POLITICS
Hiiraan Online - The Somali Religious Scholars Council has criticized the proposed Somali constitution. In a statement released on Saturday, the religious scholars declared that the proposed Somali constitution is one driven by foreign entities and individuals and the proponents did not consult with the religious scholars as well as the entire Somali populations including regional administrations. Somali Language
Garowe Online - Turkish foreign minister spokesman Selcuk Unal said that Turkey does not have any ulterior motives in assisting Somalia. Turkey, which has assisted Somalia with close to 400 million USD in aid over the past year, has maintained that it does not have any hidden purposes in assisting the war-torn country. Mr.Selcuk who spoke to VOA Somalia said that Turkey’s assistance to Somalia is a long-term strategy to help the nation move out of conflict. According to Mr.Selcuk the strategy it a four step approach; increasing the awareness of the international community to the current situation in Somalia, assisting the disadvantaged in Somalia, helping to maintain stability and promote development, finally to assist the UN backed Transitional Federal Government of Somalia reach a democratic government.
SECURITY/AL-SHABAAB
Al Arabiya News - A year after the Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda that carried out the Sept. 11 attacks is essentially gone but its affiliates remain a threat to America, U.S. counterterrorist officials say. "Each will seek opportunities to strike Western interests in its operating area, but each group will have different intent and ability to execute those plans," said Robert Cardillo, a deputy director at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The other officials were authorized to speak only on condition of anonymity. Al-Qaeda’s key affiliates in Yemen, Somalia, Iraq and North Africa have pledged allegiance to Zawahri but, unimpressed with his leadership, "have not offered the deference they gave bin Laden," Cardillo said. Zawahri has a reputation as an abrasive manager and a less than charismatic speaker.
MARITIME
US Today - A U.S. jury has convicted a Somali man of piracy for acting as a hostage negotiator in the hijacking of a California-based yacht that cost four Americans their lives, the Associated Press reports from Norfolk, Virginia. Mohammad Saaili Shibin was convicted of piracy, kidnapping and hostage-taking for the February 2011 hijacking of the Quest off the east coast of Africa and for the seizure of a German merchant ship in 201o. He faces mandatory life in prison for piracy.
DRUG TRAFFICKING/DIASPORAS
Voice Of America - Thirteen natives of Somalia and Yemen are on trial in U.S. Federal Court near Washington for allegedly smuggling millions of dollars worth of khat into the United States. Khat's green leaves and branches contain cathinone, a stimulant known to produce a mild high but considered a serious drug under U.S. federal law. Attorneys for the 13 defendants say the case stems from concerns that smuggled khat is being used to fund terrorism, but that no evidence of that has turned up in court.
HUMANITARIAN
Al Arabiya News - The world’s largest concentration of internally displaced persons (IDP) is in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Somalis seek safety in inundated camps on a daily basis, as women, children, and the elderly are increasingly affected by the domestic unrest in the country. People have been forced to flee to the volatile capital due to ongoing clashes between the African Union Mission soldiers and the al-Shabaab militant group. Halima Aden is one of many vulnerable elderly Somalis seeking refuge at the camps. She says she needs food, but is too weak to work for it.
RADIO ROUNDUP
Radio Mogadishu - A pro-government radio station
The newly appointed AMISOM commander has officially took the office on Saturday during a well organized ceremony, which was attended by Somali Defense Minister Hussein Arab Isse, the Chief Commander of Somali National Forces General Abdukadir Dini and other TFG officials. AMISOM commander General Fred Mungisha stated that AMISOM forces came to Somalia to help the Somali people and also to create peace and order in the Somali nation.
Radio Andalus - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
At least ten people were killed and several others were injured as al-Shabaab Mujahideens attacked the pro-infidels militia military bases in Bakara Market in Mogadishu. The Mujahideens entered the marked in the day light and threw grenades to the militias, killing many from them.
Radio Al-Furqaan - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
One of the largest Somali clans, Murusade, has opposed the new Somali constitution. The elders, religious leaders and elites from the clan met in Bargaan district of Galgadud region on Saturday and anounced that they will fight against everyone who tries to destroy the Islamic law.
The Ethiopian government, which failed in her attack on Somalia, is planning to build a pro-Ethiopian regional state in Galgaduud, Mudug and Hiiraan region in central Somalia. The Ethiopian prime minister sent the former TFG deputy prime minister and other Ethiopian officials to negotiate with Ahlu Sunna WalJama (ASWJ), Galmudug and Himan and Heeb administrations. Some reports indicate that ASWJ and Himan and Heeb administrations stated their support of the new regional state, but Galmudug officials opposed it.
Radio Bar-Kulan - An independent radio station
The former TFG minister for Minerals and Water, Abdi Hassan Awale Qeybdid, declared his interest in running for the semi-autonomous Galmudug’s top seat. Qeybdid who is also a former Somali government police commander declared his interest in the region’s presidency after meeting civil society representatives in southern Galkayo. Qeybdid promised to do a lot for the region if he is elected to the post. He said he will tackle insecurity and expand his administration to all parts of Mudug region if he becomes the next Galmudug president. He further said he will foster relations with the neighbouring Puntland administration in order strengthen security in the region. Qebdid becomes the second candidate to formally declare his candidature in the run up to the forthcoming August election in Galmudug.
Radio Shabelle - An independent radio station
Security forces from Somalia’s Galmudug region detained several suspected pirates in massive security operations. Colonel Abdirashid Qoorey, a security officer, told Shabelle Radio that more than ten pirates with two small luxury cars carrying alcohol were arrested in the overnight operation. "They were charged with involvement in armed robbery, kidnapping and piracy. They were sent to jail in Galmudug," he said.