan Government sought to hit back.
These reasons still sound compelling as they were then and the recent attacks in Nairobi and Mombasa should accentuate the need for the presence of KDF soldiers in Somalia. Yet despite neutralising the terror networks in Somalia and assurances of intensified security measures by the Government, the terrorists appear to attack when and wherever they want in our cities.
“Women in Somalia need our support. As refugees, we appreciate the life we have in Ireland”
‘I am convinced that the practice of FGM can be stopped in Somalia’
06 May- Source: Irish Times-1053 Words
I was born and brought up in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. In 1996 I left the city with some members of my family in order to escape the conflict and chaos. In 2006, when I was 17, I came to Dublin as an asylum seeker.
During the past eight years in Ireland, I managed to set up the Ifrah Foundation to campaign, in particular, against the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM is now illegal in Ireland, thanks to the politicians who supported me.
I always wanted to support my people and my country, and dreamed of going back to Somalia to make a valuable contribution to the society. My dreams came true when I met the president of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, last September in Brussels during the New Deal conference about Somalia. I was able to interview the president about women’s rights issues, including FGM.
As a result of this, I decided to go to Somalia to see what I could do for my country. I landed at Mogadishu airport on March 21st for the first time since I left in 2006.
I always wanted to visit and to help my beloved country. During my eight years in Ireland I have gained valuable experience, knowledge and understanding about how a democratic country functions. A democracy, in turn, helps its citizens to realise their full potential, making a huge difference to their lives.
Top tweets
@harunmaruf Good news 4 #Somalia! Minnesota Congressman @keithellison announces passage of z Money Remittances Improvement Act: http://ellison.house.gov/
@FawziNomad The mouth of the river meets the Gulf of Aden near the ancient port town Qandala, Bari, North #Somalia.#Puntland pic.twitter.com/CixHLKNRLM
@Oxfam Please share: 1/3 of #Somalia‘s people are in need of aid. http://ow.ly/wuYEl Raise the #SomaliaAlertpic.twitter.com/3t3WNLXYE2
@Mahadgelle The UN’s ASG for Peacebuilding Support, Judy Hopkins, meets Jubaland’s Vice President Gen Fartag in#Kismayo #Somalia pic.twitter.com/FNKDrniZXp
@GermanyinKenya #German development delegation today visited #Mogadishu. Support to economic infrastructure in#Somalia. READ MORE http://m.nairobi.diplo.de/
Image of the day
UNSOM’s Nicholas Kay meets with Banadir govenor/#Mogadishu Mayor Mungaab, city officials, et al. Photo: @SomaliaNewsroom