November 25, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

The UN Security Council condemns Al Shabaab attack urges justice

25 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Risaala/Radio Mustaqbal – 211 words

UN Security Council on Monday unanimously condemned the killing of 28 civilians by Al Shabaab militant group and said that justice must be done. The UN’s 15-nation council said in a press statement its members “strongly condemn Saturday’s attack in Mandera, Kenya for which Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility and which has caused the deaths of numerous innocent people.

The members of the Security Council extended their condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of the Republic of Kenya”. The members of the Security Council “reiterated their solidarity with the people and Government of Kenya in their fight against terrorism. The members of the Security Council paid tribute in particular to the role of Kenya in the African Union Mission in Somalia as part of the fight against Al Shabaab.”

The UN Security Council “underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with relevant regional authorities in this regard.” The 15 member states reiterated their “resolute and long-standing support” for all those who were working in the region to end the threat posed by al-Shabaab.

Key Headlines

The UN Security Council condemns Al Shabaab attack urges justice (Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Risaala/Radio Mustaqbal)
Sharif Hassan due to complete his administration (Radio Goobjoog)
Fishermen’s assets destroyed by Shabelle floods (Radio Ergo)
Somalia and Yemen discuss on refugees situation (Horseed Media/Radio Mustaqbal – 234 words)
Sanag activists see success in fight against charcoal trade (Radio Ergo)
Renowned Somali General Omar Haji Masalle dies in UK (Radio Ergo/Radio Goobjoog/Radio Muqdisho)
Security experts aim at improved intelligence to halt terror attacks (Coastweek/Xinhua)
Opposition leader wants security bosses out (Capital News)
Local partners in crime linked to Mandera attack (Standard Media)
To fend off terror recruiting U.S. Attorney Andy Luger unveils Somali community effort (Star Tribune)
Anti-piracy operation Atalanta extended to December 2016 (Defence Web)
Minneapolis Somali man using cartoons to counter ISIS recruitment (MPR News)

PRESS STATEMENT

“The No-Confidence Motion is an obstacle to Vision 2016,” says Prime Minister Abdiweli

24 Nov – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 551 words
The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia addressed the country during a media briefing to provide insight on the current political situation, the ongoing bid to table a motion of no-confidence against the administration and the subsequent division in the House of the People. In his address, the Prime Minister stated the following:
1. On the 25th of October 2014, I announced a minor reshuffle of the Cabinet in accordance with Article 100 (a) and (b) of the provisional Constitution. The reshuffle was aimed at improving the performance of the Cabinet. In particular, it arose out of a need to resolve the conflict between the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice as well as other concerns within the Finance and Foreign Affairs ministries.

2. On the same day, the Office of the President issued a statement, which termed the reshuffle as inconsequential and further directed the affected Ministers to disregard the reshuffle directive. This statement from the Office of the President contravenes the aforementioned Articles of the Constitution and the independence of institutions.

3. This was followed by the initiation of a motion of no-confidence in the administration which had no relation to the performance of the government. Rather it was based on displeasure of the President because of the transfer of a minister (close to the President) to another portfolio.

4. The motion, which is regarded by a majority of parliamentarians and members of the public as illegal and driven by corruption, has brought about deep division within the House and other institutions at a time when it is important to maintain the unity of our leadership, institutions and our people.

5. The motion of no-confidence has also created obstacles to the progress of implementing Vision 2016.

6. There have been two attempts to table the motion in circumvention of the law, but the Honourable Members of Parliament have denounced these attempts, which threaten our unity and the integrity of our institutions. The MPs have,persistently, called on the President and the sponsors of the motion to consider the public’s interest and refrain from activities that may lead to disunity and political instability in our country. The calls of the parliamentarians and similar requests from the public and other stakeholders have been disregarded.

7. Today, there was yet another attempt to reintroduce the motionbypassing the Rules and Proceduresof the parliament. I applaud the House for countering this illegal motion and it saddens me that a few are not wisely using the powers entrusted to them.

8. I also applaud the efforts of the House leadership to resolve the current crisis through dialogue in order to safeguard the unity of the House. I have constantly reiterated my readiness for dialogue but the other party has, unfortunately been unwilling to join the dialogue.

9. I welcome the House leadership that voiced their concern that the motion has become an obstacle to the legislative function of the House and implementation of the legislative agenda that was agreed by the executive and legislative institutions, as part of the Vision 2016.

10. I also applaud the efforts of the House leadership who remain ready to resolve the current crisis through dialogue rather than a divisive motion.

11. Lastly,I call on the Somali people to unite in safeguarding the Constitution and the rule of law.

SOMALI MEDIA

The UN Security Council condemns Al Shabaab attack urges justice

25 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Radio Risaala/Radio Mustaqbal – 211 words

Fishermen’s assets destroyed by Shabelle floods

25 Nov – Source: Radio Ergo – 281 words

Fishermen on the river Shabelle in Beledweyne have lost boats, motors and nets in recent floods, forcing many out of business. Abdikadir Qase, 40, a father of eight, is one of the affected fishermen. He told Radio Ergo’s local reporter he had lost his three fishing nets in the floods and was forced to stop fishing.

“My life and that of my family depended on fishing. I used to get 12 kg of fish on a daily basis, which I used to cover the basic needs of my family including the school fees of my children,” he said. Abdikadir’s family went to Eljalle area outside town to join hundreds of other flood-displaced residents camping there in makeshift houses, while he stayed back in town looking for ways to resume his work. “Fishing is the only skill I know and I have worked with it for many years.”

Osman Elmi Abdi, 35, father of four, is among IDPs in Buloyaqub camp in the town. He told Radio Ergo that he had lost six of his seven fishing nets in the floods. “This was the time we normally used to fish a lot, but the floods destroyed our expectations,” he said. “I used to get around 12 kg of fish worth about one million Somali shillings [$50], but now I work as a porter to try to feed my family as I don’t have any other alternative.” Hassan Bashir sells fried fish in the town. His business was also hit by the floods. “I used to buy fish from the local fishermen. If they don’t have fish, I can’t get it anywhere else, so this is how my living was destroyed,” he said.

Sharif Hassan due to complete his administration

25 Nov – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 176 words

The president of the administration of Somalia-three regions, Bay, Bakol and Lower Shabelle region Sharif Hassan Sheikh said his administration is ready for reconciliation conferences so as to end the differences between the people in the region. The president elect Sharif Hassan noted that his first priority will be the completion of the remaining part of his administration in line with the interim administration.

He added that he will form an effective administration for communities living in the three regions that constitute his regional state. He called the locals living in the three regions to actively take part in the reconstruction of the region. Sharif Hassan has opened talks with South West Somalia administration-six regions led by Madoobe Nunow, unconfirmed reports indicate that the sides reached common grounds. The election of Sharif Hassan sheikh Adan was welcomed by Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and international community. Sharif Hassan leading delegates reached the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu on Monday for the first time elected the president of South West Somalia.

Somalia and Yemen discuss on refugees situation

25 Nov – Source: Horseed Media/Radio Mustaqbal – 234 words

Somali Foreign Minister Abdirahman Duale Beileh has held talks with his Yemeni counterpart Abdullah Mohamed Al-Sayadi in the Arabian Peninsula nation capital, Sana’a. The meeting focused on the situation of refugees in Yemen and the humanitarian conditions they face in their asylum journey and places of their residence in Yemen. Foreign Minister of Somali Federal government thanked the government of Yemen for assisting the refugees, who had escaped the civil war from their country and took a risk to cross the sea.

Last month, Somali refugees in Yemen appealed to be repatriated back to their motherland, as violence in the Arab Peninsula nation worsened. Somalia has been torn asunder by factional fighting since 1991 but has recently made progress towards stability. The conflict has left some 1.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and over 1 million more living in exile in neighbouring countries, mostly in Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen.

With parts of Somalia showing signs of increasing stability, countries hosting Somali refugees are considering the potential to encourage them to return, while some Somalis have spontaneously decided to move back to areas under government control. Every year tens of thousands of Somalis risk their lives crossing the Gulf of Aden to reach Yemen in their search for safety and a better life. Many die atrocious deaths – beaten, thrown overboard, eaten by sharks, drowned or asphyxiated in crowded smuggler boats.

Sanag activists see success in fight against charcoal trade

24 Nov – Source: Radio Ergo – 267 words

Environmental activists in Sanag region of northern Somalia say they have succeeded in curbing wide-scale illegal tree cutting for charcoal burning. Mohamed Ahmed Botan, a veteran environmental activist, told Radio Ergo’s producer Mohamed that they had expelled 502 charcoal burners from a 350 square km area, after receiving complaints from pastoralist communities over the degraded land and pasture.

The environmental activists achieved the backing of the local community after educating them on the importance of stopping the environmental degradation in the area. “After researching the magnitude of the problem, we tried to involve the community by creating awareness about the dangers of environmental degradation, particularly among the pastoralist communities,” said Botan, who started his environmental work in 2004.

He said 18 people had died and scores of others had been injured in their efforts over the last 10 years. Botan, who has worked alongside award-winning environmental campaigner Fatima Jibrell, has faced numerous security threats related to his work. He was arrested in September 2007 and accused of fuelling political conflict masked as environmental activism. Despite all the challenges, he said he was happy with the achievements so far, saying close engagement with the community was key to progress.

The next target would be the 120 km stretch of coastline between Bosasso and Lasqorey, Botan said, where he aims to launch a campaign against the worsening environmental degradation.
He urged local people to support the effort to preserve the natural environment. Sanag is one of the regions worst affected by deforestation and burning because charcoal is trucked from there to Bosasso port for export to the Gulf States.

Renowned Somali General Omar Haji Masalle dies in UK

25 Nov – Source: Radio Ergo/Radio Goobjoog/Radio Muqdisho – 148 words

A renowned Somali Major General Omar Haji Mohamed (better known as Omar Haji Masalle) has passed away in UK following illness, family members and friends confirmed. The late Major General Omar Haji Masalle has died in hospital late on Monday, according to General Abdukadir Diini, the former Somali Army Commander.

Majir General Masalle has played several important roles in Somalia’s National Army [SNA] as he once served as the defense minister and the first general to become the health minister in 1970s. He has also led the country’s defense forces before the fall of Somalia’s late Revolutionary Government.

Prior to joining to the army, he served as a language teacher and was selected as one of the first trainees as military academicians in early 1960. Somali military officers and generals have expressed their condolences to the family of late Major General Masalle and to the nation as whole.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Security experts aim at improved intelligence to halt terror attacks

25 Nov – Source: Coastweek/Xinhua – 655 words

The horrific terror attack that claimed 28 civilians in Kenya‘s Mandera County on Saturday is a confirmation the east African nation remains a soft target for militants from neighboring Somalia. Kenyan officials confirmed that Somalia terror group ‘al-Shabaab’ hijacked a Nairobi-bound bus several kilometers from Mandera town and killed passengers based on their religious affiliation. Following ‘al-Shabaab’s latest attack in Mandera County, experts and ordinary civilians stressed that a revamp of the entire security architecture was urgent to defeat terrorism.

Opposition leader wants security bosses out

24 Nov – Source: Capital News – 355 words

Opposition leader Raila Odinga wants top security chiefs to resign, accusing them of failing to protect Kenyans in the wake of the Mandera attack that killed 28 people. Odinga who spoke at the Chiromo mortuary where he went to console affected families accused the government of casually handling security matters, leading to increased attacks.

“We want to hear more than empty words from the government; we have asked them to remove people who are incapable of providing security in the county and to carry out a comprehensive reform of the security agencies in this country – look at our security interests once again, look at the challenge being posed by Al Shabaab from Somalia so that we action which is in the best national interest,” he said. He added that killing 100 Al Shabaab militants after an attack in the country was not enough, and wants more measures to guarantee internal security.

Local partners in crime linked to Mandera attack

25 Nov – Source: Standard Media – 587 Words

Was the Mandera terror attack planned or a spontaneous assault from the Somalia side? This is the question many people in Mandera are grappling with as investigations into the barbaric attack get under way. According to Mandera County Police Commander Noah Mwivanda, the attack was an “inside job” involving local collaborators. Civil servants we spoke to in Mandera also appeared to doubt the credibility of the bus hijack theory, questioning aspects of the story-line. “This was definitely an inside job. We are investigating the matter and will get to the bottom of the whole affair in a short while,” Mr Mwivanda said.

The Standard learned that among the crucial leads police were pursuing were records of phone calls and mobile communication of the bus conductor, driver and owners. One of the civil servants we spoke to could not comprehend the coincidence of the bus carrying half Muslims and half non-Muslims. He also suggested the attackers appeared confident that the bus had more of their targets. “A lot more focus needs to be given to the booking office in the course of investigations. You cannot rule out collaboration of sorts in such matters and only investigations should clear that theory,” the civil servants told The Standard team.

Man accused of being Shabaab agent to be detained for 10 days

24 Nov – Source: Daily Nation – 403 words

A judge Monday gave the police 10 days to investigate a man they accuse of recruiting youths in Mombasa to join the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab terrorist group. Mr Mohammed Ali Abdallah — who was in the dock dressed in a white T-shirt, striped kikoi and black open shoes — was first taken to court at midday and soon after, requested a lawyer to represent him. Lawyers Todayo Muyala and Ngacuku Gakuhi will represent him. At4.20pm, he was again taken before resident magistrate Vicky Kachuodho who ruled that Mr Abdallah be held at the Kilindini Port Police station while police conduct their investigations.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

To fend off terror recruiting, U.S. Attorney Andy Luger unveils Somali community effort

24 Nov – Source: Star Tribune – 537 Words

In an effort to parry terrorist recruitment of Twin Cities Somali youth, the U.S. Attorney in Minnesota saidMonday that he will lobby White House officials to create jobs and expand youth programs that combat the root causes of extremism. At a closed-door briefing with nearly 50 local Somali leaders, U.S. Attorney Andy Luger outlined a campaign to re-engage the community with employers, law enforcement agencies, schools and social service organizations. Luger said he hopes to take the proposals — gathered over months of listening sessions with community leaders — to Washington early next month.

“It’s time for the community to work with government to address the root causes of radicalism,” Luger said in remarks before the briefing. “This is not about gathering intelligence, or expanding surveillance. We want to ‘prevent’ — so that we’re not back in this same room five or 10 years from now addressing the same issues.” Minnesota’s Somali community, numbering more than 30,000, is the nation’s largest. Since the beginning of this year, nearly a dozen young Somalis have departed the Twin Cities and left word that they are fighting with terrorists aligned with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Anti-piracy operation Atalanta extended to December 2016

24 Nov – Source: Defence Web – 403 Words

The European Union (EU) counter-piracy Operation Atalanta off the Somali coast has been extended by two more years to December 12, 2016. The Operation’s main focus is the protection of World Food Programme (WFP) vessels delivering humanitarian aid to Somalia and the deterrence, repression and disruption of piracy off the Somali coast. In addition, Operation Atalanta contributes to the monitoring of fishing activities off the coast of Somalia.

Despite significant progress achieved off the coast of Somalia since the operation was launched in 2008 it is widely recognised that the threat from piracy remains; “the pirate business model is fractured but not broken” according to the EU Naval Force (EU Navfor). The EU Council has added a number of secondary tasks to the Operation’s mandate. The EU Naval Force will now contribute, within existing means and capabilities, more widely to the EU’s comprehensive approach to Somalia, including in support of the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa. It will also be able to contribute to other relevant international community activities helping to address the root causes of piracy in Somalia.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Using words from the Quran, Ahmed says he uses his place as a “regular guy” to advocate for peace and explain why he believes suicide bombers go to hell.”

Minneapolis Somali man using cartoons to counter ISIS recruitment

24 Nov – Source: MPR News – 10: 24 minutes

The U.S. Department of Justice this fall selected the Twin Cities as one of three locations that will test out a pilot program aimed to beat back violent extremism. But one local Somali man is taking efforts into his own hands. Mohamed Ahmed said he was frustrated with the lack of response to propaganda from extremist videos, so he has been producing cartoons at Average Mohamed aimed at young Muslims who could be recruited by ISIS.

The FBI says about a dozen young people have traveled from Minnesota to Syria to join radical groups there. The videos, aimed at ages 8 to 16, often directly respond to videos already online. “We take the ideology piece by piece, value for value, and we create that counter-narrative,” he said on The Daily Circuit. “That counter-narrative is meant to question, challenge and agitate minds into not accepting what has been told in the propaganda videos that these organizations of extremism keep on creating.”

“Somali people are asking International Community is to maintain the momentum of the political transition to a safe and promote accountability and citizen participation in decisions on political solution , peace and security.”

Situation in Somalia worries international community

24 Nov – Source: Daily Nation Somalia – 410 words
The international community has been worried over the Political and humanitarian situation in Somalia. Somali political leaders always create political conflict of personal interest, they have not time and work for the interest of their country and it’s people of health, education, roads, food and water and other basic necessities. While political conflict and dispute deliberations continue as to giving the Somali political and government time to fight insurgents, International community says its major concern is that the militants could grow strong enough to target people on the streets of Somalia and beyond, unless it takes action.

The International community usually involves the use of all resources to help bring about what it calls a stable Somalia. The United Nations and the European Union have warned that a dispute between Somalia’s president and prime minister could inflame tensions and undermine the country’s recovery from more than two decades of conflict. A similar row between Mohamud and the previous prime minister paralyzed the government for months last year, leading to the eventual ouster of the then-prime minister by lawmakers.

Top tweets

@amisomsomalia AMISOM & Humanitarian actors launch the Somalia Country Specific Guidelines to promote a clear distinction. http://bit.ly/1AH0bEr #Somalia

@GenoWorldview Supporting girls’ education, @Oxfam helped build Hawa Tako School in the Puntland region of #Somalia.

@MamanSidikou1 Honored to receive Ms. Bineta Diop in#Mogadishu #AU Special envoy for Women, Peace and Security@amisomsomalia #Somalia

@UNSomaliaWho provides legal aid to #GBV survivors in#Somalia? Read @LegalActionWW‘s report to find out:http://bit.ly/1tm0pLm cc @UNDPSomalia #VAW

@amisomsomalia Special Envoy for Women, Peace & Security of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Ms. Bineta Diop of Senegal has visited #Somalia

@Goobjoognews #Somalia federal government distributes food to 5 thousands house holds in Jalalaqsi District of #Hiranprovince

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Somalia Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Abdirahman Beileh meeting with Yemen’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E.Amb. Amir Aidroos. Photo: @BeilehMofa