22 Dec 2011 – Daily Monitoring Report
Key Headlines:
- Prime Minister of Somalia H.E. Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Statement at the High-Level Conference on the Constitution (Source: Office of the Prime Minister)
- African Union commanders build their knowledge of international humanitarian law (Source: AMISOM Force HQ)
- UNPOS: The Constitutional Conference in Garowe and the Road map (Source: UNPOS)
- Djibouti forces will change security dynamics of Mogadishu: TFG Minister (Source: Radio Mogadishu Somalia Report)
- Former Somali premier Farmajo calls on parliament speaker to vacate the post (Source: Mareeg Online Shabelle and Hiiraan Online)
- Garowe conference enters second day (Source: Radio Kulmiye Mareeg Online)
- Somalia: Ahlu Sunna boycotts Garowe conference condemns TFG (Source: Shabelle)
- Parliament Selects Committee for elect new Speaker (Source: Somalia Report Somaliweyn)
- KDF kill top al Shabaab commander (Source: Standard)
- U.N. concern over violence at Horn of Africa refugee camps (Source: Coast Week)
- Britain’s New Year resolution: intervene in Somalia (Source: Independent)
- Kenya Chief of Defense forces visit Somalia (Source: KTN TV)
PRESS STATEMENTS
African Union commanders build their knowledge of international humanitarian law
22 Dec – Source: AMISOM Force HQ – 472 words
Senior officers serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia are being trained this week by the United Nations on the internationally-recognised rules of war to reduce the impact of hostilities on Somali civilians and to ensure military operations abide by international humanitarian law.
This training builds on standard pre-deployment training AMISOM officers receive before they go to Somalia. African Union Mission officers have learnt how to best protect the rights of persons who are not, or are no longer, taking part directly in hostilities, the sick and wounded, prisoners of war and civilians who are caught up in conflict.
The group of AMISOM Commanders are also learning about Somali customs so that they can conduct operations in a culturally-sensitive way which respects the domestic law of Somalia.
This training class is part of an ongoing task to teach, in detail, a wide group of AMISOM’s senior and legal officers, battalion commanders and Somali civilian peace officers, all deployed in Mogadishu, about international humanitarian law and Somali cultural nuances.
The African Union Mission in Somalia’s (AMISOM) Force Commander, Major General Fred Mugisha said;
“Minimising harm to civilians, being sensitive to the customary practices of Somalis and respecting international humanitarian law is central to what we do in the African Union Mission. This distinguishes us from the ruthless militants who violate all known humanitarian principles, including those rules of behaviour that Somalis have known and kept to for centuries.”
“That is why we represent the will of the African Union and why we are backed by the United Nations in our important mission to bring peace and stability to Somalia.”
“We are fully committed to respect international norms and I am personally proud of the conduct of my troops as they operate in the challenging environment of Mogadishu.” So far, twenty five officers have received this training. The Force Commander added,
“Understanding Somali culture is absolutely necessary. Acting with cultural sensitivity can help prevent both the military and civilian personnel in AMISOM from creating problems and causing tensions with the Somali populace.”
Colonel Rasso Dido, of AMISOM, who is receiving the training, stated that “The session has been very useful, particularly in understanding what are the critical issues that officers and soldiers must know in terms of understanding how to treat those who are captured on battle fields.”
AMISOM has rules of engagement for regulating the use of lethal force, which are strictly enforced. Three AMISOM peacekeepers were convicted and sentenced after two civilians were shot and killed in Mogadishu in November 2010.
The African Union has a policy on the use of artillery, mortars and rockets in military conflict which is being implemented by AMISOM in Somalia. It has significantly reduced the impact of the conflict on the Somali population with practices like “no fire zones”, improved targeting of weaponry and rules against retaliatory “counter battery” fire.
UNPOS: The Constitutional Conference in Garowe and the Road map
21 Dec – Source: UNPOS – 524 words
The Reconciliation and Constitutional Conference in Garowe, Puntland, marks another step towards the implementation of the Road map for Ending the Transition in Somalia by discussing and agreeing to the constitution-drafting and adoption process.
The meeting includes President Farole, President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, Speaker Sharif Hassan and Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Ministers of the Somali Government, Representatives of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a (ASWJ), Galmudug, 3 of the 9 Committee of Experts, some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), UN, IGAD, Economic Commission (EC) and a number of Parliamentarians.
The development of a constitution for Somalia is central to a wider series of reforms and actions, required to be implemented under the Road map. They fall under the four headings of Security; Constitution; Good Governance; and Outreach and Reconciliation.
The Road map was discussed and adopted at a Consultative Meeting in Mogadishu on 6 September 2011. The meeting in Garowe is expected to consider recommendations produced on parliamentary reform, hold discussions on reconciliation initiatives and agree on the next steps for the constitution-making process.
Currently, many hundreds of pages of feedback on the current draft constitution have been received and are being considered by the Independent Federal Constitution Commission (IFCC). Once a final draft is drawn-up (the Road map requires) a Constituent Assembly (to) will discuss and adopt the draft constitution. Political reform will take place step-by-step and must bring together all the major political factions in Somalia in order to build lasting peace and stability.
In addition to the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), representatives from the regional administrations of Puntland and Galmadug; the ASWJ; representatives from the business community, the professions, religious leaders, elders, youth and women’s groups have been included in consultations.
To carry forward the next stages of the constitution-building process the Government has appointed a nine-member Committee of Experts and the Prime Minister intervened to ensure that it works with the IFCC.
The Government has appointed a Committee to carry out the process of setting up an Independent Interim Electoral Commission which would oversee the Constituent Assembly, which in turn, would eventually adopt the draft constitution.
Looking towards an electoral process for Somalia and in order to enhance representativeness in Government, the Council of Ministers have set up bodies to deliver the relevant processes.
Building on the growth of security in Mogadishu, the Somali Police and National Somali Security Agency conduct regular patrols and man checkpoints in the city. The National Security and Stabilisation Plan (NSSP) is currently awaiting approval from Parliament.
The Government has supported the establishment of local peace-building initiatives in Galmudug, Himan and Heeb, Puntland and Gedo.
In the humanitarian sphere, the Government has established coordination mechanisms to help improve the delivery of aid, including a Coordination Office in the Prime Minister’s Office and a Disaster Management Agency.
The Council of Ministers have agreed to re-establish the Bureau for the Investigation of Corruption and the Interim Commissioners are currently undergoing vetting processes.
Challenges remain. Deadlines have been missed but work is continuing and gradual progress is being made. There have been difficulties in the areas of national reconciliation, declaration of an Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ) and increasing transparency in governance. Delays have often been due to inadequate capacity, agreement on means of implementation and resources.
Prime Minister of Somalia H.E. Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Statement at The High-Level Conference on the Constitution
21 Dec – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 660 words
Assalam-Alaikum; Peace be upon you all.
It is with great honor and exceptional pleasure that I join you all for this historical, high-level Constitutional Conference in Garowe, Puntland—a peaceful and vibrant State of Somalia.
It humbles me very much that we are holding meetings—inside Somalia and across the country—to re-build our nation and to bring it back to statehood with broad consultations. Allow me to take this opportunity to recognise and applaud the Puntland State of Somalia for hosting this conference and for its achievement over years; peace and stability, economic developments, and progressive agenda.
The last time we were here in Garowe in August, we were able to lay the ground work for the National Consultative meeting on ending the Transition, which took place in Mogadishu from 4 to 6 September. We are back today, to prepare the road for an even bigger task, which is the finalization and adoption of our New Constitution.
We stand at a great moment in our history. We have the opportunity before us to define our future and our vision of this great nation. We owe it to the Somali mother and child in the refugee camps; we owe it to our elders who are isolated in the wintry cities of the West.
We owe it those who are humiliated to obtain citizenship elsewhere because there is no safe home. We owe it to our youth who see no alternatives but extremism and piracy as a way of life. It is time to deliver a constitution that gives them hope and inspiration in their future—a constitution that guarantees their basic Human Rights. We cannot fail them. I believe we can do this now, but we must act with vigour and determination.
A constitution is both the articulation of a nation’s values and aspirations as well as the institutions of implementing these values. A constitution is nation building and state building.
Allow me to express my appreciation to the IFCC for their good work over the past few years in researching and preparing a draft constitution in consultations with the Somali people.
Our transitional charter and our new constitution are based on the system of federalism. Let me say a few words about this. The core of federalism is the equitable sharing of rights and responsibilities around the country, including the equitable distribution of finances and resources across all parts of the country.
Our new constitution will clarify how to allocate resources and responsibilities between the centre and the federal states. We must seek to build consensus around a nationally- shared vision of how our country is to operate. What is decided by us will be key to cementing stability in Somalia for the long- Let me assure you that I am committed to ending the transitional period and launching Somalia into a vibrant statehood – a Democratic Federal State where Somalis elect their leaders and determine their own future.
I value the continued consultations on all fronts to carry forward the tasks and benchmarks, including the debate and resolution of the contentious issues. Understanding that we all care deeply about these issues, it is my hope that our shared vision for the future of our children will guide us to the right solution.
Three months ago, we welcomed the renewed sense of dialogue and inclusivity in the discussions and committed to a National Road Map to end the transitional Period. It is with this sense of reaching out to all parts of Somali life that we will seek, with determination and a sense of urgency to End the Transition.
Through our joint endeavours to build a united, inclusive vision of Somalia’s future we can build hope for peace in our beloved country.
I hope that our discussions and decisions in the next two days will bear fruit for the benefit of a stable and peaceful Somalia by moving us significantly close to the adoption of a new constitution and the re-building of our nation.
The consultative meeting opened In Garowe, leaders give speeches
21 Dec – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 290 words
The consultative meeting which was meant to discuss the constitution of Somalia was officially opened in the capital of Puntland, Garowe which was attended by the leaders of the country along with the regional administration leaders like Puntland, Galmudug and also representatives from Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama, civil society groups, IGAD and the UN.
The Garowe meeting is a follow up to the Mogadishu consultative meeting on 4-6 October and present in the meeting were the president of Somali Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, president of regional administration of Puntland Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamud Farole, president of the regional administration of Galmudug Mohamed Ahmed Aalim, the special representative of the United Nations Secretary General Ambassador Mahiga and other envoys from the neighbouring countries of Somalia.
A long speech was first delivered in the meeting by the president of the regional administration of Puntland Hon. Farole who delved into the long history of Puntland’s inception, the situations his country passed and the importance of today’s meeting. President Farole expressed hope that the outcome of the meeting will be fruitful and meaningful for all Somalis.
A brief word of compliment was also delivered by Ambassador Mahiga and thanked the regional administration of Puntland for their warm reception and for hosting this important meeting. He gave an apology that he is in hurry to participate in a meeting which will be held in Addis Ababa tomorrow which will discuss on how to increase the strength and mandate of AMISOM.
Ambassador Mahiga also said he is carrying three key messages from the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon which he said were; to implement the road map, to draft a constitution for Somalia and to end the bitter differences between the TFG leaders.
This was followed by a long statement by the Prime Minister of Somalia Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas who took a long time explaining the vitality of the meeting, the opportunities before the Somali leaders and the importance of a constitution for the country.
Lastly, the president of Somalia Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed gave a speech touching on different issues emphasising the importance of the consultative meeting in Garowe which will focus on drafting a constitution for Somalia. He also reiterated the importance of unity and coordination among the different Somali sects.
SOMALI MEDIA
Djibouti forces will change security dynamics of Mogadishu: TFG Minister
21 Dec – Source: Radio Mogadishu, Somalia Report – 71 words
TFG Minister of Internal Affairs and National Security Abdisamad Ma’alin Mahamud stated that the Djibouti forces will change the security dynamics of the capital and bring about stability for Somali people.
He pointed out that the peacekeeping forces from Djibouti have the ethnic sensitivity to Somali people and they are wholeheartedly ready to help their second motherland. The minister added that they will succeed in changing the way AMISOM operates.
Former Somali premier Farmajo calls on parliament speaker to vacate the post
22 Dec – Source: Mareeg Online, Shabelle, and Hiiraan Online – 115 words
Former Somali premier, Mohamed Abdulahi Farmajo has called on ‘ousted’ Somali parliament speaker, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan, to accept the decision of the lawmakers and vacate the office. Speaking to local F.M stations in Mogadishu, former Somali Prime Minister called on Sharif Hassan to bear in mind the interest of Somali people and hence relinquish his position.
Mr. Farmajo added that he left the office for the sake of the country and he does not see anything about the speaker parliament. Sharif Hassan Sh. Adam rejected the verdict of MPs, terming their meeting as unlawful.
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.
Garowe conference enters second day
22 Dec – Source: Radio Kulmiye, Mareeg Online – 119 words
The UN-consultative talks which opened on Wednesday in Garowe city of Puntland State entered its second day today and were attended by officials from the TFG, other political parties, the civil society community in Somali and the authorities of Puntland and Galmudug.
The Somali leaders discussed issues regarding the security and development in their own country, with participating debating over the country’s future prospects.
Puntland President Abdirahman Farole and Somali President Sharif Ahmed opened discussions in the phase one of the ongoing sessions in capital Garowe where leaders are gathering for second day. Presentations were also made by some international partners from the United Nations, along with the top diplomats from the International community.
Ahlu Sunna boycotts Garowe conference, condemns TFG
22 Dec – Source: Shabelle – 172 words
Somalia’s moderate Sufi group of Ahlu Sunna Waljama administration in parts of central Somalia announced on Thursday that it was boycotting the UN-sponsored constitutional conference on Somalia in Garowe town, Puntland.
Sheikh Mohamed Yusuf Hefow, the chairman of the decision-making committee for Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a said his administration would not take part in the consultative conference in Garowe, saying they were not invited to the meeting.
“On behalf of Ahlu Sunna in central Somalia, I would like to make clear that Ahlu sunna has not been invited to the meeting so that is why we boycotted; those who are attending the consultative conference on Somalia on the pretext of representing Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a are there to undermine the group’s unity.” said Sheikh Mohamed Yusuf Hefow.
http://www.shabelle.net/
Female street cleaners targeted with explosion in Somali capital
21 Dec – Source: Jowhar Online – 167 words
Female street cleaners were once again yesterday targeted with a landmine explosion near the police station in western part of Mogadishu’s Dharkenley District in which they sustained loss of life and injury.
According to eye witnesses, one woman was killed in the explosion while three others were wounded. This is the second time that female street cleaners in Dharkenley have been attacked. They were targeted with a similar explosion just last month.
The women were cleaning a site where the landmine had been apparently planted and the remote controlled device was set off just as they were working in the area. No one has so far commented on the landmine explosions; it is however part of a number of previous attacks targeting street cleaners in the capital. Four women were killed and ten others wounded in a similar explosion in the capital last month.
Parliament selects committee for New Speaker
22 Dec – Source: Somalia Report, Somaliweyn – 518 words
Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) Members of Parliament (MPs) held a meeting in Mogadishu on Wednesday to nominate a 20-member selection committee to choose a replacement for the impeached speaker, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden.
290 MPs took part in the meeting, which was headed by the second deputy speaker of parliament, Ahmed Dhimbil Asaawe. With the exception of two abstaining MPs, the entire body of parliamentarians voted in favor of the selection committee.
“Today we named a selection committee, who will expedite the selection of the new speaker. Sharif Hassan no longer speaks for parliament,” acting speaker Modwe Nunow told Somalia Report. “We urge the international community and top leaders of the TFG to accept and respect the decision of the parliament. Let us work together to rebuild the government,” he added.
Somali security forces tried to shut down the meeting but the MPs forced their way in and began their meeting normally. During the session, at least 10 MPs supporting Sharif Hassan arrived and tried to protest, but the rest of the MPs violently evicted them from the meeting, with fist fights breaking out and chairs being used as weapons.
“We kicked out a few MPs who wanted to interrupt our session; they supported the ousted speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh, who is now just an ordinary member of the parliament. We managed our session successfully and chose a committee for the selection of a new speaker,” Ahmed Dhimbil Roble, the deputy speaker of the parliament said in a press conference afterwards.
A local journalist, Ali Bashi Abdulahi, who was present, described the scene to Somalia Report.
“There was fighting which broke out in the parliament house. I saw a bleeding MP, while another’s hand was broken. All the MPs supporting the ousted speaker were chased out.”
Three injured in a grenade attack in Bosaso, Bari region
22 Dec – Source: Radio Bar-kulan – 131 words
Three people were injured in a grenade attack on a police checkpoint on the outskirt of Bosaso town, Wednesday night. Two civilians and a policeman sustained the injuries after an unknown gang hurled a hand grenade into the area.
The civilians were said to be small-scale traders conducting their business next to the checkpoint. All the victims were immediately rushed to Bosaso Hospital for treatment. Doctors say one of the victims is in bad condition while the rest are in stable condition.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident and have already arrested a number of people in connection with the attack, according to sources in the area. The attack comes a time when police are conducting a major security operation in order to bolster the security situation in the city.
REGIONAL MEDIA
KDF kill top al Shabaab commander
22 Dec – Source: Standard – 1082 words
Kenya Defence Force killed a top commander of al Shabaab and 18 members of his militia in two air strikes in Somalia close to the Kenyan border.
Separate reports from the battlefront said KDF on Tuesday also fought the fierce battle in Busar town on Tuesday night to save Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government forces from annihilation by al Shabaab groups fighting to evict them from one of their former camps in Busar.
Both the air strikes in Hosingo and the rescue mission in Busar by KDF were part of the engagement in the field revealed in Nairobi by the military spokesman and reported by The Standard field crew in Somalia.
The military broke the news of the air strikes in Hosingo town as a confidential Government security status report went into circulation showing the militia has sent assassins to Kenya to hunt down Defence Minister Yusuf Haji and Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim.
“We have received information a group of al Shabaab operatives were dispatched from Lower Juba in Somalia to Ijara and Lagdera constituencies on December 13, with a brief to assassinate Defence Minister Yusuf Haji and Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim,” states the report signed by Internal Security PS Francis Kimemia.
In the letter, Kimemia further states the militant group dispatched some unidentified explosive experts from Buale in Somalia to attack Habaswein and Elwak markets on an undisclosed date.
In the letter copied to Haji and Farah, Kimemia advises North Eastern PC James ole Serian to ensure security officers are vigilant to stop such attempts. “al Shabaab appears determined to continue pursuing targets in Kenya,” said Kimemia in the letter dated December 15.
http://www.standardmedia.co.
Kenya Chief of Defence forces visit Somalia
22 Dec – Source: KTN TV – 2:10 min
The military’s highest ranking officer yesterday got a first-hand look at conditions and morale in the battlefield several weeks after Kenya’s entry into Southern Somalia. Chief of Defence forces general Julius Karangi made a surprise visit to the front line where he vowed his troops would defeat al Shabaab. Meanwhile, Kenyan jet fighters bombed two al Shabaab camps killing at least 18 rebel fighters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Security on high alert following assassination threats on MPs
22 Dec – Source: Coast week, Xinhua – 523 words
Security in Kenya is on high alert following revelations al Shabaab militiamen have dispatched agents to assassinate two Members of Parliament—among them defence minister—of Somali origin in retaliation to the East African country’s military operations to flush out the insurgents.
The matter came up on the floor of the House on Wednesday afternoon, on the same day the International Organization for Migration (IOM) also announced humanitarian agencies had withdrawn staff from refugee camps in northern Kenya citing escalation of insecurity in the region, two months into the military operation.
The safety of Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim and Defence Minister Yusuf Hajji was brought to national attention in a statement read in parliament by legislator Gitobu Imanyara, who in addition, cited national intelligence reports, disclosed major state installations including parliament buildings, were targets for terrorist attacks.
Maalim, who was chairing afternoon sitting, told parliament he was privy to the intelligence but defiantly dismissed threats as empty. “My destiny and that of the minister (Yusuf Hajji) is in the hands of Allah (God). “We will not be intimidated by threats on our lives,” the speaker said.
The fears followed a statement by Member of Parliament Gitobu Imanyara that al Shabaab militiamen had dispatched agents to assassinate Kenya’s minister for Defence Yusuf Hajji and Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim, whose constituencies neighbour Somalia in northern Kenya. The two back Kenya’s military operations in Somalia.
Concerns over possible assassination of senior government officials, and in particular Kenyan MPs from frontier constituencies, came on the back of a withdrawal of staff by international humanitarian agencies, citing increased terrorist attacks in Dadaab and Liboi camps that host a staggering 600,000 Somali refugees.
http://www.coastweek.com/3450_
Somalia’s Parliament in crisis meeting over fired Speaker
22 Dec – Source: Africa Review – 260 words
Somalia MPs Tuesday resolved to start debate on accumulated pending bills to speed up efforts to return the country to peace and stability.
Two hundred and eighty-seven MPs in the Transitional Federal Parliament in Mogadishu also took issue with Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohammed Ali’s failure to submit the country’s roadmap until August next year when the current government’s term expires saying this could derail the peace process.
In a session presided over by MP Ahmed Dhimble Asoowa, the MPs said the PM was to submit the roadmap by December 19. They however agreed to be meeting three days a week as required to tackle the pending bills.
The MPs said Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden was removed legally last week and they initiated a process of electing a new one. They agreed to form an election panel for the new Speaker.
The MPs took issue with the international community for failing to recognise the removal of Sheikh Aden and allegedly fanning divisions in the country. Sheikh Aden was replaced by MP Madobe Nunow in an interim capacity by MPs who passed a vote of no confidence in him for allegedly failing in his duties. The MPs meeting came as another one started in Garowe, Puntland, to deliberate on Somalia’s constitution.
The United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) said that the high-level conference on the Constitution that ends tomorrow follows a consultative meeting with Transitional Federal Institutions.. “This conference follows the Consultative Meeting on Ending the Transition, which took place in Mogadishu from 4 to 6 September 2011,” UNPOS said.
U.N. concern over violence at horn of Africa refugee camps
22 Dec – Source: Coast Week – 258 words
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday expressed his deep concern about recent security incidents at Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.
“A refugee camp should be a sanctuary for the most vulnerable—women, children, the elderly,” said Ban, adding: “We must do all we can to ensure the safety and security of these refugees and all those who serve them.”
Ban made the remarks while addressing the UN General Assembly on Somalia after his recent visit to the troubled country and to the Dadaab complex in neighbouring Kenya, which holds hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees.
While at Dadaab, Ban met refugees who have fled from Somalia due to famine or the ongoing conflict between militant group al Shabaab and the Somali Transitional Federal Government for control of the war-torn country.
“On Monday, there was yet another explosion at the Hagadera camp killing one person,” Ban told the assembly. “On Tuesday, an improvised explosive device went off near a market at the Ifo camp.” Ifo and Hagadera are both camps within the Dadaab complex.
Ban said fear of such violent acts was a “major concern” for refugees he met in Dadaab. “Refugees told me they left their country for safety and support, yet the conflict has followed,” he explained.
Ban also commented on a recent political crisis in Somalia, prompted by a vote to expel Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden as speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament. “I urge all parties to address the situation through dialogue and to respect the Kampala Accord,” said the UN chief.
http://www.coastweek.com/3450_
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Britain’s new year resolution: intervene in Somalia
22 Dec – Source: Independent – 738 words
David Cameron describes Somalia as “a failed state that directly threatens British interests” and will convene a summit in London in February to bring together the countries currently active in the Horn of Africa state. A number of key decisions are expected to be made there, ranging from humanitarian aid to military missions.
The Prime Minister’s decision to tackle the Somalia quagmire is seen by some as being fuelled by the success of the Libyan venture.
Mr Cameron is concerned about tourists and aid workers from the UK being attacked and kidnapped, the rise of piracy and the potential for the East African country to become a place of extremist indoctrination for increasing numbers of young Muslims from the UK.
The last point, in particular, is an acute security concern; with MI5 head Jonathan Evans warning that Somalia has become the next destination after Pakistan for terrorist training due to the presence of al Shabaab, an extremist group with links to al Qaeda.
The would-be jihadists are not just of Somali background, but include those from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Yemen and North Africa, resident in Britain. There is a real risk, Mr Evans has stressed, that returnees from Somalia could carry out bomb attacks in British cities.
The UK has also been linked to the piracy in the Indian Ocean, with claims that members of the Somali Diaspora are involved, with financial connections through Gulf states like the United Arab Emirates with the highly lucrative hijacking of vessels bringing in an estimated $12bn (£7.6bn) a year.
Critics claim that rather than looking at Britain’s recent involvement in Libya for inspiration, a closer analogy is provided by Helmand. The Afghan province was described by Tony Blair’s government as “ungoverned space which is a source of threats to Britain” through terrorism and narcotics.
Helmand provided 25 per cent of Afghanistan’s total opium crop and around 80 per cent of heroin on British streets came from Helmand. Three years after UK military deployment, the province was producing 49 per cent of the national opium. The military mission, scheduled to last two years, will continue until 2014.
Somali pirates’ free Italian tanker hijacked in February
21 Dec – Source: AP – 486 words
Somali pirates have freed an Italian oil tanker hijacked in February with five Italians and 17 Indians on board after more than 10 months in captivity, the Italian government said on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Mario Monti “expressed his great satisfaction for the release of the Italian ship Savina Caylyn and the crew,” it said in a statement.
The crew and their families had faced “a harsh test” over the past months, it added, without providing details on how the ship came to be released.
The Corriere della Sera and Repubblica newspapers quoted the Nairobi-based Somalia Report website as saying that a ransom of $11.5 million (8.8 million euro) had been paid but the foreign ministry denied it had paid any money.
“The Italian government never contemplated the possibility of a direct negotiation with the pirates or the payment of ransom for the liberation of the hostages, which is expressly banned by legislation,” the ministry said.
It also said that “military action had been avoided so as not to put in danger the security of the hostages,” adding that the liberation was the result of “constant pressure” on Somali authorities to make “every possible effort”.
The 105,000-ton tanker owned by Naples shipping company Fratelli D’Amato was seized on February 8 after five pirates aboard a skiff opened fire on it with rocket launchers and submachine guns near the Yemeni island of Socotra.
SOCIAL MEDIA
CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS
We can’t ignore alert on al Shabaab attack
21 Dec – Source: Daily Nation – 274 words
The government’s alert on Wednesday that al Shabaab was planning to attack Kenya’s and US interests cannot be taken lightly. It is an indicator that our security agencies are alive to the threats by the Somali militia, and that nothing could be left to chance.
This is critical during this festive season when people are relaxed and patronise recreational and social places, including hotels, beaches and parks.
Such moments of relaxation provide the chance for those hells bent on inflicting maximum damage to carry out their nefarious activities.
The torment that al Shabaab has caused this country is well-known. The most graphic were the abduction and killing of foreign tourists in Coast, and two grenade attacks in Nairobi.
When Kenya sent soldiers to Somalia to fight al Shabaab two months ago, it demonstrated its commitment to dealing a deadly blow to the group and crippling its operations in the region.
Locally, stringent measures were put in place across the country to guard against any attack. Security checks were intensified at all public facilities and border points. But these measures are not being enforced as stringently as before.
Although some gains have been made, the war against al Shabaab has not been won, and danger still looms.
The cultural achievement gap
21 Dec – Choice Media TV – 352 Words
New data from Seattle Public Schools show that the district’s black students whose first language is English fare significantly worse academically than black students from immigrant or refugee households.
Black students who speak Amharic (Ethiopia’s official language) at home posted the most impressive scores: 62% passed a state math test, while 74% passed the reading test. By contrast, African-Americans only passed at rates of 36% for math and 56% for reading. Even students hailing from war-torn Somalia appear to outshine their African-American peers in Seattle’s district schools. Students who speak Somali at home passed the state math exam at a 47% clip, while 67% passed the reading test.
http://choicemedia.tv/2011/12/
Is the ideal Somali man an endangered species?
I recently had a heated a debate with a fellow Somali friend about what she termed as the lack of responsibility, ownership and leadership of Somali men. She was of the view that though she’d like to marry a Somali man, she couldn’t find one she was attracted to who was responsible, caring, had modern tastes but humble enough to respect his Somali roots.
I argued that the problem was the over exaggeration of what is the “typical” guy out there, maligned through the magazines and television for every little detail. I offered to give her a few examples from Soobax Blog that epitomize the idea of Somali men doing great things.
I hope you are inspired by the efforts of our fellow Somali men, especially those such as the grandfathers, fathers, uncles, brothers, and sons who’ve inspired and provided a positive impact in our lives. I am certain there are many more, but here is a small sample our highlights of Somali men doing great things.
http://www.soobaxblog.com/
Farah chasing Olympic distance double
21 Dec – Super Sport Blog – 632 Words
Hot on the heels of his gold and silver at the world championships, Britain’s Mo Farah is keen to attempt a distance double at next year’s London Olympics.
Farah won the 5 000 metres world title in Daegu in September and narrowly missed out on 10 000 gold at the championships when he was overtaken in the final straight by Ethiopia’s Ibrahim Jeilan.
“There is a still a good chance (I will run both events) but I just have to stay injury-free, stay focused, keep doing what I’m doing, keep racing, then my coach and I will decide when we get close to the Olympics,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“I would like to do both but then who knows (coach) Alberto (Salazar). Alberto could say just do one and I could do one. I’ll just wait to hear what the coach says.”
Since Farah moved his family to Oregon in the US and teamed up with Coach Alberto Salazar he has become one of Britain’s best hopes for Olympic glory.
Under three-times New York marathon winner Salazar, the 28-year-old set a European 10 000 record of 26 minutes 46.57 seconds and finished the season as the fastest man over 5 000.
Farah said he planned to qualify to run in both events in London and the final decision would be made a few days before the Olympics commence.
He dismissed the notion that competing in both events at the July 27-August 12 Games could potentially endanger his medal hopes.
“It’s not a risk. It just depends on how you recover and when you come off the race,” Farah told Reuters. “It’s going to be exciting but I don’t know what the coach will say about it. I’m looking forward to it.”
Somalia will become a Federal Democracy
Topic Somalia Forum Thread
The event marking the opening of the Somali National Consultative Constitutional Conference in Garowe was attended by TFG President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, TFG Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gas, TFP Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole and Vice President Abdisamad Ali Shire, and Galmudug leader Mohamed Ahmed Alin.
Representatives from pro-government Ahlu Sunna group, based in central Somalia, were also present as signatories of the Roadmap adopted by TFG, TFP, Puntland, Galmudug and Ahlu Sunna.
Foreign dignitaries included UN Special Envoy to Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, and his deputy, Mr. Christian Manahl.
Puntland government forces have secured Garowe airport, where the delegations from Mogadishu, Galkayo and Nairobi have flown in since Monday. The conference is being held at the conference hall of Puntland State University in Garowe.