COMMENTARY ON ISLAMIC WEBSITES
Somali Memo - The pro-al-Shabaab website claimed that Somalis in the Diaspora and at home have welcomed the call of Al-Qaeda leader Al-Zawahiri urging the Somali people and al-Shabaab to continue the fight against the government of Sharif Ahmed and that of the colonial Ethiopian government of Meles Zenawi. Somali Language
POLITICS
Hiiraan Online - The Somali Prime Minister, Dr. Abdiweli Ali stated that Puntland's opinions on some of the articles of the drafted Somali Constitution are in line with that of the Somali people. The prime minister claimed that it is not possible to vote for the draft constitution at this stage and the Somali people will vote for it to expand or remove articles when the right time comes. But at this stage, what we need is a constitution to end the transitional period. Puntland authorities have proposed ammendement of 36 articles within the current draft constitution. Somali Language
Somaliland Press - Somaliland Minister of Mining, Energy and Water Resource Hon Hussein Abdi Dualeh, acting on behalf of the Government of Somaliland has announced the execution of an amendment to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with 0PHIR Energy and as Al Khaimah Gas company LLC(RAKGAS), for the exploration of Blocks SL9 and SL12 respect respectively . The Amendment includes the awarding of additional acreage to OPHIR and RAKGAS in lieu of signature bonus, the payments of surface rent, a participating interest and an improved work program. Speaking during the signing ceremony Hon Hussien Abdi Dualeh said, ”We are pleased to continue our partnership with OPHIR as we look to develop the oil and gas industry in Somaliland and we are looking forward to future cooperation."
SECURITY/AL-SHABAAB
Garowe Online - After the killings of two men on Thursday, Puntland Minister of Security Khalif Isse Mudan said that Bossaso police are investigating the killings, Radio Garowe reports. Minister Mudan spoke very passionately about the killings of the two Puntland officials and told the media that the murderers would be brought to justice. On Thursday night in Bossaso’s Lanta Hawada neighborhood, two Puntland officials heading to a nearby cafe were approached by a lone gunman armed with a pistol, who according to witnesses was a young man. The gunman shot and killed one of the officials. The other official, wrestled with the gunman who had an accomplice nearby, while the two were struggling the gunman's accomplice killed the other official. Both gunmen escaped apprehension.
Daily Nation - Police on Saturday released a photograph of a German citizen they suspect to have deep connections with terror group al-Shabaab. The suspect, who goes by the name Ahmed Khaled Mueller, is believed to have entered Kenya illegally. Deputy police spokesperson Julius Owino on Saturday urged the German national to report to the nearest police station from where he would be handed over to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit. "Any person who knows the whereabouts of the said Mueller is requested to give this information to the nearest police officer, security officer or police station," Mr Owino said.
Garowe Online - Over 1,500 TFG soldiers who were trained in Ethiopia have reached Bulo-Hawo district of Gedo region today. The newly trained soldiers are deployed to fight al-Shabaab militants in Gedo region. The arrival of the newly trained soldiers was happily welcomed by TFG-ASWJ officials and the residents of Bulo-Hawo district of Gedo region. Somali Language
MARITIME
Reuters - A European Union naval vessel rescued an Iranian fishing dhow that was being used by Somali pirates as a "mothership" for attacks on other boats, the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) said on Saturday. EU NAVFOR said its frigate HNLMS Van Amstel rescued the dhow and its crew of 17 Iranians off the coast of Somalia. Eleven suspected pirates were on board. "The dhow had been pirated 10 days earlier and was being used to carry out pirate attacks on merchant vessels," it said in a statement.
OP-ED
Somaliland Press - The author, Abdull Hussein comments and questions the design and the symbolism of the flag of Somaliland State and proposes several flag desings. The author implies that the design and symbolism of the flag were not given deeper thought but it was driven to rid of the flag of the Somali nation. "The Somaliland public has not madly fallen in love with the flag but were happy to replace the blue flag. The new flag, three equal horizontal stripes of green-white-red with the Islamic creed made little sense to the Somaliland people. Largely because the designers of the flag never really explained the symbols and how that relates to the people."
RADIO ROUNDUP
Radio Mogadishu - A pro-government radio station
Somali police shot and killed a young al-Qaeda fighter trying to hide explosive devices on Fagah Street of Yaqshid district in Mogadishu on Friday night. The chairman of Yaqshid district, Muhyidin Hassan Jurus, told Radio Mogadishu the boy was a student at Hiliwa School, according to people who identified his body. He called on Somali parents to know what their children were doing, so as not to join the terrorist group of al-Qaeda. (Editor’s note: The TFG refers to al-Shabaab as al-Qaeda.)
Radio Andalus - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
The pro-infidels militias are continuing to escape from the regions under the control of the Mujahideen. Two pro-infidels militias carrying their weapons surrendered to al-Shabaab Mujahideen administration in Gedo region on Saturday. The infidels said they surrendered over lack of salary and food, and because they were surrouned by the Mujahideen.
Heavy fighting broke out between al-Shabaab Mujahideen and infidels in Mogadishu on Friday night. The fighting erupted when the Mujahideen attacked the enemy’s bases in Dharkinlay and Dayniile districts. Military sources indicate that the Mujahideen entered several bases and seized weapons from the enemy.
Radio Al-Furqaan - A pro-al-Shabaab radio station
A major rift broke out between the so-called traditional elders, TFG and Puntland administration officials who are meeting in Mogadishu to approve the draft constitution. Reports indicate that elders from Hawiye clan and Puntland pulled out of the meeting. Puntland leader Abdirahman Farole announced that he pulled his representatives from the meeting.
Radio Bar-Kulan - An independent radio station
Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Saturday met with Uganda president Yuweri Musseveni in Uganda. According to Somali Defense Minister Hussein Arab Isse the two officials discussed the relationship between the two countries and the fight against al-Shabaab militias. The Uganda president promised to increase their support for the TFG.
Radio Shabelle - An independent radio station
A young girl was killed and seven other children were injured as gunmen threw a grenade at a TFG base in Bar-ubah junction of Mogadishu on Saturday night. One TFG soldier was also injured. The attacker escaped the scene.