September 3, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.
UN calls for urgent efforts to save lives in drought-hit Somalia
03 Sept- Source: Xinhua-339 words
The UN top humanitarian chief for Somalia on Tuesday called for concerted efforts to save lives and prevent a free fall in the Horn of Africa nation where more than 1 million face food acute shortages.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Philippe Lazzarini said decisive measures will be required to ensure that Somalis future is not ruined. Lazzarini said aid organizations have began using air cargo flights to areas with no road access, adding that this was simply not sufficient to deliver the volume of humanitarian assistance required.
“Securing road access for commercial and humanitarian supplies in addition to having more resources is tantamount to the sustained delivery,” Lazzarini said and expressed concern by the serious deterioration in the food security situation in Somalia.
Key Headlines
- Government announces pardon for members retreating from al Shabaab (Radio Mogadishu/Goobjoog/Dalsan/
Mustaqbal/Somali Current Online) - Al Shabaab fighters abandon positions in Galgadud region (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Al Shabaab driven out of Hiiraan region (Radio RBC)
- Nomads using mobile phones to trace water pasture (Radio Ergo)
- Government vows to step up military offensive against al Shabaab (Radio Bar-kulan)
- Hiiraan administration prepares to deliver food aid to Buloburde district (Radio Goobjoog)
- Finally African leaders wake up to the harsh reality of runaway insecurity (Daily Nation/Standard Media)
- Ex-AMISOM boss given two weeks to file submissions (Daily Monitor)
- UN calls for urgent efforts to save lives in drought-hit Somalia (Xinhua)
SOMALI MEDIA
Government announces pardon for members retreating from al Shabaab
03 Sept – Source: Radio Mogadishu/Goobjoog/Dalsan/
In an emergency meeting the cabinet ministers this evening discussed the latest developments in the country particularly the security. The meeting chaired by the prime minister of the federal government of Somalia, broadly covered the ongoing Indian Ocean operation that started three days ago against al Shabaab to swill them out of their strongholds in south-central Somalia.
While giving a brief to the Media afterwards, National Security Minister Khalif Ahmed Ereg, praised the gains made so far by the allied forces in the offensive aimed to oust al Shabaab, stating that the operation is going on as it was planned.
The government also announced an amnesty for all al Shabaab members who pull out and leave the group within 45 days. Mr Khalif further stated that the government of Somalia was aware of last night’s US drone attack in Shaw and Dhay Tubaako locations southern Somalia, without giving further details.
On Monday, U.S. air strike targeted a town where senior commanders of the al Shabaab were meeting, including the group’s leader Ahmed Abdi Godane. The Pentagon said, but hasn’t given any further.
Al Shabaab fighters abandon positions in Galgadud region
03 Sept- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 131 words
El-bur district administration in central Somali region of Galgadadu has stated that al Shabaab militant fighters on Tuesday night abandoned their positions in several locations near the district.
Nur Hassan Gutale, the Somali government commissioner of El-bur district told Bar-kulan that al Shabaab fighters withdrew from their positions in El-garas and El-la-halay villages as the African Union forces and Somali troops keep up the pressure on the militant group.
Somali government forces and their African Union allies have earlier this week launched a military offensive against al Shabaab militants in Galgadud region. Gutale said they will soon take over the two villages withdrawn by al Shabaab militants. Al Shabaab militant group is yet to comment on the alleged withdrawal from the two villages.
Al Shabaab driven out of Hiiraan region
03 Sept- Source: Radio RBC- 113 words
Hiiraan regional administration has confirmed that al Shabaab militants have been cleared of the region after days of onslaught against the al Qaeda linked militants that tries to impose strict Islamic sharia in Somalia. Somali government army backed by African Union troops are now planning to open the road which connects Beledweyne, the regional capital of Hiran to Buloburde district to facilitate humanitarian access, according to Abdifatah Hassan Afrah, the Governor of Hiiraan region.
Meanwhile, Somali national army along with the AMISOM troops are advancing to the regions and areas that are under al Shabaab’s control and vowed to eliminate the terrorist network that operates in Somalia. The joint forces are also expected to soon attack Barawe, the biggest stronghold of the militants lately where their leaders are believed to reside.
Nomads using mobile phones to trace water, pasture
03 Sept- Source: Radio Ergo- 330 words
Pastoralists are using the growing reach of mobile phones to find out where they should take their cattle to get grazing and water. Mohamud Yasit Hassan, a herder in Galgadud region, said mobile phones were helping his community to make better decisions about their lives and livelihoods.
“When looking for water and pasture, we used to walk for long distances and make assessments and then come back home and relocate our families,” Hassan told Radio Ergo’s local reporter. “Today, one phone call or one text message can give us the information that it used to take us days and weeks to get before,” he said.
Mobile phones have also helped nomadic people to track real-time market information on livestock. Instead of moving in the hope of finding good prices for their animals, they tend to make calls and get information first.
The use of mobile phones has significantly increased in Somalia’s vast rural areas and has been making life easier for the pastoralist communities. Mohamud Ismail Aw Osman, head of Golis, the largest telecommunications operator in Nugal in the north-east, said four people in the average family of seven living in rural areas now have mobile phones.
“It makes it easier for them to get in touch with each other and to communicate with the urban areas,” Aw Osman told Radio Ergo’s local reporter in Garowe.
However, it has not been easy for members of this largely illiterate community to access fully the benefits of mobile technology. Most nomads do not read or write any language and found it hard to navigate the various features on mobile phones. But a little ingenuity has enabled them to adapt.
Abshir Farah, a pastoralist in Nugal, said he and his community had to figure out the best ways of using new technology. “We use signs and symbols that make it easier to find a saved contact in our phone and to make calls,” he explained.
Government vows to step up military offensive against al Shabaab
03 Sept- Source: Radio Bar-kulan-150 Words
Somalia’s federal government has vowed to step up the military offensive dubbed Operation Indian Ocean which is aimed at defeating al Shabaab militant group. The statement was made on Tuesday after Somali cabinet held an extraordinary session in the capital and agreed to step up the military offensive jointly launched by Somali and AMISOM troops last week.
Somali Minister of National Security, Khalif Ahmed Ereg who spoke to the press after the session said that the government offers a 45-day amnesty to al Shabaab fighters and urged the youth fighting along with the militant group to heed the government’s calls.
The minister urged Somali religious scholars to offer counseling and guidance to the Somali youth misled by the militant group. He further called on Somali people to support government’s efforts to defeat al Shabaab militant group as the military offensive against the militants intensifies in many parts of the country.
Hiiraan administration prepares to deliver food aid to Buloburde district
03 Sept- Source: Radio Goobjoog-140 Words
The administration of Hiiraan region is preparing to deliver food aid to the drought affected areas in the region especially Buloburde district that has been blocked by al Shabaab.
The governor of Hiiraan region Abdifatah Hassan Afrah said that his administration is making efforts to deliver food aid the region received from the government of Djibouti. The governor said the food aid consist of rice, flour, oil and sugar adding that three thousand and five hundred families are expected to benefit.
The governor said most areas of Hiiraan region was hit by severe drought and acute water shortage that has affected the lives of people and animals. Reports Radio Goobjoog is getting from Hiiraan region says the governor and other officials are expected to reach Buloburde district the coming few hours. The security of the district and nearby areas was tightened.
Security apparatus impose strict orders on independent media in Mogadishu
03 Sept – Source: Radio RBC – 157 words
The Head of Benadir Region Security and Intelligence Command Colonel Mohamed Aden Koofi has imposed strict orders on the independent media in Mogadishu after meeting with media directors on Tuesday.
The meeting which took place at the centre of National Intelligence and Security Agency [NISA] after NISA Benadir commander Mohamed Aden Koofi summoned the media directors and journalists for meeting on Tuesday morning.
During the meeting Mr Koofi gave the media directors and the journalists at the meeting guidance that they should not cover any news events relating to Al Shabab and that he has prohibited from media houses quoting or interviewing al Shabaab members.
He also told the journalists that they should only quote or interview the spokesman of the Ministry of the National Security Mohamed Yusuf Osman for anything relating the ongoing military operation. Mr Koofi warned that any journalists who breaks his orders or speaks publicly in defiance to his directives will face punishment.
SIMHA concerned about laws restricting al Shabaab reporting
03 Sept- Source: Radio Dalsan-192 Words
Somali Independent Media House Association (SIMHA) is very concerned about restrictions imposed upon Somali independent media on al Shabaab reporting. Somali intelligence agency has warned the independent media in the country against airing or reporting on Al Shabaab militant group news contents.
NISA has cautioned the independent media against any broadcasting or publishing of the ongoing Indian Ocean operation by Somali forces and AMISOM troops against al Shabaab unless press briefing by security agencies. Somali independent media houses association takes this as clear violations of media freedom in the country and calls upon the government particularly the national assembly to intervene in the matter.
“It is very unfortunate to see such a move by the government that has previous accused the independent media of bridging media law in the country”Said Hassan Gesey SIMHA chairman. As we stress on the respect to the law and order (media law) according to the country’s constitution, we believe that the citizens have the right to information from both sides whether government or its opponents, thus is fairness. SIMHA is therefore calling upon the international community to monitor this violation of media freedom by the Somali government.
Somalia: New Puntland State TV director survives al Shabaab ambush
03 Sept – Source: Garowe Online – 123 words
Amidst worsening security situation in Bari region of northeastern Somalia, suspected al Shabaab militants ambushed a vehicle carrying the newly appointed Director of Puntland Television and Radio Agency Abdifatah Nuur Qodah Ashkir along Garowe-Bossaso highway on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.
According to independent sources, landmine explosion firstly triggered plumes of black smoke nearby while he was driving Meer-Meerka escarpment and followed-up by gunfire that targeted the car enroute to Bossaso port city.
Ashkir escaped unhurt and safely arrived in Bossaso on Tuesday afternoon, well informed sources stated. Terror attacks on Garowe-Bossaso highway by al Qaeda linked al Shabaab fighters have been proliferating at an alarming rate over the last few months. Puntland military court chairman Abdifatah Haji Adan survived an attempt on his life in early August.
Kurtunwaarey administration arrests dozens of people
03 Sept- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 94 words
The administration of Kurtunwaarey district in Lower Shabelle region stated that federal government forces and AMISOM troops have succeeded to prevent insecurity threats in the region. Kurtunwaarey district commissioner Abdirahman Sabdow said the joint forces will continue with the security crackdown meant to maintain the security of the region.
Mr. Sabdow added that dozens of people mostly youth suspected of being al Shabaab members were apprehended during the massive operations in the district. Kurtunwaarey is among the captured areas after Indian Ocean operation was launched targeting al Shabaab controlled areas.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Finally African leaders wake up to the harsh reality of runaway insecurity
03 Sept – Source: Daily Nation/Standard Media – 133 words
Securing porous borders is the main challenge for African states in the fight against terrorism. It is through these exposed borders that violent extremist groups carry out illegal transnational trade to finance their activities, the African Union Peace and Security Summit at the KICC heard on Tuesday.
Human and drug trafficking are part of such trade, Deputy Chairman of the AU Commission Erastus Mwencha said. President Kenyatta said poaching and money laundering are part of the illegal trade terrorists use to finance their bloody crimes, while poachers use the porous borders to sneak into the country.
Kenya’s border with Somalia is an entry point for al Shabaab insurgents. The 800km has only three designated border points, said the President, who, on a recent visit to the US, appealed for help to secure the border.
Ex-AMISOM boss given two weeks to file submissions
03 Sept- Source: Daily Monitor-345 Words
The Military Court has given former UPDF commander under African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), Lt Col Benson Olanya, two weeks to make submissions on a case in which he is accused of theft. The General Court Martial chaired by Maj Gen Levi Karuhanga set September 16 for hearing of submissions before determining whether he should defend himself against the allegations.
The decision: “We are adjourning this matter but efforts must be taken to ensure compliance to avoid unnecessary extensions,” he said. The court decision follows pleadings by Lt Col Olanya’s lawyer, Capt Ronald Iduli, that he needed time to prepare adequately in the interest of justice.
The charges: Lt Col Olanya is facing charges of alleged theft of 720 litres of fuel in connection with Somalia operations. He is also facing two offences relating to operations at the Ugandan base in Somalia in connection with diversion of 420 liters of fuel meant for the battalion. He is one of the senior UPDF officers charged separately before the military court over alleged offences committed in the mission area (Somalia).
US troops strike al Shabaab as AU meets over terrorism
03 Sept – Source: Daily Monitor – 131 words
African Union leaders yesterday met in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, to discuss security threats posed to the continent by terrorist groups as American troops were hitting al Shabaab insurgents in neighbouring Somalia. Ugandan President Museveni attended the AU peace and Security Council meeting which discussed a framework that plans to tackle terrorist groups that have spread their operations in North, East and West Africa.
“The meeting is expected to undertake an in-depth review of the situation and the ongoing AU efforts to combat terrorism in Africa within the framework of the AU operational instruments, including the cooperative mechanisms being implemented by Amisom, as well as to agree on practical steps to enhance the implementation of the AU counter-terrorism framework at national, regional and continental levels,” the statement issued by State House, said yesterday.
Somalia Residents celebration have returned to the town of Bulo Marer
02 Sept- Source: KTN Kenya-01:55mins
Residents have returned to the town of Bulo Marer, following its capture from the al Shabaab by joint forces of the Somali National Army and the African union mission in Somalia in an operation that has been dubbed “Indian Ocean”, that is designed to cut off al Shabaab’s supply of arms via the sea.
Taking on Africa’s armed groups
02 Sept- Source: Al Jazeera English-24:50mins
A summit in Kenya says the continent must work together to combat the “scourge of terrorism”. Nick Clark speaks to Ayo Johnson, founder and director of View Point Africa; David Cook, a professor in religious studies at Rice University and author of the book ‘Understanding Jihad’; and Mustafa Ali, a former secretary general of the African Council of Religious Leaders and a specialist on conflicts in Africa.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
UN calls for urgent efforts to save lives in drought-hit Somalia
03 Sept- Source: Xinhua-339 words
The UN top humanitarian chief for Somalia on Tuesday called for concerted efforts to save lives and prevent a free fall in the Horn of Africa nation where more than 1 million face food acute shortages.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Philippe Lazzarini said decisive measures will be required to ensure that Somalis future is not ruined.
Lazzarini said aid organizations have began using air cargo flights to areas with no road access, adding that this was simply not sufficient to deliver the volume of humanitarian assistance required.
“Securing road access for commercial and humanitarian supplies in addition to having more resources is tantamount to the sustained delivery,” Lazzarini said and expressed concern by the serious deterioration in the food security situation in Somalia.
Somalia’s al Shabaab: Ahmed Abdi Godane targeted by US
02 Sept- Source: BBC/AP-652 Words
The US military has confirmed it carried out air strikes in Somalia, targeting the leader of militant group al Shabaab. The Pentagon confirmed the operation by US special forces but said it was still unclear if Ahmed Abdi Godane was hit. Rear Adm John Kirby told reporters that if the rebel leader had been killed, it would be a significant blow. The US has carried out several air strikes in Somalia in recent years on areas controlled by the group.
The al-Qaeda-linked group told the AP news agency that six of its fighters were killed in the attack, about 240km (150 miles) south of the capital, Mogadishu. Spokesman Abu Mohammed said the group’s leader had been travelling in the convoy, which was on its way to the coastal town of Barawe, but he refused to confirm whether Godane was among the victims.
Godane is one of the US state department’s most wanted men and it has placed a bounty of $7m (£4.2m) on his head. Witnesses said they heard three loud explosions and saw black smoke rising from the area after the attack. Others say there was brief exchange of fire immediately after the explosions.
Pentagon: death of al Shabaab leader in U.S. strike would be major blow
02 Sept- Source: Reuters-135 Words
The Pentagon is assessing whether an airstrike on an encampment in Somalia killed al Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, but if confirmed the militant’s death would represent a “very significant” blow to the group, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. Rear Admiral John Kirby told a Pentagon briefing that the U.S. special operations strike conducted on Monday involved manned and unmanned aircraft. Kirby said Hellfire missiles and laser-guided munitions were dropped on the camp in south-central Somalia, but he said it was too soon to say what the results of the strike had been. Since taking charge in 2008, Godane has restyled the group as a global player in the al Qaeda franchise – a transformation that was highlighted when it killed at least 67 people in an attack on a Kenyan shopping mall last September.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“Monday’s strike may be a reflection that the international global jihad Godane espoused is seen as a clear threat to the United States and its allies in Africa.”
The mysterious figure the U.S. targeted in Somalia
02 Sept- Source: Washington Post Blog-1078 Words
While the world was discussing U.S. strikes on the Islamic State in Iraq and debating the merits of action within Syria last week, American officials were apparently planning military action somewhere quite different: Barawe, Somalia. The target of that attack – a drone strike that took place on Monday – was Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr, a man also known as “Godane” and the leader of the militant group al Shabaab. It is currently unclear if Zubeyr was killed, Pentagon sources have told The Post.
Contrasted to Islamic State and other militant groups that have grabbed the headlines recently, Godane and al-Shabab may seem an obscure enemy. But the group is clearly seen as a threat by the United States. Below, we profile al Shabaab and Godane, and explain why they are a concern to Washington.
“Decades of weak government amid grinding poverty have long made Somalia a target for radical Islamist groups. Al Shabaab’s predecessor was al-Ittihad al-Islami (AIAI), which worked to create an Islamic emirate in Somalia. It was, in part, funded by former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.”
Al Shabaab grew amid Somalia’s lawlessness
02 Sept- Source: CNN-1496 Words
Al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked militant group based in Somalia, claimed responsibility for the deadly attack at Kenyan mall in September 2013. Here is a Q and A that looks at this group: What is al Shabaab and what are its aims?
Al Shabaab is a Somali group that was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government in March 2008. It is seeking to turn Somalia into a fundamentalist Islamic state, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, which published a backgrounder on the group in July. The group is believed to be responsible for attacks in Somalia that have killed international aid workers, journalists, civilian leaders and African Union peacekeepers.
It has struck abroad, too. It was responsible for the July 2010 suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, that killed more than 70 people, including a U.S. citizen, as they gathered to watch a World Cup final soccer match.
Top tweets
@AnalystSomalia Only in / near #Galkacyo #Somalia; the sign reads: drive slowly if you posses a brain bigger than that of animals! pic.twitter.com/2aF9aA2y9D
@UNLazzarini Sustained response & resources critical to respond to worsening hum needs in #Somalia. Time to redouble efforts. pic.twitter.com/Hx3V4GYnxj
@Somalia111 Met Barre Hiiraale today. Welcomed his commitment to reconciliation & state-building process in#Somalia. pic.twitter.com/6XlG2sxcsC
@BeilehMofa Keeping the media informed & responsible reporting crucial to rebuilding our home @VOA_Somali@BBCSomali @UNSomalia pic.twitter.com/tg7j4zXQl4
@UNOCHA Over 1 million people in #Somalia face acute food insecurity as food crisis worsens – update from @FAOnews:http://ow.ly/B06lt via @un
Image of the day
President @UKenyatta with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud at KICC on the sidelines of AU PSC Summit. Photo: @MEsipisu