October 20, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
AU appoints new Somalia envoy to spearhead war on al-Shabab
19 Oct – Source: Press TV – 230 Words
Allied African forces intensify a nationwide campaign against the Somali armed group Al-Shabaab. The Somali Premier says his forces have overpowered what he referred to as the “enemy”.
The new offensive codenamed “ Operation Indian Ocean” is aimed at pushing the armed fighters out of their bases along mainland, Africa’s longest coastline. The operation has seen the group lose its last remaining stronghold of Barawe in the southern part of Somalia. The operation, considered among the most successful ones in recent times has seen more than a dozen major towns liberated from the fighter group.
The African Union has also named Maman Sidikou as its special representative to Somalia. He is charged with leading the 22,000 strong African Union forces under AMISOM. In a meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the new envoy reiterated the African Union’s desire for a stable and peaceful Somalia. Despite loses, the armed group has claimed responsibility for two explosions in Mogadishu. The first explosion targeted a popular café and claimed more than twenty lives. A second explosion at a different location also claimed five more lives.
Authorities however say they have increased security at all check points. To achieve this, the government has named a new spy chief and has offered amnesty to members of the Al-Shabaab who wish to renounce violence and rejoin society. The situation seems to be returning back to normal with businesses getting back on track in the capital city. Mogadishu is witnessing traffic jams on its major roads for the first time in many years.
Key Headlines
- Hundreds of families displaced due to water shortages in Qof-Gaduud local (Radio Goobjoog)
- Dispute starts between Somali embassy in Kampala and the Somali community in Kampala (Radio Dalsan)
- AU appoints new Somalia envoy to spearhead war on al-Shabab (Press TV)
- Attorney General blasts “unofficial judges” sentenced people to death penalties in court (Radio RBC/Mareeg media)
- SCTU Complains from federal government minister (Radio Dalsan)
- Somali cabinet discuss state of security in the country (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Kenya rejects to host Somali refugees who are currently in Denmark (Mareeg Media/
- Radio Dalsan)
- Somaliland authorities detain suspected immigrants (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Towns liberated from al-Shabaab slowly come back to life (Sabahi Online)
- Somalia wants its pirates in Kenya jails sent home (Standard Media)
- Somalian firms come to London to raise profile (Cityam.com)
SOMALI MEDIA
Hundreds of families displaced due to water shortages in Qof-Gaduud
19 Oct – Source: Radio Goobjoog – 172 Words
The administration of Gof-Gaduud in Bay region stated that the acute water shortage in the area has caused many families and pastoral people to flee their houses.
The administrator of the locality Ahmed Adan Mohamed said the displaced families have not received proper support from the aid agencies except a small help from their neighbours. He affirmed that the social services in the area has been poor since the start of the prolonged droughts in the region.
Mr. Ahmed added that they sent appeal to the federal government to supply water to the affected residents but no response has been received so far. Nearly 3000 families in Bay and Gedo regions face acute water shortages, over 10 people died due to thirst and hunger the last few months.
Dispute starts between Somali embassy in Kampala and the Somali community in Kampala
19 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan – 220 Words
Dispute arose between the Somali embassy in Kampala and the Somali Community there amid allegations by the Somali community that the first secretary of the embassy Ali Mohamed needs money for services he renders.
They also accused him of nepotism, the media of that country reported. The Somali youth organization based in Uganda by the name GASYU also pointed the finger at him for allegedly extorting one million Ugandan shillings from elders whom he told that he would use it to facilitate services regarding a case against a Somali woman. The woman in question is called Deeqo Ahmed Ali. However, the youth group says he was never honest about the matter as Ali Mohamed failed to pay cash bail from the money the elders contributed.
Mohamed Khaliif who is the coordinator of the Somali Community in Kampala told The New Vision newspaper from Kampala that Mr. Ali Mohamed failed to deliver his duties. Deeqo Ali was then remanded in Kampala’s Luzira Prison.
On the other hand the director of GASYU, Abdul Mohamed Ali accused the first secretary of the embassy of nepotism and according to him the first secretary threatens the youths of the community. Mr. Abdul Mohamed Ali called for the Somali government to intervene the matter and solve the dispute before it is too late.
AU appoints new Somalia envoy to spearhead war on al-Shabab
19 Oct – Source: Press TV- 230 Words/02:09 Minutes
Allied African forces intensify a nationwide campaign against the Somali armed group Al-Shabaab. The Somali Premier says his forces have overpowered what he referred to as the “enemy”.
The new offensive codenamed “ Operation Indian Ocean” is aimed at pushing the armed fighters out of their bases along mainland, Africa’s longest coastline. The operation has seen the group lose its last remaining stronghold of Barawe in the southern part of Somalia. The operation, considered among the most successful ones in recent times has seen more than a dozen major towns liberated from the fighter group.
The African Union has also named Maman Sidikou as its special representative to Somalia. He is charged with leading the 22,000 strong African Union forces under AMISOM. In a meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the new envoy reiterated the African Union’s desire for a stable and peaceful Somalia. Despite loses, the armed group has claimed responsibility for two explosions in Mogadishu. The first explosion targeted a popular café and claimed more than twenty lives. A second explosion at a different location also claimed five more lives.
Authorities however say they have increased security at all check points. To achieve this, the government has named a new spy chief and has offered amnesty to members of the Al-Shabaab who wish to renounce violence and rejoin society. The situation seems to be returning back to normal with businesses getting back on track in the capital city. Mogadishu is witnessing traffic jams on its major roads for the first time in many years.
Attorney General blasts “unofficial judges” sentenced people to death penalties in court
20 Oct – Source: Radio RBC/Mareeg Media – 437 Words
Somalia’s Attorney General Ahmed Ali Dahir has strongly dismissed allegations from the country’s Chief of Justice Aidid Abdullahi Ilka-Xanaf who on Sunday blamed the Justice Ministry for seeking absolute power to hinder the independence of the judiciary system. “I am surprised that he [Ilka-Xanaf] claims that the ministry if seeking to control over the justice. I want to make sure that the role of the ministry is clear as it has wider responsibility to suggest and execute laws.” the AG said responding to the allegations from Chief of Justice.
Mr Dahir lamented the criticism from the Chief Justice over his appointment and that he was not approved by the Judiciary Service Council. “I want to be appointed and sworn-in as the same way he [the Chief Justice] was appointed.” the AG fought back.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General Ahmed Ali Dahir says that the public did not hear about unofficial judges operating in various degrees of the country’s courts sentenced hundreds of defendants including death sentence. “We have documented that more than 30 judges operating with unofficial documents have executed convictions including death penalties, long term imprisonment and even took citizens from their properties.” the AG said.
He vowed that he will spare no efforts and time to clean up the corrupt and unofficial judges in the country’s courts starting from the capital, Mogadishu to the regional and district level courts. “This is disaster and we can not stay silent.” he added. “A judge can become an official judge only after the president appoints and signs to his appointment with the knowledge of the Judiciary Council.”
CHIEF JUSTICE OPPOSES JUSTICE REFORM
In a press conference in Mogadishu on Sunday, The country’s Chief of Justice Avv. Aidid Abdullahi Ilka-Xanaf has opposed a recently launched Justice Reform Initiative by the Ministry of Justice in its latest effort to modernize the justice sector amid growing concerns of corruption and lack of competence.
He claims the initiative was brought by the Ministry of Justice aiming to undermine the independence of the justice sector. “Somalia has a government with its own constitution, we can never accept to see the system of governance managed ad directed as NGOs [Non-Governmental Organizations] style” Mr Ilka-Xanaf said.
Mr Ilka-Xanaf who spoke angrily also expressed his own suspicion the attempts by the Minister of Justice to seek absolute power over the country’s judiciary through organizing meetings and drafting new bills to the parliament.
He further criticized the appointment of the new Attorney General Mr Ahmed Ali Dahir, who has been given the post through Presidential Decree three months ago after firing the former Attorney General.
SCTU complains about federal government minister
20 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan – 278 Words
The Chairman of Somali Congress of Trade Unions (SCTU) Mr. Mohamed Osman Hagi told Dalsan Radio that he is worried about the working relationship between the congress and the ministry of works of the federal government of Somalia especially minister, Eng. Luqmaan Mohamed Ismail.
Mr. Hagi said the minister is reluctant to listen to the problems of workers who are in hard times. He added that the minister didn’t help solve the dispute between the workers of the sea port of Mogadishu and the Turkish firm that manages it. Mohamed Osman Hagi also told Dalsan Radio that the minister does not inform and advise the congress to participate in the international conferences about labour. He gave the example of the recent International Workers Conference in Geneva to which they were not invited. He also gave the example of the recent Arab Workers Conference that was held in Cairo, Egypt which he says he was also not invited to.
However, there are no independent reports confirming these allegations. In September of this year, thousands of demonstrators from dock workers of Mogadishu port staged a protest in the capital Mogadishu following an announcement by the Turkish agency that mans the sea port that it was intending to reduce the pay of the labourers. The Company was authorized to manage the operations of the sea port by the Somali government.
Somali cabinet discuss state of security in the country
19 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 144 Words
The cabinet of the federal government of Somalia has discussed how to improve the security of the capital Mogadishu and areas captured from Al Shabaab militant group. The meeting which was presided over by acting PM and national security minister Khalif Ahmed Ereg was attended by security chiefs from all sectors Somali security agency and representatives from African Union AMISOM troops.
Somali police Commissioner Gen. Mohamed Hassan Ismail who briefed the media after the meeting has said the main agenda was to strengthen cooperation between AMISOM and Somali security forces in order to avert terror threats in the capital.
He said more focus will be directed towards the areas liberated from Al Shabaab militant group in an effort to reduce threat. He added that more national intelligence officers and police officers will be deployed to the areas liberated from the group to strengthen security.
Kenya rejects to host Somali refugees who are currently in Denmark
20 Oct – Source: Mareeg Media/Radio Dalsan/Bar-kulan – 238 Words
Kenya rejected a request from Denmark to prepare more refugee camps in its soil so as to host Somali refugees who are currently living in Denmark. The request was initiated by the Danish opposition parties who don’t want those refugees in their country.
Kenya was irritated by the call. The media in Denmark reported that three Danish opposition parties namely Danish People’s Party, Liberal Alliance and Venstre want the government to make some refugee camps for the Somali refugees outside Denmark. The ruling party i.e. Social Democratic Party however opposed the call by the opposition parties who want three African countries including Kenya to host those refugees.
In Denmark, this year alone 20,000 more people applied for asylum. The EU’s statistics agency, Eurostat however says Denmark is the best country in Europe where refugees and asylum seekers can get resettlement easily. However, last year the government of Denmark thought about returning Somali refugees back to Mogadishu citing that security improved in Mogadishu. That is according to media report published on The Copenhagen Post.
On the other hand, the spokesperson of the Kenyan Foreign Affairs Ministry Mwenda Njoka pointed out that the call is discrimination against Somalis. He added that the number of Somali refugees currently in Kenya is far more than the number of Somali refugees in Denmark`. Mr. Njoka said Kenya is hosting 600,000 Somali refugees while Denmark only hosts 16,000 Somali refugees.
Somaliland authorities detain suspected immigrants
20 Oct – Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 89 Words
The authorities of the self declared state of Somaliland have said they have arrested dozens of immigrants set for the journey along the Indian Ocean.
Immigration officer Ahmed Ismail has told the media that the operation conducted after tip-off from the members of the public in Awdal province.
He said those arrested will be handed over to their respective parents and will be under strict supervision. Hundreds of Somalis, Ethiopians and Eritreans lost their lives while trying to reach Europe via India ocean through Yemen and Libyan coast.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Towns liberated from al-Shabaab slowly come back to life
19 Oct – Source: Sabahi Online – 592 Words
Traditional elders from the Hiran and Lower Shabelle towns of Bulo Marer and Jalalaqsi, which were liberated by allied forces in recent weeks, say life is slowly coming back to normal.
Farah Abdi Ware, a prominent elder from Hiran region, said elders have started regular meetings to discuss how to help the hundreds of civilians who fled from al-Shabaab’s harsh rule, many of whom are displaced in remote areas of the region, return home safely.
“Most of the residents of Jalalaqsi fled due to the mistreatment of al-Shabaab. Everyone is aware of the hardships al-Shabaab inflicted on the population, whether it is socially, culturally, religiously or economically,” he said. “Now, since the city has been freed from al-Shabaab, as the traditional elders, and with the help of various sectors of the public, we decided to work on how to bring back the civilians who fled.”
Somalia wants its pirates in Kenya jails sent home
20 Oct – Source: Standard Media – 348 Words
The Somalia government now says it hopes Kenya will allow the transfer 122 convicted Somali pirates from Kenyan jails back to Somalia suggesting there are negotiations to this effect between the two states. Most of the pirates are held at Mombasa’s Shimo la Tewa prison and are deemed dangerous.
Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya, Mohammed Ali Nur quoted by Radio Ergo in a special interview Monday said that if an agreement is reached, over 122 convicted Somalis serving prison terms at the Shimo la Tewa Maximum Security Prison, Mombasa for piracy related offences would be repatriated to Somalia to serve out the remainder of their sentences in Somali prisons.
Some of the pirate prisoners are serving jail terms of between 5 and 20 years, the ambassador said. They are complaining of bad living conditions in the Kenyan prisons and have requested to be transferred back to Somalia, according to the radio report. “I visited them at the Shimo La Tewa Prison recently.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalian firms come to London to raise profile
20 Oct – Source: Cityam.com – 166 Words
OIL AND gas exploration firms from Somalia will be trying to generate further interest in the region at the second Somalia Oil & Gas Summit, which starts in London today. Robert Sheppard, chief executive of the event’s lead sponsor Soma Oil & Gas, told City A.M.: “This is a great opportunity to highlight that the oil and gas sector is now an active part of Somalia’s future.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“New presidents need time to learn the office, time to foster relationships, & time to lobby for the country’s future. For Somalia, president’s first 30 days is often spent seeking a prime-minister that is in-sync with the president’s vision & mission for the country. First half of the first year is often spent with such logistical set ups. And most of the last year in office is often spent in campaigning for reelection.”
Presidency in Somalia
19 Oct – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1, 303 Words
Since 1960 independence, Somalia has had 8 internationally recognized presidents; President Aden Adde, President Abdirashid, President Siyad Barre, President Ali Mahdi, President Abdiqasim, President Abdullahi Yusuf, President Sheikh Sharif & the current President Hassan Sheikh.
All, except President Siyad Barre, have served Somalia only in 1 term presidency. President Siyad Barre has served as Somalia’s president for 21 years and he remains as the most productive president in Somalia’s history. This 1 term cycle is the focus of this paper. It is not a coincidence that the only Somali president to have served more than 10 consecutive years is the most productive president in Somalia’s history.
“Creating hope in Somali societies will encourage communities to implement change and soft power that develops cooperation strategies between public and private stakeholders as alternatives to a military or coercive approach. Emphasising the role of local cultures and policies is crucial in promoting national security and boosting the economic sector.”
Soft diplomacy and PPP key to Somalia’s recovery and combatting al Shabaab say experts
20 Oct – Source: Albawaba Business – 583 Words
Piracy, terrorism and criminal activities originating in Somalia can only be addressed by creating a climate of security, engagement and empowerment that will encourage home grown businesses, international investment and alternative employment for Somalia’s young people.
That’s one of the key conclusions of the second high level meeting of public and private sector experts on Somalia brought together by DP World and knowledge partner the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA) in Dubai under the theme ‘Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Opportunities, Communities’ Engagement and Soft Diplomacy’. The expert panel was the second in a series that form part of DP World’s ongoing counter piracy efforts and Somalia capacity building.
Somalia has often been termed as a “failed state”. But the failure of Somalia’s statehood is beyond the ordinary Somali.
Somalia: victim of foreign aid and conspiracy
19 Oct – Daily Nation – 437 Words
Foreign aid is a subject that has been written on by numerous authors. Giles Bolton called it a “dirty business.” Dambisa Moyo pronounced it “dead” and Alex de-Waal called the entire humanitarian aid world as a “disaster industry” involved in “famine crimes”.
But how has aid been used to put down Somalia since the early 1990s? A new book by Nation columnist and the author of Mogadishu: Then and Now, Rasna Warah, indicts foreign aid further, terming it a “war crime”. It is an analysis of how the international NGOs “manufacture” a cycle of famine so the international community can donate money.
But then this money rarely reaches those in need. For example, since most humanitarian organisations “serving Somalia” have headquarters in Nairobi, much of the funds they receive through donations are used for “administrative operations” salaries and allowances.
Top tweets
@AhmedKusow Penniless, starving and at the mercy of marauding armed gangs: Appalling fate of #Yemen and#Somalia‘s khat addicts.http://www.dailymail.
@MOALIMUU Kenyan fighter jets attacked #Alshabab base in Kudhaa near the border btw #Somalia and #Kenya on Sunday.Residents confirm.
@omabha AU appoints new Somalia envoy to spearhead war on al-Shabab – Press TV http://dlvr.it/7G3CnK #Somalia
@omabha AU to probe sex abuse by AMISOM troops in Somalia – New Vision http://dlvr.it/7G4P3j #Somalia
@DrumChronicles Naval ships bombed Al Shabaab controlled#Kuda Island, 180Km from #Kismayo #Somalia.
@mohamedbashle BREAKING Somalia Oil&Gas Summit opens in #UK.Oil&gas exploration firms trying 2 generate further interest in #Somalia
@lasoco Somali Parliament discuss 2016 general electionshttp://j.mp/11VMe6S #Somalia
Image of the day
The newly appointed #AMISOM SRCC, Ambassador Maman Sambo Sidikou, meets Somalia’s President, H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Photo Credit: AMISOM