Flash: Somalia's Puntland cuts ties with central government

Garowe: Somalia's northeastern Puntland region said  it had cut all relations with the central government in Mogadishu, raising the prospect of further fractures to the already war-torn nation.

SOMALIA: President Hassan Sheikh pays sudden visit to Gedo region

Garbahaarey :Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has paid today sudden visit to Garbaharey town, the capital of Somalia’s southwest region of Gedo.

SOMALIA: Al Shabab fighters flee from Qansah Dhere town as gov’t forces advance

Baidoa: The fighters of the militant group Al Shabab have vacated from Qansah Dhere town of Somalia’s southern region of Baay on Thursday after government forces started to advance, residents and regional officials told RBC Radio.

SOMALIA: Security forces shot and kill two murderers linked to Al Shabab in Bakara Market

Mogadishu: Somali government security forces have shot and killed two murderers linked to Al Shabab in the busy main market of Bakara on Wednesday shortly after a security officer was assassinated in the market.

SOMALIA: UN Representative for Somalia welcomes agreement of intent to form new administration in central Somalia

Mogadishu, 30 July 2014 – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, welcomed today’s agreement in principle to form a regional administration in central Somalia.

SOMALIA: IOM says boosts its efforts to combat Human Trafficking in Somalia

Mogadishu: In commemoration of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, IOM is calling on all stakeholders to strengthen synergies in order to break the silence on human trafficking.

SOMALIA: PM Abdiweli appeals for peace and rebuild the country for Somalis during Eid days

Mogadishu: Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has appealed for Somali people to maintain peace and rebuild the country as the first day of Eidul Fitr started.

SOMALIA: PM Sends His Heartfelt Condolence​s

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed sends his deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of MP and veteran Somali artist Saado Ali Warsame and Parliament Secretary Abdullahi Hussein Yabarow who were gunned down in Mogadishu by heinous murderers today.

Somali President sends his condolences on the killing of Saado Ali Warsame

The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, sends his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of MP Saado Ali Warsame, a Somali Member of Parliament killed in Mogadishu today.

“Our prayers are with her. I send my deepest condolences to the Honourable Saado Ali Warsame’s family, friends, Members of Parliaments and Somali people. We all pray that Allah grants her a place in Paradise,” the President said.

Flash: Somalia: Al-Shabaab militants shoot dead famed Somali singer and MP

Mogadishu (AFP) – Somali lawmaker and prominent singer-songwriter Saado Ali Warsame was shot dead Wednesday in the capital Mogadishu in the latest attack by Shebab insurgents against the government, police and witnesses said.

The shooting, with gunmen spraying her car with bullets before escaping, is the latest in a string of shootings or bombings targeting government officials.

UN Special Representative for Somalia condemns assassination of female parliamentarian

United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM)

For Immediate Release:

PRESS STATEMENT 33/2014

UN Special Representative for Somalia condemns assassination of female parliamentarian

Gunmen kill at least 4 in Kenyan port city, scatter leaflets

Gunmen killed at least four people and injured several others in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa on Sunday, police said.

Witnesses said gunmen went on a shooting rampage on the edge of Kenya’s second-largest city and scattered leaflets saying the attack was retribution for last month’s raid on Mpeketoni, a town about 300 km (186 miles) north of Mombasa along Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline.

SOMALIA: Puntland Parliament approves the new media bill

Garowe (Bile Blog) The Parliament of Puntland on Monday approved a new media bill passed by the region’s cabinet of ministers months ago.

Puntland Maritime Police Force: A Vital Component of the Piracy Solution

more detail: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By2ohoSd1vYiNXlWTTFXS1hPTmM/edit?usp=sharing

Government not targeting Muslims in war on terror, Uhuru Kenyatta says

President Uhuru Kenyatta has said the Government was not targeting the Muslim community in the crackdown on criminals engaging in terror activities.

Speaking at the Kakamega State lodge on Friday night, the President said the Jubilee administration was not “at war with the Muslims” but was fighting criminals taking advantage of the religion to engage in terrorism and promote insecurity.

President Kenyatta asked Muslims to support the Government in fighting terrorism and insecurity in the country.

“Muslims are out brothers and we ask them to help identify those engaging in terrorist attacks in the name of the religion,” said the Head of State.

The President, who was accompanied by his Deputy William Ruto, was addressing Muslim leaders from Western and Nyanza at Kakamega State Lodge where he hosted them for Iftar (prayers and breaking of the fast).

“Muslims have nothing to fear as they go about their normal life. What we are fighting are criminals out to cause insecurity and cause disunity in the country,” he said.

He said all Kenyans should be vigilant and report suspected criminals to authorities.

He said the biggest challenge for the Government was uniting Kenyans and ensuring communities from all regions were not marginalised in the distribution of resources.

The President said the Jubilee administration was determined to serve all Kenyans equally irrespective of who they supported in the last year’s polls.

Mr Ruto said Jubilee would not allow leaders to use tribalism, religion and engage in divisive politics to promote their selfish interests.

The Cabinet Secretary for Mining Najib Balala and Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale said the Muslim community support President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto in their efforts to unite Kenyans.

But Mr Duale said Muslims were still being discriminated in the registration and issuance of national identity cards.

Source: Daily Nation

SOMALIA: Somali foreign minister with delegation flies to Spain

Somali foreign minister Abdirahman Dualle Bayle accompanied by Somali government officials have departed from Adde Adde International Airport in Mogadishu today.

The minister together with a delegation has officially travelled to European Union member State Spain which backs Somali federal government according to the minister.

Addressing the press before taken off from Mogadishu’s Adde Adde International Airport, Dualla said Spain includes the European states that continuously back the Somali federal government on many sectors including security and health.

Dualle is expected to meet his Spanish counterpart on the superlative methods of helping Somali government on the security and health sectors following a string of terror attacks that the Somali Islamist rebels have carried out against the federal government of Somalia.

Since the election of President’s Mohamud’s election in 2012, Somalia has been regaining the diplomatic ties with world countries which it lost after the collapse of the Said Bare led regime two decades back.

SOMALIA: At least ten dies after two clan militia battled in Hiran region

At least ten people have died and more than that number wounded in gun battle between two rifted local clans in central Somali region, Hiram region administration confirms.
Thursday early morning, two local clan militias have engaged in gun fire confrontations in Defow village, 35Km to Baladwayne, the provincial capital of Hiran region.
Meanwhile 16 wounded people were admitted to Baladwayne general hospital while some have sustained critical injuries, Hiran Health authorities say.
The battle broke out after the two battling clan militias fought before and no successful reconciliation negotiations have been recorded to bring the hostilities to an end. It is becoming the second time these two local clan militias have engaged in direct gun battles leaving dozens dead.
Traditional community elders have reached the scene while the two clan militias are in defense from one another. 

UN Security Council Press Statement on Somalia

New York, 11 July 2014 - On 11 July the Security Council received a briefing from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr Nicholas Kay, on the security situation in Mogadishu.
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the recent Al Shabaab attacks in Mogadishu against Villa Somalia, Parliament and members of Parliament in the last week. The members of the Security Council expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
The members of the Security Council paid tribute to both AMISOM and the Somali National Security Forces for their effective response to the attack against Villa Somalia. The members of the Security Council underlined the urgent need to support the Somali National Security Forces, in order for it to be able to assume full responsibility for security in Mogadishu and beyond. In that context members of the Security Council encouraged Member States to make uncaveated contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund to provide support to the Somali National Army, as authorized in resolution 2124.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, wherever and whenever and by whomsoever committed.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with their responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.
The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Somali authorities in this regard.
The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their resolve to continue to stand by the people and Government of Somalia, in the face of deplorable terrorist attacks, as they seek to establish peace and prosperity across their country.

SOMALIA: Prime Minister warns strict measures against “spoilers on media”

Mogadishu: Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has warned what he termed as “spoilers using media to instil fear and insecurity among the society” following deadly attacks in the capital, Mogadishu in the past days.

During an extraordinary cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister vowed that the government will not tolerate those who use the local media to create a propaganda of security and spread fear during these hard days.

“I want to send direct warning to some individuals who are busy in creating and spreading fear and insecurity through local media, We will not tolerate those individuals,” the Prime Minister said according to a press release from the cabinet meeting late on Sunday.

“If those individuals do not stop this behavior, it will bear severe consequences from the government,” he warned.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister acknowledged the work of the independent media to spread the message of peace and stability across Somalia citing that free media is very vital for a society like Somalia.

The warning came as independent politicians and Members of the country’s Federal Parliament critically spoken of the growing insecurity in the capital since the start of Ramadan month as the militant group Al Shabab claimed dozens of deadly attacks and assassinations against members of the government security forces and civilians.

Update: Somalia: Security Conference was held in Mogadishu

2014/07/08-Security Conference between the council of Ministers, Benaadir Regional Administration and the Defense committee in Parliament was held last night in Mogadishu chaired by H.E Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed. Matters concerning heightened security measures were broadly covered, obstacles discussed and further solutions formulated.
Read more detail here:

Somalia: Minister of Information Praises Latest Consultation Conference on Media Law in Mogadishu

Mogadishu, 08 July 2014 – H.E. Mustafa Duhulow, the Minister of Information today spoke at the two day latest consultation conference on the Media Law, held in the City Plaza Hotel in Mogadishu and attended by over 100 media professionals and representatives of civil society groups. H.E. Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Somalia attended the conference and was keynote speaker.

The Minister of Information said: “The new Media Law is a modern, dynamic piece of legislation that will protect media practitioners and the people alike, one that will create a vibrant and free media environment in Somalia. Freedom of speech is a fundamental part of a free society and a free press and media is a key component of freedom of speech.”

The Minister continued: “This two day consultation completes the process of regional discussion of the Media Law, a process that has taken us INSERT TOWNS. Now, finally, the process returns to the seat of government, Mogadishu, for the Banadir region consultation. This ensures that representatives of the media, civil society, the government including the security apparatus and the people of Somalia have all had the opportunity to discuss the new Media Law and what it means for them.”

The Minister concluded: “It is now our intention to present the Media Law to the Cabinet in the next few days and subsequently to the Parliament for ratification. After that we will implement the law and give Somalia a media sector it can be truly proud of, one that protects both freedom of speech and the rights of the individual.”

END
Ministry of Information, Mogadishu, Somalia

Exclusive: U.S. discloses secret Somalia military presence, up to 120 troops

(Reuters) – U.S. military advisors have secretly operated in Somalia since around 2007 and Washington plans to deepen its security assistance to help the country fend off threats by Islamist militant group al Shabaab, U.S. officials said.

The comments are the first detailed public acknowledgement of a U.S. military presence in Somalia dating back since the U.S. administration of George W. Bush and add to other signs of a deepening U.S. commitment to Somalia’s government, which the Obama administration recognized last year.

The deployments, consisting of up to 120 troops on the ground, go beyond the Pentagon’s January announcement that it had sent a handful of advisors in October. That was seen at the time as the first assignment of U.S. troops to Somalia since 1993 when two U.S. helicopters were shot down and 18 American troops killed in the “Black Hawk Down” disaster.

The plans to further expand U.S. military assistance coincide with increasing efforts by the Somali government and African Union peacekeepers to counter a bloody seven-year insurgent campaign by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab to impose strict Islamic law inside Somalia.

Those U.S. plans include greater military engagement and new funds for training and assistance for the Somali National Army (SNA), after years of working with the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, which has about 22,000 troops in the country from Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Djibouti and Ethiopia.

“What you’ll see with this upcoming fiscal year is the beginning of engagement with the SNA proper,” said a U.S. defense official, who declined to be identified. The next fiscal year starts in October.

An Obama administration official told Reuters there were currently up to 120 U.S. military personnel on the ground throughout Somalia and described them as trainers and advisors.

“They’re not involved in combat,” the official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that until last year, U.S. military advisors had been working with AMISOM troop contributors, as opposed to Somali forces.

President Barack Obama last year determined that Somalia could receive U.S. military assistance.

Another official said American forces over the years had provided advice and assistance in areas related to mission planning, small unit tactics, medical care, human rights and communications. The official said U.S. forces in Somalia have also facilitated coordination, planning and communication between AMISOM troop contributors and Somali security forces.

SPECIAL OPS

The comments expand upon a little noticed section of a speech given early in June by Wendy Sherman, under secretary of state for political affairs. She publicly acknowledged that a “small contingent of U.S. military personnel” including special operations forces had been present in parts of Somalia for several years.

Still, it was not immediately clear from her remarks the extent to which U.S. personnel had been operating.

U.S. special operations forces have staged high-profile raids in the past in Somalia, including an aborted attempt in October to capture an al Shabaab operative in the militant group’s stronghold of Barawe. U.S. officials have acknowledged Washington’s support for AMISOM and Somalia’s struggle against al Shabaab.

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency officials have been known to operate in the country.

U.S. troop numbers on the ground in Somalia vary over time, the officials told Reuters. Deployments are “staggered” and “short-term,” one official said. But the Obama administration official added that there was overlap in the deployments to allow for a persistent presence on the ground.

Asked about where U.S. forces were deployed, the administration official said they were “in locations throughout Somalia” but declined to elaborate further for security reasons.

The official declined to say precisely when the first U.S. military forces went back into Somalia, saying: “It was around 2007″ and in support of AMISOM.

Asked about why Sherman chose to disclose the information, a State Department official told Reuters: “In the past, our assessment of the security situation in Somalia informed our decision to err on the side of force protection concerns and not divulge their presence.”

That’s changed, the official said. “We do not currently believe that acknowledging the U.S. presence will increase the already high threat to our personnel and citizens operating in Somalia.”

The announcement also reflects a deepening of the U.S.-Somali relationship and comes as the United States prepares to name its first ambassador for Somalia since 1993, who would initially be based out of the country due to security concerns.

“Absolutely there’s been a shift” in the relationship, an Obama administration official said.

Military trainers from the European Union are already on the ground in Somalia training soldiers after shifting their operations at the end of last year to Mogadishu from Uganda, where troops were previously drilled.

Source: Reuters

BREAKING NEWS: SOMALIA: Two displaced children dead in today’s suicide car bomb in Mogadishu

Mogadishu: Two young displaced children were among four people killed in today’s car bomb blast that hit near Somalia’s Federal Parliament building in Mogadishu.
The suicide car bomber failed an attempt to hit the building of the interior ministry as he immediately drove into a group of police forces standing near the popular Statue of Sayidka, which is very close to an IDP camp housed more than two thousand of families.
Two soldiers and two young children were killed in the attack, according to police spokesman Colonel Qasim Ahmed Roble.
The bodies of the two young children were found in the IDP camp as the ambulance rushed to the hospital but were proclaimed dead minutes after.
The blast also resulted the injuries of more than 10 persons including soldiers and civilians.
The attack was immediately claimed by the Al Qaeda-inspired rebel group of Al Shabab which vowed more attacks during the Holy Ramadan month.

Somali Prime Minister, the UN envoy for Somalia and other international people condemned the attack.

SOMALIA: Somali Islamist rebels Al Shabab claim the killing of the MP

Somali Islamist rebels Al shabab has claimed the killing of the member of Somali parliament Mohamed Mohamud Hayd who was killed today in broad day light in Mogadishu.

The Al-Qaida Affiliated militants Alshabab said their fighters had carried out the assassination that slain a Member of Somali Parliament.

“Some of our soldiers have killed the member of the parliament who worked for the disbelievers and also wounded another, we thank Allah and the attacks will continue,” the militants published.

Mohamed Mohamud Hayd along with another Somali law maker was raided today amid driving at Hamarwayne district in Somali national capital of Mogadishu. The perpetrators were reported to have escaped immediately after carried out the murder in broad day light.

The militants have doubled their attacks in the Somali capital during the holy month of Ramadan while the government have launched security boosting operations termed “Open your fast with peace”.

SOMALIA: U.S. says killing of MP Hayd exemplifies the danger al-Shabaab poses to all Somalis

Mogadishu: The United States strongly condemns the killing of Somali MP Mohammed Mohamud Hayd today in Mogadishu, according to statement released by the U.S. embassy in Nairobi, in the neigboring Kenya.

“We offer our condolences to his family.” the statement read. “This attack exemplifies the danger al-Shabaab poses to all Somalis, and their disrespect for the principles of peace, justice and compassion that Somalis everywhere are commemorating during the holy month of Ramadan.”

The United States stands with the people of Somalia, the Somali National Army, and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces and will continue to work closely with Somali political and security leaders to combat al-Shabaab.

Meanwhile President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed and Speaker Jawari condemned he attack calling the security officials to properly and swiftly investigate and report the case.

Late MP Mohamed Mohamud Hayd was laid to rest in Mogadishu late on Thursday after gun men attacked his vehicle and shot him dead at Hamarweine district of Mogadishu shortly after he left his hotel to the parliament.

None of the perpetrators were arrested until yet as the militant group Al Shabab immediately went publicly to claim the killing of the veteran Member of Somalia Parliament.