November 2, 2015 | Morning Headlines
Al-Shabaab Assault Targets Senior Somali Officials
01 November – Source: Al Jazeera – 202 Words
At least 15 people have been killed and dozens more wounded in an attack on a hotel in the centre of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, witnesses tell Al Jazeera.A car bomb exploded at the main gate of the Sahafi Hotel early on Sunday morning, with attackers then storming the hotel as they exchanged gunfire with security guards.A suicide bomber detonated a second set of explosives inside the hotel. Somali troops and African Union forces were deployed to the scene and took control of the situation,. Lieutenant Colonel Paul Njuguna, the spokesperson for the AU Mission in Somalia, told Al Jazeera.
The Al-Shabab armed group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Those killed in the attack included parliamentarian Mohamed Abdi Abtidoon and a freelance photographer, Mustaf Abdi, who on several occasions contributed to Al Jazeera reports.Several prominent people were among the injured ,including a journalist and a local businessman.Medical sources confirmed that a top Somali military commander, General Gacma Duule, and Somalia’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Abdisalam Haji Adam, were also injured. The hotel is often frequented by Somali government officials and business executives and it has been targeted before. Two French security advisers were abducted from the hotel in 2009.
Key Headlines
- Al-Shabaab Assault Targets Senior Somali Officials ( Al Jazeera)
- President Mohamud Condoles With Hotel Attack Victims Terms Incident Desperate (Goobjoog News)
- 50 Militants Reportedly Killed In Fierce Fighting Near Hudur Town ( Mareeg Media)
- AMISOM Commander And Somali Premier Discuss Means Of Enhancing Cooperation In The Fight Against Terrorism (Goobjoog News)
- Three EA States Going To War — in Yemen! (East African)
- Somalia’s Livestock Trade Booms (AMISOM)
- Somali Women Seek Stronger Participation In Country’s Peacebuilding And Political Processes(UNSOM)
- Shafana: The Journalist Who Believed In Somalia (Al Jazeera)
PRESS STATEMENT
AMISOM Condemns Attack On Civilians At Sahafi Hotel In Mogadishu
01 November – Source: AMISOM – Words – 132 Words
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) strongly condemns this morning’s heinous terrorist attack on civilians at the Sahafi Hotel in Mogadishu town. A vehicle borne improvised explosive device was used to breach the hotel’s security, in another senseless attack that has led to loss of life. The leadership of AMISOM extends heartfelt condolences to the families who lost dear ones in this attack.
AMISOM commends the fast and professional response by the Somali Government security forces that enabled timely control of the situation. AMISOM reiterates the need for continued cooperation and support to the Government of Somalia and its troops, to stop these acts of terror perpetuated on the Somali people by Al Shabaab. The African Union stands firm in its resolve to work towards restoration of lasting peace in Somalia.
NATIONAL MEDIA
President Mohamud Condoles With Hotel Attack Victims, Terms Incident Desperate
01 November – Source: Goobjoog News – 372 Words
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has strongly condemned the attack at Sahafi hotel which claimed at least 15 lives and injured close to 30 others.The President has also condoled with families, relatives and the nation at large reiterating his call for calm and assurance that the country’s security forces were doing their best to deter such incidences. The President also noted that Al-Shabaab was a disgruntled entity which aims to grab headlines through the killing of innocent people.
President Mohamud said as Al-Shabaab is increasingly pushed out of their hiding places through the concerted and successful military actions of the Somali National Army and AMISOM, they seek to “wreak havoc in our cities”: “Let me assure you, these are not the actions of a movement on the rise. On the contrary, this is the action of an increasingly desperate, internally-divided group of extremists. They are not sure what they stand for, or whom they are following, and seek to grab the headlines through killing of innocent Muslims,” the President said.The president assured the country security forces had taken control of the situations and that investigations on the matter will commence immediately.
Prominent personalities killed in the latest blast include a sitting MP, MP Abdi Mohamed Abtidoon, former Somali National Army commandant, Abdirisak Yussuf Badan and the hotel owner Abdirashid Shire Ilqeyte. An Al Jazeera stringer Mustaf Mushafa Shafana was killed while Reuters photojournalist Faisal Omar was injured. The President said the best way to honour the dead was to renew and redouble efforts to ‘prevent extremists from distorting the faith of our fathers, and leading people astray in their quest for brutality and destruction”.
50 Militants Reportedly Killed In Fierce Fighting Near Hudur Town
31 October – Source: Mareeg News – 139 Words
Hudur Governor says at least 50 militants have been killed in a heavy fighting between Somali army and Al-Shabaab which took place on Saturday at villages near Hudur town, the capital of Bakol region which are controlled by Somali military. Confirming the incident, Hudur governor Mohamed Mo’allin told the Somali local Radio that Govt troops in Garasweyne and Moragabey villages had managed to repulse the attackers, killing 50 Al-Shabaab fighters and seizing 40 AK-47 rifles.
In the meantime, local residents have narrated how they heard heavy gunfire sounds as the two warring sides clashed in a deadly battle at the army bases for most of the early hours on Saturday morning. A statement posted on a pro-Al-Shabaab website says the militants took over the villages after an attack which they claim killing an unknown number of Somali army members.
AMISOM Commander And Somali Premier Discuss Means Of Enhancing Cooperation In The Fight Against Terrorism
01 November – Source: Goobjoog News – 297 Words
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Force Commander Lt. General Jonathan Rono who is also the acting Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson to Somalia today paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Somalia, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke. The two leaders deliberated over a range of issues including enhancement of cooperation between the two entities as well as bolstering the fight against Al-Shabaab terrorists.
Discussions further focused on the political and security situation in the country, as consultations ahead of the 2016 general election get underway. Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Sharmarke spoke of the good relationship between the Federal government and AMISOM, which he said has enabled key gains particularly in the security sector: “On the security aspect, we are making a lot of progress but we need to continuously improve. Coordination and cooperation are key to defeating the Al-Shabaab,” said the Prime Minister Omar as he enumerated gains, especially the improved security situation that is enabling the political process.
Lt. General Jonathan Rono was accompanied to the meeting by AMISOM Senior Political Affairs Officer Ssebirumbi Kisinziggo, AMISOM Deputy Police Commissioner Christine Alalo and AMISOM Force Spokesperson Lt. Col. Paul Njuguna, among others. The Force Commander thanked the Federal Government for upholding the cordial relations enjoyed between the two institutions, while reiterating the commitment of AMISOM to support the ongoing political process.
“How we can enhance the good relations between AMISOM and the Federal Government of Somalia, how can we relate better and continue to work together is very important,” General Rono said. Discussions also touched on initiatives by AMISOM to support and mentor the Somali National Army (SNA) and Somali Police Force (SPF) by providing technical and other support for the enhancement of capacity in National Security and Public Safety.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Three EA states going to war — in Yemen!
31 October – Source: The EastAfrican – 822 Words
At least three East African nations — Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan — are reported to be directly involved in the war raging in Yemen, a country a short distance from the Horn of Africa. Sudan recently acknowledged that it has dispatched a battalion of troops to Yemen to join a Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting the al-Houthi rebel group.
“Our troops in Yemen are ready to do their military task under the command of the alliance military leadership,” Sudanese army spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed Khalifa Alshami said on October 18. Saudi Arabia and one of its allies, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have established a military presence in Eritrea as part of their war against the Houthis, a United Nations monitoring group has reported. The UN team also said it has received unconfirmed reports that 400 Eritrean soldiers are embedded with the UAE contingent battling the Houthis.
Similarly, Somalia’s government is allowing its air space, land and territorial waters to be used by the anti-Houthi coalition. Foreign Minister Abdisalam Omer Hadliye told the BBC’s Somali Service in April that “Somalia shares the same crisis as existing in Yemen and we cannot watch what is going on there. Houthis are trying to topple a legal government so it is the responsibility of the Arabs to protect, and Somalia is playing its role to that end.”
Although far from the frontlines, Senegal has also intervened in Yemen on the side of the Saudi-led coalition. The West African country has sent 2,100 soldiers to assist in the fight against the Houthis. In addition, two North African countries — Egypt and Morocco — have intervened militarily in Yemen against the Houthis. Somalia and Djibouti have also both been directly affected by the fighting in a country that is less than 50 kilometres across the Gulf of Aden. According to the UN human refugee agency, a total of 15,000 refugees have made perilous sea voyages to the two East African states in order to escape the violence in Yemen so far this year.Somalia’s involvement may also be linked to military aid it has been given by the UAE.
Somalia’s Livestock Trade Booms
30 October – Source: AMISOM – 425 Words
Livestock trade in Somalia is booming in Somalia, with over 1,500 cattle exported this week alone. Other animal exported by Somali farmers include sheep, goats and camels. A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicates Somalia exported over 5 million livestock in 2014 to markets in the Gulf of Arabia, the highest number of live animals exported from Somalia in the last 20 years, and among the highest world over.
These included 4.6 million goats and sheep, 340,000 cattle and 77,000 camels, worth an estimated $360 million and contributing 40% to the country’s GDP. This boost in livestock exports has been attributed to improved security, enabling the country’s farmers to conduct business without hindrance. This is coupled with increased demand especially from the Arab countries and further supported by a massive rollout of veterinary extension services by the government with the support of international partners. This has greatly improved both the quality and quantity of animals.
Abdul Kadir Ali Gab, the Managing Director of Jazeera International Company, one of the exporting firms says the improved security in the country has enabled the big boost in business: “This year, we have recorded an increase in livestock exports due to the improving security situation. More people are participating in the rearing and exporting of livestock, which we find encouraging. We have already exported five ships to Oman and we intend to export five more ships of cattle and sheep to Iraq and the Emirates,” he says.
Livestock farming is the largest contributor to Somali livelihoods with over 65% of the population engaged in the industry: “Somali people are largely pastoralists and depend on livestock for their livelihood, livestock is a not a new thing in this country. The pastoral families now have access to new international markets to sell their livestock. This encourages them to rear more and high quality animals for export,” Abdul Kadir Ali Gab says.
Somali Women Seek Stronger Participation In Country’s Peacebuilding And Political Processes
30 October – Source: UNSOM – 486 Words
Somali women are demanding more involvement in political and decision-making processes. They seek to make a more significant contribution to Somalia’s peacebuilding and state-building efforts. At the Open Day organized by the United Nations in Somalia in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, Somali women revisited their roles and duties in the political and peacebuilding processes.
Over 55 women representatives from civil society as well as the federal government and regional administrations, security sector institutions including the Somali Police Force and Somali National Army, judicial institutions, Members of Parliament, youth and students attended the Open Day. Shipra Bose, UNSOM Senior Gender Advisor, emphasized that the Open Day provides women leaders, peacebuilders and community leaders with access and opportunities to directly interact with the senior leadership of the UN. She added that participants in the Open Day event can share views and reflect on their role and contribution as well as the challenges facing the country’s peacebuilding and political processes.
During the discussions, Asli Ismail Duale, a member of the Somali Women’s Leadership Initiative, noted that women in Somalia are still marginalized with a very low level of involvement in political processes. “United Nations Resolution 1325 gives us a right to political participation. Unless we women participate, half of the society will be missing. It is comparable to someone who wants to clap, but one of the hands is incapacitated,” she noted.
The Federal Minister of Women and Human Rights Development, Zahra Mohamed Ali Samantar, observed that women have historically played a critical role in Somalia and their role shouldn’t be ignored: “The importance of resolution 1325 is that it obliges us to strengthen and empower women in decision-making. At the end of the war, unfortunately, women have not been given as much opportunity,” the minister emphasized. The women leaders recognized the need for united efforts in securing a stronger voice in the political arena.
In his remarks, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Somalia, Nicholas Kay, advised women to continue their unified efforts and lobbying for their increased political participation, while reaffirming the support of his office and the entire United Nations family in Somalia.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“At exactly 6am he phoned to tell me of the latest bloody incident, in which gunmen from Al-Shabaab had bombed and stormed a downtown hotel. That was Shafana, always first on the scene. A born storyteller, he was there to tell the world what was happening in his city. He was careful. But it wasn’t enough.” — Hamza Mohamed, producer at Al Jazeera
Shafana: The Journalist Who Believed In Somalia
01 November – Source: Al Jazeera – 592 Words
He was sharp and always smiling. A notebook, a pen, a camera and a phone the things he carried. Harmless tools for what is a deadly trade in Mogadishu.Mustaf Abdi Noor was a rising star in a profession that continues to claim the lives of many in Somalia’s capital – including some of his close friends.Shafana, as he was widely known, was a multi-talented journalist, adept at both taking photographs and reporting. A different breed.
He believed in his country and profession. Many of his close colleagues left journalism because it was too dangerous. Some even took the perilous Mediterranean route out of the country because they believed that was safer.But not Shafana.Somalia was too deep a part of him and he said he would never leave.He was learning English so he could better tell the world about his country, a job he loved. Shafana worked for Radio Shabelle and was also a regular contributor to international media organisations, including Al Jazeera.We first met two years ago while I was on assignment in Mogadishu. I needed someone with intimate knowledge of the city, someone who saw the danger coming before everyone else, someone who could guide me through the many treacherous fault lines without the need for an armed escort.
He knew the city and its ways – including it’s dark ways – like the back of his hand. He could lead you through the place with his eyes shut. But, early this morning, the city he loved claimed him. At exactly 6am he phoned to tell me of the latest bloody incident, in which gunmen from al-Shabab had bombed and stormed a downtown hotel. He was there and, ever cautious, taking cover behind a car. That was Shafana, always first on the scene.
Today, he was doing what he had done on so many occasions. A born storyteller, he was there to tell the world what was happening in his city. He was careful. But it wasn’t enough. The car he was hiding behind had been rigged with explosives by Al-Shabaab and positioned outside the hotel to act as a second bomb. From a distance, an Al-Shabaab member detonated it and Shafana’s life was cut short. Too short – he was just 23.