16 Dec 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- Mombasa training against Somali pirates for AMISOM Uganda troops (Source: Coastweek)
- al Shabaab warns Djibouti not to send troops to Somalia (Source: Radio Kulmiye)
- Heavy fighting erupts in Mogadishu (Source: Radio Shabelle Radio Kulmiye and Risaala)
- Somali Ambassador: We talked to Kenya over security situation in Dadaab refugee camp (Source: Radio Bar-kulan Radio Mogadishu)
- “Security situation of Mogadishu is getting better” : AMISOM commander (Source: Radio Bar-kulan Somalia Report)
- UN agency urges increased aid for Kenya (Source: Daily Nation)
- Inside Kenya’s war with al Shabaab (Source: CNN)
PRESS RELEASE
The Somali Business Community Meeting, Dubai, 12 Dec 2011 – Communique
15 Dec – Source: UNPOS – 1089 words
A Meeting of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), the Somali business community and the international community took place in Dubai from 11 to 12 December 2011 organized by the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) and facilitated together with the United Nations Country Team and World Bank. The meeting was attended by the Government of Turkey and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The Meeting brought together members of the Somali private sector, technical representatives of Somali ministries, international business representatives, the World Bank, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Development Programme, the UN Office for Project Services, the International Labour Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the UN Support Office for Amisom.
The purpose of the Meeting was to explore opportunities for investment and employment through dialogue between relevant actors to identify key areas to help improve recovery and development in Somalia as well as to reinforce the peace process, through the implementation of the Djibouti Agreement and the Roadmap.
The Meeting heard briefings on the Good Governance benchmark of the Roadmap as it relates to public-private dialogue as well as from the UN Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group on anti-corruption, and possible sanctions against ‘spoilers’..
The participants were asked to discuss the following questions:
- What could be done to promote investment and employment in Somalia?
- How this could be facilitated by the TFG and the Somali business community?
- What would be the next steps?
In response to these questions the participants agreed:
To express their gratitude for the support given by the Turkish Government and people and encourage other countries to do the same
The TFG, the business community and the international community all need to demonstrate the same level of transparency and accountability they expect from others. Mechanisms should be set up to protect against corruption.
The question of mitigating and managing risks needs to be addressed through effective institutional, policy and legal frameworks
There is an urgent need to find ways to generate employment
It is important to invest in infrastructure in order to develop economic activity, business and employment opportunities and also look at security and “social” infrastructure
There is a need to continue Public Private Dialogue aimed at consolidating Public Private Partnerships.
The business community is interested in working closely with the TFG as the TFG has an important role to promote business
There is a need for consistency within the TFG on the “rules of the game”. The TFG needs to urgently improve communication and linkages within and between ministries and between the ministries and the foreign missions.
Business investments and opportunities exist in different regions of Somalia including Mogadishu
Somalia requires a free trade zone along with an information clearing house to inform all those outside what the political, security and climate is like and explain the existing rules of the game
It is expected that follow up meetings will be held in Somalia and elsewhere before the Istanbul II Conference to be held in early 2012 to solicit inputs from as broad a spectrum of traders as possible.
ANNEX – Recommendations from Roundtables
Infrastructure
The Group agreed: On the need to continue the dialogue on the Private Public Partnership and put in place policy and regulatory frame including national procurement.
That the Somali Government should prioritize projects it wants to undertake in the next five years to increase investment and employment in Somalia. The Government, in consultation with the private sector, should develop a prioritization approach.
To develop and prepare an investment master plan on roads, airports and ports (including terminals) up to be presented at the Istanbul II Conference.
The International Community and the Somali government shall make details about past and current financial information available in the aforementioned areas.
Livestock
The Group agreed: There is need for a functioning government that can develop supportive institutional, policy and legal frameworks, be engaged in bilateral trade negotiations, invest in capital intensive infrastructural developments and livestock marketing facilities, rehabilitate stock routes and holding grounds, re-initiate market intelligence and livestock market information system among other services. There is also a need for improved availability, access and quality of water for livestock and producers.
There should be internationally recognized animal health inspection and certification along with quality assurance for animal health and production inputs including drugs, vaccines, chemicals and equipment and working veterinary laboratories.
There is cause for concern about the deteriorating condition of the land and rapid environmental degradation due to escalating charcoal production mainly for export. It appealed to the TFG to work through the UN Special Representative to find a lasting solution to charcoal export from Somalia to GCC countries using the same principles used for banning “blood diamonds”.
UNPOS, other UN Agencies, the World Bank and the Turkish Government should identify financial resources that can be used to immediately address the identified priority Public Sector Investment areas.
The International Community should assist the business people whose property was destroyed in a fire last week in Bossasso, Puntland.
Fisheries
The fisheries group appealed UNPOS, to facilitate dialogue between fishermen, the authorities and anti-piracy navies and armies (marines) to enable the former to fish in Somali waters without being harassed. The group appealed for funds to implement essential activities including:
• Fish processing plant • Fishing Equipment • Refrigeration Trucks for Transportation • Refrigeration Containers and Refrigeration Ships for Export • Jets and docking stations • Upgrading marine knowledge within Somalia
Banking
Legislation and regulations are required for the development of the Central Bank, and the TFG and private sector should partner to build confidence in, and support the development of, the legal framework.
The private sector should co-operate with the TFG and explore providing financial and technical contributions to the development of the Central Bank
The private sector is ready to review, agree and operate within a regulatory framework for commercial banking and money transfer services.
Energy
Somalia has the opportunity to use alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and biomass, but there were concerns about the high costs of using these. Somalia has natural resources for energy such as uranium and lignite for energy use. It was noted that there was an increasing demand for clean water and electricity. Regulatory frameworks exist on energy and natural resources and should be shared. The Ministry of Energy will convene a technical meeting on regulatory frameworks in Mogadishu and invite the business community, with a possible roadshow, to raise awareness of existing regulations and engagement opportunities.
SOMALI MEDIA
Heavy fighting erupts in Mogadishu
16 Dec – Source: Radio Shabelle, Radio Kulmiye and Risaala – 186 words
Heavy Clashes broke out on Friday morning between Islamist insurgents of al Shabaab and TFG troops, in Mogadishu, witnesses said.
The battle flared up early hour on Friday morning at the busy junction of Ex-contrrol Afgoye, an intersection that connects most of southern regions to the capital of Somalia Mogadishu, after al Shabaab fighters launched a surprise dawn attack at the checkpoint controlled by the TFG soldiers.
There has been heavy fighting this morning in several locations near the Ex-control Afgoye checkpoint, it is too early to say about casualty numbers,
Some government army commanders in the battle field claimed victory over the fighting, saying they have pushed back the militants from the checkpoint, with both sides exchanging heavy machine guns and artillery fire.
Ahmed Abdullahi, the security chief of Ex-control Afgoye, made comments about the combat during an interview with Shabelle media; he said the government forces inflicted heavy casualties on the militants as war continued near the TFG checkpoint.
al Shabaab warns Djibouti not to send troops to Somalia
16 Dec – Source: Radio Kulmiye – 161 words
Somali’s Islamist group of al Shabaab has today warned the deployment of some hundred troops from Djibouti whom they say will fight against them. The group’s spokesman Ali Rageh said they will target the Djiboutian forces if they come to Mogadishu.
“Djibouti government must retracts its decision to send troops to Somalia, or otherwise we will be targeting them in our soil,” said the spokesman, “we punished the African Union forces who were here before you, but you should consider your own choice rather than to be rushed to Somalia, here is a burnt place for African invaders.”
al Shabaab has sent similar messages to governments of Burundi, Uganda, and Kenya which sent their troops to Somalia. The claimed the twin deadly attack in Kampala, the capital of Uganda and attacks in Nairobi the capital of Kenya, but it is yet unknown whether the group will carry out similarly attacks in Djibouti if their troops arrive in Mogadishu next coming weeks.
Hamar-Jajab DC warns Food aid looters in district
16 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 158 words
Provincial administration in Mogadishu’s Hamar-Jajab district has threatened to take decisive actions against individuals involved in looting humanitarian relief aids meant for the needy people in the district.
The area district commissioner Mohamed Ali Ahmed said the government will not tolerate anymore for people involved in such activities, saying that those found guilty of theft and looting will be dealt with accordingly.
He claimed that his administration has already arrested five suspects in connection with food theft. He said the suspects were arrested after they were accused of looting relief food donated by the Turkish government.
The DC also urged food-store owners in the district to register with his administration in order to for them to know the ownership of food stuffs in their stores.
There has been a growing concern that humanitarian relief foods destined for the victims of the famine, camping in refugee camps in Mogadishu, were looted by armed gangs and individuals.
Garissa town attacked again
16 Dec – Source: Radio Star FM, the Star – 53 words
Four people were injured in two grenade attacks on two restaurants in Garisa town in north eastern Kenya, last night by alleged al Shabaab sympathizers. The grenades were thrown at a local prisons mess and into another restaurant but they hit the entrances. Witnesses say men driving in two cars threw the explosives into the restaurants and escaped.
North Eastern Province of Kenya Police Commissioner James Seriani says one grenade was thrown into the staff canteen at the prison in the town of Garissa late on Thursday. The other explosion happened simultaneously at a local hotel.
“Security situation of Mogadishu is getting better” : AMISOM commander
15 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Somalia Report – 75 words
The Force Commander of the African Union peacekeeping forces in Mogadishu, Major General Fred Mungisha, said that the security situation of Mogadishu is getting better. In a Mogadishu press conference, he said that in the last ten day cooperation between the residents in Mogadishu and AMISOM has helped foiled 15 explosive plots targeted against innocent people. General Mungisha stated that the cooperation with the civilians proves that they are sick and tired of al Shabaab and are ready for peace.
Somaliland: Registration Committee for Political Parties Changes Deadline
15 Dec – Source: Hadhwanaag Times – 81 words
Somaliland’s registration committee for political parties on Thursday changed the deadline for the political parties to register which was within 60 days. The committee made announcement in a statement released today. It said a party should register within 45 days before announcing.
The comments of the committee come as the new political parties which are announced in Somaliland in the past few months increased. The registration committee for political parties took the oath of office in October after the president of Somaliland appointed it.
Three killed in a banditry attack in parts of Lower Shabelle
16 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 96 words
Three people have been killed and five others injured after the vehicle they were travelling in came under attack at Jira-Kulow area, Lower Shabelle, on Thursday night.
Reports say unknown gang ambushed and opened fire on the vehicle, killing three of the passengers and wounding five others onboard. The vehicle is said to have left Mogadishu yesterday morning en route to Baidoa. All the victims were reportedly taken to Baidoa hospital.
The area, partly controlled by al Shabaab rebel group has in recent months seen waves of banditry attacks targeting passengers and vehicles plying the route.
Ahlu Sunna fighters impose curfew on key town in central Somalia
16 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 100 words
Forces from the Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a, a moderate Islamist group allied with the interim Federal government of Somalia has on Friday imposed a night time curfew to Abudwak town in Galgadud province- central Somalia, officials and local residents said.
Ahlu sunna Waljama’a controls several towns in central Somalia. Officials in the group told Shabelle media by phone,that they imposed the curfew to tighten the security of the town.
This move is a part of security campaign which the forces of Ahlu Sunna Waljama(ASWJ) are conducting in many towns in central regions of the country, which are under their control.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Somali Ambassador: We talked to Kenya over security situation in Dadaab refugee camp
16 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Radio Mogadishu – 197 words
Somalia has asked its neighbouring Kenya to assure the safety of Somali refugees in Dadaab refugee complex, the world largest refugee camp situated in northern Kenya near the Somali-Kenya border.
Somali Ambassador to Kenya, Mohamed Ali Nur alias Americo said his government has held talks with the Kenyan government over the security situation in Dadaab refugee camp, where hundreds of thousand of Somalis live as refugees and asylum seekers.
A spate of abductions and other criminal activities in the three camps making the larger Dadaab refugee complex have forced aid agencies to suspend their activities and evacuate non-essential staffs from these camps.
In an exclusives interview with Bar-kulan, the ambassador said he personally talked to the Kenyan government over the plight of the Somali refugees in the camp.
He further stated that he requested the Kenyan government to bolster security in the camp in order to allow aid agencies to resume their work as usual and have the refugees get access to medical care.
The ambassador toured the camps housing Somali refugees in northern Kenya to oversee the distribution of humanitarian aid including food and plastic sheets delivered to the refugees by Kuwaiti embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.
REGIONAL MEDIA
Mombasa training against Somali pirates for AMISOM Uganda troops
16 Dec – Source: Coast week – 223 words
A team of 24 troops from Uganda, part of the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) received vessel protection training from French and Estonian troops in Mombasa onboard FS Floreal, which is operating as part of the EU NAVFOR.
The training was planned as part of ongoing improvements in capability and to enhance AMISOMs drills in response to a potential pirate attack; the AMISOM team will form a cohort of troops who may embark on the M/V Petra which provides logistic support for AMISOM shipping en-route between Mombasa and Mogadishu.
Training in the pirates’ modus operandi, tactics, rules of engagement, unarmed combat and detention of suspects were carried out onboard the FS Floreal before moving to the M/V Petra for practical drills.
The training culminated with the presentation of certificates by the Commanding Officer, Commander Christophe Pasco, to the AMISOM team.
The training will allow significant flexibility in the planning for World Food Programme and AMISOM escorts and if the occasion arises, these troops will be able to operate autonomously.
EU NAVFOR conducts counter-piracy in the Indian Ocean and is responsible for the protection of World Food Program ships carrying humanitarian aid for the people of Somalia and the logistic support vessels of the African Union troops conducting Peace Support Operations in Somalia. Additionally, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia”.
http://www.coastweek.com/3450_
Kenyan forces vow to retake port city
15 Dec – Source: Al Arabia – 215 words
Somali-backed Kenyan forces said they plan to advance into islamist militant group al Shabaab’s territory and take back the rebel-captured port town of Kismayo.
Hundreds of Kenyan forces were deployed into neighbouring southern Somalia in October to halt the rebellion, which they believe is responsible for the frequent cross-border assaults and kidnappings in Kenya. Government forces have retaliated with erratic air raids on suspected rebel hotspots.
“Our conduct of operation here is basically in conformity with the other troops that are in other sectors, the northern sector and the central sector. So basically the ultimate objective is the capture of Kismayo, so it is building up to that,” said Major Rashid Seif of the Kenyan defense force.
The al Qaeda affiliated al Shabaab has responded with landmines and makeshift explosives. Meanwhile, the Kenyan troops have attempted to gain the confidence of southern residents by distributing food parcels and free medical services to the region, that has suffered severe drought and famine this year.
al Shabaab has been trying to gain power over Somalia and enforce a stricter version of Sharia law, and has been threatening to attack its neighbor and the region’s economy.
Since the ousting of dictator Siad Barre in 1991, Somalia has been plagued with violence as warlords, followed by militants, attempt to fill the political void.
http://english.alarabiya.net/
UN agency urges increased aid for Kenya
15 Dec – Source: Daily Nation – 245 words
A United Nations humanitarian agency has urged an increase in food and related aid for Kenya in the coming year even as it warned that the crisis in the Horn is expected to worsen in 2012. “Much of the Horn of Africa continues to face the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with four million people needing urgent humanitarian aid in Somalia alone, and 601,000 refugees now in Kenya,” says an appeal issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). “Even as operations continue to scale up, the situation is expected to get worse and the crisis to continue well into 2012.”
The appeal for $764 million would make Kenya the third-largest recipient of assistance from OCHA. The neighbouring states of Somalia ($1.5 billion) and Sudan ($1.1 billion) top the agency’s list of 16 countries in need of emergency aid in 2012.
If reached, the target for Kenya would enable the UN to assist 3.75 million “food-insecure people” in drought-affected parts of the country Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos, said in a speech on Wednesday.
The appeal for Kenya is also intended to aid the country’s refugee population, whose numbers are expected to climb to 684,000 in the coming year, Ms Amos added.
As of mid-November, OCHA’s 2011 appeal for Kenya had been 68 percent funded by donors. They had supplied $503 million of the $741 million requested for this year, according to the agency’s website.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Inside Kenya’s war with al Shabaab
16 Dec – Source: CNN – 587 words
We had tried for weeks to get access to Kenya’s incursion into lawless Somalia. The go finally came from the Kenyan military in a text message late one Saturday night. We’re told to be at the Nairobi’s military airbase before dawn. “Bring our own flak jackets,” we were told.
In October, the Kenya defense forces surprised many by sweeping into Somalia to take on al Shabaab, an Islamic militant group bent on overthrowing the weak transitional government.
At first, the “spin” by generals and politicians was that it was a swift reaction to punish al Shabaab for its suspected involvement in a series of kidnappings.
But peering through the window of a rattling Mi-8 transport chopper, it is clear that what soldiers and security analysts have been telling us is true. The combat base on the Kenyan side of the border is well established — a vast area of cleared ground dotted with orderly rows of tents and military hardware — including artillery pieces. It’s obvious the soldiers here have have been preparing for some time.
This is no rescue posse thrown together. Kenya aims to obliterate al Shabaab. “The reason for this campaign is to liberate the locals here from the rule of the al Shabaab,” Major Seif Said Rashid tells me, several magazines of ammo in his front pockets. “My troops are committed and they are out ready to sacrifice so that they are able to achieve the objective that has brought us here.”
The major says his biggest military challenge is that al Shabaab’s weakness is its strength. Militarily they couldn’t match Kenya’s firepower. But their small and mobile forces know the territory and terror.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/
Virginia: Somalis Get Life in Prison for Fatal Hijacking
15 Dec – Source: New York Times, AP – 216 words
A former Somali police officer and a Somali electrician were sentenced to life in prison on Thursday in Federal District Court in Norfolk for their roles in the hijacking of a yacht in the Indian Ocean that left all four Americans on board dead. The former officer, Mohamud Hirs Issa Ali, was the commander of a band of 19 pirates that hijacked the 58-foot ship, the Quest, in February several hundred miles south of Oman.
The pirates had intended to take the Americans back to Somalia, where a bilingual interpreter would negotiate a ransom payment. But the owners of the Quest, Jean and Scott Adam of Marina del Rey, Calif., along with two friends, Robert A. Riggle and Phyllis Macay of Seattle, were shot to death several days after being taken hostage.
It was the first time that United States citizens had been killed in the wave of pirate attacks that have plagued the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean in recent years. The Americans were killed after American warships started shadowing the Quest and negotiations between the Navy and the pirates broke down. The electrician, Jilian Abdiali, said he had become a pirate after seeing that they had large homes and cars. His job on the yacht had been to bless the pirates’ expedition.