September 24, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Al Shabaab threaten to kill Somali lawmakers
24 Sept – Source: AFP – 170 words
Somalia’s al Qaeda linked al Shabaab threatened Monday to kill all the country’s new lawmakers, saying that an MP killed at the weekend in Mogadishu was just the first to be targeted. “The successful elimination of Mustafa Haji Mohamed was the action of the mujahedeen who are committed to killing all MPs,” al Shabaab official who asked not to be named told AFP, saying the group would “kill one-by-one” the country’s remaining 274 lawmakers.
Mustaf Haji Mohamed, the father-in-law of former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was gunned down on Saturday after leaving a mosque in Mogadishu, the first lawmaker to be targeted since the new assembly was selected in August.
Somalia’s new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud survived an assassination bid on September 12, just two days after he was elected, when apparent suicide bomb attacks claimed by the Islamist rebels rocked a Mogadishu hotel. After more than two decades of war, Mogadishu has been coming back to life since the al Shabaab left frontline fighting positions, with a boom in building and business.
Key Headlines
- Somalis in Netherlands hail political changes back home (Bar-kulan)
- Somalia: 200 former al Shabaab agents surrender to allied forces (Garowe Online)
- Somalia: Investigate Killings of Journalists (Human Rights Watch)
- Authorities in Hiiraan welcomes arrival of Djiboutian contingents (Radio Kulmiye)
- Bomb explosion wounds 8 in Beledweyn town (Raxanreeb)
- Four people injured in blast near Liboi Township (Coast Week/Xinhua)
PRESS STATEMENT
Statement from the British Ambassador to Somalia Matt Baugh, on the killing of Mustaf Mohamud Ali MP
23 Sept – Source: British Office for Somalia – 124 words
Statement from the British Ambassador to Somalia Matt Baugh, on the killing of Mustaf Mohamud Ali MP. “On behalf of the British Government I wish to express my deep condolences to the family of Mustaf Mohamud Ali MP, and to the Somali people, following his murder in Mogadishu earlier today.
This is another cowardly act of hatred by killers who reject change, progress and the chance of a more stable future. Their selfish intention is instead to perpetuate a cycle of intimidation and violence.
“Having witnessed Members of the new Parliament electing a new President earlier this month, I reaffirm that the UK stands with them and the Somali people as they continue on their path towards peace, security and democracy.” Ambassador Matt Baugh.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somalis in Netherlands hail political changes back home
24 Sept – Source: Bar-kulan – 85 words
Somalis in the Netherlands have welcomed the recent political changes back in their home country including the election of the new president that culminated the eight year old transitional period in the country.
At a colourful ceremony held in Hague city of South Holland, hundreds of Somalis gathered to show their support for the new government. Mohamed Elmi, a member of the Somali community in Hague told Bar-kulan the ceremony was aimed to celebrate the political changes in Somalia after two decades of conflict.
Authorities in Hiiraan welcomes arrival of Djiboutian contingents
24 Sept – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 84 words
Authorities in Hiiraan welcomed the arrival of AMISOM Djiboutian contingents in the region, Somali forces along with AMISOM and Ethiopians strive to regain many territorial areas in southern Somalia.
Osman Dubad says the Djiboutian troops have been deployed in Beledweyne to participate in the AMISOM peacekeeping operation in Somalia, while adding that more Djiboutian soldiers would be arriving soon in Beledweyne. He pledged that the Djiboutian contingent would assist in social matters, such as assistance with education and health matters.
Somalia: 200 former al Shabaab agents surrender to allied forces
23 Sept – Source: Garowe Online – 157 words
200 hundred al Shabaab agents have surrendered to African Union and Somali government forces on Sunday amid a chain of bombings and assassinations in Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports. Spokesman for the African Union forces in Somalia, Col. Ali Adan Hamud, said that the agents who surrendered were equipped with their weapons had decided to give up fighting for al Shabaab and join government forces.
“These al Shabaab agents denounced their allegiance with the terrorist group and decided to join the government forces. We welcome their decision and we are providing their security,” continued Col. Hamud.
The spokesman denied reports saying that the agents were actually civilians who were looking to join the battle in the Middle Shabelle region by surrendering to the allied forces. “The 200 agents who surrendered included two al Shabaab officials, we welcome anyone separating from al Shabaab and we will protect them,” said Col. Hamud.
8 injured in Odweyne inferno
24 Sept – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 87 words
At least eight people sustained injuries after fire broke out at a gas station in Gudubi village of Odweyne district in Burao town, in Somaliland on Sunday evening. Yussuf Ibrahim Gedi, an official with the local area administration told Bar-kulan the fire spread to other areas near the gas stations.Gedi said two people are now in critical condition and were rushed to Burao provincial general hospital for further treatments. It is not yet known the exact cause of the fire.
Bomb explosion wounds 8 in Beledweyn town
23 Sept – Source: Ranxanreeb – 93 words
At least eight civilians were wounded after unknown assailants hurled a hand grenade at small coffee shop in Beledweyn town, Somalia’s central region of Hiiraan on Sunday ,RBC Radio reports. According to residents, the explosion hit at a coffee shop that locals sit and drink, causing the injuries of eight people including a young woman serving at the coffee shop. Some sources claim that members of government forces were targeted. Freelance journalist in the town has confirmed to Raxanreeb that two of the wounded people were in critical condition.
Puntland authorities shuts down clan Elder’s office in Bosaso
23 Sept – Source: Horseed Media – 132 words
Heavily armed military police convoy accompanied by officials from the office of the governor of Bari region closed-down the regional clan elder’s office in Bosaso, the commercial capital of Puntland state of Somalia. According to the clan elders, the soldiers also took all the office equipments including, computers and furniture.
The decision to close down the office comes just days after a joint press release by five major clans in Bari region called on the President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole not to postpone the Presidential elections in January 2013.
The Elder’s office in Bosaso, was the only such location where clan elders and community leaders could gather. The office was established by the elders in order to help the local communities solve their clan and social disputes.
UN envoy condemns killing of Somali MP, calls for independent inquiry
23 Sept – Source: Radio Shabelle – 125 words
The UN Special Envoy to Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, condemned the killing of Mustaf Haji Muhammad, a recently appointed Somali MP. Mahiga said during a media conference in Mogadishu that the MP’s murder is a terrorist act which was carried out by groups who have no regard for the people of Somalia.
The envoy similarly called on independent investigations to be carried out to ascertain those responsible for the killing, in an impartial and prompt manner. “The cowards who have committed these acts of murder and indiscriminate bombardments cannot impede the historical success that Somali people, who are determined to overcome a period of difficulty, have gained”. The UN envoy finally expressed his condolences to the Somali people, family and friends of the deceased MP.
REGIONAL MEDIA
200 al-Shabaab members surrender
24 Sept – Source: Daily Monitor/ Observer/PANA – 122 words
At least 200 al Shabaab fighters on Saturday surrendered to Ugandan forces fighting under the African Union flag in Garsale near the town of Jowhar, 80km from Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. The fighters disengaged in the early hours of Saturday morning with streams of al Shabaab militants giving themselves up peacefully to AMISOM.
The spokesman of the Ugandan Battle Group Nine, Capt. Henry Obbo, told Daily Monitor that the surrender came after in-fighting between militants in the region in which eight al Shabaab were killed by rival militants. Those who reported to AMISOM included two senior insurgent. Eighty three assorted weapons were recovered. The fighters are set to be transferred to Mogadishu for rehabilitation. Saturday’s surrender marked another step in efforts to finally pacify Somalia.
Four people injured in blast near Liboi Township
23 Sept – Source: Coast Week/Xinhua – 801 words
At least four people including people policemen were injured on Friday following an explosion that targeted their vehicle travelling to the northern border town of Liboi.
Three civilians sustained bullet wounds after another explosion occurred at the same scene as bomb experts and top security officials led by regional police commander, Philip Tuimur were assessing the impact of the explosion where the two Para military officers were injured.
Residents flee Mandera as al Shabaab run to Gedo
22 Sept – Source: Star – 237 words
Panic has gripped Mandera residents as reports indicate that al Shabaab militia fleeing from AMISOM troops and the Kenya Defence Forces in Kismayo, are moving toward Gedo in Southern Somalia. Gedo borders Mandera. Families have started moving out of the town to neighbouring Khalalio, Bela, Harari Hosle and Rhamu villages after word went round about the move and the possibility they attempt to carry out revenge.
“Now that al Shabaab is imminently on verge of losing its last bastion of its control, they are reported to be fleeing to ward interior towns of Somali and this might why people are worried of the Islamist group attacking the town out of desperate ravage” said a senior police officer, who requested anonymity because he is not allowed to speak to the press.
Mandera has experienced kidnapping and destruction of property in the hands of the militia, who have targeted it for revenge attack against the country for sending its troop to Somalia to flush them out. The officer assured residents that there is no cause for alarm because security forces are on high alert to thwart any possible attacks.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Somalia: Investigate Killings of Journalists
24 Sept – Source: Human Rights Watch – 156 words
The new president of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, should promptly order an investigation into the killings of four journalists over a 24-hour period on September 20-21, 2012. The new government should adopt measures to provide better protections for journalists, 13 of whom have been killed this year.
“Somalia’s journalists have long topped the lists of targets by all sides during the country’s brutal civil war,” said Leslie Lefkow, deputy director of the Africa division. “The new Somali president can act to end this horrific pattern by ordering prompt and serious investigations into these killings.”
In the early evening of September 20, three journalists were killed and five others wounded when two suicide bombers exploded in a popular restaurant in the Hamer Wayne district of Mogadishu, killing at least 15 people altogether. The journalists killed in the bombing were Abdisatar Daher Sabriye and Liban Ali Nur of Somali National TV and Abdirahman Yasin Ali of Radio Hamar.
Al Shabaab threaten to kill Somali lawmakers
24 Sept – Source: AFP – 170 words
Somalia’s al Qaeda linked al Shabaab threatened Monday to kill all the country’s new lawmakers, saying that an MP killed at the weekend in Mogadishu was just the first to be targeted. “The successful elimination of Mustafa Haji Mohamed was the action of the mujahedeen who are committed to killing all MPs,” al Shabaab official who asked not to be named told AFP, saying the group would “kill one-by-one” the country’s remaining 274 lawmakers.
Mustaf Haji Mohamed, the father-in-law of former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was gunned down on Saturday after leaving a mosque in Mogadishu, the first lawmaker to be targeted since the new assembly was selected in August.
Somalia’s new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud survived an assassination bid on September 12, just two days after he was elected, when apparent suicide bomb attacks claimed by the Islamist rebels rocked a Mogadishu hotel. After more than two decades of war, Mogadishu has been coming back to life since the al Shabaab left frontline fighting positions, with a boom in building and business.
Kenyan AMISOM troops ‘shoot dead Somali civilians’
24 Sept – Source: BBC – 322 words
Seven civilians have been shot dead by Kenyan troops advancing towards the al Shabaab stronghold of Kismayo, a Somali army spokesman has told the BBC. “It was a deliberate killing,” said Adan Mohamed Hirsi.
The Kenyans are part of the pro-government African Union mission in Somalia, which says it is investigating the incident. The alleged shooting happened about 50km (30 miles) from Kismayo, the largest city still in militant hands.
Kenyan troops intervened in Somalia a year ago after a spate of cross-border attacks blamed on the al Qaeda linked al Shabab group. Mr Hirsi condemned the latest killings and asked the Somali government to take action.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Public order, personal safety and protection of private properties are keys to stability and prosperity. A nation with secure borders, faithful to its creator and enjoying economic prosperity and peace with itself first is the only acceptable future for NEW SOMALIA. There is no point in keeping a leader if he or she is not up to the job.”
The Way Forward For Somalia
21 Sept – Source: Wardheernews – 761 Words
Now that the positions of the President and Speaker of the Federal Parliament have been secured with the election of enlightened politicians and with great expectation to appoint, in turn, a smart, positive, unifying, representative and competent Prime Minister as the Chief Executive Head of a cabinet worthy to meet the tasks and challenges before them, the first huge step forward would be complete. That alone would be a great achievement by itself. What happens historically often in the context of Somali administrations though are administrative, legal and political gridlocks based on the following issues:
“Somalia, he says, is “full of stories. We say, ‘one sick person; a hundred doctors’. Somalia is a sick country and everyone has an opinion. Mine is one version; in a civil war, there are millions.”
Nuruddin Farah: a life in writing
22 Sept – Source: Guardian – 2427 Words
In a hotel beside a Norwegian fjord, encircled by snow-streaked mountains, the novelist and playwright Nuruddin Farah has his mind on warmer waters.”Are they pirates?” he says of the Somalis who hold ships hostage off the Horn of Africa, where he was born. “What they do has the characteristics of piracy. But that wasn’t how it started.” He fixes his eye on the Arctic trawlers in the harbour. “The majority were fishermen who lost their livelihoods to Korean and Japanese and European fishing vessels, fishing illegally in Somali waters. I’m not condoning the things they’re doing. But there are unanswered questions. Someone is not telling us the truth.”
Over 45 years, Farah has pursued complex, elusive truths as one of Africa’s greatest novelists, and a cosmopolitan voice in English-language fiction. He was driven into exile by the Somali dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, who ruled from 1969 to 1991, and he now lives in Cape Town. But all 11 of his novels (translated into 20 languages) are set in Somali-speaking lands, one impulse being to “keep my country alive by writing about it”. When I first met him in London in the 1980s, he was with Salman Rushdie at a Royal Court play, and his became a staunch Muslim voice against the fatwa. Rushdie writes in his new memoir of seeking his friend’s advice on how to depict a country lost to him: “‘I keep it here,’ Nuruddin said, pointing to his heart.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
“Somalia used be to a country which was up and coming, there was free schooling for everybody in the 70s and women had opportunities. I hope we can return to this era. Women in Somalia can be categorised in two ways, while they are respected at home as a mother and are revered as the boss of the house, outside of the home they are voiceless as many remain uneducated and powerless.”
Shaping Somalia’s political landscape and women’s rights
21 Sept – Source: Independent Blog – 702 Words
At the age of 15 Halima Ismail Ibrahim was already advocating for women’s rights at her high school in Afgoye, 30 km from Mogadishu. With or without a functioning state, as a passionate and committed human rights activist and recently appointed the Co-Chair of the Technical Selection Committee (TSC), Halima has been working for the poor, human rights and with youth for decades.
“I was teaching agriculture and working in the field carrying out research when I realised that women’s rights were being ignored. I saw women working very hard cultivating the land, working at home, bringing up children but had no rights when it came to land ownership so I raised this with the legislators,” she said.
“The first production is scheduled to be “Somalia’s Got Talent”, presenting a brighter face for a country so scarred by conflict. But violence is never far below the surface in Somalia. On September 20th, two suicide bombers attacked “The Village” cafe opposite the theatre…”
Somalia’s National Theatre: Still defiant
21 Sept – Source: Economist Blog – 344 Words
THE National Theatre in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, was the first new building constructed after independence and has hosted heads of state from Haile Selassie to Fidel Castro. But it has been dark since July 1991 when the country sank into civil war. The concrete latice on the facia now crumbles from the effects of age and artillery shells.
Security has slowly returned to the capital since African Union troops forced the al Qaeda linked al Shabaab militants out last year, two decades after fighting began. Taking advantage of these new conditions, the theatre re-opened this March. More than 800 performers from Mogadishu, surrounding villages, and the diaspora were involved in its jubilant re-launch. But just two weeks later, as the prime minister took to the stage, a woman dressed as a police officer detonated her suicide bomb, killing ten people.
Top tweets
@TEDxMogadishu #Somalia2012 Remember the day when you live tweeted the #Somalia elections? Talking about it in this video! – http://bit.ly/R80xf6.
@alykhansatchu #Somalia through more than two decades of civil war has been kept afloat by inward remittances http://www.rich.co.ke/media/
@rudolfp Welcome to #Mogadishu. Live stream showing another #Somalia -youth, use of technology, poetry. http://sgsmogadishu.com/. #UN summit.
@UNPOSomalia Latest from #UN News Centre – #Somalia: UN envoy #Mahiga ‘outraged’ by killing of member of parliament: http://bit.ly/Se9W1c #UNPOS.
@EinteJr #AMISOM apologizes on behalf of KDF on killing civilians near Kismayu and says it’ll do thorough investigation.
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