November 25, 2015 | Morning Headlines
Somalia’s Al Qaeda Branch Warns Members Against Joining Islamic State Terrorists
24 November – Source: Agence France Presse – 298 Words
Somalia’s Al-Shabaab fighters have warned they will “cut the throats” of members who shift allegiance from Al-Qaeda to Islamic State, amid reports some factions have already been punished for doing so: “If anyone says he belongs to another Islamic movement, kill him on the spot,” top Al-Shabaab official Abu Abdalla, said in a radio broadcast on Monday. “We will cut the throat of any one… if they undermine our unity.”
The Al-Shabaab, East Africa’s long-time Al-Qaeda branch, is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu, which is protected by 22,000 African Union troops. The Islamists have lost much ground in recent years but remain a threat in both Somalia and neighbouring Kenya, where they have carried out a series of attacks. The reported divisions come at a time when Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has become the jihadist franchise of choice, attracting fighters from abroad and the allegiance of other militant groups such as Boko Haram in Nigeria.
But Al-Qaeda has also recently expanded its territory in Yemen, just across the Gulf of Aden from Somalia. A handful of Al-Shabaab factions have switched allegiance to IS but the shift has failed to gain momentum. Pro-IS groups have been attacked and their leaders assassinated as Al-Shabaab emir and Al-Qaeda loyalist Ahmed Diriye seeks to shore up his control. Last month President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said “the now-public dispute” within Al-Shabaab showed the group had “lost its way”.But Abdalla maintained Al-Shabaab remained united. “The world wanted us to be divided,” he said. “This is a collective decision, and anybody who wants to join another Islamic group must leave the country to meet them where they are.” he said. “I swear by the name of God we will not tolerate the acts of saboteurs.”
Key Headlines
- Somalia’s Al Qaeda Branch Warns Members Against Joining Islamic State Terrorists (Agence France Presse)
- No Clear Evidence Kenya Has Encroached On Somali Territory – Parliament Report (Goobjoog News)
- Three Somalis Killed In South Africa’s Xenophobic Attacks (Hiiraan Online)
- Al-Shabaab And Residents Battle In Gedo Region (Shabelle News)
- President Welcomes Cabinet Changes (Wacaal Media)
- Fruitful Consultations In Mogadishu Over Somalia’s Draft Political Parties Law (UNSOM)
- European Union Announces Sh5.4b For Repatriation Of Somali Refugees (The Standard)
- Two Battalions Of AMISOM Troops From Burundi Conclude Tour Of Duty (AMISOM)
- Anger And Sorrow At Terrorism Carnage Must Become Strength For Battle Ahead (Daily Nation)
NATIONAL MEDIA
No Clear Evidence Kenya Has Encroached On Somali Territory – Parliament Report
24 November – Source: Goobjoog News – 256 Words
A joint foreign relations and interior committee report tabled before parliament yesterday disputed claims Kenya had encroached into Somalia’s territory in its ongoing construction of a security wall. The report, which is based on a fact finding mission in Bula-hawo, Doolow and Elwak, also notes that contrary to the reports, beacons on the border had been removed and there were no indications of the same.
However it noted there was a ditch and trees felled in the area but could not establish if it was within the Somali or the Kenyan side of the border: “There is no wall in the said areas but the committees noted a ditch measuring 700 by 4 meters wide and 1.5 metres deep,” read the report in part. The findings follow a heated debate last week over reports that Kenya had encroached into Somalia’s border with MPs giving the committee a 48 hour ultimatum to censure Kenya and draft a legislation to severe any negotiations with the neighbouring country on the issue until further notice. However the Speaker, Osman Jawari, asked the committees to visit the place in order to get first hand information before making any conclusions.
The committee, however, recommends further investigations into the matter to establish clearly where the boundaries between the two countries lie. It calls on the government to send a technical team to the areas of Bulu-hawo, Doolow, Elwak, to do a clear assessment and make necessary recommendations. The report also calls for the enactment of a legislation which gives proper guidelines on the country’s land and maritime borders.
Three Somalis Killed In South Africa’s Xenophobic Attacks
24 November – Source: Hiiraan Online – 186 Words
Three Somali nationals have been killed in fresh xenophobia attacks in South Africa in the past two days as locals continue to raid business premises owned by foreigners. The three victims Mohamed Sharif, Saeed Osoble and Maallin Farah were killed in three separate attacks in Johannesburg, Nelspruit and Port Elizabeth cities after locals armed with pistols and machetes attacked their businesses.
Three other Somalis were also wounded in an attempted robbery in Pretoria on Monday. South Africans have often accused foreigners of taking over their jobs, a reason they often use to justify attacks on foreigners. This time around the South African government has not acted swiftly on the attacks until last week when the troops dispersed and arrested hundreds of youths who were trying to attack foreigners-owned businesses.
Dozens of Somalis have been killed in South Africa over the past few years and scores of others have been seriously wounded. The Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has previously been accused of hate speech following remarks he made against foreigners a couple of months ago that they “must pack up and leave the country”. This sparked off the attacks against foreigners in July.
Al-Shabaab And Residents Battle In Gedo Region
24 November – Source: Shabelle News – 126 Words
Al-Shabaab militants clashed with armed local residents who resisted to pay Zakah ( Islamic levy on wealth) leading to a deadly battle in the south-western Somali region of Gedo. The battle broke out Tuesday morning at Wargaduude village located between Elwak and Bardere towns near Somali border with Kenya, according to residents who spoke to Radio Shabelle via phone. The fierce encounter occurred after the Al-Shabaab militants attempted to collect Zakah from the residents, who in turn protested violently. According to Garad Farah Warsame, who is a senior Somali police officer in Bardere town, the militants were overpowered in the confrontation and driven out of Wargaduude area by the residents.
President Welcomes Cabinet Changes
24 November – Source: Wacaal Media – 120 Words
President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has welcomed the changes made to the Cabinet by Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke. In a statement to the press, the President said the changes were timely and welcomed the new appointees to his government. Sharmarke is said to have consulted with the President as well as the head of the Interim South West State Shariff Hassan, from whose state one of the sacked ministers hails from, before making public the Cabinet changes. The two ministers sent home were Trade and Industrialization’s Abdirahman Abdi Osman and his Energy and Water counterpart Mohamed Hassan Adan Shaahiyow. They were replaced by Abdullahi Mohamed Ahmed (Trade) and Mohamed Mursal Sheikh in the Energy and Water docket.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Fruitful Consultations In Mogadishu Over Somalia’s Draft Political Parties Law
24 November – Source: UNSOM – 303 Words
A three-day Consultative Process on Somalia’s Draft Political Parties Law concluded in Mogadishu on Monday 23 November 2015.At least 200 delegates attended the consultative meeting. Participants included representatives of political parties, federal and regional administrations and the civil society.
“The draft legislation was compiled by experienced professionals and it has been circulated throughout the regions and civil society. The reason why we are further discussing on it today is to make sure all contentious issues are addressed. Your comments will inform the final draft of the bill which will be submitted to the cabinet and the legislature for further consideration,” announced the State Minister for Interior and Federalism, Mr. Abdirashid Mohamed Hidig.
The Minister explained that consultations on the draft law have been extensive, to ensure contentious phrases are fleshed out, amended or removed. The just ended consultations, was a culmination of wider efforts by the ministry of interior, to collect suggestions, ideas and opinions from diverse groups of people regarding the proposed new law.
“We strongly believe this country to be a country led by political parties and I want to promise that your views will be considered,” emphasized Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Hussein Odawaa, the Minister of Interior and Federal Affairs: At a press conference held at the end of the conference, officials from the Ministry of Interior and Federalism fielded questions from journalists on the proposed new law.
“Participants at this meeting played an important role in making positive contributions regarding the completion of this draft legislation. Their views and proposals will be considered. The ministry will present this draft legislation to the Cabinet as soon as possible, before tabling it before parliament,” Yahye Ali Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary for Interior and Federal Affairs said in a statement he read out to journalists at the press conference concluding the consultations.
European Union Announces Sh5.4b For Repatriation Of Somali Refugees
24 November – Source: The Standard – 327 Words
European Union has announced Sh5.4 billion (50 million Euros) for the repatriation of Somali refugees from the Dadaab camp. Head of delegation of the European Union to Kenya Stefano Dejak said the fund will be made available soon. He was responding to Deputy President William Ruto who had asked for an increase in financial assistance from E.U in the repatriation of refugees from Dadaab back to Somalia saying it was prudent on both political and humanitarian grounds.
“We have one million people who have been living in refugee camps in Kenya for decades and it’s only human to have them repatriated in the spirit of the tripartite agreement signed between Kenya, Somalia and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR),” said Mr. Ruto. In response, Mr. Dejak said the E.U had set aside 50 million Euros to be used in the repatriation of Somali refugees from Dadaab adding that the funds would soon be made available.
Two Battalions Of AMISOM Troops From Burundi Conclude Tour Of Duty
24 November – Source: AMISOM – 302 Words
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Deputy Force Commander Major General Mohammedesha Zeyinu, has praised Burundian troops for their self sacrifice and diligence while on peacekeeping duties.The AMISOM Deputy Force Commander in charge of Planning and Logistics spoke on Tuesday 24 November 2015, at a farewell ceremony for the 29th and 30th Battalions of the Burundi National Defence Force, who have completed a year tour of duty in Somalia.
“The success with which you performed your operational tasks during your tour of duty including protection of human rights, confirms how well trained and prepared you were for the tasks. I commend you for the professionalism you displayed,” said Major General Zeyinu. During the farewell ceremony, held in Mogadishu, the Burundian troops mounted a final parade and were awarded certificates, to mark their completion of service under the African Union Mission in Somalia. In attendance were officers from AMISOM and the Somali National Army (SNA).
Colonel Venant Bibonimana, the Burundi Contingent Commander called on the troops to continue participating in peacebuilding efforts, safeguarding lives, property and respect of human rights in their home country: “You have completed a year with AMISOM, helping our neighbour, Somalia. The good deeds that you have done have been appreciated wherever you were posted. You put in your best under difficult conditions. You overcame all the problems because of your patience and discipline. We sincerely thank you,”Col. Bibonimana stated.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Granted, the fight against terrorism is the responsibility of the government, the security forces, and the Judiciary. But when innocent civilians are struck without discrimination, this fight is becoming everyone’s responsibility.” – Remi Maréchaux, French ambassador to Kenya.
Anger And Sorrow At Terrorism Carnage Must Become Strength For Battle Ahead
24 November – Source: Daily Nation – 699 Words
On November 19, I was at Moi University in Eldoret to keep a promise that was made by France in April this year: to support the students who were wounded in the terrorist attack on the Garissa University College. The people of France were shocked by this heinous attack and mobilised themselves to show their solidarity with the people of Kenya.
Since Friday, November 13, France has felt the pain of the dreadful and unjust death of 129 people assassinated by cowardly terrorists, 129 people of different backgrounds, nationalities, and religions. The terrorists who struck in Paris, as the ones who struck in Garissa, are no foreigners. They are our fellow compatriots. We have to cope with this issue. They are Kenyan or French nationals who were radicalised, misguided, turned into fanatics.
Some 600 French citizens are reported to be fighting in Syria and Iraq in the ranks of Isis. Hundreds of others wish to join them. How can we not notice the striking parallel with those young Kenyans who chose to join Al-Shabaab? How can we not see that our two countries are now committed to the same fight? A fight against violence and obscurantism. We have to remain clear-headed and not fight the wrong battle.
We are not at war with Islam, we are not at war with the Muslim world, both of which are exploited by the terrorists. As President François Hollande said in front of the Congress on November 16: “This is not a war of civilisations, for the terrorists do not represent any.” France and Kenya are targeted because they share the values of democracy, freedom, and tolerance, because we symbolise people successfully living together and a collective ideal despite our differences, be they ethnic or religious.
The values that we represent — freedom of thought, freedom of the press, the right to demonstrate, the right to vote, among many others — should bring about greater solidarity at this terrible time. So, what can we do? My answer is simple: we have to work together.