November 11, 2015 | Morning Headlines
US Offers Multi-million Dollar Rewards For Information On Al-Shabaab Leaders
10 November – Source: US News/Associated Press – 127 Words
The United States is offering rewards of up to $6 million for information on locations of six leaders of Somalia-based Al-Shabaab extremist group. The State Department announcedon Tuesday tipsters could receive up to $6 million for information leading to the “identification or whereabouts” of the group’s main leader, Abu Ubaidah (AH’-boo oo-EYE’-dah), up to $5 million for information on three of his deputies and $3 million for two others. The money is being offered under the State Department’s “Rewards for Justice” program, which has paid out more than $125 million to more than 80 people since 1984 for information leading to the arrest or death of terrorists. Al-Shabaab is blamed for killing thousands of civilians, aid workers and peacekeepers in Somalia, Uganda, and Kenya since 2006.
Key Headlines
- US Offers Multi-million Dollar Rewards For Information On Al-Shabaab Leaders (US News/AP)
- Somalia MPs Set To Be Armed And Given Enough Bodyguards (Wacaal Media)
- Somalia Blocks Access To 35 Websites (Garowe Online)
- Muse Appointed Flag Bearer For Kulmiye Party Ahead Of 2016 Polls (Goobjoog News)
- Al-Shabaab Now Affiliated To ISIL (CCTV)
- UN Security Council Sets Up UN Support Office In Somalia (Xinhua)
- My Experience Eating At A St. Cloud Somali Restaurant (SC Times)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia Members of Parliament Set To Be Armed And Given Enough Bodyguards
10 November – Source: Wacaal Media – 102 Words
Days after Somalia’s latest MP was gunned down in a drive by shooting in Mogadishu, the Federal Government’s security ministry has announced plans to arm and give enough bodyguards to the lawmakers. The decision was reached after a consultative meeting between the parliamentary committee on defence and the internal security ministry which was held in the wake of increased killing of MPs. A member of the committee, Daahir Amin Jeesow, announced each member will be given two well-armed bodyguards in order to ensure their security. 15 members have been killed since 2012 since the formation of the Somali Federal Parliament, of which three of those lawmakers were killed this year.
Somalia Blocks Access To 35 Websites
10 November – Source: Garowe Online- 129 Words
The office of Somalia’s Attorney General has ordered that 35 critical websites be blocked from inside the East African country in unprecedented censorship, Garowe Online reports. The news websites allegedly defamed people in positions of authority in stories published on the 35 sites. The Deputy Attorney General, Mohamud Abdi Haji Adan confirmed that the order is poised to be fully implemented by Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, pending further investigation. Courts in Puntland and breakaway Somaliland have experienced defamation over the last few years. Media industry in Somalia has grown ample; however experts are warning of serious challenges if the profession is exercised without practical guidance and training. Of 180 countries, Somalia was ranked 176th in the 2014 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.
Muse Appointed Flag Bearer For Kulmiye Party Ahead Of 2016 Polls
10 November – Source: Goobjoog News – 202 Words
Kulmiye Party has endorsed President Silaanyo’s close ally Muse Bihi to contest for the state presidency in 2016, a week after fall out in the party which saw nine senior government officials quit office. Bihi whose favour with the president led to mass fall out in government was given a majority nod by the party as it struggles to deal with internal wrangles. The incumbent President Ahmed Mohamed Silaanyo speaking at the conference said that he welcomed the chairman of the party to be the flagbearer of the party. He noted that the party members believed in Bihi as the best placed to face off with other parties’ presidential candidates in the 2016 race.
“We have got a better mechanism to deal with the issue of picking party presidential flag-bearer and Bihi has been elected to represent the party,” said Silaanyo. Speaking at the same forum, Bihi said Kulmiye is determined to lead Somaliland with Justice. “We shall hold on to Kulmiye because we want to lead people of Somaliland and steer the nation towards prosperity” he said. Further, he insisted that for free, fair and credible elections to take place, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission must be sincere and responsible.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Al-Shabaab Now Affiliated To ISIL
10 November – Source: CCTV – Video: 5:15 Minutes
Worrying reports have emerged saying that ISIL militants are rapidly expanding in Africa. In East Africa, Somalia’s Prime Minister has warned the UN Security Council that al-Shabaab militants are now affiliated to ISIL. Omar Sharmarke was speaking at a special session of the Security Council.
UN Security Council Sets Up UN Support Office In Somalia
10 November – Source:Xinhua – 161 Words
UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution setting up UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), to succeed the UN Support Office for AMISOM(UNSOA). In view of the expansion of UNSOA’s mission since its establishment in 2009, the council decided to set up its successor, UNSOS, which will provide support for UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the Somali National Army, in addition to UNSOA’s previous principal client AMISOM. The council acknowledged the positive contributions that UNSOA has made to supporting the gains made by the AMISOM and the UNSOM, said the resolution, adding the establishment of the UNSOS reflects the office’s actual client base.The council also requested AMISOM and the Somali National Army to ensure that “they give the utmost priority to securing key supply routes essential to improve the humanitarian situation in the most affected areas,” it said. The council will review UNSOS’ mandate and decide whether to renew or revise it before May 30, 2016.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Abdi said Somalia is known for its supersized sambusas, also known as samosas, that are especially popular as a high-calorie snack during the annual month of daytime fasting called Ramadan.The main entrees were roasted goat, sauteed pepper chicken and a fried chicken dish. They were served with a large side of seasoned basmati rice, which is featured at most Somali meals.“In Somalia it would be hard to find a vegetarian,” Abdi said. “Meat is a big part (of the Somali diet).”
My Experience Eating At A St. Cloud Somali Restaurant
10 November – Source: SCTimes – 597 Words
A plate of spaghetti and a hand of bananas was delivered to my table for lunch last week.But this wasn’t an Italian entree with a fruit pairing. This is a popular order at Hormud Meat & Grocery Market, a Somali restaurant in the 3360 Division St. strip mall.“Southern Somalia was once colonized by the Italians,” explained Ahmed Abdi, a Somali native and Times staff reporter who served as my guide. “They brought pasta to Somalia. It’s very popular back home.” My experience at Hormud — pronounced “or-mood” and translated as “the leading place” — is one I recommend other Minnesotans try. The North Star State is home to the country’s highest population of Somali immigrants at more than 40,000.Not only was the food tasty, but it was an opportunity to connect with my often misunderstood neighbors.
There are few things as universal as food. After all, everybody eats.Abdi, who immigrated to the U.S. in 2000 to flee civil war in his East African country, said there’s a growing generation of local Somalis who were born and raised in Central Minnesota. Yet the immigrant community has unique characteristics.The most interesting aspect of local Somali culture I learned is how they help others within their community. With transportation a significant hurdle for refugees and other immigrants, Abdi said Somalis drive each other around — often giving rides to strangers.“You don’t even expect a thank you,” Abdi said. “It’s just something you do.”
Countries trade food ideas the way some people trade rides. In addition to the Italian presence in Somalia, there were the culinary influences of British colonization in northern Somalia.And the Somali food, while heavier on spices, translates easily to the American palate. Somali spaghetti, for example, comes with the added twist of paprika seasoning.But not everything is the same here in Central Minnesota for Somalis. Take bananas, traditionally eaten at most Somali meals, and other fresh produce.“The big difference is the freshness,” Abdi said. “In Somalia we buy everything fresh. And it was usually grown there.”