October 9, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Eritrea calls for lifting of sanctions, rejects UN accusations
09 Oct – Source: Reuters – 153 words
Eritrea has asked the U.N. Security Council to lift sanctions against it after a recent U.N. experts’ report showed that the tiny east African state had cut its support for the al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab militant group in Somalia. But in a letter released on Monday, Eritrea also slammed the report – which probes violations of arms embargoes on Eritrea and Somalia – for “falsely accusing the government of Eritrea for violations that are not substantiated with solid evidence.”
The Security Council imposed an embargo on Eritrea in 2009 over concerns its government was funding and arming al Shabaab – charges Asmara denied. The U.N. experts’ report released in July said that support has evaporated.
Eritrea responded in the letter to the 15-member council, dated Sept. 27, saying sanctions should be removed as “the initial and principal accusation concerning Eritrean support to al Shabaab has now proven to be non-existent.”
Key Headlines
- Government forces vow not to spare single region under al Shabaab (Radio Risaala)
- AMISOM denies al Shabaab claims (Shabelle/Mareeg Online)
- Islamic body commits to provide Water in Somalia (Daily Monitor)
- EU to step up its AMISOM funding (Radio Risaala)
- Eritrea calls for lifting of sanctions rejects UN accusations (Reuters)
- UN Envoy Mahiga’s interview on latest political developments in Somalia (VOA News)
SOMALI MEDIA
Government forces vow not to spare single region under al Shabaab
09 Oct – Source: Radio Risaala – 106 words
As government and AMISOM forces continue to battle al Shabaab in some parts of the country, Somali government forces issue a strong warning to al Shabaab. Ibrahim Yarow, one of the Somali government officers who spoke to Risaala radio in Mogadishu said the war against al Shabaab will continue.
He said the will root out al Shabaab from every district in the country. He added that all the areas captured by the government and AMISOM forces in Lower Shebelle region is calm and peaceful. The government and AMISOM forces are expanding on the newly liberated area from al Shabaab in Lower Shebelle.
AMISOM denies al Shabaab claims
09 Oct – Source: Shabelle/Mareeg Online – 140 words
Col. Ali Aden Houmed, Spokesman for African Union peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) refuted on Tuesday claims that an attack by al Shabaab insurgents on the troops’ convoy outside Mogadishu has burnt battle-wagons.
Speaking to Shabelle Media Network, Col. Houmed, said the claims were false and fabricated, adding that no armoured vehicle was destroyed in an explosion that took place Monday night between Arbiska and Lafole vicinities on the outskirts of Mogadishu.
“There was blast targeted on convoy carrying our forces as they were heading to the recently secured district of Wanlaweyn on Baidoa corridor, just 90 Km away from Mogadishu on Monday night, wounding soldiers who have been admitted in AMISOM hospital,” he added. Meanwhile, AMISOM spokesman stated that the forces have carried out security operations in the town of Wanlaweyn, and captured dozens of suspected al Shabab members.
Secretary General of OIC arrives in Mogadishu
08 Oct – Source: Mareeg Online – 128 words
Organization of Islamic Cooperation Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu met with Somalia leaders Monday after the inauguration of the prime minister. Ihsanoglu met Monday with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and newly appointed Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid.
Mohamud was elected in September along with parliament speaker. Prior to last month, there hasn’t been a formal central government in Mogadishu since the early 1990s.
The OIC, in a statement, said Ihsanoglu’s visit, the first for an OIC secretary-general, “conveys a message of support for the new Somali leadership and for stability and peace in this country torn by more than two decades of civil war.” Augustine Mahiga, U.N. special envoy for Somalia, had said in a briefing from Nairobi that Somalia was moving “from transition to transformation.”
Puntland Rebukes Claims, Says Anti-Piracy Force Making Progress
08 Oct – Source: Garowe Online – 129 words
Puntland Government strongly rejects misleading and misinformed suggestions published on Oct. 4, 2012, article in the New York Times, written by Mark Mazzetti and Eric Schmitt and entitled “Private Army Formed to Fight Somali Pirates Leaves Troubled Legacy.”
This misleading article and its title paint a depressing mis characterization of the true situation in Puntland State of Somalia. The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), which is the article’s centerpiece, is portrayed as a “private army” that was “abandoned” by its donors.
Far from a “private army”, the PMPF is part and parcel of Puntland Government’s security forces. The PMPF was initiated in 2010 with the continued generous support of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to fight piracy and illegal fishing crimes and protect marine sources along the Puntland coastline.
EU to step up its AMISOM funding
09 Oct – Source: Radio Risaala – 104 words
The European Union has pledged to increase funding to the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton praised the new developments in Somalia including the recent elections where Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud was democratically elected the president.
The Union has pledged to increase the current package by about 82 million euros, which it said will be enough to cover the salaries, medical and other welfare services for the AU peacekeepers. On the other hand, Catherine Ashton urged the AU peacekeepers to press on with their efforts in trying stabilize and restore hope to Somalia.
Gunmen kill elder in IFO Refugee Camp, northeast Kenya
09 Oct – Source: Shabelle – 116 words
Armed men have shot dead a prominent peace campaigner and elder inside IFO Refugee Camp at Dadaab, the world’s largest refugee complex in northeast Kenya, the latest in series of killings in refugee camps in Kenya, reports said.
Witnesses told Shabelle Media Network that unknown assailants armed with pistols shot Ali Diiriye Mohamud in the head and chest that led him to die on the spot.
“The late elder was killed last night at about 8:30 P.M. local time in his makeshift shelter inside IFO camp and the killers have managed to escape before Kenyan police arrive at the scene,” a refugee at IFO camp, told Shabelle Media Network by phone.
Puntland Politicians Congratulate New Somali PM
08 Oct – Source: Radio Dalsan – 112 words
Puntland politicians welcomed the nomination the new prime minister and send congratulation to him as they expected to handle the huge task ahead of him. While giving an interview to Dalsan Radio, the former Minister of Women and family Affairs of Puntland Aisha Dirie Guled congratulated newly-appointed prime minister Dr Abdi Farah Garad Shirdon.
Aisha said that she had personally known the prime minister and indicated that he is an effective person who can be able to restore peace if he gets collaboration. On the other hand, Aisha urged the prime minter to form a capable cabinet which has the knowledge to develop the country.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Islamic body commits to provide Water in Somalia
09 Oct – Source: Daily Monitor – 311 words
A delegation from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation arrived on Monday in the Somali capital Mogadishu, to access how they can contribute to the rehabilite Somalia’s dilapidated social service infrastructure. Professor Ekmeledin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of OIC, who led the mission, briefed the media at Villa Somalia, the State House, after meeting with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Caretaker Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali.
“We are pleased by the political transformation taking place in Somalia,” said Prof. Ihsanoglu. He added that OIC trusted the new leadership spearheaded by President Mohamoud. “We see as a fruitful move the nomination of new Prime Minister (Mr. Abdi Farah Shirdon appointed on Saturday),” Prof. Ihsanoglu said.
The OIC Secretary General indicated that the organisation was going to offer Somalia assistance in the sphere of water development and the rehabilitation of the dilapidated infrastructure. “We are determined to help with diverse improvement schemes,” he said, without naming specific interventions.
Rebounding Somalia to turn around businesses
09 Oct – Source: Standard – 674 words
The dismantling of al Shabaab from the Somali port of Kismayo is expected to restore calm and security in the Indian Ocean waters, allowing for the safe passage of ships to the port of Mombasa and the east Coast of Africa. Apart from cutting off the piracy, the entry of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) into Kismayo has also dealt a fatal blow to money laundering gangs, contrabands and terrorist groups operating from this Somalia coastline.
It is not only the flow of dirty cash from pirates that has been curtailed. A stable Somalia offers another frontier for Kenyan business to thrive beyond the borders. “We expect a reduction in the price of imported goods coming through the Indian Ocean as shipping companies remove the high premiums they have been charging because of the risks posed by pirates,” said Kariithi Murimi, a risk consultant.
A return to normalcy in Kismayo where authorities are able to tax goods coming through, will have the effect of curbing the entry of counterfeits into both Somalia and the Kenyan markets.
African leaders seek to keep Somalia safe
08 Oct – Source: NTV – 01:39 min
The African Union has expressed its commitment towards building a secure and peaceful Africa during the opening of the first ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa. The sentiments were echoed by the Pan African Parliament president Nnaemeka Aamadi, who called on member states to support Somalia financially and through their military forces to achieve stability.
We will forever be grateful, says Somalia President
09 Oct – Source: Standard – 402 words
The people of Somalia will forever be grateful to Kenya for helping them liberate Kismayo and other towns in the south of the war-torn country. This is the passionate message to Kenyans from Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
“The Somalia government is truly grateful to Kenya for the contribution it has made to peace and stability in Somalia since 1991 up to recently when the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) contingent and our national army liberated Kismayo,” the Somalia president says.
Speaking to The Standard On Sunday through his government’s Ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Ali Nur, President Mohamud said Somalia had reached “the lowest of the lowest,” but was confident that with Kenya’s and the international community’s support, the country is on track to recovery.
Somalia Is a ‘Good News Story’ of Africa
08 Oct – Source: Tanzania Daily News – 1251 words
It was not a coincident that the political stability in Africa was on the top of the agenda in the UN General Assembly where there was significant discussion and debate on issues related to the situation in Mali and the Sahel, Somalia, Sudan, and the Eastern Congo. Last week was an extraordinarily busy week at the UN on African-related issues. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hosted no less than four regional conferences on Africa – on Sahel, Somalia, Sudan, and the Eastern Congo. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton participated in two of those sessions, one that was dealing with Sahel and Mali and a second one dealing with Somalia.
The US Government was represented at senior levels in the Sudan discussions and in the Eastern Congo, DRC, Rwanda discussions. In addition, the Secretary of State met in a trilateral meeting with President Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and also participating was President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
In this article we will deal with the second major issues under focus which was Somalia and DRC. Secretary Clinton also participated in this meeting. In his remarks ambassador Carson said that Somalia was a good news story for the region, for the international community, but most especially for the people of Somalia itself.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Eritrea calls for lifting of sanctions, rejects UN accusations
09 Oct – Source: Reuters – 153 words
Eritrea has asked the U.N. Security Council to lift sanctions against it after a recent U.N. experts’ report showed that the tiny east African state had cut its support for the al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab militant group in Somalia.
But in a letter released on Monday, Eritrea also slammed the report – which probes violations of arms embargoes on Eritrea and Somalia – for “falsely accusing the government of Eritrea for violations that are not substantiated with solid evidence.”
The Security Council imposed an embargo on Eritrea in 2009 over concerns its government was funding and arming al Shabaab – charges Asmara denied. The U.N. experts’ report released in July said that support has evaporated. Eritrea responded in the letter to the 15-member council, dated Sept. 27, saying sanctions should be removed as “the initial and principal accusation concerning Eritrean support to al Shabaab has now proven to be non-existent.”
Assessing Turkey’s Role in Somalia
08 Oct – Source: Indepth Africa/ICG – 555 words
As a new Somali government is established, Turkey’s engagement in the war-ravaged country must be thoughtful and carefully coordinated so as not to lead to yet another failed international intervention. Assessing Turkey’s Role in Somalia, the latest briefing from the International Crisis Group, examines Turkey’s role in helping stabilise Somalia and its new government.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan’s courageous visit to Mogadishu in August 2011 at the height of the famine and his decision to open an embassy gave fresh impetus to efforts to establish lasting peace in the country. But Turkey should tread with caution.
Over twenty years, many states and entities have tried to bring relief and secure peace in Somalia, often leaving behind a situation messier than that which they found. Ankara must understand that it cannot solve the country’s many challenges alone.
UN Envoy Mahiga’s interview on latest political developments in Somalia
06 Oct – Source: VOA News – 30:00 min
Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, UN Special Representative for Somalia, speaks with host Carol Castiel in New York City on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly one day after a special high-level meeting on the future of Somalia.
Given the recent election of a new president and parliament and progress made in routing the al Qaeda-linked militant group al Shabaab, Ambassador Mahiga says he is cautiously optimistic about a brighter and more secure future for the war-torn Horn of Africa nation.
Taiwanese fishing boats reeling in tuna bounty from Somalian waters
09 Oct – Source: asahi News -761 words
Taiwanese fishing boats are flooding Japanese markets with huge catches of bigeye tuna, taken from the pirate-infested waters off the coast of Somalia, which are sending retail prices plunging.
The Taiwanese boats can navigate the coastal waters, where pirates have disrupted shipping lanes, in relative peace of mind after hiring armed guards with automatic weapons.
Japanese fishing boats are at a competitive disadvantage because domestic legal provisions prohibit them from employing the same kind of protection. As a result, the falling prices for tuna are just another blow to these Japanese skippers who are suffering from small catches in other waters.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Today Somalia is, at a critical juncture in terms of achieving recognition for women. Accepting the women’s quota and taking action to increase future participation in government to an even greater extent is a crucial plank in achieving equality for women in the political arena and in other influential leadership positions.”
Somalia: let’s talk about Women
08 Oct – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1804 Words
Every culture encompasses a broad spectrum of norms, myths and perceptions that people adopt as individuals living within a local region. These practices, stories and points of view are later accepted as social expectation, or social fact within the larger society.
These constructions of social and cultural expression vary from one culture to another. In this context, Somali society for example, is structured on clan-based social organs, with male clan leaders wielding greater traditional authority than that of the national government. As a consequence, men have gained almost unlimited control over socio-economic, political and cultural powers within the Somalia State of Affairs, and rendering Somali women at a significant disadvantage.
Many Somali men still consider themselves as the head of the family, with the concurrent belief that members of the family, including spouses are nothing but possessions. And although Somali women tend to have an education and more independence than women in other parts of the Muslim world and gender rights have yet to materialize in Somali society.
Within this complicated paradox, Somali women do continue to contribute socially, politically and economically to their communities, regions and the country at large. Most of these efforts, however, are done in silence and behind closed doors due to the historically imposed cultural limitations. Their contributions have not yet enhanced the status of women, nor earned them respect in the Somali society. Women are still expected to look after family members while men decide the future of social-economic and political development of the country without women’s input or consensus.
“Brushing all those pedestrian commentaries about and character assassination against the PM aside, I will strictly limit my impressions to the abovementioned interview and organize my assessments in nine interrelated broad areas, some relating to his communication skills, and others addressing his political and national philosophy.”
First Impressions about the New Prime Minister, Saacid
09 Oct – Source: Wardheer News – 2013 Words
On October 6, 2012, WardheerNews posted an in-depth interview that Somali Channel’s Shukri Farah conducted with the New Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, Saacid. The interview, a friendly interview, was apparently conducted somewhere in Kenya well before Saacid became Prime Minister. It is a significant material to peak into what type of a person the PM is.
Before I share my immediate and personal impressions about his skills and how he comes across in this in-depth interview, let me openly express that my candidate for whom I campaigned lost both the presidency and the premiership. Having that out in the open as a disclosure affords me an opportunity to objectively assess my first impressions about the new PM.
Another caveat is that my impressions are as a result of watching said interview lest I have no personal knowledge of the PM except that he was a college classmate with one of my family members. I have gotten so many calls from certain circles who wanted to paint the PM in a different light than what an objective assessment may suggest.
“It is useless to try to compare the AMISOM and ISAF costs, but perhaps a better way to put it is that the Afghanistan war costs the US some $300 million a day, more than the cost of AMISOM for each of the years from 2007 to 2011. This year, because of Kenya’s entry and the addition of Sierra Leone, AMISOM’s budget will climb to about $450 million. We will not even go into the human cost. What this says is that AMISOM is much more efficient and better in all ways at peacekeeping than NATO.”
Okay, can we now send AMISOM to Afghanistan?
08 Oct – Source: African Review/East African – 477 Words
Now that the Somali port city of Kismayo, the last bastion of the al Shabaab militants, has fallen to the Kenyan contingent of the African Union peacekeeping force and allied Somali forces, all the main towns and strategic areas of Somalia are under the control of AMISOM and Somali government.
Al Shabaab, though, still controls chunks of the countryside, and has the ability to stage guerrilla and terrorist attacks, as recent events in Mogadishu have shown. The next stage might prove to be the most difficult part of the pacification of Somalia.
That said, the meaning of AMISOM’s achievement in Somalia is far-reaching. Uganda sent the first troops to Somalia in 2007. A group of officers arrived in Mogadishu in March, and several thousand troops landed there some months later in August.
By the time of the fall of Kismayo, AMISOM was comprised of troops from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti and Sierra Leone. That might not say much until we go 4,376 kilometres away to Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. The Americans and their NATO allies have been in Afghanistan since 2001, doing pretty much what AMISOM is doing in Somalia — crush al Qaeda and the Taliban, the older cousins of al Shabaab.
“As I am standing at the airport gate, waiting for the East African Safari Air Express flight to Mogadishu, these thoughts collide in my mind. I am hopeful and fearful at the same time. During boarding, the stewardess kindly asks, if I mind giving up my window seat to an elder lady in a wheelchair. I really did not want to miss out on any first glimpses of Somalia, so I politely declined.”
Returning Home, Two Decades Later
08 Oct – Source: Bridge Online – 1038 Words
During the past 22 years that I have lived in Denmark, the opportunity to visit Somalia, my native country, was hindered by my ignorance and fear. 2012 is the year I took the plunge. Kenya en route to Somalia I had been conjuring up courage to visit Somalia, my place of birth, for a whole year, before I pressed “buy” on my computer screen one late Sunday evening, while browsing the internet for cheap flight tickets to Nairobi, Kenya. The first stop en route to Mogadishu, Somalia.
I intentionally packed my trip with various activities, because I regarded it as a “once-in-a-life-time” experience, but even more so because I wanted to free my mind from fear and doubt. If I kept myself busy, I would have less time to wory, my logic went.
For decades, Somalia’s war, conflicts and disasters made headlines. The capital, Mogadishu was considered one of the most dangerous places on earth. But in the last year other stories about recovery, rebirth and renewed hope surfaced. I was curious about these changes and wanted to experience them first-hand.
“Grenade attacks in our nation are aimed at slowing us or stopping us. Neither of this will happen! Our grand procession to Kismayo has proceeded with little regard to distraction tactics by the adversaries. The ultimate victory is to have Somalia as a country restored and rebuilt with its people free and happy once again.”
Fall of Kismayo restates Kenya’s place as region’s leader
09 Oct – Source: Standard Media – 895 Words
With the news of a falling Kismayo, President Kibaki must be very proud. As commander in chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the landmark achievements by the soldiers he sent to fight in Somalia al Shabaab vindicate his decision. Another beautiful feather has been tagged to his glowing legacy.
The goal of securing our borders and defending our sovereignty is now becoming a reality. Enemies of peace and progress in our nation are now on the run. Following the incursion of KDF in Somalia to stamp out external threats to our nation’s security, cynics fell over each other with reasons why our mission was doomed. We were reminded how some other militaries have gone and come back empty handed and crest fallen.
Top tweets
@UNPOSomalia Listen to #UN Envoy Mahiga’s interview on latest political developments in #Somalia @VOA_news : http://bit.ly/LK49Rn @UN @UN_DPA.
@HMAMattBaugh #Somalia This is stunning. Find the minute it takes to listen to this beautiful poem and be inspired: http://fb.me/S39i23sX @effkayla.
@aarnab UN: Watch this mini documentary about one Somali #woman’s struggle for her sisters http://rfg.ee/eiAGH v SLUNHCR #Somalia.
@Mandamyth1 Head of #Kismayo University upset that #Amisom & #SNA have established a military base near the university: http://bit.ly/UClpiL.
@MohamedMascud Mayor of #Mogadishu stuffs – IPad, Pistol, Cellphones, notebook and more, Look now – #Somalia #Somali http://twitpic.com/b2bue6.
Image of the day
Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud inspects the guard of honour on his arrival at Entebbe Airport in Uganda. Photo: Somaliweyn.