September 16, 2016 | Daily Monitoring Report
Senior Al-Shabaab Commander Killed In Southern Somalia
16 September – Source: Xinhua – 159 Words
Troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), alongside the Somali National Army (SNA), have killed a senior commander of the Al-Shabaab Islamist group during an operation in southern Somalia. AMISOM force spokesperson, Joe Kibet, told Xinhua on Friday that Mohamed Hassan, the Al-Shabaab commander for Awdhegle town, was killed on Thursday evening.
“AMISOM forces together with SNA carried out operation in Awdhegle town on Thursdayevening where they killed chief commander of Al-Shabaab for the town, injured others and recovered weapons,” Kibet said.
Kibet didn’t reveal if there were casualties on the joint forces which have stepped up their fight against Al-Shabaab militants who stage frequent attacks in the Horn of Africa nation. Kibet said the joint forces were ready to conduct more operations against Al-Shabaab militants in the south and central regions of Somalia. Al-Shabaab has been battling the Somali government and still controls some areas of southern Somalia.
Key Headlines
- Senior Al-Shabaab Commander Killed In Southern Somalia (Xinhua)
- Somali Forces Arrest Several People In Bakool Region (Goobjoog News)
- Jubaland Orders Al-Shabaab Wives Out (Goobjoog News)
- President Hassan Sheikh Launches His Presidential Campaign In Mogadishu (Jowhar.com)
- A New Airport For Qabri Dahar (Wardheer News)
NATIONAL MEDIA
Somali Forces Arrest Several People In Bakool Region
16 September – Source: Goobjoog News – 126 Words
Several people were arrested by Somali security forces in an operation that took place in Hudur town of Southern Somalia. The forces seized a cache of weapons after they raided houses in the town. Adan Abdi Mohamed, Hudur deputy district commissioner said that the security forces launched an operation earlyThursday morning.
“We have arrested several suspects and recovered weapons in their possession. We are still carrying our investigations to establish their intentions,” said Mohamed. Mr. Mohamed did not give details about the weapons seized in the operation but said police were following up the matter. Al-Shabaab was flushed out of Hudur two years by the African Union troops in Somalia.
Jubaland Orders Al-Shabaab Wives Out
16 September – Source: Goobjoog News – 170 Words
Somalia’s Jubbaland administration ordered Al-Shabaab wives to get out of territories under the Interim Jubaland Administration. The Spokesperson for Jubaland Ahmed Arab has told the media that operations to flush out fighters wives will be launched.
“We will not let you live here, you should leave, we are starting to collect thewives of Al-Shabaab and exile them, we and Al-Shabaab are enemies, not friends,” said Arab. He added, “We know where they live and we will not rest until they are out.”
Al-Shabaab wives are suspected of spying for their husbands who were forced out of the port city of Kismayo which lies lies 328 miles (528 km) southwest of Mogadishu, by Somali National Army backed by AMISOM troops in 2012. The group often launches attacks on Somali security forces, officials and army bases in an effort to topple the government and impose its own brand of government on Somalia.
President Hassan Sheikh Launches His Presidential Campaign In Mogadishu
15 September – Source: Jowhar.com – 114 Words
Incumbent President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday night officially launched his campaign in a bid to get re-elected in the upcoming presidential elections. The Banadir regional administration sponsored the event that was held at City Palace Hotel.
It also marked the fourth year anniversary of the Hassan Sheikh’s administration and some of the key speakers at the venue echoed the need to re-elect President Hassan to enable him accomplish projects he had kicked off during his first term at Villa Somalia. A 60-minute documentary featuring the president’s main achievement during his term in office were shown to the audience. The event was livestreamed on several Somali television channels.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“The bulk of the source of the budget is solely from the region’s revenue; specifically collected surplus tax income. This makes the Somali region a unique model region.”
A New Airport For Qabri Dahar
15 September – Source: Wardheer News – 1,362 Words
Qabri Dahar is one of the oldest towns in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia. For many years, it served as a key military garrison—since 1931, when the first military camp was established to serve fascist Italy that invaded Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. Qabri Dahar was first designated a full blown district in 1934.
However, both under the Haile Selassie and the Dergi regimes, it remained a mere military garrison with no developmental projects initiated. In view of its military strategic and geographical location, Qabri Dahar was left to remain a center of military operation both for internal control of Somali—Ethiopians and for monitoring the long border between Ethiopia and its neighbor to the east.
It is only the current Ethiopian government that seems to be giving more attention to other socio-political aspects of the area by building more infrastructures such as asphalt roads, telecommunication facilities, and higher education learning centers such as colleges and university institutions. Focusing on development as opposed only to military infrastructure is in line with the country’s developmental policies, goals and strategies.
Qabri Dahar is among four city administrations of the Somali regional state of Ethiopia, and it is about 990 km to the east of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. In the last few years, the city has become home for asphalt as well as all-weather roads, telecommunication projects, a new commercial bank, three hospitals including a military hospital and one that is currently under construction and in the final stages of completion.
Besides, there is a huge drug distribution hub that should keep, store, distribute and supply sensitive drugs to health facilities of 4 zones. In addition, the city has five elementary schools, two high schools, three college campuses including a Teacher Training College, a Polytechnic College and a Health Science College. Also, a detailed project proposal for the completion of Qabri Dahar University is shovel-ready and construction is expected to start soon.
TOP TWEETS
@MIDASomalia : With the support of @MIDASomalia #diasporaexperts work everyday as agents of #development in #Somalia@IOM_Somalia
@FCOMattBaugh : Great to hear @AndrewWJHarding on@BBCRadio4 talking about Mogadishu and the changes that are taking place in #Somalia driven by Somalis.
@IRIGenDem : All about ACTION! Team #Somalia develops an action plan of local initiatives for #UnitingYouth & improving good gov
@USAIDSomalia : Listen to this, Baidoa community singing about peaceful co-existance http://ow.ly/sdUA304gy6f @US2SOMALIA #Somalia
@Somaliupdate: #Kenya, Confirms to Close #Dadaab Camp by November, Denies Abuse of Refugees #Somaliahttp://somaliupdate.com/
@NewAfricaEnergy : @farhanjimale, sooner or later #Somaliawill embrace journalists who perform their duties professionally & bravely. @BBCWorld @hrw
@Husdarwish : #Africa poor governance has led to Institutional Failure. It’s manifested in particular #IGAD Countries ~#Somalia
IMAGE OF THE DAY
President Musevini of Uganda visits the Ugandan contingent in Somalia.
Photo: AMISOM