COMMENTARY ON ISLAMIC WEBSITES
Amiir Nuur - The pro-al-Shabaab website claimed that the Islamist media opened a new Islamic radio station in Bardhere and Burdhubo districts of Gedo and the broadcasts are expected to reach out to populations in Gedo region. Somali Language
POLITICS
Voice Of America - The African Union military force in Somalia has declared victory over al-Qaida-linked rebels in Mogadishu. Predicting that the insurgents will soon be crushed nationwide, senior AMISOM commander General Fred Mugisha declared "All of Mogadishu is now liberated by Somalia Defense Forces by forces supported by AMISOM." Al-Shabab spokesmen have called the retreat a "strategic withdrawal," but General Mugisha says the pullout marks a significant defeat for the rebels. "There are indicators that show defeat of a group, whether al-Shabab or any other group. One, they lose territory. And they have lost territory. Two, when you see enemies of that fighting force beginning to report to government, that's a weakness," the general noted. "It means the balance is changing, and we are beginning to see some of them reporting to the government side."
Garowe Online - The Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Ali visited the venue intended for 135 Somali traditional elders to stay during the selection of the committee that approve the proposed Somali Constitution. The 135 traditional elders are representatives coming from various regions of the Somali nation. During his visit the venue, the prime minister listened to reports from a 13-member committee assigned to secure the safety of the venue and the committee claimed that the venue is highly secured for the accommodation of the Somali traditional elders.Somali Language
Somaliland Press - Somaliland authorities expelled and banned U.N. staff for being involved in acts that violates the country’s religion and rooted cultural values. Mr. Bana Bas of Kenyan nationality who worked more than 2 years for UN-HAS spent 2 nights in custody before being debarred by Somaliland authorities. UN-HAS provides safe and reliable passenger and cargo air services to the entire humanitarian community including Somaliland and Somalia had been for the past few years operating in Hargeisa. Mr. Bana was stationed in South Somalia before being relocated.
OIL DRILLING/DEVELOPMENT
The Christian Science Monitor - Australia-based Jacka Resources plans to start oil exploration in Somaliland, a region of Somalia that declared itself independent in 1991. Jacka chairman Scott Spencer said that his company looked forward to working together with Petrosoma, a Somali affiliate of Prime Resources Limited, on exploring the Habra Garhajis block, which he says has "enormous potential." Jacka is not alone. The Somaliland government has also signed exploration agreements with London-listed company Ophir Energy, Asante Oil, and Prime Resources, which owns Petrosoma.
Gulf News - After all, this is the “most comprehensively failed state” where human suffering starts at birth. However, Somalia’s fortune might be about to change. This anticipated alternation, in turn, is not because Al Shabab’s power and influence is ebbing. Nor is it due to the approaching expiration of the Transitional Federal Institutions mandate which some claim will help to support a more inclusive political process. Rather, it is in the renewed international interest in Somalia as an oil producing nation that one can trace a fast-changing geostrategic role for Somalia; one that will no longer be confined to counter-terrorism and anti-piracy efforts. Discovery of oil as well as its need for large-scale infrastructure projects, in essence, will catalyse what human suffering over the last 20 years has failed to do: a genuine push by the international community to put an end into Somalia’s social, political, and economic problems. For the first time in many years, therefore, the Somali nation has a real chance to set in stone the foundations of a better, more prosperous country for its future generations.
VIDEO
Press TV - This is a 3-minute video on debates and views of Somali lawmakers on the proposed Somali Constitution and many Somali lawmakers expressed their dissatisfaction with the process. "The process of drafting the new constitution, which is conducted by both the United Nations and the constitution committee, has raised eyebrows among politicians and religious groups in Somalia. Lawmakers are also angry at the Somali Transitional Federal Government and are accusing the President and Prime Minister of undermining the Somali parliament."
RADIO ROUNDUP
Radio Mogadishu - A pro-government radio station
The Somali National Forces supported by Ethiopian troops killed at least ten Al-Qaeda linked militants after the militants attacked the base of the allied forces in the west of Baidoa town, Bay region on Monday. An eye witness confirmed that he saw the bodies of at least eight militias, while the allied forces captured a number of weapons from Al-Qeada.
The TFG police forces shot and killed three robbers wearing police uniforms in Mogadishu on Monday. The chief commander of Somali National Forces General Abdukadir Dini told Radio Mogadishu that those men used to rob the civilians in the villages of Mogadishu. He vowed that they will continue the operations against those people. Recently, the head of Somali security agency announced that they scattered well trained forces on the streets of the capital to tighten the security of Mogadishu.
The city council of Mogadishu started to demolish illegal business stalls and buildings in Mogadishu's biggest market, Bakara. The police commissioner of Banadir region, General Kalif Ahmed Ereg, told the media that traders asked the government to destroy the illegal buildings, which the people have been using for the last 21 years.
Radio Andalus - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
Dozens of Ethiopian infidels and pro-Ethiopian Somali militias were killed on Sunday as the Mujahideens conducted the most successful operation against the enemy in Bay region since the entered the region two months ago. The operation took place in Baidoa town and the Mujahideen entered the town. Local residents told Radio Andalus that the Mujahideen attacked the presidential palace, ADC building and other bases in the town.
At least one Kenyan was killed and 15 others injured as unidentified man threw grenade in the center of a church in Nairobi on Sunday. The deputy commissioner of Nairobi police, Moses Ombati, told the media that a man entered the church while the people were busy of praying and threw the grenade. An eye witness told the local media that they tried to capture the attacker, but they failed after he fired at them. Medical sources indicate that eight of the injured people are in danger situation.
Radio Al-Furqaan - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
At least nine TFG officers and soldiers were killed in Mogadishu over the last 24 hours. Two soldiers were killed as gunmen threw grenade their vehicle passing near Bar-ubah junction of Mogadishu. Three soldiers were killed as explosion targeted their base in Manaboliyo village. Four soldiers were killed and unidentified men armed with pistols shot and killed the soldiers in Daalo village.
An unspecified numbers of people were killed after al-Shabaab Mujahideens and Kenyan soldiers fought in Badhadhe district of Lower Juba region on Sunday night. The fighting erupted when the Mujahideen launched a hit and run attack on the base of the allied forces on the outskirts of Badhadhe. Although, the number of casualties remains unclear, military sources indicate that Kenyan soldiers were killed in the fighting.
Radio Kulmiye - An independent radio station
The spokesman of al-Shabaab group Sheikh Ali Dhere threatened to continue attacks against AMISOM and TFG military bases in Somalia. "We will mountain our Jihad war against the infidels and its followers of the so called government," he said in a press conference on Sunday night. Al-Shabaab has vowed to shift their war in tactical one posing another threat in the capital of Mogadishu, which has seen a string of suicide attacks and overnight attacks.
Radio Shabelle - An independent radio station
The militant group of al-Shabaab and a Kenyan group allied with Al-Qaeda militants stated that they are committed to establishing an Islamic state in Somalia and will fight for Muslims across East Africa. In an Arabic audio message posted Monday on pro-al-Shabaab website, the leader of al-Shabaab said that both the militants in Kenya and Somalia had agreed to connect the horn of Africa to the one led by al-Qaeda. The leader of Islamic Movement in Kenya, Sheikh Ahmed Osman, stated that the group is happy to merge with al-Shabaab, saying that they will continue carrying out attacks inside Kenya.
Some members of the Somali parliament accused the Somali prime minister of failing to bring an end to the long running political problems in Somalia. One of the MPs, Boot Abdulle, told Radio Shabele that Abdiweli Ali is serving the interest of Puntland leader Abdirahman Faroole. "It’s unfortunate the PM is out of state service for the people of Somalia and serves for the curiosity of regional leader. I’m calling on Somali politicians and senior clerics as well as the civil society to get rid of Somalia PM and unite to solve their problem," he said.