Somalia : News

[Garowe Online]Mogadishu -The president of Somalia's federal government Hassan Sheikh Mohamud addressed major national issues including Somaliland separatism while speaking at the opening ceremony of a new center for orphans in Mogadihsu, Garowe Online reports. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]The city of Kismayu which is located in a strategic location has faced political scramble in the past few days. The Raskamboni militia which administrates the city has been involved in several reported criminal activities such as looting and murder against the residents of the city. (AllAfrica)

[Sabahi]Somali government troops killed nine al-Shabaab militants during clashes Saturday (May 18th) in the Bakol region, Somalia's Shabelle Media Network reported. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]Delegation from IGAD regional governments is set to meet Somalia traditional elders from the Juba regions today in Kismayu. The delegation met Ahmed Madobe who is one of the self declared presidents in the region yesterday. The delegation is then set to proceed and meet the other opposing sides in a fact finding mission in the region. (AllAfrica)

[Garowe Online]Bossaso -A Bossaso court convicted on Sunday, 78 Iranians who were caught in April illegally fishing in Puntland state waters, Garowe Online reports. (AllAfrica)

[Sabahi]A delegation from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) visited officials in Mogadishu and Kismayo following controversial elections that resulted in two men claiming victory as Jubbaland regional president. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]Traditional elders who selected the parliament have warned the motion against Prime Minister Shirdon. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]Internal affairs and security minister Abdi Karin Hussein Guled addressing the media requested AMISOM troops from Kenya based in Kismayu and government troops to intervene and reconcile the two opposing sides in Kismayu. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]A large meeting organized by IGAD addressing issues of Jubba regions and the current political turmoil facing the region was today held in Mogadishu. The meeting was attended by elders, politicians, Somali elite group and members of the public organizations. (AllAfrica)

[Capital FM]Nairobi -Deputy President William Ruto has called on the African Union to increase its military presence in Somalia in order to ensure regional stability. (AllAfrica)

[Premium Times]The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, has requested Nigeria's help in finding an African solution to the Somali crisis, which he said, had spilled into Kenya. (AllAfrica)

[Garowe Online]Garowe -A training initiative on gender-based violence (GBV) began on Sunday for Puntland police in the administrative capital Garowe, Garowe Online reports. (AllAfrica)

[Garowe Online]Military experts attending the ongoing field training exercise of 10 Eastern Africa armies held here in the eastern Ugandan district of Jinja have said the Eastern African Standby Force (EASF) would be ready for operation by 2015. (AllAfrica)

[IPS]Addis Ababa -Despite comments by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn suggesting the pending withdrawal of his country's troops from Somalia, many experts have voiced doubts that Ethiopia will pull out of Somalia before it is capable of handling its security without assistance. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]Fowzia Yusuf Haji Adan who is Somalia's deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister addressed the media at the Adan Adde international airport in Mogadishu. The minister attended the London conference that addressed Somalia on May 7th and speaking to the media she termed the outcome as a victory for the nation. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]Thousands of Kismayu residents today protested in the streets of Kismayu against IGAD officials, Kenya and the leader of the Raskamboni militia Ahmed Madobe. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]Kismayu - -the meeting which was held in one of the five star hotels in Kismayu was attended by 4 self elected presidents, IGAD officials and assistant minister for internal affairs and security minister, Members of parliament and high profile politicians from the region. (AllAfrica)

[Garowe Online]Kismayo -The newly elected president of Jubaland state in southern Somalia has nominated Gen. Abdullahi Ismail Fartaag as the state's new Vice President in accordance with the adopted State Charter, Garowe Online reports. (AllAfrica)

[Garowe Online]Baidoa -At least 5 persons were killed during clashes on Thursday night in Bakool region, of southwestern Somalia, Garowe Online reports. (AllAfrica)

[Garowe Online]Kismayo -A delegation from the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) arrived Saturday in the Somali southern port city of Kismayo and was warmly received by Jubaland President Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) in Kismayo, Garowe Online reports. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]Mogadishu (Sh.M.Network) the president of the federal republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during the opening ceremony of an educational center funded by the Turkish government touched on the situation of the Juba regions. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]El Barde -News sources from El Barde in Bakol region report that a fierce battle occurred today at a place not far from the town of El Bar between government forces and Alshabab militia. (AllAfrica)

[Garowe Online]Mogadishu -In an audio recording distributed to Somali media on Friday, high-ranking Al Shabaab member Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys has blamed Al Shabaab chief Ahmed Abdi Godane for "targeting foreign fighters" and for "unilateral decisions" that led to the militant group losing territory to Somali government forces aided by AMISOM peacekeepers, Garowe Online reports. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]The first ever Europe Day in Mogadishu was celebrated on 15th May 2013. The celebration brought together Somalia government officials, Civil Society and international partners, led by the European Union Special Envoy, Ambassador Michele Cervone d'Urso. All parties to the celebration noted the significance and the symbolism of the event-Europe Day marked the day that Europe decided to join forces to prevent further conflict by 'making war not only unthinkable, but materially impossible'. The EU Special Envo (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]Mogadishu (sh.M.Network) information and technology minister of the federal republic of Somalia who addressed the media today said that the prime minister of the federal republic of Somalia and members of his cabinet received a delegation from IGAD. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]Mogadishu (Sh.M.Network) A fact finding delegation from IGAD regional countries is today expected to depart to Kisamyu. The delegation which met top country representatives in the capital is set to spend few days in Kismayu, the capital of the Juba regions. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]Garbagharey (Sh.M.Network) the governor of Gedo region of Somalia Mohamed Abdi Kalil who contacted Shabelle media in Mogadishu said that his administration does not recognize the self declared presidents of Juba land. (AllAfrica)

[Shabelle]Baidoa (Sh.M.Network) a fierce fighting occurred last night at El Barde, a town in Bakol region. The fighting started when Alshabab launched an assault on government bases in the region. 4 civilians are confirmed dead and 3 injured. (AllAfrica)

[Garowe Online]Kismayo -Somalis abroad and at home have been expressing their support for the new Jubaland state President elect Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed (Madoobe) as a Somali Federal Government (SFG) Minister rejected the elections, Garowe Online reports. (AllAfrica)

[Sabahi]Mogadishu -Ras Kamboni militia leader Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe was declared president of the nascent Jubbaland regional administration on Wednesday (May 15th), but shortly thereafter former Somali Minister of Defence Barre Adam Shire Hirale was declared the same by a separate group of elders. (AllAfrica)

NAIROBI 13 May 2013 (IRIN) - At Gashandiga barracks in Mogadishu, Somalia, Pvt Mohamed Sheikh Issak pulled back his military fatigues to show his scarred right shoulder. “I was shot by Al-Shabab when they still controlled half of Mogadishu,” he told IRIN. “I was at home, but they knew I was a soldier.” (irinnews.org)