NATIONAL MEDIA
1 September – Source: Halbeeg – 222 Words
Jubaland regional state of Somalia Security Minister, Abdirashid Janan, was placed in police custody by security agencies in Mogadishu on Saturday. Janan is wanted by Interpol for “committed crimes” against the people of Gedo and neighbouring zones, according to the Deputy Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mohamud Abdikadir Hilal. Officials in Kismayo condemned the arrest of the minister and demanded his unconditional release.
The arrest follows strained relations between the Federal Government and Jubaland state due to the disputed regional leadership elections which Ahmed Mohamed Islam was re-elected on 22 August for the third term in office. Somali cabinet meeting on Thursday backed the decision by the Interior Ministry that dismissed the results. The Ministry earlier warned that the selection process of the regional assembly members was not in line with the election guidelines for the federal government.
A Letter from Ahmed Mohamed Islam office on Friday urged the government of President Farmajo and Prime Minister Khaire to embark on reconciliation efforts to resolve the difference. President Madobe’s letter also condemned what it termed as the unnecessary restrictions of flights to the interim regional state capital. Somali Aviation Authorities directed all international flights mainly from the regional neighbouring countries to pass Mogadishu before they continue their journey to Kismayo for clearance.
1 September -Source: Somali Affairs – 129 Words
Hundreds of Jubaland residents on Sunday came out to the main streets of the southern city of Kismayo demonstrating against the Federal Government of Somalia. The demos came after the federal government on Friday announced that all the international and local flights going to and from Kismayo have to make a stop-over at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Internation Airport. The anti-government demonstration affected the movement of cars and people in the town as businesses shut down and the main roads of the town were blocked.
Days earlier, Jubaland Council of Ministers chaired by Jubaland state’s president Ahmed Mohamed Islam aka Ahmed Madobe lifted a travel ban on the Somali federal government officials visiting the region. The federal government officials were banned to visit the region during the Jubaland presidential elections.
31 August – Source: Halbeeg – Words
Former Interior and Federal Affairs Minister, Abdirahman Odowa has declared his interest to vie for upcoming Galmudug state leadership. The member of Lower House of Somali parliament who served as a cabinet member in President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed government announced his bid officially in Mogadishu on Saturday. Odowa will join so far two other candidates who declared their interest in the regional office top post. He is credited to have played key part in the establishment process of Galmudug state during his reign as Interior Minister.
Galmudug state Presidential election, which was slated to happen on July, was rescheduled and is expected to be conducted in forthcoming weeks. Already contingents from Somali security agencies and AMISOM peacekeepers have been deployed at state administrative capital of Dhusamareb to beef up security in the upcoming elections. Agreement between regional administration leadership and Federal government will see the Interior Ministry organize and plan the election process.
31 August – Source: Goobjoog – 138 Words
The Governor of Banadir region and the Mayor of Mogadishu, Omar Mohamud Mohamed (Omar Filish) officially started his duty as he held a special meeting with his deputy governors in Mogadishu. The meeting with the deputy governor of Banadir region and the secretary-general of the Banadir region discussed ways to speed up the activities of the local government in the capital Mogadishu.
The meeting also discussed strengthening accountability and counter-corruption as part of the policy by the Governor of Banadir and Mayor of Mogadishu, Omar Mohamud Mohamed (Omar Filish), who took office on August 29, 2019. Omar Mohamud Mohamed popularly known as Omar Filish substitutes Abdirahman Omar Osman [Eng Yarisow] who succumbed to critical wounds sustained in an Al-Shabaab suicide attack at his office in the capital Mogadishu on July 24.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
31 August – Source: Xinhua – 219 Words
Six al-Shabab militants were killed and nine others injured on Friday in a joint offensive by Somali army and Jubaland state forces, a military official said on Saturday. Abdi Nur Ibrahim, Jubaland security forces spokesman said the joint security operations were carried out in the north of Kismayo town and the south of Jamame town where the forces captured many villages in those areas. “Our forces inflicted severe casualties on the militants, killing six of them and injuring nine others. We captured Gubadle, Yeri, Jay, Leri villages,” Ibrahim said. He added that the allied forces also recovered weapons and detained members of the militants who were injured during the operation.
Local inhabitants said an intense battle broke out in the town. “The army started wide offensives in Jamame town, there was fierce fighting between the militants and the forces in the town, the army is now in the town and the militants withdrew from it,” Safi Osman, a resident told Xinhua by phone. On Aug. 21, government forces killed 11 militants and injured 15 others in Jowhar town in Middle Shabelle region in southern Somalia. Southern regions of Somalia became the battleground of al- Shabab extremists and the government forces after the militants were chased out from the capital in August 2011 by AU forces and Somali army.
30, August- Source: AMISOM – 405 Words
The graduation of 197 police officers from HirShabelle State on Thursday has been hailed as a vital step in visible policing, which is crucial in maintaining law and order and protection of life and property in the region. The officers completed three months of intensive training, conducted by seasoned instructors from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Police. The recruits were enlisted into the police following a comprehensive process that was overseen by a joint committee to ensure equal representation of the various clans living in Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions. The graduation was witnessed by the HirShabelle state president, Mohamed Abdi Ware, Acting AMISOM Police Commissioner, Rex Dundun, the HirShabelle state Police Commissioner, Hassan Dhiisow Hassan, representatives from UN Police, officials from the Federal Government of Somalia and AMISOM.
Speaking at the ceremony, Acting Police Commissioner Dundun said that it was important to build the capacity of the Somali Police Force to enable them to carry out effective policing and patrols as part of the Somalia Transition Plan. As part of the Somali exit strategy, the Somalia Transition Plan seeks to transfer security responsibility from AMISOM to well trained and capable Somali National Security Forces ahead of AMISOM’s anticipated exit in 2021. “The officers trained here are very disciplined, dedicated, and you can see from the personnel parade, they are performing exceptionally well. We are looking forward to this group of officers taking over the internal security policing in HirShabelle state,” said Dundun.
With the support of AMISOM, European Union, United Nations, the German and UK governments, HirShabelle is on a drive to recruit 800 police officers, with nearly 400 recruited, trained and deployed so far. HirShabelle Police Commissioner Hassan Dhiisow Hassan, said the new police recruits would soon carry out operations to re-open and secure main supply routes in the agricultural-rich region. “These officers will serve the people of HirShabelle by protecting lives and property. They will also clear the main supply routes between Mogadishu, Jowhar and Bula-burde and work jointly with the Somali National Army stationed in those areas,” said Dhiisow. One of the recruits, Abdweli Hassan Jimaale, is a journalist-now-turned-policeman. He was upbeat about his new career in policing and law enforcement assignment. “It is an honour for me to serve my community as a policeman”, he said. “I am aware of the challenges ahead, but I am ready to interact with members of society as a dedicated police officer.”
30 August – Source: British Foreign Ministry – 370 Words
This month, the Somali National Army celebrated the graduation of a further 98 soldiers from British military training in Baidoa, the capital of Southwest State in Somalia. The UK has built a training centre in Baidoa, including a state-of-the-art firing range that was opened by Southwest State’s President, Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, and the UK’s Africa Minister, Andrew Stephenson, on 21 August. Construction of 450 barracks for the Somali army has just started on the same site. The 16-week training, involving a mix of theory and practical lessons, covered defensive positions, vehicle checkpoints, dealing with improvised explosive devices, first aid, safe weapon handling and leadership.
The UK training has already shown its value. Attacks in Baidoa have fallen since the Somali army built defensive positions around the city as part of their course, and some of those on the course used their new skills in a successful attack against Al Shabaab in the area of Daynunay this month. Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the Commander of British Forces in Somalia, Colonel JL Baynham, said: “The training is being delivered by highly experienced specialists. It’s focused on building really strong infantry skills, which are what the Somali army most needs to defeat Al Shabaab. Somali soldiers are very able and keen to learn. We are already seeing the benefits, for the individuals, their units and the security of the area.”
The British Ambassador to Somalia, Ben Fender, said: “The Somalis are working to improve security after decades of conflict and terrorism. The UK is a major partner and the only country providing military training outside Mogadishu. Baidoa is a vital location in the fight against Al Shabaab. We need to stay the course, but over the last year, Somalia has made real progress towards building its future army, and in conducting operations. We’re delighted to support that.” The course is part of an on-going programme of support to the Somali National Army’s 60 Division. Graduates will now receive additional medical, planning and command training. The UK has delivered training to over 900 members of the Somali National Army since January 2017. The focus has been on medical skills, leadership development, intelligence, equipment care, logistics and the rule of law.
30 August – Source: Standard Media – 330 Words
Police have gunned down a suspected terrorist in Kwale County in a gun battle that has left an officer wounded. Mohamed Rashid Mwatsumiro alias Modi was killed this morning at his home in Ngomeni after neighbours tipped police. “…during the ensuing shootout, a corporal was injured and is currently receiving treatment in hospital,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said in a statement. A loaded Glock Pistol and improvised explosive device-making materials were recovered in his house.
Police say Modi joined the terror group Al-Shabaab while in high school and rose through the ranks to head the 10-member Likoni terror cell. By 2017, he was radicalising youth in Shika Adabu Likoni, preparing them to join Al-Shabaab in Somalia. A year later in 2018, he was training the recruits at Shimba Hills and facilitating their journey to Somalia. Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai said the 30-year-old man had escaped their dragnet, recently in March. “Security officers have been on the trail of Modi for several months and this is the culmination of the effort to track down the criminal,” he said. He added that the killing of Modi was as a result of the ongoing operations in the Coast to flush out terror operatives and gangs holding the region hostage.
Crime exploits
Modi’s gang, which operates in Mombasa’s Likoni and Kwale’s Matuga and Ngombeni, is accused of being behind the recent spate of killings and robberies in the Coast. Police say the gang killed two police officers in September 2017 at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) in Diani. Two rifles (an AK47 and G3) were stolen from the officers. Early this year, they attacked an Administration Police camp in Mtongwe. On August 10, 2019, they are said to have beheaded Sheikh Ali Fumbwe and Hamisi Mwadondo in Ukunda. “They are linked to the killing and burning of a Kenya Defense Forces navy officer’s in Likoni last month,” police added, saying Mpesa outlets and petrol stations were not spared during Modi’s reign.
OPINION, ANALYSIS AND CULTURE
“He personally took his AK-47 and led the fight,” said Mohamed Abukar Aweys, the mayor of Awdhegle, who was at the base that morning. “I saw him encouraging the soldiers to fight.”
30 August – Source: VOA – 893 Words
One morning in mid-August, the al-Shabab militant group launched a massive attack on a Somali government military base at the newly captured strategic town of Awdhegle in the Lower Shabelle region. The attack started when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) driven by a suicide bomber approached the base and exploded. Moments later, a second suicide vehicle blew up on the other side of the base. In typical al-Shabab style, heavily armed militants attempted to storm the base. Somali soldiers backed by African Union troops from Uganda held on, defeating al-Shabab. Four Somali government soldiers, a cameraman embedded with the military and a Ugandan soldier were killed, according to officials. Seventeen others were injured. Al-Shabab lost 23 men, according to the officials. Attention, however, quickly turned to how the Somali soldiers, who were on the front line, managed to repel a major attack, a rare achievement.
Officials quickly praised the role played by a young military commander, General Odawaa Yusuf Rageh. “He personally took his AK-47 and led the fight,” said Mohamed Abukar Aweys, the mayor of Awdhegle, who was at the base that morning. “I saw him encouraging the soldiers to fight.” His senior commander, General Dahir Aden Elmi “Indhoqarsho,” says if General Rageh had not been there, “things would have been different.” “His presence changed the morale of the soldiers, changed the fight; they fought bravely because of the commander,” said General Elmi. “He led the defense, and the charge. They won with his operation plan.” For seven months, Rageh has been the commander of the land forces. He has a history of fighting hard against al-Shabaab in Mogadishu, the Somali capital. On Aug. 22, Rageh was appointed as the new army chief. Elmi handed over the top Somali army post to his understudy this past Tuesday.
At 32 years of age, Rageh is believed to be the youngest officer to hold the position. He is also the first officer to lead the army, and received all his ranks because of the fight against al-Shabab. Rageh joined the army in 2005 when the militants were embedded with a group known as the Islamic Courts Union in Somalia. At the time, the then-transitional federal government was based in Baidoa because Mogadishu was controlled by hostile forces. He had to travel there to join the army. In July 2007, he was among 180 Somali officers sent to Uganda’s Kaweweta Military Training School for a beginner course for military officers. The following year, he was among 12 officers sent back to Uganda for specialized training on commanding land forces at Bihanga Military Training School.
He returned to Somalia in December 2009 and was transferred to the presidential guards at a time when al-Shabab was just hundreds of meters away from the presidential palace. That same month, he was made a lieutenant. For the next two years, the Somali government fought a deadly, back and forth battle against al-Shabaab in Mogadishu. Rageh was the operation commander of two mobile units, one infantry and one technical, that fought from the palace to the main Bakara market five kilometres north of the palace. “His units faced huge obstacles because al-Shabab was using underground tunnels,” said one of his former senior commanders, who did not want to be named because he is not allowed to speak to the media…… |
