October 28, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

President Mohamud addresses speech to SNA in Defense ministry base in Mogadishu

27 Oct – Source: RBC Radio – 130 Words

Somali President Hassan Shiekh Mohamud had paid a tour to Somali ministry of Defense where he had addressed a speech to Somali national army and AMISOM soldiers in the ministry’s base in the capital, Mogadishu.

President addressing the Somali national army and AMISOM troops has praised the recent victories of the joint forces against the Al-qaida linked militants in south and central regions in Somalia.

Hassan Shiekh Mohamud had also pledged humanitarian assistances to the residents of the areas that were recently liberated by the Somali national army backed by AMISOM troops in the country.

On the other hand, the president of Somalia had praised the brotherly support of the United Arab Emirates and Turkey Red crescent agencies.

Key Headlines

President Mohamud addresses speech to SNA in Defense ministry base in Mogadishu ( RBC Radio)
IJA forces claim new Al-shabaab strongholds in Lower Jubba region (Radio Danan)
Somali delegates arrive in Cairo to attend Arab parliament conference (Radio GoobJoog)
More development from clashes at Raaga Ceelle (Radio Dalsan)
Joint Security Update on Operation Indian Ocean in Somalia (Diplomat.SO/Alshahid.net)
Security Forces Start Operations in Hawlwadaag (Radio Dalsan)
Floods in Baladweyne displace hundreds (Radio Danan)
Walaweyn administration fights illegal checkpoints (Radio Danan)
Uhuru holds talks with US General on Somalia progress (The Star)
Somalia extends Al-Shabaab amnesty by 65 days (Anadula Agency)
Al-Shabab terrorists pushed from last Somali stronghold (Voice of America)
Piracy has diminished significantly (Golfnews.com)

SOMALI MEDIA

President Mohamud addresses speech to SNA in Defense ministry base in Mogadishu

27 Oct – Source: RBC Radio – 130 Words

President addressing the Somali national army and AMISOM troops has praised the recent victories of the joint forces against the Al-qaida linked militants in south and central regions in Somalia.

Hassan Shiekh Mohamud had also pledged humanitarian assistances to the residents of the areas that were recently liberated by the Somali national army backed by AMISOM troops in the country.

On the other hand, the president of Somalia had praised the brotherly support of the United Arab Emirates and Turkey Red crescent agencies.

Joint security update on Operation Indian Ocean in Somalia

27 Oct – Source: Diplomat.SO/Alshahid.net – 1, 655 Words

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou, along with senior military officers from the Somali National Army and the African Union Mission in Somalia today briefed the media on the progress of Operation Indian Ocean. Also present were Mohamed Ali Hagaa – State Minister for Defence and Mohamed Ismail Shurie – Deputy Minister for Public Works and Reconstruction.

The Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, General Abdirisak, firstly provided a map brief that clearly indicated the catastrophic loss of territory,that al-Shabaab had suffered between the beginning of Operation Eagle in January 2014 and the continuing military offensive, Operation Indian Ocean, which commenced in September 2014.

General Abdirisak gave the background to the current situation: “The first operation – Operation Eagle – began in March this year and resulted in 10 significant towns being liberated. The second operation, Operation Indian Ocean, has focused on Somalia’s strategic coastal towns. Eight towns, including the al-Shabaab strongholds of Barawe and Adale, have been liberated so far.” He then went on to explain the strategy behind the selection of towns, chosen to disrupt al-Shabaab resupply routes and then to isolate each pocket of resistance for detailed destruction. He noted also that Koday had been recovered only 48 hours earlier and that further towns could be expected to fall imminently.

The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Elmi, then spoke, offering thanks to the soldiers of both the SNA and AMISOM, who he described as ‘African brothers’. He also noted the need for continued efforts to build the capacity of the Somali National Army and the Somali security forces as a whole to meet the demands of the future as Somalia stabilises after years of lawlessness.

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou, then addressed the media: “Just 48 hours ago, Somali forces, with only logistical and surveillance support from AMISOM and our UN partners, liberated the southern port city of Koday, one of the last few natural seaports that was still controlled by al-Shabaab.

This further denies al-Shabaab the convenience of a sea-port to rearm themselves, as well as use it as an entry and exit point for foreign fighters. Other smaller but significant villages like Bula Haji near Koday, have also been liberated in the Lower Juba region…As of now, the only significant towns still under al-Shabaab control are Jamaame, Jilib, Buale and Sakow in Middle Juba Region, Diinsor in Bay region and Bardere in Gedo region. There are also a few other smaller towns like El-Dere in Middle Shabelle.”

Somali delegates arrive in Cairo to attend Arab parliament conference

27 Oct – Source: Radio GoobJoog – 99 Words

A delegates of MPs from Somalia arrived Cairo, the capital city of Egypt to attend a preliminary meeting ahead Arab league conference.

Mohamed Omar Dalha, the vice chairman of Parliamentary foreign committee together with four other members of federal parliament are taking in the summit as Prof. Dalha confirmed to the state owned radio.

The members attending the preliminary meeting are to prepare the agendas of Arab league conference which is held once in three months.
This year’s conference will focus on the problems faced by the Muslim world including Somalia that is recovering from over two decades of civil war.

IJA forces claim new Al-shabaab strongholds in Lower jubba region

27 Oct – Source: Radio Danan – 95 Words

Interim Juba administration forces seized key grounds from Al-shabaab militants in Lower jubba region in the last three military offensives against the insurgents IJA security officials say.

“Our forces took over a number of districts from the group including Cabdala Biroole and Kudhaa localities” according to Col. Salman Ahmed, who spoke to Radio Danan. He said Jubba forces captured Al-shabab members in Kudhaa military operations.

The officer called Lower juba region residents to collaborate with the security authorities in the region, saying IJA troops will approach new Al-shabaab territories in the neighboring regions including Gedo.

More Development from Clashes at Raaga Ceelle

27 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan – 101 Words

Casualty figures increased from clashes that took place at Raaga Ceelle in Middle Shabelle last night. It was confirmed that at least four people died in the clashes.

However, today, two more bodies were recovered from the area where the clashes took place, hence increasing the death toll to 6. Radio Dalsan managed to contact with SNA officials who said all the bodies couldn’t be recovered last night because the place where the clashes took place was dark.

The situation was calm today and SNA started inspections even though there are no reports regarding any suspects whom they have apprehended.

Security forces start operations in Hawlwadaag

27 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan – 73 Words

The Somali security forces including police have started operations in Mogadishu’s Hawlwadaag District tonight. The security forces started inspecting house by house.

Resident of that district contacted Dalsan and told us that many security forces came to their district and started inspections straight away in the better part of the night. There is no more traffic allowed and there are no people in the streets as streets were deserted when the inspections started

Floods in Baladweyne displaces hundreds

27 Oct – Source: Radio Danan – 125 Words

More than 2000 residents displaced in Somalia’s central town of Baladweyne after a river inundated its banks in Hiiraan region, Danan radio reports. The people fled to Ceel Jaalle, Howl-wadaag and Hawo Tako villages in Baladweyne.

The local farmers are concerned that the recent flood may bring about food shortages in the region and urge the government and the aid agencies to provide immediate assistance.

“The number of displaced is raising and they are worried about the river’s floods” said Baladweyne commissioner Omar Aadan. The displaced families express concern over the risks posed by stagnant water in many of the affected villages.

Omar Aadan said children and the elderly are highly exposed to health risks and called aid agencies to deliver food and other humanitarian assistance.

Walaweyn administration fights illegal checkpoints

27 Oct – Source: Radio Danan – 101 Words

The administration of Walaweyn in Lower Shabelle region is finalizing operations against illegal roadblocks set by armed men in the road linking Mogadishu and Baidoa. The administrator of Wanlaweyn locality Abukar Abdullahi Iidey stated that the security forces have thrived to arrest men who set checkpoints between Leego and Buur-hakaba.

Mr. Iidey reiterated that the fight against roadblocks will not stop until the roads are cleaned from the uncountable checkpoints where large amounts of money is taken from public transports. Armed men that set illegal checkpoints normally loot the passenger buses on the roads between Mogadishu and the southern regions

REGIONAL MEDIA

Uhuru holds talks with US General on Somalia progress

27 Oct – Source: The Star – 78 Words

President Uhuru Kenyatta Monday held talks with the Commander of US Africa Command.

General David Rodriguez, who paid him a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi. Gen Rodriguez briefed Uhuru on the partnership between Kenya and the US in the ongoing peace efforts in Somalia.

Uhuru affirmed Kenya’s commitment to the restoration of normalcy and reconstruction of the war-ravaged Horn of Africa nation. Gen Rodriguez emphasized that a stable Somalia is good for both Kenya and the US.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somalia extends Al-Shabaab amnesty by 65 days

Oct 27 – Source: Anadula Agency – 194 Words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud on Monday extended by 65 days a promised amnesty for members of the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab movement who wished to surrender. Speaking at a meeting with a group of army generals and government officials, the Somali president described the move as a “second opportunity” for members of the militant movement who wanted to give up their “terrorist” ways and turn themselves to the government.

He said a military operation launched by the Somali military in cooperation with African troops against Al-Shabaab since March had made huge gains. He said his government had recaptured important areas previously controlled by Al-Shabaab, including the port town of Baraawe in the Lower Shebelle Region in southern Somalia.

Al-Shabab terrorists pushed from last Somali stronghold

27 Oct – Source: Voice of America – Video – 3:13

The terrorist group al-Shabab has been pushed out of its last stronghold in Somalia, the coastal city of Barawe. African forces and Somali soldiers liberated it in their latest military victory. Abdulaziz Billow reports.

Piracy has diminished significantly

27 Oct – Source: Golfnews.com – 487 Words

The threat of piracy off the coast of Somalia has diminished significantly over the last two years but the mission is not yet accomplished, a senior European Union (EU) official leading the counter-piracy operations in the region has warned.

Concerted counter-piracy operations by EU naval forces, Nato as well as independent deployers have helped reduce pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia significantly, with no successful attack witnessed since 2012.

“The threat of piracy is still real and it will remain so as long as the root causes of piracy are addressed ashore, which we are working on right now,” said Alessandro Mariani, head of EU’s Counter-piracy operations, on board ITS Andrea Doria, the flagship of EU’s counter-piracy operation Atalanta.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“I talked to girls from an amazing girls’ club in Somaliland. Formed to provide vocational training and address gender-based violence issues in their community, its members were eloquent and open. They had succeeded in breaking the taboo of talking about FGM – even with the men in their families and communities.”

Breaking the silence: violence against women in Somalia and beyond

27 Oct – Source: Lynnefeatherstone.org – 736 Words

I went in my capacity as Minister for International Development, and UK Ministerial Champion for tackling violence against women and girls abroad.

When you think of Somalia, you probably think of Black Hawk Down, Al Shabaab terrorism and piracy. But if you’re born a girl in Somalia, you face so many other risks, both severe and everyday.

Decades of war and humanitarian crises have given Somalia a reputation as one of the worst places to be woman or a child in the world. Girls and women suffer disproportionately from violence and instability. One in 16 women will die during childbirth, and 1 in 10 will die during her reproductive years. Whilst data is scarce, it is thought that 98% of Somali women have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM).

Last week I became the first DFID minister to spend a night in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. I was there in my capacity as the UK’s ministerial champion for tackling violence against women and girls overseas, as part of a fact-finding and awareness-raising tour to break the silence on an issue that can no longer be taboo.