October 1, 2012 | Morning Headlines.
Somali militants flee invasion to avoid losses
30 Sept – Source: AP – 553 words
The al-Qaida-linked rebels who once controlled nearly all of Somalia’s capital and sowed fear throughout the southern part of the country are fleeing their last remaining stronghold because they are outgunned and don’t want heavy losses, experts said Sunday. Kenyan troops invaded the southern Somali city of Kismayo early Friday, and the militant Islamist group al Shabaab announced soon after that their forces were leaving the lucrative port town behind. Kenyan forces have not yet moved through the whole town, but a military spokesman said troops met no resistance on Sunday.
Key Headlines
- AMISOM distributes food rations to flood victims in Beledweyne (Bar-Kulan)
- Somali President hails capture of Kismayo town (SONNA)
- Gunmen assassinate Somali official in Baidoa (Shabelle)
- Airstrikes kill at least 3 civilians in south western Somalia (Mareeg Online)
- Prime Minister Ali jets back from New York (Bar-Kulan)
- Ten killed in Beledweyne flooding (Bar-Kulan)
- 30 die of cholera on Kenya-Somalia border (The Star)
PRESS RELEASES
Somali, AMISOM forces on the outskirts of Kismayo
30 Sept – Source: AMISOM – 381 words
Troops from the Somali National Army and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have advanced to within 5km of the port city of Kismayo, a day after they pushed Al†Qaeda†affiliated militants from the southern Somali town of Canjeel.
Two days ago, an advance AMISOM force conducted an amphibious landing on the beaches north of Kismayo and has so far secured the northern parts of the city, including the road leading to the capital Mogadishu, the Kismayo University, and the old airport. The main force is approaching the city from the North West. Over the last one month, the joint forces have secured a string of towns and centres on the road between Afmadow and Kismayo including Miido, Bibi and Jana Cabdalla.
“The capture of Canjeel has opened the way for more of our forces to advance towards Kismayo in support of our operations there,” said AMISOM Force Commander, Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti. “Our aim is to degrade the ability of the Al†Shabaab who threaten and oppress the people of Somalia, disrupting the country’s peace process,” he added.
“As we move into the southern parts of Kismayo, we are taking every precaution necessary to minimize the impact of our operations on the civilian populace. We have established No†Fire Zones around markets, schools, mosques and hospitals,” he said, calling on any Al†Shabaab fighters remaining in the city to lay down their arms The AMISOM Force Commander congratulated the Somali and AMISOM forces for a job well done.
“From our current location our intent is to conduct systematic pacification operations until Kismayo is secure and the people are able to conduct their business without interference,” he said. He also urged the international community and humanitarian agencies to expedite the provision of much needed humanitarian assistance to the population in the liberated areas. “We stand ready to facilitate any such efforts to relieve the suffering of the Somali people,” he said.
As AMISOM forces continue to secure more ground, this has given an added impetus to the Somali peace process. Today, the country has a legitimate provisional constitution as well as a broadly representative parliament. It has also held an open and competitive presidential election leading to a peaceful transfer of power, the first time that has happened in Somalia in over four decades.
UN Special Representative for Somalia statement on the rise of killings of Somali journalists
28 Sept – Source: UNPOS – 261 words
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga, is shocked and alarmed by the recent wave of journalist killings in Mogadishu over the last few days.
SRSG Mahiga strongly condemns the killing of Abdirahman Mohamed Ali, a sports journalist whose body reportedly was found yesterday evening beheaded at a former animal market in Mogadishu and of Ahmed Abdullahi Fanah, a reporter for Yemeni news agency SABA who was shot dead earlier today.
“I am appalled by the rise of violence targeting media professionals in Somalia” said SRSG Mahiga. Since 20 September, 2012 five journalists have been killed in Mogadishu. “I send my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the Somali media community which has endured death threats, intimidation and assassination attempts for too long; with courage and determination.” SRSG Mahiga added.
The total number of Somali journalists killed this year only has now risen to 15 while more than 20 have been reportedly injured. The UN has repeatedly called on the Somali authorities to conduct independent and swift investigations on the killings and to bring an end to the cycle of violence and to impunity.
“Somalia has entered a new phase. The media needs to be protected in order for the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and freedom of the press to be exercised” said SRSG Mahiga while he added that “these are preconditions for the construction of a healthy democratic state.” UNPOS reiterates its call on the Somali authorities to improve its police investigative capacity and stands ready to assist whenever possible.
AMISOM Condemns Targeted Assassination of Journalists
29 Sept – Source: AMISOM – 340 words
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Ambassador Boubacar Diarra has urged Somalia fs newly elected authorities to do more to protect journalists and promote the right to free expression following a string of assassinations of Somali journalists in Mogadishu.
The Somali government and police must urgently institute credible investigations into these killings and ensure that the perpetrators of these atrocious acts are brought to justice, h he said adding that the African Union Mission in Somalia was ready and willing to help with any investigations.
While sending his condolences to the family and friends of the murdered journalists, Ambassador Diarra reaffirmed AMISOMÂ fs commitment to helping the Somali National Security Forces enhance security in the capital.
AMISOM has been helping to train the core of a rejuvenated national army and police force for Somalia. We have recently deployed two Formed Police Units .the first in the history of the African Union ] to Mogadishu to help mentor and train Somali National Police officers. h Said Ambassador Diarra.  Freedom of expression is a precious tool that can be used by the Somali journalists to free the Somali people from the oppression and tyranny of Al ]Shabaab, and can help build the foundation of a free and just society. This is a fundamental right that the Somali authorities must protect, especially at the dawn of this new era. h He added.
Abdirahman Mohamud Ali, an online journalist working for a Somali ]owned website was beheaded and his body dumped on a street in northern Mogadishu on Thursday and Ahmed Abdullahi Fanah was also killed on Friday bringing the number of journalists killed this week to five.
Another three journalists lost their lives when two suicide bombers from the Al Qaeda ]affiliated terror group, Al ]Shabaab, blew themselves up at a Mogadishu restaurant last week, killing at least 14 people. The country fs journalists have long topped the list of targets for the extremist militants. So far, this year, 15 have been murdered while more than 20 have been injured.
MMHouse condemns the double killing of journalists in Mogadishu
29 Sept – Source: Mogadishu Media House – 201 words
Mogadishu Media House (MMHouse) condemns in the strongest terms possible the double killing of journalists Abdirahman Mohamed Ali and Ahmed Abdulahi Farah in Mogadishu. A young Journalist Abdirahman Mohamed Ali, 25 who worked for the Somali sports news websitecayaarahamaanta.com was found beheaded at the Suuqa Xoolaha in the northern District of Huriwa on Thursday afternoon 27 Sept 2012.
An armed men shot and killed Mr. Abdullahi Abdi Fanah, Journalist of Yemen News Agency (SABA) today Friday 28 September 2012 in Derkenley District.
“The continued attack and murder on journalists in Somalia should stop. We demand the new Somali government to immediately investigate and bring to justice those who are responsible for these incidents ”, said Mogadishu Media House Director, Abdulahi Mohamed Hassan “Black”
As an non-profit, non-governmental organization charged with protection of journalists, we appeal to the new Federal Government, the international community and development partners to promote the efforts and activities of media advocacy programs in Somalia .
MMHouse also calls for the formation of an independent body that works closely with media associations in protecting journalists both on and off duty. No group has claimed responsibility for the killing. Fifteen journalists have been killed in Somalia so far in 2012.
Al Shabaab Abandoned the Last Stronghold in Kismayu
29 Sept – Source: Ministry of Information Posts & Telecommunications – 261 words
Today, the Somali Armed Forces with support from the African Union Mission in Somalia have secured the port town of Kismayu from the grip of the terror group of Al Shabaab who controlled the town for nearly three years. The Kismayu Operation has encountered no resistance with the radical militia abandoning the town overnight and escaping towards the country. The Somali President, His Excellency Hassan Sh. Mohamud, commends the heroic efforts as well as the extraordinary sacrifices of the Somali Armed Forces and AMISOM in rooting out the enemy and denying them safe havens in Somalia. “This marks an important milestone for the people of Somalia – especially the residents of Kismayu who have endured hardships under the brutal rule of Al-Shabab” said President Mohamud.
With an appeal to the public, the President calls out the public to remain calm and work with the government security agencies and AMISOM in improving the security of Kismayu. President Mohamud stated the importance of extending humanitarian support to residents in the region who were cut off from outside world during the drought of last year.
“We appeal to the International Community as well as the humanitarian agencies to provide aid to the affected communities in the region who suffered under the reign of Al Shabaab which restricted access and humanitarian operations throughout Juba regions” said the President. The government is committed to lead on inclusive and broad-based reconciliation process that harmonizes the communities in the region to ensure the establishment of local administrations that are transparent and responsive to the needs of the people.
SOMALI MEDIA
AMISOM distributes food rations to flood victims in Beledweyne
30 Sept – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 109 words
The African Union force in the central Somali town of Beledweyne on Sunday distributed cooked food to hundreds of flood victims camping at temporary camps on the outskirts of the town. Reports say the force distributed cooked rice and beans to the victims who fled their homes after flash floods hit their homes late last week. At least 52 people were reportedly killed following heavy floods after River Shabelle bust its bank following heavy downpours, causing massive flooding in the area.
Farah Mo’allin: Al Shabaab militants still active in Kismayo
30 Sept – Source: Shabelle – 100 words
Farah Mo’allin, the deputy speaker of Kenyan parliament has said that al Shabaab fighters are still active and will strike back on Somali, AU forces. Mr. Mo’llin said: “Al Shabaab militants didn’t pull out of a key port city in southern Somalia; the group is in Kismayo and Kenyan and Somali troops have not marched into the city yt.” When asked about the Kenyan air strikes on civilian areas, he said KDF military jets bomb and target only al Shabaab bases in Somalia, although he confessed to civilian casualties in the aerial attacks.
Somali President hails capture of Kismayo town
30 Sept – Radio Mogadishu/SONNA – 202 words
The Somali President, His Excellency Hassan Sh. Mohamud, commends the heroic efforts as well as the extraordinary sacrifices of the Somali Armed Forces and AMISOM in rooting out the enemy and denying them safe havens in Somalia. “This marks an important milestone for the people of Somalia – especially the residents of Kismayu who have endured hardship under the brutal rule of al Shabaab” said President Mohamud. The President called out the public to remain calm and work with the government security agencies and AMISOM in improving the security of Kismayu.
Gunmen assassinate Somali official in Baidoa
30 Sept – Source: Shabelle – 141 words
Unknown armed groups on Sunday assassinated a senior Somali government official in Somalia’s third largest city of Baidoa, located just 250 Km (159 miles) northwest of Mogadishu, reports said. Three masked assailants armed with pistols shot to death Muqtar Qasim, a worker for the government tax office in Baidoa town after leaving a mosque, according to witnesses. “
A spate of killings in Kismayo
30 Sept – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 139 words
Reports from Kismayo, the port town in Jubba region, says a spate of killings is rapidly increasing over the region, especially in the city’s main trends. Reports from Kismayo the port town in Jubba region says killings are rapidly increasing over the region, especially in the city’s main areas. At least 14 more civilians have reportedly being killed since the invasion by the African Union troops along with the Somali national army that entered the city on Saturday night.
Airstrikes kill at least 3 civilians in south western Somalia
29 Sept – Source: Mareeg Online – 125 words
Airstrikes on a town held by A Qaeda-affiliated Islamists in south-western Somalia have killed at least three people, including women and children, wounding others. Witnesses said two unknown fighter planes bombarded militant bases in the town of Bardere located in Gedo region, which al Shabaab militants are still controlling.
Prime Minister Ali jets back from New York
30 Sept – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/RBC/Somaliweyn – 183 words
Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on Sunday returned back to Mogadishu from New York, where he attended the United Nations General Assembly and the mini-summit on Somalia. The PM was warmly received by top Somali government officials including cabinet ministers, military officials and MPs at Adan Ade international airport. Addressing the press inside the airport, the PM congratulated the Somali national army for liberating the port city of kismayo after forcing al Shabaab militants to flee the city.
Somalia’s al Shabaab rebels pull out of Kismayu bastion
29 Sept – Source:Radio Mustaqbal/ Radio Mogadishu/SONNA – 260 words
Somalia’s al Shabaab rebels retreated from the southern port of Kismayu overnight, the group and residents said, abandoning the last major bastion of their five-year revolt to an offensive by African Union and Somali government troops.The loss of Kismayu a day after it was attacked by Kenyan and Somali soldiers backed by air strikes will deal a major blow to the al Qaeda-linked rebels, weakening morale and depriving them of revenue from taxing local businesses and shipping. “We moved out our fighters … from Kismayu at midnight,” al Shabaab spokesman, Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, told Reuters on Saturday, promising to strike back.
Somali Islamists, Kenyan forces in “fierce” clash near Kismaayo
29 Sept – Source: Radio Shabelle – 57 words
Radio Shabelle reported that there had been “fierce fighting between government forces, backed by Kenyan troops, and al Shabaab, which occurred in the outskirts of Kismaayo. “The Radio added that the fighting started after the Islamists “ambushed a convoy of allied forces” on the road linking Dhobley town to Kismaayo. The website did not give any casualty figures.
Somaliland: Education Minister meet’s Turkish delegation
29 Sept – Source: Somaliland Press – 101 words
Somaliland minister of Higher Education Miss Zamzam Abdi Adam has met with a delegation from Turkey. The Minister of Education said the delegation from the Turkish Prime Minister is in the country to implement projects and also to assess where there is an urgent need the education system. The Turkish delegation said they plan to upgrade Laboratories in five major secondary schools and distribute computers in all secondary schools in the country.
Ten killed in Beledweyne flooding
28 Sept – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 133 words
At least ten people were reportedly killed following heavy floods in the central Somali town of Beledweyne, near Ethiopia. The victims, mainly children and elderly people, died when River Shabelle busted its bank following heavy downpours that started last night and continued till this morning, causing massive flooding in the area.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Child killed, eight injured in Nairobi’s church attack
30 Sept – Source: Daily Nation – 422 words
A boy was killed and several others injured on Sunday after suspected terrorists hurled a grenade at St Polycarp’s ACK church along Chai road in Pangani, Nairobi. The injured, mostly children attending a Sunday school service were rushed to Guru Nanak hospital. However, one child has already been discharged while seven children are still admitted. Three people arrested at the scene taking photos of the church told police that they were working for the Horn Cable TV of Somalia.
Al Shabaab flees into forests near Kismayu
30 Sept – Source: Standard – 282 words
Al Shabaab rebels withdrew from Kismayu on Friday night, less than one day after an attack by Kenyan and Somalia government forces. Fighters have moved into forests between Kismayu and Afmadow. Others are headed to towns further north. Residents of the city and offi cials of the terror group confirmed the retreat even as the Kenya Defence Forces announced the killing of two senior militants Saturday morning. In a message sent out on a KDF Twitter account, officers reported killing regional commanders Hassan Yakub and Abdikarim Adow, among others.
African Union troops ‘to move into Kismayo’
30 Sept – Source: Aljazeera – 767 words
Kenyan and Somali troops are preparing to move into Kismayo following the withdrawal of rebel fighters from the southern port city, Hussein Arab Isse, Somalia’s deputy prime minister, has told Al Jazeera.Isse, who is also in charge of the country’s defence ministry, said on Sunday that troops would enter the key commercial city later in the day. Joint forces launched a series of assaults to take the city on Friday, forcing al-Shabab rebels to withdraw from the port town – their last stronghold in Somalia.
Two al Shabaab commanders killed on 29th of September, according to Kenyan army
29 Sept – Source: Standard – 159 words
Al Shabaab has lost two key regional commanders in Saturday morning raids by Kenya Defence Forces airtsrikes in Kismayu, Somalia. The commanders, Sheikhs Hassan Yakub and Abdikarim Adow were killed a day after KDF alongside Amisom took control of Al Shabaab stronghold and headquarters of Kismayu in Somalia. “Al Shabaab loses two key regional commanders: Sheikhs Hassan Yakub and Abdikarim Adow killed in late morning raids by KDF airstrikes”, read KDF tweet.
30 die of cholera on Kenya-Somalia border
29 Sept – Source: Star – 191 words
Thirty five people have been confirmed dead following a cholera outbreak on the Kenyan-Somali border. Among the dead are 10 Kenyans who had moved with their animals across Somalia in search of water and pasture. According to the Kenya Red Cross, the epidemic broke out in Hosingo in Somali on September 20, 50 km from the Kenyan border, before spreading to other border villages. Two people died in Holungo, two in Amuma, three in Hamey and three in Dgahaley.
Kenyan president hails capture of key Somali port city
28 Sept – Source: KBC TV – 108 words
President Mwai Kibaki has congratulated the Kenya Defence Forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia – Amisom – for capturing the port city of Kismaayo in Somalia. The president said that the Kenyan forces have exhibited determination and endurance in liberating Somali civilians from the militant group Al-Shabab. President Kibaki, who is attending the UN General Assembly in New York City, USA, noted that the historic capture of the port city was important in ushering in a new beginning for the rehabilitation of Somalia.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somali militants flee invasion to avoid losses
30 Sept – Source: AP – 553 words
The al-Qaida-linked rebels who once controlled nearly all of Somalia’s capital and sowed fear throughout the southern part of the country are fleeing their last remaining stronghold because they are outgunned and don’t want heavy losses, experts said Sunday. Kenyan troops invaded the southern Somali city of Kismayo early Friday, and the militant Islamist group al-Shabab announced soon after that their forces were leaving the lucrative port town behind. Kenyan forces have not yet moved through the whole town, but a military spokesman said troops met no resistance on Sunday.
Kenyan forces hit Shebab bases around final Somali bastion
30 Sept – Source: AFP – 590 words
Kenyan helicopter gunships struck Shebab bases outside the Somali port of Kismayo to clear the way for a takeover of the town abandoned by the Al-Qaeda linked Islamist fighters, the army said Sunday. Residents said Kismayo was in the grip of lawlessness and a power vacuum, with gunmen killing at least three people since the Shebab pulled out of the city on Saturday, their last bastion to fall. The Kenyan army said helicopter gunships were attacking Shebab bases outside the city ahead of a final ground assault to occupy the strategic southern city after an advance by Kenyan and Somali troops forced the Islamists out.
Turks to reconstruct state buildings in Somalia
30 Sept – Source: Todays Zaman – 167 words
The Turkish ambassador to Somalia, Cemalettin Kani Torun, has said Turkish companies will reconstruct the buildings for the Somali parliament and ministries as well as the presidential and prime ministerial palaces. Torun told the Anatolia news agency that Turkey is considering assisting development projects in the country in an attempt to ease the burden of the Somali government.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Exploring the media landscape in a country where going to work has become a life-and-death decision for reporters.”
Somalia’s war on journalism
30 Sept – Source: Aljazeera English – 25:07
2012 has been a big year for Somali media – after years of covering civil war, rising insurgency and a battle for resources, Somali journalists reported on the country’s first election in decades. But there is another reason 2012 has been significant: 13 journalists have been killed in the country this year. A suicide bomb attack in Mogadishu on September 20 killed three reporters. Hours later, unidentified gunmen shot dead veteran journalist Hassan Yusuf Absuge for covering the explosion.
“Somalia’s predicament can be fixed, but only if a coherent and a holistic plan based on morality and understanding is enacted. Let us all hope that the elected new man and his administration will eradicate the usurpation and the tribalism derailing our public and will heal the deep seated grudge polarizing our nation. Let us hope the beaming beacon of brotherhood and sisterhood will rise over our great homeland once again.”
Fixing Somalia’s Predicament Calls for Moral Conscience Coupled with Intelligent Design
28 Sept – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1441 Words
For quite some time, the narrative heralding Somali politics has been one wielded by few leaders arguably driven by the tendency of prioritizing personal interest over public interest. Now that narrative seems in its death throes; or that is what jubilant Somalis would like to tell us citing as substantiation new developments that has recently unfolded in the country.