September 27, 2013 | Daily Monitoring Report.
Somalis sympathise with Kenya siege victims
27 Sept – Source: Al Jazeera English – 02:15mins
Somalia’s president has condemned the recent attack on a Kenyan mall that left scores dead, and called for more help to battle al-Shabab fighters in the country. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described the group as a regional threat that must be fought politically and economically. Al Jazeera’s Peter Greste reports from Mogadishu, where victims of al-Shabab voiced their sympathy for victims of the mall siege.
Key Headlines
- Somali President vows to bring peace and stability to the Horn of Africa (Raxanreeb/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/OPS)
- Somalis sympathise with Kenya siege victims (Al Jazeera)
- Somali government calls for hotel owners to work with the security agencies ( Radio Mogadishu/al Shahid/SNTV)
- SFG to continue talks with Somaliland (Somali Current)
- Kenya: Heinous Attack in Nairobi (Human Rights Watch)
- Al Shabaab mocks Kenya threatens more attacks (Daily Nation/News24)
- Seychelles to ‘transfer 11 convicted pirates to Puntland prisons’: official (Garowe Online)
- Journalists on AU mission to Somalia (Zambia Daily Mail)
- Boost border patrol urges Mandera Governor (Capital News)
- Kenya : Man arrested with a police station map (Standard Media)
- African Leaders Call for Coordinated Fight Against Terrorism on Continent (VOA)
- Source: Kenya mall attack suspect eyed after ammunition fell out of his pocket (CNN)
PRESS STATEMENT
Statement by H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, 26 September 2013
27 Sept- Source: Office of the President of Somalia – 2131 words
Mr. President, Secretary General of the United Nations,
Heads of State and Government,
Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honor for me to be here with you today. As it is my first time addressing this esteemed and respected body, the United Nations General Assembly as President of Somalia. First, let me congratulate the President of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the United Nations for its unwavering support to Somalia. It was 10th September last year when I was elected as the President of Somalia, and it is the first time that we have a permanent government after 22 years without functioning state. Somalia would not have ended the transition last year without the help of the United Nations and all other countries that stood with us during difficult times.
One of the main purposes of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security. Therefore, it is imperative that we together stand to ensure that the world is peaceful and stable. Somalia and other countries are still suffering and need the support of friends, allies and all members of this august body to come together to find ways to overcome all the challenges that exist in this universe. It is time to reflect our collective progresses, challenges and opportunities in ensuring that the world is free from conflict. I have no doubt that if we collectively work hard, understand issues, become self critical with our strategies and provide all the necessary support and assistance to all countries that are struggling to bring peace and stability; we will prevail in achieving our main purpose in this world.
This struggle must be redoubled; we strongly condemn the cruel and terrible attack in Nairobi’s Westgate Mall and send our condolences to the Kenyan people and government. The Westgate Shopping Mall attack in Nairobi demonstrates to the world a number of important points. First, the battle to fight against al Qaeda and its offshoots like al Shabaab in the Horn is far from over, al Shabaab is indeed a national threat but its consequences have negative impact to the region and the entire world, not just Somalia alone.
Second, the fight against al Shabaab must be fought on many fronts: military, economic, political and ideological. The military, security and intelligence forces are a crucial element in this battle but they are only one part of the solution.
Third, al Shabaab are down but not died. We now need the tools to finish the job and we call on our friends to remain resolute and help us to end this situation. Our brave Somali forces, AMISOM, and Ethiopia, need help to fight our enemies. That is simply not good enough. AMISOM must be reinforced and expanded. Little investment required for these enhancements into insignificance compared with the great expense that will be needed later if the international community does not help finish the job.
Furthermore, we must not overreact but remain focused in weakening and uprooting the terrorist basis, militarily and ideologically. In doing so, we must not underestimate them, nor should we overestimate them and fall for their childish, irresponsible and useless propaganda.
These brutal terrorist organizations have no mercy to our people, wherever they are in Nairobi and Mogadishu or elsewhere. But, let me reassure you that we will fight and defeat al Shabaab in the deserts and in towns, on digital and social media, we will fight them on the airwaves and in the newspapers, we challenge them in schools, colleges and universities and we will overcome them. We have defeated them on the battlefield and we must now defeat their poisonous ideology with innovative strategies, cutting-edge technologies, comprehensive education and vigorous communications. That’s our commitment and we fulfill and I call on our partners to remain strong and stand shoulder to shoulder with Kenya and with Somalia. Only if we remain resolute and together will we prevail.
Mr. President
In just one year, the cornerstones of a new Somalia have been successfully and peacefully laid. We have made milestone achievements in security, public finance management, reconciliation, political outreach and laying foundations of good governance with appropriate legislations in place. The Federal Government of Somalia has now established the basis of a new public finance management system, which we believe will enable our donors to agree funding arrangements with the confidence that funds will reach their intended recipients.
This is at the heart of the Compact we’ve signed in Brussels earlier this month. This compact represents a paradigm shift in how the international community engages with Somalia and I welcome this transformation whole-heartedly. The New Deal will help Somalia preserve unity and sovereignty, lay a strong foundation for building reliable, transparent, and accountable functioning state institutions, respectful of the fundamental rights and freedoms and equality of its citizens.
To succeed, the New Deal must be more than words and frameworks. It must deliver on the ground. There are huge expectations on the compact to revolutionize service delivery efforts of the government. We need to transform lives of our people, reconnect with our citizens and enhance their wellbeing. In the meantime, we have started a campaign to revitalize service delivery in districts and regions, provide healthcare, and enable access to clean water. We have launched an initiative called “Go to School” under it’s auspices, we are planning to enroll 100,000 students to the schools in this academic year and one million students will eventually be in the schools in the next three years. This is not without challenges but we commit and prevail.
On the other hand, I would like to present to you the political progress that we are making in Somalia – we believe political solution is the first step in building a stable governance framework in our country. We have begun to lay the foundations for the return of effective, stable and representative governance in Somalia: the cornerstone of lasting peace.
To this end, Somalia should possess a fully-fledged Constitution reflecting a broad national consensus on how we wish to govern ourselves. We must complete the establishment of our federal system, and advance the process of democratization through development of a multiparty electoral system.
In accordance, our Parliament has already passed legislation establishing an independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission, as required by the Provisional Constitution. We must move quickly to put in place other critical, statutory bodies, including the Boundaries and Federation Commission and National Independent Electoral Commission, whose tasks will be to guide our thinking and inform our actions and decisions in order to complete Somalia’s journey to unity, stability and democracy.
In March this year, my Government signed an agreement with the authorities in Puntland, framing our shared commitment to implement a federal system of governance.
On 27th August, we signed an accord that establishes an interim Juba Administration, which also aspires to become a Federal Member State in accordance with the Constitution. This agreement, achieved after long months of painstaking negotiations, demonstrates what can be achieved through the combination of Somali political leadership, and the steadfast support of our close neighbors.
We have begun similar processes elsewhere in Somalia, establishing interim administrations in the remaining regions to pursue the twin goals of peace building and state building across southern Somalia. Members of Parliament have also played a key role in all of these processes, working with their constituencies and serving as a critical channel of communication between the people of their regions and the Federal Government.
Mr. President
With the good offices of the Government of Turkey, we have continued our dialogue with the authorities in Somaliland, underscoring our determination to preserve the unity of the country, not by force and coercion, but through dialogue, mutual respect and understanding. Somali unity must be more than a rhetorical device: it must preserve and promote the dignity, equality and legitimate aspirations of all Somali citizens. By adhering to such principles, we are confident that our dialogue with Somaliland will not only continue, but will eventually bear fruit.
These are major milestones, but enormous challenges still lie ahead – challenges that were clearly articulated by participants at the Vision 2016 Conference convened on 2nd September, 2013 in Mogadishu, where some of the best minds in the country, and from Somali communities living abroad, came together to offer their remarkable experience, insights and expertise in charting the way forward. At another major gathering just last week in Mogadishu, respected Somali religious leaders from across the country announced their determination to a future free from the intolerance and extremism that has taken root in recent years.
We ensure that during the course of the daily struggle to rebuild our country we do not lose sight of the longer-term challenges ahead, we are announcing the Vision 2016 Initiative: a concerted effort under my leadership, to complete the Constitution, establish the federal system and prepare the ground for elections. We will need direction, determination, discipline, as well as the requisite human and financial resources if we are to succeed, and as we roll out the concrete objectives and benchmarks for this initiative.
Finally, People may ask why Somalia matters at this time but there is a huge amount at stake right now: the future of our country, the security of the region and the wider world, in particular the war against Al-Qaeda group in Somalia and the removal of the piracy stranglehold on the Gulf of Aden is indeed a common challenge.
The progress that has been made in Somalia on these critical stakes over the past years would not have been possible without the courageous support of IGAD, the African Union through Troop Contributing Countries, and the ultimate sacrifice made by many brave African soldiers. We pay tribute to them and we owe them their memory to ensure that we do not take one single step backwards.
I would equally like to thank the European Union for its leadership in organizing the recent Brussels Conference, and I also would like to thank those of you who made the commitment, not only to take part the meeting but your generosity of making pledges to help the development and reconstruction of Somalia. We hope that others will also follow them same.
We welcome UNSOM, the new United Nations Mission in Somalia, and We are now working together to bring peace and stability in Somalia. UNSOM is doing a great job and we look forward to implement all outstanding issues together. UNSOM has shown commitment to relocate their offices to Somalia. Tragically the extremists, who are terrified of progress, killed innocent people in an attack against the UN in Mogadishu. I offer my sincere condolences to the UN and their families. The UN has reacted mindfully and reiterated its support to Somalia. I thank you for that courage and commitment.
Mr. President
War is something we Somalis have experienced too much of it in recent years and we feel sadness particularly when we look at Syria and see our brothers embarking on a civil war that will only bring the ruin of the country. It is much easier to start a war than to end one. After two years, the conflict in Syria is already entrenched. Hatred has taken hold of the hearts of too many men and women while a new generation of children has to endure a childhood full of suffering, with no education.
As a Somali who has lived through the world’s longest, most devastating civil war, I can speak with bitter experience of the legacies of war. We must not allow use of Chemical Weapons against human being in war or otherwise let alone children, women and vulnerable. The International Community must assume responsibility and send powerful message to those who are responsible of the continued conflict in Syria. We must continue to encourage all sides in Syria, and their international allies, that the only way out of this tragedy is negotiation.
Mr. President,
Before I conclude, let me reiterate that impunity has no place in this world but selective justice and targeted trials are against the principles of promotion of peace, justice and reconciliation. Regrettably, the ICC trials of African leaders became politically motivated and not in line with the cordial objectives and principles, it also denies, healing from wounds of the conflict and jeopardizes national unity and cohesion.
I would like to close by thanking you all, and paying tribute to your dedicated support. Together we can make Somalia strong again. We have planted the seeds of a New Somalia. We wish to see it grow into a tree standing tall in the African bush with deep roots binding it securely to its region and offering shade and protection to its people as they rebuild their lives.
Thank you
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali government calls for hotel owners to work with the security agencies
27 Sept – Source: Radio Mogadishu/al Shahid/SNTV – 138 words
Somali government called on Thursday the owners of hotels and houses to work with Somali security authorities to enhance security and stability. This came in a statement issued by the Somali government after a meeting of members of the Council of Ministers on Thursday Somali capital Mogadishu.
The Somali government announced an extensive campaign against al Shabaab militia, stressing the need for the work of the owners of hotels and residential homes with the Somali security authorities.
Assist Minister of Information, Posts and Communications Abdishakur Ali Mire said that the government asked the owners of hotels and residential houses to work closely with the security authorities, pointing out that it would help the security agencies in thwarting attacks planned by the al Shabaab group linked to al Qaeda.
Somali President vows to bring peace and stability to the Horn of Africa
27 Sept – Source: Raxanreeb/Radio Mogadishu/SNTV/OPS – 398 words
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud gave a rallying call to the international community in which he pledged to bring peace and stability to the Horn of Africa by defeating extremists in a war fought on multiple fronts.
In a landmark speech to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, the first by an internationally recognized Somali leader in two decades, the President praised the UN and African Union for their support of Somalia in lifting it out of conflict.
He paid tribute to the sacrifices paid by African peacekeepers and sent his personal condolences to the people and government of Kenya after the terrorist attack in Nairobi. Al Shabaab had been defeated militarily and the job now had to be finished in the interests of international security extending far beyond Somalia.
“We will fight and defeat al Shabaab in the deserts and in towns, on digital and social media, we will fight them on the airwaves and in the newspapers, we challenge them in schools, colleges and universities and we will overcome them. We have defeated them on the battlefield and we must now defeat their poisonous ideology with innovative strategies, cutting-edge technologies, comprehensive education and vigorous communications.”
SFG to continue talks with Somaliland
27 Sept – Source: Somali Current – 140 words
Somali Federal government is determined to continue talks with the autonomous region of Somaliland to ensure unity of the country, according to the president of the Horn of Africa nation. Somaliland declared its secession from Somalia in 1991, but it remains part of Somalia and no nation or institution recognizes it as independent nation.
Speaking at UN General Assembly meeting in New York, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his government will preserve the unity of his country through dialogue.
“With the good offices of the Government of Turkey, we have continued our dialogue with the authorities in Somaliland, underscoring our determination to preserve the unity of the country, not by force and coercion, but through dialogue, mutual respect and understanding.” President Mohamud said. Mr Mohamud is optimistic that the talks between his government and Somaliland administration will be fruitful.
Seychelles to ‘transfer 11 convicted pirates to Puntland prisons’: official
26 Sept – Source: Garowe Online – 223 words
Seychelles government is poised to transfer an additional 11 convicted Somali pirates imprisoned on the African island back to Puntland state in northern Somalia, Garowe Online reports.
Mr. Abdirizak Mohamed Dirir “Du’caysane”, Puntland’ s counter-piracy director, told Puntland-based independent radio station Radio Garowe during a Thursday interview that this group of Somali pirates are expected to be transferred over to Puntland government custody next month.
“Puntland government has signed piracy-transfer agreements with Seychelles government as well as Mauritius and Maldives, to bring convicted Somali pirates to complete their prison sentences in Puntland prisons,” said Mr. Dirir, noting that 40 Somali pirates were previously transferred to Puntland prisons.
UNODC has implemented prison construction project donated by Western countries including Norway, to build piracy-transfer prisons in Bossaso and Garowe.
Afgoye administration lodge complains over Govt soldiers
26 Sept – Source: Radio Dalsan – 275 words
Administration in Afgoye town, 30 km from Mogadishu say they are unable to intervene in a situation where Somali soldiers rob the residents of the area and the travelers who use the highway that links Mogadishu and Baidoa via Afgoye and the road that links Afgoye and Merka towns.
The Deputy Commissioner calls on the government to intervene the matter and do something about the soldiers who rob people in Afgoye area and the villages in its environs whose residents have sent so many complaints.
However, nothing has been done since the residents lodge their complaints directly to Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed who then vowed that the commander of the troops that are causing problems to the people in the area at the time would be brought to book.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Somalis sympathise with Kenya siege victims
27 Sept – Source: Al Jazeera English – 02:15mins
Somalia’s president has condemned the recent attack on a Kenyan mall that left scores dead, and called for more help to battle al-Shabab fighters in the country. Hasan Sheikh Mohamud described the group as a regional threat that must be fought politically and economically. Al Jazeera’s Peter Greste reports from Mogadishu, where victims of al-Shabaab voiced their sympathy for victims of the mall siege.
Al Shabaab mocks Kenya, threatens more attacks
27 Sept – Source: Daily Nation/News24 – 193 Words
Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab rebels have threatened more attacks against Kenya, taking to Twitter to mock the country after Islamist gunmen attacked a Nairobi shopping mall, killing at least 67 people.
“The mesmeric performance by the Westgate Warriors was undoubtedly gripping, but despair not folks, that was just the premiere of Act 1,” the group said in one of a string of messages posted on Twitter overnight.
The al Shabaab has said it was responsible for the assault on Westgate, which saw a group of gunmen walk into the part Israeli-owned mall at midday Saturday and gun down shoppers and staff.
Another message said it had been “a great pleasure to have had you completely enthralled for more than 100 hours. What a wonderful audience you’ve been!”. It also boasted that the “Kenyan government is still in disarray”, saying it “won’t be until several months when it fully comprehends exactly what took place at Westgate”.
Boost border patrol, urges Mandera Governor
27 Sept – Source: Capital News – 355 words
Mandera Governor Ali Roba has urged the government to increase security along the Kenya-Somalia border in light of increased terror attacks. The killing of one Administration Police (AP) officer and the serious injury of two others early on Thursday morning in Mandera town, he said, was proof that the border is vulnerable.
“What has happened is the al Shabaab forces were pushed towards Southern Somalia (by AMISOM forces) very close to that border except a small area that is controlled by the Ethiopian security and Kenyan trained transitional federal government forces, the rest of the area is controlled by al Shabaab,” he said.
Kenya : Man arrested with a police station map
27 Sept – Source: Standard Media – 250 words
Police in Kitui County are holding a man found in his possession with a sketch map of Ukasi police station in Mwingi East district. The County administration police boss Abudullahi Aden confirmed that the suspect is being held at Ukasi police cells to establish his motive and his accomplices.
Mr Aden said investigations were in initial stages and that he could not divulge more details. He however termed the incident as worrying. Tthe AP chief and the police County commander Ms Cheruto Githinji toured the area to acquaint themselves with security situation in the bandit prone zone and be briefed about shortcomings in fighting insecurity menace along the Kitui-Tana River Counties’ borders.
The arrest of the middle-aged man came barely two weeks after armed bandits attacked a remote village in Malalani location, Kitui East constituency and shot dead three people. The three, two men and a woman were sprayed with bullets in a brief confrontation with the assailants of Somali origin.
Journalists on AU mission to Somalia
27 Sept – Source: Zambia Daily Mail – 400 Words
The African Union (AU) has arranged two field trips to Somalia for journalists and security personnel from various African countries to enable them see what transpires on the ground as part of the AU’s efforts to restore peace and stability in the terror-prone east African country.
African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) spokesperson Eloi Yao announced the development on at the closure of an AMISOM media conference held at Flamingo Beach Resort. About 60 journalists and security officials who attended the media conference on the theme “role of the media and communications in peace support operations in Somalia,” are expected to travel to Mogadishu next month.
Meanwhile, head of AMISOM Mahamat Saleh Annadif said there is need for all international stakeholders to work together and help to restore peace and security in Somalia.
“The African Union Mission in Somalia, which is composed of individuals, teams and contingents from across the continent, is helping the Somali people restore peace and stability to their nation and confronting those that would keep a fellow African country from a future of stability and prosperity,” Mr Annadif said.
Four terror suspects under police radar in Mombasa
26 Sept – Source: Star News – 399 words
Police are monitoring four suspected al Shabaab members who allegedly crossed into Kenya to launch a terror plot in Mombasa last month. According to police intelligence, the four suspects crossed from Somalia through Kiunga into Mombasa in August to carryout out terror attacks on key installations and government premises.
Addressing the media yesterday, Mombasa county commander Robert Kitur said police are still profiling them. He said they are under 24-hour surveillance.
“They have not been arrested but our officers from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit are gathering enough evidence before they are apprehended and taken to court. We are aware they have ties with al Shabaab but we must gather concrete evidence,” Kitur said.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
African Leaders Call for Coordinated Fight Against Terrorism on Continent
27 Sept – Source: VOA – 539 words
World leaders meeting at the United Nations have been calling for a coordinated response to terrorist attacks in Africa following the deaths of at least 67 people in an attack by Somali militants in Kenya.
The attack on Nairobi’s Westgate Mall put African terrorism back into the world spotlight. U.S. President Barack Obama said he is working with African leaders to dismantle terror networks while Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said the fight must be united.
“We maintain that terror anywhere in the world is terror on all of us. And, we call on global leaders to come together and fight terror,” said Jonathan.
Source: Kenya mall attack suspect eyed after ammunition fell out of his pocket
27 Sept – Source: CNN – 250 Words
A man who cast himself as a victim of the recent attack on a Nairobi mall gave himself away as a possible suspect when a machine-gun magazine fell out of his pocket as he was being evacuated, a Kenyan counterterrorism source said Thursday.
This Kenyan national, who was injured in the ordeal, is currently being held in a hospital at a military airbase, according to the source. It was not immediately clear if this man is one of the at least 10 individuals who Kenyan officials have said are in custody on suspicion of taking part in the Westgate Mall attack.
There is increasing concern that some perpetrators escaped the mall along with fleeing civilians, and thus remain at large, U.S. law enforcement officials say. U.S. forensic investigators were granted access to the ravaged mall on Thursday.
The onslaught began when militants stormed the upscale Nairobi shopping mall on Saturday, forcing shoppers and diners to run for their lives or scramble for safe hiding spots. It ended on Tuesday, by which time President Uhuru Kenyatta said authorities had overrun the gunmen and taken over the mall.
Kenya: Heinous Attack in Nairobi
27 Sept – Source: Human Rights Watch – 426 Words
The attack on a Nairobi shopping mall that killed at least 61 people and wounded hundreds was a horrendous act for which those responsible should be fully prosecuted, Human Rights Watch said Friday. Kenyan authorities should take all necessary measures to protect vulnerable communities from potential retaliation.
On September 21, 2013, an unknown number of heavily armed men and women attacked Westgate Mall, a popular upscale shopping center in Nairobi. Kenyan security services were only able to end the attack and restore order on September 24. Representatives of the armed Somali militant group al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in the media, and said that it was in response to Kenya’s October 2011 military intervention against al Shabaab in Somalia.
“Nothing justifies the cruel contempt for human life shown by the attackers at Westgate,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “The victims of this sickening attack and their relatives deserve justice. Those responsible for this horror should be swiftly caught and prosecuted.”
Since October 2011, when Kenyan military forces deployed in Somalia, Kenya has experienced dozens of attacks by unidentified people involving shootings, grenades, and other explosives. More than 100 people have been killed and hundreds injured. Most of the attacks have been in Kenya’s North East region near the Somali border, but some have been in Mombasa and Nairobi.
Kenyan police widen search for mall attackers
26 Sept – Source: Reuters – 733 words
Police were tracking four suspected militants in Kenya’s coastal tourist region on Thursday, broadening the investigation into a weekend attack on a Nairobi shopping mall that killed at least 72 people.
In Nairobi, experts from U.S., British, Israeli and other agencies have joined Kenyan officers investigating the Westgate mall where militants from the al Qaeda-aligned Somali militant group al Shabaab launched a well-planned assault on Saturday.
The high-impact attack has highlighted the reach of al Shabaab beyond Somalia, where Kenyan troops have joined other African forces, driving the group out of major urban areas, although it still controls swathes of the countryside.
Wildlife group says poaching funds Somalia’s al Shabaab
26 Sept – Source: AFP – 334 words
Somalia’s al Shabaab militants, which carried out a bloody attack on Nairobi’s Westgate mall, is in part funded by the poaching trade, wildlife activists said Thursday.
“Over the last 18 months, we’ve been investigating the involvement of the al Shabaab in trafficking ivory through Kenya,” Andrea Crosta, executive director of the Elephant Action League told AFP. The trade “could be supplying up to 40 percent of the funds needed to keep them in business.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“So before we declare the Kenyan bombing a direct threat to the United States and get more directly involved in a set of regional dynamics that we don’t understand very well, we ought to ask ourselves if this will make the terrorism danger that we face worse or better.”
Threat Inflation 6.0: Does al-Shabab Really Threaten the U.S.?
26 Sept- Source: Foreign Policy Blog-1097 Words
Sometimes you read a news story that brilliantly illuminates just what is wrong with the basic U.S. approach to national security these days. Case in point: today’s New York Times story headlined “U.S. Sees Direct Threat in Attack at Kenya Mall.” Of course we do. When was the last time something bad happened somewhere and the U.S. government didn’t see it as a threat?
The article goes on to describe how the FBI has already sent more than 20 agents to investigate the bombing, and it quotes various government officials and think-tank pundits about the need to respond lest al Shabab (the Somali extremist group that conducted the attacks) turn its attention to America.
For instance, here’s former counterterrorism official Daniel Benjamin: “You never know when a terrorist attack in a faraway place could be a harbinger of something that could strike at the United States.” Of course, we also never know when such an attack is a harbinger of nothing at all. The article also quotes Katherine Zimmerman of the right-wing American Enterprise Institute: “One of the misconceptions is that we can let al Qaeda or other terrorist groups stay abroad and not fight them there, and that we would be safe at home.”
“The pressure to break stories has pushed many news organizations to commit huge journalistic mistakes, and rather than spread the truth, become instruments for spreading fictitious tales (unwittingly or not); tales that may have grave mistakes in both the short and the long term. And while chasing tales, media houses have collectively failed to explore basic questions about the tragedy that unfolded at Westgate.”
Westgate Attack: Al Shabaab and the Comedy of Errors
26 Sept – Source: Sahan Journal – 1278 Words
The Westgate attack has exposed the soft underbelly of reporting in the digital era, where anyone with cell phone and social media account can relay information instantaneously and the pressure to break news at the expense of getting the story right has become the cost of doing business. Consider the recent tragedy at Westgate and how social media gave traditional media a run for its money.
Saturday, September 21
By mid-afternoon, my Twitter feed was filled with horrible news from Nairobi, Kenya. More than 10 al-Shabaab militants allegedly stormed the high-end Westgate shopping mall in the Westlands neighborhood where hundreds of shoppers milled around doing what people do at shopping malls – shopping, sipping coffee, and socializing with loved ones. There was even a cooking competition taking place at on the mall that day.
Though information was scarce, local news outlets did not provide much needed information or analyses on what was happening and why. But within an hour the void was filled when The Associated Press quickly ran a story from Nairobi quoting a source who said that the attackers sifted through the shoppers at Westgate asking Muslims identify themselves and leave before reigning terror on the remaining everyone else. What followed in the next few hours and days, with the over-reliance on Twitter, can best be described as the “Battle of the Tweets.”
Top tweets
@gcmcSomalia #Somalia Somalia: High level signing ceremony highlights importance of strategic partnership…http://bit.ly/16NXePg #crisismanagement.
@Adesoafrica President of #Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud talks about successes in rebuilding his country and challenges ahead. http://bit.ly/16uQE60.
@tobinbjones A young girl sits in class at the Dr. Hawa Abdi Center near #Mogadishu, #Somaliapic.twitter.com/3GSFDM0wk4.
@Hamdi_Abdinasir Want to hear about the stories of those who have returned to #somalia?Check out this new page on my blog- http://bit.ly/1fLd585.
@ActForSomalia “Together we can make #Somalia strong again. We have planted the seeds of aNew Somalia. We wish to see it grow… http://fb.me/2UCDBodDt.
Image of the day
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia addresses 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 26 September 2013. Photo: UN.