March 19, 2012 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Somalia’s National Theatre back to life after 21 years

19 Mar – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Radio Mogadishu,SNTV -193 words

All roads in Mogadishu will today lead to the Somali National Theatre where a grand performance will be held for the first time since Somalia plunged into chaos early in 1990s. The performance will include a highly awaited local performance dubbed “Dardaaran Waalid” which literally translates to “Parent’s Advice” which will be presented today by the Waberi brand and four other groups of Somali artists and performers inside the crippled national theatre after 21 years of closure.

The play “Dardaaran Waalid” which has been worked on for three months will be aired live by most of the Somali and international TV channels. Apart from the play, the show will also constitute various performances including songs, traditional dance, music and comedy. Somali government officials are expected to attend today’s performance which will also be attended by hundreds of locals in Mogadishu.

The historical re-opening of the National Theater comes days after the Somali president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed assured Somali artists and performers who lost everything after the collapse of the central government in 1991 that theatre will be fully functional as part of his government’s effort to revive all public institutions in the country.

Key Headlines

TFG Ethiopian soldiers seize strategic way in central Somalia (Radio Mogadishu)
President Sharif meets Al-Bashir in Khartoum (Radio bar-kulan)
Somali rebel mortars kill 5 near presidential palace(Reuters)
Somalia’s National Theatre back to life after 21 years (Radio Bar-kulan Radio Mogadishu)
Puntland Anti-Piracy Conference Starts in Eyl Puntland (Somalia Report)
Somali PM meets EU chief for Horn of Africa in Mogadishu (Radio Bar-kulan Shabelle Radio Mogadishu)
African Development Bank Delegation Arrives in Somaliland for Talks (Somalilandpress)
KDF announces compensation plan for troops (Capital News)
KDF to fight militia near Kenya border (Daily Nation)
Somali terror group: US jihadi not in danger (AP)

PRESS STATEMENT

Technical Inter-Agency Workshop on Approaches, Roles and Procedures for Disengaged Combatants, March 17-18, 2012

19 Mar – Source: Office of the Prime Minister OPM – 508 words

The first two-day workshop to determine approaches, roles and procedures for managing disengaged combatants (defectors) concluded in Mogadishu on 18 March.

The workshop was organized and facilitated by the UN Political Office for Somalia and chaired by the Deputy Minister of Interior and National Security, Abdihakim E. Guled. Participants included the Deputy Mayor of Benadir, Iman Icar, the African Union DSRCC Hon. Wafula Wamunyinyi, numerous senior TFG and AMISOMofficials, representatives from Galmudug, civil society, UN agencies, NGOs and the international community.

In his opening statement, Minister Guled noted the good timing of this workshop. “This is the opportunity to support our youth and guarantee peace and stability for Somalia”, the Minister added. As TFG and AMISOMoperations expand to new geographic areas, the need that a transparent, comprehensive system be in place is becoming increasingly more urgent.

“Managing the disengaged combatants is a complex issue that requires sound coordination and cooperation. It calls for cohesive and comprehensive approaches and strategies” said the UN Special Representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, in a statement read on his behalf. “We need to support the Government, IGAD and AMISOM to manage the disengaged combatants that have decided to join the peace process” added SRSG Mahiga.

Participants reviewed existing policies and practices, and learned from examples from other post-conflict countries, reviewing the findings of the prior inter-agency workshop on lessons in dealing with defectors held last June in Entebbe, Uganda.

Currently there is a camp in Mogadishu managing ex combatants and two rehabilitation centres for some 500 youth. Participants underlined the importance of developing similar facilities around the country.

Several presenters drew lessons from recent success of the Inter-agency “Youth at Risk/Youth for Change” programme in Somalia and called for further services and focus on children, families and youth pointing out that prevention measures are equally important.

The workshop called for an integrated comprehensive approach on the issue involving all key Ministries, regional local administrators, Human Rights Officers, legal advisors, NGOs, UN agencies, AMSIOM, IGAD, local community and international expertise.

The representatives agreed on the need to promote a national policy and to draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) where monitoring and oversight mechanisms are included. Participants also articulated the importance of outlining the process in accordance with an agreed legal framework that takes into account the unique Somali context.

Following through on the recommendations of the June 2011 workshop in Entebbe, Uganda the representatives reconfirmed the need to establish a National Technical Coordination Secretariat to support the existing Joint Security Committee on the issue of disengaged fighters. The proposed secretariat should meet on a regular basis and engage with a wide set of actors.

The participants further reiterated the importance of creating a communication and outreach campaign, to inform target groups about how to disengage and renounce violence against the state, as well as the process and the benefits of the reintegration programme.

The participants reiterated the ongoing importance of a national driven process and they discussed in depth the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders while calling for an inclusive process.

SOMALI MEDIA

TFG, Ethiopian soldiers seize strategic way in central Somalia

19 Mar – Source: Radio Mogadishu – 80 words

Somali forces backed by the Ethiopian troops in central Somalia have on Monday morning seized a very strategic way in Hiiraan region from al Qaeda linked group of al Shabaab without any resistance, TFG officials confirmed to Radio Mogadishu.

Reports say that both TFG soldiers and forces of neighbouring country, Ethiopia have captured very important road that links Hiiraan and Bakol regions. The area is named Buk-mator is 50km to the Beledweyne city of Hiiraan region in central Somalia.

President Sharif meets Al-Bashir in Khartoum

19 Mar- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 167 words

Somalia’s President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed last night held talks with his Sudanese counterpart Omar Hassan Al-Bashir in Khartoum where they discussed range of issues including progress in terms of bilateral relations between the two countries.

The two leaders also discussed security and other socio-economical issues of their countries, according to Somalia’s Finance Minister, Abdinasir Mohamed Abdulle.During their meeting, President Sharif praised Sudan’s support to Somalia during the recent human tragedy in the country and educational fields.

Abdule told Bar-kulan that the aim of the president Sharif’s trip to Khartoum is to assess printing of new Somali currency in Sudan, adding that the Banknotes will be available in denomination of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 shillings.He said the printing of the new currency is now in progress and will soon be in circulation inside Somalia.

Somalia signed an agreement with Khartoum government in January 2010 to print a batch of new Somali currency. The current Somali Banknotes is available in only 1000 shillings.

Mortar attack at Somalia presidential palace, kills 6 IDPs

19 Mar – Source: Shabelle, Hiiraan Online – 206 words

At least six people have been killed and five others injured after mortar shells were fired overnight on Somalia’s presidential palace in the chaotic capital, Mogadishu, officials and witnesses said on Monday.

Sa’id Shire Warsame, a cameraman for Shabelle Media who lives near Villa Somalia says at least seven mortars have been fired overnight at the palace, but missed their target and slammed into a large IDP camp in Wardhiglay district where hundreds of internally displaced people are currently locating.

“Four people from one family were among the dead while the two others were young girls, all of them IDPs The injured ones were rushed to the hospitals in Mogadishu to get medical assistance,” he added.

The Deputy District Commissioner of Wardhiglay for Somali government Mohammed Mohamud Mohammed confirmed to Shabelle Media the death and stated that the situation in the area is tense after the security forces launched home-to home search. No one has so far said it carried out the attack.

Somalia’s National Theatre back to life after 21 years

19 Mar – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Radio Mogadishu -193 words

All roads in Mogadishu will today lead to the Somali National Theatre where a grand performance will be held for the first time since Somalia plunged into chaos early in 1990s.

The performance will include a highly awaited local performance dubbed “Dardaaran Waalid” which literally translates to “Parent’s Advice” which will be presented today by the Waberi brand and four other groups of Somali artists and performers inside the crippled national theatre after 21 years of closure.

Somali government officials are expected to attend today’s performance which will also be attended by hundreds of locals in Mogadishu.

Somali PM meets EU chief for Horn of Africa in Mogadishu

18 Mar – Source: Radio Bar-kulan, Shabelle, Radio Mogadishu – 377 words

Somalia’s Prime Minister, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on Sunday held talks with the visiting EU chief for Horn of Africa, Alexander Rondos in his Mogadishu office. The PM and the visiting EU officials discussed range of issues including the current security situation in the country, the implementation of the roadmap and winding up of the current transitional period.

The completion of the draft constitution and the need for EU support in stabilizing the chaotic Horn of African country were also among other issues discussed during the talks. Early last Month, the EU Special Representative to the Horn of Africa, Alexander Rondos, visited Mogadishu, where he promised to support the Somali government’s efforts to restore law and order in the country.

A joint press conference was held by the two leaders in the office of the Prime Minister where the Abdiweli said they discussed the relations between the EU and Somalia. He commended the effort and contribution of EU to the Roadmap which is the biggest task before the TFG on the way to ending the transitional period.

“We very much appreciate the efforts and contribution of the EU to peace process of Somali people and the country. They have also given us a great support in the implementation of the roadmap” said Prime Minister Abdiweli adding that they have discussed on how the EU could support the TFG in development projects on health, agriculture, strengthening the economy and reconstruction of the country.

On the other hand, Mr Rondes expressed his happiness and satisfaction by visiting the Villa Somalia in short interval and holding discussions with the leaders of the TFG especially the Prime Minister terming the discussions as fruitful.

“I am delighted at the enormous progress on security of the capital Mogadishu and the speedy progress on the roadmap. I fully support the completion of the roadmap” said Mr Ronde. He added that they are waiting for the TFG to stabilise the whole country in order for them to initiate development projects in all the regions of the country.

Rondos was appointed last year as the EU Special Representative to the Horn of Africa by the European Union Council in order to actively contribute to regional and international efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and development in the region.

Somali moderates back UN envoy over reports of power seizure by Islamist clerics

18 Mar – Source: Jowhar Online – 281 words

Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a clerics have said they are in support of a recent statement by the United Nations Special Envoy to Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, that power in Somali presidency has been seized by an Islamist group known as alla Sheikh which is not very different from al Shabaab.

Abdullahi Ahmad Samatar, the Spokesman for the Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’aAdministration in Central Somalia has said the Transitional Federal Governmentof Somalia (TFG) is a member of the alla Sheikh group which has seized power through the gun barrel and the blood shed of innocent Somali civilians and that is it not different from al Shabaab which is now seeking to gain power through the same methods. “I cannot tell them apart; al Shabaab, alla Sheikh and al Icitisam because they are all from the same place and they are not different on their scriptures but only on their personal interests and the greed that each group is pursuing in their desire to take power,” added the Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a spokesman incentral Somalia Regions. “Sharif Sheikh Ahmad did not just become the president by chance, it was because of the battle by the Islamic Courts and al Shabaab are now pursuing power through the same route. As for the so called Al-Ictisam group, they just recently said al Shabaab and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a were the same and that tells of their position, that they are same as al Shabaab,” added the Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a spokesman.

Puntland Anti-Piracy Conference Starts in Eyl, Puntland

18 Mar – Source: Somalia Report – 234 words

A three-day anti-piracy conference was begun on Sunday in Eyl, in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland. According to Puntland officials, the discussions were successful in developing a strategy for fighting piracy.

Delegation Puntland Minister for Sea Transport and Ports Said Mohamed Raage arrived in Eyl for the anti-piracy conference. The delegation included members of Puntland ministries including Ministry of Security, Ministry of Interior as well as United Nation (UN) agencies such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UN Development Program (UNDP) and UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).

The delegation visit comes after Eyl has established new bases for the Puntland Marine Police Force (PMPF).

“The meeting is well organised, and our aim is to discuss dealing with the increase of piracy in the region, and how the pirates can be eliminated,” said Abdikadir Ali , a Puntland official in their anti-piracy office. Ali told Somalia Reportthat pirates have undermined the reputation of the region and created insecurity. “We are calling on the pirates to surrender, or else they will face the consequences. We are also urging Galmudug state to fight pirates,” he said.

Somaliland President meets with head of Turkey International Cooperation and Development Agency

18 Mar – Source: Somaliland Press – 310 words

Somaliland President H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud (Silanyo) met with Turkeys International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) Somali Program Coordinator Abdulahad Kokdagi accompanied by representative of the Turkish Prime Minister.

President Ahmed Mohamed Mohammud (Silanyo) convoy that met with the Turkish delegation was Minister of National Planning and International Dr Sa’ad Ali Shire and Minister of Energy, Mineral and Water Resource Hussein Abdi Du’ale.

Both parties discussed ways in which the Turkish government can contribute and help in promoting sustainable developments in Somaliland such as Health, Agriculture, Education sectors as well as financing of projects in transportation, sanitation , irrigation and the building physical of infrastructure.

African Development Bank Delegation Arrives in Somaliland for Talks

18 Mar – Source: Somaliweyn, Somaliland Press – 192 words

A high level delegation from the African Development Bank group headed by Dr. Abdirahman Beile and a nine member’s delegation are in Somaliland to establish working relationship with the government of Somaliland for the first time since 1991. The delegation was received upon their arrival by the Minister of Energy, Mineral and Water Resources Hon. Hussein Abdi Duale and the Minister of Agriculture Mohammud Farah Elmi.

Speaking to the press in the VIP lounge at the Egal International Airport Dr. Abdirahman Beile said that his team were in the country to lay the ground work for future cooperation between the bank and Somaliland. He added that after great consideration the bank has opted to work with Somaliland on issues related development such as water, agriculture and capacity building.

Dr. Beile said that the bank will hold a series of meetings and consultation with the government so as to figure out how to procede in future engagements he added that since somaliland is recognized internationally it enjoys relatively peace compared to the rest Somalia in this regard however Somaliland has a far better track record of political stability and peaceful democracy were development can thrive.

Puntland officials and UN delegation visit Eyl

18 Mar – Source: Garowe Online – 219 words

A Puntland governmentdelegation led by Minister of Ports and Anti Piracy Saeed Mohamed Rage accompanied by UN delegation traveled to the coastal town of Eyl, Radio Garowe reports.The delegation arrived in Eyl Sunday morning and were welcomed by a huge crowd who gathered to watch as officials visited some sites in Eyl by foot. The coastal town was once a former pirate hub but after the crackdown on piracy by the Puntland government, pirates fled from Eyl and were also forced out in Gara’ad some 130 kms south of Eyl.

Minister Rage was accompanied by officials from the ministry of security, ministry of internal affairs, officials from UNODC, UNDP, UNDSS. The delegation met with district authorities, community leaders and different civil society members. The purpose of the trip was to assess,observe and monitor the needs and progress of the community after successfully forcing out pirates from Eyl. Minister Rage and his delegation were assessing the progress of development projects that are being conducted in Eyl.

REGIONAL MEDIA

KDF announces compensation plan for troops

19 Mar – Source: Capital News – 496 words

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has announced that compensation for troops in Somalia will be backdated to January 5, the date when the UN voted to increase the number of AMISOM troops in the war torn country. Military Spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna revealed that compensation for equipment used in the war will be backdated to February 22, the date when the UN passed the resolution to allow KDF to join AMISOM. “Within AU missions, allowances for troops is normally the responsibility of the African Union,” he stated.

“Payment for use of equipment is the responsibility of the United Nations,” he explained.Oguna said that the 85 officers stationed at the AMISOM headquarters in Mogadishu will be headed by a Force Commander of the rank of Lieutenant General from Uganda and he’ll have two deputies in charge of operations and logistics from Kenya and Burundi.
“Out of these 85 officers, Kenya has been given 16 slots and the others have been distributed among all African countries because this is an integrated African mission,” he revealed.

The heads of intelligence and public information will be Kenyan, and Oguna added that Uganda and Burundi will deploy 12,031 soldiers, Kenya 4,664 soldiers, Djibouti 1,000 soldiers and Sierre Leone 850 soldiers.

Talks between President Al-Bashir and Somali President Al-Bashir begin

18 Mar – Source: Sudan News Agency – 177 words

Talks between the President of the Republic of Sudan, Omer Al-Bashir, and the visiting Somali President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, began Sunday evening. President Al-Bashir has affirmed Sudan firm stand in support of Somalia in all domains, especially that Somalia is entering an important stage in next August, which is represented in holding of the elections and issuance of the permanent constitution of Somalia.

In a statement to SUNA, President Al-Bashir has welcomed the visit of the Somali President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, in the context of the continuous communication and consultations between the two sister countries.
President Al-Bashir said that he was acquainted by President Sheikh Sharif on the current situation and developments in Somalia which have witnessed remarkable improvement.

Meanwhile, the Somali President expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Sudan for their stance alongside Somalia, explaining that his talks with President Al-Bashir tackled the situation of Somalia in the coming period, besides the relations between the two countries. He said that Somalia is entering a very important stage in the coming period.

KDF to fight militia near Kenya border

18 Mar – Source: Daily Nation – 252 words

The Kenya Defence Forces that have been integrated into African Union force in Somalia will be in charge of the areas that border Kenya as they continue fighting al Shabaab. According to Colonel Cyrus Oguna, the officer in charge of Information and Operations at Department of Defence, Kenyan troops will operate in Sector 2.

Sector 2 is a region stretching from lower Gedo through Middle Juba to Lower Juba, after Amisom divided Somalia into four sectors with headquarters in Mogadishu. Uganda and Burundi troops will operate in sectors 1 and 3, while those from Djibouti have been mandated to take charge of Sector 4.

About 850 Sierra Leone troops are expected to join the Kenyan forces by end of June. The three countries together constitute a total of 13,000 troops while Kenya has 4,664.

Col Oguna said the sectors were divided based on cost-effectiveness and logistical considerations and Kenya must have been lucky to have its troops in charge of regions that border its territory.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Somali rebel mortars kill 5 near presidential palace

19 Mar – Source: Reuters – 347 words

At least five people were killed when a salvo of mortars targeting Somalia’s presidential palace missed and landed on a nearby refugee camp overnight, residents and the African Union’s peacekeeping force said on Monday. Somalia’s al Qaeda-aligned al Shabaab rebel group said they fired more than a dozen mortars at the heavily fortified presidential compound, their second attempt to strike at the heart of the embattled government in less than a week.

Paddy Ankunda, spokesman for the AU force known as AMISOM, said some mortar rounds crashed into a camp for Somalis displaced by war and famine about 500 metres from the presidential palace.

“No mortar landed in the palace – they landed on an IDP camp and killed about six civilians,” Ankunda told Reuters. Mogadishu resident Ali Hussein, who lives next to the squalid settlement, said one mortar killed five members of a single family.

Jets bomb al Shabaab base in southern Somalia

19 Mar – Source: Defence Web – 449 words

Jets bombed a base run by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab rebels north of Somalia’s Kismayu port but it was not clear if there were any casualties, residents and officials said. The jets hit the militants’ base near the village of Daytubako, 135 km (84 miles) north of Kismayu, the nerve-centre of their operations in the Horn of Africa country.

Residents in Jilib, a town 15 km from the scene, said they could see the jets and hear the deafening thunder of bombs, Reuters reports.

“First we saw two jets flying towards Daytubako, and after minutes we heard the thunder of the bombs. The jets bombed, flew past, returned to the same spot and dropped several other bombs,” said Kasim Olow, a resident of Jilib town,

Mohamud Farah, the spokesman for Somali government troops in Lower Juba, southern Somalia, told Reuters the jets were likely to be Kenyan, but the east African country’s military spokesman could not immediately confirm the attack.

Kenya sent troops into anarchic Somalia in October after raids and kidnappings it blamed on al Shabaab, but the advance has slowed and regional insecurity is no better. Somali rebels killed seven people in an attack inside Kenya last week. Al Shabaab confirmed the bombardment.

Somali terror group: US jihadi not in danger

18 Mar – Source: AP – 127 words

An al Qaeda-linked Somali militant group says it poses no threat to an American jihadi who appears on a web video saying his comrades want to kill him.The al Shabaab militant group late Saturday posted on one of the websites it commonly uses that they posed no threat to U.S.-born Omar Hammami.

Hammami, known as Abu Mansur al-Amriki, or “the American,” appears in an undated video saying he has disagreed with his al Shabaab comrades on Islam’s Sharia law and strategy. The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified.

Hammami grew up in the middle-class town of Daphne, Alabama, before joining the militants in 2007. He is the most visible foreigner in the ranks of the al Shabaab, which is trying to topple the country’s weak U.N.-backed government.

Ireland may join EU mission to help fight Somali pirates

18 Mar – Source: Independent – 240 words

Ireland may join the fight against Somali pirates off the coast of Africa as part of an EU naval mission. Dozens of the world’s navies and air forces are trying to combat the scourge of pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean.Kidnappings have seen deliveries of food aid and commercial shipping disrupted, while hundreds of mariners have been taken hostage.

Ireland has been asked by the EU naval mission in the area, EU NAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta, to join the struggle against the pirates. The sea raiders operate successfully using skiffs or small boats and mother ships, and are armed with Kalashnikov rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.

The operational commander of the EU’s first maritime mission has invited Ireland to contribute an armed detachment which would be used to protect ships.

A sick system abuses its refugees

19 Mar – Source: Hrw – 840 words

South Africa’s tourism website describes the country as the “land of good times and friendly people”. Sadly, Araya Y, a pregnant Somali refugee living in Port Elizabeth, did not experience this side of the country. Instead, when she went to a government district hospital in July 2010 to give birth, she was abused by medical staff and denied care.

“The nurse spoke to me disrespectfully,” Araya said. “She called me ‘kwerekwere’ [a slur meaning foreigner].” Araya waited for more than four hours, alone and in pain, but no one examined her or helped her. Fearing that she might die, she left and sought help from a private hospital where she had to pay for care that she could ill afford.

South Africa is regarded as Africa’s land of opportunity. Since the end of apartheid and the election of a democratic government the country has been a sought-after destination for migrants and refugees from across the continent and beyond, who are seeking better economic prospects, or fleeing oppression, war and conflict in countries such as Araya’s.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“The London conference has come and gone. The various parties comprising Somalia are back home and do not seem to be sure of how developments will unfold. There are many signatures on the ink of the Garowe accord and on the final communiqué of the London conference. There are many pledges and commitments attested to but there is no clear vision being articulated by the TFG. Somalis are seemingly groping for answers as to what the future holds. It would appear that there is clarity of vision on the part of the International Community and dense fog on the part of Somalis.”

A shattered Dream… …A Broken glass

19 Mar- Source: Duhur-1041 Words

I have been told that a “Broken G|ass” can never be restored to its previous condition. Some may say that it depends on the number of broken pieces and that the greater the number of pieces, the more impossible the task.

The ”Broken G|ass” is perhaps an apt metaphor for Somalia as 2012 enfoids and the final dissolution of the TFG seems certain. Some have argued that the TFG had become irrelevant and incapable and that a new course needed to be charted; others have argued that the TFG maintained the pretence of Somalia being a unitary state. However, these two blocs have one thing in common. They do not have a clear picture of a post TFG Somalia.

“Hammami (al-Amriki) is originally from Selma, Alabama. In the past he blended rap music with Islamic messaging against the United States. He is a familiar Internet figure among America’s homegrown Islamist radicals who support al Qaeda, Hezbollah, al Shabaab and other terrorist organizations.”

American Jihadi Complains Of Treatment By Terrorists In Somalia

19 Mar – Source: Eurasia Review – 413 Words

An American-born Islamist who left the U.S. to fight for Somalia’s deadly and powerful terrorist group Al Shabaab, released a video on Friday on an Islamic web site complaining about his treatment at the hands of his fellow Islamists, according to a member of the U.S. intelligence community.

During a telephone conversation with the Law Enforcement Examiner, the intelligence official, who requested anonymity, said that Omar Hammami a/k/a Abu Mansour al-Amriki complained about how he was treated and that there are internal problems with al Shabaab ever since its officials aligned themselves with al Qaeda while Osama bin Laden was still alive.

“The last thing Somalia needs is a government that joins all these profiteers in looting the country, thus further depriving the Somali people of much-needed infrastructure and services.”

Have politicians joined warlords and profiteers in the plunder of Somalia?

18 Mar – Source: Daily Nation – 681 Words

I can usually spot a whistleblower from a mile away. He or she has that furtive look of a hunted animal. Words and emotions are guarded. Secrecy borders on paranoia as the whistleblower decides who to trust and who not to.

I can tell who is a whistleblower because I have been to that dark place where knowledge is more dangerous than ignorance. I, too, have experienced the horror of having crossed a boundary I did not even know existed.

Top tweets

@Scott_M_Weber 23/3 will mark one month since London Conference on #Somalia. Do you believe progress is being made? If so, what? If not, why? #ldnsomalia

@El_Grillo1 Al-Shabaab Factional Disputes Continue over Al Qaeda alliance http://bit.ly/xqIXzs Robow not happy merging w/ AQ; wants focus on #Somalia

@princecade Sharif Hassan and Ethiopia shortcomings will not lead to anywhere. the better way for Ethiopia is to stop meddling in #Somalia.

@SaintMogadishu #Somalia tried Socialism with Barre, it failed. It then had a 100% laizze-faire capitalism and 2 famines happen. Time 2 try communism

@Shame2Somalis The way out of poverty is education But who can learn when there’s a war? >> Stop the war, educate the young, & Maintain the Peace! #Somalia

@shekatmvlg there are 3 types of lies: small,big,9/11. if br abu mansoor was so concerned (?) about his life thn why wud he go to somalia.nonsens vid.

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Image of the day

Image of the day Somali president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh meets his Sudanese counterpart, Omar Al-Bashir in Khartoum. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, security and other socio-economic issues of their countries.