November 14, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Federal Govt forces launch raid on Al Shabaab bases in Bay

13 Nov – Source: Garowe Online – 150 words

Somali Federal Government forces raided Al Shabaab bases in Bay region of southwestern Somalia on Wednesday afternoon as officials reported of midnight retaliation by militants, Garowe Online reports. Somali National Army commander Mohamed Mohamud Nur told the media that government troops attacked Al Shabaab hideouts in the outskirts of Goofgaduud Shabelle vicinity which lies 20km from Baidoa, killing two fighters.

“We killed two Al Shabaab militants in the army raid and one government soldier sustained bullet wounds,” said Nur. Meanwhile, heavy gun battle that lasted nearly an hour raged between Al Shabaab attackers and government forces at a security checkpoint in Maya Fulka area overnight on Wednesday. Security officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to address the media that seven militants died in the attack. Beleaguered Islamist insurgents intensified guerrilla warfare, largely in central and southern Somalia following the death of leader in early September.

Key Headlines

Mogadishu Mayor meets his Doha counterpart (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Muqdisho)
Anti-extremism conference concludes in Istanbul (Radio Radio Goobjoog/Radio Muqdisho)
The government of Denmark cancel planned meeting of Somali president with Somali community (Radio Radio Goobjoog)
Several IJA soldiers die in Kismayu ‘s outskirts (Radio Radio RBC/Radio Goobjoog)
Somali migrants to Yemen drastically decreased (Radio Goobjoog)
Federal Govt forces launch raid on Al Shabaab bases in Bay (Garowe Online)
Security sweeps in kismayo and jowhar-net scores (Garowe Online/Jowhar.net)
UN reaffirms commitment to fighting piracy crime in Somali waters (Sabahi Online)
Aramex May raise $500 million to fund acquisitions plans (bloomberg.com)
UNSC renews mandate to fight Somali pirates (IANS /business-standard.com)
Somalia: the tight against al Shabaab (Trailer) (news.vice.com)
UN authorises patrols against Somali pirates (AP/Indianexpress.com)
Kenyan authorities arrest 10 suspected militants plotting attack (Bloomberg.com/ businessweek.com)

SOMALI MEDIA

Mogadishu mayor meets his Doha counterpart

13 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Muqdisho – 101 words

Mogadishu mayor who also doubles up as the governor of Benadir region Hassan Mohamed Hussein has met Doha city mayor Mohamed Ahmed Sayid. Mungab who is in Qatari capital Doha for an official visit has discussed with his counterpart about the cooperation between Mogadishu and Doha on development and reconstruction issues. Doha mayor has promised to closely work with Mogadishu to take part in the development and reconstruction of the city’s social amenities that were affected by the two decades of civil war in the country. Doha emergency service department has also promised to train and equip Mogadishu emergency response unit.

Anti-extremism conference concludes in Istanbul

13 Nov- Source:Radio Radio Goobjoog/Radio Muqdisho – 164 words

Istanbul conference on extremism hosted by Anti-Tribalism Movement was on Thursday concluded. Participant including scholars, religious leaders, women and young people were taking part in Istanbul conference on extremism. The participants recognized the common challenges posed by terrorism and extremism to regional peace, security and stability and jointly denounced strongly the terrorist attacks and mass recruits by the extremist groups.

One of the participants Mahad Abdikadir speaking to Goobjoog FM said the religious leaders who attended the conference warned the youth not to join the extremist groups and instead think about the development and the progress of the region. Finally the participant agreed that the nations in the region should not be held hostage by groups however powerful or dangerous they may be. This year’s conference comes a time when the countries in the region have suffered from the extremist state of mind, many people mostly women and children killed and hundreds of families fearing to be affected the clashes moved to other countries

The government of Denmark cancel planned meeting of Somali president with Somali community

13 Nov – Source: Radio Radio Goobjoog – 140 words

As Copenhagen New deal conference is expected to open next week the government of Denmark has cancelled the plans of Somali community’s meeting with Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Denmark’s move is attributed to the political in-fighting between the top leaders of Somalia that might decline the co-operation between international community and Somali government.

Over 400 Somali community in different parts of the world were invited to part in the New Deal conference in Copenhagen. The United States recently said it will not take part in the high level partnership forum on Somalia to review the progress under the New Deal due to Somalia’s leadership that is distracted with political division. “ United States does not see the utility in sending a delegation to the High Level Partnership Forum on Somalia, which will meet next week in Copenhagen” the statement said.

Several IJA soldiers die in Kismayu’s outskirts

13 Nov – Source: Radio Radio RBC/Radio Goobjoog – 102 words

Road accidents in the outskirts of Interim Jubba administration center and the Provincial capital of Lower Jubba region is reported to have left died several died and others injured. Fighting vehicles carrying Interim Jubba administration soldiers have crushed in the outskirts of Kismayu killing at least three soldiers and others injured. Five others are reported to have sustained injuries some severe and were immediately rushed to Kismayu’s general hospital and are receiving treatments. Jubba administration had not made remark on the incident amid IJA forces are on preparations to recapture Kudhaa island which they lost control to the SOmalia’s al-qaida linked militants.

Somali migrants to Yemen drastically decreased

13 Nov – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 182 words

The consular of Somali embassy in Yemen Ahmed Sudaani has explained the progress made to return ships in the hands of Somali businessmen. Mr. Sudani, the consular speaking to Goobjoog FM said that Yemen court has earlier ruled the ships to be handed over to the federal government of Somalia but no action was so far taken the government. On the other hand shedding light on the situation of Somali refugees in Yemen, the consular said the lives of the refugees in Yemen quite well compared to the recent years. He noted that the number of Somali immigrants who use to reach Yemen has drastically decreased due to public awareness campaign to prevent the dangerous and illegal migration along the red sea by the embassy and intellectuals in the region. He also explained a boat hired by Somali businessmen en route to the coastal town of Bosaso that was carrying goods and other people returning to Somalia that has failed due to technical problem, the people on board of the boat and the goods were saved by other ships as he confirmed.

Federal Govt forces launch raid on Al Shabaab bases in Bay

13 Nov – Source: Garowe Online – 150 words

Security sweeps in kismayo and Jowhar-net scores

13 Nov – Source: Garowe Online/Jowhar.net – 132 words

Jubaland security forces conducted massive search operation in the southern port city of Kismayo on Thursday, arresting 70 Al Shabaab suspects, Garowe Online reports. Jubaland administration officials confirmed to GO that terror suspects are being interrogated at intelligence facility. Security forces commenced night patrol which dragged to second day on Wednesday, with search operations targeting occupants in vehicles on Kismayo’s main roads. On the other hand, Somali government soldiers have carried out similar sweep in Middle Shabelle regional capital of Jowhar. Jowhar Police station commander Mohamed Siyad Ali told reporters that the door-to-door security sweep netted terror suspects and is part of series of operations aimed at cleansing organized crimes of the town. Last week, Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency captured dozens suspected of being Al Shabaab members and weapons cache.

REGIONAL MEDIA

UN reaffirms commitment to fighting piracy, crime in Somali waters

13 Nov- Source: Sabahi Online – 223 words

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday (November 12th) adopted a resolution condemning piracy and maritime robbery off the coast of Somalia and called on the international community to continue to support counter-piracy measures. The resolution called on nations and regional organisations to take on counter-piracy tasks including “deploying naval vessels, arms and military aircraft, by providing basing and logistical support for counter-piracy forces, and by seizing and disposing of boats, vessels, arms and other related equipment used in the commission of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, or for which there are reasonable grounds for suspecting such use”. The resolution also called for measures to cut off financing for piracy and money-laundering of its spoils, saying such activity “exacerbates instability by introducing large amounts of illicit cash that fuels additional crime and corruption in Somalia”. Piracy has dropped significantly off the Horn of Africa due to coordinated international efforts, with only three unsuccessful attacks recorded in 2014 to date.

Handover of USD $4m Somalia projects

13 Nov- Source: Islamic-relief.org – 284 words

Islamic Relief has officially handed-over a national eye-hospital and a teachers training centre in Mogadishu, Somalia. The multi-million dollar facilities are designed to improve essential services which were devastated during longstanding conflict in the country. The modern, fit-for-purpose buildings were constructed in Somalia’s capital city through an ambitious project – launched in 2012 with funding from RCO Bahrain – and given over to the government earlier this month. The original buildings were destroyed during years of civil war in the east African country. The National Eye Hospital will provide poor people with life-changing eyecare services and the Somalia Teachers Training centre is set to help improve educational standards across the country. The handover ceremonies for the buildings – which were built by Islamic Relief – took place on 6 November, in Mogadishu. Islamic Relief’s Dr Mohammed El-Alfy, vice chair of the board of trustees and regional director Yusuf Ahmed joined Dr Mustapha, CEO of RCO Bahrain and Aslam

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Aramex May raise $500 Million to fund acquisitions plans

12 Nov- Source: Bloomberg.com – 426 words

Aramex PJSC (ARMX), which competes in the Middle East with United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) and Deutsche Post AG’s DHL, plans to raise as much as $500 million in loans to help fund logistics purchases in emerging markets. The Dubai-based company is considering acquisitions in south and west Africa, as well as Asia, where the Philippines and Vietnam are of interest, Chief Executive Officer Hussein Hachem said in an interview. Aramex, which had sales of 3.32 billion dirhams ($903 million) in 2013, is targeting as many as three deals a year as it seeks to build up a network beyond its local market by 2018, Hachem said. The company, which bought Australian courier Mail Call in June, may announce a new transaction next quarter. “There are new trade lanes that need added capacity,” Hachem said in Dubai. “The population growth, middle-class income and trade opportunities in these countries is massive.” Asia saw gross domestic product growth of 6.3 percent in 2013, outpacing the global rate of 2.18 percent. Aramex is also looking at adding joint ventures to the 15 it has already, exploring local partnerships in central Africa and central Asia where a franchise model would be better suited than purchases, Hachem said. Accords are in place in Djibouti, Somalia and Botswana, though franchises in Sierra Leone and Liberia were shut down two months ago after the Ebola outbreak.

UNSC renews mandate to fight Somali pirates

12 Nov – Source: IANS /Business-Standard.com – 147 words

The UN Security Council Wednesday renewed the mandate for states and regional bodies to fight Somali pirates for another year, noting that piracy and armed robbery are still exacerbating the situation in the country. The 15-member UN body unanimously adopted the resolution, stressing the need for “a comprehensive response” to repress piracy and tackle its underlying causes by the international community. The council decides to renew the authorisations granted to states and regional cooperating with Somalia in the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, Xinhua quoted the resolution as saying. Since the adoption of the first Security Council resolution on the fighting Somali pirates in June 2008, the incidents of piracy reported off the coast of Somalia are at the lowest levels in recent years, said Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman last month at a briefing to the council.

Somalia: The Fight Against al Shabaab – Trailer

13 Nov- Source: News.vice.com – 139 words – 1:06 Minutes

Al Shabaab has been a threat to Somalia for almost a decade. In 2013, the group claimed responsibility for the Westgate Mall attacks in Nairobi, Kenya, where 67 people were killed. This signaled a shift in the scope of al Shabaab’s tactics, which until this point had been focused within Somalia, where the group was in control of much of the country.

Over the past few years, with help from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), many cities that were once al Shabaab strongholds were taken back by Somali forces. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky traveled to Somalia in the wake of AMISOM taking back the coastal city of Barawe — where Ikrima, the man believed to be behind the Westgate attacks, resided — to investigate how al Shabaab evolved from a localized threat to a regional one.

UN authorises patrols against Somali pirates

13 Nov – Source: AP/Indianexpress.com – 368 words

The UN Security Council has voted unanimously to authorise international ships to keep patrolling sea lanes off Somalia and protecting shipping in the Indian Ocean from pirates who threaten the delivery of humanitarian aid and the safety of key maritime routes. The resolution adopted yesterday said counter-piracy efforts by states, regions, organisations, the maritime industry and others “have resulted in a sharp decline in pirate attacks as well as hijackings since 2011.”

But the council expressed grave concern at the threat that pirates pose not only to commercial shipping but to fishing activities and the safety of seafarers and at the “increased pirate capacities” and their expansion into the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas. The resolution authorises anti-piracy patrols for another year by foreign ships including vessels from the European Union, NATO, South Korea, New Zealand, the United States, China, India, Iran, Japan and Russia. UN political chief Jeffrey Feltman told the council in October that the last time a large commercial vessel was hijacked was over two years ago. But he warned that Somali pirates are still holding 37 people.

Kenyan authorities arrest 10 suspected militants plotting attack

13 Nov- Source: Bloomberg.com/ /businessweek.com – 181 words

Kenyan police arrested 10 suspected al-Shabaab militants, including two women, who they believe were plotting suicide bombings in the East African nation, spokeswoman Zipporah Mboroki said. The suspects “recently returned from a foreign country in possession of suicide materials,” Mboroki said by phone yesterday from the capital, Nairobi. She declined to provide further details about the ongoing investigation. Foreign governments including the U.S. and U.K. have warned their nationals to avoid non-essential travel to parts of Kenya, including the coastal region that’s a key draw for tourists, since al-Shabaab gunmen killed at least 67 people last year in a Nairobi shopping-mall raid. At least 60 people died in assaults in Mpeketoni in Kenya’s Lamu county in June, while gun and grenade attacks across the country have stoked further concerns over rising insecurity.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Going by what the Somalia officials have been fulminating in their media about the issue, Somalia wants the “equidistance/special circumstances rule” applied because it would definitely support its claim. However, such an approach would be mistaken because the ICJ has previously used other methods to resolve such disputes. Indeed, the court has argued that the rule may be applicable if it leads to an equitable solution; if not, other methods should be employed. In other words, the rule is not a mandatory legal principle nor is it better than other methods.”

Kenya-Somalia ocean dispute could spark war

13 Nov- Source: Star – 779 words

On August 28th, 2014, Somalia took Kenya to the International Court of Justice to resolve a long-standing dispute over the maritime boundary in the Indian Ocean.
Kenya’s view has been the maritime boundary should run east from the point where it touches the Indian Ocean, whereas, Somalia differs and argues that if its border with Kenya runs continuously from land into the ocean, it would take a south-east direction. If Somalia had its way, Kenya would be worse off and would lose more than 100,000 square kilometres of territorial waters, leaving a small triangle of a marine belt in Indian Ocean without free access to the high seas. Thus, the case is not a small matter for Kenya, and, thus, it deserves serious legal defence by drawing on multidisciplinary insights.

After Linda Nchi was launched and with the subsequent absorption of the Kenyan troops into the multi-country African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), al-Shabab has staged various attacks in Kenya, most notably the prolonged attack on Nairobi’s Westgate Mall in September 2013.

Muslims feel under siege in Kenya

13 Nov- Source: Aljazeera.com – 1020 words

Young Kenyan Muslims must be given alternatives beyond a life of relative deprivation or a false dream of eternal glory.Last month, an imam at a Mombasa mosque was forced to step down by young al-Shabab sympathisers, and just last week a Muslim cleric, Sheikh Salim Bakari Mwarangi, was gunned down by two men on a motorbike. His murder has underlined a dichotomy within Kenya’s Muslim community. There are those, especially among the youth, who directly or indirectly support the Somali-based armed group al-Shabab; while others actively work to eradicate extremism within their religious and social milieu. In the latter group there are individuals who oppose al-Shabab and its ilk, but are also openly critical of the Kenyan government and what they view as its discrimination against Muslims. Both the pro-Shabab and anti-Shabab groups include clerics and Islamic scholars as well as ordinary citizens. Kenya’s coastal tourist region, which is home to many Muslims, has recently been targeted by a spate of bomb attacks linked to al-Shabab; and Mwarangi’s death is the latest of several murders of Muslim clerics on both sides of the divide. In April, Imam Abubakar Shariff (aka Makaburi), known for his scathing views on the government’s approach to Muslims and regarded as pro-Shabab, was killed by unknown assailants.