February 29, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

AU Special Representative for Somalia Condemns killings of Journalist and Innocent Civilians

29 Feb – Source: AMISOM – 203 Words

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC), Ambassador Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra has learnt with great sadness of the assassination of the Somaliweyn radio director, Abukar Hasan, a day after the appalling murder of eight civilians among who five were children.

Ambassador Diarra said; ‘At this time when Somalia, thanks to the efforts of the international community is trying to lay the critical foundations of a stabile and a democratic state, the assassination of journalists who represent the voices of the people, and the murder of innocent children whose only fault was enjoying the return of peace in Somalia as they played football, is and remains an intolerable crime.’ The SRCC condemns these hideous crimes and calls on all peace loving Somalis to step up their efforts for peace.

‘The African Union will not be deterred in its efforts to support the people of Mogadishu as they seek to rebuild their lives following decades of anarchy. This is the sense of all our efforts towards peace in Somalia.’ said Ambassador Diarra. The AU Special Representative for Somalia condoles with the bereaved family and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and prays for the quick recovery of the injured.

Key Headlines

Somali PM meets former Norwegian PM visits Nobel Peace Prize Centre (Radio Mogadishu)
MMHouse Condemns killing of Director of Somaliweyn Radio (TFG)
Somalia’s Prime Minister: The transition period should come to an end by 20th August 2012 (Office of the Prime Minister)
UN Special Representative for Somalia statement on killing of Radio Director (UNPOS)
AU Special Representative for Somalia Condemns killings of Journalist and Innocent Civilians(AMISOM)
Rally held in Mogadishu to show support for London conference ( Radio Shabelle)
TFG and Ethiopian forces capture Manas camp ( Radio Bar-kulan)
Ambassador: Somali refugees at Kenya camps are safe ( Shabelle)
Two dead in suspected ‘al Shabaab’ raid near Mandera township (Coastweek Xinhua )
Banadir administration meets senior USAID officials ( Radio Mogadishu SONNA)
Heavy fighting in Mogadishu kills 2 (Bariga Afrika Shabelle)
Somali Diaspora in Norway welcomes Somali PM (Radio Mogadishu)
Somali govt forces hit militants in the south ( Daily Monitor)

PRESS STATEMENTS

AU Special Representative for Somalia Condemns killings of Journalist and Innocent Civilians

29 Feb – Source: AMISOM – 203 Words

UN Special Representative for Somalia statement on killing of Radio Director

29 Feb – Source: UNPOS – 213 words

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga condemns in the strongest terms the murder of Abukar Mohamed Kadaf, Director of Somaliweyn Radio, who was shot dead last night in Wadajir district of Mogadishu. “I call for the Transitional Federal Government to conduct an immediate, full and independent investigation in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

SRSG Mahiga sends his deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim and to the community of Somali media professionals who have lost two senior colleagues in the last month (the Director of Radio Shabelle, Hassan Osman Abdi was shot dead on 28 January).

“I pay tribute to the brave Somali journalists who are working in incredibly difficult conditions to keep the pressure on these criminal elements trying to intimidate the Somali population. I call on all those defending the fundamental right to freedom of expression not to be deterred by these cowardly acts of terrorism”, SRSG Mahiga said. Somalia remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for media professionals.

“The Transitional Federal Institutions must redouble their efforts to end the culture of impunity and halt this unacceptable cycle of violence. The UN Political Office for Somalia stands ready to assist however possible in this regard”, SRSG Mahiga added.

MMHouse Condemns killing of Director of Somaliweyn Radio

29 Feb – Source: TFG – 181 words

Mogadishu Media House “MMHouse” has today condemned in the strongest terms, the killing of Abukar Mahamud Kadaf Director of Somaliweyn Radio in Mogadishu. Two gunmen armed with pistols shot dead Abukar Moh’ud Kadaf in front of his house at the Hawo Tako neighborhood in Mogadishu’s Wadajir District.

“We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Abukar Mohamed and as well as Somalimedia. And also ask Allah to reward him paradise.” Abdulahi Mohamed Hassan “Black”, MMHouse Executive Director said. “The killing of Abukar Kadaf, is shocking and unacceptable.” The killing of the journalist working in Somali capital is a part of ongoing harassment of Somali Journalists, he said.

“We request Transitional Federal Government to investigate the shooting and killing of Mr. Abukar immediately and bring the killers to justice.” added Abdulahi Mohamed Hassan. Abukar Mahamud Kadaf was the Director of Radio Somaliweyn, which collapsed in May 2010 after the Al-Shabab militant group looted the station’s broadcasting equipment during fighting with government forces in the area.

Somalia’s Prime Minister: The transition period should come to an end by 20th August 2012

28 Feb – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 358 words

The Prime Minister of Somalia Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali said the transitional period of the government expires on August 2012 and there should be no further extension of tenure. The Premier said “The international community and the people of Somalia are dedicated to see the end of the transition period by August 2012 so that Somalia would form a new government that is at the service of its people. The plan for the transition is ready which is the roadmap and the agreements of Garowe I and II”.

It was only September 6, 2012 when the government of Somalia and the regional administrations signed the roadmap. The roadmap emphasised on security, reconciliation, completion of the constitution, restructuring of the parliament and good governance. The different spheres of the community including the civil society were involved in the implementation of the roadmap where they convened in a consultative meeting between 26th and 28th of November 2011. The Garowe meetings have also produced tangible outcomes.

“The Garowe meetings have brought the Somalis together and take a common stand on the ratification of the constitution, as well as reform the parliament. The people of Somalia are waiting us to come up with a competent parliament that strives for their wellbeing. The formation of the new parliament and the local council is in the hands of the different sections of the community. There will be no monopoly of individuals in the formation of the parliament”, the premier said.

“The instrumental progress we made on the security of Mogadishu, Beledweyn , Baidoa and the other areas liberated from al Shabaab, as well as our good governance has brought about the focusing of the world attention on us. I thank the Prime Minister of UK for making tireless efforts in galvanising international support at the February 23 London meeting. I also thank all the leaders who participated in the London meeting for their valuable time. We must make use of this opportunity and any spoiler will be dealt with accordingly.” Abdiweli added. Somalia has been in transition for more than 10 years and the time has come for Somalia to have its own legitimate government.

SOMALI MEDIA

Rally held in Mogadishu to show support for London conference

29 Feb – Source: Radio Shabelle – 110 words

Large demonstrations were held in Mogadishu to show support for the recently concluded International conference on Somalia held in London. Crowds, including Women and Children carrying banners with slogans to back the outcome of London conference gathered at Mogadishu’s Hamar-weyne district streets where speeches were delivered by the organizers.

“Today we are to show our support to the London conference result. It is the last chance to address the country’s troubles,” a demonstrator told Shabelle radio. People at the rally carried posters and placards with slogans supporting London conference which was hosted by UK prime Minster David Cameron on 23 February with attendants from more than 40 countries interesting Somalia.

TFG and Ethiopian forces capture Manas camp

29 Feb – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 107 words

An alliance of TFG forces and Ethiopian troops have captured Manas camp,140 KM South of Baidoa town which was previously controlled by al Shabaab militias, indicates reports from Bay region. Moreover, reports say the allied forces entered the camp peacefully with no challenges as situation remains calm. Previously, al Shabaab militias were controlling the camp where they are said to have been harming innocent residents dwelling there.

Meanwhile, provincial Commissioner of Bay region,Abdifatah Ibrahim Gesey vowed to continue fighting al Shabaab militia till they wipe them out of the entire Somali nation. Recently, al Shabaab militias have withdrawn from Baidoa where they were controlling since 2009.

Ambassador: Somali refugees at Kenya camps are safe

29 Feb – Source: Shabelle – 207 words

Somali embassy in Kenya said on Wednesday that the refugees at Dadaab camp are in safe hands, months after insecurity acts forced aid workers to evacuate their employees. Mohamed Ali, the ambassador of Somalia to Kenya made the comments during an interview with Shabelle Media.

Mr. Ali said that the security situation of Somali refugees at UN-run camps is getting better by the day, noting that his embassy has worked hard with the help of Kenya government to secure the overall security of Somali refugees at Dadaab camp, the world’s largest refugee camp in the world.

The situation at Dadaab is currently extremely challenging. The kidnapping of three aid workers late last year and more recently, the killing of two refugee leaders and several Kenyan policemen, as well as threats against humanitarian staff have forced UNHCR and its partners to halt operations.

Somali PM meets former Norwegian PM, visits Nobel Peace Prize Centre

29 Feb – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 230 words

Somalia’s Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has today held talks with the former Norwegian Prime Minister Bondivik, business community of Norweigina Cruise Line and the US ambassador to Norway. The premier and his entourage also toured the Nobel Peace Prize Centre.

In attendance at the meeting with the former Premier of Norway were the Minister for Trade and Industry Abdiwahab Ugan, ambassador to EU Nur Ade and other TFG officials. The two leaders discussed how the Nobel Peace Prize Centre can play a substantial role in reconstruction of the government institutions and reconciliation process. Mr Bondivik appreciated the magnificent progress made by Abdiweli’s government on the roadmap. Abdiweli and his team visited the Nobel Peace Prize Centre where Nobel Peace Prizes are awarded to outstanding peace promoters.

The Premier later held a lengthy meeting with the stakeholders of the Norwegian Cruise line and shipping business community delving into the matter of the piracy and how the problem can be curbed. They agreed to work together and help the Somali youth to engage in income generating activities and above all to restore peace in the country. Dr. Abdiweli also met with the US ambassador to Norway and talked about the London meeting and how to end the transitional period of the Somali government. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet with the Somali Diaspora in Norway later in the evening.

Banadir administration meets senior USAID officials

29 Feb – Source: Radio Mogadishu, SONNA – 248 words

The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and the United States Government celebrated an expansion of their partnership for stabilization in Mogadishu. This joint collaboration through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is currently implementing $2 million in quick-impact activities, including today’s grand opening of a rehabilitated and expanded office, meeting hall, and training complex for the Benadir Regional Administration. Due to the success of the initial work, USAID and the TFG, Benadir Regional Administration and local community leaders have just begun implementing an additional $6.3 million in quick-impact projects across the city to improve the quality of life for the Somali people.

“We support the Somali people’s drive to a stable and lasting government,” said Angela Yoder-Maina, USAID TIS Manager. “This partnership is providing tangible results across Mogadishu, from street lights to meeting halls to garbage collection, which show Somali-led stabilization and governance.”

“Through cooperation with USAID we have achieved much more than we would have alone,” said Mogadishu Acting Mayor, Deputy Mayor Ali Ahmed Gure. “Also, these programs are designed with the Somali public to focus on the public interest; they invest in Somalis coming together.” USAID’s Transition Initiatives for Stabilization project is aimed at improving government service delivery and supporting Somali governance by providing projects as identified by communities.

Heavy fighting in Mogadishu kills 2

29 Feb – Source: Bariga Afrika, Shabelle – 155 words

At least two people died in a heavy fighting and mortar shells between Somali government soldiers and al Qaeda linked militants of al Shabaab in Somalia’s war-torn capital, Mogadishu, a military official and witnesses say on Wednesday. The battle took place after al Shabaab fighters attacked a police checkpoint in Ex-control Afgoye and Maslah building, south of Mogadishu, killing two soldiers on both warring sides in the area.

Witnesses say AU troops in nearby base were also involved in the combat, but no AMISOM soldiers have been reported killed or hurt. Mortars used by both sides were raining on villages and towns beyond the battle zones during the attack.

Ahmed Abdullah Yare, one of TFG army officers at Ex-control Afgoye checkpoint told the Media that his troops inflicted upon al Shabaab fighters an unconfirmed casualty during the ambush attack against them. It was not immediately available comments about the battle from al Shabaab.

NUSOJ condemns journalist murder

29 Feb – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 292 words

The National Union of Somali Journalists, while saddened by the killing of the Somaliweyn Radio director condemns the strongest terms possible to the shooting to death of the media in Mogadishu in a month. The National Union of Somali Journalists, while saddened by the killing of the Somaliweyn Radio director condemns the strongest terms possible to the shooting to death of the media in Mogadishu in a month. Two men armed with pistols shot to death Abukar Mohamed Kadaf, the director of Somaliweyn radio in front of his home in Wadajir neighborhood on Tuesday evening, around 6:00pm.

Witnesses said the gunmen shot late Kadaf at the head and chest and fled the area immediately. Abukar kadaf was rushed to Madina Hospital, where he was confirmed dead. It was not immediately clear the reason behind his killing. Abdullahi Mohamed Nor, a relative said that, “The gunmen shot two bullets, one the head and the other the chest in front of his house near Madina market in Wadajir district.” Somaliweyn Radio was looted by al Shabaab in 2010 and there were plans Abukar Kadaf was trying to resume the radio operation back on air.

“We condemn the shooting to death of late Abukar Kadaf in the strongest terms possible and call for the transitional federation government to carryout throughout investigations in ending the impunity.” Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General said, “We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of Abukar and Ask Allah to reward him paradise.” Late Abukar Kadaf is the second media director killed in Mogadishu in a month. On January 28, 2012, Two unknown gunmen armed with pistols shot five rounds and killed Hasan Osman Abdi (Fantastic), director of Radio Shabelle near his home in Nasteeho neighborhood in Mogadishu.

Chatting with Mahiga

28 Feb – Source: Somalia Report – 2197 words

In a much-feted ceremony on January 24, the UN Political Office on Somalia (UNPOS), headed by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) for Somalia, Dr. Augustine Mahiga, relocated permanently to Mogadishu. While in Mogadishu earlier this month, Somalia Report editors Jay Bahadur and Venetia Archer interviewed SRSG Mahiga about the peace process, al Shabaab, and his personal attraction to Somalia.

How have things been going since you arrived in Mogadishu to stay?

I seriously feel my deployment was long overdue, and I am already starting to feel the need for daily interaction with Somali interlocutors and partners. There are issues that make a whole world of difference to address on the ground rather than addressing them on the telephone and with the occasional visit. Yesterday, I was with the PM (Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed) and we were going through the work program on what it’s going to take to complete the transition, including implementation of the roadmap and Garowe principles, in that we have to work almost around the clock on a daily basis.

It’s not only the need for consultations, but meticulous planning and execution of the work program around the constitution, the drafting, the formation of the constituent assembly to adopt the constitution, and thereafter all the reforms related to parliament. We need to bring all these processes much closer to the people. So far, though we have the signatories of the major actors, the challenge we have is to bring the Roadmap and the Garowe principles to the grassroots, and this will be reflected in the formation of the constituent assembly.

We are thinking about bringing close to 1,000 participants from the grassroots, and these would need to be drawn from the very basic communities around the different regions.

Kenya police conducts security operations after Mandera attack

29 Feb – Source: Shabelle, Radio Star FM – 136 words

The security forces of Kenyan government have on Wednesday conducted an operation in the town of Mandera where an explosion targeted the army yesterday, causing casualties, residents say. At least ten youths were arrested by the army whom they suspected over landmine blast that hit a base controlled by Kenyan troops in Mandera town, the north east province and close to the border. The detained young boys were reported to be Somali nationals and they have been taken into custody in Mandera town.

Many were jailed for suspicion of insecurity since Kenya sent its troop into Somalia in mid October to pursue al Shabaab militants, whom Nairobi blames for cross border attacks and kidnappings.

Somali Diaspora in Norway welcomes Somali PM

29 Feb – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 176 words

Somali Prime Minister Abdweli Ali was welcomed by the Somali Diaspora in Norway in a well-organized ceremony. Abdiweli was on official visit to Norway and has been holding meetings with the authorities. At least a thousand Somalis from Oslo and the suburban areas participated in the welcoming ceremony. Representatives of different groups including the Women, Youth, Elders and Religious leaders spoke at the ceremony.

Speakers at the ceremony were Somali Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, ambassador of Somalia to EU, Deputy director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway and Ubah, one of the members of parliament of Oslo. Abdiweli addressed the Somali Diaspora at the ceremony briefing them of the enormous progress made back in the country, the future of the country and the expectations of the Norway Somali community regarding their country. The Prime Minister was awarded with medal from the Somali Diaspora in recognition for his outstanding performance and good governance.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Somali govt forces hit militants in the south

29 Feb – Source: Daily Monitor – 296 words

The Transitional Federal Government troops have driven al Shabaab militants out of some parts of Bakol region in South Somalia, officials have said. The development came about after pro-government forces advanced towards Hudur Town, a regional capital, 420 km southwest of Mogadishu. Mr. Ibrahim Omar Dhere, the Transitional Federal Government’s (TFG) commissioner in charge of Eel Barde District, told journalists that pro-government forces made some gains adding that their target was driving the al Shabaab militants out of Hudur Town. “Our forces are very close to Hudur. We are just 30 km off the town,” Mr Omar said. The pro-government forces in Bay and Bakol regions are assisted by Ethiopian troops.

Reports from Hudur indicate that residents are fleeing the town over the anticipated clash between the Islamist militants and government soldiers. Last week, pro-government forces backed by Ethiopian troops seized Baidoa Town, 240 km southwest of Mogadishu.

Lapses that breed crime recruitment grounds

29 Feb – Source: Standard – 533 words

With the laxity by law enforcement agencies to thoroughly police the North Eastern region, chances of youth being recruited into al Shabaab are still high.
Investigation by The Underworld shows that some clerics and security officers have been working with al Shabaab to recruit youths to join the militant group in Somalia. The recruitment is disguised as getting job opportunities in the war torn country only for those falling for the scam to realise when it is too late that they have joined the insurgents.

A youth who spoke to The Underworld said a renowned sheikh and his cousin who is a military officer hoodwinked him that there was a job opportunity with an aid agency operating in Somalia. The youth, who asked to be identified only as Abdi for his safety, said he first received a call from his cousin who said he had a job for him. “I was surprised to receive a call from him because I had not heard from him for a very long time,” he says.

“My cousin told me he had a job for me and I should not let him down. I am jobless and I think I was vulnerable to such opportunities. He said I was to work with an NGO called Africa Relief Development Agency in Somalia.

Two dead in suspected ‘al Shabaab’ raid near Mandera township

29 Feb – Source: Coastweek, Xinhua – 630 words

Two people including an assailant were killed and eight others seriously injured in Mandera border town on Tuesday following an attack by suspected Somali Islamist group.

Mandera District Commissioner, Benson Leparmorijo confirmed the attack, saying three armed Somali militia believed to have been members of al Shabaab raided a shop in the town’s trading centre and shot a Kenya police reservist (KPR) officer who was at time buying some items from the shop several times on the head and chest.

Leparmorijo said the killed officer was unarmed at the time of the attack which comes as Kenyan soldiers increased onslaught on the Islamist group by capturing their military bases and killing scores of them in southern Somalia.

KDF kills five al Shabaab militiamen

28 Feb – Source: Daily Nation – 169 words

Kenyan soldiers fighting in Somalia on Tuesday killed five al Shabaab militants and wounded 17 others, the military said. The Kenyan troops and their Transitional Federal Government allies were in a convoy taking supplies from Tabda to their colleagues in Beles Qoogani in the central sector when they were ambushed. In the ensuing battle, the Kenya Defence Forces killed five militants, including a commander believed to have been in charge of the ambush squad. Several rocket-propelled grenades and 800 rounds of ammunition were seized from the militants.

Two Somali government fighters are said to have been wounded and are being treated at an undisclosed location. The 17 wounded militants were taken to Afmadow for treatment.

Earlier in the day, Kenyan soldiers detonated an anti-tank mine on the supplies route. The ultimate aim of Kenyan troops is to capture the port town of Kismayu and strangle the militants of their financial lifeline. Somali government fighters have been installed in several towns to ensure that they are not re-captured by the militants.

China sends counter piracy escort fleet to Somali waters

29 Feb – Source: Coastweek, Xinhua – 87 words

The 11th group of Chinese navy escort ships left a port in Qingdao, a city in east China’s Shandong province, on Tuesday for an escort mission on the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters. The new fleet, including the destroyer Qingdao, the frigate Yantai and the supply ship Weishanhu, will replace a flotilla previously sent to guard against pirates. To date, the Chinese navy fleets have escorted over 4,500 ships from countries all over the world and have rescued and provided help for more than 50 ships.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali war criminal liable for crimes against humanity

28 Feb – Source: Huffington Post – 530 words

Just days ago, Somali General Mohamad Ali Samantar, former Defense Minister and Commander of the Somali Armed Forces, appeared in a federal court in Virginia and did something that no high-ranking person from the former military dictatorship of Siad Barre has ever done — he accepted liability for torture, extrajudicial killing, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other human rights abuses committed against the civilian population of Somalia during the 1980s. This is the first time that anyone has been held to account anywhere in the world for atrocities committed by General Samantar and the military dictatorship that ruled Somalia for over 20 years.

General Samantar was the highest ranking military official in that dictatorship and he acknowledged giving the orders that led to the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians and displacement of hundreds of thousands from Somalia’s second largest city, Hargeisa. Many of those who were displaced became refugees and eventually relocated to the United States. In fact, there are over 85,000 Somalis living in the United States today.

14 killed in heavy fighting in Somalia

28 Feb – Source: UPI News – 93 words

Nine Somali soldiers and five al-Shabaab militants were killed in heavy fighting in southern Somalia, officials said Tuesday. Witnesses said fighting erupted about midnight after the militants from the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab attacked a government military convoy coming from Dhoblay town to Qoqani district in Lower Jubba region of southern Somalia near the Kenyan border, Shabelle Media Network reported. The ambush occurred about 6 miles from Qoqani town, Shabelle reported. The five militants were killed in a counterattack, a government officer said. Shabelle said more than nine people were injured.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“The conference is, at best, a skeleton and an initiative with great potential, though not without certain weaknesses. For example, the conference down played the importance of rebuilding the Somali security apparatus. It created a Joint Financial Management Board, but limited its duty to guard the crumbs and not the cookies. They are charged to “eliminate diversion of revenues” by internal corrupted individuals (good news), but are not to scrutinize how the notoriously corrupted international institutions charged in the Somali affairs handles the $1 billion donated to Somalia each year in foreign aid. Corruption must be dealt with in all levels, regardless of the perpetrators.”

The Enigma of the London Conference on Somalia

28 Feb – Source: Foreign Policy Blogs – 969 Words

If there is any consensus on the nature and the outcome of the London Conference on Somalia – that brought together representatives of over 50 nations that included a number of Muslim nations – it must be the fact that it was a puzzling event that raised much speculation.

Now that the fanfare has ended, it is time for an objective appraisal. However, I must confess it would not be easy to remain steadfast in that quest when most—nations, groups, and individuals—already espoused one preconceived notion or another. Their notions were fueled into skepticism by traceless non-papers by UK and Italy that made their way to the public domain and had certain objectionable propositions. Whether by design or otherwise, the conference’s would be communiqué was subsequently leaked days before the actual event, an act that surely defused any potential for drama or manage emotive political impulses of the stakeholders and the populace. Was the conference a success? Would it go down in history as the “turning point” on the seemingly endless Somali political and other related crises?

“For now, with the international community’s fight against al Shabaab dominating the political landscape, clan infighting may seem a remote prospect.After all, the insurgents are being weakened, relinquishing ground to African Union troops around the Somali capital, Mogadishu, and losing territory to Kenyan and Ethiopian forces in parts of southern and central Somalia. The lucrative al Shabaab-held port of Kismayu is under threat from Kenyan forces.

“But Menkhaus said a “worst case scenario” would see an effort by some TFG leaders, widely criticised for alleged graft, to manipulate the process so that they stayed in office. The result, he said, might be that armed groups nominally allied to the TFG would turn against it, weakening the interim authorities and offering al Shabaab possible new allies.”

Analysis-Somali reform rush may be militant lifeline

28 Feb – Source: Alert Net/Reuters – 1219 Words

Weakened on the battlefield, Somalia’s al Shabaab militants may yet survive, and even prosper from, a reinvigorated Western and African push to rebuild arguably the world’s most deeply war-damaged nation. But if there is a future for the radical Islamists, it won’t be thanks to the merger they announced on Feb. 9 with al Qaeda, the militant network in disarray a decade on from the Sept. 11 attacks following a remorseless U.S. counter-terrorism campaign.

Instead, their fate depends on internal political struggles that have little to do with the West’s fight against militancy or even with the multinational drive against pirate communities believed to have tactical tie-ups with some in the insurgency.

“Western powers are moving quickly to impose the Libyan scenario in Somalia, pushing for expanded military intervention to lay the groundwork for seizing Somalia’s oil and other resources. Already, US-led proxy forces from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi and Djibouti, backed by air strikes and drone attacks, are conducting multi-pronged attacks on al Shabaab’s Islamist forces throughout south-central Somalia.”

London Conference: The new scramble for Somalia

28 Feb – Socialist Worker Canada – 495 Words

The much-hyped London Conference on Somalia that took place in the British capital on February 23 has set a new militarization agenda including “peacekeeping” operations. The day before the conference, the UN Security Council approved additional troops for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), expanding the current troop level from 12,000 to nearly 18,000.

Convened by British Prime Minister David Cameron, the conference was attended by more than 40 nations and multilateral organizations with the objective of “tackling” Somalia’s security crisis, “terrorism,” piracy and ongoing humanitarian disaster. By seeking a military solution in Somalia, Western powers are bent on escalating the conflict to forcefully secure Somalia’s vital resources.

Top tweets

@luckyfatima #Somalia: a history of events from 1950 to the present – in pictures gu.com/p/35kb3/tw

@SadiaAden @StateHouseUg I am sure President Museveni would be interested on this article on the London conference foreignpolicyblogs.com/2012/02/28/eni…

@Aynte Cold-blooded murderers of #Somalia journalists don’t realize there are 100s of us to carry the legacy of our slain colleagues.

‏@HSMPress Cameron and his incompetent ‘headbangers’ ought to think twice about the consequences of an endless war in #Somalia. Somali oil carries death.

@masaafur Centralization is really a matter of relativity. Fundamental ? has never been about centralization but about representation #Somalia.

‏@TheUrbanMen Child Soldiers, lives of children at rick in #Somalia– – youtu.be/XxC5XbR0oGI #GHRP #GlobalHumanRightsPeople

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Image of the day

Image of the day Hundreds of Somalis turned up to welcome Somali Prime Minister Dr. Abdweli Mohammed Ali in Oslo, Norway. Dr. Abdweli is on a two-day official to the Scandinavian country.