21 Mar – Source: AMISOM -HQ – 219 words
The African Union Mission in Somalia reassures the citizens of Somalia that it is closely monitoring developments following the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Hudur and is working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia in their efforts to re-establish a security presence in the area.
AMISOM Force Commander General Gutti said “We strongly condemn the beheading of the prominent cleric in Hudur by the al Qaeda affiliated al Shabaab terror group and are working with the Somali National Security Forces to ensure that security is restored to the area as soon as possible.”
General Gutti added that “We have in place contingent measures to ensure that areas in Bay and Bakool where AMISOM are co-located with Somali National Security Forces remain stable and secure in the event of further Ethiopian troop withdrawals. We are conducting a review of our troop deployments there and in Hiiran and remain confident that there will be sufficient coverage,” AMISOM urges members of any armed opposition groups to lay down their arms and turn themselves over to the Federal Government of Somalia and AMISOM. Those turning themselves in will be treated fairly and in accordance with International conventions.
Key Headlines
- Kismayu conference handed over to the Government of Somalia as prime planing to visit Kismayu
(Radio Kulmiye)
- AU Somali force readies for possible Ethiopia pullout
(AFP)
- String of bomb attacks in Somalia’s capital empties beach restaurants holds back progress
(Washington post/AP)
- Gunmen kill two security officers in Kismayo
(Radio Bar-kulan)
- Somaliland and Puntland agree to jointly fight Al Shabaab
(Garowe Online)
- Puntland police intercept child trafficking ring
(Africa Review)
PRESS STATEMENT
21 Mar – Source: President’s Office – 213 words
President of the Federal Government of Somalia H.E. Hassan Sh Mohamud has hosted the UN’s Independent Human Rights Expert on Somalia, Shamsul Bari, for a constructive round of human right discussion in Villa Somalia.
Speaking to media after the meeting, President Hassan Sheikh began by sending his condolences to the victims and the families of the latest car bomb in Mogadishu, and then turned to the issue of Human Rights in Somalia:
“Somalia is now looking to join the UN Human Rights Commission, and that means we must try to improve our record and promote human rights in everything we do.”
The President of Somalia is committed to improving human rights conditions, and already started directing reforms in the security and judicial sector.
“Soon the government will be holding a judicial conference here in Mogadishu whereby many experts both Somalis and non Somalis will participate. The aim of the conference is to reform and advance human rights within our justice system.”
At the end, the President stated “I assure you, my fellow citizens, that our number one policy pillar is security, and human rights is part of that pillar. We are committed to that and we will prevail.”
21 Mar – Source: AMISOM -HQ – 219 words
The African Union Mission in Somalia reassures the citizens of Somalia that it is closely monitoring developments following the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Hudur and is working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia in their efforts to re-establish a security presence in the area.
AMISOM Force Commander General Gutti said “We strongly condemn the beheading of the prominent cleric in Hudur by the al Qaeda affiliated al Shabaab terror group and are working with the Somali National Security Forces to ensure that security is restored to the area as soon as possible.”
General Gutti added that “We have in place contingent measures to ensure that areas in Bay and Bakool where AMISOM are co-located with Somali National Security Forces remain stable and secure in the event of further Ethiopian troop withdrawals. We are conducting a review of our troop deployments there and in HiirAan and remain confident that there will be sufficient coverage,” AMISOM urges members of any armed opposition groups to lay down their arms and turn themselves over to the Federal Government of Somalia and AMISOM. Those turning themselves in will be treated fairly and in accordance with International conventions.
SOMALI MEDIA
Gunmen kill two security officers in Kismayo
21 Mar- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 105 words
Two security officers attached to the interim regional administration in Kismayo died when gunmen riding on a minibus attacked them at Umbulatoria neighbourhood.
An eyewitness told Bar-kulan on condition of anonymity that the gunmen shot and killed the officers and took away their guns and magazine pouches.
The Bar-kulan correspondent in the area says the assailants were themselves local security officers attached to the interim administration.
Somaliland and Puntland agree to jointly fight al Shabaab
21 Mar- Source: Garowe Online- 289 words
Puntland and Somaliland have engaged in a joint security cooperation meeting in Nairobi to collaborate to battle terrorism, piracy and organized crime.
Officials from the breakaway region of Somaliland and Puntland state of Somalia had private meetings in Nairobi this week. Somaliland officials who attended the meeting included representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Security, Ministry of Interior and National Security.
Kismayu conference handed over to the Government of Somalia, as PM planning to visit Kismayu
21 Mar-Source: Radio Kulmiye- 126 words
The elders leading the conference of Kismayu on Jubbaland have said they are ready to arrange the welcoming of the prime minister of Somalia who is supposed to pay a visit to Kismayu town. The chairman of the administrational procedures of Jubba and Gedo Mr. Moallim Mohamed Ibrahim has said that the need is to hand over the whole conference to the hands of the government of Somalia and that the government should be the source of funds and responsible for the mediation process.
AMISOM Reassures Somalis on Security Situation in Bay and Bakool
21 Mar- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 187 words
The African Union Mission in Somalia on Thursday assured the citizens of Somalia that it is closely monitoring developments following the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Hudur and is working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia in their efforts to re-establish a security presence in the area.
AMISOM Force Commander General Gutti strongly condemned the recent Al-Shabaab’s beheading of a prominent cleric in Hudur saying they are working with the Somali National Security Forces to ensure that security is restored to the area as soon as possible.
REGIONAL MEDIA
21 Mar- Source: Africa Review- 293 words
Seven children victims of kidnap have been rescued in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland state, officials said.
Officials of the northeastern Somalia state said the children were kidnapped from the southern and central regions.
A vehicle in which the children and two accompanying men were travelling was intercepted between Garowe and Las Anod towns, respectively 1,000km and 1,100km northeast of Mogadishu.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
21 Mar- Source: AFP- 362 words
African Union forces battling Islamist insurgents in Somalia are preparing troops to take over should Ethiopia withdraw more soldiers from the region, their commander said Thursday.
“We have in place contingent measures to ensure that areas in Bay and Bakool…remain stable and secure in the event of further Ethiopian troop withdrawals,” said Andrew Gutti, commander of African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM), referring to southwest Somali regions currently controlled by Ethiopia.
21 Mar- Source:Washington post/AP- 671 words
Isaq Ahmed lifted his head from his hands, his eyes clouded with tears, as he looked at the crowd gathered near the twisted wreckage from a car bomb blast that ripped open buildings and killed at least seven people in Somalia’s capital this week.
As smoke filled the air, the 30-year-old car washer recalled another suicide blast that rocked a restaurant last year where he also works and killed more than 15 people.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
“It’s been months since he put out a new pro-jihad hip-hop song. But the last time he stepped in the booth, Hammami didn’t have $5 million worth of U.S. government thirst to inspire him. Next stop: World Star.”
21 Mar – Source: Wired Blog – 454 Words
No one would pay to hear him rap, but the State Department is willing to pay big money to get the rapping jihadi off the streets. The State Department is offering $5 million for information leading to the takedown of Omar Hammami, the Alabama-born American citizen who once joined al-Qaida’s Somali affiliate and terrorized the internet with his lyrics of fury. Hammami and another jihadi suspect, both believed to be in Somalia, “are wanted for conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, which includes their significant contributions to al-Shabaab’s media and military activities,” the FBI stated Wednesday, as CNN first reported.