November 26, 2014 | Morning Headlines.
Crackdown on Al-shabaab suspects still under way in Bay Region
25 Nov – Source: Radio Dalsan – 181 words
There is operation going on in Bay region against Alshabab suspects. According to senior security officials who spoke to the media, they started the operation amid reports that Al-shabaab fighters are trying to regroup in the region. Colonel Mahad Abdirahman who is the commanding officer leading this operation told reporters that early this morning they started operation in Qansahdere, Bardaale, Gofgadud Manaas and Owdinle towns and so far they arrested suspected Alshabab individuals and they will be shown to the public and the media. Yesterday, there was a similar security operation going on in Baidoa town-the headquarters of Bay region targeting individuals suspected to be members of Alshabaab. The commander of the security department of the town Abdulqadir Abdi Mohamed told Dalsan Radio that there is operation that is under way in which they are targeting Al-shabaab suspects.
Key Headlines
- AU Special Envoy on Women Peace and Security visits Somalia (AMISOM)
- The family of slain Somali Journalist receives funds (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Government forces seize drug materials after operations in Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog)
- Somaliland aviation minister begins his visit to Kuwait (Somaliland Informer)
- Kenya seeks intervention over Somali leadership row (KBC)
- Crackdown on al-shabaab suspects still under way in Bay Region (Radio Dalsan)
- Yemen Somalia agree on forming joint committee (Yemen News Agency)
- Pro motion MPs vow to bring the no confidence motion back to the parliament (Radio Goobjoog)
- Police fire teargas at protest on security at president’s office (Star-Kenya)
- UNESCO chief denounces murder of Somali radio journalist (UN News Centre)
PRESS STATEMENT
AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security visits Somalia
25 Nov – Source: AMISOM – 325 words
The African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security Ms. Bineta Diop arrived in Mogadishu today for a four-day official visit. Her visit affirms Africa Union’s solidarity with the Women and Children of Somalia, but also the organization’s keenness on peace and security in the horn of Africa nation. During her visit, Ms. Diop will interact with the women of Somalia as she seeks to understand their experiences, aspirations and challenges they face. Her busy schedule also includes meeting with policy-makers and civil society organizations, with discussions focused on strengthening women’s participation in decision-making structures at all levels, and at the same time increasing their voices in the reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts.
She is expected to engage with senior government officials on various issues regarding women, peace and security and will be emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach to solving sexual exploitation and abuse, in the wake of recent accusations against AMISOM troops. The African Union Mission in Somalia is already providing support to women and children through its Gender, Child Protection and Human Rights unit and this visit highlights efforts being made to ensure safety of women and children, and support to needy cases. Her visit comes at an important time for Somalia. The country is recovering from one of the longest conflicts on the continent, with relative peace facilitated by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), working together with the Somali National Army.
SOMALI MEDIA
Government forces seize drug materials after operations in Mogadishu
25 Nov – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 120 words
Banadir regional forces together with police launched security crackdown in Shangani district of Banadir region earlier today. The forces stormed various houses in the district and apprehended unspecified number of suspects on charges of possessing and selling drugs including hashish; also many drugs were confiscated during the operations. Banadir administration has recently destroyed drugs confiscated from various parts in major counter-narcotics operations. The administration sent stern warnings to the individuals who sell Hashish in the region saying the arm of the government is long to reach the spoilers. Recently government forces carried out a well planned counter-narcotics operations and destroyed farms in the outskirts of Jowhar district where hashish was planted.
The family of slain Somali journalist receives funds
25 Nov – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 107 words
The family of radio journalist who was shot and killed in Galkacyo on 18th this month has received funds from local administration. A local official Farhan Ali Hirsi who spoke to the media has said the administration has donated $ US 1000 to the deceased family. He said there are ongoing investigations to arrest the perpetrators of the heinous act last week. The director of Daljir radio Abdifatah Omar Gedi where the slain journalist was working has called upon security agencies to carry extra steps to bring the killers before justice. Abdirizack Ali Abdi was shot dead by unknown assailants last week in a Galkacyo restaurant.
Crackdown on Al-shabaab suspects still under way in Bay Region
25 Nov – Source: Radio Dalsan – 181 words
There is operation going on in Bay region against Alshabab suspects. According to senior security officials who spoke to the media, they started the operation amid reports that Al-shabaab fighters are trying to regroup in the region. Colonel Mahad Abdirahman who is the commanding officer leading this operation told reporters that early this morning they started operation in Qansahdere, Bardaale, Gofgadud Manaas and Owdinle towns and so far they arrested suspected Alshabab individuals and they will be shown to the public and the media. Yesterday, there was a similar security operation going on in Baidoa town-the headquarters of Bay region targeting individuals suspected to be members of Alshabaab. The commander of the security department of the town Abdulqadir Abdi Mohamed told Dalsan Radio that there is operation that is under way in which they are targeting Al-shabaab suspects.
Pro motion MPs vow to bring the no confidence motion back to the parliament
25 Nov – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 151 words
The members of federal parliament in support of the proposed no confidence motion against Somali Prime minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed met in Mogadishu on Tuesday. The MPs oppose a statement PM Abdiweli issued on Monday that the no confidence motion tabled to the parliament which no relation to the performance of his government. Rather it is based on disapproval of the President because of the transfer of a minister (a close ally to him) to another portfolio. Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said the country’s presidency was backing the current motion of no confidence in the parliament which led the parliament sessions to be suspended. One of the MPs said 30 lawmakers from the camp of Somali prime minister cannot obstruct the will of 184 MPs. Pro motion MPs underlined that they will not change their minds on the issue and will bring the motion back to the parliament once more.They called the speaker of federal parliament to held accountable the handful of notorious MPs and according to the internal rules of the parliament.
Somaliland aviation minister begins his visit to Kuwait
25 Nov – Source: Somaliland Informer – 170 words
Somaliland’s Civil Aviation & Air Transport Minister Hon. Mohamoud Hashi Abdi paid a working visit to Kuwaiton Sunday where he will hold a meeting with the Prince. Mr. Hashi will submit finalized reports to the king boiling down on projects that Kuwait implemented in Berbera and Hargeisa airports restoration and revamp which are now nearing completion. Kuwait pledged 15 million dollars for the rejuvenation of expanding the airports and modernization. Mr. Hashi is due to appeal to the prince to further promise development projects implementing in Somaliland. It is expected that Kuwait will send fact finding mission for inspection and will be in attendance the inaugural ceremony of development projects which will be officially opened in 2015. The son of Kuwait Prince is currently residing in Sheikh in Sahil region where he has got a big palace and provides support to the development projects in Somaliland. The Minister is accompanied by the director of the civil aviation ministry in charge of development projects Mr. Muse Ibrahim Salaf.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Kenya seeks intervention over Somali leadership row
25 Nov – Source: KBC – 399 words
Kenya is appealing to the International Community to prevail upon the President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud and the Prime Minister Abdweli Ahmed to resolve their leadership differences and help stabilize the horn of Africa country. Deputy President William Ruto made the remarks Tuesday at his official residence in Karen where he held talks with the visiting Slovakia Republic Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Miroslav Lajcak. Mr. Ruto said the mistrust between the two Somalia leaders is undermining Kenya’s and IGAD efforts to restore peace in the country.
Yemen, Somalia agree on forming joint committee
25 Nov- Source: Yemen News Agency- 258 words
Prime Minister Khaled Bahah discussed here on Tuesday with Somali Foreign Minister Abdirahman Duale Beyle the cooperation relations and ways to consolidate them in different areas. In this regard, the two sides agreed on the formation of a Yemeni-Somali joint technical committee to translate the two countries’ keenness to boost the cooperation and to follow up the implementation of the agreements signed between the two countries. During the meeting, Bahah and Beyle touched on the developments in Somalia and what has been achieved so far in the framework of the national reconciliation towards realizing the overall security and stability for the Somali people. The prime minister pointed to Yemen’s support for all efforts aimed to bring peace in Somalia.
Police fire teargas at protest on security at president’s office
25 Nov – Source: Star-Kenya/Standard Media – 355 words
Kenyan police used teargas to disperse demonstrators shouting “President, Stop the killings!” outside President Uhuru Kenyatta’s offices on Tuesday, in a protest over 28 people killed in a weekend attack claimed by Islamist militants. The crowd also laid crosses and four coffins outside the building during the protest dubbed #OccupyHarambeeAve, a reference to the president’s address. Backers also lit up Twitter with demands the government act to prevent attacks – the most deadly of which, on a shopping mall, killed 67 in 2013. As armed police stood nearby, protesters chanted “Lenku must go!” “Kimaiyo must go!”, demanding that the president remove Interior Minister Joseph ole Lenku, who is in charge of security, and Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo.Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked militants al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, where gunmen ordered passengers on the bus to recite Koran verses and shot dead non-Muslims – 19 men and nine women – who could not.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya bus attack: Mandera residents flee to army base
25 Nov – Source: BBC – 397 words
Hundreds of people have fled to a military airstrip in Kenya’s Mandera region amid fears that militants could launch a new assault. Many of them are non-Muslim civil servants who are demanding that the government evacuate them from the region, a BBC reporter says. Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab gunmen killed 28 people in a bus attack on Saturday. Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta is under growing pressure to end attacks by the group. Al-Shabab is based in neighbouring Somalia, but has stepped up attacks in Kenya since 2011, when Kenya sent troops across the border to help battle the militants.
UNESCO chief denounces murder of Somali journalist
25 Nov – Source: UN News Centre – 244 words
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom has deplored the murder of Abdirisak Ali Abdi, a journalist killed in the town of Galkayo, Somalia, and called for a thorough investigation into the crime. “I condemn the killing of Abdirisak Ali Abdi,” said a statement by the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova. “I call on the authorities to take every possible measure to protect the safety of journalists and to improve their ability to do their work keeping the public informed.” Mr. Abdi, who worked as a contributor for various media outlets including Radio Daljir and HornCable TV, was gunned down in a restaurant on 18 November by two unknown assailants. “Every effort must be made to bring those responsible for the killing of Abdirisak Ali Abdi to trial,” Ms. Bokova’s statement continued.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“To me‚ this was the appropriate moment to relocate to somalia and join the efforts to develop the shattered higher education institutions despite the enormity of the obstacles and risks.”
From Johns Hopkins University to Simad University: the Story of Dr. Abdiaziz Sheikh Mohamood
25 Nov- Source: 816 words
After 3 decades of being away from mogadishu‚ my birth place‚ I am finally back in somalia with the intention to settle here. Since 1978‚ when I went to the U.S‚ I was heavily involved in the field of medical science‚ learning‚ teaching and doing research at some of the most prominent higher education institutions in the world. After earning my MS and PhD degrees in the fields of microbiology and molecular and cellular biology from Howard University in Washington DC‚ I went to yemen to teach at both medical school and faculty of science. When I was applying for PhD programs‚ my criteria for choosing the program was to choose the most technologically advanced area in medical sciences and then transfer that knowledge to our people.