October 11, 2013 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somalia wants aid to attack al Shabaab

10 Oct – Source: The Australian News – 126 words

SOMALIA is drawing up plans to retake the seaside town of Baraawe, where US Navy SEALs mounted a failed operation to capture a suspected terrorist leader last week. Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon said his government was determined to “pacify and control the port”, which is run by al Shabaab, the Somali militant group that claimed responsibility for the siege last month at a Nairobi shopping mall. Mr Shirdon claimed al Shabaab was on “their last legs” and could no longer fight “in a conventional sense”. However, in a candid admission of his government’s blind spots, he said he had “no idea” where Abdulkadir Mohamed Abdulkadir, the target of Saturday’s raid, was hiding after the Navy SEALs were forced to retreat without knowing whether they had killed him.

Key Headlines

5 killed in bomb explosion shooting in Kismayo (Raxanreeb/Dhanaan Online)
Jowhar commissioner bans political-related meetings (Bar-kulan)
Somali FM returns home gives details on Canada tour (Raxanreeb/SNTV)
Outgoing Hiiraan governor: free and fair elections will be held (Bar-kulan)
Battle occurs in Bay region Federal Govt welcomes Barawe raid (Garowe Online)
Sudan denies involvement of its nationals in Kenya’s Westgate attack (Sudan Tribune)
Better know a neighborhood Al-Safia: A taste of Somalia (SABA)
Somalia wants aid to attack al Shabaab (The Australian News)
McCain questions failure legality of US strike in Somalia (UPI)

PRESS STATEMENT

AMISOM Meeting with the Somali Diaspora in North America: 5-6 October, 2013; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

10 Oct- Source: AMISOM-941 Words

On October 5-6, 2013, a consultation forum was held between representatives of the Somali Diaspora communities in North America and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Participants included elders, intellectuals, religious scholars, women, youth, experts in various fields and professionals from academia, governmental organizations and civil society. Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and Head of AMISOM was in attendance with a team of civilian, police and military personnel from AMISOM and the African Union Commission. Mr. Ali Amer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation represented the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS).
Coming at a time when Somalis in the Diaspora are returning to Somalia in record numbers due to improved security in much of the country, the aim of the conference was to serve as a forum for idea generation and to promote the participation of the Somali Diaspora in their country’s peace and reconstruction process. The conference provided a unique opportunity for Somalis in the Diaspora to receive a first-hand account of the African Union’s intervention in Somalia, including the mandate and activities of the civilian, police and military components of AMISOM since its deployment in 2007.
Following focused group discussions on how the Somali Diaspora can contribute to “Women and Youth Unemployment”, “National Reconciliation” and “Institutional Building” in Somalia, the participants adopted recommendations for the consideration by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), AMISOM, as well as all relevant actors and partners of Somalia.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali FM returns home, gives details on Canada tour

10 Oct – Source: Raxanreeb/SNTV – 86 words

Somalia’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Fawziya Yusuf Haji Aden has on Thursday returned back to country after wrapping up two weeks visit to Canada. Speaking to the local media shortly after landing at Aden Abdulle International Airport, Aden said she had also the chance meeting with the members of the Somalia diaspora in Canada. “Our visit to Canada was really very impressive and full of great opportunities for Somalia,” Ms Aden said.

Jowhar commissioner bans political-related meetings

10 Oct – Source: Bar-kulan – 90 words

Jowhar district commissioner Mohamed Amin Osman Hajji said that political-related meetings cannot be held in the town without the approval of the region administration. “The people of the Lower Shabelle region are facing crisis after the river overflowed its banks last week, therefore it’s not the right time to waste time over politics,” said the commissioner. He urged local elders to work on helping the people affected by heavy floods. This comes days after some of the region’s elders held a meeting which the local administration had not been informed.

5 killed in bomb explosion, shooting in Kismayo

10 Oct – Source: Raxanreeb/Dhanaan Online – 93 words

At least five people civilians were killed in a bomb explosion and shooting that occurred in Kismayo, the port city of Somalia’s Lower Jubba region. According to witnesses, the explosion occurred at the city’s western village of Via Afmadow when armored vehicle used by the Jubba administration forces was targeted with a landmine mid Thursday. “The explosion occurred when the vehicle passed through the main street that crosses via Afmadow, we saw huge flames as the people nearby ran away for their lives,” said a resident.

Outgoing Hiiraan governor: free and fair elections will be held

10 Oct – Source: Bar-kulan – 95 words

The outgoing administration in the Somali central region of Hiiraan affirmed that the administration will hold free and fair elections. Abdifatah Laqanyo, region’s governor stated that his administration term ended at 9th October, as he also expressed his willingness of organizing free and fair elections. “The process of creating a new administration for the region is in its last stages, we have decided to stay in power and organize new elections paving the way for new administration in the central region, and we are very much hopeful of free and fair elections,” said Mr. Laqanyo.

Battle occurs in Bay region, Federal Govt welcomes Barawe raid

10 Oct – Source: Garowe Online/Raxanreeb – 140 words

At least ten people were reportedly killed in a fierce fighting between the Somali government forces and al Shabaab militants in Bay region of southern Somalia on Thursday morning, as the Somali Federal Government Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon welcomed a sea-launched attack that targeted al Shabaab stronghold, Barawe coastal town in Lower Shabelle region, Garowe Online reports. The battle erupted after the armed convoy of the Somali Federal Government run into al Shabaab bases in El-Dhun Adegow area which is situated between Bay regional capital of Baidoa and Bakool regional district of Waajid, officials said. Meanwhile in Mogadishu, speaking at a weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon cordially welcomed the US raid in Barawe coastal town and voiced support for the US role when it comes to fighting against al Qaeda linked al Shabaab militants.

Al Shabab bans exporting charcoal through Kismayo port

10 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan – 103 words

In a statement issued Thursday, al Shabaab terrorist issued orders banning the the export of charcoal through Kismayo seaport. Although al Shabaab don’t control Kismayo, they have ordered businessmen that they have to end exports. “If we notice someone dealing with the administration and exporting charcoal, they will meet punishment and al Shabaab will be aware of movements in Kismayo,” said their statement. The Juba administration has, so far, not reacted to the ban. The local Juba administration has also been accused several times for allowing the illegal export of charcoal through Kismayo seaport.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Sudan denies involvement of its nationals in Kenya’s Westgate attack

10 Oct – Source: Sudan Tribune – 128 words

The Sudanese army denied the participation of a Sudanese national in the recent terrorist attack on the Westgate mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi where 67 people were killed by the Somali militants of al Shabaab group. On Saturday 6 October, spokesperson for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Major Emmanuel Chirchir claimed that a Sudanese terrorist by the name Abu Baara Al-Sudani was among the assailants killed when the army stormed the mall. Al Sudani was identified following the release of video footage showing four armed men in what looks like a store room. However, in a statement released on Wednesday, the spokesperson of the Sudanese army, Colonel Al-Sawarmi Khaled Sa’ad, said that “Abu Baara Al-Sudani is of Somali origin and has nothing to do with the State of Sudan”.

Better know a neighborhood Al-Safia: A taste of Somalia

10 Oct – Source: Yemen Times News – 123 words

In an area of the capital city, you can find Somalia in Yemen. Al-Safia neighborhood is a mixture of Somali and Yemeni smells, words and culture. At Shaibani Café, residents sit outside and sip tea. A mixed company, some spoke flawlessly in the Yemeni dialect with others spoke broken Arabic. Mohammed Abdulla Al-Naj’i, the lone Yemeni in one of the huddled circles, sat and listened to his Somali friends. Al-Naj’i is a father of five and owns a barbershop. He has lived in the neighborhood for 15 years. Each morning, he heads down to the café to talk politics with his Yemeni and Somali friends. The friends say a lot of the time is also spent comparing the economic situation in both countries.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia wants aid to attack al Shabaab

10 Oct – Source: The Australian News – 126 words

McCain questions failure, legality of US strike in Somalia

10 Oct – Source: UPI News – 156 words

Tuesday questioned the effectiveness and legality of the U.S. commando strike that failed to capture its target, an operative of the al Qaeda affiliate al Shabaab, in Somalia last week. During a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he grilled Amanda Dory, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African Affairs, about the reasons behind the failure to capture the al Shabaab leader, Ikrimah, sought for his association with planners of the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya. “Don’t be surprised…if there is skepticism here about the activities that you engage in.” McCain said when she declined to respond. “Fact is, it was a failure. Fact is, that there was an intelligence failure there, otherwise the mission would be completed.” Dory said that taking direct action was one element of a multifaceted approach to combating al Shabaab and other terrorist activity in the region. Al Shabaab members took responsibility for the Westgate mall attacks in Kenya that killed 67.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Many are wondering if al Shabaab’s attack in Nairobi is a sign of its new global orientation. The answer is no.”

Al Shabaab’s Westgate Siege was all about Somalia

10 Oct- Source: Think Africa Press-1176 Words

Last month’s siege at the Westgate mall in Nairobi – a brazen and calculated attack which left at least 67 people dead – shocked people around the world. The families of victims are in mourning and citizens are demanding to know what really happened. Many are also wondering what attack tells us about al Shabaab, the Somalia militant group responsible for the assault, and the future of security in the region. Crucially, many are asking whether Westgate marks the start of a new international focus for al-Shabaab. Indeed, the Westgate attack was notably unlike the vast majority of al Shabaab violence. The group is not typically known for commando-style takeovers, targeting of civilian locations, or specifically avoiding Muslim casualties. Al Shabaab’s operations are also primarily contained within Somalia.