October 22, 2012 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

First EU ambassador to Somalia presents his credentials

20 Oct- Source: Radio Risaala/Shabelle/Hiiraan Online- 130 words

The new EU Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso, has presented his credentials to the President of Somalia to become the first EU Ambassador to the Republic of Somalia in over 21 years. In doing so, the EU strenghtens its commitment to the people of Somalia and underlines its confidence in this new chapter of governance. During his investiture, Michele Cervone d’Urso assured the Somali leadership that the EU will step up its engagement with the Somali authorities to support their vision for stability, development and reconciliation in the country.

Key Headlines

AMISOM offer to leave Mogadishu stadium (Bar-Kulan/Jowhar Online/BBC)
Curfew imposed on Kismayo and operations conducted in the town (Radio Mustaqbal)
Police detain 60 suspected al Shabaab members in Kismayu (Raxanreeb)
Puntland ‘seizes arms from Yemen’ (Garowe Online)
Somalia’s former premier hands over power to successor (Radio Mogadishu)
A well-known elder shot dead in Somalia’s port city Kismayo (Shabelle)
Saudi Arabia ban charcoal imports from Somalia (Kismayo News)
Military officials in Juba regions appeal to president Mohamud (Bar-Kulan)

SOMALI MEDIA

Curfew imposed on Kismayo and operations conducted in the town

21 Oct- Source: Radio Mustaqbal/Dhanaan Online- 91 words

Reports from Kismayo town, the head quarter of Lower Jubba region in the southern of Somalia said the government troops have imposed s curfew on Kismayo on Sunday night for security reasons. Somalia’s government troops in Kismayo town were also reported to have conducted security operations in villages of the area.

Landmine targets Ethiopian troop convoy in central Somalia

21 Oct- Source: Radio Shabelle- 119 words

A powerful landmine blast on Sunday morning hit an Ethiopian military convoy in Somalia’s central volatile city of Beled Weyne, located 332 Kilometres (206 miles) north of Mogadishu. As residents confirmed, the blast went off as an Ethiopian convoy swas making its way to Hawo Tako for landmine detection early on Sunday. In the aftermath of the blast, the Ethiopian forces reportedly conducted operations in the area.

IGAD has “no right” to set up administration for Somalia’s port town-minister

21 Oct- Source: Radio Risaala- 145 words

The Ministry of Interior and National Security has criticized the process of IGAD setting up an administration for the southern port town of Kismaayo. The state minister Dr. Abdi Ali Hasan, confirmed that the ministry was fully informed about the current issues of the town. According to the radio, the minister said that IGAD was part of the efforts to restore peace in the country and its role was to assist Somalia but not to set up an administration for Kismaayo.

Hiiran regional authority threatens to remove al Shabaab from Hiran province

21 Oct- Source: Radio Mustaqbal- 118 words

Noor Dabashe, the spokesman fo Hiran region authority has said that the administration is clutching plans to remove al Shabaab fighters from Hiran region. The spokesman indicated that the governmental troops in Hiiran province backed by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) will take legal steps against the terrorists in Hiran region.

Police detain 60 suspected al Shabaab members in Kismayu

20 Oct- Source: Raxanreeb- 312 words

Reports from Kismayu indicate that police have detained about sixty suspected al Shabaab members on late Saturday, the biggest mass arrest since the allied forces seized the city on August, according to officials. The massive operations were conducted in all villages in the area.

First EU ambassador to Somalia presents his credentials

20 Oct- Source: Radio Risaala/Shabelle/Hiiraan Online- 130 words

Puntland ‘seizes arms from Yemen’

20 Oct- Source: Garowe Online/BBC Somali Service- 352 words

Security forces in Puntland have seized a depot of arms and bomb material along the country’s northern coastline, another sign that Al Qaeda militants across the water in Yemen are working closely with militants in Somalia. Mr. Abdisamad Mohamed Gallan, the governor of Bari province in Puntland State, told the BBC Somali Service during a Friday morning interview that local communities tipped off Puntland authorities.

Somalia’s former premier hands over power to successor

18 Oct- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Bar-kulan- 106 words

The former prime minister of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government, Abdiweli Muhammad Ali Gaas, has handed over power to his successor, Abdi Farah Shirdon, at a ceremony in Mogadishu. Present at the ceremony were the Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mahmud, and other officials. Mr Gaas said his government had accomplished a lot in the country and that he hoped the new administration would do the same.

Somali police to gear up Mogadishu security

20 Oct- Source: Shabelle- 119 words

General Ahmed Hassan Maalin, the police chief of Benadir region says that police forces are under process to launch fresh operations to beef up the overall security of Mogadishu, a day after 20 people were ounded in a wedding bombing in Hodon district.

AMISOM offer to leave Mogadishu stadium

19 Oct- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/BBC/Hiiraan Online/Jowhar Online- 146 words

The African Union force in Somalia has accepted to vacate its base at the national stadium in Mogadishu in time for a football tournament later this year, following a request from the Somali Football Federation (SFF). The force spokesman Col. Ali Adan Humad said they will hand over the stadium to the relevant authorities to allow them to use it for sporting activities, adding that “the time has come to leave those infrastructures to the youth”.

A well-known elder shot dead in Somalia’s port city Kismayo

19 Oct- Source: Shabelle/Kulmiye/Raisaala- 173 words

Assailants in Somalia’s port city of Kismayo, 500 Km south of Mogadishu, have gunned down a prominent Elder on Thursday night, the latest in series of killings since al Shabaab abandoned the city early this month, reports said. The elder was killed by two unknown men armed with pistols as he was sitting down in front of his house located at the former meat factory in the city after Maqrib prayer, according to witnesses.

Ex-PM Gaas criticizes ‘NGO culture’ in Somalia, encourages peace in Puntland

20 Oct- Source: Garowe Online/ VOA Somali Service- 623 words

The outgoing Prime Minister of Somalia Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas has criticized the ‘NGO culture’ in the country, whilst encouraging continued peace and stability in his home region of Puntland in northern Somalia. During a Saturday interview on VOA Somali Service, ex-Prime Minister Gaas spoke frankly about his one-year term serving as the country’s PM, challenges of political infighting and accusations of corruption, as well as his personal experiences and future plans in politics.

Saudi Arabia ban charcoal imports from Somalia

18 Oct- Source: Kismayo News- 185 words

The Saudi government has officially announced that it has stopped purchasing charcoal exported from southern Somalia ports formerly controlled by al Shabaab as well as others that are still run by the group. Saudi ministries of finance, trade and industry as well as foreign affairs have issued a joint statement in which they said they have stopped the purchase of charcoal from Somalia in line with the United Nations Security Council directive barring Somali charcoal.

Somaliland state Radio Hargeysa launches new transmitters

18 Oct- Source: Midnimo Online/Universal TV/Horn Cable TV- 103 words

The Somaliland government-owned Radio Hargeysa has launched new transmitters in a bid to expand its coverage to “many continents”. “The president of Somaliland presided over the launch of the new transmitters, which will be on the 1000WT (technical details as published) shortwave frequency”, the website added. The president said it was a triumph for Somaliland to have a broadcaster “that can reach the whole world and spread information, as well as allow the government to communicate to its people”. Radio Hargeysa, the first ever broadcaster in Somali, was set up by the British colonialists.

Military officials in Juba regions appeal to president Mohamud

19 Oct- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 153 words

Somali forces in Juba regions have appealed to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to cater for the needs and pay their salaries. Spokesman Col. Warfa Sheikh Adan said the government has not paid forces in both Juba and Gedo regions, adding that the Kenyan government which used to pay their salaries has not done so for the last seven months. He urged the president to consider their plight. His sentiment comes a day after the president attributed the recently witnessed military gains in the country to “payment of remuneration of the armed forces”. The president made the remarks on Wednesday while attending parliament sitting to endorse the new prime minister.

REGIONAL MEDIA

For new Somali PM Shirdon, security and economy top priorities

21 Oct- Source: Africa Review- 690 words

While seeking the endorsement of the Federal Parliament in Mogadishu last Wednesday, new premier Abdi Farah Shirdon vowed to focus on improving security particularly in the troubled southern and central regions of Somalia, with resuscitation of the economy also a top priority.
For many Somalis, violent deaths from terrorism remain freshly etched in their minds, making the prime minister’s guarantee of fixing security welcome.

Kenyan police seeking four Kenyan terror suspects

21 Oct- Source: Standard- 191 words

Police have circulated four pictures of four Kenyans who joined Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militant group and have been linked to a number of terror activities in Nairobi and Mombasa. The four are said to have been to Somalia where they received military training before they returned to Kenya.

Tight security as Kenya marks Mashujaa day

20 Oct- Source: Daily Nation- 193 words

Kenya marks her 49th year of independence on Saturday amid heightened security occasioned by its first major post-colonial war against Islamic militants in neighbouring Somalia. The high security levels is in response to recent grenade attacks that have rocked Nairobi and which have been attributed to al Shabaab militants. The most recent attack led to the death of a nine year old boy who was attending a Sunday school session in an Anglican church.

Somali pirates release UAE-flagged ship after Dh2.2m ransom paid

21 Oct- Source: the National/AP- 97 words

A UAE-flagged ship held by Somali pirates for ransom for almost two years has been released. The pirate chief, Hassan Abdi, told the Associated Press that the MV Orna cargo ship was freed after a US$600,000 (Dh2.2 million) ransom was paid on Friday. But he added that six hostages were still being held on land. Pirates shot dead one of the crew members in August over delayed payments. Abdi said other ships towed the vessel away because it had run out of fuel. The Orna was hijacked 400 nautical miles north-east of the Seychelles in December 2010.

Kenyan president hails Somalia mission

20 Oct- Source: KBC TV- 187 words

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki said that Kenyan troops were deployed to the Somalia in order to “guarantee our nation’s security”. The president was addressing the nation during celebrations on 20 October to mark Heroes Day at the Nyayo Stadium in the capital, Nairobi. President Kibaki reiterated that the Kenyan army will only remain in Somalia until normalcy is restored and declared the government’s readiness to help the Somali government and people during the reconstruction process. He said Kenya’s only interest in Somalia is to “bring peace, stability and eventual prosperity to our neighbours”.

Aid system unable to meet Somalia needs

18 Oct- Source: Aljazeera- 1:56 min

Mark Bowden, outgoing United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, has called for increased international aid to the Horn of Africa nation. With two million people still dependent on food aid, Bowden says the country’s food crisis is not dissipating. Bowden says the international community has “not done enough” to tackle the complex humanitarian challenges the nation faces.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Kenya urges world to help consolidate gains made in Somalia

20 Oct- Source: China.org/ Xinhua- 860 words

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on Saturday called on the international community to help consolidate security gains which have been realized in Somalia to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation. Speaking during the celebrations to mark the Heroes Day in Nairobi, Kibaki also vowed to intensify regional peace initiatives to ensure that peace and stability reigns within the borders.

Somalia: ‘Al-Shabab weapons seized in Puntland’

19 Oct- Source: BBC- 388 words

A large consignment of arms destined for suspected Islamist militants in north-eastern Somalia has been seized, a regional governor has told the BBC. Abdisamad Gallan said a boat said to have come from Yemen delivered sealed sacks full of land mines and artillery. Correspondents say this is one of the biggest seizures of al-Shabab weapons. The discovery was made after a tip-off from residents in Qandala, a coastal town in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, Mr Gallan said.The al-Shabab group says it wants to strengthen its presence in Puntland.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has already outlined his vision for the country. Kenya should take the lead by initiating diplomatic lobbying for greater support to the government.”

Somalia needs support

18 Oct- Source: Daily Nation-186 Words

With the confirmation of Mr Abdi Farah Shirdon as Somalia’s Prime Minister, the country’s government is now complete. The only challenge remaining is for countries in the region to give it support it to make it effective. It was encouraging that all the 215 MPs backed Mr Shirdon who is now expected to pick his Cabinet.

“If intervention is imminent, as seems increasingly likely, what sort of engagement can be expected? One model receiving increasing attention is Somalia, where African Union and Somali security forces have been fighting a vicious campaign against the foreign-led, al-Qaeda-allied al-Shabaab insurgents since 2009. Al-Shabaab has been driven out of Mogadishu, creating the space for politicians to come together to write their own political future. Long considered a basket case, Somalia is now on a trajectory toward economic recovery under a more democratic government.”

Mali can look to the strategy in Somalia

18 Oct- Source: Financial Times/Albany Associates Notebook-801 Words

What to do about Mali? It is a question the international community is starting to ask in earnest, if not yet get to grips with entirely. Few policy makers in Washington or Europe may be able to point out the country on a map, but recent events in the fragile west African state have thrust it high up the international agenda.

“The Draft constitution states the federal government should negotiate with the regional administrations on natural resources. Misuse of power by the executive power in Mogadishu partly caused the civil war and the state collapse.”

The Debate on Somalia’s Energy Future

21 Oct- Source: Raxanreeb-376 Words

The idea that Somalia’s energy resources should not be decided upon by regional administrations but by the federal government is appealing to many people. It is an impracticable and impractical suggestion. The East African Energy Forum thinks otherwise. The forum suggests that all past deals should be subject to renewal and that all regional governments should work with the ‘central government’ as far as the energy policy is concerned . “There is neither time nor room for their “one foot in, one foot out” strategy when it comes to dealing with Mogadishu. You are either in the federation or you are out, full stop,” wrote Abdillahi Mohamud, managing director of East Africa Energy Forum, a self-styled Somali Diaspora group.