October 14, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Car explosion wounds five in Mogadishu

14 Oct: Source – Radio Goobjoog -120 words

At least five people sustained injuries in Mogadishu on Monday after an explosion occurred in a garage in Hodan district. A car parked at the entrance of the garage exploded as eye witness confirmed to the media.

The wounded people were rushed to the nearby hospitals in the capital for treatment. Some of the wounded are in critical condition, health officials confirm.

The top leaders of Somalia jointly blamed Al Shabab group for targeting innocent people. This is the second explosion to rock the city within twenty-four hours

Key Headlines

AU Special Representative condemns last night’s suicide attack (Radio Goobjoog)
Car explosion wounds five in Mogadishu (Radio Goobjoog)
Federal government opens judicial reform conference in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu)
Puntland Military Court sentences a man to death for plotting landmine (Horseed Media)
Somali Bank becomes first lender to handle foreign transactions (Wardheernews)
Zambian authorities arrest immigrants including Somalis (Radio Dalsan)
Somali exiled journalists in Holland welcome the Chairperson of SIHMA (Radio mareeg/Radio Dalsan)
China vows enhanced ties with Somalia as embassy reopens (Xinhua Media)
Bomb hits Somali police car day after deadly cafe attack (Reuters)
Somalia’s government launches postal service (BBC.com)

PRESS RELEASE

AU Special Representative condemns last night’s suicide attack

13 Oct – Source: AMISOM – 249 words

Mogadishu-October 13, 2014: The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou has strongly condemned the vehicle borne suicide attackon Sunday night in a Mogadishu coffee shop by suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists which killed innocent civilians and wounded many others.

A car filled with explosives parked outside a coffee shop along Maka Al Mukaram road, Mogadishu’s busiest street, exploded as revelers were busy chatting and enjoying themselves.

“I am perturbed and saddened by the vicious and an unacceptable attack last night of unarmed civilians many of whom were youngsters enjoying life in their own city. Such acts can only unite the majority peace loving Somalis against a few crooked brainwashed individuals who have nothing to offer Somalia except death and destruction. May the souls of those who departed rest in peace and those who sustained injuries recover fast,” Ambassador Sidikou said.

The AU Special Representative commended the swift reaction of the Somalia Police Force and ordinary Somalis who within minutes of the attack quickly moved in to secure the area and help the victims by rushing survivors to nearest hospitals.

He said; “The brave action of the Somalia Police Force and ordinary persons who immediately rushed to the scene to help their wounded brothers has touched us all because they saved so many lives. This is the spirit that will build Somalia and overcome the vile character and enmity of those behind such atrocious attacks on Somalia and its civilians.”

SOMALI MEDIA

Car explosion wounds five in Mogadishu

14 Oct: Source – Radio Goobjoog -120 words

The wounded people were rushed to the nearby hospitals in the capital for treatment. Some of the wounded are in critical condition, health officials confirm.

The top leaders of Somalia jointly blamed Al Shabab group for targeting innocent people. This is the second explosion to rock the city within twenty-four hours

Federal government opens judicial reform conference in Mogadishu

14 Oct: Source: Radio Mogadishu – 220 Words

The federal government of Somalia has opened consultation conference meant to reform the judicial system of the country in Mogadishu.

The opening ceremony of the conference was attended by the minister for justice and constitution of federal government of Somalia Farah Sheikh Abdikadir, the head of parliamentary constitutional affairs committee of federal parliament Mariam Ariif Qasim, the attorney general Dr. Ahmed Ali Dahir, religious leaders, regional states representatives and members of civil society.

Abdullahi Shirwa’a, the chairman of non state actors speaking on behalf of civil society said the over two decades war in the country has devastated the judicial system and created security lapse. He urged the federal government to swiftly reorganize the judicial system.

The head of parliamentary constitutional affairs committee of federal parliament of Somalia Maryam Ariif Qassim said the top leaders of the country should start the reformation of judicial system, justice and act as a role model to the public.

Somalia attorney general Dr. Ahmed Ali Dahir urged the separation of judiciary and politics so as to misunderstanding and violence. And the minister for Justice and constitution Farah Sheikh Abdikadir said the era of injustice in the country has ended. Mr. Farah said the federal government will form anti-corruption committee and constitutional court to promote transparency and eradicate corruption, mismanagement and nepotism

Puntland Military court sentences a man to death for plotting landmine

14 Oct: Source – Horseed Media – 166 words

Puntland Military court has on Monday sentenced to death a man who was found of guilty for plotting a landmine. Six defendants including one woman were brought to trial in the court’s branch in port town of Bosaso. They were all accused of being involved in crime.

According to the court officials, Ismael Abdulqadir was caught by the Puntland forces while he was plotting a landmine in a strategic neighbourhood located in the central town of Bosaso.

Another was sentenced to a five-year jail term after he was captured while also plotting an improvised explosive device (IED) in an area close to the Galgala mountain ranges, where Puntland forces have been fighting against al-Shabaab militants.

Three others were released by the court to lack of enough evidence. Puntland Military court has carried out capital punishments on members linked to al-Shabaab militant group. Last week, EU envoy to Somalia condemned the use of death penalty in Somalia, urging authorities to place a moratorium on death penalty.

Somali bank becomes first lender to handle foreign transactions

14 Oct – Source: Wardheernews – 369 words

International Bank of Somalia became the first lender in the nation to handle foreign transactions. It is the latest sign that the country is stabilizing after decades of conflict, Chairman Hassan Ahmed Yusuf said.

The bank, run from a two-story building in the capital, Mogadishu, obtained a so-called Swift code that enables lenders to carry out international money transfers, Yusuf said at a ceremony to mark the official start of operations on Oct. 11. IBS is taking advantage of increased stability in the city after the success of African Union-backed Somali government forces against al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militants, he said.

“The relative calm and tranquility in the country, especially the capital city, made us take a decisive step,” Yusuf said. “We see great business opportunities are emerging.”
Al-Shabaab has been in retreat in Somalia since its fighters were forced to withdraw from Mogadishu in August 2011 after a series of military defeats. African Union forces and the Somali national army have forced the insurgents to relinquish control of about 70 percent of southern and central Somalia,

The country still faces challenges preventing attacks. Yesterday, at least eight people were killed and another 15 were injured when a car laden with explosives blew up near a popular cafe in Mogadishu. No one has claimed responsibility for the blast.

The government is using its recent military advances to try to attract investors to help rebuild its economy. Last week, Salaama Somali Bank became the first lender to introduce ATM machines in the city.

“I feel proud of my government bringing stability to the capital, Mogadishu, and to see the good news happening before my eyes today like the launching of an international bank in Mogadishu, which was once dubbed the world’s most dangerous city,” President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud said at the ceremony.

Somali State Minister of Defense Mohamed Ali Haga said in an interview on Oct. 11 that the government expects to liberate remaining areas controlled by al-Shabaab by May.

Zambian authorities arrest immigrants including Somalis

14 Oct: Source: Radio Dalsan – 113 words

The Zambian media said the Zambian authorities arrested illegal immigrants including Somalis. They were accused of staying in the country illegally.

An immigration official in Zambia Namati Nashinka said 43 immigrants were deported from that country in a week’s time. He added that some were charged to pay fine before the deportation. These who are still being held in Zambia include seven Somalis.

One of them was charged a fine of 20,000 Kwacha as he was found guilty of working in that country without a work permit. The other six Somalis were arrested from Ndola after they failed to produce any document that is proving that they were in that country legally.

Exiled Somali journalists in Holland welcome the chairperson of SIHMA, Mr. Hassan Geesey

14 Oct: Source: Radio Mareeg/Dalsan – 325 Words

Last night, a party was held in The Hague, Holland for the Chairperson of SIMHA who is also the Director of Dalsan Radio, Mr. Hassan Ali Geesey.

The event was attended by more than 40 exiled Somali journalists and members from the Somali Community in the Netherlands. Abdullahi Taajirow who is one of the Somali journalists in Holland said they are very delighted to welcome and meet the Chairperson of SIMHA Mr. Hassan Ali Geeseey.

On behalf of the Somali journalists in that country, Abdullahi Taajirow said they were in need of meeting Mr. Hassan and discuss with him the status of the Somali media and the Somali journalists, especially those who work in Mogadishu. Therefore, Mr. Hassan who is in Holland for a work related purpose spoke about the situation of the Somali journalists and the difficulties they face while they are going about their journalism duties. He highlighted the major role they play especially informing the public about facts on the ground inside the country. He said sometimes journalists face threats. Mr. Hassan and the Somali journalists in Holland further discussed how the Somali media platform can be improved.

Other speakers at the event included Mrs. Shamso Abdulle Butugey who is a member of the civil society organizations in the Netherlands. Mrs. Shamso thanked the Somali journalists for the outreach role they play as they broadcast news that is based on facts and findings. Mr. Hassan is currently participating a two week training in Holland which was organized by Radio Netherlands Training Centre. At the end of the training, Mr. Hassan will visit other countries in Europe where he also plans to meet other senior media figures and other Somali journalists who live there.

Many Somali journalists who fled the conflict in the country live in different countries in Europe where many of them are still practicing journalists.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Five Kenyans kidnapped in Lamu set free, Deputy Inspector General Samuel Arachi says

13 Oct – Source: Standard Digital – 250 Words

Authorities in Lamu now claim that five Kenyans kidnapped near Kiunga by suspected members of Al Shaabab militiamen on Friday have been set free inside Somalia and are apparently in the custody of the Kenyan militiary at Dobley. The unidentified five were ferrying miraa from Meru to Somalia when they were kidnapped by the militiamen between Mangai and basuba area near Kiunga. Deputy Inspector General Mr Samuel Arachi told the Standard that five were set from inside Somalia on Sunday without stating how this happened.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

China vows enhanced ties with Somalia as embassy reopens

14 Oct: Source: Xinhua Media – 290 words

As the Chinese embassy reopens in Somalia, China will take the opportunity to enhance friendly relations and pragmatic cooperation with the country, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday.

China officially reopened its embassy in Somalia Sunday and accredited a new ambassador to the country in the horn of Africa, which is recovering from years of conflict.

“The reopening of the Chinese embassy in Somalia is a significant move by China in supporting Somalia’s peace process and post-war reconstruction,” spokesman Hong Lei told a regular press conference.

Bomb hits Somali police car, day after deadly cafe attack

13 Oct: Source: Reuters – 438 words

A bomb tore through a senior policeman’s car in Somalia’s capital on Monday, a day after suspected Islamist militants shelled an area where the president was due to speak and attacked a city center cafe, witnesses and officials said.

No one claimed responsibility for the assaults which officials said wounded two mechanics working on the car on Monday and killed 13 people at Mogadishu’s Oromo Cafe on Sunday. It was not immediately clear if the shells caused any casualties on Sunday in the Huriwa district where President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was due to attend celebrations marking the anniversary of the violence-wracked country getting its flag.

Somalia’s government launches postal service

13 Oct: Source: BBC.com – 239 words

Somalia’s government has launched its first postal service in more than two decades. It has also introduced postcodes nationwide for the first time in the country’s history. The postal service fell into disuse when long-serving ruler Siad Barre’s regime collapsed in 1991.

Its reintroduction is the latest sign that some normality is returning to Somalia after more than two decades of clan and religious-based conflict. Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Mohamed Ibrahim said Somalis would now be able to receive letters from abroad.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“While some Somali journalists and media outlets sometimes overstep professional ethics, putting new restrictions on their ability to operate is not the right solution. Instead, President Hassan and the Somali parliament should ensure that new laws support free expression and encourage radio and television stations to promote a diverse, professional, and vibrant public debate.”

Worrying Times for Press Freedom

14 Oct – Source: www.hrw.org – 480 words

The attack on Somali television director Abdirisak Jama – known as “Black” – who was shot and seriously wounded by gunmen outside his home in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on October 12, highlights once again the dangers facing Somali media. As if the killings and shootings weren’t bad enough, Somali journalists are facing new threats – a draft media law that contains several troubling provisions and a spate of arrests.