May 31, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Somalia conference opens with appeal for aid drive

31 May- Source: Capita News/AFP/ Reliefweb/RBC- 593 words

Somalia needs a global reconstruction effort to back up ongoing stabilisation efforts and stop the Horn of Africa’s 20-year descent into chaos, leaders said Thursday at the start of a meeting in Turkey. Representatives from 54 countries gathered in Istanbul to find a path towards a better future for a country that was the reason the term “failed state” was coined two decades ago.

“After a long period of instability and conflict, we now have ahead of us an opportunity for genuine peace and security,” Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said at the opening of the Second Istanbul Conference on Somalia.
He said the capital Mogadishu — where pro-government forces have largely driven out Islamist insurgents — was now open for business and called for a broad international reconstruction effort.

The two-day conference — which follows a London meeting in February — kicked off with discussions among senior officials, experts and businessmen on four key issues: water, energy, roads and sustainability.

Key Headlines

Somalia conference opens with appeal for aid drive (Capital News/AFP/ Reliefweb/RBC)
World leaders attend Turkey conference on Somalia (Radio Shabelle)
Al Shabaab fighters abandon Afmadow town (Radio Bar-kulan/BBC Somali Service)
Somali Prime Minister meets with his Turkish counterpartErdogan (Radio Mogadishu/ Radio Bar-kulan/OPM)
One dies in grenade attack in North Eastern Kenya (Radio Star/ the Star)
We’ll take Kismayu by August – Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces (Capital news)
Guilty verdict delivered for MSF staff killer (Mareeg Online/Somaliweyn)
Somali moderates slam UN envoy over road map (Radio Shabelle)
Prime Minister Abdiweli speaks to traditional leaders and civil society groups (Radio Mogadishu/OPM)
Istanbul hosts Somalia conference (Al Jazeera)
Museveni in Turkey after Eritrea visit (New Vision)
UN secretary-general hails Turkey’s efforts (hurriyet daily news)

PRESS STATEMENT

Rebuilding lives and livelihoods: Farm Goods Enter Mogadishu Markets Following Successful Joint Operation

31 May- Source: AMISOM- 383 words

Trucks laden with farm produce have begun arriving in Mogadishu following a joint operation by the Somali National Army and AMISOM to open up the Afgooye corridor. Over the past 4 days, dozens of vehicles have traversed the 30 km stretch of road between the Somali capital and the agricultural town of Afgooye on the Shabelle River, bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to Mogadishu’s busy markets. In Afgooye town, farmers were celebrating the demise of the al Qaedaâ€ affiliated terror group, al Shabaab as they would no longer be forced to give up half their harvest as an illegal “tax” to the extremists in addition to being charged for the use of the river’s waters.

“Afgooye is a breadbasket for much of Somalia and al Shabaab’s extortion of farmers was a major factor in the 2011 famine in which up to 100,000 people starved to death,” said Deputy AMISOM Force Commander, Brigadier General Audace Nduwumunsi. “AMISOM’s operation has brought Afgooye and the Afgooye corridor under control, allowing the people who live there the opportunity to rebuild their lives and livelihoods”. Tractors are already ploughing more fields in Afgooye as farmers anticipate greater demand from the capital.

Mogadishu is enjoying an economic resurgence following the ouster of al Shabaab terrorists last August which ushered in the longest period of relative peace the city has had in two decades.

Operation Free Shabelle was launched on Tuesday last week and involved flanking manoeuvres through the unpopulated scrubland surrounding the corridor. It culminated in the capture of Elasha Biyaha and Afgooye towns after militants from al Shabaab, fled to avoid encirclement.
General Nduwumunsi paid tribute to the courage and skill shown by the AMISOM and SNA troops. “Thanks to the soldiers’ efforts, humanitarian agencies can now deliver aid to the people in the corridor,” he said. Previously, the al Shabaab had prevented international aid workers from accessing the population in the Afgooye Corridor.

However, he cautioned that the terrorists continued to pose a threat to the well being of the people of the corridor. “The attempted attack on the President’s convoy last Tuesday shows that we cannot afford to rest on our laurels,” he said. He applauded the Transitional Federal Government for speedily deploying 300 police officers to Afgooye, noting that this would help root out any remaining terrorist cells in the city.

SOMALI MEDIA

World leaders attend Turkey conference on Somalia

31 May- Source: Radio Shabelle- 142 words

The Turkey conference on Somalia openned today [31 May] in Istanbul. Galmudug and Puntland regional administrations, previously opposed to the Istanbul summit, agreed to participate in the conference.

Turkish Prime Minister Racep Tayyip Erdogan is hosting Somali political leaders, civil society members and traditional elders. Elders and members of the civil society yesterday [30 May] agreed to postpone the approval of the Somali draft constitution during an unofficial gathering in Istanbul.

The self-declared Republic of Somaliland is attending the conference during discussions on economic issues.

The signatories of the roadmap are also attend the summit. Officials from the international community, including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, UK Premier David Cameron, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and French officials are expected to be in attendance.

The two-day summit is a follow-up to a meeting held in London on 23 February

Al Shabaab fighters abandon Afmadow town

31 May- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/BBC Somali Service- 118 words

Reports from Lower Jubba region in Somalia indicate that al Shabaab fighters have left their positions in Afmadow town on Wednesday. Spokesman for Raskamboni rebel fighters, a government allied armed militia in southern Somalia, Abdinasir Serar has confirmed that al Shabaab fighters have on Wednesday night abandoned Afmadow town.

Serar added that the abandonment of the militant group comes after reports of joint forces marching towards the town.This move comes after al Shabaab fighters released hundreds of prisoners from Afmadow jails on Wednesday afternoon.

Joint forces have not yet entered the town despite the departure of al Shabaab fighters.The war against the militant group has been gaining momentum in the past few weeks following joint forces’ success in Afgoye corridor.

Displacement from Afgoye corridor raises fear of a rise in cholera, says agencies

31 May – Source: Raxanreeb – 188 words

Following the start of the military operation in the Afgooye corridor by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) on 22 May, at least 18,000 people are reported to have fled. After a spike in displacement on 23 and 24 May, the influx has decreased.

The corridor and Afgooye town are now reported to be under the control of AMISOM/TFG, says UNOCHA weekly monthly humanitarian bulletin.

Civilian casualties from the operation appear to be light. The Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden, called on parties to the conflict to make every effort to minimize the impact of conflict on civilians and allow full humanitarian access to all people in need.

The increase in people on the move caused public transport prices to increase dramatically, with the price to transport one person to Mogadishu rising from US$2 at the beginning of the year to US$7. The cost is beyond what the majority of people can afford. As a result, many families were forced to seek shelter in areas with no basic services and out of reach for the humanitarian organisations.

Somali Prime Minister meets with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyib Erdogan

30 May- Source: Radio Mogadishu/ Radio Bar-kulan/OPM- 223 words

Somalia’s Prime Minister, Professor Abdiweli Mohamed Ali yesterday held meetings with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyib Erdogan. The two premiers discussed variety of issues including the relations between the two countries, the ongoing Istanbul meeting and the ending of the long term transitional period.

Abdiweli thanked Premier Erdogan for the brotherly welcome and the leading role Turkey is playing in Somalia issues. He also praised the Turkey government for hosting the Istanbul 2 meeting which is expected to be significant.

The two premiers lengthily discussed the roadmap and its implementation, the development projects to be implemented in Somalia, the humanitarian aid, the education sector, public services and health.

Ali mentioned the historic visit of Erdogan to Somalia last August. He added that the visit diverted world’s attention to Somalia. Ali noted that Somalia changed for the better since Erdogan’s visit to Somalia. The two countries share a long history and Turkey’s involvement in Somalia issues was largely felt by world and the Somalis are impressed by Turkey’s commitment to help Somalia to move out of its impasse. Premier Ali asked Turkey government to continue helping Somalia.

On the other hand, Mr. Recep thanked Abdiweli for his commitment to realise change and urged him to continue putting efforts in his struggle. Erdogan expressed Turkey’s willingness to see Somalia stand on its feet once again.

Erdogan highlights transition period in Somalia

30 May – Source: Jowhar Online – 151 words

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Prime Minister of Somalia’s Provisional Government Abdiweli Mohammed Ali in Istanbul. Speaking at a joint press conference following their meeting, Erdogan said that “Somalia’s problems could be solved by formulas of the Somali people”.

Turkey considers Somalia a strategic ally and will continue solidarity in the fields of economy, commerce, culture, and politics with determination in the future, Erdogan stressed. Touching on the transition period in Somalia, Erdogan said that this period would end on August 20 and, by then, Somalia would have a constitution, parliament and president.

The Prime Minister of Somalia’s Provisional Government Abdiweli Mohammed Ali was received by Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul. Somalia changed significantly since Erdogan’s visit to his country in August last year, Ali told at the press conference. We want our relations with Turkey to be a long-term one, Ali noted.

One dies in grenade attack in North Eastern Kenya

31 May- Source: Radio Star/ the Star- 51 words

A grenade attack in Wajir last night left one person dead and six others wounded. The attack happened at a cinema hall. Police suspect the person who died in the incident was the grenade launcher. No one has claimed responsibility of the grenade attack so far.The attack comes two days after the Assanands blast that injured over 30 people in Nairobi.

Guilty verdict delivered for MSF staff killer

30 May Source: Mareeg Online/Somaliweyn – 191 words

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been informed that Ahmed Salad Farey, former MSF Logistic Assistant, has been found guilty of the killing of our two colleagues Dr. Karel Keiluhu, known as Kace, and Phillipe Havet on December 29th, 2011, while they were on duty. Ahmed Salad Farey has received a sentence of 30 years in jail by a court in Mogadishu. MSF as an organisation has not testified in, nor pressured, the legal proceedings of this case at any stage.

The guilty verdict is an important element in allowing family and friends of the two murdered colleagues to deal with this extremely tragic loss. MSF denounces any violence or threats against its workers.

Following the killings, MSF was forced to end all activities in the Hodan district of the capital, including the closure of two separate 120-bed medical facilities for the treatment of malnutrition, measles and cholera. Prior to the closure, MSF had been assisting 200,000 Somalis in Hodan who have fled to the capital. Deteriorating security conditions in other parts of Somalia has also forced MSF to close down some activities and remove the presence of some expatriate staff.

Somali moderates slam UN envoy over road map

May 30 – Source: Radio Shabelle – 197 words

Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a religious scholars have accused the United Nations Special Envoy to Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, of being opposed to Somalia’s national interests.

The Chairman of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a Executive Council, Shaykh Muhammad Yusuf Xefow, while speaking to Shabelle accused the United Nations Special Envoy to Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, of being an impediment to the attainment of peace in Somalia. Shaykh Xefow said Mahiga had no right to threaten Somali leaders as he himself was an impediment to the implementation of the road map plan.
Shaykh Xefow also said agreements reached in the recently concluded conference in Addis Ababa attended by signatories of the Somali road map plan does not concerns their group. The Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a official also spoke on clashes between some of their fighters and forces loyal to Ximan and Xeeb Administration yesterday. He said some Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a members heading to Dhusa Mareeb, Galguduud Region [central Somalia] were attacked by militias from Ximan and Xeeb administration.

Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a now controls parts of central Somalia regions and has on several occasions in recent past attended conferences to discuss the situation in Somalia.

Prime Minister Abdiweli speaks to traditional leaders and civil society groups

30 May- Source: Radio Mogadishu/ OPM- 279 words

The Prime Minister of Somalia Professor Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has joined the elders and civil society groups meeting where he delivered a lengthy speech.

Ali expressed his happiness in the ongoing elders and civil society meeting adding that the role of the traditional elders and civil society groups in the pacification of Somalia as well as ending the transitional period of the government is inevitable.

The meeting participants closely followed a brief from the premier where he delved into the steps and transitions of the roadmap. For the last 10 months, Somalis’ perception of every- time-violence changed and their dedication for reconciliation, co operations and togetherness was heightened.

As a result of the AU forces operations along with the Somali National Army, there have been significant gains on security, reconciliation, linking up of the TFG and local administrations, drafting a constitution and good governance, Ali stress in the speech.

Abdiweli reiterated the importance of ending the transitional period of the government which has been recurrent for the last 12 years. He stressed the inescapable fact of having a constitution and a competent parliament for the transition period to end.

“I am happy to see that the 8 year long constitutional making process finally gave way and that our country is at crossroads. Therefore I urge all of you to facilitate implementation of Addis Ababa agreement. We have every reason to form a government by August this year”, the Prime Minister said in the address to elders.

UN ambassador to Somalia ambassador Augustine Mahiga and Minister for constitution Abdirahman Hosh Jibril also addressed the elders.
After the meeting, the Prime Minister Abdiweli toured historic places in Istanbul.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Istanbul hosts Somalia conference

31 May- Source: Al Jazeera- 2:24 min

For years, donor countries have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into Somalia, hoping to stabilise the country. Over the past year, Turkey has become one of the main players and is now hosting a conference to plan the next step in Somalia’s political process.

Somalia conference opens with appeal for aid drive

31 May- Source: Capita News/AFP/ Reliefweb/RBC- 593 words

Somalia needs a global reconstruction effort to back up ongoing stabilisation efforts and stop the Horn of Africa’s 20-year descent into chaos, leaders said Thursday at the start of a meeting in Turkey.
Representatives from 54 countries gathered in Istanbul to find a path towards a better future for a country that was the reason the term “failed state” was coined two decades ago.

He said the capital Mogadishu — where pro-government forces have largely driven out Islamist insurgents — was now open for business and called for a broad international reconstruction effort.

We’ll take Kismayu by August – Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces

30 May- Source: Capital news- 431 words

Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces Julius Karangi now says AMISOM troops are working out a plan to capture their key target of Kismayu in Somalia by August this year.

Karangi said the port of Kismayu could have been captured a long time ago, were it not for other forces under the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) from other countries who have taken long to take their positions.

“We hear all manner of voices… that when is KDF going to capture Kismayu and we agreed that it is going to be captured by all the troops who are participating in AMISOM, including KDF,” he said.

“So the issue of Kismayu today, Kismayu tomorrow is neither here nor there but it is going to come. It was resolved early this year that Kismayu is going to be an AMISOM agenda,” the General said, and urged for patience from critics who feel the troops are taking too long to hit the target.

“This target will happen before August when the TFG (Transitional Federal Government of Somalia) mandate expires,” Karangi said when briefing a US delegation led by Senator Christopher Coons of Delaware and US Ambassador Scott Gration who called on Internal Security Minister Professor George Saitoti at his Harambee House office.

Karangi said Kenya was ready to capture Kismayu as its troops were only seven kilometres from the Indian Ocean port town.

Museveni in Turkey after Eritrea visit

31 may- Source: New Vision- 394 words

President Yoweri Museveni has arrived in Istanbul, Turkey for the second Istanbul Conference on Somalia.

The conference which is being held at the Istanbul Congress Centre under the theme “Preparing Somalia’s future: Goals for 2015 is being attended by representatives of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, the UN donors, Somalis and International private sector, civil society groups, women’s groups, youth and members of the diaspora will among other things discuss various issues under the partnership forum including Energy Water, Roads, Resilience etc.

The conference will be addressed by The Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the UN secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and the President of the Somalia Republic Sheikh Sharif Ahmed Sharif.

The President had completed a two-day state visit to the State of Eritrea at the invitation of President Issaias Aferwerki.

A statement issued by State House then said Afwerki thanked his Ugandan counterpart for his efforts to search for peace and development in the region. Uganda is playing a key role in the UN backed Africa Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) aimed at stablising the war-torn country.

At a press conference before his departure the Eritrean leader, who has been criticized by both the African Union and the United Nations for reportedly supporting Somalia militants, denied allegations that he supports al Shabaab. He however said the problem of Somalia was not the militants but the need to re-unify the country and bring back parts that declared autonomy.

KDF kill 14 al Shabaab militants

31 May- Source: Standard- 304 words

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Somalia killed 14 al Shabaab militants near Kismayu region.Ten other militants were injured in the attack that involved a Naval Ship at an al Shabaab seaport watch station on Tuesday.

Other reports indicated that the troops had captured Afmadhow and Hayo towns in the renewed attacks.
KDF spokesman Col Cyrus Oguna said the incident occurred when a Naval Ship was conducting routine sea patrol in the vicinity of Kismayu port.
“The militants opened fire at the ship prompting retaliatory naval gunship fire. During the engagement two on-shore structures were also destroyed,” said Oguna. He added that in Fafadun, Gedo region, 20 al Shabaab militants with 13 AK 47 rifles surrendered to KDF.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

World leaders due at Istanbul conference on Somalia

31 May – Source: BBC – 197 words

World leaders and Somali politicians are due to gather in Istanbul on Thursday for a conference on Somalia. The two-day meeting is being hosted by the Turkish government, which has tried to raise Turkey’s profile in Somalia since last year’s drought there.

Traditional elders, business leaders and civil society groups from Somalia are also due to attend.
They are expected to discuss the end of the transition period of the UN-backed interim government, due in August. The agenda for the conference is similar to that of numerous big meetings on Somalia in recent times, the BBC’s Mary Harper reports.

But Turkey has had more success than other countries in actually bringing about change on the ground, she adds. During last year’s famine in Somalia, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife went to the Somali capital, Mogadishu – the first visit by a leader from outside Africa for nearly 20 years.

Turkey has since been at the forefront of helping build roads, schools and hospitals there. However, some Somali politicians have said Turkey has not been transparent about the conference, failing to consult them about who to invite, our correspondent says.

UN secretary-general hails Turkey’s efforts

31 May- Source: hurriyet daily news- 156 words

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has praised Turkey’s contribution to Somalia, saying that Somalia’s people are grateful to Turkey for their significant aid efforts.

Accompanied by his wife, Ban was welcomed to Istanbul by Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu and Mayor Kadir TopbaÅŸ yesterday. Speaking upon his arrival, the secretary-general said this was the second time he had been in Istanbul for Somalia, because he also came in 2010 for another Somalia Conference. The governor gave Ban details about the city and said the city could lead important projects in the future.

“Istanbul is hosting 80 children from different countries, mostly from Somalia. These children are orphans. Most of them came from war- and famine-stricken countries in Asia and Africa. We are setting up a humanitarian aid center in Somalia. This is a completely civil organization. There are also some state-led projects, including a school and a hospital.”

The mayor also said Istanbul and Mogadishu are sister cities.

Somali farmers rejoice at end of militant tax

30 May- Source: Independent Online/ AP/Sapa- 578 words

The farmers in Afgoye, a town on the outskirts of Mogadishu long controlled by Islamist militants, didn’t even wait to clear away the bullet casings from last week’s battles before filling up trucks with produce to drive into the capital.

Farmers here are rejoicing at the taking of Afgoye by African Union peacekeepers on Friday after three days of fighting because they will no longer have to pay up to 50 percent of their crops in “taxes” to al Shabaab militants. The military operation marked the AU’s biggest success in Somalia since the peacekeepers pushed the militants from the capital Mogadishu last August.

Since Afgoye’s fall, dozens of vehicles carrying fresh fruits and vegetables have traveled from the farm town into the Somali capital, which last year experienced the region’s worst famine in 18 years. The famine was declared over in January.

Some farmers hope they will be able to produce more crops now that the insurgents have been driven out. Tractors were already out in the fields this week, plowing more land. The farmers say hope has returned and they aim to plant sorghum, maize, bananas, mangos and other items.

Mohamed Hussein said he hoped to grow and sell more lemons since he would not have to pay such high taxes anymore. He recalled life under al Shabab’s strict rule as he supervised lemons being loaded onto vehicles at his store.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“The transitional period is on track to end on Aug 20, 2012. We are on the cusp of a possible sea change, and Somalia has its best chance for peace in decades. It is my hope that this gathering will define elements of the post-August strategy, and strengthen Somali ownership of the process in partnership with the regional, international actors.”

Istanbul gathering to define major contributors to solving Somali woes

31 May- Source: Hurriyet Daily News-810 Words

For years, Somalia has remained one of the most intractable challenges on the international community’s agenda. Ranked near the bottom on every possible indicator of progress, the “world’s only failed state” had been all but written off by many observers.

The extremist insurgent group Al-Shabaab controlled much of the country, with only some few thousand under-resourced African Union peacekeepers standing between them and complete domination of the capital city Mogadishu. The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was viewed by many as entirely non-functional.

“All eyes are now on Somalia’s leaders to ensure that they deliver a peaceful handover of power and succession when the transitional period formally ends in August. This is essential to ensure that the progress made over the last few months is not reversed. We recognise that the process for choosing Somalia’s next leaders can’t be perfect until there is enough security to allow for national elections.”

Istanbul conference on Somalia

31 May- Source: Facebook (William Hague Notes)-404 Words

On 1 June I will be in Istanbul for a major international conference on Somalia, the second major conference on Somalia this year. We welcome Turkey’s leadership on Somalia, along with that of the United Nations and African Union who co-hosted today’s event.

The aim of the London Conference on Somalia in February was to galvanise and coordinate international effort on Somalia. Significant progress has been made in the last three months. Al Shabaab continues to go into retreat and in Mogadishu people are now able to live more normal lives – setting up businesses, going to school. Although millions of people still require emergency assistance, the famine has ended. For the first time in decades, diplomatic missions have regular access to Mogadishu. Three British Ministers have already visited this year.

“Allowing Somalia to spiral into the political abyss, or alternatively, adopting a fair and legitimate dispensation depends on a whether politics hijacks principles. The distinguished Somali personalities gathered in Istanbul should remember that twenty years of bad politics has made Somalia what it is today. “

Somalia at crossroads, should not squander great opportunity

31 May- Source: Hurriyet Daily News-556 Words

Somalia stands at a new crossroad. The term of the current Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) ends in less than two months. Everyone is wondering what will come next. Elections are not possible, so Somali politicians and their UN-led international backers have agreed that traditional tribal elders will lead the next phase.

But questions remain over who exactly represents Somali clans; any mistake in naming them has the potential to unravel the significant political and security progress that has been made so far.

“With help from Multicultural Arts Victoria, Reer-Guuraa (The Nomad), is set to appear this year as part of the 2012 Emerge Festival. Works by artists Adam Jama Ganei and Abdiqadir Ahmed will be on display. Apart from providing positive identification for his own community, Ibrahim is also enthusiastic about showing other Australians a side of Somalia they may never have seen.”

Emerge Festival: Reer window – a Somali perspective

31 May- Source: The City Weekly-356 Words

When Aden Ibrahim began organising Reer-Guuraa, an exhibition of art inspired by the landscapes of Somalia, he encountered a very puzzling question.A child with Somali parents politely asked him in apparent bewilderment, ‘‘Is there anyone who can paint in Somalia?’’.

“It sounded like a joke,” he says. “But all he saw about Somalia was war and guns. He thought there was no one who would be able to sit down and paint.”

“Successful nations and strong societies were formed by individuals who acted on their dreams and values but in this case, the Somali political Parties can do very little in Somalia. Firstly, Somalia is no longer just one entity as Somaliland has declared its independence and Puntland and other regions have become self governing albeit still part of greater Somalia. Talking on Aljazeera or the Somali channels alone will not be able to convince these territories which are traditionally governed by majority tribal groups, to surrender their own ambitions and agendas for that of a government made of passport holders from America, Britain and Canada.”

Diaspora Political Parties: Daydreaming in Distant Lands

31 May- Source: Harowo-1011 Words

I am so bored by it now that I feel I must write about this new phenomenon. It is a phenomenon constructed in the security of the Western world and by those who have very little real involvement with Somalia and its politics. It is built on arrogance, fantasy and colonial like ambition of civilising the Somali people through sudden democracy. This phenomenon I refer to is the creation of Diaspora lead political parties who have the desire to return home to govern their people.
From Ha Noolato (where are they now?), Tayo and Hiil Qaraan to the others I have not heard of but probably exist there is this believe among their Diaspora leaders that they will be the ones to return peace, stability and security to Somalia. What is consistent about all of these organisations is that they are lead from the comfort of the Western world and they are spearheaded by ambitious but out of touch individuals.

“Also the proper comparison to Somalia is not the United States and similar societies in the West, but to the actual state that existed in Somalia before the collapse of central power. Given that comparison, things in Somalia aren’t that bad at all. For example: a study by Benjamin Powell, Ryan Ford and Alex Nowrasteh took “a comparative institutional approach to examine Somalia’s performance relative to other African countries both when Somalia had a government and during its extended period of anarchy.” And it found that Somalia, when subjected to an honest comparison — “between Somalia when it had a functioning government, and Somalia now” — is less poor, has higher life expectancy, and has experienced a drastic increase in telephone lines.”

Is Somali anarchy really that bad?

31 May- Source: PHPBB Forum-790 Words

Is Somali anarchy really that bad? Is the British government exaggerating on the horrors of Somalia? (in many peoples words/ experience) Is it better then having police who harass you, demand your money/taxes, throw you in a cell if you refuse to give it to them and can hit you and get away with it? Is anarchy being unfairly used as a negative term? Compared to other African countries, is Somalia better off? What are the living standards like? Do you enjoy the fact that you are a truly fee human? This is a question only someone living in Somalia could answer. if so, do many Somalis have internet? Whether there is a government or not, whether there are warlords or not, whether there is corporate hierarchies or not are irrelevant to anarchism. The question is how do people live their lives? Do they feel theselves subject to the government/warlords/corporations in their daily lives? Or do they organize themselves as individuals and communities?

Top tweets

@malonebarry For those who missed, yet another great pic from Feisal Omar in #Somalia included in Reuters editor’s choice http://blogs.reuters.com/fullfocus/2012/05/30/editors-choice/#a=2

@MFATurkey Ä°stanbul II. Somalia Conference is being held with participation of representatives from 54 nations and international/regional organizations

@joshkariuki The #Somalia Istanbul Conference is a milestone in ending the transition and consolidating peace efforts. #Turkeythe new power in #TheHorn?

@danatgu After #Shabaab‘s Moi Ave. bombing in #Kenya,@lesley_warner sees a tactical trend towards escalating urban terrorism:http://bit.ly/LdZhln.

@BRYCSinfo “Somali Cultural Guide” provides important information in understanding the culture & environment of#Somali families. http://ow.ly/aR3ph

@CeynteJr #London has built a degree of momentum on#Somalia but dashed by itself. All of its pledges remain unfulfilled.

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Image of the day

Image of the day Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with his Somali counterpart Abdweli Mohammed speak at a joint press conference ahead of the Istanbul Conference on Somalia which kicked off Thursday. Photo: Radio Muqdisho