May 8, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

President Mohamud welcomed in Mogadishu days after lawmakers call for his resignation

07 May – Source: Radio RBC/Radio Mogadishu/Shabelle/Kulmiye – 275 words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has returned to the capital, Mogadishu from his trip to UAE where he spent several days. President Mohamud returned days after Somali lawmakers accused him of incompetence and poor performance as they called for the president to resign. While briefing the reporters inside the Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport, President Mohamud responded to the lawmakers’ call for resignation saying that he would welcome the free expression. “I know there were some political calls from Mogadishu these days. I would say to them, the people of Somalia have their right to express their feeling. Our people have suffered a long-time dictator governments and militant groups who did not allow the free will of the people,” President Mohamud said. “This shows how the people are free to say what in their minds. That is a good sign how our country is taking democratization process, but I would say; let the political views be expressed in a good manner and suitable place.” he added.

Key Headlines

President Mohamud welcomed in Mogadishu days after lawmakers call for his resignation (Radio RBC/Radio Mogadishu/Shabelle/Kulmiye)
Somali PM and delegates visit Marka town (Radio Goobjoog/Radio Mogadishu/Mustaqbal)
Mogadishu Airport left flooding after Heavy Rainfall (Horseed Media/Universal TV)
Cost of Somali piracy slumps as attacks fall: report (Reuters)
Somali Parliament approves 2014 budget (Radio Goobjoog/Kulmiye/Radio Mogadishu)
President of Somalia’s Puntland State leaves Sana’a (SABA News)
Kenyan Police arrest four suspects in Nairobi twin blasts (Standard Media)
Bomb blast in Marka wounds 2 soldiers (Radio Shabelle)
Somalia rains failing hunger coming say groups (AP)
Puntland Marine Forces seize 4 illegal fishing boats (Radio Bar-kulan)

SOMALI MEDIA

President Mohamud welcomed in Mogadishu days after lawmakers call for his resignation

07 May – Source: Radio RBC/Radio Mogadishu/Shabelle/Kulmiye – 275 words

Somali PM and delegates visit Marka town

07 May – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Radio Mogadishu/Mustaqbal – 101 words

The Prime Minister of Somalia Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed and his delegation toured Marka town in Lower Shabelle region. Immediately after reaching Marka, the PM supervised Marka general hospital and other government institutions. Mr. Abdiweli promised that the federal government will take steps to deliver the needs of the hospital. Meanwhile Prime Minister and his delegation held meetings with traditional elders and the administration of Marka town, they focused on security, development and implementation of basic services to the community.

Mogadishu Airport left flooding after Heavy Rainfall

07 May – Source: Horseed Media/Universal TV – 162 words

Incessant heavy rains on Tuesday night led to water-logging at Mogadishu Airport in the Somali Capital, affecting many parts of the airport including immigration offices. The amount of rain water, combined with poor or lack of drainage in the surrounding area and topography of airport led to back flow of water towards the exit and arrival area of the airport. It’s not clear whether Wednesday flights were halted. Somalia Immigration Officer Abdullahi Gafow told journalists that several hours of heavy rain left the meeters and greeters area, as well as customs and immigration counters in the arrival hall under several inches of water. He added that no Infrastructure has been damaged other than passport documents. A Turkish Company is expected to start re-constructing the airport after the Federal government signed an agreement with the company last year.

Somali Parliament approves 2014 budget

07 May – Source: Radio Goobjoog/Kulmiye/Radio Mogadishu – 132 words

The federal parliament Somalia has passed the budget the federal government of Somalia is expected to work on the year 2014. 172 members of parliament attended today’s sitting, 162 members voted for the budget, 7 members rejected while three other members declined. The first deputy speaker of the federal parliament Jaylani Noor Ikar who was chairing the meeting announced decision of the parliament today. First Vice Chairman of the Somali parliament sir Jeylaani Nur Ikar today chaired the session of parliament that the government budget is at time, after the vote was taken. State Minister for Finance Abdullahi Ahmed Noor thanked the parliament for the approval of the government’s budget. The prime Minister of Somalia Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed faced the parliament in a long speech explained in details the plans of government.

Puntland Marine Forces seize 4 illegal fishing boats

07 May – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 112 words

Puntland Marine Forces in collaboration with locals have on Wednesday seized 4 Yemeni fishing boats accused of illegally fishing in Puntland territorial waters in Bari region. General Abdirisak Dirie Farah, the Commander of Puntland Marine Forces told Bar-kulan that 62 Yemenis and 7 Somali citizens have been arrested in the operation which took place in the waters near the coastal town of Bargal. Farah added that those who have been arrested in the operation are being held in Bargal town for further interrogations.. Puntland Marine Forces have previously stated to have stepped up their hunt against illegal fishing in Puntland territorial waters and have seized an illegal fishing boat two months ago.

Bomb blast in Marka wounds 2 soldiers

07 May – Source: Radio Shabelle – 84 words

According to news reports from the Lower Shabelle region, government troops were targeted in an IED explosion in Marka town. The bomb was thrown by armed assailants at several soldiers that were buying khat from a market in Marka, in which 2 soldiers from the district administration were injured. Witnesses told Radio Shabelle that the assailants left the scene immediately. They described that reinforcements arrived shortly after and conducted search crackdowns in the district.

REGIONAL MEDIA

President of Somalia’s Puntland State leaves Sana’a

07 May – Source: SABA News – 173 words

President of Puntland State of Somalia Abdiweli Mohamed described Wednesday the results of his meetings with officials in the government as fruitful and successful. Upon his departure, the Puntland President said that the meetings dealt with issues of strengthening cooperation between the Yemeni government and the state of Puntland of Somalia in fields of trade, education and cooperation in fighting against crime, piracy and human trafficking, thus enhancing the security of the region.

Kenyan Police arrest four suspects in Nairobi twin blasts

07 May – Source: Standa Media – 265 words

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with Sunday’s explosion along the Thika Superhighway. Nairobi County Commander Benson Kibue on Wednesday confirmed that the four suspects are in police custody and will soon be arraigned in court to face charges of terrorism. “We are holding four suspects in custody who have been positively identified in connection with the two blasts along the superhighway and they are set to appear in court any time once investigations are complete,” Kibue said.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia rains failing, hunger coming, say groups

07 May – Source: AP – 458 words

Weak and erratic rains, military conflict and little aid funding from the international community could lead to mass hunger in Somalia, aid groups warned on Wednesday. The U.N.’s food and security unit says 51,000 children are severely malnourished and face a high risk of death. The group warned that the food situation is likely to worsen in coming months. “We’re very concerned that at the minute there are so many indicators out there that Somalia is in trouble,” said Ed Pomfret of the aid group Oxfam. Somalia has long been in trouble, and that’s part of the problem, more than 20 groups said in a coordinated statement.

Cost of Somali piracy slumps as attacks fall: report

07 May – Source: Reuters – 499 words

The cost of Somali piracy to the global economy fell by almost half last year as attacks slumped, but piracy in West Africa was on the rise, an annual security report said on Wednesday. The Oceans beyond Piracy report put the total cost of Somali piracy – by far the largest single threat to international shipping in recent years – at only $3.2 billion in 2013. There were still at least 50 hostages in Somali captivity in desperate conditions, held on average for most three years each, the report said.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“The attacks that the terrorist cowards are launching against civilians in Kenya constitute a strategic move. These fellows are trying to turn Kenyans against their government’s involvement in pacifying Somalia. And as my friend’s Facebook post shows, they are becoming successful.”

Al Shabaab wants Kenyans to abandon Somalia, please don’t

07 May – Source: New Times-Rwanda – 642 words

On Monday morning I beat the Chinese Internet police by using a proxy website and logged into Facebook (which is banned in China; as is Twitter, YouTube, WordPress and a host of news websites including my favourite, The Guardian). One of the first posts I read on my timeline was written by a Kenyan journalist friend; it said, “Now Mr. President and all the relevant security apparatus in this country…this is no time to issue speeches, threats and the likes…if the solution to peace in Kenya is withdrawing our troops from Somalia, so be it! People are dying every week and the perpetrators are laughing their lungs out somewhere.” She was reacting to the bombs that went off in commuter buses in Nairobi on Sunday. This tragedy followed similar outrages that occurred in Mombasa on Saturday. The Somali based al Shabaab is thought to be behind the spate of attacks. Following the most recent attacks on innocent civilians, President Uhuru Kenyatta said, “The terrorists would like a war of religion, bringing to an end our history of tolerance. This country will not allow it. The terrorists will be treated as the vicious criminals they are, and our tradition of easy coexistence will be maintained”. The President’s assessment of al Shabaab’s motives in launching a war against the common man is correct. This group is indeed attempting, through targeted attacks, to tar the entire Somali community with the same brush. Their goal is to ensure an equation that states Somali=Terrorist.