Sanaagland Times

Rebels 'pour into Somali capital'

2010-02-10T06:11:00.000-08:00

Hundreds of Somali insurgents loyal to Islamist group al-Shabab have poured into Mogadishu, witnesses say, amid expectations of a major battle. Eyewitnesses reported that fighters, about 20 vehicles and artillery had arrived in Somalia's capital overnight.
Residents have been fleeing for days amid a widespread belief that the rebels and government forces are on the cusp of a serious showdown.

Al-Shabab and other rebel groups control much of southern Somalia.
However, the government has recently promised to launch an offensive to take control of the country.
The BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan, who is in Mogadishu, says the rebels have promised to resist the government.
He says the war propaganda from both sides has spread fear throughout the city.
Wracked by violence
As he fled his home, father-of-three Mohamed Isa Abdullahi told the AFP news agency neither side in the conflict cared about civilians.
"The government has vowed to retake the city, rebels are going to stick to their bastions and the civilians are going to be the only victims, as always bearing the brunt of the war," said the 39-year-old.
Gunfights and shelling are common in the city - and civilians are killed by both sides.
The transitional government - backed by African Union troops and UN funds - controls only a small part of the capital.
The rest of the country is ruled by warlords, al-Shabab or other Islamist militias.
Somalia has been wracked by violence for much of the past 20 years. It has not had a functioning central government since 1991.

Pirate Watch: Tumbling dice

2010-02-09T11:06:00.001-08:00

(Medeshi)
Posted By Thomas E. Ricks
Are some ship masters rolling the dice as they pass through pirate infested waters to save operating costs? Are ship masters intentionally taking the path of least resistance and ignoring Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Coast of Somalia? It's something we've been looking at when combing through data of successful pirate attacks. So, too, have the folks at Strategy Page.

In a recent post, Strategy Page points out that about a quarter of the ships passing through these waters are gambling with the safety and well-being of their ships and crews to save time and what can amount to tens of thousands of dollars in operating costs. In doing so, they increase the pirates' chances of successfully hijacking their ship from 1 in 500 to 1 in 200. At a press conference on February 2nd, Rear Admiral Peter Hudson, Commander of EU NAVFOR Somalia, highlighted the fact that many of the ships hijacked were not registered with the Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa), were not reporting to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office in Dubai, and were not following best management practices.

Even when vessels are hijacked after ship masters have taken unnecessary risk, insurance companies may still reimburse shippers for ransoms and for costs resulting from the delays of the voyages. Ransoms are often covered under a marine policy's "sue and labor" clause (see line 144 for an example), which covers costs incurred to avoid or mitigate a loss. A sue and labor clause requires the insured to protect damaged property from further loss once a loss has occurred. Often the insurers agree to reimburse the costs, even if costs exceed the policy limits of liability.
In effect, the sue and labor clause may actually serve to encourage the escalation in payments of ransom. While insurance coverage for ransoms have reportedly increased more than tenfold due to the increased risk, demands for ransom have also risen dramatically in recent months.
Somali pirates are motivated by ransom payments. Perhaps insurers should stipulate that sue and labor reimbursements for ransoms will not be made if best management practices are not followed.
FP.
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Somaliland: wining the hearts & souls of the people of Sool and Sanaagland

2010-02-08T12:58:00.000-08:00

(Medeshi)
Somaliland government can only win the minds and souls of Sanaagland and Sool communities through dialogue and building basic infra structures such schools, hospitals roads, etc.
Imprisoning people that are not happy with the government will only increase incidents such as the recent demonstrations in Lasanod in which at least two persons died (read : http://allafrica.com/stories/201002080788.html) . Heavy handedness on the part of the government will only lead to increased demonstrations that will further alienate the government and may eventually lead to persistent insurgency in these two regions that constitute to almost half the size of Somaliland.

President Riyale should remember that Lasanod was the first place that he took refuge when SNM occupied Burao in 1991. Some of the current Garaads of Lasanod were among those that gave him shelter and security when he escaped Burao where he was sought for alleged crimes as an officer of the National Security Service (NSS) of Siyad Barre regime.
One of the reasons why SNM got its support from the people of Somaliland in the 1980s was because the regime of Siyad Barre was using force rather than other peaceful means of reconciliation in solving public unrest. SNM could not have been successful in its campaign against the dictatorship of Siyad Barre without the internal support of the people of Somaliland as well the constant stream of meagre funding from Somaliland Diaspora.
Somaliland should learn lessons from the history of SNM and should address the basic issues in Sool and Sanaagland through peaceful means to avoid long lasting insurgency in these two regions.
Somaliland government should push its presence beyond Hargiesa, the capital, and should establish functioning institutions in the eastern part of the country. Even Burao, the commercial hub of Somaliland is not fully governed by Hargeisa. A simple example is that Somaliland shilling is still not accepted in parts of Burao while the government uses clan lobbying to solve matters such arresting two suspected religious leaders few months ago.
It is about time that Somaliland government opens its eyes to the persisting problem in the east of the country and takes measures to address these issues to avoid breakup of the country into regions.
Written by: M. Ali – medeshi editor
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Female religious leaders lead the fight against AIDS

2010-02-08T10:43:00.001-08:00

Female religious leaders have taken a central role in the fight against AIDS in Somalia. This follows a series of trainings recently conducted by local organizations, with support from UNDP.

In Somaliland, UNDP supported four training events for female religious leaders in Hargeisa, Borama, Berbera and Buroa, in collaboration with the Somaliland HIV/AIDS Network and the Somaliland AIDS Commission. These trainings increased their knowledge on HIV and AIDS and placed female religious leaders at the forefront of community-based advocacy and awareness raising. Using the Compassion in Action toolkit developed by UNDP's HIV/AIDS Regional Programme in the Arab States, the female religious leaders were sensitized about key issues: misconceptions that increase the chances of contracting HIV; stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV; and the important role that religious leaders and community members play in helping to reduce the number of new HIV infections and caring for the sick. They were also equipped with messages from the Koran that support the fight against HIV and AIDS.
These trainings helped to develop common messages on prevention, treatment, care and support for people living with HIV, which will be disseminated during Friday prayer meetings.
Tradition and religion are strongly linked in the Somali community. Therefore, religious leaders have a great responsibility in leading the fight against HIV/AIDS and advocating for shared communal responsibility in addressing the primary socio-cultural and behavioural risks associated with the spread of HIV. Their open interaction with their congregations can enable them to inform and educate members and encourage positive change regarding sensitive issues related to sexuality, which are often not discussed by the community members.
The trainings were attended by over 100 female religious Leaders drawn from different parts of Somaliland.
Training in South Central Somalia was conducted towards the end of 2009 and sensitized participants on the basic principles of Behaviour Change Communication. The trainings also brought together religious leaders and participants who had been trained under the Behaviour Change Communication Peer Educator project. The aim is to strengthen community outreach work among the various groups in the region.
By December 2009, over 800 religious leaders had been trained using a specific toolkit designed to equip religious leaders to become 'agents of change' in the response to HIV and AIDS. In addition, 240 religious leaders were trained using the Behaviour Change Communication toolkit.

Migrants saved from Gulf of Aden

2010-02-08T10:36:00.001-08:00

Some 126 people have been rescued by Somali fishermen from the Gulf of Aden after human traffickers reportedly forced them into the sea at gunpoint. The migrants, mostly from Somalia and Ethiopia, said they had set off from northern Somalia a week ago.
They said their boat had developed engine trouble and drifted for days before the people smugglers forced them into the sea. Six people are missing.

The BBC's Peter Greste says the scale of this incident is rare.
But our correspondent says stories of human traffickers forcing migrants into the sea are not uncommon.
The coast guard from the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland spotted the first survivors floating in the water on Sunday.
They said the boat had originally set off from northern Somalia with 135 people on board, hoping for a better life in the Middle East or Europe.
Such migrant crossings normally head for Yemen.
The mayor of Laaso Suarad, the town which organised the rescue, told the BBC they dispatched a flotilla of fishing boats to search for more survivors.
Eventually they found 126 of them clinging to bits of driftwood and utterly exhausted.
The search has also found three bodies.
The UN and the Red Cross are helping the survivors with food and medicines.
Somaliland is a relatively stable part of Somalia, which has declared independence from the rest of the war-ravaged country.

Somaliland elections: Observers welcome progress towards setting date for poll

2010-02-08T10:33:00.000-08:00

(Medeshi) For immediate release
As part of the UK-based team coordinating election observers for the much-delayed presidential elections in the internationally unrecognised Republic of Somaliland, Progressio today welcomes recent progress made to resolve the Somaliland voter registration process – a key sticking point – and calls on all parties to push ahead and set a date for the poll.

Progressio, the Development Planning Unit at University College London (UCL) and Somaliland Focus UK say in a joint statement: “Since September 2009 we have seen a marked improvement in the situation, when all three of Somaliland’s political parties signed a six-point agreement by which the government guaranteed that a further extension of office would not be sought and that the disputed and delayed process of agreeing a voter register would be recommenced. The agreement was subsequently approved by Somaliland’s upper house, the Guurti (House of Elders).”
The statement continues: “This development was quickly followed by improvements in the relationship and renewed understanding between the country’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) and the donors who are providing funding and technology for the voter registration process and the election itself. We are heartened by this progress, and look forward to completion of necessary processes (namely, agreement on a voter register) to allow an actual date to be announced. Indeed, as election observers, it is impossible for us to proceed with making plans for our mission until a date is set.”
It concludes: “Despite lack of international recognition of its claim to official statehood, Somaliland – “Africa’s best-kept secret” – has been characterised by many as a beacon of democratisation in Africa in contrast to the chaos in neighbouring Somalia. However, the delaying of the presidential poll is causing severe damage to Somaliland’s reputation. We therefore urge all stakeholders to do their utmost to maintain the positive momentum to ensure the poll is carried out, with as little delay as possible. This must include genuine commitment from all players and a realistic approach to the time needed to ensure a smooth and proper political process.”
The UK-based team, along with FOPAG (Forum for Peace and Governance) in Somaliland, was invited to lead the election observation mission by the Somaliland National Electoral Commission in January 2009. The team has been tasked with coordinating international election observers from four continents and preparing a report on the conduct of the campaign and poll following the vote. Support for the mission is being provided by the UK government.
Somaliland Focus (UK) Chair, Michael Walls, said: “While Somaliland’s progress since 1991 has been remarkable, the next election marks a significant new step in establishing a legitimate system of national government. We applaud recent successes and look forward keenly to agreement on a voter register and the announcement of a viable election date with genuine cross-party support in the near future. Without those steps, the genuine achievements of the past 19 years will be dealt a profound blow”.
To read the full text of the statement, click here.: http://www.progressio.org.uk/progressio/internal/98688/somaliland_elections__observers_welcome_progress_t/
Notes to Editors
1. For further information or to arrange an interview with a member of the coordination team, contact Progressio's Media Officer, Jo Barrett, on +44 (0)7940 703911 or email jo@progressio.org.uk
2. Somaliland's Presidential elections have been repeatedly delayed. The poll has previously been scheduled for March/April 2008, December 2008, March 2009 and September 2009.
3. Somaliland is situated in Somalia's northwest. It declared unilateral independence from the failed Somali state in 1991 and has since been a haven of relative peace whilst violence and instability has characterised Somalia, its capital Mogadishu and more recently the Gulf of Aden.
4. Progressio's involvement in the mission follows its leadership of the international monitoring team for Somaliland's inaugural parliamentary elections in 2005, judged by observers as "basically free and fair".
5. Progressio has been working with local communities in Somaliland since 1995 by placing skilled workers with local organisations specialising in advocating for the rights of women, youth and people with disabilities as well as supporting basic health service provision and people living with HIV and AIDS. Progressio also actively supports progress towards democratisation and stabilising the country.
6. The Development Planning Unit (DPU) is an international centre specialising in academic teaching, practical training, research and consultancy in the field of urban and regional development, planning, and management. DPU is part of University College London (UCL).
7. Somaliland Focus (UK) was established in London in 2005 with the aim of helping to raise awareness amongst decision-makers in the UK and elsewhere about the territory of Somaliland and to support Somaliland's progress towards state-building and social and economic development.
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Somalia-Ethiopian-reoccupation

2010-02-07T10:15:00.000-08:00

(Sanaagland Times)
Ethiopian troops re-enter parts of Somalia

APA-Mogadishu(Somalia) Heavily armed Ethiopian troops have occupied parts of the northern regions of Bakool and Hiiraan near the border with Somalia, local residents confirmed Sunday.
Residents in the city of Elbarde in the Bakool region just bordering with Ethiopia said that the heavily armed Ethiopian troops accompanied by hundreds of Somali military trained in Ethiopia have occupied the city early Sunday morning.

“The troops made house-to house search in the city and arrested some suspects and still they are in the city and surrounding areas,” a resident in Elbarde Madey Isaq told APA by phone.
Although residents confirmed the arrival of Ethiopian-Somali forces in the city, Somali government officials denied any Ethiopian troops presence in Elbarde, a small city near the border with Ethiopia
Spokesman for Somali government administration in the region Aden Mohamed Nur told reporters that not a single Ethiopian soldier was in the city Sunday that only Somali government forces bloodlessly recaptured the city.
“The troops who have been doing the search operations in the city since early morning are Somali government forces trained in Ethiopia, I can confirm that a single Ethiopian is not in the city,” Aden Added.
Meanwhile, reports from the Sariirale village in the Hiiraan region indicate that hundreds of Ethiopian solders arrived and set up positions in the area early on Sunday morning.
Ethiopia pulled its forces out of Somalia early last year after enduing a two year-military operation in Somalia where they assisted Somali government to destroy the administration of Islamic courts Union by December 2006.

Plea to the Somalis in UK for help in the release of Paul and Rachel Chandler

2010-02-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, February 3, 2010
(Medeshi)
Press release:
We plea to all Somalis living in UK to contribute for the release of the Chandlers held by the Somali pirates in Somalia.

The chandlers have been held by the Somali pirates in Somalia for more than 6 months . Some of the pirate’s relatives live and prosper in UK as refugees. These pirates are demanding £4 million to release chandlers. The latest pictures released on Sunday show the fragile status of both the chandlers who are held at separate locations in Somalia -Read : (http://www.medeshi.com/2010/02/britain-defends-no-ransom-policy.html#more).
We condemn the holding of the chandlers for ransom, but consider the position of the British government not to pay ransom to pirates.
We ,therefore, call for all Somalis living in UK to contribute towards the release of the Chandlers either by contacting the relatives of the pirates who are holding the chandlers or contribute towards the payment of the requested ransom.
We understand these pirate's actions do not depict the true culture of the Somali society and its cultural heritage. We believe that these thugs are greedy and selfish and are working on their own. We call upon all Somalis to help the chandlers and work towards their early release.
We call Paul and Rachel Chandler be released immediately and unconditionally.
M. Ali - medeshi editor
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German protesters decry Israeli atrocities

2010-01-18T16:51:00.000-08:00

(Medeshi)
German supporters of the Palestinian cause are holding a demonstration against a joint German-Israeli cabinet meeting in Berlin.

A crowd of demonstrators gathered on Monday to expressed anger at Israel's ongoing siege of the Gaza Strip and the ongoing expulsion of Palestinians from East Jerusalem Al-Quds.

They have also vowed to expose Israel's indiscriminate and targeted killings of the Palestinians, which was highlighted in Israel's relentless three-week blitz on the tiny enclave in December 2008-January 2009.
More than 1,400 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in the onslaught during which Israeli soldiers committed war crimes by using human shields, targeting schools and UN buildings that were hosting civilians.
Meanwhile other activists held a protest to decry Germany's potential sale of military equipment, stressing that the country's constitution did not allow the sale of arms to any sides of an ongoing conflict.
The protests come amid Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Germany for talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The meeting is aimed at boosting security cooperation and bilateral relations, but German media have also speculated it may entail a fresh Israeli requests for more free or half-priced German arms.
Ahead of the joint cabinet meeting, media reports said Israel intends to station one of its German-made Dolphin submarines in the Persian Gulf.
Since 1998, Germany has spent EUR 900 million in providing Israel with five Dolphin class submarines.

People of Sanaagland may opt to secede from Somaliland

2010-01-04T18:25:00.000-08:00

Sanaagland is the largest region of Somaliland, and it is also the most neglected. This disregard has been ongoing since Independence, but most of the current blame falls upon Sanaaglanders themselves.Many have migrated to the western part of Somaliland or further, and invested both money and time away from home. Somaliland government that rules Hargeisa also takes a great share of the negligence and this may give the choice of the people of Sanaagland to opt to secede from Somaliland or join greater Somalia. ( Photos from self help schemes for the construction of Burao -Erigavo road that Somaliland government refused to fund ).

Expatriates from Sanaag can be found in North America, Europe and Asia. For example, most of the Somali workers in the UAE originate from Sanaag and are among those who have the highest incomes. When these expatriates send money home, build houses and settle their children in Somaliland, Hargeisa is a more popular choice than their native area of Sanaagland. One of the reasons behind this is that the government of Somaliland has concentrated almost all development projects in the capital city and its environs, rather than sharing the national income equally with other regions.
The lack of interest showed by Sanaaglanders in their homeland can also be blamed in large part on the underdeveloped transport infrastructure. Accessibility by road is often tiresome and time-consuming: overland access to Erigavo, the capital of Sanaagland, takes at least 12 hours on the nearest tarmac road that connects Burao and Lasaanod to Mogadishu. This has a negative impact on business development, as merchants have to use other means of transport, such as expensive air travel. Cash crops cannot be exported to west Somaliland due to lack of accessibility; for example, the famous cabbage farm owned by Mohamed Jama has been abandoned. Farmers have to divert their sales to Bossaso which is hostile to Somaliland.

Another factor is that the Hargeisa-based government discourages aid directed towards Sanaagland, under the pretext that the East is not stable. The government claims that it cannot guarantee the safety of aid workers who could deliver desperately needed medical and humanitarian assistance to the Sanaagland people. Sanaagland has the highest rate of infant mortality in Somaliland due to lack of medical care and qualified doctors.
Education is another area of concern in Sanaagland. Dayaha Intermediate school was built by the British in the colonial era, and is the alma mater of most educated middle aged Sanaaglanders. The school has been extensively looted, partially demolished and is currently being used as a shelter for livestock by pastoralists. Students now have to travel a long distance on the rough Garadag road in order to attend higher education in Hargeisa.
Sanaagland is fortunate enough to have an abundance of water and a fertile landscape. Sanaaglanders need to return to their native land and contribute to alleviating the suffering of its people, rather than always looking to Hargeisa. Regardless of clan or district, the people of Sanaag must come together to ensure a better future for this most beautiful but neglected part of Somaliland.
Written by : M. Ali
Source: Medeshi (http://www.medeshi.com/2010/01/people-from-sanaagland-may-opt-to.html)

Somaliland elections: Who is the lesser of the evils: Kulmiye , UDUB or UCID?

2009-12-20T12:32:00.000-08:00

(Medeshi) With Somaliland elections expected to take place on April 2010 after being delayed for 5 times, the ruling party ( UDUB ) seems to be losing power grip and public confidence after revelations of mishandling public funds and wide spread fraud within the presidential palace.
Unlike the former president , Egal , who used to hold monies at the palace to create peace among the conflicting Somaliland clans by bribing Sultans and clan elders , the current ruling party has resorted to mishandling revenues and government funds for personal gains.

Currently, UDUB ruling party is running the country by constitutional piracy that has put the whole democratic process of Somaliland and its recognition in jeopardy. The simplest example of this piracy is the delay of the presidential elections for more than 5 times despite calls of the public , the donors and friendly nations who emphasised the need for fair and free elections in order for Somaliland to get international recognition and access to world financial aid.
I have recently met Robert Zamora at the House of Parliament in London during the launch of Accord 21 - Connecting Somali and International Peacemaking (whose peace is it anyway) and learned from him during my short conversation that all necessary tools and means of holding presidential elections were in place at the time that he was expelled from Somaliland earlier this year.
Another factor of UDUB's failure was reflected in a recent meeting that I and group of others met Faisal Ali Warabe of UCID party at University College London. The chair of UCID has indicated that he was very confident of winning the coming Somaliland elections but added that if any of Somaliland voters do not support his party, then they should vote for Kulmiye rather than for UDUB. Faisal has emphasised that he was willing to form a coalition government with Kulmiye or may appoint any qualified politician from any party including UDUB to work with his government.
Having witnessed the rule of UDUB during the 4 years that I have worked as an Admin/Finance Manager for PENHA SLD, and after meeting many politicians who have visited UK for the last four years including president Riyale , I have come to the conclusion that Somaliland needs change of leadership and a new party to lead the nation towards progress and democracy. This party could be UCID who is a better choice than the other two and has more elite. I still believe that Somaliland needs and deserves new political leaders with fresh visions for the future, regardless of who wins this next election.
Read related articles:
http://www.medeshi.com/2009/12/could-there-be-clear-winner-in-upcoming.html
http://www.medeshi.com/2009/12/somaliland-democracy-not-in-practice.html
http://www.medeshi.com/2009/10/london-udub-somalilands-ruling-party-in.html
http://www.medeshi.com/2009/10/sanaagland-neglected-by-its-people.html
Written by M. Ali (Medeshi)
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UK fails to halt female genital mutilation

2009-12-20T02:57:00.000-08:00

(Medeshi)

Girls are still at risk this Christmas as 'cutters' are flown in from abroad to perform the illegal procedure here

By Nina Lakhani , Independent

Women in Somalia being educated about the dangers of genital mutilation. Campaigners in the UK are angry that there have been no prosecutions of practitioners

Hundreds of British schoolgirls are facing the terrifying prospect of female genital mutilation (FGM) over the Christmas holidays as experts warn the practice continues to flourish across the country.

(Photo: Women in Somalia being educated about the dangers of genital mutilation. Campaigners in the UK are angry that there have been no prosecutions of practitioners)

Parents typically take their daughters back to their country of origin for FGM during school holidays, but The Independent on Sunday has been told that "cutters" are being flown to the UK to carry out the mutilation at "parties" involving up to 20 girls to save money.

The police face growing criticism for failing to prosecute a single person for carrying out FGM in 25 years; new legislation from 2003 which prohibits taking a girl overseas for FGM has also failed to secure a conviction.

Experts say the lack of convictions, combined with the Government's failure to invest enough money in education and prevention strategies, mean the practice continues to thrive. Knowledge of the health risks and of the legislation remains patchy among practising communities, while beliefs about the supposed benefits for girls remain firm, according to research by the Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (Forward).

As a result, specialist doctors and midwives are struggling to cope with increasing numbers of women suffering from long-term health problems, including complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Campaigners are urging ministers to take co-ordinated steps to work with communities here and overseas to change deep-seated cultural attitudes and stamp out this extreme form of violence against women.

The author and life peer Ruth Rendell, who has campaigned against FGM for 10 years, said: "When I helped take the Bill through Parliament seven years ago, I was very hopeful that we'd get convictions and that would then act as a deterrent for other people. But that has never happened and my heart bleeds for these girls. This mutilation is forever; nothing can be done to restore the clitoris, and that is just very sad for them. I have repeatedly asked questions of ministers from all departments about why there has never been a prosecution and why we still do not have a register of cases. But while they are always very sympathetic, nothing ever seems to get done. Teachers must not be squeamish and must talk to their girls so we can try and prevent it from happening."

FGM is classified into four types, of varying severity; type 3 is the most mutilating and involves total removal of the clitoris, labia and a narrowing of the whole vagina.

An estimated 70,000 women living in the UK have undergone FGM, and 20,000 girls remain at risk, according to Forward. The practice is common in 28 African countries, including Somalia, Sudan and Nigeria, as well as some Middle Eastern and Asian countries such as Malaysia and Yemen. It is generally considered to be an essential rite of passage to suppress sexual pleasure, preserve girls' purity and cleanliness, and is necessary for marriage in many communities even now. It has no religious significance.

The most common age for the procedure is between eight and 11 but it can be carried out just after birth or just before marriage. It carries the risk of death from bleeding or tetanus, and long-term problems include urinary incontinence, recurrent infections and chronic pain. Reversal procedures are necessary in order to avoid major problems for a woman and baby during childbirth.

In the UK, some women have to travel hundreds of miles to one of 15 specialist clinics because services and training are so patchy. There are no specialist clinics at all in Scotland, or Wales, and student doctors, midwives and social workers are not routinely taught to recognise or deal with FGM.

A DVD, paid for by Baroness Rendell, which shows health workers how to reverse FGM will be launched in January. She hopes the next generation of health professionals will be better equipped to help affected women, many of whom suffer from long-term psychological effects such as flashbacks, anxiety and nightmares.

Amina, 55, originally from Somalia, underwent type 3 FGM, with no anaesthetic, when she was 11. One of the lucky ones, she suffered no long-term physical health problems but still carries psychological scars.

She has been vilified by practising communities for campaigning against FGM and for refusing to allow four of her daughters to be mutilated; the fifth suffered the procedure while in the care of her grandmother. The government funding that allowed Amina to work with families in Yorkshire, going door to door, to schools and community centres, talking about legal and health risks, ran out in March.

The Somali model Waris Dirie was mutilated at the age of five. She set up the Waris Dirie Foundation in 2002 to help eradicate FGM. She said: "I am worried about the situation in Europe and the US, as FGM seems to be on the rise in these places. In the 21st century, a crime this cruel should not be accepted in a society as developed as England. No one can undo the trauma that is caused by this horrible crime; it stays in your head for ever. So what we should focus on is that there won't be another victim."

Jackie Mathers, a nurse from the Bristol Safeguarding Children Board, said: "These families do not do this out of spite or hatred; they believe this will give their daughters the best opportunities in life. We would like a conviction, not against the parents, but against a cutter, someone who makes a living from this. We have anecdotal information that the credit crunch means people can't go home, so they're getting cutters over for 'FGM parties'. It is hard for people to speak out because they are from communities that are already vilified as asylum seekers, so to stand up against their communities is to risk being ostracised. But we have to empower girls and women to address this, along with teachers, school nurses and social workers. We can't ignore it; it is mutilation."

A Home Office spokesman said: "We have appointed an FGM co-ordinator to drive forward a co-ordinated government response to this appalling crime and make recommendations for future work."

Could there be a clear winner in the upcoming Somaliland Elections?

2009-12-19T09:41:00.000-08:00

(Medeshi)
Current speculation in Somaliland is that UCID party could win the upcoming elections. UDUB party, which has ruled the country since its inception , has failed to define a clear political and economical direction for the country. Furthermore, its dictatorial rule and the imprisonment of journalists and political opponents means that UDUB’s image has declined and it is increasingly unpopular with the public.

Corruption among political leaders, particularly in the Office of the Presidency, is widespread. This has been brought to light by a recent detailed study carried out by Eng. Mohamed Hashi of Qaran Party: See (in Somali) http://medeshi-medeshi.blogspot.com/2009/12/musuqmaasuqa-hadheeyey-madaxtooyadda.html.
The report shows that revenues collected from Berbera port go directly to the Office of the President, instead of to the Ministry of Finance. Maintenance money for Berbera oil tanks, which is estimated to be around $3 million a year, also ends up in the Office of the President. This may be in addition to other financial scandals that are as yet unknown by the public.
On the other hand Kulmiye party is desperately trying for the seat of the presidency at least during the lifetime of its chair, Mr. Ahmed Silanyo. The ailing Mr Silanyo will leave no stone unturned in order to achieve his goal. In a recent short conversation with a Kulmiye supporter, I was told that if ‘the old man’ is not given the chance to run the country at least once, people from the area east of Burao will resort to violence and the Isaaqs will be faced by a permanent division.
In my opinion, UCID, which is led by a charismatic young leader who has clear vision of Somaliland’s future, has the best chance of winning the upcoming elections. The leaders of UCID are also not clannish and there have been no suggestions that they are involved in corruption. Whatever happens in the upcoming elections, Somalilanders need to see new faces in leadership roles who can bring change to this young and undeveloped nation.

Brief profile of UCID’s leader, Faisal Ali Warabe:
Faisal Ali Warabe, or Faysal Cali Waraabe in Somali, is the chairman of the Justice and Welfare Party of Somaliland (UCID). He was born in 1948 in Hargeisa, Somaliland and earned an MSc in Engineering in St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad), Russia in 1973. From 1997-2001, he was enrolled at the Helsinki University Faculty of Social Sciences, in the Social Policy Department. He was also a regional director in Somalia's Ministry of Public Works in the 80s.
Faisal Ali Warabe rose to prominence in Somaliland politics when he single-handedly opposed appointing the national President in a clan convention (shir beeled), and created the first opposition party in Somaliland. He played a major role in bringing peace after the brief clash of Somaliland’s clans.
Mr Warabe is charismatic politician who is known to deliver powerful and persuasive speeches and to be vocal in opposition to politics based on clans. He travels frequently in support of Somaliland's bid to become recognised as an independent country and is well known as having many connections in Western countries. He speaks Somali, English, Russian and some Finnish.
Mr Warabe is seen as wanting to bring Somaliland into the modern world, rather than wanting power for its own sake. He has been active in humanitarian lobbying for assistance for disabled people and the health system, and often visits orphans in Somaliland. In his role as an outspoken activist for minority groups (Gabooye), he was recently awarded with a medal of honour. Mr Warabe also visits high schools and college students, to inspire them with the hope that they can rely on their country to provide them with employment and other opportunities.
As the Chairman and one of the core founders of the party, Faisal Ali Warabe has shaped UCID into a modern party in the mould of western political parties. UCID are proactive campaigners, who hold seminars to teach citizens about the objectives of their party. Mr Warabe has succeeded in mobilising enough supporters that he is now assumed to win the upcoming elections.
Written by M. Ali
Some of the background information about Faisal Ali warabe has been slightly condensed from the web by the editor
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Court fines corrupt officials SR3.83m

2009-12-13T04:06:00.000-08:00

Arab News JEDDAH: The Court of Grievances has fined officials convicted of taking bribes a total of SR2.31 million. It also fined people involved in forgery a total of SR1.52 million during a three-month period this year.
Abdul Aziz Al-Qaeeb, director of the research department at the Control and Investigation Bureau (CIB), said 43 officials were fined a total of SR145,500 for exploiting their influence and 14 officials SR94,730 in total for misusing their power.

He said the bureau had transferred 748 cases to the Court of Grievances during the period of June 24-Sept. 20 this year.
“The Administrative Court at the Court of Grievances has already handed out punishments to the culprits including imprisonment and fines,” he said, adding that there were 573 cases related to forgery, 73 cases of bribe-taking, 14 cases relating to the misuse of authority and 43 of exploitation of influence.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has reiterated that the government would not tolerate administrative corruption. Under Saudi law, government officials convicted of accepting bribes can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined SR500,000.
Following the recent flooding in Jeddah, King Abdullah set up a high-level committee to investigate the reasons for the calamity and warned that those responsible of neglecting their role in the tragedy would be held accountable.
“We cannot ignore the fact that there were mistakes and failures on the part of some departments and it is our duty to identify those responsible and take action against them,” the king said in a statement after the floods.
In the year 2007, the CIB detected 6,821 cases of corruption, forgery, embezzlement and abuse of power in the civil service. According to the director of the Department of Research and Information in Dammam, Abdulaziz Al-Kaib, most of the cases were related to fraud.

Somali Pirates in Discussions to Acquire Citigroup

2009-12-13T03:50:00.000-08:00

(Republished from Medeshi Archives)
Pirate humour rules Wall Street
Andrew Willis,
Argggg, Maties! Here's what shell-shocked financiers are laughing at on Wall Street Friday morning in a phony Bloomberg story:

Somali Pirates in Discussions to Acquire Citigroup
By Andreas Hippin (Bloomberg) -- The Somali pirates, renegade Somalis known for hijacking ships for ransom in the Gulf of Aden, are negotiating a purchase of Citigroup.
The pirates would buy Citigroup with new debt and their existing cash stockpiles, earned most recently from hijacking numerous ships, including most recently a $200 million Saudi Arabian oil tanker. The Somali pirates are offering up to $0.10 per share for Citigroup, pirate spokesman Sugule Ali said earlier today. The negotiations have entered the final stage, Ali said.
"You may not like our price, but we are not in the business of paying for things. Be happy we are in the mood tooffer the shareholders anything," said Ali.
The pirates will finance part of the purchase by selling new Pirate Ransom Backed Securities. The PRBS's are backed by the cash flows from future ransom payments from hijackings in the Gulf of Aden. Moody's and S&P have already issued their top investment grade ratings for the PRBS's.
Head pirate, Ubu Kalid Shandu, said: "We need a bank so that we have a place to keep all of our ransom money. Thankfully, the dislocations in the capital markets has allowed us to purchase Citigroupat an attractive valuation and to take advantage of TARP capital to grow the business even faster."
Shandu added, "We don't call ourselves pirates. We are coastguards and this will just allow us to guard our coasts better."

*CITI IN TALKS WITH SOMALI PIRATES FOR POSSIBLE CAPITAL INFUSION

*WILL REQUIRE ALL CITI EMPLOYEES TO WEAR PATCH OVER ONE EYE

*SOMALIAN PIRATES APPLY TO BECOME BANK TO ACCESS TARP

*PAULSON: TARP PIRATE EQUITY IS AN `INVESTMENT,' WILL PAY OFF

*KASHKARI SAYS `SOMALI PIRATES ARE 'FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND' '

*Moody's upgrade Somali Pirates to AAA

*HUD SAYS SOMALI DHOW FORECLOSURE PROGRAM HAD `VERY LOW' PARTICPATION

*SOMALI PIRATES IN DISCUSSION TO ACQUIRE CITIBANK

*FED OFFICIALS: AGGRESSIVE EASING WOULD CUT SOMALI PIRATE RISK

* FED AGREED OCT. 29 TO TAKE `WHATEVER STEPS' NEEDED FOR SOMALI PIRATES

Somalia's new order: filthy rich pirates

2009-12-05T19:09:00.000-08:00

(Mogadishu markets ... 'mad money' from pirate ransoms has driven prices through the roof. Photo: AFP)
MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN
A parcel of land here that sold for $US12,000 ($A12,900) two years ago now costs more than $US20,000 ($A21,500). The price of a nice pair of men's shoes has gone up from $20 to $50.
The reason: pirates.
The influx of millions of dollars in ransoms has changed life in this coastal Muslim community, driving prices up and creating a schism between the pirate haves and have-nots.

As piracy ramps up again with the end of the monsoon season, the lifestyle of the pirates - big houses, fast cars and easy drugs - is decried by both religious leaders and ordinary villagers.
"The use of drugs such as cannabis and the drinking of alcohol, sex and other obnoxious misconduct are now becoming common within the pirates, causing social problems," said Sheik Ahmed, a mosque leader in the town of Galkayo. "That is what is worrying us, a lot more than the risk they pose to the foreign ships and crew."
Just last month, pirates were paid a reported $3.3 million to release 36 crew members from a Spanish vessel held hostage for more than six weeks. Pirates stand to make tens of thousands from the payment, money that will pulse through the community in gifts, loans and payments to family, friends and businesses.
The European Union Naval Force says pirates now hold 11 ships and 264 crew members hostage off the coast of Somalia. There is little doubt that more ransom money is coming.
"There is mad money circulating here, and it affects everybody directly or indirectly," said Haji Said, a hotel owner.
A lone paved road passes through the middle of Bossaso, and hotels, businesses and new construction line its sides. SUVs and luxury vehicles from Asia ply the road with American, Somali and Indian music blasting from within.
The price of clothes, shoes and cosmetics is climbing, said Anshur Kamil, a businessman. Pirates do not even have to pay upfront. Those holding ships hostage who have not yet received ransom can buy goods on credit, at elevated prices, and settle up their debts when the ransom money comes in, villagers say.
The pirates pay in dollars and do not bother to haggle, said Khadra Abdullahi, a shop owner in Bossaso, a coastal town on the northern edge of Somalia across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen. "Sometimes they leave change behind, which shows that money is nothing to them."
When villagers think the price of a cosmetic is too high, their reply is "we are not pirates," said Abdullahi.
The closer to the pirate dens one gets, the higher the prices go. In the nearby town of Eyl, a cup of tea costs three times as much as in Bossaso. In Eyl, pirates pay $5 for a shoeshine, compared with 50 cents in Bossaso, said Hashim Salad, a store owner.
Two years ago, a teenager named Adani lived on the streets of Bossaso. Now, at only 19 years old, he is a pirate and owns a big house and large truck. He says he has taken part in two hijackings that earned him $75,000 and plans to participate in one more high-seas heist.
"When you have nothing, people despise you, and if they see that you have money, you will be respected," said Adani, who gave only one name for fear of reprisals. "This next job will be my last in the piracy trade. I know it's a big risk but I believe in gambling. If I win, I will get married and give up piracy."
Roger Middleton, a piracy expert at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said the average ransom has risen from roughly $1 million last year to $2 million this year. He said pirates have been paid more than $100 million in the last two years, although he stressed that the number was an estimate only. No one has hard figures.
"I'm sure there's some resentment at the way pirates behave and the lifestyle they lead. It's not a traditional or righteous one," Middleton said.
Middleton also noted that pirate foot soldiers make not millions, but tens of thousands over a year. The big money goes to the bosses, he said, and they are likely to spend it overseas or invest it.
Clerics and village elders say they do not approve of the pirate lifestyle. Teenagers threaten their parents that they will join the pirates if they do not get their way, said a prominent Bossaso elder, Suldan Mohamud Aw-nor.
Marriage has also been affected by pirates with pockets full of cash. Hundreds of cars escort the bride and groom to the reception, where the house is crammed with expensive furniture, and the bride wears expensive gold jewelry, said Shamso Ahmed, the owner of a beauty salon. Thousands of dollars are paid to brides' families as a dowry.
"Pirates do not waste time to woo women, but instead pay them a lot," said Sahro Mohamed. "They did this to several girls I know."
AP

Somaliland: Democracy not in practice

2009-12-05T14:43:00.000-08:00

(Medeshi)
Background:
In 1991, after the collapse of the central government in Somalia, the northern part of the territory asserted its independence as the Republic of Somaliland. The State of Somaliland had been briefly independent in 1960 after the Bristish colonialism which started in 1884, but since 1991 it has not received international diplomatic recognition for various reasons.

At the time of its declaration of independence, the economic and military infrastructure in Somaliland had been severely destroyed by war, due to the Mogadishu-based Siad Barre regime’s severe reaction to the rebellion by Somalilanders. People of Somaliland returned from exile and the infrastuture was restored to some degree rapidly. Somalilders from the Disapora took a lions share in building the private sector by restoring telecommunication and transport sector. Houses were rebuilt while new private clinics , and hospitals came up to bridge the gap left by the destroyed public hospitals.
Abderahman Ahmed Ali Tuur was the first president of Somaliland. Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal was appointed Tuur's successor in 1993 by the Grand Conference of National Reconciliation in Borama. The Conference met for four months and led to a gradual improvement in security, as well as a solidification of the fledgling state. Egal was reappointed in 1997, and remained in power until his death on May 3, 2002. The vice president, Dahir Riyale Kahin, was sworn in as president shortly afterwards, and in 2003 Kahin became the first president of Somaliland to be elected in a free and fair election.
Democracy not in practice
The current Somaliland leaders have much in common with other African dictators, such as Robert Mugabe, Meles Zenawi or Omar Al Bashir. All these men have one main aim: staying in power at any cost.
Somaliland has been endeavouring to attain international recognition as an independent nation for almost two decades, and it is still trying, but without following any of the criteria for democracy. Staying in power through the manipulation of a young constitution that has not yet been put into practice and through keeping the population in a state of fear about the peace in the Horn of Africa will not lead to recognition of Somaliland . Read - Hostages to peace : http://www.hrw.org/node/84298
It seems that Somaliland government leaders are not willing to give up the seat of power out of selfishness and because a few gangsters are backed by senseless clan elders. Now that the government of Somaliland has been cornered into holding elections after trying many deceitful tactics to delay them, the people of Somaliland must take this opportunity to choose a different leader.
The public has spent enough time waiting for free and fair elections. These weak and unprofessional rulers have been given enough time to come up with better ways of practicing democracy in Somaliland. The time has come to punish these corrupt rulers and make them pay for their mischievous activities for the past seven years.
It is about time to for the people of Somaliland to use their voice and choose the right president for the country in the upcoming elections. We should all remember that a democratic government is for the people and by the people.
Written b : M. Ali
Medeshi webmaster

Five Pakistani clerics killed in Somalia

2009-12-04T18:00:00.000-08:00

Gunmen on Wednesday stormed a mosque in Somalia's central town of Galkayo and shot dead five Pakistani Muslim clerics after dawn prayers, officials and witnesses said.
They dragged the preachers out of the mosque and opened fire on them, said a police official in the town straddling Somalia's self-declared state of Puntland and Somalia proper.

"The five were from Pakistan," the officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the news agency AFP.
Authorities had launched a manhunt for the killers, he added.
It was uncler why the men, who arrived in Galkayo on Tuesday, were targeted.
Speaking to reporters, Puntland's president Abdurahman Mohamed Farole condemned the killing as a "terrible incident. We are still investigating who was behind it".
The preachers belonged to a Muslim sect known as Tabliq, said Sheikh Mohamed Abdi Said, the spokesman of the Ahlu Sunna religious group which controls the area.
He said the sect "has never advocated violence" and termed their killing as "contrary to the teaching of Islam."
The Ahlu Sunna group rose to the limelight in late 2008 when they fought the radical Shebab militia, accusing them of fostering violence across Somalia.
It also blamed the Shebab of killing religious scholars, elders, traders and other opponents, labelling their victims "enemies of Islam".
But the Shebab also condemned Wednesday's murders.
"It is the worst thing in Somalia's history because killing of religious men is unknown among the Somali commuity," Shebab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamoud Dhere told reporters in Mogadishu.
"This attack was carried out by anti-Islamic elements."
Although Puntland has been spared much of the violence which has wracked other regions of the Horn of Africa state in the past 18 years, tensions have been on the rise lately.
Last week, Puntland's information minister was killed by unknown attackers in Galkayo. The region is also a major hub for piracy that has turned the Gulf of Aden into the world's most dangerous waterway.
A spokesman for the Pakistani embassy in neighbouring Kenya said officials were still trying to determine the total number of casualties in the attack.
"I can confirm we are getting reports of Pakistanis killed in Galkayo, in Puntland," the spokesman said.
"But we are still investigating. I cannot confirm exactly what happened. Yes this incident has taken place but we are not sure of the total number of casualties."
Galkayo residents said tension remained high in the town.
"Everybody in the town is worried and nobody knows who carried out this crude act," said Abdukadir Mohamed. "The town is too tense."
Local elder Mohamoud Adan Hussein said they had set up a committee to probe the assassinations and hunt down the gunmen.
"Those people were innocent and killing them is the worst sin," he told AFP.
The bodies of the victims were placed in the mosque and talks were under way to determine where they should eventually be burried.
Puntland, which declared its semi-autonomous status in 1998, has also seen the abduction of journalists and other foreigners later freed upon payment of ransom.
A report by the International Crisis Group released on Wednesday warned that if its government does not react and reach out to all of the semi-autonomous region's clans, "Puntland may break up violently, adding to the chaos in Somalia."
It said Puntland needed to return to "its original consensual style of politics. This requires reforming the electoral system, restarting the constitutional drafting process, tackling corruption and rebuilding clan trust."

TACSI

2009-12-04T14:37:00.001-08:00

INAA LILAYHI WA INAAHI RAAJICUUN.
Waxa aanu tacsi u diraynaa Dr Mohamed Osman Fadal oo afadii carruurta u lahayd Marxuumad Qamar Adan Abdillahi oo ahayd Wasiirkii Caafimaadka ee Soomalia ee ku geeriyootay qaraxii ka dhacay Mogadishu bisha December 3deedii.
1. Dr Hassan Ismail Yusuf
2. Dr Abokor Hassan Guled
3. Roda mohamoud Karaani
4. Mohamed Ahmed Ali (Medeshi)
5. Amina Abdi Ibrahim
6. Mohamed Dahir Ahmed
7. Mohamed Adan Waraabe
Ilaahay naxariistii janno ha ka waraabiyo; carruurtii,qoyskii, eheladii iyo asxaabtiina samir iyo iimaan ha ka siiyo.
AAMIIN.

Amanda Lindhout, photographer, freed in Somalia

2009-11-25T15:59:00.000-08:00

(Medeshi)
Canadian freelance journalist Amanda Lindhout and her Australian photographer, Neil Brennan, have been freed in Somalia.
Lindhout and Brennan were abducted on August 28, 2008, at gunpoint in Mogadishu, the Somalian capital.
Both had been reporting on refugees who had escaped factional fighting when they were kidnapped.
Agence France-Presse, citing unnamed kidnappers, said Lindhout’s family paid $1 million dollars of ransom to secure the pairs release.

Shortly after her release, Lindhout called CTV News from Mogadishu, saying she had some “pretty dark moments,” while in captivity.
“There were times that I was beaten, that I was tortured. It was an extremely, extremely difficult situation,” she said.
While in captivity, Lindhout said she would “ just try to escape in my mind to a sunny place, usually Vancouver, in my mind. I'd imagine running around in Stanley Park.”
The Canadian Association of Journalists [CAJ], Canada’s largest professional organization for journalists, released a statement welcoming the release of Lindhout and Brennan.
“We are overjoyed that Amanda and Nigel have been released and will soon be with their families,” CAJ President Mary Agnes Welch said in a statement.
“We thank all of those journalists and members of the public who have supported the campaign to secure their freedom,” she added.
The CAJ worked tirelessly to secure the release of the kidnapped journalists. Welch last wrote Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the one year anniversary of the kidnapping, urging him “to bring the full weight of his office to bear on efforts to secure Amanda Lindhout's release.”Read Medeshi feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/medeshi/lhmK
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Somali-Americans recruited jihadists, say US prosecutors

2009-11-24T16:37:00.000-08:00

By David Usborne, US Editor
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Prosecutors in Minneapolis say they have charged eight men with recruiting young Somali-Americans and sending them to Somalia to fight with an anti-government insurgency force linked to al-Qa'ida. In head-count terms, it is the largest terror cell to emerge in the US since the 9/11 attacks.

The charges stem from a long-running investigation by the FBI in Minneapolis, the largest city in the state of Minnesota, which is home to a thriving Somali-American community. Officials believe that as many as 20 men may have been sent to Somalia in this way. In 2008, a naturalised US citizen, Shirwa Ahed, blew himself up in northern Somalia. It was believed to be the first time that an American citizen had carried out a terrorist suicide bombing.
While the alleged recruitment drive appears aimed at assisting the insurgency in Somalia, officials fear that once they have received terrorist training there, many of the men may return to carry out similar attacks on American soil. "The potential implications for national security are significant," said Ralph Boelter of the FBI.

The men were allegedly being sent to fight alongside Al-Shabaab, a terror group closely allied with al-Qa'ida. "The vibrant Somali community here in Minneapolis has lost many of its sons to fighting in Somalia. These young men have been recruited to fight in a foreign war by individuals and groups using violence against government troops and civilians," said Todd Jones, the US Attorney for Minnesota.
The investigation intensified after a group of youths were stopped by traffic police in Nevada on 6 October. They said they were travelling to a wedding in San Diego. They were later tracked by customs officers entering Mexico. They had airline tickets out of the border city of Tijuana to Mexico City and they are now believed to be in Somalia.
In total, 14 men have been charged in connection with the case; some have been arrested, others are still at large. Those named in the latest criminal complaints include Cabdulaahi Ahmed Faarax and Abdiweli Yassin Isse, who are among those who made the trip last month via Mexico. They are charged with conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim and injure individuals outside the US.
"Faarax told the co-conspirators that travelling to Somalia to fight jihad will be fun and not to be afraid," according to an FBI affidavit in the case. "Faarax also explained to his co-conspirators that they would get to shoot guns in Somalia."

Essay: Somalia's al-Shabaab

2009-11-24T16:29:00.001-08:00

(Medeshi)
By Daveed Gartenstein-Ross

[Ed Note: In August of this year, the Australian Federal Government listed the Somalia-based group al-Shabaab as a terrorist organisation under both its Criminal Code, and the Charter of the United Nations Act. These two measures make it illegal in Australia “to be a member of, associate with, train with, provide training for, receive funds from, make funds available to, direct or recruit for Al-Shabaab.” The Government’s decision followed allegations that five men accused of planning to attack Sydney’s Holsworthy Army Barracks had links to al-Shabaab. Below, American terror expert Daveed Gartenstein-Ross reviews the history, development and capabilities of this new al-Qaeda-linked group.]

Since emerging from an era of colonialism under Italy and Britain, Somalia has passed through military dictatorship, famine and civil war to regional fragmentation. In the modern period, Americans best remember the loss of US military personnel that followed attempts to secure order in the country as part of a United Nations operation. More recently, the hijacking of ships by pirates operating from the Somali coast has attracted considerable attention globally. But the biggest threat emanating from Somalia comes from a different source: an ongoing lack of internal order has left the country vulnerable to the rise of hard-line Islamist groups, of which the latest is al-Shabaab (the youth), which rose from obscurity to international prominence in less than two years. Al-Shabaab’s ideological commitment to global jihadism, its connections to al-Qaeda, its military capabilities, and its ability to capture and control territory suggest that it will continue to pose a strategic challenge to both the US and Somalia’s neighbours.

Since its emergence, al-Shabaab has played a major role in the insurgency that pushed Ethiopian forces out of Somalia; it also received the endorsement of Osama bin Laden and has seen large numbers of Somalis living in the West flock to its camps. Somalia has become, like Pakistan, a significant al-Qaeda safe haven.

Al-Shabaab emerged from two previous Somali Islamist groups, The Islamic Union (al-Ittihad al-Islamiya, IU) and the Islamic Courts Union (Ittihad al-Mahakim al-Islamiya, ICU). There are three strands of evolution from the IU to the ICU and finally to al-Shabaab. The first is ideological, in which the groups go through a funnelling process and slowly become less ideologically diverse. Though all three strove to implement Sharia (Islamic law), a significant faction of IU and ICU leaders had a vision that focused on the Somali nation itself – that is, inside the borders of Somalia and in neighbouring territories where Somalis are the predominant ethnic group, such as Ethiopia’s Ogaden region. In contrast, key al-Shabaab leaders are committed to a global jihadist ideology. They view the group’s regional activities as part of a broader struggle.

The second strand lies in the groups’ relations with al-Qaeda. Bin Laden’s organisation has long had a presence in Somalia. It dispatched trainers to liaise with the Islamic Union prior to the 1993 battle of Mogadishu when 18 US soldiers were killed. Despite that connection, some scholars have questioned how deep the ties between al-Qaeda and the IU really are. In contrast, after al-Shabaab emerged as a distinct entity, its leaders reached out to al-Qaeda’s senior leadership, and its chief military strategist openly declared his allegiance to bin Laden.

The final strand is the groups’ opportunity and ability to govern. Since all three have been dedicated to implementing Sharia, they would ideally like a governing apparatus through which to apply Islamic law and mete out God’s justice. The IU could not control any territory for a sustained period apart from the town of Luuq. In contrast, the ICU and al-Shabaab came to control broad swathes of Somalia, and the governing strategies they put in place indicate that both groups thought hard about how to maintain and expand their power.

Al-Shabaab’s Origins

The practice of Islam in Somalia has traditionally been dominated by apolitical Sufi orders. Islamist movements did not emerge until the late 1960s when Somalis gained greater exposure to less moderate currents of Islam in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and elsewhere.

In 1969, General Mohamed Siad Barre executed a military coup that made him president of the young state, which had won its independence nine years earlier. Some of Barre’s draconian tactics for dealing with Somalia’s fledgling Islamist movements consolidated the groups and gave them momentum. When Muslim leaders denounced reform of Somali family law, Barre executed ten prominent scholars and prosecuted hundreds more. In response, “underground organisations proliferated in every region in defence of the faith against the ‘Godless socialists’,” writes Abdurahman M. Abdullahi.

By the early 1990s, Barre faced “widespread insurrection initiated by the tribes and powerbrokers.” Opponents forced him to flee the country, which collapsed into civil war and prolonged anarchy.

In these lawless conditions, two Islamist groups that were the progenitors of al-Shabaab became prominent. The first was the Islamic Union. Although there is no firm date for the IU’s birth, most credible accounts date this to around 1983. Ken Menkhaus, an associate professor of political science at Davidson College, notes that the IU was originally “comprised mainly of educated, young men who had studied or worked in the Middle East.” It received significant funding and support from‚ – and was in turn influenced by – the Salafi/Wahhabi movement and its Saudi-based charity organisations. The group had two goals. First, it sought to defeat Siad Barre’s regime and replace it with an Islamic state. Second, it wanted to unify what it regarded as Greater Somalia – north eastern Kenya, Ethiopia’s Ogaden region and Djibouti – and add them to the existing Somali state.

In 1991, after warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid’s rebel forces drove Barre into exile and destroyed his regime, the IU attempted to seize “targets of opportunity,” including “strategic sites such as seaports and commercial crossroads.” It managed to hold the seaports of Kismayo and Merka for almost a year.

The IU managed to control one location for a sustained period: the town of Luuq near the border with Ethiopia and Kenya. Consonant with its original aspirations, the IU implemented strict Sharia there, meting out punishments that included amputations. However, in a pattern that would later work to the advantage of Somali Islamists, rough justice in Luuq made it safer from crime than most other places.

Luuq’s proximity to Ethiopia was significant because of the IU’s commitment to a Greater Somalia. In particular, the group focused on Ethiopia’s Ogaden, a region inhabited by a majority of Somali speakers. The IU stirred up separatist unrest, and in 1996 and 1997, Ethiopia experienced a “string of assassination attempts and bombings by al-Ittihad [IU] in Addis Ababa.” In response, Ethiopian forces intervened in Luuq and destroyed the IU’s safe haven.

Following the IU’s defeat in Luuq, the group declined in prominence.

The ICU was the next incarnation of the IU. By the time it caught the attention of Westerners, it was more militarily adept than the old IU had been, more capable of governing, and had more leaders committed to a global jihadist ideology. International attention came in June 2006 when the ICU seized Mogadishu and thereafter won a rapid series of strategic gains. It took control of critical port cities such as Kismayo and met little resistance as it expanded.

By late October 2006, the ICU controlled most of Somalia’s key strategic points, was able to move supplies from south to north, and had effectively encircled the UN-recognised transitional federal government in the south-central city of Baidoa. Somalia had some 16 operational terrorist training camps; soon after the ICU rose to power, hundreds of terrorists from Afghanistan, Chechnya, Iraq, Pakistan and the Arabian Peninsula arrived to train in or staff these camps. In 2006, the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia reported: “Foreign volunteers (fighters) have also been arriving in considerable numbers to give added military strength to the ICU… Importantly, foreign volunteers also provide training in guerrilla warfare and special topics or techniques.”

While the IU had little chance to rule beyond Luuq, the ICU imposed Sharia on some of the key territory it controlled. The rules it imposed were far-reaching. It conducted mass arrests of citizens watching movies, abolished live music at weddings, killed several people for watching soccer, and arrested a karate instructor and his female students because the lessons constituted mixing of the sexes.

Strict implementation of Sharia often alienates locals, but as the ICU gained power, it was determined to win over the population. Hassan Dahir Aweys sought to harness Islam, Somali nationalism and distaste for the rule of the warlords. His emphasis on stability and the rule of law won the sympathy of the business community, which saw the ICU’s strict rule as a means to reduce security costs. Citizens who previously had to live under insecure, anarchic conditions also benefited from improved security under the Islamic Courts.

The Rise of al-Shabaab

By late 2006, Baidoa – the last stronghold of the transitional federal government – was under siege. Many fighters defected from the government to the ICU; all that prevented the government’s destruction were Ethiopian soldiers manning roadblocks around the city.

But as the ICU launched an assault on Baidoa, Ethiopia responded with greater force than expected. The Islamic Courts could not match Ethiopian airpower. US air and ground forces supported Ethiopia’s intervention by sending armaments and personnel including helicopter gunships and the elite Task Force 88. The Ethiopians and the transitional government wrested Mogadishu from the ICU on December 28, 2006, and quickly reversed virtually all of its strategic gains.

However, there was no coherent plan to stabilise the country and make the transitional government viable. The head of the ICU’s executive council, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed – now the Somali president – called for an insurgency. Even before Ethiopia intervened, the UN’s Monitoring Group on Somalia had warned that the ICU “is fully capable of turning Somalia into what is currently an Iraq-type scenario, replete with roadside and suicide bombers, assassinations, and other forms of terrorist and insurgent-type activities.”

Al-Shabaab emerged as a distinct force during the course of the insurgency. The break between al-Shabaab and other insurgent groups came in late 2007. That September, the ICU attended a conference of opposition factions in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, and re-emerged as the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia (ARS). Al-Shabaab boycotted the conference, and its leaders launched vitriolic attacks on the ARS for failing to adopt a global jihadist ideology. In late February 2008, fighting between supporters of the ARS and al-Shabaab in Dhobley killed several people. As Ethiopian fighters left Somalia in early 2009, fighters affiliated with al-Shabaab took their place and implemented a strict version of Sharia in areas they came to control.

Al-Shabaab’s Ideology

Al-Shabaab represents a further step toward a global jihadist vision. Like the IU and ICU, it believes that religious governance is the solution to Somalia’s ills.

One important document explaining al-Shabaab’s outlook was written by the American mujahid Abu Mansoor al-Amriki. He gained notoriety in the US when he appeared in a sophisticated al-Shabaab video dated April 2, 2009, “that employs hip-hop and looks more like an extreme version of ‘Survivor’.”

In January 2008, Amriki wrote a document entitled “A Message to the Mujahideen in Particular and Muslims in General” that rapidly made its way around the jihadist web. In it, he reiterated the need to establish Sharia, citing as exemplars Sayyid Qutb, the leading theoretician of the Muslim Brotherhood, and Abu A’la Maududi, founder of the Islamist Jama’at-i Islami in India and Pakistan, both of whom “refused to accept entering into the kaafir [infidel] governments as a solution.” He specified commitment to Islamic law as a means of distinguishing al-Shabaab from the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia. Amriki explained that al-Shabaab had boycotted the Asmara conference because it refused to work with the non-Muslim Eritrean state. He argued that cooperation with “infidels” would corrupt the jihad because Eritrea would open “the door of politics in order for them to forget armed resistance,” leaving “members of the Courts in the lands of the Kuffaar, underneath their control, sitting in the road of politics which leads to the loss and defeat they were running from.”

Indeed, Amriki’s screed underscores the gradations from the IU to the ICU and finally to al-Shabaab. His criticisms of the Islamic Courts emphasise al-Shabaab’s global jihadist perspective. He touts al-Shabaab’s pan-Islamism in opposition to the ICU’s clan-backed politics, saying that “the Courts used to judge over each individual tribe,” whereas “al-Shabaab were made up of many different tribes.”

Amriki also attacked the ICU for having “a goal limited to the boundaries placed by the Taghoot [a ruler who fails to implement the divine law]” while “the Shabaab had a global goal including the establishment of the Islaamic [sic] / Khilaafah [caliphate] in all parts of the world.” While this criticism is not entirely accurate (“Greater Somalia” was not strictly limited by colonial borders), Amriki showed that key al-Shabaab leaders now saw their efforts as part of a global struggle.

Amriki also provides an extended discussion of al-Shabaab’s manha, or religious methodology. He writes:

It is the same manhaj repeatedly heard from the mouth of the mujahid sheikh Osama Bin Laden, the doctor Ayman al-Zawahiri [bin Laden’s right-hand man], and the hero, Abu Mus’ab al-Zarqaawi [leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq].

He thus makes clear that al-Shabaab was aligned ideologically with al-Qaeda.

Other al-Shabaab leaders have said that they see the continuation of jihad beyond Somalia as a religious imperative. In early 2009, Kataaib reported that Sheikh Ali Muhammad Hussein, the group’s Banadir region governor, gave a media briefing on Ethiopia’s withdrawal. He said that, “the fact that the enemy has left Mogadishu does not mean that the mujahideen will not follow him to where he still remains.” Hussein added that the idea that the jihad had ended with Ethiopia’s withdrawal was “in clear contradiction with the statement of Prophet Muhammad… that jihad will continue until Doomsday.”

In early 2008, when the US designated al-Shabaab a global terrorist entity, prominent members struck a celebratory tone. Sheikh Mukhtar Robow, an al-Shabaab spokesman told the BBC that he welcomed the designation as an “honour” because “we are good Muslims and the Americans are infidels. We are on the right path.” Though Robow then denied a connection to al-Qaeda, his position has since changed. In August 2008, he said that al-Shabaab was “negotiating how we can unite into one” with al-Qaeda. He continued, “We will take our orders from Sheikh Osama bin Laden because we are his students.”

Al-Qaeda Reciprocates

Al-Qaeda has not ignored al-Shabaab’s overtures. They first took note of developments in Somalia in 2006 when the Islamic Courts captured Mogadishu. When Ethiopia intervened to push back the ICU’s advance on Baidoa, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri soon appeared in a web-based video and called for Muslims to fight the Ethiopians:

I appeal to the lions of Islam in Yemen, the state of faith and wisdom. I appeal to my brothers, the lions of Islam in the Arab Peninsula, the cradle of conquests. And I also appeal to my brothers, the lions of Islam in Egypt, Sudan, the Arab Maghreb, and everywhere in the Muslim world to rise up to aid their Muslim brethren in Somalia.

On July 5, 2007, he released a new video, describing Somalia as one of the three main theatres for al-Qaeda’s mujahideen, along with Iraq and Afghanistan. The al-Qaeda propagandist Abu Yahya al-Libi devoted an entire video to urging Muslims to join the Somali mujahideen.

Bin Laden himself issued a video devoted to al-Shabaab in March 2009, entitled “Fight on, Champions of Somalia,” where he addresses “my patient, persevering Muslim brothers in mujahid Somalia.”

Al-Shabaab’s Strategic Outlook

Today, al-Shabaab is a capable fighting force that implements a strict version of Sharia in key areas of Somalia. Its range is enhanced by training camps from which many Western Muslims have graduated. This has made al-Shabaab a significant security concern to several countries, including the United States.

Terrorist training. Given the relationship noted above between al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda, which includes ideological affinity and interlocking leadership, there are worries about al-Shabaab’s connections to transnational terrorism. These concerns are bolstered by al-Shabaab’s operation of terrorist training camps, successors to the ICU camps.

One of the clearest signs that training camps have reopened in Somalia is an exodus of young Somali men from Minneapolis-St. Paul and elsewhere in the United States. There are further reports of young Somali men going missing from Canada, Europe, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.

The biggest concern is not what these individuals do while in Somalia but what happens when they return to the countries from which they came. It is a concern not only for the United States but also Britain: The Times of London reports that the British security services believe that “dozens of Islamic extremists have returned to Britain from terror training camps in Somalia.” British intelligence analysts are concerned about possible terror attacks in the UK, and British television has reported that an October 2007 suicide bombing in Somalia was thought to have been carried out by a UK-raised bomber.

Military capabilities. It is difficult to say how many fighters make up al-Shabaab’s militia. Some estimates suggest between 6,000 and 7,000. Al-Shabaab is battle-ready, given that Somalia’s history is replete with fighters who have experience with asymmetrical warfare, small unit tactics, and a wide array of weaponry. One tactic that al-Shabaab is said to have introduced to Somalia is suicide bombing. It has also carried out assassination attempts against Somali government officials.

Overall, al-Shabaab fought competently against the Ethiopians. In late 2008, it made geographical gains and consolidated power in the Lower Juba region, allowing it to establish a Sharia-based administration there on Sept. 5. It also showed itself able to strike Mogadishu. In late October, al-Shabaab carried out five suicide bombings in northern Somalia, killing 28 people. One of the bombers, Shirwa Ahmed, was a naturalised American citizen, the United States’ first successful suicide bomber.

By the end of 2008, the Ethiopian government could no longer sustain its occupation. In early January 2009, trucks filled with Ethiopian soldiers left Mogadishu. Large numbers of Somali parliament members also fled; settling in Djibouti, they set up reconciliation talks that doubled the size of parliament to include Islamist members linked to the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia. They also selected ARS leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed as their new president.

As Ethiopian forces left, al-Shabaab had a substantial area of control, including Baidoa in south-central Somalia and Kismayo in the far south. Moreover, its capabilities may have been magnified by the arrival of other Islamic fighters. In late April 2009, Associated Press reported that battle-hardened extremists from safe havens along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border were entering East Africa. Part of the concern, according to US officials, is that these extremists could “pass on sophisticated training and attack techniques gleaned from seven years at war against the US and allies in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Implementation of Sharia law. Al-Shabaab has imposed a strict version of Sharia in the areas it has captured, normally forming an administration to oversee Sharia and other matters relating to law and governance. In September 2008, it announced a new administration for Kismayo that included “several committees that will run the town,” a district commissioner, head of information, head of security, head of finance, and head of preaching. It later formed a similar administration in Marka.

The strictness of al-Shabaab’s Sharia rulings can be seen in the laws that it has implemented and the punishments it has meted out. Amnesty International claims that a 13-year-old rape victim was stoned to death in Kismayo last year for alleged adultery. In late 2008, as al-Shabaab seized Marka, leaders informed residents that cinema houses and music recording studios were banned. It also warned that action would be taken against anyone found on the streets or opening their shop during prayer times. In January 2009, in the same city, al-Shabaab executed a politician for apostasy, alleging his cooperation with Ethiopian forces. On Jan. 28, they amputated the hand of a Kismayo man convicted of stealing fishing nets. In February, they sentenced a number of youths caught using narcotic drugs in Baidoa to public lashings.

In addition to Sharia, al-Shabaab has implemented other rules designed to help it maintain power. It has implemented rules directed at journalists “requiring that no reports be disseminated of which the administration was unaware, that only ‘factual’ news be presented, that nothing detrimental to the practice of Sharia be reported, and that no music be played on the radio that encouraged ‘sin’.”

A number of governments now look upon al-Shabaab’s rise as a major security concern. Its commitment to global jihadism, joint leadership with al-Qaeda, and military capabilities are likely to make it a problem for some time to come.

Al-Shabaab does face certain challenges from within Somalia. For example, it has clashed with another Islamist group, Ahlu Sunna wa’l-Jama’a. Despite al-Shabaab’s military capabilities, Ahlu Sunna has been able to bloody its nose on more than one occasion. In late January 2009, Ahlu Sunna captured the Dhuusa Mareeb District in central Somalia. There is a doctrinal element to these skirmishes: Though both groups are Islamist, favouring incorporating Islamic law into the laws of the state, Ahlu Sunna adheres to traditional Somali Sufi religious practice – something al-Shabaab’s hard-line Salafi outlook staunchly opposes.

Though such internal challenges may be exploited, Somali political Islam will be with us for a long time. As Menkhaus told the Washington Post, Somali leaders “are increasingly required to present themselves in some fashion as Islamist.” Against this backdrop, the top priority should be containment of the danger that al-Shabaab and other Islamist groups pose outside Somalia’s borders.

Somalia: Amnesty International Public Statement

2009-11-24T16:27:00.000-08:00

(Medeshi)
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT
24 November 2009
AI Index: AFR 52/009/2009
Unlawful killings and torture demonstrate Al Shabaab's contempt for the lives of civilians
Amnesty International today condemned the rising pattern of unlawful killings, torture and other ill-treatment, including stoning to death, amputations and floggings, carried out in public by Al Shabaab armed groups in areas under their control.

On 17 November, a woman was buried to her waist and stoned to death in a village close to Wajid in the Bakool region, while a man accused with her of committing “adultery” was given 100 lashes, the media reported. Her killing and the flogging were reportedly ordered by a “judge” working for Al Shabaab.

This follows the stoning to death on 6 November of a man named Abas Hussein Abdirahman in the city of Merka, controlled by Al Shabaab since November 2008. An Al Shabaab spokesperson said that the woman accused with Abas Hussein Abdirahman of “adultery” would also be stoned to death once she has given birth. Information received by Amnesty International indicates that the woman is 32 years old, about six months pregnant and lives in the Afgoye district.

Amnesty International urges Al Shabaab not to carry out the killing of this woman. All armed factions and religious leaders associated with Al Shabaab should immediately stop committing or ordering unlawful killings, torture and other ill-treatment, in all areas under their control. Stoning to death is both an act of murder and torture, which are crimes under international law. Armed opposition groups engaged in internal armed conflict, such as Al Shabaab in Somalia, are obliged to respect international humanitarian law, which prohibits, inter alia, “violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture”. (Common Article 3 to the Geneva Conventions).

Al Shabaab spokespeople have claimed that such acts are committed in order to enforce their own interpretation of Islamic law (shari’a) in the areas they control. Some of these acts of torture and killings have been ordered by “Al Shabaab courts”, which seem to be quasi-judicial bodies charged with dispensing “justice” in Al Shabaab controlled areas. Such acts are contrary to international humanitarian law, which prohibits "the passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgement pronounced by a regularly constituted court" (Common Article 3 to the Geneva Conventions.)

Little is known about the proceedings of “Al-Shabaab courts”, since no independent observer has been able to watch them. However, people tried in such “courts” do not appear to benefit from any due process guarantees, including legal representation or possibility of appeal.

In October 2008, members of Al Shabaab in Kismayo stoned to death a 13-year-old girl who was raped by three men. Al Shabaab claimed that she was in her twenties and had committed “adultery”. The unlawfulness and arbitrariness of such “courts” and their apparent links with Al Shabaab place civilians living under the control of Al Shabaab at serious risk of being tortured and unlawfully killed.

In recent months, members of Al Shabaab have also carried out public executions of individuals accused of collaborating with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). On 28 September, an Al Shabaab firing squad shot dead two young men in Masla, near the livestock market in northern Mogadishu, in front of a crowd of residents. They accused the two men, Hasan Moalim Abdulahi and Mohamed Ali Salad, of spying for the US Government, the TFG and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). On 25 October, they also shot dead two other young men in Merka, claiming that they had “confessed” to spying against them. Both sets of unlawful killings appear to have been committed in retaliation for a reported US helicopter attack on 14 September, which reportedly killed suspected Al Shabaab and Al Qa’ida member Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan.

Al Shabaab armed groups have taken advantage of the breakdown of the rule of law in south and central Somalia. The country lacks an effective justice system since the state effectively collapsed in 1991. Al Shabaab claim that their actions are intent on restoring law and order in Somalia. However, the actions of Al Shabaab groups and other allied armed opposition groups have on the contrary seriously undermined the security of civilians. They have conducted indiscriminate attacks and attacked their opponents from the cover of residential areas, for example in Mogadishu, and thus placed civilians at risk of the effects of the attacks. They have looted compounds and closed operations of aid agencies, and made threatening statements against them, restricting humanitarian aid on which some 3.7 million civilians depend. They have also intimidated journalists and civil society activists, who are reporting on the plight of civilians in a country devastated by conflict.

Somali and international observers strongly suspect members of Al Shabaab and allied armed groups to be behind some targeted killings of journalists and humanitarian workers in the past three years. Since the beginning of 2007, at least nine journalists have been killed in targeted killings. Of these, seven were shot dead by unidentified gunmen, making it difficult to ascertain the identity of the perpetrators of such targeted killings. However, in some cases, journalists had received death threats from people saying they were Al Shabaab members prior to being killed, and some of the killings were committed in areas controlled by Al Shabaab, including the Bakara market in Mogadishu. No one has been held accountable for such killings. While Al Shabaab spokespeople have denied involvement in some killings, Al Shabaab leaders have failed to publicly condemn attacks against journalists and order them to stop. Al Shabaab leaders do not seem to have taken any action to suspend from its forces people suspected to have committed or ordered such crimes.

Members of Al Shabaab almost invariably carry out executions, floggings and amputations in public, inviting the local population to watch. This suggests an intention, under the pretext of maintaining law and order, to assert their control over territory through public displays of cruelty and violence aimed at intimidating and instilling fear in the civilian population.

The human rights situation continues to deteriorate in Somalia. Civilians continue to be killed and injured in indiscriminate or direct attacks by all parties to the conflict, to be forcibly displaced en masse and to be denied access to essential humanitarian aid. More and more frequently they are also at risk of being executed and subjected to forms of torture by members of armed groups who assert their control on the population by showing utter disregard for human life.

Background
Al Shabaab controls at present vast areas of south and central Somalia, including major cities such as Merka, Kismayo and Baidoa, as well as districts of the capital Mogadishu. The internationally-backed TFG of Somalia exercises authority only in part of the capital, is repeatedly attacked by armed groups and has not been able to establish a national justice system. After the government of Siad Barre was ousted in 1991, Somali elders were often administering “justice”, using customary and shari’a law as a basis, in the absence of a functioning state judiciary.
Al Shabaab armed groups have grown out of the Islamic Courts Union, a movement that temporarily established control over Mogadishu and other areas in 2006. The Islamic Courts Union was credited by some civilians with bringing some security and order in many areas formerly subjected to the will of armed groups, militia and clan leaders. The Islamic Courts Union were militarily defeated by Ethiopian troops who intervened in Somalia in late 2006 to assist the Transitional Federal Government. During such military operations, numerous violations of international human rights and humanitarian law were carried out by Ethiopian and TFG troops.
After Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a former Islamic Courts Union leader, was appointed as President of the TFG in January 2009, the Transitional Federal Parliament adopted shari’a as a basis for the law in the country. Al Shabaab rejected the TFG adoption of shari’a, claiming that the TFG is allied to Western nations.

END/

Life Behind Enemy Lines—in Somalia

2009-11-24T16:24:00.001-08:00

Michael Isikoff
As Declassified noted last weekend, a recent FBI affidavit in a big Chicago terror case offered an unusually revealing glimpse of life behind “enemy lines” in Waziristan in northwest Pakistan.
ON Monday, the FBI provided an equally eye-opening look at the scene inside another jihadi stronghold, this one in the war ravaged nation of Somalia (which U.S. officials increasingly fear is becoming a haven for Al Qaeda). In the process, the bureau shed new light on how one Somali American from Minneapolis ended up losing his life in Somalia —as a suicide bomber.

Earlier this year NEWSWEEK reported on the FBI’s concern about the strange case of young Somali Americans who were disappearing from their communities in Minneapolis and elsewhere in the United States only to reemerge fighting in Somalia on behalf of Al- Shabab, a militant terror group closely aligned with Al Qaeda. As part of its charges unveiled this week against eight defendants accused of providing material support to Al-Shabab, the Justice Department unsealed an FBI affidavit recounting the experiences of one such man—an unnamed confidential informant from the Minneapolis area who has pled guilty and is now assisting the FBI. The informant described how he was among a group of four men who flew from Minneapolis in late 2007 and wound up at an Al-Shabab training camp. The training camp was attended by “dozens” of other young Somalis from Africa, Europe, and the United States, the affidavit states. Somali, Arab, and “Western” instructors were there to train the students in “small arms, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and military style tactics.” The instructors also “indoctrinated” the students with “anti-Ethiopian, anti-American, anti-Israeli and anti-Western beliefs,” the affidavit states.
One of the young men who attended the training camp with the confidential informant was a naturalized U.S. citizen named Shirwa Ahmed (who, after leaving Minneapolis that year, had first flown to Mecca for the Haj before traveling to Somalia). After departing the training camp, Ahmed later took part in an armed ambush of Ethiopian troops fighting to rid the country of the Islamic insurgents and restore its legitimate government. Ten months later, on October 29, 2008, Ahmed participated in an even bigger action: driving a truck with an improvised explosive device. (It was among five suicide-bombing attacks orchestrated by Al-Shabab that same day, killing 22 people.) Recovered in the rubble at the bomb site was a finger that was later provided to the FBI. The bureau soon confirmed: the finger belonged to Ahmed, making him the first American known to have engaged in a suicide bombing anywhere in the world.
Overall, the bureau estimates about 20 Somali-Americans have left the Minneapolis area in the past couple of years to fight in Somalia. Why do they go? The new Justice case focuses in part on a handful recruiters who have enticed the young men by glorifying the scene at the Somalia training camp. One of the recruiters, Cabdulaahi Faarax (who, according to the affidavit, was last seen on Oct. 8 at the U.S.-Mexico border on his way to Tijuana) had told young co-conspirators (including the confidential informant) that they could experience “true brotherhood” by going to fight in Somalia. Not only would the recruits have “fun” and "get to shoot guns,” Faarax also told the informant how he also got to go to Kenya and marry two women.
The one thing Faarax apparently didn’t mention was that the young recruits might end up with their bodies smashed to bits—leaving behind only one finger so their remains could be identified to their loved ones by the FBI.

A Young Man in Hargeisa Marries Two Women in the Same Night

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Medeshi updates

2009-04-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

Donors pledge over $250 million for Somalia
Open letter to participants in the Somali Donors' Conference Obama Open to Prosecuting Bush Officials Over Abuse
SOMALIA: Drought-affected flock to towns in central region
Senate Report Links CIA To Military's Harsh Tactics
EU pledges 60 mln euros for security in Somalia
U.S. takes new look at Somalia strategy
U.S. chase of Somali pirate assets faces rough seas
Why New York Is No Place to Try Somali Pirates
Piracy: 'I don't even tell my company what route I'm taking'
Pirates: the $80m Gulf connection
Somali pirate arrives in NYC, awaits court hearing
Country profile: Djibouti Gov’t urged to act on seamen held off Somalia
Somali piracy: Global overview
Pirate mother's Obama mercy plea
Desert locust swarms increase in Yemen and Somaliland
ONLF rebels support calls to probe genocide allegations in Ethiopia US threatens Eritrea over support for al-Qaeda-linked terrorists How Somalia's Fishermen Became Pirates Somali piracy and American foreign policy
UNSC Resolution on Eritrea and Djibouti
Ismail H Nuur, the most corrupt mayor in Somaliland
The Perils of Intervening in Somalia Perils of the sea
Somalia: One on one with president Dahir Rayaale Kaahin of the democratic republic of Somaliland
Will US intervention against pirates deepen Somalia's crisis?
Interrogation Memos Detail Harsh Tactics by the C.I.A.
Human tide of misery flees the anarchy of Somalia
Al Qaeda Urges Somalis To Attack Ships Ethiopian opposition stages rare protest
Eritrea becoming 'a giant prison'
Alleged Somali pirate sues German government

2009-04-23T07:29:00.001-07:00

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Donors pledge over $250 million for Somalia

UNSC Resolution on Eritrea and Djibouti

2009-04-18T04:54:00.000-07:00

UNSC Resolution on Eritrea and Djibouti
Security Council
SC/9570
Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York
Security Council
6065th Meeting (AM)
SECURITY COUNCIL URGES DJIBOUTI, ERITREA TO RESOLVE BORDER DISPUTE PEACEFULLY
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1862 (2009)

Welcomes Djibouti’s Withdrawal to Status Quo Ante; Demands Eritrea
Conduct Similar Withdrawal, Acknowledge Border Dispute within Five Weeks
Expressing its deep concern about the continuing tense border dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea and its possible impact on subregional stability and security, the Security Council today urged Djibouti and Eritrea to resolve their border dispute peacefully and demanded that Eritrea withdraw its forces within five weeks to the positions before fighting broke out between the two countries on 10 June 2008.
Unanimously adopting resolution 1862 (2009), the Council demanded that Eritrea also ensure that no military presence or activity was being pursued in Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island where the conflict took place; that it acknowledge its border dispute with Djibouti; engage actively in dialogue to defuse the tension and in diplomatic efforts leading to a mutually acceptable settlement of the border issue; and cooperate fully with the Secretary-General’s good offices.
The Council welcomed the fact that Djibouti had withdrawn its forces to the status quo ante, as called for in presidential statement S/PRST/2008/20 of 12 June 2008 (see Press Release SC/9353), and condemned Eritrea’s refusal to do so.
The Council further welcomed the offer of good offices by the Secretary-General, but deeply regretted that Eritrea had refused to grant visas to members of a United Nations fact-finding mission in September.
The Secretary-General was requested to submit a report on the situation to the Council within six weeks, after which the Council would review the situation and take a further decision.
The meeting started at 10:20 a.m. and adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
Resolution
The full text of resolution 1862 (2009) reads as follows:
“The Security Council,
“Affirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of both Djibouti and Eritrea, and recalling the importance of the principles of good-neighbourliness, non-interference and regional cooperation,
“Recalling that in the statement of its President dated 12 June 2008 (S/PRST/2008/20) it condemned Eritrea’s military action against Djibouti in Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island and called upon the two parties to show maximum restraint and withdraw forces to the status quo ante,
“Taking note of the letter of the Secretary-General dated 11 September 2008 (S/2008/602) in which he transmitted the report of the fact-finding mission he sent following its 5924th meeting (S/PV.5924),
“Expressing its deep concern that, as mentioned in the report of the fact-finding mission referred to above, Eritrea has not withdrawn its forces to the status quo ante, as called for by the Security Council in the statement of its President dated 12 June 2008 (S/PRST/2008/20),
“Reiterating its serious concern at the absence of dialogue between the two parties, and at the refusal of Eritrea so far to engage in dialogue, or to accept bilateral contacts, mediation or facilitation efforts by subregional or regional organizations or to respond positively to the efforts of the Secretary-General,
“Noting that Djibouti has withdrawn its forces to the status quo ante and has cooperated fully with the fact-finding mission mentioned above, as well as with other missions sent by subregional and regional organizations,
“Taking note of the first visit to Asmara, since the conflict of June 2008, of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union in October 2008,
“Expressing its deep concern about the continuing tense border dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea and over the possible impact of the grave and unstable security situation in the area of Doumeira on subregional stability and security after the serious incidents of 10 June 2008, which led to dozens of deaths and wounded,
“1. Urges Djibouti and Eritrea to resolve their border dispute peacefully, as a matter of priority and in a manner consistent with international law, and emphasizes that it is the primary responsibility of the parties to set up the appropriate diplomatic and legal framework to this end;
“2. Reiterates its appreciation for the efforts by the Secretary-General, the African Union and the Arab League to engage both parties, encourages them to strengthen their efforts in this regard and encourages also regional and subregional organizations as well as Members States that are in a position to provide their assistance to this end to do so;
“3. Welcomes the offer of good offices made by the Secretary-General, deeply regrets that Eritrea has continuously refused to grant visas to the members of the fact-finding mission mentioned above, or to receive any envoy by the Secretary-General, and welcomes the continued readiness of the Secretary-General to send a fact-finding mission or an envoy to Eritrea;
“4. Welcomes the fact that Djibouti has withdrawn its forces to the status quo ante, as called for by the Security Council in the statement of its President dated 12 June 2008 (S/PRST/2008/20) and established by the fact-finding mission, and condemns the refusal of Eritrea to do so;
“5. Demands that Eritrea:
“(i) Withdraw its forces and all their equipment to the positions of the status quo ante, and ensure that no military presence or activity is being pursued in the area where the conflict occurred in Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island in June 2008, and
“(ii)Acknowledge its border dispute with Djibouti in Ras Doumeira and Doumeira Island, engage actively in dialogue to defuse the tension and engage also in diplomatic efforts leading to a mutually acceptable settlement of the border issue, and
“(iii) Abide by its international obligations as a Member of the United Nations, respect the principles mentioned in article 2, paragraphs 3, 4, and 5, and article 33 of the Charter, and cooperate fully with the Secretary-General, in particular through his proposal of good offices mentioned in paragraph 3;
“6. Demands that Eritrea comply immediately with paragraph 5 above and, in any case, no later than five weeks after the adoption of this resolution;
“7. Requests the Secretary-General to provide to it a report on the evolution of the situation, and on the compliance by both parties with their obligations, and on his contacts with both parties and, as appropriate, with the African Union and other relevant regional organizations no later than six weeks after the adoption of this resolution;
“8. Decides to review the situation six weeks from the adoption of this resolution, on the basis of the report mentioned in paragraph 7, with a view to taking, as appropriate, a further decision;
“9. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

Musuqmaasuq Baahsan Iyo Maammul Silloon Oo Hadheeyay Ceerigaabo Qaybtii 1'aad

2009-04-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

Musuqmaasuq Baahsan Iyo Maammul Silloon Oo Hadheeyay Ceerigaabo Qaybtii 1'aad
Written by Qarannews
Apr 12, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Qormadan oo aynu kaga hadli doonno dhinacyo badan waxaynu qaybtan 1'aad ku eegaynaa dhaqaalaha ka soo baxa biyaha Ceerigaabo iyo qaabka loo maammulo dhaqaalahaas.

Dhaqaalaha: Sida ay sheegeen ilo xog ogaal ahi kiyoostayaalka biyaha ee gudaha magaalada Ceerigaabo ayaa waxa celcelis ahaan maalintii kasta ka soo xeroota lacag u dhiganta $ 265.00 doollar. Taas oo bil kasta noqonaysa lacag dhan $ 7950.00 doollar.

Halka labada ceel/riig ee iyagana bulshada iyo xoolaha deggan miyiga iyo gaadiidka (booyadaha iwm) laga dhaansado iyagana celcelis ahaan qiyaasta bil kasta ay ka soo xeroon karto lacag u dhiganta $ 450.00 doollar.

Guryaha magaalada Ceerigaabo ee biyaha la gashaday oo gaadhaya 400 guri ayaa celcelis ahaan bil kasta waxa iyagana kazoo xeroota lacag aan ka yarayn qiyaastii $ 2000.00 doollar
Beeraha goobaanka Ceerigaabo ee biyuhu ku jiraan ayaa qiyaasta ugu dhow waxa ka soo xeroon karta celcelis ahaan lacag aan ka yarayn $ 650.00 doollar.
Isugeynta guud ahaan dhaqaalaha joogtada ee bil kasta kazoo xerooda biyaha Ceerigaabo ayaa lagu qiyaasi karaa lacag dhan $ 11,050.00 doollar.
Taas oo halkii sano isugeynta ah lacag dhan $ 132,600.00. dollar.
Intaas waxa dheer marka guri ama beer kastaba cidda danaynaysaa biyaha gashanayso waxa laga qaadaa lacagta oggolaanshaha biyo-gelinta oo ah $ 50.00 doollar, lacagtaas oo ciddaas hal saacadda sheegta isticmaalka biyaha mooyaane aan wax kale kaga soo noqon, wixii kale ee baahiyaadkiisa (qalab iyo gacan iwm) ahna ay ciddaasi isu qabto.
Dhinaca kharashka joogtada ah sida shidaallada saliidaha iwm ayaa maaddaama qaabka mishiinnadu u shaqeeyaan tahay in la daaro maalintii laba jeer (subax iyo galab) waqti hal saac aan ka badnayn ayna buuxiyaan labada taangi (kaydka biyaha) kaddibna taangiyadaasi waraabiyaan kiyoostayaalka magaalada gudeheedu ka cabto ayaa kharashka ku baxaa celcelis ahaan bil kastaba la odhan karaa in uu yahay lacag aan ka badnayn $ 1500.00 ilaa $ 1800.00 doolar, iyo mushaharka shaqaalaha ka shaqeeya biyaha Ceerigaabo. Mana jirto wax qalab (mishiinno iwm) la taaban karo oo kayd ahaan loogu talo galay oo laga iibiyey dhaqaalahan biyaha kazoo baxaya.Maammulka:- Lagasoo bilaabo xilligii la doortay golayaasha degaanka ee 2000 ilaa manta waxa biyaha Ceerigaabo maammulkooda si buuxda gacanta ugu haya Maayorka Ceerigaabo, taas oo meesha ka saartay wakaaladdii biyaha ee maammul ahaan hoos tegaysey wasaaradda macdanta iyo biyaha, ayna manta u muuqato in ay tahay waax-dhaqaale oo katirsan dawladda hoose oo maammul ahaan iyo dhaqaale ahaan toonna aan xukuumadda dhexe iyo xukuumadda sare midkoodna aanay waxba la ogayn, wax dabagal ahna aan cidina ku samayn karin marnaba, cid kalena aanay wax talo bixin ku lahayn.
Taas darteedna dhaqaalaha biyaha ka soo xerooda ayaa ah mid uu maayorku u adeegsado danihiisa siyaasadeed iyo waxyaabo kale oo ay ka mid yihiin golihii degaanka ee loo doortay in ay ka shaqeeyaan danaha bulshadu marka laga reebo go'aanka sababay muddaharaadkii 01/May/05 ee dhaawacyada iyo khasaarayaalka kaleba ka dhasheen oo ahaa mid qiimaha biyaha lagu iibinayey 100% lagu kordhiyey aan iyagu iska daa dan ay bulshada uga shaqeeyaane intooda badani meel ay ku danbeeyeen aan la garan karin, iyo in uu maayorku qoran karo shaqaale cusub oo biyaha ka shaqeeya oo aan xukuumadduna la ogayn, kuwaas oo weliba aanay ku jirin inta badan eheladii ama dadkii biyaha hore uga soo shaqayn jirey oo iyagu xaq u lahaa in ay helaan xuquuqdoodii hore ama ay ka mid ahaadaan shaqaalaha rasmiga ee biyaha Ceerigaabo, sidoo kalena samaysan karo ilaalo u gaar ah isaga oo hayb ahaan iyo siyaasad ahaanba uu kaga soo xushay boliiska, kuwaas oo xataa laga beddeli karin, kana amar qaadan madaxda talisyada ay kazoo jeedaan, sidoo kalena xataa tavavvarrada ciidammadu galaan iyo hawlgalladooda toonna aanay ka qayb qaadan iyagu.
Waxan iyaguba meesha ka madhnayn dad kale oo ka shaqeeya xulufaysiga iyo hirgelinta siyaasadeed ee beelaha dhexdooda oo xataa mararka qaarkood ay dhacdo in madax-dhaqameedyada beelaha qaarkood oo loo arko in aanay laqi karin siyaasaddaas laga soo dhinac sameeyo madax-dhaqameed cusub oo beeshiisa ah oo isagu la jaan-qaadi kara xulufaysiga iyo siyaasadda maammulka silloon ee degmada Ceerigaabo.
Lasoco..............................

C/laahi Xasan Darwiish
Ceerigaabo
Somaliland
Wariyaha Shabaakda Qarannews Ee Ceerigaabo Oo Xabsiga Loo Taxaabay.

Written by Qarannews desk
Apr 14, 2009 at 06:19 AM

Waxa saaka subaxnimadii hore isagoo markaas uun xafiiskiisa u soo shaqo tagay lagu soo weeraray weriyaha shabakadda Qarannews uga soo warama caasimadda gobolka sanaag ee Ceerigaabo weriye Cabdilaahi Xasan Darwiish isla markaana xabsiga loo taxaabay.
Weriyahan waxa xafiiskiisa ku soo weeraray isla markaasna goobtaasi ku gacansaaray 7 askari iyaga oo isla markiiba boobsiiyay dhirbaaxo, candhuuf, iyo qoriga dabadiisa iyago aan u axran yeelin wariyahaasi isla markaasina ku qaatay baabuurkii ay wateen, sida ay noo xaqiijiyeen xubnno ilo xog ogaal ahi
Todobadaasi askari waxay tuseen weriyaha warqadda amarka xadhigiisa oo uu ku saxeexan yahay nin isku magacaabay ku simaha xeer-ilaaliyaha guud ee gobolka sanaag, balse aanay magaciisa xusin, waxa aanay u sheegeen in uu todoba cisho xabsigaasi ku jiri doono isla markaasina aan loo ogalayn wax qareen ah ama cid ku soo booqata oo aan ahayn cida cuntada u keenaysa, wariyaha oo mobil-kiisa kula soo xidhiidhay markii uu soo miyirsaday shabakada qarannews waxa uu noo sheegay in uu xaq daro u xidhanyahay isla markaasina aan sifo sharci ahayn loo soo qafaashay oo xabsiga loo soo dhigay isaga oo sheegay intii aan xabsiga weyn loo soo gudbin in saacado lagu hayay saldhiga magaalada Ceerigaabo, halkaasi oo la ioiga soo gudbiyay ayuu yidhi jeelka weyn oo aan hada ku cadilanahay.
Mar aanu isku daynay inaanu xidhiidh la samayno xeer-ilaaliyaha guud ee gobolka oo isla magaalada Ceerigaabo ku sugan, wuu ka gaabsaday inuu faahfaahin dheeraad ah ka bixiyo ilaa inta uu ka hubsanayo cidda falkan ka dambeysa, waxa aanu sheegay in aanu isagu waxba ka ogayn wax warqad ah oo lagu xidhaayo wariyaahsina aanu isagu qorin, garaacsitan iyo xidhitaankan loo gaystay wariye Darwiish waxa shalay loo gaystay gacan saar ay sameeyeen rag dharcad ah oo daacad u ah maamulka degmada taasi oo aanu shalay muujinay dulqaadkeeda.
Sida ay noosoo xaqiijiyeen ilo xogogaal ah oo ku sugan Ceerigaabo weriyahana xidhiidh la sameeyey waxay noo soo sheegeen in weriyaha lagu haysto qormo cinwaankeedu ahaa "Musuqmaasuq baahsan iyo maamul sillan oo hadheeyey ceerigaabo", kaas oo kusoo baxay shabakadda Qarannews 12-April-09 kuna deedafeeyey qaabka loo maamulo lacagaha ka soo hoyda wakaaladda horumarinta biyaha lacagtaasi oo uu waryahu uu sheegay in ayna ku hoyanin wasaarada macdanta iyo biyaha ee uu si gaar ah u maamusho golaha deegaanka ee Ceerigaabo.
Maayarka degmada,golaha degaanka iyo dhamaan shaqsiyaadka ka dambeeya fal dambiyeedkan xoriyadda lagaga qaaday weriye Darwiish, ha ogaadaan in xidhida hal weriye ama masuul kale aanay daah saari karin musuqmaasuqa ku baahay degmada iyo kooxda maafiyada ah ee jeebka ku shubata cashuurtii degmada.
Haddaanu nahay bahda Qarannews waxaan maamulka gobolka usoo jeedinaynaa in muwaadinkan xoriyadiisii loo soo celiyo, sida ugu dhakhsaha badanna loo soo daayo, baadhitaana lagu sameeyo ciddii ka dambeysay falkan argagixisada ah, isla markaasna si deg deg ah xoriyadiisii loogu soo celiyo wariye Darwiish.
Sida ay doontaba ha ahaatee Wariye Darwiishana waxa uu ka midyahay wariyayaasha sida rasmigaha ugu shaqeeya shabakada qarannews, ee hadh iyo habayn u hawl gala sidii ay dadka u soo gaadhsiin lahaayeen warar rasmi ah warkii ugu danbeeyay ee uu gobolka ka soo diraana waxa uu ahaa wararkii socdaalka wasiirka waxbarashada iyo warar kale ciwaanada hoose riix si aad u akhrisatid isala markaasna u daawatid sawiradii uu soo gudbinaayay wariye Darwiish.