02 Dec 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- Committee of experts on the constitution begins its work (Source: TFG)
- Somali Women’s Association condemned al Shabaab’s attack on janitorial women (Radio Mogadishu Somalia Report)
- Somali MPs “temporarily suspend” Speaker of Parliament (Source: Shabelle Media / SNTV)
- Five Somali terror suspects charged before Lamu Court (Source: Coast week Xinhua)
- Turkey’s IHH to construct 24 new homes in Somali capital(Source: World Bulletin)
- Death toll rises as government al Shabaab fighters clash in southern Somalia (Source: Shabelle)
- EAC heads pledge more troops to fight al Shabaab (Source: Standard)
- Al-Qaeda says it will release US citizen if US should stop air strikes in Somalia and Yemen (Source: Radio Kulmiye Shabelle)
PRESS RELEASE
Committee of experts on the constitution begin its work
01 Dec – Source: TFG – 356 words
In accordance with the Transitional Federal Charter and the Road Map adopted in Mogadishu on 6 September, 2011, the Prime Minister of Somalia, H.E Abdiwali Mohamed Ali today announced that the newly established Committee of Experts (CoE) of the constitutional making process will begin its duties to finalize the draft constitution.
At the upcoming Garowe Constitutional Conference to be held in the first half of December, the IFCC will present and hand over to the CoE the Consultative Draft Constitution (CDC) and its report to the Committee of Experts. The IFCC will continue to conduct outreach and public consultation on the CDC and critical constitutional issues.
At the same time, the CoE will commence work on the review, harmonization and drafting of the constitution and also engage in high level, political stakeholder consultations, focusing particularly on unresolved issues in the CDC such as federalism, system of government and the new federal parliament.
During this period of further consultation and finalization of the draft, the IFCC and CoE will be in continuous communication and cooperation so that the views of the people are considered in the final draft presented to the Constituent Assembly.
This period of further consultation and finalization of the draft is expected to conclude with the formation of the Constituent Assembly. The CoE will then hand the final draft back over to the IFCC for a final reading to ascertain whether the draft is in line with the Transitional Federal Charter and other mandated constitutional principles agreed early on in the constitutional development process before the IFCC transmits the draft to the Constituent Assembly for provisional adoption, pending the establishment of security conditions that allow for a national referendum on the constitution.
In the meantime, a draft law will be enacted establishing the Independent Interim Electoral Commission (IIEC) called for under the Road Map. The IIEC will be responsible for overseeing the establishment of the Constituent Assembly and the provisional constitutional adoption process and the elections of the new Parliament, President, Speaker and Deputy Speakers as stipulated in the Kampala Accord to ensure that the transition is brought to an end by August 2012.
SOMALI MEDIA
Somali Women’s Association condemns al Shabaab’s attack on janitorial women
02 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Somalia Report – 63 words
The Somali Women Association has condemned al Shabaab’s attack which killed a group of women taking part in a sanitation program. They also called the TFG to double their efforts in securing the capital. The chairwoman of the Somali women association, Halima Ma`alim Abubakar, said that it is important for all Somali people to support the TFG in the fight against al Shabaab.
Death toll rises as government, al Shabaab fighters clash in southern Somalia
02 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 182 words
At least four people were killed and others wounded on Thursday morning’s governmental attacks by militants in the Gedo province of southern Somalia. All the casualties are both warring sides of government and al Shabaab fighters. The death toll is expected to rise.
The death toll of the latest fighting with heavy shells between Somalia government troops and al Shabaab fighters near Busar in the south the country runs high and both sides are currently regrouping.
Government troop officials said, the battle erupted early on Thursday morning after al Shabaab fighters launched an ambush attack on a convoy of Somali government soldiers, as they were heading to Garbaharay town, the provincial capital of Gedo region on the Somalia-Kenya border.
Residents said the fighting has been heavy with both sides exchanging artillery and machine guns, causing a mass displacement of local residents of Busar village in Gedo region of southern Somalia.
http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=13076
Somali MPs “temporarily suspend” Speaker of Parliament
01 Dec – Source: Shabelle Media / SNTV – 202 words
Some members of the Federal Somali Parliament have said they have withdrawn their confidence in the Speaker of Parliament, Sharif Hasan Sheikh Adan. Somali MPs yesterday held a meeting in Mogadishu in which they issued a motion against the Speaker of Parliament whom they said has been temporarily suspended from his position.
Abukate Shegow who was among those that attended the meeting read the motion against the Speaker to the media and said the decision to suspend him from his duty in parliament has been made due to the Speaker’s multiple violations of the Transitional Federal Charter; as a result, he has been temporarily suspended from chairing any parliamentary sessions and also banned from attending international conferences in his capacity as the Speaker until they make a final decision.
Umar Islow, another of the MPs addressing the gathering urged the public to support the MPs and perform their responsibilities to the nation given that, he said, they are representatives of the people. It was just recently that some of the MPs lodged an official request asking the Speaker to reconvene parliament sessions, which he has since rejected.
Al Qaeda says it will release US citizen if US should stop air strikes in Somalia and Yemen
02 Dec – Source: Radio Kulmiye, Shabelle – 191 words
Al-Qaeda says US citizens should be freed if the United States abandons its air strikes in Somalia and Yemen.
Al Qaeda claimed responsibility Thursday for the kidnapping of a 70-year-old American aid worker in Pakistan saying they will hold as hostage until the United States should stop what they called international intervention to Somalia, Yemen, and other countries where the US is now doing military operations in the war of terror against Al-Qaeda and its affiliates in Somalia, Yemen, or some other Arab nations in the region.
In a video message posted on militant websites, Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri said Warren Weinstein would be released if the United States stopped airstrikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. He also demanded the release of all Al Qaeda and Taliban suspects around the world.
Weinstein was abducted by armed men from his house in the eastern city of Lahore on Aug. 13 and is being still kept as hostage by members of Al-Qaeda fighters there.
Somalia number one again
02 Dec – Source: Somalia Report – 42 words
Transparency International (TI) has released its 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index which “measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption in 183 countries and territories”. Besting North Korea, Myanmar, and Afghanistan, Somalia also has unfortunate problem of not actually having a permanent government. New Zealand was rated “10” and it is considered highly clean, while Somalia scored an impressive “1” .
“Al Shabaab harm civilians in southern Somalia,” Ahlu Sunna
02 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 225 words
Ahlu Sunna Waljama administration in Gedo region in southern Somalia has on Friday disclosed that al Shabaab militants have been harming the civilians in their stronghold towns in the region. . Sheikh Mohamed Hussein Al qadi, the spokesman for Ahlu Sunna Waljama in Gedo region said that the fighters of the insurgent group of al Shabaab seized local residents, with many of them killed after being accused of supporting and spying the Kenya-Somali government forces in the region.
The Spokesman also said that al Shabaab militants began harming residents and looting their possessions after they were defeated by Ahlu Sunna Waljama fighters (ASWJ), a pro-government group, which controls a number of southern Somali regions along the border with Kenya.
Al Shabaab officials warned the residents of Gedo region against supporting Kenyan troops who entered the country to fight the militants.
“We are very concerned about the brutal acts of al Shabaab fighters against civilians under their strongholds in the country. We will prevent the locals from the acts of the group. Our forces are now preparing to drive them out of the region,” said Spokesman for Ahlu Sunna Waljama in Gedo region Sheik Mohamed Hussein Al Qadi.
http://www.shabelle.net/article.php?id=13080
REGIONAL MEDIA
EAC heads pledge more troops to fight al Shabaab
02 Dec – Source: Standard – 337 words
Kenya’s Operation Linda Nchi received a boost when the East African Community pledged full support to flush out al Shabaab insurgents.
In a communiqu� read by the Secretary General, Richard Sezibera immediately after the EAC Heads of State Summit, the States expressed support for Kenya’s intervention in Somalia by committing more troops to the African Union-led forces in Somalia.
“The summit welcomes Kenya’s intervention in Somalia with the agreement of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, to safeguard peace, security and stability of the republic of Kenya,” Dr Sezibera said.
The summit expressed support for the Kampala peace initiative in Somalia whose implementation involves the African Union, Igad, United Nations Peace on Somalia, and the EAC in a joint peace implementation mechanism.
Uganda and Burundi, whose troops are in Mogadishu, pledged more troops with Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza calling for international support.
“We are united in ensuring peace in Somalia where our troops are engaged in seeking peace as we look for ways of increasing troops under AU,” President Nkurunziza said.
Addressing the summit, President Kibaki said the success of the community was linked to the state of affairs in the entire region and called for support from regional and international communities.
“The instability in Somalia continues to spill over to the whole region. Indeed, our economies continue to face serious challenges,” Kibaki said, “I wish to reiterate our call to the United Nations Security Council to take serious steps towards stabilising Somalia.”
He said insecurity in Somalia was an international problem and urged the international community to complement the efforts of regional bodies.
“As we encourage the international community to support the ongoing efforts, I express my gratitude for the support that EAC member states have pledged to Kenya and TFG of Somalia.
He noted that the performance of the intra-EAC trade had increased from about $2 billion in 2004 to three and a half billion US dollars in 2009 – more reason to safeguard peace and create a conducive environment for business to thrive.
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000047647&cid=4&ttl=EAC%20heads%20pledge%20more%20troops%20to%20fight%20Shabaab
Five Somali terror suspects charged before Lamu Court
02 Dec – Source: Coast week, Xinhua – 272 words
Five Somalis who were arrested in the coastal town on Lamu last month on suspicions of being linked to terror activities were charged in the Kenyan court on Thursday.
The suspects who were arraigned in a Lamu court did not take plea after the court failed to get a Somali interpreter. The five face charges of being unlawfully present in the country and failing to report entry to the nearest immigration office.
They were charged that on Nov. 25, at Manda Bay area of Lamu, being Somali nationals, unlawfully present in Kenya without any authority or permit.
The authorities said the suspects who were arrested during the just concluded Lamu Cultural Festivals that attracted both local and foreign tourists failed to report entry to the nearest immigration office.
http://www.coastweek.com/3448_security_01.htm?
Al Shabaab suspects charged
01 Dec – Source: KTN TV – 1:44 min
Fourteen illegal aliens were today arrested by police in a house in Eastleigh estate. The group is suspected to have paid a human smuggling syndicate to help them travel from Ethiopia to South Africa. Police made the arrest following a tip off by suspicious members of the public.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Turkey’s IHH to construct 24 new homes in Somali capital
02 Dec – Source: World Bulletin – 145 words
Speaking to the AA, Altun said that they came to Mogadishu to heal the wounds of the Somali people after long years of civil war.
The Somali Coordinator of Turkey’s Humanitarian Aid Foundation (IHH), Taner Altun, said Thursday that the IHH would construct 24 new homes in Camao Village to replace homes that were completely burnt during the civil war.
Speaking to the AA, Altun said that they came to Mogadishu to heal the wounds of the Somali people after long years of civil war.
“No one knows why a fire erupted in the Camao village. 24 homes were completely destroyed in the fire in Camao. Somali families whose homes were burned do not have the financial resources to construct new homes. We, as the IHH, will construct homes for 24 families. Each home will have two rooms and a living room,” Altun also said.
http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=82409
Somali woman pleads guilty in US terror trial
02 Dec – Source: AFP – 262 words
A Somali immigrant living in California pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to providing money and personnel to Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militants. Nima Yusuf, 25, admitted she had entered into an agreement with four other Somali immigrants to provide material support to the Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda linked group that controls much of central and southern Somalia.
She also admitted to aiding the violent extremist group despite knowing that the United States has designated the Shabaab as a foreign terrorist organization and that providing money or other material support to it is illegal, the US Justice Department said in a statement.
The other four immigrants — Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan, Abdisalan Hussein Ali, Abdulahi Ahmed Faarax and Abdiweili Yassin Isse — were indicted last year for supporting the Shabaab. Faarax was also charged with solicitation to commit a crime of violence for allegedly recruiting three men to travel to Somalia to fight for the Shabaab. One of the men is believed to have carried out a suicide bombing for the Shabaab around October 2008.
As part of her guilty plea, Yusuf admitted she had sent about $1,450 to Hassan, Ali, Faarax and Isse between February and November 2010 while they were fighting for the Shabaab in Somalia. She also admitted to falsely denying sending any money to Somalia when she was twice interviewed by FBI and Department of Homeland Security agents.
Yusuf, who lives in San Diego, is due to appear in US District Court for sentencing on February 10 and will be held without bail until then. She faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ja685VyYMAgghGOelO6UiAZqlQag?docId=CNG.8c4dcc2ad965b13f24d26452f89c2f49.331
Royal Marines capture suspected Somali pirates after high-speed chase
01 Dec – Source: Guardian – 433 words
Seven Somalis have been captured in an anti-piracy operation involving a high-speed chase across the Indian Ocean. The pursuit ended when a sniper on a Royal Navy helicopter started firing at the fleeing vessels. A party of Royal Marines then boarded the ships and sniffer dogs found traces of explosive and firearms.
The men will be taken to the Seychelles for what will be a rare prosecution. The military often have to let suspects go because of the complexities of jurisdiction and evidence gathering on the high seas. The incident took place on Tuesday when a Royal Navy ship patrolling 350 miles off the coast of Somalia was called to help a Spanish fishing vessel that was under attack.
The Lynx helicopter from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Victoria gave chase to two vessels – a skiff and a whaler. The skiff raced away but stopped when a sniper began firing shots across its bow. “The Royal Marines then used inflatable dinghies for boarding and the suspects were seized,” said a spokesman. “No shots were fired. They are now being taken to port in the Seychelles where they will be handed over to the police.”
Piracy off Somalia and around the Gulf of Aden has become a huge problem for the merchant navy in recent years. There are currently 50 ships seized and almost 800 people being held hostage.
Sailors have found themselves under attack from strafing machine-gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Those that have been held hostage are often subjected to beatings.
The area the pirates operate in is now so vast that capturing them has proved extremely difficult. Suspected pirates often throw their weapons overboard and claim to be fishermen. On this occasion, the Fort Victoria, which is under the command of Captain Gerry Northwood, had a UK-trained team of spaniels and Labradors on board that found the explosive residue.
This will be the first case to be brought against suspected pirates since the UK and the Seychelles signed a memorandum of understanding in July 2009. Lieutenant Alastair Thompson, a Royal Naval flight commander, said: “We could see the fishing vessel was clearly in trouble. Our actions disrupted the pirates from further attacks.”
The minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham, added: “Too many times in the past pirates have been captured but not prosecuted because of lack of evidence. We must ensure that pirates pay for their actions.”
In September, pirates murdered a British businessman, David Tebbutt, and kidnapped his wife Judith. The couple were on holiday at an exclusive beach resort in Kenya. Tebbutt, 58, died from a single gunshot wound to his chest. His wife has not been seen since.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/01/royal-marines-suspected-somali-pirates
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS
Things getting tougher in Somalia
01 Dec – Source: Citizen – 807 words
Famine-hit Somalia is once again in the limelight this time not for piracy but for being attacked from all possible angles in an effort to dislodge the hard fighting Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahidin, literally meaning “The Movement of the Striving Youth” famously known in short as Al Shabaab.
Al Shabaab, a self-proclaimed Al Qaeda franchise, is basically an off-shoot of a strictly religious group called the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), which fragmented into several smaller organizations following its removal from power by Ethiopian troops in December 2006.
The objectives of Al Shabaab are short and simple: to wage Jihad against the “enemies” of Islam; but alas! Are the thousands of dying Muslim Somalis enemies of Islam? With covert military support from Eritrea, Al Shabaab is currently battling several armies comprising the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG), the African Union Mission to Somalia (Amisom) made up of Burundi and Ugandan forces, and the Kenyan forces.
The brutal Al Shabaab is also facing serious opposition from Ethiopia, and from neighbouring Djibouti, a tiny country which hosts small contingents of American and French troops. Djibouti has promised to send troops to reinforce Amisom.
Considering that American and French troops are stationed in neighbouring Djibouti, Al Shabaab fighters expect a severe challenge from the two major powers. Although France denies any involvement contrary to Kenya’s confession, the US is already assisting Kenya remotely. The US operates from southern Ethiopia and Kenyan coast as well.
For Al Shabaab the immediate challenge comes from the recent Kenyan incursion backed by support from the Western powers. Kenya was forced to launch a defensive attack in Somalia in October after a series of attacks targeting locals, foreign aid workers and tourists inside its own territory.
But why did Kenyan authorities wait for so long when Al Shabaab was slowly taking unofficial “control” of some parts of Kenya? The answer is simple: Kenya was the main beneficiary of the dirty money from the Somali pirates. Indeed, in the past few years pirates have pumped a lot of cash into the Kenyan economy through real estate purchases and establishment of new businesses.
Historically, greed in Kenya has been fuelling criminal activities in the region for decades including smuggling Ugandan coffee in the 1970s, Tanzanian gold in the 1980s, and currently food grain, pretty much everything even cattle rustling, and some Kenyans feel proud about it.
This time though the dirty deal has backfired. In the midst of this bizarre marriage between the Kenyan economy and the Somali piracy, Al Shabaab built a safe haven in the Kenyan territory before blowing it up by targeting Westerners. Fearing the loss of tourist revenue and angering her Western allies, the Kenyan government sent her ill-experienced troops into Somalia.
Speaking of combat exposure, Kenya’s military has never fought a war since independence in 1963 and its peacekeeping involvement hasn’t been impressive either. No wonder that Kenyan fighter jets bombed a refugee camp repeatedly and its navy killed unarmed Kenyans who were fishing.
The Kenyan government which has complained to the United Nations about Eritrea’s assistance to Al Shabaab is reported to have found the going too tough, contrary to its expectations that the mission would be over by Christmas. Al Shabaab had warned earlier that the combat-untested lads from Kenya won’t uproot them. Honestly, it’s not easy to fight an insurgency.
Humbly, Kenya has now asked for US help although as mentioned earlier, analysts believe that the US and French military were already helping Kenya in fighting the illusive and invisible Al Shabaab.
Certainly, Kenya will have to seek more help from other nations since the Americans and the French won’t put their soldiers at risk. Not surprisingly, the US Navy Times reports that Uganda and Kenya have already sent delegations to Israel to seek military assistance.
http://thecitizen.co.tz/editorial-analysis/-/17547-things-getting-tougher-in-somalia