NATIONAL MEDIA
14 October – Source: Hiiraan Online – 682 Words
Two years ago, on this day, a truck loaded with explosives drove into Mogadishu supposedly on its way to the UN compound but went burst in Zoobe Junction leaving in its wake over 500 people dead and over 300 others injured. The truck, which staggered through the 3 pm traffic, blew up sending the whole area into flames as hundreds were burnt alive trapped in vehicles while several others perished inside shops and roadside kiosks as Zoobe Junction turned into an apocalyptic scene. Balls of fire filled the air as emergency rescue teams struggled to make way into the area amid thick choking smoke and body parts strewn across the whole Zoobe area. Safari Restaurant, which was a favourite for many, on that fateful afternoon was razed to the ground as those who could manage to run for their lives did but others, including those in hotel rooms, perished.
RESPONSE
International and local response was quick. Countries such as Turkey, Qatar, Kenya and Djibouti flew in air ambulances to transport the injured to their respective countries as local hospitals were overwhelmed treating hundreds of injured. Families too were in agony as relatives walked from hospital to hospital looking for their loved ones as others picked bodies of their kin for burial. Grave diggers in the outskirts of Mogadishu were overwhelmed as families cued whole day to secure a place to inter their loved ones. As the country gripped in fear and pain, local and international security agencies were also working round the clock piecing together evidence of what became the deadliest terrorist attack in Africa. Police said one minivan which was to lead the way as the attackers made way to the UN compound went burst before entering the city as occupants of a third vehicle were arrested. The security forces managed to detonate the bomb successfully.
PAIN AND DEFIANCE
Days following the attack were difficult and painful. Virtually everybody in Mogadishu knew someone or was relative to someone who was affected. The sense of despair was real as families narrated to journalists the pain and agony. A student who was going to get her gown for graduation after six years in medical school perished, a disabled man who used to hawk on the roadside lost two of his children who had just come to relieve for the afternoon.
A man, who had come back to Mogadishu after 25 years the day before, was trapped in a hotel room at Safari hotel. Women, men, sons and daughters painfully spoke of how they lost their loved ones. There was despair, anger and pain. That pain was suddenly turned into defiance and bravery. Youth in red bands on their heads took to the streets in Mogadishu to publicly condemn Al-Shabaab- the first such public disapproval. Young men and women volunteered to sign up for the 14 October Brigade of the Somali National Army. Women spoke out and besieged their sons against Al-Shabaab. It was a point of no return. Video footage from the scene showed the ill-fated truck staggering on the road divider at Zoobe Junction before bursting into flames. Buildings as far as five kilometres had windows shattered and walls cracked……
14 October – Source: Somali Affairs – 143 Words
Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire laid the foundation stone for the National Emergency Management Centre to meet the immediate needs of the Somali people and to prevent disasters. The National Emergency Management Centre was formed after advice from Somali citizens who worked in emergency relief for the victims of the 14 October 2017 bombing. The prime minister directed the staff operating the centre to be quick to meet the people’s need The Prime Minister appreciated the Somali citizens who came forward with the idea of building the centre and everyone involved, saying that the government’s leadership was committed to listening to the public and taking their advice to provide services to the Somali people. The National Centre for Emergency Management will be part of the government’s plan to implement all the basic services to improve the health and lives of the Somalia people.
14 October – Source: Halbeeg – 232 Words
The government of Kenya has discussed with the US over the East Africa nation’s bid to withdraw from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). During a meeting between the visiting US members of the House of Representatives and the Senate with their Kenyan counterparts led by Senate Deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki, the sides discussed over support Kenya’s bid to withdraw AMISOM. The US senators will only support the move if President Donald Trump’s administration establishes that Kenya’s pulling out would not lead to the re-emergence of al-Shabaab. Led by US representative for North Carolina’s David Eugene Price, the American lawmakers heard that Kenya was ready to pull out their troops to allow the Somali government to manage its security affairs. “We have told them that as a country, the end game, is for Somalia to be able to manage the affairs of their own country,” Prof Kindiki. “We will have told them (US congress) that the position of our country is to ensure the Federal government of Somalia is empowered and capacitated to adequately to run their government,” he added. Kenya is the fifth and last country to contribute Police to AU Mission in Somalia. The first batch comprising of 21 Individual Police Officers (IPO) arrived in December 2013. Six of the recently deployed IPOs are currently serving at the Mission Headquarters and 21 more stationed in the various AMISOM sectors.
14 October – Source: Somaliland Standard – 178 Words
Energy & Mineral Minister from Somaliland, Mr. Jama Mohamud Egal, is on working visit to Uganda. The Minister is accompanied by the departmental Director of Minerals, Omar Yusuf Omar. The objective behind the visit to Uganda is to inspect mining excavation which is underway in certain provinces in Uganda. The Somaliland delegation, headed by the Energy and Mineral Minister, also held talks with Minister of State for Minerals, Mr. Lokeris Peter, at the Ministry of Mining in Uganda. The two ministers discussed ways to establish joint cooperation on the best way to benefit from minerals and its explorations. Uganda Minister, Mr. Lokeris Peter was accompanied by Mr. Welfred, a parliamentarian elected from Kisoro constituency which is rich in Tungsten and where mineral excavation is underway. Somaliland delegation left for Kisoro which lies 470 km south-west of Kampala, the Ugandan capital, and inspected NYAMULIRO Wolfram Mine whereby mining was going on there since the 1950s. The delegation was also accompanied by Mr. Steven Smith Mr. John Wambi from KI Minerals Ltd which is carrying out mining excavation in the area.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
14 October – Source: Yeni Safak – 228 Words
A deputy governor in Somalia and his son was killed in a grenade attack that targeted his house in the administrative capital of the southern Hirshabele state, officials said. “Mohamed Sugal, deputy governor of Middle Shabelle region and his son have been killed in a grenade blast that targeted his house in Jowar Town,” Mohamed Abdi, a senior security official in the region, told media. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, Bashiir Roble, a police officer, told Anadolu Agency over the phone…..
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“I am very happy for this opportunity and I hope my colleagues in the camp who didn’t get the opportunity this time will try next time and benefit from it,” Salad said. He came to Dadaab in 2004 and works for ICRC at a salary of 9,000 Kenya shillings ($90), trying to support a family of three.”
14 October – Souce: Radio Ergo – 424 Words
Somali and other refugees from various nationalities, as well as members of the hosting communities around the refugee camps in Kenya, are able to upgrade their education and career opportunities through a programme run by a former Somali refugee now living in Britain. Abdi Adan Khalif, the founder of HELP Dadaab, a charity he registered in Britain after resettling there from Dadaab refugee camp, has raised around $16,000 to fund distance learning degrees and diploma courses for 146 people enrolled with an online college based in the UK.
Those enrolled this year include 96 from Dadaab, Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps, and 50 from the surrounding communities. Abdi forged a partnership with Cambridge International College, a company based in Jersey, which offers a variety of practically oriented online courses. HELP Dadaab funds the applicants, who are selected through testing and assessment, with a focus on people wishing to develop their careers. “When I arrived in this country, I did not rest knowing the importance of education and the situation of the young people in the camp I came from,” Abdi said. Courses are designed to teach new skills and knowledge and to give confidence to students as they try to break out from a cycle of poverty and dependence. Abdi visits Dadaab and other camps to deliver the study materials to the students.
Salad Bule Hussein, 27, a refugee in Dadaab camp, won a scholarship this year. He told Radio Ergo that he started a distance learning degree in Logistics on 1 September. He completed his secondary education in 2009 abut had been unable to afford further studies. “I am very happy for this opportunity and I hope my colleagues in the camp who didn’t get the opportunity this time will try next time and benefit from it,” Salad said. He came to Dadaab in 2004 and works for ICRC at a salary of 9,000 Kenya shillings ($90), trying to support a family of three.
Isack Roble Umar, 46, who is from Fafi in Kenya’s Garissa County, completed his secondary education in 1993. He was one of the first local Kenyan teachers to come to work in a school in the refugee camps. He is now enrolled for undergraduate studies. “This is a great opportunity and I am happy that I have been accepted,” Isack told Radio Ergo. Isack, known as Maalin Roble, couldn’t afford to pay for his education on his small salary.
Since HELP Dadaab began the scholarship programme in 2017, 330 students including 25 females have completed online courses. |
