November 6, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Ethiopian FM hold talks with Somali leaders in Mogadishu

06 Nov- Source: Ethiopian Government Portal-399 Words

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros Adhanom arrived Mogadishu Tuesday afternoon to attend the Reconciliation and Peace Building Conference which started on Sunday. The delegation led by Dr.Tedros was received by Fawzia Yusuf Aden, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and other high level dignitaries of the Federal Government of Somalia at Aden Abdulle International Airport.

Dr.Tedros held talks with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, exchanging views on a number of issues revolving the implementation of the Addis Ababa Agreement signed on the 27th of August between Juba Delegation and the Federal Government of Somalia. Dr.Tedros lauded the recent visit of the President as excellent gesture that boosts the confidence of the two signatories of the Agreement and other stakeholders.

Speaking about the progress of the Reconciliation and Peace building Conference President Sheikh Mahmoud said “everything is going in the right direction” and added that” the implementation of the Addis Ababa Agreements has reached to a point of no return”.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Shirdon thanked Ethiopia for its efforts in the negotiation that led to the August 27, 2013 Addis Ababa Agreement. Prime Minister Shirdon affirmed that the Reconciliation and Peace Building Conference is going well in the last two days. He further noted that the Federal Government is committed t full implementation of the Addis Ababa Accord.

Key Headlines

Somali president: We need to uphold peace and good governance across Somalia (Radio Mogadishu)
AMISOM donates assorted drugs to the Federal Government of Somalia (AMISOM)
Britain and Somaliland to Enhance Bilateral and Security Relations (Somaliland Press)
Somali police officers shot dead in Mogadishu market (Radio Bar-kulan)
Ethiopian FM hold talks with Somali leaders in Mogadishu (Ethiopian Government Portal)
Somali legislators hail government on progress (Radio Mogadishu/Radio Mustaqbal)
Ethiopia vows to continue playing its influential role for regional peace (Walta Information Centre)
Suspected al Shabaab militants ambush Liyuu police inside Ethiopia (Harar24)
Somaliland Newly appointed Director General of Aviation Ministry takes office (Somaliland Informer)
CIA link in Westgate terrorist attack (Daily Nation)
Ministry: Ethiopia has capacity to tackle terrorist attacks (Ethiopian News Agency)
Al Shabaab blockade in Bay region threatens food security (Sabahi Online)
Kenyan man behind Westgate attack on world’s most wanted terrorist list (Standard Media)
Ethiopia on heightened alert for attacks by Somali militants (Reuters)
Rehabilitation Centre for Disengaged Combatants Opens in Beletweyne (UNSOM)
Abdi Warsame wins seat on Minneapolis City Council (NPR News)
UN envoy speaks about Somalia (United Nations DPA)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM donates assorted drugs to the Federal Government of Somalia

06 Nov- Source: AMISOM- 300 words

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has donated 33 boxes of assorted drugs to the Somalia Federal Government as part of its ongoing humanitarian life saving need assistance. The donation follows a meeting between AMISOM and the Chief of Staff of the Somali Presidency on November 4th this year which observed that thousands of people affected by floods in Johwar require medical, food, shelter and logistical assistance.

Civilian Chief of Staff, Ambassador Epiphanie Ntamwana Kabushemeye and Force Commander, Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti handed over the donation on behalf of AMISOM to the Federal Government of Somalia at AMISOM Level II Hospital in Mogadishu.

Speaking during the handover ceremony on behalf of the AU Special Representative, Ambassador Epiphanie Ntanmwana Kabushemeye reaffirmed AMISOM’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate of facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia. “We are doing all we can as per the mandate to help our Somali brothers and sisters at this difficult time. The need is great and we stand ready to help in any way we can to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it.” Said ambassador Kabushemeye.

The Chief of Staff of the Office of the President of Somalia, Mr. Thabit Abdi expressed his gratitude and that of the of the Federal Government for the donation. He said; “This is a matter of urgency and we know the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has always stood beside Somalia in terms of security and humanitarian assistance.” He observed that the donation will go a long way in assisting the affected population of Johwar.

This is the second time this year that AMISOM is making such a donation. On April 25th, AMISOM conducted a needs assessment in Johwar and donated drugs to the Governor of Middle Shabelle to assist the neediest.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali president: We need to uphold peace and good governance across Somalia

06 Nov- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Radio Bar-kulanRadio Mogadishu/Hiiraan Online- 208 words

The president of Somali federal government Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hosted delegates from Jubba region for a dinner at the presidential palace on Wednesday night.

Among the dignitaries present at the event were Ethiopian foreign affairs minister Mr. Tredros Andonom, federal government officials and the leader of Interim Jubba administration Ahmed Madobe

President Hassan told the guest that Somalia should not be held back by the past but rather forge ahead with its future. “He who dwells on yesterday, tomorrow will pass him or her. So, we must think about tomorrow,’ he said.

The president called on Somali people to forget what happened in the past time and rebuild their State, admiting that the country is heading to peace and prosperity. He said his government is committed to restoring peace, unity across the nation.

Ethiopian FM also spoke at the dinner event. Mr. Tedros said that today’s Ethiopia is close friend to federal government, added that ‘the Ethiopia of today is the one existed in the last two decades.’ He called on Somali people to collaborate and cooperate with their government.

The leader of Jubba administration Ahmed Madobe, who also addressed the event, thanked the president of Somalia and Mogadishu residents for the cordial welcome, promising that the delegates from Jubba regions will leave Mogadishu as one team.

He urged the federal government leadership to run the entire nation on principles based on justice and equality, reckoning that only just governance will get Somalia back on the international arena once again after two decades of civil war.

Britain and Somaliland to Enhance Bilateral and Security Relations

06 Nov- Source: Somaliland Press- 280 words

Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud (Silanyo) received at the Presidency, Mr. Chris Allan the Deputy British Ambassador to Ethiopia.

Dr. Mohamed Abdillahi Omar Somaliland minister of Commerce and International Cooperation speaking during a press conference said, “The people of Somaliland are committed to further improving our bilateral relations with the both the people and government of the UK government and we are eager to enhance relations with the government of UK and toady we had the opportunity to hold lengthy discussions in which they explored ways to enhance future bilateral relation between the Somaliland and the UK Government.

Speaking during a joint press conference held at the Presidential palace the British diplomat started y wishing Somalilanders a Happy Islamic New Year “We just had a rewarding meeting with President Silanyo and his team of ministers in which we reaffirmed the UK commitment to a strong and historic friendship with Somaliland and the strength of this feeling with Somaliland should not be underestimated”,.

Somali police officers shot dead in Mogadishu market

06 Nov- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 98 words

Unidentified gunmen armed with pistols have on Tuesday shot dead three Somali policemen at Bakara Market in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Witnesses told Bar-kulan that the assailants shot dead one of the men earlier hours of Tuesday while the other two were also killed later in the day at a tea shop.

The criminals escaped from the scene shortly after the attack and it is yet unclear whether the attackers were the same assailants. Government forces arrived at the scene and are reportedly trying to trace the whereabouts of the criminals.

Somali legislators hail government on progress

06 Nov- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Mustaqbal/SNTV- 183 words

A section of Somali lawmakers have praised the federal government for its efforts to bring aout changes in the country. In a meeting held in Mogadishu, the MPs have expressed their support and encouraged the government to double its strategies to maintain the progress.

Among those in attendance were Mohamed Mohamud Heyd, Ibrahim Salah, Tahlil Abdi Mohamed and Abdullahi Ahmed. The lawmakers said they are satisfied with they way the government is reconciling Somali people.

The legislators called on all Somali communities to rebuild their country so to restore hope, peace and unity of the citizens.

Suspected al Shabaab militants ambush Liyuu police inside Ethiopia

05 Nov- Source: Harar24- 207 words

Troops belonging to Ethiopia’s Liyuu police landed in an ambush as they were travelling from the city of Aato to Baarey in Afdheer province inside Ethiopia.

The ambush occurred Tuesday near Waaqsen in Afdheer Province inside Ethiopia. According to reports, a convoy belonging to the Liyuu police came under intense fire as they were making their way to Baarey in Afdheer province.

According to the sources, 4 Ethiopian soldiers who are regionally known as the “Liyuu Police” were killed in the attack and one Military vehicle damaged.

The ambush was carried out by fighters suspected to be from the al Shabaab militants, who’ve been fighting Ethiopian forces for the past few years. This attack comes after a previous attack carried out by ONLF movement against the Liyuu police few days ago inside the Ogaden region.

Somaliland Newly appointed Director General of Aviation Ministry takes office

05 Nov- Source: Somaliland Informer- 146 words

Somaliland’s new Director General of the ministry of Aviation and Air Transport Mr. Omar Abdilahi Adam has taken office on Tuesday following the sacking of his predecessor Mr. Ahmed Dalal Faarah by incumbent president last week.

The former Director General was accused of covertly handing over the airspace control to the authority in Somalia and sources added that he has fallout with the minister of Aviation Mr. Mohamoud Hashi Abdi.

According to the presidential decree that the president dismissed the ex-Director General, the president stated that the Aviation minister must attend the new Director General the day he is about to assume the duty.

Mr. Dalal expressed that he was disappointed with the failure of the ministry to attend the ceremony.

REGIONAL MEDIA

CIA link in Westgate terrorist attack

06 Nov- Source: Daily Nation- 699 words

Western intelligence agencies at one point worked with a man suspected to have masterminded the Westgate mall terrorist attack in Nairobi, a former informant for both the CIA and the Danish intelligence service has claimed.

Mr Morten Storm, a Dane who worked as an informer for the two intelligence units for five years, told CNN in a chilling interview that he had forged a close relationship with the Westgate attack organiser, Kenyan-born Abdukadir Mohamed Abdukadir alias Ikrima.

Ikrima has been responsible for planning attacks inside Kenya for al Shabaab, according to CNN. Mr Storm, told the US news channel Danish intelligence agency PET had, in March 2012, offered him one million Danish krone (Sh17 million) on behalf of the CIA if he could lead them to Ikrima.

Ethiopian FM hold talks with Somali leaders in Mogadishu

06 Nov- Source: Ethiopian Government Portal-399 Words

Ministry: Ethiopia has capacity to tackle terrorist attacks

05 Nov- Source: Ethiopian News Agency/Habesha Tube- 173 words

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Ethiopia has the capacity to defend itself from terrorist attacks by al Shabaab, the East African affiliate of al Qaeda. In a press conference he gave here Tuesday Ministry Spokesperson Ambassador Dina Mufti said Ethiopia has equipment and institutional capacity to tackle terrorist attacks. He said terrorism is a threat for peace and stability as well as growth of East African countries. Previously Ethiopia was forced to take measures to fight terrorism alone, the Spokesperson said. Currently, an opportunity has been created to work in collaboration with other East African countries, as terrorism becomes a threat for the region and the continent as whole. In this regard, Ethiopia, Uganda, Djibouti and Kenya are conducting joint military trainings and share classified information as part of a joint military operation against al Shabaab. He affirmed that though the terrorist group is still a threat to the national security of the country, Ethiopia has built its capacity and is ready to tackle any terrorist attacks.

Al Shabaab blockade in Bay region threatens food security

05 Nov- Source: Sabahi Online-691 Words

More than two weeks after al-Shabaab imposed a blockade of goods and food supplies from entering and leaving parts of Somalia’s Bay region, local residents and officials are expressing concern about the worsening humanitarian situation.

Al Shabaab’s blockade of Qansah Dhere started October 19th, and is also affecting villages on the outskirts of Bardale, another town in Bay region. Al Shabaab is preventing vehicles transporting food and essential goods from passing through the affected areas, and is also blocking truckloads of local crops from leaving.

The situation is causing hardship that threatens the food security of affected populations, according to Bardale Mayor Mohammad Isaq Hassan. The militant group set up roadblocks on the main road between the affected areas, preventing several villages near Bardale from receiving essential food supplies coming in by truck from the regional capital of Baidoa, he told Sabahi.

Bulo Hawo, Tosh Weyn and Kurtun are among the villages blockaded by al Shabaab, he said, and as a result, locals now face dire humanitarian conditions.

Ethiopia vows to continue playing its influential role for regional peace

05 Nov- Source: Walta Information Centre- 213 words

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said Ethiopia would continue playing its influential role in ensuring peace and security in the Horn of Africa. Briefing local journalists on current affairs here today, Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson, Ambassador Dina Mufti, said Ethiopia would consolidate its peace efforts until durable peace is existed in the region.

Ethiopia is currently mediating the peace process between the Somali Federal Government and the Jubba Administration, which shows Ethiopia’s desire for regional peace, he said.

Ambassador Dina said the agreement between the two sides would help to further weaken al-Shabab, a Somalia-based cell of the militant group al Qaeda. According to Ambassador Dina, al Shabaab is on the verge of collapse because of internal divisions and power struggles within its leadership. “A civil war has broken out within the group,” he said.

Kenyan man behind Westgate attack on world’s most wanted terrorist list

05 Nov- Source: Standard Media- 482 words

A Kenyan al Shabaab operative, who is said to have been the key organiser of the September 21 Westgate Mall attack which left at least 67 people dead, is now on the list of the world’s most wanted terrorists.

The suspect, Mohamed Abdikadir Mohamed also known as Ikrima, a native of Mombasa, is now regarded as one of the most dangerous al Shabaab commanders. He speaks five languages and is said to be in the central command of a terror web that connects operatives in Kenya, Yemen, Somalia and the West.

US officials have confirmed to CNN that he was the target of a US Navy Seal Team Six raid in a compound near the dusty town of Baraawe on October 5. US troops came under fire and Ikrima is reported to have escaped.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Ethiopia on heightened alert for attacks by Somali militants

05 Nov- Source: Reuters/Global Post/eNCA- 308 words

Ethiopia has put its police and security forces on heightened alert after receiving strong evidence that Somalia’s al Shabaab group is planning attacks in the country, officials said on Tuesday.

The move came three weeks after officials said two Somali suicide bombers accidentally blew themselves up while preparing to kill soccer fans during Ethiopia’s World Cup qualifying match against Nigeria.

Al Shabaab has vowed to exact revenge on Ethiopia for sending troops to Somalia to fight the al Qaeda-linked militants, alongside African Union forces from Uganda, Burundi and Kenya.

“There is strong evidence that indicates al Shabaab and terrorist groups backed by Eritrea are preparing to carry out attacks in Addis Ababa and other areas of the country soon,” the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and the federal police said in a joint statement. Addis Ababa often accuses the government in neighbouring Eritrea of supporting rebels, which Asmara staunchly denies.

The statement, read on state television, said security forces were already on heightened alert and called on the public to inform police if they encountered “suspicious” activity.

Rehabilitation Centre for Disengaged Combatants Opens in Beletweyne

05 Nov- Source: UNSOM- 316 words

The Director General of the Ministry of Interior and National Security, Mr. Ali Abtidon Halane, today opened the Hiil Walaal Rehabilitation Centre for disengaged combatants in Beletweyne, in the Hiiran region of Somalia.

As part of its mandate, UNSOM supports security sector reform and the rule of law in Somalia, including the disengagement of combatants. Present at the launch were the Governor of the Hiiran region, Mr. Abdi Farah Laqanyo, Chief of Staff of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Gen. Osman Nour Soubagleh, regional government officials and representatives from the United Nations.

“It is important that after they are disengaged, they get vocational training skills and once they are rehabilitated, they will use these skills to give back to the community instead of destruction and killing,” said Mr. Halane.

The Hiil Walaal facility was made possible with the support of the governments of Norway, Denmark and Spain. Speaking on behalf of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Mr. Nicholas Kay, a senior political affairs officer for the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) thanked the Djibouti contingent of AMISOM and Ethiopian troops in the region for their support with security and water supply to the centre.

Abdi Warsame wins seat on Minneapolis City Council

05 Nov- Source: NPR News-675 Words

In his first run for elective office, Abdi Warsame won the race to represent Ward 6 on the Minneapolis City Council, soundly defeating incumbent Robert Lilligren, who was the first and only Native American city council member.

In winning the seat, Warsame became the first Somali-American elected to the council, just seven years after arriving in the United States. He also is the first Somali-American in the nation to win a municipal election.

With all 9 precincts reporting, Warsame won nearly 64 percent of the first-choice votes and more than 40 percent of second choice votes and 20 percent of third-choice votes, according to unofficial results from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

Lilligren received 32 percent of first-choice votes, nearly 27 percent of second-choice votes and 13 percent of third-choice votes. After winning the DFL endorsement in April, Warsame fought a vigorous campaign that tried to mobilize the East African community. A Seward resident, he pledged to represent the broader community.

UN envoy speaks about Somalia

04 Nov- Source: United Nations DPA-04:56mins

Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, speaks about the situation in Somalia and the efforts of the office he is heading, the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“A new report by the World Bank, UN and Interpol uncovers the big business of international piracy.”

Do you earn more money than a Somali pirate?

06 Nov- Source: Global Post-633 Words

Piracy off the coast of Somalia has been at a low ebb this year but the boat-borne bandits have had a good run, raking in over $400 million in ransom payments since 2005. That’s according to a new report authored by the World Bank, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Interpol’s Maritime Piracy Task Force.

The big takeaway: It’s not the foot soldiers but the financiers who really benefit from the lucrative and illegal business. The authors of “Pirate Trails” interviewed former pirates, government officials, bankers and counter-piracy experts.

They estimate that the owners of 179 ships hijacked between 2005 and 2012 paid out ransoms totaling between $339 million and $413 million, or an average payment per vessel of around $2.3 million. But the pirate foot soldiers — the men with guns who illegally take to the seas to hunt down ships — earned only $30,000-$75,000 each, with the first to board a targeted vessel winning a $10,000 bonus.

“Like the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Guinea is a crucial transit area for international trade. Like the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Guinea is bordered by some fragile states. However, while the relationship between al Shabaab and Somali pirates is tumultuous, militants and pirates operating in the Gulf of Guinea could obtain large gains if they were to cooperate, which would further imperil crew members that sail through the pirate-infested waters.”

The Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Guinea: A Tale of Two Piracies

05 Nov- Source: Brookings Blog-787 Words

Until the release of the Hollywood blockbuster “Captain Phillips,” with Tom Hanks at the helm and grossing more than $100 million at the box office so far, Somali pirates were slowly sinking into oblivion while their West African counterparts were making headlines. If Somali piracy is at a seven-year low, the Gulf of Guinea has become the new “epicenter” of piracy. As recently as last week, two American sailors were captured by pirates off the coast of Nigeria.

While it is tempting to put all pirates in the same boat, the root causes of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea are very different. To tackle piracy in Somalia or in West Africa, different policy responses must therefore be adopted. Here is why:

In April of this year, the World Bank launched our report, “The Pirates of Somalia: Ending the Threat, Rebuilding a Nation,” in Mogadishu with the Somali government. Our analysis of the business model of Somali piracy led us to conclude that the solution to piracy on the high seas off the coast of Somalia needed to be found onshore rather than offshore. “Sustained solution to ending piracy will only come with the recreation of a viable Somali state that can deliver essential services throughout the entire country to reduce poverty and create economic opportunities,” we argue. What led us to this conclusion?

“What is really missing in the search for a solution is the question of opening dialogue with al Shabaab. This is a controversial option, but will serve the interest of peace in Somalia and the region. By offering the nationalist elements and other pro-Somalia individuals within the group an option for disengaging from it, the process of depleting its ranks will be accelerated. Radical elements within the leadership can be contained through the ongoing military solution.”

Al Shabaab’s Relative Strength Is the Real Threat

04 Nov- Source: ISS Africa-1169 Words

As investigators and forensic scientists sift through the rubble of the Westgate mall in Nairobi, Kenya, in search of answers to the numerous questions that surround the 21 September 2013 attack, even more questions are starting to emerge. The most important of these is how the four gunmen managed to evade Kenya’s intelligence services, had unlimited access to such an important facility and managed to take on the security agencies for four days.

There are also questions around the implications of the incident and whether the death of 67 people and the many others that remain missing are a sign of worse things to come, or the last kicks of a weakening al Shabaab.

The last question in particular has generated a great deal of policy interest, largely because of its implications for the fight against terror in the East and Horn of Africa. One school of thought argues that the Westgate attack was an attempt by al Shabaab to appear relevant and gain media attention, but that it probably lacks the capacity to repeat such an incident or sustain its relevance in the region. Another argues that the Westgate incident is a sign of a coming onslaught of terror by al Shabaab and should be taken seriously. Which of these arguments should inform policy?

Top tweets

‏@UNSomalia Images of the newly opened Hiil Walaal Rehabilitation Center for disengaged Combatants in Beletweyne, #Somalia http://flic.kr/s/aHsjLZX1xd

@amisomsomalia An AMISOM soldier shakes the hand of a young boy in the village of Kabhanley #Somalia http://on.fb.me/QqTSeN pic.twitter.com/yunY9xSkQu

@SomaliPM Good news for jobs and investment: Technology firm @Travelport to launch operations in #Somalia http://bit.ly/179qhmj

@Dahirkulane Ethiopia fm @DrTedros and H.E.@FawziaYusufAdam at a dinner hosted by Govt of #Somalia #Mogadishu pic.twitter.com/5xkxvB0Kdt via @mfaethiopia

@tresthomas_HOA Remittances and money transfer companies are critical to entrepreneurship and lifelines in#Somalia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qy8zii0u5c …

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Image of the day

Image of the day Director General of the Ministry of Interior and National Security, Mr. Ali Abtidon Halane, officially opens the Hiil Walaal Rehabilitation Center for disengaged combatants in Beletweyne, 5 November 2013.