COMMENTARY ON ISLAMIC WEBSITES
Somali Memo - The Somali Islamist website celebrated the fall of Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi and portrayed it as victory for the Somali people since Muammar al-Qaddafi used to contribute 15% towards AMISOM's expenditure and used to support the TFG leaders who waged war against the al-Shabaab Mujahideens in Somalia. The Islamists also accused Muammar al-Qaddafi of suppressing the Islamist movement in Libya but reiterated the prominent role the Libyan Islamists played in overthrowing the Libyan leader. The website also posted an audio recording of the speech delivered by the Libyan Islamist leader, Sheikh Abdil Hakim Al Khuweylidi Bil Haji, at the Qaddafi Compound. The website claimed that the fall of Qaddafi regime is a victory for the Somali people as well as all the Muslims around the world. Somali Language
POLITICS
Mareeg - The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga said that Somali national army controls 95% of the capital, Mogadishu, and asked the international community to help the TFG. Mahiga said that remnants of al-Shabaab militias were still in Mogadishu. "We’ll give support Somali government in security and urge international community to back Somalis in every aspect," Mahiga said.
Bar-Kulan - The African leaders are expected meet on Thursday to pledge funds to tackle drought and famine crisis in Somalia putting the lives of millions of people at risk of starvation. African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping will appeal to the continents’ leaders and the international community to assist more than 12 million drought-hit people in the region, during a pledging conference in the Ethiopian capital, reports Reuters News Agency. In a statement Jean Ping called on all Africans to act out against hunger by providing both cash and in-kind support for urgent life-saving assistance to starving people in the Horn of Africa.
SECURITY/AL-SHABAAB
Bar-Kulan - The Ahlu Sunna Waljama' (ASWJ) administration in Dusamareb town of Galgadud region released suspected al-Shabaab sympathizers who were arrested in Gal-qoryale area. Deputy district commissioner, Abdullahi Abdi Noor, who is also the head of social services in the district, told Bar-Kulan that four suspects were yesterday afternoon released from after investigations proved them not guilty. He said their forces arrested the four after rebels attacked Gal-qoryale area and kidnapped ten people and two vehicles from the area.
HUMANITARIAN
Gulf News - King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz launched an aid campaign on Monday with a donation of 20 million riyals for Somalia. Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz donated 10 million riyals while Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz gave 5 million riyals. Among the Saudi companies, petrochemical giant Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) was the first to announce a donation of 5 million riyals. On a tour of Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium and other venues in Riyadh, Gulf News saw a large number of Saudis, including women, standing in long queues waiting for their turn to offer donations. An aid in cash amounting to more than 150 million Saudi riyals in addition to donations in kind has been collected on Tuesday, second day of the campaign.
OP-ED
MENA FM – The author called for Somali political and religious leaders to be treated as war criminals and brought to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for starving thousands of Somalis to death. "It is not drought or nature that causes starvation on the Horn of Africa. War, conflict and irresponsible leaders are to blame for the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people forced to migrate and seek refuge for a chance to survive. Many will die. If these leaders are allowed to continue there will be new famines. The world should make the same demands on the leaders in Somalia as on any other leaders. They should be brought to The Hague and charged with crimes against humanity."
RADIO ROUNDUP
Radio Mogadishu - A pro-government radio station
An airplane carrying medical aid from Djibouti arrived today in Mogadishu and the medical donations were handed over to the ministry of health. The Djibouti Ambassador to Somalia in Mogadishu, Dayib Dubad Roble, presented the supplies to the Somali Minister of Health, Abdiaziz Sheikh Yussuf. Ambassador Roble said that his government will help Somalia within Djibouti capacity and there are more relief goods will arrive soon.
The Deputy Chairman of Mudug region of the semi-autonomous state of Puntland, Dahir Mohamud Muse, said that the security forces of Galkayo arrested the gunmen who killed the Chairman of Israac village, Ahmed Elmi Osman, on Monday. Mr. Muse stated that the criminals were transferred to jail in Garowe city and will soon be brought to court.
Radio Al-Furqaan - An al-Shabaab run radio station
A Somali lawmaker, Mohamud Mohamed Kulalihi, accused TFG top officials of stealing $75 million in financial aid from the international community meant for nation-building. The lawmaker stated that the Somali parliament did not address the corruption charges committed by the top Somali officials. Also the MP criticized the TFG top leaders of contracting foreign companies without parliamentary permissions.
Radio Bar-Kulan - An independent radio station
Al least one person was killed and 14 others were injured in fatal car accident in Galgadud region of central Somalia, which was caused by speeding. The victims were rushed to Dhusamareb hospital for treatment.
A non-governmental organization, Ma’in Relief Foundation (MRF), distributed food aid to 500 displaced families in Baidoa district of Bay region on Tuesday. The chairman of MRF, Sharif Salah, said that they gave 25Kg of sugar, 25Kg of rice, 25Kg of white flour, and 10 liter of oil to every family. The chairman also promised that they will distribute clothes to every individual in the Baidoa camps.
Radio Andalus - An al-Shabaab run radio station
Chief Commander of Puntland's Counter-terrorist Forces Hala' Mohamed was shot and killed in Galkayo district of Mudug region on Tuesday. It is suspected that the Islamist fighters were behind the killing. Mr. Hala' was the leader of Puntland forces that attacked the Galgala Mountains Islamist militia in 2010.
The pro-Kenya militia started surrendering to al-Shabaab administration in Gedo after they were badly defeated in Basur village fighting of Gedo region. The chairman al-Shabaab of Gedo region, Sheikh Abas Abdullahi, stated that dozens of militias arrived at Bardhere and Burdube over the last 48 hours and he called for the rest of the pro-government troops to surrender before the Mujahideen eliminate them from the region.