October 12, 2016 | Daily Monitoring Report
Federal Government Proposes The Deployment Of SNA In Galkayo
12 October – Source: Jowhar.com – 103 Words
The Federal Government of Somalia has proposed the deployment of Somalia National Army forces in the troubled city of Galkayo. The plans according to the government will prevent clashes between Galmudug and Puntland forces who have recently been fighting in the area.The Minister for Information, Mohamed Abdi Hayir (Mareeye), who briefed the press in Mogadishu revealed that Somalia Chief of Defense Force has been instructed to deploy Somalia National Army (SNA) in Galkayo.“ On behalf of the Prime Minister, I am requesting the commander of the armed forces to send able troops that can quell the violence in Galkayo,” said the Minister
Key Headlines
- Federal Government Proposes The Deployment Of SNA In Galkayo ( jowhar.com)
- Fears Of Clashes In Galkayo As Puntland And Galmudug Deploy Forces (Goobjoog News)
- Somalia To Mark 62nd Anniversary Of The National Flag Day (Goobjoog News)
- Kenya Enhances Security Along Somali Border (Xinhua)
- Maritime Agency Calls For Tough Actions To End Piracy Off Somalia (Business Daily)
- Will Somalia’s Elections Change The War On Al-Shabaab? (The National Interest)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Fears Of Clashes In Galkayo As Puntland And Galmudug Deploy Forces
12 October – Source: Goobjoog News – Words
Rival troops from Puntland and Galmudug state are feared to lock in fresh battles in Central Somalia as thousands of people from the conflict-hit town flee to nearby villages and towns. The fighting in the town shared by the two states has set off alarm bells in the region, with the Somali federal leaders, politicians, elders and other civil society members urging the warring groups to refrain from violence. Our Correspondent in Galkayo town said residents living in the town were using any lull in the fighting to flee to safer areas although many said they were too afraid to move.
A local resident told Goobjoog News by telephone that the situation in Galkayo town was “very tense”. “It’s continued shooting. Shooting could be heard all through the night,” she said, adding she was unable to leave her compound. Puntland accused soldiers of Galmudug of staging attack on northern Galkayo.
A doctor in Galkayo said at least 20 people have been killed in the fighting, which erupted late last week.Sporadic clashes could be heard Tuesday in several parts of the town. Galkayo is divided into two zones, where the northern portion forms part of Puntland state, while its southern part is governed by the Galmudug administration.
Somalia To Mark 62nd Anniversary Of The National Flag Day
12 October – Source: Goobjoog News – 217 Words
On October 12, 1954, the Somali flag was hoisted for the very first time, marking the end of colonisation and the reunification of regions that were separately being ruled by Italy and Britain. The five points on the ‘Star of Unity’, the flag’s main feature, represent the five Somali ethnic groups found in Djibouti, the Ogaden region in Ethiopia, the North Eastern Province in Kenya, and the former British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland territories in present-day Somalia. Six years after the adoption of the flag, 1st July 1960, Somalia gained independence from Italian Somaliland and united with British Somaliland.
Mohammed Awale Liban designed Somali flag, during the preparation of Somalia’s independence. The Patriot passed away on 5th June 2001 in Toronto Canada. In a bid to foster national unity and pride, the Somali government holds elaborate celebrations in the capital Mogadishu on every 12th October to mark the anniversary of their flag’s creation.Security of Somalia’s city Mogadishu’s has been tightened and hundreds of security were deployed in every corner of the city. The government and its citizens are expected to celebrate for the 62nd anniversary of the national Flag Day. Somalia is recovering from over two decades of lawlessness and civil wars, having the first central government since the collapse of Siad Barre Regime in 1991.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Kenya Enhances Security Along Somali Border
11 October – Source: Xinhua – 381 Words
Kenya said on Tuesday that it has enhanced security along its Somali border to thwart terror attacks from Al-Shabaab militants from Somalia.Mandera County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia told journalists that security agents have learned lessons following last week’s terror attack where six people were killed by suspected Al-Shabaab gunmen.”We are on high alert and if our enemy thinks we are not awake, let them dare us,” Shisia warned and refuted reports that the attackers were from within the county.
He appealed for patience as security personnel pursue the killers, saying security agents have established routes used by the Al-Shabaab as they cross over from Somalia.Shisia said no suspect has been arrested so far after the attack on a residential plot. Police have been accused of failing to respond to the attacks on time, leaving it to ill-equipped police reservists.The administrator dared the militants to execute any attack using the same routes and assured travelers of adequate security as they travel within the county saying security measures have been put in place.Shisia advised residents to be reporting such terror incidents to senior security agents who will take necessary action to curb an attack.”If we would have had such information we would have sealed off the entire area and arrest or kill the militants,” said the government administrator.
He said the militants hit the electronic shop as a diversionary tactic to divide attention of security agents.”They wanted our security forces to run to the communications shop which was hit about five minutes early so as to continue killing occupants of the plot uninterrupted,” Shisia said.Shisia assured travelers of adequate security as they travel within the county saying security measures have been put in place.
Maritime Agency Calls For Tough Actions To End Piracy Off Somalia
11 October – Source: Business Daily – 453 Words
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has urged liners navigating through the Somali coast to continue with counter piracy measures despite a reduction of incidents.Secretary-general Kitack Lim called on merchant shipping stakeholders to remain vigilant and take on protective measures against possible attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean area.An international military alliance, including the EU Naval Force currently operates off the coast of Somalia to counter the crime. The force has extended their Operation Atlanta counter-piracy mandate to the end of 2018.The IMO recommends that activities of pirates and armed robbers be neutralised based on the intelligence gathered.“Governments should avoid engaging in negotiations with these criminals and seek to bring perpetrators of piracy and armed robbery against ships to justice. Negotiating with criminals in a case regarding hijacking of a ship may encourage potential perpetrators to seek economic revenue through piracy” says the IMO.
According to the Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) report on Indian Ocean activity for last year there is a great risk of piracy resurging in some form if the naval presence dissipates.Already the presence of coalition and independent deployers engaged in counter-piracy activities has decreased by 15 per cent in 2015.This was attributed partly to the fact that the last major hijacking by Somali pirates of MT Smyrni, took place more than four years ago.Last December, the International Chamber of Shipping conducted a risk assessment on the extent of the crime in the area and recommended a downgrade from the High Risk Area status, following decreased incidents of piracy.The OBP estimates the total 2015 costs related to Somali piracy in the western Indian Ocean to be $1.4 billion (Sh140 billion) while the international community spent about $1.3 billion (Sh130 billion) on counter measures primarily through naval deployments, embarked guards, vessel hardening, increased speed and rerouting, and prosecutions and imprisonment.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“Despite their numerous flaws, the elections should at least provide moderate political stability by appeasing Somalia’s powerful clan leaders. This, in turn, will allow African Union forces (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army (SNA) to focus on ousting al-Shabaab from its remaining territories”
Will Somalia’s Elections Change The War On Al-Shabaab?
11 October – Source: The National Interest – 1999 Words
In counterinsurgency, military victories tend to be easier than political ones, and Somalia seems to be a case in point these days. On the one hand, al-Shabaab has retreated from much of the country and suffered heavy losses among both its leadership and its rank and file. On the other hand, this month’s legislative and presidential elections, originally touted as pivotal progress in the country’s long-term stabilization efforts, look set to fall well short of initial expectations. While the slow political progress is disheartening, it is not a death knell to the U.S.-supported counterinsurgency.
Despite their numerous flaws, the elections should at least provide moderate political stability by appeasing Somalia’s powerful clan leaders. This, in turn, will allow African Union forces (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army (SNA) to focus on ousting al-Shabaab from its remaining territories. A prudent U.S. strategy would therefore involve moderately expanding vital material, advisory and air support to AMISOM and SNA forces, while also utilizing tailored diplomatic means to assist the gradual development of Somali governance.
AMISOM and the Importance of Tailored Engagement: AMISOM first deployed to Mogadishu in February 2007, in an effort to protect the beleaguered Transitional Federal Government (TFG), which had just returned from exile with the support of Ethiopian forces. As al-Shabaab metastasized to control 55 percent of the country with twelve thousand fighters in 2010 (according to estimates from a recent RAND report), the African Union changed AMISOM’s mandate from peacekeeping to “peace enforcement,” a euphemism for aggressive counterinsurgency. AMISOM began a concerted push to recapture Mogadishu from al-Shabaab in early 2011, and that autumn the Kenya Defence Forces launched a separate assault with SNA troops that dislodged the insurgents from much of southern Somalia.
TOP TWEETS
@MSudaani: Happy National Flag day to #Somalia! 62 years today our flag was raised on home soil.May Allah bless to those who sacrificed for us Amin.
@SRSGKeating: #Somalia partners discuss electoral process incl Upper House candidates. Shared concerns about respect 4 agreed rules
@amisomsomalia: Somali youths urged to fully participate in the 2016 electoral process. https://goo.gl/4Owfg1 #Doorashada2016 #Somalia
@faoinsomalia :For the 5mn people facing daily hunger in#Somalia, rapid progress is needed to build #resilience and#EndPoverty: #ItsPossible
@Aynte:With @MoPIC_Somalia team in #Adaado, interim#Galmudug capital discussing NDP & federal-state collaboration on international cooperation #hope
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Somali Youth follow the proceedings of a meeting on election process in Mogadishu
Photo: AMISOM