November 20, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
PRESS STATEMENT
Press Statement: Condemnation and Condolence
19 Nov – Source: Office of the Somali President – 166 words
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan Sh. Mohamud strongly condemns the horrific terrorist grenade attack, which took place Sunday 18th of November 2012 in Eastleigh Nairobi. The President sends his condolences to the victims and families of the cowardly attack that resulted in the death of nine innocent Kenyans and wounded more than 30.
President Hassan Sh. Mohamud stated, “Terrorism, is the most timid, and inhumane activity against innocent civilian”. President Hassan Sh. Mohamud highlighted the sacrifices that Kenyan forces paid to restore peace and stability inside Somalia and noted such terrorist attack will not weaken the spirit of the Kenyan People and the relations between the Somali and Kenyan government.
President Hassan Sh. Mohamud also underlined that the people and the government of Somalia are showing strong solidarity with their Kenyan brothers and sisters at this moment of national grief. He concluded by stating “Certainly, resorting to such brutal terrorist action will in no way hold back the people of Kenya”.
Key Headlines
- Press Statement: Condemnation and Condolence (Office of the Somali President)
- Somali AU forces move towards rebel-held town (Shabelle)
- Calm returns to Nairobi’s Eastleigh (Star FM/ Hiiraan Online)
- Somali livestock trade booming despite war (Capital News/AFP)
- Puntland leader inaugurates two new government centers (Garowe Online)
- Saudi Arabia Affirms Support for Security Council to Combat Piracy (Saudi Press Agency)
- Fresh violence hits Garissa as chaos enter day two (Star FM/Bar-kulan/Nation/Dhanaan Online/Radio Mustaqbal)
- AMISOM Frontline: Marka Advance (AMISOM)
- China calls for more int’l cooperation in combating Somali piracy (Xinhua)
- Somalia: MSF responds to urgent needs on outskirts of Mogadishu (MSF)
PRESS STATEMENT
Press Statement: Condemnation and Condolence
19 Nov – Source: Office of the Somali President – 166 words
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan Sh. Mohamud strongly condemns the horrific terrorist grenade attack, which took place Sunday 18th of November 2012 in Eastleigh Nairobi. The President sends his condolences to the victims and families of the cowardly attack that resulted in the death of nine innocent Kenyans and wounded more than 30.
President Hassan Sh. Mohamud stated, “Terrorism, is the most timid, and inhumane activity against innocent civilian”. President Hassan Sh. Mohamud highlighted the sacrifices that Kenyan forces paid to restore peace and stability inside Somalia and noted such terrorist attack will not weaken the spirit of the Kenyan People and the relations between the Somali and Kenyan government.
President Hassan Sh. Mohamud also underlined that the people and the government of Somalia are showing strong solidarity with their Kenyan brothers and sisters at this moment of national grief. He concluded by stating “Certainly, resorting to such brutal terrorist action will in no way hold back the people of Kenya”.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali, AU forces move towards rebel-held town
20 Nov Source: Shabelle – 106 words
Somali National Army (SNA) alongside the African Union forces on Tuesday moved closer to the main rebel-held city of Bur-hakaba, some 163 Km north-west Mogadishu, reports said.
Fighters of the rebel group of al Shabaab have on Tuesday began withdrawing from Bur-hakaba district of Bay region as the coalition forces were heading to that city, according to Ahmed Mohamed Yusuf, district Commissioner DC of the town. Somali soldiers and Ethiopian forces seized Baidoa last February without any resistance from al Shabaab militants.
However, al Shabaab leaders described their withdrawal as “Tactical retreat” and vowed to trike back against the government forces and their allied regional troops.
Calm returns to Nairobi’s Eastleigh
20 Nov – Source: Star FM/ Hiiraan Online – 72 words
Calm has returned to Nairobi neighbourhood of Eastleigh following two days of unrest that saw several people injured and property destroyed. Business operations are back to normal after a dusk to dawn police presence in the area.
Violence broke out when Kenyans went on the rampage attacking ethnic Somalis near the site of the deadly bus bombing, which some have blamed on sympathisers of Somalia based al Shabaab fighters.
Puntland leader inaugurates two new government centers
19 Nov – Source: Garowe Online – 153 words
A new Corrections Academy in Garowe Puntland, was inaugurated by Puntland President and Director UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Garowe Online reports. Puntland state President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole accompanied by Vice President Abdisamad Ali Shire and other Puntland officials, welcomed a delegation led by UNODC Director Yury Fedetov at Garowe airport.
The delegation visited many sites in Garowe, after President Farole and Director Fedetov cut the rope to officially open the new Corrections Academy and Headquarters in Garowe. After the inauguration the officials took a tour of the new facility’s classrooms, staff accommodation and offices.
The officials also laid the foundation rock for the new prison being built in Garowe. According to a Puntland press release, detailing the UNODC visit on Monday, the Puntland leadership and the delegation toured the new building of the Puntland Ministry of Justice and Rehabilitation.”
Fresh violence hits Garissa as chaos enter day two
20 Nov – Source: Star FM/Radio Bar-kulan/Nation/Dhanaan Online/Radio Mustaqbal – 96 words
At least Seven people have been shot in fresh violence on Tuesday morning after Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers fired people along the Kismayu road in Garissa. Gunfire rented the air in the town as security forces engaged angry locals armed with crude weapons for the better part of the morning. The military began operations on Monday when five KDF soldiers were attacked by unknown assailants near Garissa Primary School while changing a flat tyre on their truck. Three KDF soldiers were killed during the attack.
At least 34 casualties have been transferred to the Garissa Provincial Hospital by Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) Garissa Branch Response team, which has been assisting casualties from yesterday Monday 19th November 2012. Locals accused police and military of harassing them and burning the area’s main market. The security personnel harassed and beat up locals in reaction to the incident. Several structures were burnt in the confusion.
Kenyan military spokesman Col Cyrus Oguna said Tuesday no weapon was stolen from their slain personnel. The Monday attack follows a Friday shooting that left two police officers dead in the same town. No one has claimed responsibility for the blast. North Eastern police boss Philip Tuimur says security agencies are in control of the situation in the town.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somali livestock trade booming despite war
20 Nov – Source: Capital News/AFP – 144 words
At Hargeisa’s dusty livestock market two men quietly size each other up, haggling over animal prices by placing fingers on their chequered headscarfs to indicate how much they would pay.
“If I press one finger, it means 100 shillings, the whole hand, 500, a bit of a finger, 90 shillings…we want to hide negotiations from other traders,” said animal trader Mohammed Iid, explaining the reasoning behind the silent barter.
Amidst the chaos that has characterised life in conflict-ravaged Somalia, the animal trade has survived — and even managed to prosper. Traders in the northern Somali city — capital of the self-declared independent nation of Somaliland — rake in healthy profits, with sales spiking during Islamic festivals.
The symbolic sacrifice of sheep in accordance with Islam sees orders increase from neighbouring countries such as Yemen, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) across the Gulf of Aden.
Ethiopia’s Somali refugee camp becomes world’s second largest
19 Nov – Source: Sudan Tribune – 480 words
The number of Somali refugees sheltered at Ethiopia’s Dollo Ado refugee camp has hit a record high of 170,000 making it the world’s second largest refugee complex, according to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
The number of new arrivals to Dollo Ado have seen a decline, however, the newest camp located in Ethiopia’s South East has continued to receiving new arrivals.
Since the beginning of this year, over 60,000 Somalis have fled into neighboring countries, including 25,000 to Ethiopia – making the Horn of Africa nation the largest recipient of Somali refugees in the region so far this year. Somalis are forced to leave their home due to conflict, drought and lately due to insecurity in southern and central parts of Somalia.
Is Kenya becoming a mini-Somalia?
20 Nov – Standard – 256 words
Recent Kenyan headlines and happenings are downright terrifying. From the killing of 42 policemen in Suguta valley, to the Tana clashes that displaced hundreds and the numerous explosions rocking the country. Barely a week goes by without reports of insecurity, killings and attacks on innocent Kenyans.
One cannot help but question what happened to the country that was once a haven of peace in East Africa. It appears that our country is turning into a little Somalia-a terror ravaged country without rule of law.
As incidents continue to pile up, many have asked if there is really a government in place. Others have argued that our security machinery is a sleep, leaving citizens vulnerable to attacks.
Saudi Arabia Affirms Support for Security Council to Combat Piracy
20 Nov – Source: Saudi Press Agency – 197 words
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pointed out that it has been one of the first countries affected by the phenomenon of piracy since its newly emergence especially off the Somali coast, because of the Kingdom’s geographical, economic and political position.
In his speech at the United Nations Security Council yesterday, the Kingdom’s Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Abdullah bin Yahya Al Mouallimi noted that Saudi commercial ships and oil tankers have been subjected to direct threats and some of them to repeated attacks, robbery and kidnapping.
He indicated that the Kingdom welcomed the decision of United Nations Security Council (1851) for the year 2009 which led to the formation of a Contact Group on Piracy off the coast of Somalia, participated in its meetings and working groups, and contributed to its Trust Fund.
Ambassador Al-Mouallimi said that the Kingdom welcomed the Security Council’s action on combating piracy off Somalia’s coast and the recent reduction of incidents, adding that the Somali new government needs continued support. He pointed out that the Kingdom has been working with the international community on establishing a legal framework for using contracted security personnel on board ships passing through the Horn of Africa.
AMISOM Frontline: Marka Advance
19 Nov – Source: AMISOM – 340 min
The AMISOM Frontline series tells the story of African Union troops as they undertake a stabilization mission in Somalia. These films depict the range of challenges faced by the AMISOM soldiers on a daily basis, and covey the message that this mission is a much more diverse undertaking than many understand it to be.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
China calls for more int’l cooperation in combating Somali piracy
20 Nov – Source: Xinhua – 411 words
China Monday called on the international community to strengthen communication and coordination in further combating Somali piracy. Wang Min, Chinese Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, made the statement at an open meeting of the Security Council on piracy. Wang said that over the recent years, the international cooperation in fighting piracy has achieved remarkable results with less successful piracy attacks.
Somalia: MSF responds to urgent needs on outskirts of Mogadishu
20 Nov – Source: MSF – 376 words
One in four children living in camps on the edge of the Somali capital are malnourished, according to an assessment conducted by the international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF). In response to the critical situation, a team from MSF launched an emergency three-day intervention to provide urgent nutritional treatment and on-site medical care to children under the age of five.
MSF medical staff visited 34 camps hosting more than 15,000 displaced people living with insufficient access to healthcare. Many have suffered multiple displacements and are extremely vulnerable.
Over three days, 1,500 children were screened for acute malnutrition and 396 were admitted to MSF’s nutritional programme, 70 of them with severe acute malnutrition.
Ohio mall terrorism defendant deported to Somalia
19 Nov – Source: AP – 118 words
A Somali immigrant who federal prosecutors say plotted to attack an Ohio shopping mall has been deported to Somalia. Nuradin Abdi completed his prison sentence in August and was in federal custody in Louisiana while final preparations were made to return him to Somalia.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday confirmed the deportation. Abdi’s sister, Kaltun Karani, says the family is happy that Abdi is a free man.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“While this next phase of Somalia’s transition to greater stability will be difficult for many Somalis, one thing is clear – the UK will be standing with them. Challenges remain, but by working in partnership and for the long-term, we’re determined to help Somalis overcome them.”
Politics, partnership and patience
20 Nov – Source: FCO Blog – 940 Words
So the final piece of the post-Transition jigsaw has finally fallen into place. Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon’s 10-person Council of Minister is now approved – overwhelmingly – by Parliament and with it, the final act of a two-month process to find Somalia’s new leaders.
Put before Parliament last week, their near-unanimous approval of the nominated Council was a further sign that both the Parliament and the new Executive are both committed to forging a new path. The new Council of Ministers is a mixture of old faces and a few new ones; a mixture of political experience and expertise drawn from further afield.
It shows that this new leadership is both sensitive of their own identity and sees the need for a delicate balance of political constituencies. The new cabinet has a number of unique and welcome features, not least its size and the universally-welcomed appointment of two women to senior positions, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, and Social Services Development.
Like others, I have watched with considerable interest as the process has unfolded. I have been struck by a number of things. Firstly, the time taken to get it right. This has been a lengthy process of negotiation and dialogue; an attempt to make sure that there is some balance of Somalia’s plethora of political interests in the appointments. Secondly, the commitment to break with the past. A cabinet of only ten members is a brave and welcome innovation: giving greater focus to key priorities; and a greater sense of collective responsibility. And it is as a team that they should work.
“There needs to be a delicate balance when trying to weed out the chaff from the wheat. It’s not easy – but with good intelligence it can be done. The harder task perhaps is trying to tell an angry non-Somali whose child has died from a grenade explosion and who needs someone to blame that not all Somalis are al Shabaab fighters or sympathisers.”
Rising xenophobia against Somalis in Kenya
20 Nov – Source: Aljazeera English – 804 Words
Twenty-one victims from Sunday’s explosion of a minibus in Nairobi’s Somali-dominated Eastleigh suburb popularly known as “little Mogadishu” are still recuperating at the country’s main hospital, Kenyatta national hospital.
I went to visit them. They had head, arm and leg injuries. Some had burns. At least eight people died in the blasts on Sunday from that deadly explosion that ripped apart the minibus. Three people especially caught my eye.
Three-year-old Kennedy Mbuvi was crying in pain. He had a fractured leg. He was playing by the bus terminal when the minibus exploded. For two hours following the blast his desperate mother did not know where he was. She finally traced him to the hospital.
Five beds away from Kennedy is Ahmed Abdi, a Kenyan Somali who was also crying in pain. He had leg injuries. He was walking home when the explosion knocked him off his feet. At the far end of the ward, a Somali. Immediately after the blast an angry mob tried to lynch him. He was rescued by police. The three – a non-Somali child, a Kenyan Somali and an ethnic Somali – all victims.
“Events in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area after the Sunday grenade blast in a matatu bear this out. Howling mobs went on a rampage, targeting members of the Somali community. The idiots did not stop to consider that they were only playing into the hands of extremists carrying out bomb attacks in Nairobi, Mombasa and Garissa with the aim of inciting religious and ethnic conflict.”
Turning on our Somali brothers and sisters both foolish and self-defeating
19 Nov – Source: Daily Nation – 685 Words
I spend a lot time on this page excoriating the greedy, thieving, lying, rabble-rousing, ethnic warmongers who pass for leaders in this country. But at some point, we must accept our own culpability, for we get the leaders we deserve.
Mr. Raila Odinga, Mr. Kalonzo Musyoka, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, Mr. Musalia Mudavadi, Mr.William Ruto and the whole kit and caboodle of them did not attain exalted status by themselves.
We pushed them up there because we were foolish enough to buy the lie that they are the defenders of our interests. All they did was exploit our own base instincts and herd us into the ethnic cocoons we so idiotically fall into.
It is confounding that in this day and age when we are thinking Vision 2030 and winning global plaudits for advances in communications technology, a majority of us are still stuck in the stone age.
Top tweets
@AmbassadorRice Having completed its transition, including a new provisional constitution, parliament & president, #Somalia must do its part as well #Piracy.
@UNHCRSom Herding sheep and goats, and selling them to Gulf states, might be the way out of #Somalia’s struggles. http://bit.ly/XWxkIK v @t_mcconnell.
@UNOCHA VIDEO: As Kismayo, #Somalia slowly begins a new life, what are the main priorities for the #humanitarian community? http://buzz.mw/-TPZ_y.
@afrohijabi “Terrorism, is the most timid, and inhumane activity against innocent civilian” President Hassan Sh. Mohamud #somalia.
@amisomsomalia A video of #AMISOM Maritime Unit on AMISOMs Frontline series. http://bit.ly/UaBWrV.
Image of the day
The Garissa Halgan Quran House Resort Hotel is engulfed in flames, in Garissa, Northern Kenya, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, after Kenya Defense Forces swept into Garissa, Kenya, beating people and burning properties. Photo: AP.