September 22, 2014 | Morning Headlines.

Main Story

Somali cabinet appoints Turyare as the Director of Somali Intelligence

21 Sept- Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog/Horseed Media/Radio Garowe – 157 words

Somali cabinet has appointed the Head of Military Court Col. Abdihman Turyare as the Director Somali Intelligence . the meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Religious Affairs Minister Ridwan Hersi Mohamed. Mr. Turyare will replace the former spy chief Abdullahi Mohamed Ali aka Sanbalolshe who was fired in an extraordinary cabinet meeting earlier this month. The appointment of the new spy chief was proposed by National Security Minister of federal government Khalif Ereg according to sources. Abdirahman Turyare was the Head of Somali military court since May 2013 when president Hassan appointed him to replace Muungaab, the former head of military court .

Key Headlines

Somali cabinet appoints Turyare as the Director of Somali Intelligence (Radio Mogadishu)
Federal government hands over Mogadishu seaport to Turkish company (Radio Mogadishu)
No extension in 2016 Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says (Radio Mogadishu/RBC)
Puntland marks International Day of Peace (Puntland TV)
Kenya marks first anniversary of Westgate terror attack (Capital News/Daily Nation)
Parliament commences its 5th session in Mogadishu (Radio Mogadishu)
Defected al Shabaab members surrender to government in Somalia (Somali Current)
Explosive attack suspects arrested in Kismayo (Radio Dalsan)
2 al Shabaab suspects arrested in Frankfurt (AP)
Kenya to stay course in quest to stabilize Somalia: President (Reuters)
The manager of Civil Aviation of Mogadishu Airport attacked (Radio RBC)
Al Shabaab’s economic strategy is dipping into new wealth making it more dangerous (Standard Media)

PRESS STATEMENT

Federal Government of Somalia will have open and transparent talk with Puntland

21 Sept – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 177 words

His Excellency the Acting Prime Minister of Somalia Ridwan Hersi Mohamed said that the Federal Government will enter in open, honest and transparent discussions with the Puntland State of Somalia as soon as possible.

The Federal Government of Somalia and the Government of Puntland have been engaged in very important discussions for the past few months and the delay of planned talks caused by technical reasons and was never intentional.

Acting Prime Minister Ridwan Hersi said:

“ We want to declare that that the Federal Government of Somalia is committed to work with the Puntland State of Somalia to restore confidence and national unity”.

Deputy Prime Minister congratulates International Peace Day – “ We have to Hold up the Somali People’s Right to Peace”

21 Sept – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 398 words

His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia Ridwan Hersi Mohamed congratulated the Somali people on the International Peace Day, declaring that the great nation of Somalia deserves peace, development and to keep pace with the world. His Excellency Ridwan Hersi also urged all Somali people to refrain from use of violence as way of express dissenting opinions..

For Somalis this year’s International Day of Peace theme “Right of Peoples to Peace” means a lot as we see security and stabilization progress. Through the great work of AMISOM and Somali National Army soldiers we are progressively turning terrorists who have brought instability and chaos to Somalia into an irrelevant organisation.

At the latest London Security Event held last week, the International Community and AMISOM troops contributing nations have agreed on the path for development of the Somali National Army’s operational capacity. They have confirmed their long term commitment in the development of a strong and professional force able to maintain peace in Somalia.

Through the success of Operation Indian Ocean, many Somalis now have “peace” and many more will be liberated by the end of the campaign. Somalis like any people in the world have the “Right to Peace”, the right to a better life, to a better economy and the right to a return to normalcy.

The Federal Government of Somalia is committed to achieve this by working shoulder to shoulder with its international partners. Speaking on the International Peace Day, the Deputy PM said:
“Today, on behalf of Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheik Ahmed and the whole Government of Somalia I want to congratulate people of Somalia to this important day. I want also to congratulate all peacekeepers and those who have given their life for peace over all these years.”

“ The Somali People have been in a pretty pickle in a decades as a result of prolonged civil strife. The cost of our conflict is too heavy and we have to spare no efforts to ease the suffering of our people. It’s time to acknowledge that power through gun will not work in Somalia but peace, justice and democracy will do so.”

“ I call upon all my fellow peace loving citizens to observe peace and security of our great nation Somalia. After three decades of war, no one defeated the other side. It’s time for peace, justice and development.”

Secretary-General’s Message on the International Day of Peace

21 Sept – Source: UNSOM – 208 words

Today is the International Day of Peace. Each year, on this day, the United Nations calls for a global ceasefire. We ask combatants to put down their arms so all can breathe the air of peace. Armed conflict causes untold grief to families, communities and entire countries. Too many are suffering today at the brutal hands of warmongers and terrorists. Let us stand with them in solidarity.

Peace and security are essential foundations for social progress and sustainable development. That is why, three decades ago, the United Nations affirmed the right of peoples to peace.

Throughout the coming year, we will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. Our organisation is founded on the pledge to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. We have made much progress. But much remains to be done.

We must douse the fires of extremism and tackle the root causes of conflict. Peace is a long road that we must travel together – step by step, beginning today. Let us all observe a minute of silence, at noon. Let us all reflect on peace – and what it means for our human family. Let us hold it in our hearts and minds and tenderly nurture it so it may grow and blossom.

Weekly Press Conference on the Progress of the Government

20 Sept – Source: Ministry of Information – 1347 words

The Minister of Information, Mustafa Duhulow, today addressed the media, providing an update on the progress of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) over the last week. The Minister discussed various issues: reconciliation conferences in Kismayo and Baidoa; progress on the census initiative and in education; the London security event; and Operation Indian Ocean.

The Minister of Information began the reconciliation conference in Kismayo: “As part of the Addis Ababa Agreement between the Jubba Administration and the Federal Government of Somalia, a reconciliation conference was held in Kismayo on 16 September 2014. The aim of the conference was to engage with the public so that they feel that they are genuinely involved in the decision making process.

Attendees of the conference were key stakeholders in Lower Jubba, Middle Jubba and Gedo regions and it is expected that the modalities on power sharing and the establishment of the Federal Unit of Jubba will soon be finalised. Representatives of the cabinet and the parliament as well as observers from UNSOM, the EU, IGAD and others were present. H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the President of the Federal Government, opened the conference by stressing the importance of reconciliation.

The President said that there was a long process that led us to this conference and we should maintain this unity for the remainder of the process. The President reiterated the urgent need to welcome all those who are still outside the process. The President praised the role of the Jubba Administration and encouraged them to continue the path of peaceful negotiation, compromise and understanding.

The President stated that the Federal Government is committed to implementing the Addis Ababa Agreement and representatives from the Ministry of Interior & Federal Affairs will remain with you throughout the conference for the purposes of facilitation and ensuring that the process is inclusive of all segments of the society. Our ultimate goal is the formation of a new federal unit.”

The Minister of Information spoke on the reconciliation conference in Baidoa: “On 14 September 2014, the Speaker of the Parliament opened a reconciliation conference in Baidoa for all stakeholders in Bay, Bakool & Lower Shabelle regions with a view to establishing a new Federal Unit, the South West State of Somalia.

The Prime Minister, ministers, MPs, the technical committee and all segments of the society in those 3 regions were present at the conference. H.E. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, the Prime Minister, thanked the Speaker of the Parliament for his efforts to bring all key stakeholders on board in this conference. The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing the South West State of Somalia.

During the reconciliation conference the Speaker of the Parliament emphasized the importance of compromise, forgiveness and understanding. The conference is expected to last 45 days in which all outstanding issues should be solved including the power sharing agreement and the formation of Southwest State of Somalia.”

The Minister of Information spoke on the progress of the census initiative: “On 18 September 2014 the Ministry of Planning & International Cooperation published a preliminary report on the progress of the census initiative in the country. UNFPA has been assisting the Ministry of Planning with this initiative.

The census is critical to the development of the country and in particular for the implementation of Vision 2016, as the country is expected to carry out a referendum, local elections and general elections by 2016. H.E. Said Abdullahi Dani, the Minister of Planning & International Cooperation, stated that the process is going very well and that he is very hopeful that the country will soon conduct a census.

H.E. Ridwan Hersi Mohamed, the Acting Prime Minister who is also the Minister of Religious Affairs, spoke at the event in Mogadishu and emphasised the importance of the initiative for the people and for the country. He continued to say that there can be no progress and prosperity without knowing the exact numbers of the population, as the census can help government institutions to plan ahead in terms of humanitarian assistance and other development projects in the country. So far the preliminary report suggests that people inside the country number around 12,360,000. The Ministry also aims to carry out a census of Somalis in the Diaspora.”

The Minister of Information stressed the importance of education in Somalia: “The Federal Government of Somalia is committed to providing quality education for all children of school age. The Somali National University is open for the first time in 24 years in Somalia.

On 18 September 2014 around 480 students sat the Somali National University entry exams. H.E. Mohamed Ahmed Kulan, the Deputy Minister of Culture & Higher Education and the Chairman of the Somali National University Dr Mohamed Ahmed Jimale were present during the exam in order to oversee the process and to highlight the success of students taking the exams in order to proceed to higher education.

The University will initially have 6 faculties. On 18 September also the Mayor of Mogadishu, who is also the Governor of Banadir, Hassan Mohamed Hussein (Mungab) opened newly refurbished classrooms in the Mohamud Mire School in Mogadishu.

Mohamud Mire School is located in Waaberi district and is one of a number of government owned schools that provide free education for all. The Federal Government of Somalia appeals to all parents to enroll their children in school so that children can study and become useful members of their families as well as contributing to the overall development of the nation.”

The Minister of Information thanked UK for the leadership it has shown with regard to Somalia: “On 18 September 2014, H.E. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Somalia, led a delegation that attended a security event in London organized by the UK Government. The event took place at Lancaster House and was co-chaired by UK and Somalia.

The aim of the event was to galvanize the international community’s efforts to support the Somali National Army (SNA) so that in the longer term Somalis will be able to achieve peace and stability in Somalia. The Ministers of Defense and Information as well as the Joint Chief of Somali National Army were amongst the delegates.

The Federal Government presented a coherent plan for the SNA in terms of restructuring, reform and the integration of militias, while maintaining the measures of the arms embargo, human rights and the strong foundations of the SNA.

One of the outcomes of the event included strong support to the SNA’s plans until 2019 with donor communities being called upon to increase their efforts and their financial support to SNA. Somalia and UK will work together in order to follow up on the outcomes and pledges made during the event. US Government pledged an additional support of 5 million US dollars to UNSOA Trust Fund in order to support SNA. The Federal Government of Somalia praised and thanked UK and US Governments for their unwavering support to Somalia.”

The Minister of Information finally spoke on the success of Operation Indian Ocean: “Operation Indian Ocean is progressing well as Somali forces with the support of AMISOM continue to gain ground from terrorist groups. On 13 September Somali forces and AMISOM liberated villages of Moqokori, Yasooman and Aboorrey in Hiiraan region.

There was no resistance from al Shabaab who are still reeling from the death of their leader, Godane, and who left those villages when they saw our forces approaching. Local people in these villages welcomed our forces with jubilation. Colonel Ali Duh Abdi Mahadale, police officer in Hiiraan region, confirmed that units of the Somali National Army along with AMISOM forces have now occupied all these villages.

Abdifatah Hassan Afrah, the Governor of Hiiraan region, declared that most of the areas in Hiiraan region are now free from terrorists groups except for a few small pockets which will soon be cleared.

The Federal Government is committed to the fight against terrorists groups like al Shabaab so that local people can see the benefits of the peace dividend and have the opportunity to take part in the rebuilding and the prosperity of the country. The Federal Government thanks its friends and allies that have continuously supported the effort to bring peace and stability in Somalia.”

Prime Minister welcomes donor commitments to support the Somali National Army

19 Sept – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 1572 words

His Excellency the Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, concluded a productive day of discussions and donor commitments at Lancaster House, London, on the rebuilding and support to the Somali National Army (SNA).

A wide range of donors from the international community attended the meeting focussed on providing support to the SNA. The future security of Somalia lies in Somali hands and the Federal Government of Somalia outlined its vision for the future development of the SNA to ensure a professional, adequate and maintained security sector.

Attendees agreed the path for development of the SNA up to 2019 and agreed that current donor support should be focused on the SNA’s operational capacity during the current offensive against Al-Shabaab. An additional pledge of $5m to the UNSOA Trust Fund was made by the US Government, to address some of the immediate requirements of the Ministry of Defence and Somali National Army.

Prime Minister Abdiweli also held talks with the UK Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, during his visit to the UK. Following the talks, the attendees agreed the following communique on Support to the Somali National Army (SNA):

On 18 September 2014 at Lancaster House, the United Kingdom and Somalia co-hosted a meeting to discuss support to the Somali National Army. A senior Somali delegation, led by Prime Minister Abdiweli, was joined by senior political and military representatives from: the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, European Union, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, Italy, Kenya, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, United States of America.

The Somali National Army is currently engaged in joint operations with (AMISOM), targeting al Shabaab, under Operation Indian Ocean. It is key to both the success of this campaign and in providing long term security and stability to Somalia. In this regard, we thanked AMISOM and the Somali National Army for their continuing efforts and successes. Noting the sacrifices both have made, we registered our deepest sympathy for those that have lost their lives or been injured, and their families; and committed to continue our support for both.

This meeting was convened to debate the strengthening of the Somali National Army in the short and medium term, and to ensure that donor support for the Somali National Army is optimised to enable this. Our discussions centred around the Federal Government’s vision for an affordable, accountable and professional Army, and its capabilities and requirements; the parallel political and fiscal tracks that are critical to the development of the Army; a mutual accountability framework through which we can monitor and evaluate progress; and a follow-up mechanism to ensure targeted and coordinated interventions.

The Federal Government outlined the Ministry of Defence’s path to development of the Somali National Army up to 2019, and the immediate requirements of its troops. We agreed that it represented a realistic vision, including on the parallel political and economic tracks, and that efforts to support the Army should be focussed, in the immediate term, on those troops currently in theatre, fighting alongside AMISOM.

We agreed this focus would be essential to the success of the joint offensive targeting al Shabaab and the consolidation of gains in newly recovered areas. We, therefore, committed to focus our assistance, through both new initiatives and the review and adjustment of current support, on the Somali National Army’s immediate requirements, noting the difficulties of simultaneously having to fight a war and undertake reform. Basic training should be standardised and delivered inside Somalia.

In this regard, we welcomed the ongoing work of the Federal Government of Somalia, AMISOM troop contributing countries and the United Nations in the provision of refresher training and Human Rights training in order that Somali National Army troops in theatre are able to receive United Nations-mandated logistical support through the UN-administered trust fund.

We called on all to ensure this training and the biometric registration of troops is completed as soon as possible, and on United Nations Support Office for AMISOM to ensure logistical support is delivered in a timely and coordinated manner. We welcomed the commitment of regional countries to assist in the ongoing efforts to train the Somali National Army.

We discussed the importance of transparency and accountability, and welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to them. Moving forward, we agreed it would be important that the Federal Government and donors were able to better demonstrate progress against both. We agreed that a Mutual Accountability Framework would help in doing so, and that it should focus on parallel political and fiscal tracks critical to the Somali National Army’s development. And that, within each pillar, clear and achievable key benchmarks would be identified, against which progress can be measured.

We welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to integrate regional militias, in consultation with regional partners, by 2016. We agreed that effective integration is an essential step along the way to both Somali National Army development and linked state-building goals; the integration of local militia forces into the Somali National Army, and other federal and regional security structures, is a critical part of the formation of a federal Somalia.

We welcomed progress on the Federal Government’s roadmap on the integration of forces and agreed to develop rapidly a concept note and detailed plan setting out the principles of said integration. Noting that timely implementation of the roadmap will be critical to efforts to support the immediate development of the Army, we agreed that the integration process would be the key political benchmark against which progress would be measured and should therefore constitute the cornerstone of the Mutual Accountability Framework.

We agreed that there should be three other pillars to the Framework, and that, as set out by the Federal Government, these should relate to arms embargo compliance, fiscal planning and human rights compliance. These would be complemented by the collective donor offer to better coordinate and target support, and to improve timeliness and execution of delivery, focussing on Federal Government priorities.

The Federal Government has previously committed to taking all measures necessary to comply with the United Nations Arms Embargo and has started implementation of these, with a view to its eventual lift. We welcomed its reaffirmation of this, the efforts it is already making to comply and its future plans, as set out today, to address outstanding compliance issues as identified by the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group, including through the work of the Arms and Ammunition Steering Group.

Noting the Federal Government’s commitment to upholding human rights standards, we welcomed its plans to institute those standards throughout the Somali National Army during these early stages of development, and the identification of milestones along the way.

We welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to financing Somali National Army salaries as soon as it was able, and noted that, in the meantime, support to assist them to do so was crucial. We agreed that the Federal Government’s ongoing public financial management reform work (through the Ministry of Finance) should provide the framework for the development of a financing strategy for the security sector. A public expenditure review of the Somali security forces, including the Somali National Army, should be central to those discussions.

We noted that this meeting was the start of the important process of developing the SNA. We agreed that a fully coordinated effort is essential to ensuring progress. In this regard, we welcomed the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia’s table detailing donor support to the Somali National Army and undertaking to ensure it remains current and so a useful tool for targeting and de-conflicting support as part of the implementation of the Somali New Deal Compact.

We noted that implementation will require consensus and a clear and coherent approach from both the Federal Government, through its national security architecture, and from international partners through relevant coordination mechanisms. We agreed that those mechanisms must ensure follow-up and monitor and evaluate our collective efforts.

We welcomed the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia’s offer to marshal these efforts, through the Mogadishu-based Defence Working Group, and its undertaking to arrange a follow-up meeting within three months to evaluate progress. We committed to facilitate the development of a chronological, standardised, synchronised and prioritised development plan for an inclusive, multi-region and professional Somali National Army, developed jointly by the Federal Government of Somalia and international partners, to present at that meeting.

We welcomed, too, the undertaking of the co-Chairs of PSG2 (United States of America and Turkey) to ensure that development of the Somali National Army is factored into efforts on wider security sector reform under the New Deal Compact’s Security pillar – Peacebuilding and State-building Goal 2 (PSG2).

We agreed to attend follow-up meetings in Mogadishu under the auspices of PSG2, before and after the High-Level Partnership Forum in Copenhagen, and undertook to communicate our efforts to develop the Somali National Army to the wider international community at the High-Level Partnership Forum on 19-20 November 2014.

During the course of the day, we welcomed the announcement of donor commitments, including an additional pledge of $5m to the UNSOA Trust Fund from the US Government, to address some of the immediate requirements of the Ministry of Defence and Somali National Army, including through the provision of training (which should be standardised and localised), logistical support and payment of troop stipends. These will be realised through both recalibration of existing efforts and pledges of new support.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali cabinet appoints Turyare as the Director of Somali Intelligence

21 Sept – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Radio Goobjoog/Horseed Media/Radio Garowe – 157 words

Federal government hands over Mogadishu seaport to Turkish company

21 Sept – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Goobjoog/Risaala – 189 words

The federal government of Somalia has officially handed over the management of Mogadishu seaport to Al-Bayrak, Turkish company in a well executed ceremony inside the seaport. The ceremony was attended by minister for transport and seaport, the assistant Minister, Turkish ambassador to Somalia, Al-Bayrak officials, businessmen and labourers. Ahmed Salim, the head of the Turkish company speaking during the ceremony said the federal government of Somalia has requested the Turkish company to take over the management of the port and they agreed. Mr. Salim stated that 55% of the of seaport’s income will directly go to the accounts of the government while the remaining 45% will go to the company.

No extension in 2016, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says

21 Sept – Source: Radio RBC/Radio Mogadishu – 180 words

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has promised that his leadership will not seek for extension of term after August 2016 when the term of his administration ends with four years in term. President Mohamud made the announcement on Saturday during his address to the parliament’s fifth session. “On 2016, my leadership will be committed to hold a nationwide election and there is no a chance for extension.” the president said. The President also noted that the state formation efforts are already in place with three main events in the south an central namely the South West administration formation conference in Baidoa, the Kismayo reconciliation conference and the recently appointed technical committee for the central regions.

Puntland marks International Day of Peace

21 Sept – Source: Radio Garowe/PLNTV – 129 words

Puntland Government in northern Somalia marked International Day of Peace with well organized events at Security ministry, Ministry of Women and Puntland Development Research Center (PDRC) buildings in the state capital of Garowe on Sunday, Garowe Online reports. As Somalia is emerging from over two-decades of civil unrest, Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali prayed for lasting peace across Somalia in a message on the occasion of World Peace Day. “Puntland hereby pledges more robust efforts in upholding the values of International Day of Peace,” said Ali.”I pray to Allah to bless Somalis abroad and at home with peace”. Continuing, President Gaas emphasized the need for togetherness and communal prayers for peace in the war-ravaged horn of Africa nation.

International Day of Peace observed in Kismayo

21 Sept – Source: Radio Bar-kulan/Dhanaan Online – 127 words

A colorful event to commemorate the International Day of Peace has been held in Kismayo, the provincial capital of Lower Jubba region. Senior local officials, intellectuals, youth, women groups and artists attended the event which was organized by the Interim Jubba Administration. Speaking at the event, Lower Jubba region governor Abdirashid Abdullahi Goni stressed the importance of peace for the society saying peace is the key for existence and the progress of the human being. The governor urged people of Jubba regions to work with their local administration and communities to maintain peace and order in the region.

Defected al Shabaab members surrender to government in Somalia

20 Sept – Source: Somali Current/Hiiraan Online – 108 words

Somali national army has said senior al Shabaab militant group members have defected and surrendered to the army in Hiiraan province front line. The defection comes following the government 45 days ultimatum amnesty for the members earlier this month. Somali national army Hiran sector commander Col. Osman Abdi Mumin has confirmed the defection saying they are six high profile members. “The members who decided to defect have surrendered to Somali army officials in Hiiraan and are in safe hands,” He said. This is the highest number of defection from group since its leader Ahmed Godane was killed by American drone strikes in the early part of this month.

Explosive attack suspects arrested in Kismayo

21 Sept – Source: Radio Dalsan – 142 words

Persons who previously involved in explosive attacks were caught by the police of the interim Jubaland State Government. These persons were caught in an operation in Kismayo by the Jubbaland security forces. These suspects who are two in number are said to be members of al Shabaab. Mohamed Abdi Dagacadde, one of the security officials of Jubbaland told Dalsan Radio that the duo were wanted for those bomb attacks which they were suspected to have carried out last year. “These people who were suspected to have links with al Shabaab were caught and insha Allah we will investigate them. Those who work with them and the way they work with them, they will tell us..”. Dagacadde said.

Parliament commences its 5th session in Mogadishu

20 Sept – Source: Radio Mogadishu/RBC/Kulmiye – 147 words

Somalia’s Federal Parliament has on Saturday commenced its 5th session in Mogadishu, the country’s capital city after the parliamentarians finished a month of leave. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has officially opened the fifth session giving his constitutional address to the parliamentarians. President Mohamud has commended the role of the parliament towards the country striving to reach to a full democratic elections in 2016 as the president noted that his administration will not seek any extension. On his opening remarks, the Speaker of the parliament Mohamed Osman Jawari stated that the parliament has received numerous legislations as part of its proposed agenda for the fifth session to focus on.

The manager of Civil Aviation of Mogadishu Airport attacked

20 Sept – Source: Radio RBC/SNTV/Risaala – 178 words

Armed men have attacked the manager of the Mogadishu Aden Adde International Airport’s Civil Aviation Department Eng. Ali Mohamed Ibrahim (Madobe) after they have attacked his vehicle in Wadajir district early on Saturday. According to eyewitnesses who spoke with RBC Radio, gunmen in a small vehicle blocked the car of the manager as he was heading to his office in the airport around 8:00 am (local time) as they carried shoot-to-drive attack. During the attack, the manager of the Civil Aviation of the airport Eng. Ali Madobe was wounded, his driver and his police bodyguard were killed in the scene, a police officer confirmed.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya marks first anniversary of Westgate terror attack

21 Sept – Source: Capital News/Daily Nation/Citizen TV – 465 words

Today marks exactly one year since the horrendous Westgate terror attack that left 67 people dead and property worth millions destroyed. The attack was perpetrated by al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants who later said it was in retaliation of the continued stay of Kenya’s military in their lawless country Somalia. Memorial services were held in various parts of the country where families and friends of the departed congregated to honour them and recall one of Kenya’s darkest day, which President Uhuru Kenyatta said will live with us forever, in his commemoration message published in a local daily. “We learnt that unimaginable horror, unspeakable evil and intolerable pain can accost and devastate us at the most ordinary times and in the most mundane places,” President Kenyatta said in the editorial.

Al Shabaab’s economic strategy is dipping into new wealth, making it more dangerous

21 Sept – Source: Standard Media – 520 words

By late 2008, it was estimated that al Shabaab controlled most of South-Central Somalia. Although it took years of putting forces together and placing footholds in the country, the international community and the Somali government had to intervene to confront the ever-growing threat posed by the terrorist organisation. An incremental build-up of an 18,000-strong African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army (SNA), who were clashing horns with al Shabaab for years, finally went on the offensive against the group’s bases. As a result, by late 2012, al Shabaab was finally dislodged from most major cities in southern Somalia, including Mogadishu, Kismayo and Baidoa.

Jubbaland to set up assembly

20 Sept – Source: East African – 416 words

The Somali government has finally given in to pressure and allowed the formation of a self-administered region of Jubbaland. On Tuesday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud commissioned the Jubbaland Reconciliation Conference in Kismayu, in which 800 delegates started working on inter-clan dialogue with the objective of establishing the Jubbaland regional assembly and a formal functioning executive in southern Somalia. The regional reconciliation process will serve as a model for the whole country ahead of the 2016 elections. The support from Mogadishu is a major breakthrough given that there had been a stand-off between the Somali Federal Government and the Kenya forces serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) in Kismayu.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

2 al Shabaab suspects arrested in Frankfurt

21 Sept – Source: AP – 107 words

German authorities have arrested two suspected members of the Somali-based extremist group al Shabaab after they landed at Frankfurt airport Saturday. The federal prosecutors’ office said in a statement Sunday that the men were detained in Kenya last month and deported to Germany. Both are alleged to have gone to Somalia in 2012 and taken part in al Shabaab operations. The men were identified as 30-year-old German-Tunisian dual citizen Mounir T. and 22-year-old German citizen Abdiwahid W. Their full surnames weren’t released in keeping with German privacy laws. Earlier this month, German authorities arrested three other Germans also suspected of being al Shabaab members.

Kenya to stay course in quest to stabilize Somalia: President

21 Sept – Source: Reuters – 313 words

Kenyan troops will keep fighting Islamist militants in Somalia until peace and stability is restored to the region, President Uhuru Kenyatta said, one year after gunmen stormed a shopping mall in his country’s capital. Militants belonging to Somalia’s al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab attacked Nairobi’s upmarket Westgate shopping mall on Sept. 21, 2013, killing at least 67 people in an attack that evolved into a four-day siege. Al Shabaab, which is fighting Kenyan and other African soldiers who are part of a U.N.-mandated African Union force in Somalia, has repeatedly threatened more attacks on Kenyan soil if the country does not withdraw its troops.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

“Just weeks ago, the alleged mastermind of the Westgate mall attack, Ahmed Abdi Godane, was killed in a US airstrike. Here’s why the assault happened in the first place.”

A year later, 5 reasons al Shabaab attacked Kenya still matter

21 Sept – Source: Global Post – 483 words

Why did Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked militants attack a Nairobi shopping mall over the weekend? First, you should pay attention to what al Shabaab leader Ahmed Godane, also known as Mukhtar Abu al-Zubayr, has said about it. On Wednesday Godane claimed the Westgate attack was retaliation for Kenya’s military action in Somalia, according to Reuters. “Take your troops out or prepare for a long-lasting war, blood, destruction and evacuation,” Godane further warned. But that’s not the only factor in this increasingly bloody dispute that has — once again — exploded in East Africa and, perhaps, beyond. To better understand the roots of the conflict, keep these five motives in mind:

“One thing though is certain, even if a referendum doesn’t happen it will not change the existing reality on the ground – that the Republic of Somaliland is and always will be an independent country and has been a peaceful and stable nation for the past 23 ½ years.”

Somaliland – Time For Another Referendum?

20 Sept – Source: Hiiraan Online – 1147 words

As we saw over the past couple months, the historic union of the United Kingdom was on the verge of splitting up as the people of Scotland decided to go the polls to vote on independence or to remain part of the UK. On the day of the referendum, An overwhelming 55% voted to remain within the UK and put an end to talks of Scotland becoming an independent country. Now that we’ve witnessed the impact of Scotland’s referendum, there is a window of opportunity for the Republic of Somaliland to dive in and take another giant step on the quest for internationally recognized statehood. In 2001, the citizens of Somaliland went to the polls to vote on the new constitution for the Republic of Somaliland, which cited Somaliland as an independent sovereign country and separate from Somalia. An astonishing 97% voted in favour of the constitution and legally validated the basis for becoming a full-fledged state. The poll was monitored by international observers and was held in accordance with legal regulations yet was not welcomed by any member of the international community.