POLITICS
All Africa – The Security Committee of the Somali parliament proclaimed victory over Al-Shabaab in recent fights in Mogadishu and Gedo region in southwestern Somalia. The deputy chairman of the Security Committee, Hussein Arale Adan, stated that government and African peacekeepers made tangible military advances against Al-Shabaab and urged the Somali people express greater tolerance for the military operations intended to root out Islamist forces in Somalia.
Raxan Reeb – Somaliland categorically rejected invitations to participate in Somalia’s reconciliation process. In interview with Horn of Africa Newspaper, Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohamed Abdullahi reiterated that, “Somaliland will not participate in the reconciliation conference that includes the Somali parties not only in America or elsewhere.” However, the president of autonomous region of Puntland, Dr. Farole, suggested that Somaliland authorities should take part the forthcoming Somalia reconciliation conference.
Somaliweyn – The Somali community of Manchester City came out to support the Somali government and AU military operations against Al-Shabaab in Somalia. In showing their support, the Chairman of the Somali community in Manchester stated, “Our main objective of coming together is only to support the Somali government in all ways possible of which the first one is financial support, a soldier cannot battle his enemy while his belly is empty, we are hereby telling the Somali national forces that we are by your side.”
SECURITY/AL-SHABAAB
All Africa – Somali government forces are gearing up to attack Al-Shabaab controlled bases in Lower Juba. Spokesman for Gedo region government forces, Ahmed Mohamoud Abdi stated that there are 1000 well trained government soldiers ready to retake Garbaharey and Bardhere town of Gedo region and the Al-Shabaab stronghold of Juba region.
Mareeg – Clashes erupted between the Shabelle Valley (Doha) Regional Administration and Al-Shabaab fighters at the outskirts of Belet-Weyne City of Hiiraan region. The Minister of Information for Shabelle Valley Administration claimed victory against the Islamist militia.
Shabelle – Al-Shabaab warned Bay and Bakol regions against spying for enemies of Al-Shabaab, particularly woman engaged in espionage activities for Ethiopia and the Somali government. Al-Shabaab leader of Bay and Bakol regions, Sheikh Mahad Abdikarim, specifically warned Somali women and urged people to morally and materially support the Islamist forces.
Bar Kulan – With the recent all-out war against Al-Shabaab and its military defeat, Al-Shabaab forced residents of Kismayo City, especially women and children, to show up at Liberation Park and demonstrate their support for Al-Shabaab. The residents of Kismayo were asked to support and join the fight against the Somali government, Ahlu Sunna and AMISOM forces (in Somali language).
Shabelle – The Raskamboni Movement allied with the Somali government claimed they recaptured Dif village of Lower Juba from Al-Shabaab forces and burned military trucks belonging to the Islamist group. The Raskamboni group vowed to continue the fighting against Al-Shabaab in Juba region. Eye-witnesses reported they deaths of five people and seeing scores of people wounded in the fighting.
MARITIME
All Headline News – Somali MP Ahmed Ugas, who used to live Denmark, warned against any military rescue missions for the Danish family under the captivity of Somali pirates in Puntland. Mr. Ugas told BBC radio that the fate of the Danish family might end like that of the four American killed by Somali pirates.
Hiiraan – Its expected that Somali pirates will release the 26 Bangladeshi crew of MV Jahan Moni on Monday or Tuesday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh reported they have been in negotiations with the Somali pirates who have been holding the vessel and its crew for three months.
Oceanus Live – The hijacked MV Irene SL, operating as mothership, was spotted 143 nm south of Socotra Island, Yemen today. The oil tanker is carrying crude oil worth $200M as well as 27 crewmembers. The vessel was hijacked and its crew kidnapped by Somali pirates on February 9, 2011.
MEDIA
Horseed Media – The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has been confronted with leadership, accountability and representation challenges since its founding in 2005. Leaders and members from Mogadishu dominate the Somali journalist organization, but the current power struggle is more internal and focuses on the misuse of funding from the international community, especially the International Federation of Journalists.
TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT ARTICLE
"Eastleigh Estate Nairobi has become Somali business hub"
By Bedah Mengo
Coast Week
Once a lackluster residential settlement, Eastleigh has grown to become an unrivalled business hub in Nairobi, Kenya thanks to a huge population of Somali immigrants.The area, christened "Small Mogadishu" is perhaps Nairobi’s most active commercial center, slowly taking over from the central business district.
Many describe it as a "country within a country" with a robust economy that immensely contributes to the national economy. Business booming in the area is evident.
Eastleigh is dotted with skyscrapers of which many were constructed in the past five years. On one of the streets stands Amal Shopping Plaza built eight years ago. Until recently, the building was the most stylish and developed shopping centers in the area. But upcoming buildings are taking over the pride of place once occupied by the architectural masterpiece.
The building has ramps, winding staircases and elevators, features associated with buildings in Nairobi’s central business that host corporate heavyweights.
But it is not only fair prices that attract customers, thanks to the connections of the traders, they stock goods from all over the world. "In the shops, you find trousers from China, watches from the US, Hi-fi systems from Japan and South Korea and so on," he says.