November 27, 2017 | Daily Monitoring Report
Al-Shabaab Flee Southern Somalia As Ground And Air Attacks Intensify
27 November – Source: Goobjoog News – 258 Words
Al-Shabaab fighters are fleeing for safety to the central and northern regions of the country, following persistent aerial bombardments in southern Somalia, a senior military commander has said. Speaking to the media on Sunday in Beledweyne town in HirShebelle state, commander of the 52nd Somali armed forces, General Ahmed Mohamed Tredishe stated the militants were leaving strongholds in the southern regions, as allied forces intensified ground and air attacks. “They ran away from the attacks in southern Somalia and are heading to Galgadud and Mudug regions but, we shall never allow them to operate in their new settlements”, said General Tredishe.
General Tredishe also stated that some Al-Shabaab members especially some of their top officials have already made way to Galgala mountains in Puntland. “Some of their leaders have passed through Eel Deer and Heraale area on their way to Galgala Mountains” he added. Several fighters have already defected to the Somali government according to general Tredishe, hoping some more members of the militant group will emulate them soon.
US forces have increased aerial bombardments of the militants in southern region having launched at least 10 strikes this month as AMISOM and Somali forces ramp up ground attacks in Lower and Middle Shabelle regions. The increased operations follows the deadly truck bombing last month, which claimed over 400 lives in Mogadishu. Both AMISOM and Somalia have maintained the operations would go on until the militant group is defeated. AMISOM is expected to withdraw 1,000 soldiers from Somalia next month as part of the UN Security Council resolution August.
Key Headlines
- Al-Shabaab Flee Southern Somalia As Ground And Air Attacks Intensify (Goobjoog News)
- Two Weeks Long Campaigns Against GBV Launches In Somalia (Hiiraan Online)
- Intensified Fighting Forces Over 10000 People to Flee in Somalia NGO Says (Somali Update)
- Turkey Is Number One Study Destination: Somali Minister (Anadolu Agency)
- Somalia: Somali Pirates Caught At Sea Transferred to Seychelles (All Africa)
- Anarchy: How a Region of Somalia Just Solidified Its Independence (Zero Hedge)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Two Weeks Long Campaigns Against GBV Launches In Somalia
26 November – Source: Hiiraan Online – 294 Words
Campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls was launched on Saturday in Somalia. The 16 days campaign which is organized by AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has simultaneously kicked off in Somalia’s regional capitals. It is part of the ongoing global campaign under the theme “Leave No One Behind – End Violence Against Women And Girls”. Speaking during the launch of the campaign in Mogadishu, Ms. Christine Alalo, AMISOM Deputy Police Commissioner urged victims of gender-based violence to speak out and break the silence on these violations. “When we keep quiet and don’t talk about it, then we are also perpetrators of gender-based violence,” Ms. Alalo urged.
The commissioner pointed out that AMISOM is committed to ending violence against women and girls, considered as the most extreme form of discrimination. “The overall theme correlates to AMISOM’s role as a peace support operation, in which we support the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States to provide a secure environment where children feel safe to go to school; where civilians can thrive and go about their daily activities unhindered; where communities appreciate the civil liberties that come with the presence of peace and security,” said Ms. Alalo.
According to a 2016 UN report based on data from 87 countries, 19 percent of women aged between 15 and 49 years, have experienced physical and/or sexual violence. According to the report, harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, which is still widely practised in Somalia, and is considered an extreme case of violence against women, has declined by 24 per cent worldwide, although prevalence remains high in at least 30 countries. Research shows that achieving gender equality helps in preventing conflict, and high rates of violence against women.
Intensified Fighting Forces Over 10,000 People to Flee in Somalia, NGO Says
26 November – Source: Somali Update – 342 Words
Over 10,000 Somalis were reported displaced due to conflict in Middle and Lower Shabelle regions of Somalia so far in November, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency-led Protection & Return Monitoring Network (PRMN). The data shows that aerial bombardment and ground fighting in the two agricultural regions have forced over 10,000 people to flee for their lives. “We’re seeing a spike in families fleeing fighting that are arriving in overcrowded camps in Mogadishu. The camps are already overfilled with drought-stricken people, barely surviving in flimsy shelters,” said Victor Moses, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) Country Director in Somalia, whose agency is member of PRMN.
Tensions in Balad and Afgooye districts exploded into open conflict in November. Additionally according to UNHCR, an alarming increase of extortion, torture, sexual abuse and movement restrictions has been reported at roadblocks and checkpoints that were set up due to the rise in conflict. Many families have fled during breaks in the fighting, eventually making their way to the capital. “The double shock to people fleeing both conflict and drought means that they have to endure multiple crises at once, and this can push them over the brink” added Moses.
The aid workers say the humanitarian impact of the fighting and aerial bombardment is happening when needs are already critically high. Aid is reaching many Somalis in the camps around Mogadishu but not everyone, especially the families fleeing recent fighting. Newly arrived families urgently need shelter, food and water. Over 1 million people have been internally displaced in Somalia since January, mainly due to drought but, also because of conflict, insecurity and flooding. The crisis has spiralled downward during the course of the year. Half the population, over 6.7 million people, now need humanitarian assistance up from 6.2 million earlier this year. Another 1 million people are living as refugees outside of Somalia. Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world and 43 per cent of the population live on less than US$1 per day. Life expectancy is just 51 years.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Turkey Is Number One Study Destination: Somali minister
27 November – Source: Anadolu Agency – 387 Words
Turkey is the number one destination for young Somalis studying abroad, Somalia’s public works, reconstruction and housing minister has revealed. “Even if they are offered the United States or the West, they don’t choose them,” Sadiq Abdullahi Abdi told Anadolu Agency. “Right now, they all prefer to study here, in Turkey.”
Speaking in Istanbul following a reunion of international alumni from Turkish universities, Abdi said that Turkey has a lot of qualities and culture that make it unique in the world. Around 1,000 Somali students are currently studying in Turkish educational institutions, he said. “And they are studying in all fields: medicine, engineering, and agriculture,” and others, he added. Abdi earned his master’s degree in electronics and electrical engineering at Ankara’s Middle East Technical University in 2006.
He highlighted that Turkey’s education quality, social structure, and cultural values attract international students, especially from Somalia. “Because the cultural values are stronger than when you study outside. So most of the students even from the military came here for better training.” ‘Home away from home’ About his student life in Ankara, Abdi said: “During the time I studied here I felt Turkey was like a home away from home. Students, teachers, and neighbors all were kind and very welcoming.” He also stressed the quality of engineering studies in Turkey, saying: “I can guess it is number one.” “So whoever studies here can feel Turkey is a very, very good country to study in, especially in engineering and also other sectors.”
He also advised international students now in Turkey to “choose the friends that will shape your life for the better. Remember the friends you choose today forever, and they may be the ones who shape Turkey and the world for the better.” On Turkish-Somali relations, Abdi underlined: “Turkey has transformed Somalia like never before, from education to development to infrastructure development. And most importantly boosted trade ties.” “I appreciate the government and people of Turkey for their support and their collaboration. I see there is a light for a better future for Somali-Turkish relations and humanity.” He mentioned that a ministerial-level meeting between Somalia and Turkey will be held in Turkey early next year. “I am one of the ministers who will come here on Jan. 13. And we will look forward to stronger trade relations,” he added.
Somalia: Somali Pirates Caught At Sea, Transferred to Seychelles
27 November – Source: All Africa – 227 Words
Six suspected Somali pirates have been transferred to the Seychelles following their arrest for attacks earlier this month off southern Somalia, a Seychelles prisons official said. The suspects arrived Thursday morning at the port of Victoria, capital of the Indian Ocean archipelago nation, said Raymond St Ange, acting commissioner of Montagne Posee prison.
The six were arrested by the Italian navy, deployed as part of the European anti-piracy operation Atlanta, after being spotted by a military helicopter while attacking a container ship and a fishing vessel on November 17 and 18. The men were transferred to the Seychelles under an agreement with the EU. “The agreement allows us to prosecute cases of piracy, but the prosecution will depend on the evidence presented to the attorney general,” St Ange said.
There have been several attempted hijackings in recent months, a worrying sign of a possible resurgence of Somali piracy which had declined from its 2011 peak as navy patrols were stepped up. The years-long scourge disrupted international shipping and led to the kidnapping for ransom of many hundreds of seafarers. While warships and armed guards have reduced the number of attacks, they have done nothing to address the root causes of piracy, which lie in Somalia’s decades of state failure, poverty and lack of economic opportunity. The last similar transfer of suspects to the Seychelles was in 2014.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“This partnership is huge for Somaliland. And at the same time, it promises to be quite the boon for DP World as well. The company has the opportunity to design a Special Economic Zone from scratch. They can take all their best practices from other special economic zones, and apply them in a region scarred by anarchy. And this will show the world just what kind of governance can be built by private companies.”
Anarchy: How a Region of Somalia Just Solidified Its Independence
26 November – Source: Zero Hedge – 638 Words
If you hate the government so much, why don’t you move to Somalia? That might soon be a great option. The truth is Somalia is not without government. It actually has multiple governments. In the south, you see corruption, crime, and gang-like government oppression. This is what the United Nations and most of the international community call the official government of Somalia. And in the north there is a separatist state called Somaliland. Here crime is lower, and the economy is freer. More people have power and water. The standard of living is higher. The region bases its law on the historical Xeer system, similar to Common Law. And until now, no international entity wanted to recognize Somaliland. Did the people protest? Did the government petition the UN? Did they rebel against the southern “official” government? No. Economic opportunity surfaced. Somaliland’s first international ally is not a government, but a business.
The fourth largest port company in the world made a deal with the government of Somaliland. DP World will build an economic free zone in the new Republic. A total of 12.2 square kilometres of land has been earmarked for the Berbera Free Zone (BFZ), which is to be modelled on Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), the Middle East region’s biggest free zone. The Dubai-based ports operator signed a 30-year concession agreement to manage the Port of Berbera in May 2016. In September 2017, the port recorded a 40 per cent year-on-year increase in container volumes – the highest total volumes in the port’s history, DP World said in a statement. The new economic zone aims to position Berbera as a gateway port for east Africa, by encouraging investments and trade in the warehousing, logistics, manufacturing and related businesses.
DP World will develop the free zone in phases, with the first phase focusing on 4 sq km of land, according to the terms of a deal signed this week between Somaliland’s foreign affairs minister Saad Shire and DP World group chairman and chief executive, Sultan bin Sulayem. This is actually a really big deal. It shows a number of developments. The northern region of Somalia effectively seceded from the south. Its economy is doing much better than the rest of Somalia. And by opening up some of their land to free zones, the government of Somaliland is proving that they are forward thinking. They are ready to bring this unstable region of Africa into the modern economy. And that is all well and good. But now a successful company with an amazing track record is making a deal with Somaliland. This company had no small hand in developing Dubai into the economic powerhouse and model modern economy that it is today.
This partnership is huge for Somaliland. And at the same time, it promises to be quite the boon for DP World as well. The company has the opportunity to design a Special Economic Zone from scratch. They can take all their best practices from other special economic zones, and apply them in a region scarred by anarchy. And this will show the world just what kind of governance can be built by private companies. “Somaliland’s development opportunities…has parallels with the start of our own growth in Dubai and the UAE,” said Mr bin Sulayem. “Our vision is to make Berbera a trading and transportation hub for the Horn of Africa.” Somaliland gave DP World a 30-year concession and majority control to manage the new port. Now the new country can gain a foothold with a powerful ally on their side. And DP World can design a governing structure for their port that will attract business and investment. Somaliland was an isolated separatist region of a war-torn vacuum of power. Now, they are positioned to become the next Dubai.
TOP TWEETS
@MoPIED_Somalia: H.E @AmbGamal opens The National Development Council meeting in #Mogadishu. All FMS planning ministers are attending. DINA draft report, NGO Law and NDP pillar updates on the agenda. #Somalia
@HarunMaruf: Kenya military says they destroyed six Al-Shabab camps in Lamu’s Boni Forest http://www.nation.co.ke/
Goobjoog News. @Goobjoognews: FORMER GALMUDUG minister lashes out at IGAD over talks with Alhusuna.
@HarunMaruf: Rivals meet in official peace talks: Leaders of Galmudug regional administration open talks with Ethiopia-backed moderate religious group Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a “ASWJ” in Djibouti. ASWJ militias fought off Al-Shabab militants and control large parts of central Somalia.
@Goobjoognews: SOMALIA PIRATES in Seychelles to complete jail terms back home-Minister.
@SahraCabdi: Somalia PM appoints former envoy as Defense Minister
@HarunMaruf: Ahmed Iman always operated closer to the border; it’s also possible he defected but Kenya media has not provided any proof yet. Meanwhile, hard to believe Shabab would use elders to get him back. Also not true Godane was killed in a joint US, KDF operation
@engyarisow: FGS Anti-Corruption Core Group and Puntland Good Governance team discussed today on upcoming two day (6th & 7th… http://fb.me/9gKolmyvm
@GemsWaterCDC: Honoured to meet H.E Minister Salim Aliyoh Ibrow of Min. Electricity and Water @Somalia with @UNEP in Cairo @AWC_2014 @eriucc @uccBEES
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Somali prisoners held in Seychelles soon to be handed over to Somali government.