October 10, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Kenya Military Capture Al-Shabaab Commander in Bula-Gaduud

09 Oct- Source: Intelligencebriefs.com – 91 words

Kenya Defense Forces have captured a terror group commander in the Somali region of Bula-Gaduud. Intelligence shows the commander of Al-Shabaab militants in the Bula-Gaduud region was captured alive by Kenya military operating under AMISOM. The Kenyan Military launched an offensive in the area using heavy artillery and air strikes killing dozens of militants and capturing several alive. Kenyan Defense Forces earlier this week killed 36 militants in air strikes deep inside Somalia.The air strikes hit Jiliib and nearby strategic positions and logistics resources.

Key Headlines

Somali PM to officially reach Puntland capital Garowe on this Saturday (Radio RBC)
Clashes occur in the outskirts of Beledweyn (Radio Goobjoog)
There is Sharp increase in the number of measles and malnutrition (Radio Goobjoog)
Somali Diaspora is the backbone to the rebuilding of Somalia (Mareeg Online)
Middle Shabelle administration fights illicit drugs (Radio Goobjoog)
Al shabaab suspects transferred to Kamapala Central Prison (Radio Dalsan)
UNOPS Director visits Somalia (Walta Information Centre)
Kenya Military Captures al Shabaab Commander in Bula-Gaduud (Intelligencebriefs)
UNHCR and Vodafone bring tablet-based learning to 18000 Somali refugees (UNHCR)
Charcoal and terrorism: the unlikely link between Gulf lounges and Somalia’s jihadists (The Economist)

PRESS STATEMENT

Incoming African Union Special Representative for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou takes a tough stand on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Somalia.

09 Oct- Source: AMISOM- 609 words

As part of the continued efforts by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to combat Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), the recently appointed Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Maman Sambo Sidikou, today opened a three-day workshop aimed at strengthening the Mission’s instruments and approaches towards preventing and addressing the issue of SEA.

Speaking during the opening, Amb. Sidikou said “AMISOM is duty-bound to diligently respect and implement the mandate entrusted to the mission by the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) and authorized by the United Nations Security Council in line with applicable policy guidelines on gender and human rights.” He also stressed that “Like any other human undertaking, AMISOM must continually seek to improve our systems and processes in order to respond to the dynamics of the mission, particularly on issues that affect the most vulnerable in society, such as those of sexual exploitation and abuse of women and girls.” Amb. Sidikou therefore noted that the workshop is critical in enhancing the Mission’s transparency and accountability mechanism related to conduct and discipline of the Mission’s civilian, police and military personnel.

As Amb. Sidikou assumes the leadership of AMISOM to steer the fulfillment ofits mandate to support the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in bringing about peace in Somalia, he says that he iss committed to ensuring that AMISOM meets its obligations under international humanitarian law, especially with respect to conflict related sexual violence, including SEA.

Amb. Sidikou’s assumption of duty coincides with this maiden workshop of AMISOM’s leadership on SEA that is intended, not only to ensure that the leadership is well-equipped to address potential cases of SEA but to also come up with a robust, effective and victim-friendly response to addressing it if it occurs.

Also, at the invitation of the Special Envoy of the AU Commission Chairperson on Women, Peace and Security, Ms. Bineta Diop, the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairperson of the AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, participated in a session of the workshop. Former President Obasanjo, while urging AMISOM leadership to be attentive in preventing and responding to SEA, also commended AMISOM personnel and the police and troop contributing countries for the remarkable sacrifices and contribution to the peace process in Somalia.

The workshop is expected to come up with a more robust policy including a strategy and action plan on SEA as well as recommendations on the measures the Mission will put in place to support any victims of SEA. In addition, the workshop is expected to make recommendations to enhance the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the AU Commission and the troops and police contributing countries in order to strengthen their accountability and transparency in addressing SEA.

Participants at the workshop are drawn from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the AU Commission, AMISOM, United Nations (UNSOM and UNSOA), human rights experts and Civil Society organizations from across the continent, including Somalia and the media.

The workshop has been organized with the support of the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA) and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) through the Norwegian funded Training for Peace (TfP) project.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali PM to officially reach Puntland capital Garowe on this Saturday

09 Oct – Source: Radio RBC/Halagn Online/Puntlandi Online – 190 Words

Somalia’s north eastern semi autonomous state of Puntland government arranges high level welcome for the federal government of Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Mohamud. Puntland government is reported to have appointed number of ministers including interior and women ministers to prepare a the welcome for the Premier Abdiweli Sheikh Mohamud who is expected to officially reach Puntland state’s capital of Garowe on 11 October.

The Prime Minister is expected to pay a visit, which early reports indicate will take about a week to Puntland and will also visit parts of Puntland region amid his visit in the state. This is the first visit of Prime Minister Abdiweli to Puntland since he was sworn in for office.

The motive of the visit is to open dialogues between Puntland and the African Union and western backed Somali federal government which is meant to restore cooperation between two Sides. Puntland which controls one-third of Somalia has suspended its ties with the federal government in august after learning of the recently announced state for Mudug and Gal-gudud, where most of Mudug region is in Puntland’s territory.

Clashes occur in the outskirts of Beledweyne

09 Oct – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 140 Words

Reports from Hiran region state that Westland state forces and Al-shabab militia clashed in the outskirts of Beledweyne district, the headquarters of Hiran region. Senior official of Westland state speaking to Goobjoog FM underlined that the forces succeeded to open important roads blocked by Al-shabab in the region adding that trucks transporting commercial goods and aid agencies are access to the major towns of the region.

The officer stated that there are casualties resulting from the clashes between the sides though he has not specified the number of fatalities. Hiran administration has been making efforts to open the important roads blocked by Al-shabab after the group was pushed out of the major cities in region including Bulo-Burte, Mahas and Jalalaqsi. Al-shabab has not given any comment about this recent clash with Westland state forces.

There is Sharp increase in the number of measles and malnutrition

09 Oct – Source Radio Goobjoog – 175 Words

Many children suffering from measles and malnutrition are hospitalized in Bandair hospital as health officials confirmed to the media. Lul Mohamed Mohamud, the director of Bandair hospital told Goobjoog FM that there is sharp increase in the number of patients suffering from measles and malnutrition reaching the hospital. She stated that at least 70 cases of measles and 120 cases of malnutrition reach Banadir hospital every month. Ms. Mohamud reiterated that the diarrhea outbreak in the capital that has been on the rise in recent months has now decreased. She confirmed that no organization supports the hospital directly hence the hospital running short of medicine to treat the large number of patients.

Somali Diaspora is the backbone to the rebuilding of Somalia

09 – Source: Mareeg Online – 597 Words

The Minister said “My visit to Washington DC, Virginia, Minnesota and Columbus Ohio from 28 September to 08 October 2014 gives me more hope, renewed energy and commitment to advance the peace and stability in Somalia. I am honored and thankful for the commitment, dedication and support shown to me by the US Government officials and Somali Diaspora in the United States of America.” The Minister of Information had meetings with State Department and other departments in US Government. The Minister updated the US Government officials the political, security and economy progress in Somalia for the last two years. The aim of the visit to Washington DC was to enhance the strong ties and relationship between the two countries and in particular the Media Development in Somalia.

Middle Shabelle administration fights illicit drugs

09 Oct – Source Radio Goobjoog – 129 Words

The district Commissioner of Jowhar Mohamed Abdule Aqiil stated that his administration will not allow the consumption of illegal drugs in the town. The security forces in Jowhar district in an operation against drugs have arrested an [alleged] drug dealer in Middle Shabelle region. The arrested individual was immediately moved to Jowhar police station for interrogation.

The district commissioner underlined that his administration will not tolerate consumption and selling of the illegal drugs and the fight against it will continue until all the drug dealers in the region are brought to justice. Sheikh Ahmed Ibrahim, the chairman of Middle Shabelle court of appeal warned the public against the consumption and selling of illicit drugs noting that it is against teaching of Islam and might lead to bad behaviour.

Al shabaab Suspects transferred to Kampala Central Prison

09 Oct – Source Radio Dalsan – 102 Words

Somalis suspected to be al shabaab members were today transferred to the central prison of Kampala. They will be remanded there till their cases is heard later this month. They were however already held in detention by the Ugandan security forces for 13 days. They were picked from Kireka suburb of Kampala.

The prosecutors led by Edward Muhumuza requested the suspects to be remanded pending further investigations. The suspects were however for the first time brought before a court of law on September 24th together with other suspects the Ugandan police arrested from Kisenyi, Nabulabye, Kasubi, Busega and Lunguja areas of Kampala.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya Military Capture Al-Shabaab Commander in Bula-Gaduud

09 Oct- Source: Intelligencebriefs.com – 91 words

UNOPS Director visits Somalia

09 Oct- Source: Walta Information Centre – 193 words

In a press release UNSOM Public Information sent to WIC, during the one-day visit to the Somali capital, the UNOPS Executive Director met with key Somali government officials including Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed. UNOPS provides project management, procurement and infrastructure services to governments, donors and UN organizations. “It was a fruitful meeting. It covered the priorities of the Somali government and plans on how to put them into action.

“There were important aspects upon which we agreed including politics, security, judiciary as well as areas of economic development. The meeting ended on a very good note,” said Said Abdullahi Mohamed, Somalia’s Minister for Planning and International Cooperation. Speaking after her meeting with the Prime Minister, Faremo said UNOPS is working with several branches of the Federal Government of Somalia.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

UNHCR and Vodafone bring tablet-based learning to 18,000 Somali refugees

09 Oct – Source: UNHCR – 643 Words

The UN refugee agency and the Vodafone Foundation have this month opened centres equipped with mobile technology that will allow thousands of young Somalis to complement, supplement and further their studies in Kenya’s sprawling Dadaab refugee complex. Ensuring a high quality education for the population of more than 350,000 refugees in Dadaab remains a challenge for a variety of reasons, including funding constraints and a shortage of trained teachers.

But UNHCR and the Foundation, philanthropic arm of Britain’s Vodafone telecoms company, believe the Instant Network Schools programme launched this month will help. A total of 378 teachers will be trained to provide tablet-based education programmes to some 18,000 young people aged between seven and 20 years old in 13 instant network centres across Dadaab’s camps.

Charcoal and terrorism: the unlikely link between Gulf lounges and Somalia’s jihadists

09 Oct – Source: The Economist – 643 Words

The cafés on Abu Dhabi’s seafront fill as soon as the sun sets and the heat abates. Men gather around water pipes, smoking tobacco flavoured with melon, berry or perhaps even cappuccino. A thin boy scurries from table to table with a bucket of hot coals. Those enjoying such evening idylls may not know it, but their love of smoking shisha is fuelling a bloody insurgency more than 3,000km (1,864 miles) to the south, in Somalia.

The production and export of charcoal is an unlikely but important source of revenue for the Shabab, a militant group that rules swathes of Somalia and has been battling against troops from the African Union and the fragile Somali government. Charcoal made from Somali acacia trees is particularly prized in the Gulf, because it burns longer than alternatives from, say, Sudan or Nigeria. This quality comes at a price: Somali charcoal retails for about 15 dirham a kilogram ($1.85 per lb), compared with about 9 dirham for the inferior stuff.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Today, Somalia is still a patient in critical care, but it is slowly turning the corner.”

Somalia has turned the corner

08 Oct- Source: Hiiraan Online- 395 words

From the collapse of the last official government of Somalia in 1991, led by military strongman Siad Barre, to the election of this new government led by President Hassan Mohamud Sheikh in September 2012, Somalia has experienced enormous changes. Immediately after the government fell, state institutions failed to operate, and government buildings, entire streets and even towns became the strongholds of warlords.

Many Somali cities, including the capital city Mogadishu, were utterly destroyed by clan-based violence and governed through fear and death. Somalia had become, and was rightfully labelled, “a failed state” by the world and neglected for over two decades by the international community. Interim government replaced yet another interim government and the Somali public had all but given up on these administrations decided for them in foreign capitals across the world.