Key Headlines

Somalia: 7 Militants Killed After Ambush On Ethiopian Troops (Horseed Media)

Somali President Meets Norway Foreign Minister In Addis Ababa (Goobjoog News)

Guled Fails To Turn Up For Scheduled Meeting With Ahlu Sunna at Abuudwak After The Group Issued Orders Barring Him (Wacaal Media)

Al-Shabaab Releases Hundreds Of Prisoners (Sahmis Online)

Humanitarian Situation In Besieged Town Sours (Horseed Media)

Lamu Attack Victims Were Somalis (The Star)

Somali Man Brings Youths Together With Basketball School (Postbulletin.com)

Somalis To Boycott MOA For Celebration In Stand With Black Lives Matter (CBS Minnesota)

Huge Losses Threaten Somalia's Vision 2016 (AllAfrica/Institute For Security Studies)

On Minute Al-Shabaab (Al-Jazeera)

NATIONAL MEDIA

Somali President Meets Norway Foreign Minister In Addis Ababa

15 July - Source: Goobjoog News - 240 Words

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has today taken a meeting with Norway's Foreign Minister Børge Brende in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. The president and the minister talked about bilateral relations, the Norwegian government’s role in rebuilding Somalia and development projects. "Somalia has reached significant progress, but we urge the international community and the government of Norway to support Somali government in the creation of institutions which young people to learn different skills, infrastructure and general services necessary for Somalia’s reconstruction,” said the president.

Meanwhile, Børge Brende said, "I’m pleased with Somalia’s progress and I am hopeful that Somalia will play up progress done so far. Norway is ready to work with Somalia in the implementation of essential services the country need. We will soon send a delegation of experts to the country to survey the services Somalia needs. Somalia is a country which posses a lot of resources and I hope that the Somali people have the capability to exploit them” he said. Somali President is attending summit in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa which is to find ways to pay for the ambitious and costly sustainable development goals (SDGs) which will take over from the Millennium Development Goals at the end of this year.

Guled Fails To Turn Up For Scheduled Meeting With Ahlu Sunna at Abuudwak After The Group Issued Orders Barring Him

15 July - Source: Wacaal Media - 138 Words

The newly elected head of State of Galmudug Abdikarim Hussein Guled has failed to appear for a scheduled talks with Ahlu Sunna in Abudwak district on Tuesday. Sources told Wacaal media that there was a buildup of armed militias in the area after the local administration got word of the expected meeting. This reportedly turned away the leader. Ahlu Sunna’s deputy leader has reportedly issued orders barring the Galmudug head of state to set foot in the area because the group does not recognize his Adaado formed administration. President Guled’s delegation aborted their road trip, staying in Adaado instead, for fear of attacks from the armed militia. He was expected to hold talks with local elders and officials of Ahlu Sunna in order to resolve a standoff between the two sides brought about by discontent with the state formation process in Adaado.

Al-Shabaab Releases Hundreds Of Prisoners

15 July - Source: Sahmis Online - 137 Words

The extremists group of Al-Shabaab in Bay and Bakol regions in South-west Somalia have freed hundreds of prisoners after amnesty from the group’s leader. Sheikh Mo’alim Gedow Al-Shabaab’s governor of Bay and Bakol regions who spoke to the group’s radio Andaluz has confirmed the release of the inmates days before Eid al-Fitr, but has not mentioned the number of inmates released. "They have been in the jail for several months and we released them in order to take part Eid al-Fitr (important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide)” said Gedow. Andaluz Radio reports that the inmates who were freed from the jail had celebrated to regain their freedom and promised not to do again what resulted in their detention. Those prisoners freed from custody were charged with minor crimes including, theft, disobeying the order, Sahmis Online has learned.

Humanitarian Situation In Besieged Town Sours

15 July - Source: Horseed Media - 240 Words

The humanitarian situation in a besieged town located in South-Western Somalia is getting worse, as residents and local administration express deep concerns over an imminent disaster. Hudur district of Bakol region, located some 376 kilometers (233 miles) northwest of Mogadishu, has been completely surrounded by the Al-Shabaab insurgents since April last year after the African Union and Somali government forces took control of it without resistance from the terrorists. Authorities on ground have failed to address the situation and called for International aid organisations to intervene. But there has been little attention from the humanitarian agencies.

Deputy Mayor of Hudur district Mustafa Aden Bariyow told BBC Somali Service that the situation is becoming "desperate” and all of the town’s residents were living in alarming conditions, without electricity or access to food and medicine. "There is only one school here which is still providing some basic education and the health centres are facing an acute lack of medical workers and supplies yet others have been already closed. Our enemies [Al-Shabaab] have blocked all roads but we managed to forcibly open one road recently,” he said. Somali government has been flying in food, medicine and weapons, but residents say the aid isn’t enough, and that many are falling victim to diseases. The militants have on several occasion warned businessmen not to supply food and other essential things to the town, otherwise they will be targeted.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Lamu Attack Victims Were Somalis

15 July - Source: The Star - 125 Words - UPDATE

Police have established that all the five people killed in Lamu on Monday were Somalis, county coordinating commander Chrispus Mutali has said. The two men, two women and a baby were among eight civilians who had sought a lift in the police vehicle. The Land Cruiser ran over a bomb on the Lamu-Ijara border. Six other people, among them two officers, were injured. Mutali said militias must have been tipped off by residents about the vehicle. He said the terrorists must have had no idea that the civilians were Somalis. "We are aware some locals are working with them," Mutali said. Families have started collecting the bodies from Mpeketoni hospital mortuary for burial. Mutali said the bodies were badly destroyed and left in in pieces.

Somali Man Brings Youths Together With Basketball, School

15 June - Source: Postbulletin.com - 718 Words

Said Mumin's first choice for the naming of his Somali-centered non-profit youth group was "Lead by Example."
 That trademark, though, had already been picked by another establishment. So the former Rochester John Marshall student settled on "Distant Relatives." The 32-year-old Somali-born Mumin has made it his mission the last seven years to improve the lives of his "distant relatives," fellow Somalis living in Rochester. Targeting males in the 10-21 age range — ones Mumin said could easily steer into trouble — his primary way of entering their lives has been coaching and providing them avenues in his favorite sport, basketball.
 "I have a good feel for what is going on (among Rochester Somalis)," said Mumin, who with the help of friends also offers these young men tutoring and computer help from a small rented space in Rochester. "I grew up (in Rochester) and I was one of the first Somalis here (arriving from Mogadishu, Somalia in 1991).

"With my experience, I know how easy it is to get in trouble and fall behind. I talk to these kids about the experiences I've had."
 One experience Mumin has always immersed himself in since arriving in Rochester, has been to play basketball. A self-professed hoops junky, his love for the sport hasn't waned. He finds it a perfect avenue to help get across his message of staying physically active and out of trouble. "They need something that keeps them out of trouble," Mumin said. "You don't want to give them so much free time. Marijuana is huge in Rochester. Nowadays, it is prevalent in the Somali community, too. That is why I run three programs for basketball." Mumin's programs are broken down by age groups: 10-12 year olds, 13-17 and 18-21. He estimates that 30 young men are involved in "Distant Relatives." Mumin conducts practices with each group about twice a week, year round, gathering at an outdoor basketball court or inside at Zumbro Lutheran Church. They also play a few tournament a year. Mumin has tracked down sponsors for his teams. He's also gotten grant money and other donations for Distant Relatives. "My whole idea is to try to get the kids focused and help them get in shape while they're at it," said Mumin, who is a warehouse worker. "That, and I want to help them understand the hardship that comes from not getting an education. Right now I'm really trying to focus on the (13-17) age group. It becomes a domino effect, where the next generation looks to the generation before them."

Somalis To Boycott MOA For Celebration In Stand With Black Lives Matter

15 July - Source: CBS Minnesota - 321

Some in the Twin Cities Somali community are boycotting the Mall of America for their end of Ramadan celebration this week because of charges against Black Lives Matter protesters in connection to a rally held on one of the busiest shopping days of last year. In a press release from Black Lives Matter, it says hundreds in the Somali community will boycott the mall for the Eid celebration, which comes at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting in Islamic tradition. "It is critical the Somali community stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the work they are doing for all black people,” said community organizer Ahmed Hirsi in a statement. "The Somali community is not safe from state-sanctioned violence against black people, such as police brutality, discrimination, or persecution based on faith, and we will work together to create an equitable future for all of us.”

For years, many in the Somali community have held Eid celebrations at the Mall of America, the press release said. This year, however, those participating in the boycott will celebrate Eid this coming Saturday at the Brian Coyle Center in south Minneapolis instead. The boycott stems from charges filed against 11 Black Lives Matter organizers following the Dec. 20, 2014, demonstration, which drew thousands of protesters to the mall on one of the busiest holiday shopping weekends. While the protest was peaceful, the mall had extra security on hand and some 30 arrests were made. Black Lives Matter and members of the Somali community are asking that charges be dropped against the organizers, who face several misdemeanors and the possibility of having to pay for police overtime. Dozens of academic and religious leaders have also called for the charges to be dropped. However, Bloomington city attorney Sandra Johnson says she must proceed with them because of a 1999 Minnesota Supreme Court decision that ruled the Mall of America is private property.

OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE

"Political infighting within the government and Parliament is one of the biggest challenges faced by the Somali state, and poses a serious threat to the realisation of a national vision. 'The government and Vision 2016 continue to suffer from inter-clan differences, regional competition and divisions between politicians and technocrats.”

Huge Losses Threaten Somalia's Vision 2016

14 July - Source: AllAfrica/Institute For Security Studies - 1,514 Words

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) has expressed its concern over the situation in Somalia. A series of attacks against soldiers of the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) at the end of June has come as a blow to the mission - the African Union (AU) flagship peacekeeping mission on the continent. The renewed attacks by al-Shabaab could jeopardise Somalia's plans for the future. In a recent statement, Somalia's Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke predicted that the Islamist terror group al-Shabaab could be militarily defeated by the end of 2015. However, the past month has seen a series of high-level attacks targeting AMISOM and various government departments. There have also been targeted assassinations of Somali officials and politicians. These attacks have killed scores of peacekeeping troops, government employees and officials, destroyed property and spread terror across Somalia.

The biggest impact of the attacks has arguably been on the past year's assumption that al-Shabaab was becoming weaker and isolated, and that it was now unable to wage a coordinated offensive against government troops or AMISOM. It was thought that the militant group was reduced to ambushes and suicide bombings. The attack on Burundian peacekeepers at Leego, in southern Somalia, took place on 26 June following a spate of other attacks and coming just a day after a raid that killed eight police officers in the town of Afgoi. It is still not certain how many peacekeepers were killed in Leego, but estimates range from 50 to 80 - the most peacekeeping casualties in AMISOM's and Somalia's history. The fact that the base was overrun and controlled, at least for some time, by the radical group, which also flew its flag over the base, was also symbolic.

While al-Shabaab is known to increase its activities and attacks during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the June 26 attack on AMISOM's Leego base was unexpected at many levels. The attack began with a car bomb being detonated at the entrance to the base, which forms part of AMISOM's strategic logistics supply chain. It is reported that the fight between the militants and the 100 AMISOM troops manning the base lasted for several hours. Al-Shabaab spokesperson Ali Mohamoud Raghe confirmed that the group was behind the offensive and said they killed as many as 50 AU soldiers and confiscated military equipment. The group later announced that it had taken the bodies of 60 Burundian soldiers back to its base. According to the commander of al-Shabaab, Mohamed Abu-Yahya, the group's black flag flew over the base after the raid. The PSC, which met to discuss the situation three days after the attack, confirmed the incident but did not give details of the number of casualties. The attack raises several questions over the capacity, mandate and future of the AMISOM mission, especially the role of Burundi, a troop-contributing country with 5 432 troops in Somalia. The incident comes amid a political deadlock in Burundi over President Pierre Nkurunziza's third term bid.