Thursday, July 31, 2008

Security Council ends UN monitoring of Eritrea-Ethiopia row




UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The Security Council voted unanimously Wednesday to end the UN monitoring of the festering border dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia but urged the bitter rivals to refrain from any use of force. The 15-member council adopted a Belgian-drafted resolution that terminates the mandate of the 1,700-strong UN mission monitoring the border dispute (UNMEE), which expires Thursday.The text calls on the two Horn of Africa rivals "to show maximum restraint and refrain from any threat or use of force against each other and to avoid provocative military activities."The council decision came in response to crippling restrictions imposed by Eritrea on the operation of UNMEE and Ethiopia's refusal to recognize a binding verdict by an international boundary panel that granted the flashpoint border town of Badme to Eritrea.Under a 2000 Algiers peace deal which ended their two-year border war, Eritrea and Ethiopia had pledged to accept as "final and binding" a verdict by the panel on their dispute.Resolution 1827 stresses that the termination is "without prejudice to Ethiopia and Eritrea's obligation under the (2000) Algiers agreements




His Excellency Ambassador Samuel Assefa Interview with BBC on the UN decision to terminate UN Ethio-Eritrea Mission. Interview

Somali insurgents kill police officer in sneak attack


MOGADISHU, Somalia July 31 - Terrorist insurgents killed a police officer in a sneak attack Thursday in the Somali capital Mogadishu, witnesses told Radio Garowe.
The dead police officer was working at a major intersection in Hodan district when insurgents attacked. According to eyewitnesses, one civilian was killed in the crossfire between the police and the attackers. more..http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_insurgents_kill_Mogadishu_police_officer_in_sneak_attack.shtml

Arab media deny ignoring Darfur


number of Arab journalists have rejected criticism that Arabic-language media has ignored the Darfur conflict.
In recent months, western experts and media advocacy groups have said that the alleged crimes committed in Darfur – rape, burning and razing of villages, and the plight of tens of thousands of refugees – have been poorly reported in the Arab press.
As recently as April 2007, the Middle East Media Research Institute (Memri) said the violence in Darfur had "received scant coverage in most of the Arab media".
Sudan to Execute Darfur Rebels

MPs Demand Prime Minister's Resignation


BAIDOA, Somali law makers in the country's southwestern town of Baidoa, where the parliament sits, have called on Prime Minister Nur "Adde" Hassan Hussein to resign during a meeting on Thursday.A document, signed by 32 Members of Parliament, was handed over to parliament leaders today.MP Nasro Abdisalam, who read the document to journalists in Baidoa, accused Prime Minister Nur Adde's government of "constitutional violations," "misuse of government funds" and "interfering with the Central Bank's affairs."The 32 MPs reached the decision after reading a memo from the Somali parliament' s finance subcommittee, which detailed government revenue and expenditure since the Prime Minister's appointment in November.
The lawmakers' document called on interim President Abdullahi Yusuf to accept the Prime Minister's resignation, should Nur Adde decide to resign.Government sources in Baidoa tell that "many" of the MPs calling for Prime Minister Nur Adde's resignation are seen as allies of President Yusuf.

Sacking of Mogadishu Mayor Plunges Somalia Into Political Crisis

move by Somalia's Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein to replace some cabinet ministers who reportedly resigned in protest after the controversial yet powerful mayor of Mogadishu was sacked is generating intense debate. Hussein reportedly said the resignations would not affect government's work, adding that the transitional government was working well despite the resignations, which he claims were designed to create instability in the country and to undermine a recently signed Djibouti peace process between the government and an Eritrea-based opposition more.. http://voanews.com/english/Africa/2008-08-05-voa3.cfm

Inside the Ring War of ideas


James K. Glassman, the new undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, has launched a more aggressive program to counter Islamist extremism through a war of ideas.
"The war of ideas is a very important aspect of the non-kinetic part of the war on terror," Mr. Glassman said in an interview this week. "In fact, it may be the most important aspect of the war on terror."
Mr. Glassman's office is the lead federal agency in organizing both policy and programs designed to "push back against violent extremist ideology." Most of the focus is on al Qaeda and other radical Islamist groups.
The war of ideas is supposed to be one of three equal components of the U.S.-led war on terrorism, after military operations and law enforcement and intelligence counterterrorism. more..http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/31/inside-the-ring-9598419/

Terrorism to be threat for decades




WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates says that even winning the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will not end the "Long War" against violent extremism and that the fight against al-Qaeda and other terrorists should be the nation's top military priority over coming decades, according to a new National Defense Strategy he approved last month more. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25943246

Madrid and Paris seek allies to fight piracy off Somalia coast


MADRID (AFP) - Spain and France are looking for allies to create a multinational naval force to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia, defence ministers from both countries said Wednesday in Madrid. "Our wish is that as many countries as possible" participate, Spanish minister Carme Chacon said following talks with her French counterpart Herve Morin.
The coastal waters off Somalia -- which has not had an effective central government for more than 17 years and is plagued by insecurity -- are considered to be among the most dangerous in the world. more..http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080730/wl_africa_afp/spainfranceeusomaliapiracydefence_080730210125

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

'Karachi kids': We weren't captives



The documentary is startling: It says two boys from the U.S. were held captive in a Pakistani madrassa that was once visited by Osama bin Laden. But it turns out the school isn't tied to terror -- that bin Laden never visited it. And the boys? They say they weren't captives either: "I was never held against my will." full story

Somali prime minister sacks Mogadishu mayor

MOGADISHU, July 30 (Reuters) - Somalia's prime minister has sacked Mogadishu's powerful mayor, a government spokesman said on Wednesday, exposing a possible rift at the top of the country's embattled interim administration.
Mohamed Dheere, a former warlord who has run the anarchic capital since early last year, is seen as a close ally of President Abdullahi Yusuf. A senior official said Yusuf had not approved Dheere's dismissal. more..http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L0652337.htm

Mogadishu mayor refuses to step down http://www.afrol.com/articles/30067

Guardsmen deploy. Family, friends gather as unit leaves for Horn of Africa


Brandy White patted the head of her eldest son, trying to remain strong. Standing at the entrance of Jackson's Tennessee National Guard Armory, White was one of about 40 wives, family and Guard members, former soldiers and others who came to wish her husband and the men of his detachment a safe and healthy mission and a speedy return home.
Nine men of the 775th Engineer Detachment left for Camp Shelby, Miss., from the armory on F.E. Wright Drive at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Four others left on Saturday. The 13 soldiers eventually will be sent to the Horn of Africa, where they will drill for water in remote areas. They will be in the country of Djibouti for at least a year. more.http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080730/NEWS01/807300317

Let Them Starve


July 30, 2008: The Transitional National Government (TNG), a coalition of clan and warlord militias, has reached a standoff, and an agreement to try and make peace, with a rival coalition, the Islamic Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia (ARS). The ARS has succeeded, after two weeks of effort, in getting about two thirds of their members (clans and religious leaders) to agree to a truce. But radical factions of the Islamic Courts Union (the ICU, which is part of the ARS) want to keep fighting. That means at least ten percent of the clan warriors in southern Somalia are still officially at war with the world, and many of the other gunmen in the region are willing to break the truce, if the payoff is large enough. .more.http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/somalia/articles/20080730.aspx

UN peacekeeping chief worried about Somalia mission

UNITED NATIONS, (Reuters) - U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Marie Guehenno said on Tuesday he was worried about a possible plan to send U.N. troops to Somalia when it is unclear who controls militants on the ground more..http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N29358726.htm

Somali insurgents dismiss UN-mediated truce



MOGADISHU (AFP) — A second armed Islamist group in Somalia has rejected a UN-mediated peace agreement, and vowed Wednesday to continue fighting.
Terrorist Mukhtar Robow, spokesman for the armed Islamist group Shabab, told reporters the accord signed in Djibouti last month is "null and void". more.http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jEbPgLH57ZEXEVV86iEuDztNh_1w

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Ethiopia’s drive to bring peace, stability in Horn deserves encouragement: French Ambassador




Addis Ababa, July 29 - The efforts Ethiopia has been exerting to bring about peace and stability in the Horn of Africa is a useful experience to other countries, the French Ambassador to Ethiopia said. Ambassador Stephan Gompertz told WIC that the ongoing efforts of Ethiopia to establish relations based on mutual benefits with neighboring countries so as to bring stability in the region should be encouraged. The ambassador, who noted that Ethiopia has strong and good relations with its neighbors, pointed out that the effort it has been exerting to bring peace in North and South Sudan is admirable. The country’s willingness to send peace keeping force to Darfur as it did to other African countries is an indication of its commitment for peace, he stressed. Ethiopia has been paying sacrifices to bring peace and stability in Somalia, Ambassador Gompertz said, adding that the cooperative spirit of the country and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) testifies to this. The cease fire agreement reached between the TFG and opposition forces should be consolidated, he underlined , further urging the world community to assist the good works of Ethiopia in bringing about peace and stability in the Horn.

Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, President of the Somalia Transitional Federal Government Returns to Mogadishu


Mogadishu, Somalia - Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed has returned today to Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The president has been in Garowe, the capital city of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland where he held talks with the president of Puntland Gen. Ade Muse as well members of both houses of Puntland. Among issues the President discussed were the region’s upcoming general elections, security and oil explorations in the region. The president was welcomed at Adam Ade International Airport in Mogadishu by the prime minister of the TFG as well as members from the two chambers of the TFG. Before the president arrived at the airport, a large number of Ethiopian and Somali troops were stationed at Maka Al-Mukaram Street who stopped traffic on the street for several hours. No violence has been reported due to the arrival of the president which in the past occurred on several occasions coinciding with the president’s arrival or departure from the airport. It is reported that the president safely arrived the Presidential Place, Villa Somalia.

A new trend in Somalia chaos


The news could not have come at a worse time. As the UN refugee boss Antonio Gutterres toured Dadaab camp in North Eastern, he learned that terrorists had killed or kidnapped some of the key men who work for the return of these people to their homeland. It was an emphatic confirmation that the workers whose toil could eventually relieve Kenya of its great burden are now the number-one target for al Qaeda in the Horn. more..http://politics.nationmedia.com/Blog/default.asp?Display=314

Ethiopian-trained troops to stabilize the country















The president of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia [TFG], Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmad, has for the first time spoken about the Ethiopia-trained Somali soldiers who have been arriving in the country.He said the soldiers were part of the Somali army and would play a role in stabilizing the country .The president made the statement in a speech to Puntland parliament, in which he spoke about various issues. The president is currently on visit to Puntland.
“They will be assigned to secure Mogadishu and the other important areas of the country” Yusuf said as he was speaking at his homeland town of Bosaso, Puntland semiautonomous.
The president said that TFG was ready to open talks with all those who want peace, since it is a reconciliatory government.He urged residents of Puntland to prepare themselves for elections, amid reports of violence in some parts of Puntland.Yusuf’s remarks come as hundreds of Somali soldiers trained in Ethiopia have arrived in Somali capital Mogadishu as they were suddenly greeted with mortars by islamists as they moved to Heliwa hotspot area where heavy fighting ha suddenly erupted. Gunmen attacked an Ethiopian army base in Mogadishu later on sunday, setting off an intense hour-long firefight in one of Mogadishu's ramshackle neighborhoods. Ethiopian troops are backing Somalia's transitional government, and last month they helped rout out the Somali jehadist that had controlled much of the country.


“The Newly Trained Troops Should be Paid” Says the Speaker of the Somali

Parliament


Baidoa,somalia-The Somali parliamentarians have recently unanimously approved in one voice that the newly trained Somali police force should stay and manage the security of Baidoa town the current base of the Somali transitional federal government. The speaker of the Somali assembly sheikh Adan Mohamed Noor (Madobe) flanked some members of the Somali parliament addressed this police force yesterday evening in the fringes of Baidoa town.
The speaker Mr. Madobe encouraged these force numbering 1500 to maintain the security of the region and informed them they can be dispatched to any other place in Somali and have to sustain the security of Somalia as one. The speaker and the minister of land and air transportation Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade have specifically requested from these police force to whole heartedly maintain the security of the town. Some of the other mentionable dignitaries include the police commander of Bay region and some other top police officers.
So far these soldiers have not fully operated in the twon though some of them could be seen strolling in some parts of the town.

jehadist Killed in Two Attacks Somali Government spokesman



Ethiopian and Somali government soldiers killed 13 jehadist fighters in clashes at two military bases in the capital, Mogadishu, said Colonel Dahir Mohamed Hersi, a Somali army spokesman.
The Heela Barise camp housing Ethiopian soldiers in the north of the city, as well a base used by newly trained Somali soldiers, were attacked by the Islamists late yesterday, Hersi said .. '' Ethiopian troops were invented by Transitional National Government of Somalia Somalia in December 2006 to help the United Nations-backed transitional federal government oust an Islamic militia from southern and central parts of the country. Al-Shabaab jehadist , one of the insurgent groups operating in Somalia, has been accused of providing safe-haven and logistical support to al-Qaeda, which aims to establish a caliphate, or Islamic government, in the Horn of Africa nation. At least four insurgents were captured in yesterday's attack, Hersi said. One government soldier was injured.

Somali opposition rivals will not talk-Islamist




MOGADISHU, July 28 (Reuters) - Hardline Somali Islamist Terrorist Hassan Dahir Aweys said on Monday the exiled opposition would not negotiate with a rival faction that signed a peace deal with Somalia's transitional government. more. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L8013553.htm

UN special representative to Somalia Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah paid visit to Minnesota







Minneapolis, MN - In an effort to propagate the Djibouti accord and seek advice, UN special representative to Somalia Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah paid visit to Minnesota where majority of the Somalis in the US resides. In part, the purpose of the visit was explained to be an outreach effort to the Somalis in the diaspora. that this conference was inclusive, bipartisan and open to the public. Mr. Abdallah started his speech with a disclaimer arguing what he was going to say was just his “personal experience … opinion as Muslim and African”. Also, Ambassador Ahmedou stated that he was there to seek advice on how to best pursue peace in Somalia from the Somalis in the Diaspora. Ahmedou’s remarks seemed to focus on alleviating the suffering of the Somalis by finding resources and political settlements between the opposing groups. Speaking of badly needed resources, Ambassador Ahmedou talked about how the people of Somalia could benefit from relocating the UN staff in Nairobi to Somalia. He argued that even though these individual are collecting salaries to help Somalis they don’t live in Somalia and don’t rent, buy or pay Somalis. Representative Ahmedou ask the Somalis in Diaspora to united and work hard to attract the bigger countries like the United States to bring stabilities to their homeland. He said “Somalis has to take leading role in efforts to bring solution to their long lasting conflict … you must work with your elected officials about bring peace to Somalia” he added Additionally, he said “Somalis in the diaspora must protect their country’s name, Somalia, work hard and organize to succeed life in their adopted country, and be positive partners in the peace process back home.” As a lot of countries where not forthcoming to provide troops, representative Ahmedou said “why would countries send their troops to die for you? … simply many countries are not ready to risk sending troops to Somalia.” Speaking about his plans or next steps, Ambassador Ahmed stated “I plan to ask US, EU, and Arab countries a financial help by the end of this year”. He also mentioned to have planed to ask again the UN to relocate its staff to Somalia. From the reactions of the participants and audience of the event, it seems as though the Djabouti agreement provided some hope and awaiting to see how the international community keeps its part of the

Sunday, July 27, 2008

TFG Lays the Foundation for the Reconstruction of Banadir Stadium


Mogadishu, Somalia - Somalia’s National Football Federation announced today that that Benadir football stadium will go under reconstruction.Senior TFG dignitaries attended the opening ceremony for the reconstruction of the stadium which took place at the stadium. The TFG dignitaries that attended the ceremony include the Minister of Information, sports and youth Mr. Ahmed Abdisalam Haji Adam, the Minister of Public Works and Housing Mr. Nur Idow Beyle and the deputy mayor of Mogadishu for social affair Mohamed Osman Ali (Dhagah-tur).Also in attendance were members of Somalia’s Olympic Committee including Adam Haji Yabarow (Wiish), Mohamed Ahmed Olow (Haji Olow) and Professor Mohamed Ali


Adow as well as members from Somalia’s Football Club Association including chairman of Somali Football Federation Mr. Said Mohamud Nur Mugambe, vice chair of Somalia’s Football Club Association Mr. Ali Said and the General Secretary of the Association Mr. Abdigani Said Arab.The Minister of Information, Youth and Sports who is also serves as deputy of the TFG’s Prime Minister Mr. Ahmed Abdisalaan Haji Adam laid the foundation stone for the construction of the stadium. Speaking at the reconstruction ceremony the Minister said that he is pleased to be part of the ceremony for the reconstruction of the stadium and added that the reconstruction plan has been implemented by Somalia’s Football Federation. “It is good news to hear people talking about the reconstruction of the country while in the past people talked about destruction and things that not good which are broadcast in the media” said the Minister who thanked Somalia Football Club Association for their work and efforts as well as thanking FIFA for the financing the reconstruction work.Chairman of Somalia’s Football Federation Mr. Said Mohamud Nur (Said Mugambe) also talked about the ceremony and said that a lot of efforts were made for realization of the reconstruction project and added that this has been going on since 2006. He also thanked FIFA for their support.Benadir Stadium was built in 1956 and the last reconstruction was made on the late 1980s during . Honourable Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre Goverment .The reconstruction of the stadium is part of FIFA plan to support the reconstruction of many football stadiums in Africa. It is noteworthy that the reconstruction of the stadium comes at a time when the National Football Stadium is currently being used by Ethiopian troops as a military base although the Minister said that stadium will also go under reconstruction, all Hawiye clan Terrorist destroy business ,government property , School, University’s, Hospitals,The Mogadishu city witnessed the first sign of civil war first hawiye terrorist entered the city in 1991.Hawiye Regions: Galgudud, Hiraan, north Shabelle, and Benadir: The Hawiye-inhabitated territory south of Puntland and extending to Mogadishu is the home region of the Habr Gidir clan and Sheikh Aweys. The Hawiye are about 25% of Somalia's population. But there is a deep split in the Hawiye between the Habr Gidir and the Abgal. The Hawiye, led by General Farah Aideed, evicted Siad Barre from Mogadishu in January 1991, but once Siad Barre was gone, tension developed between the local Abgal clan (led by Ali Mahdi) and General Aideed's Habr Gidir newcomers (who came from central Somalia). Conflict between these two clans resulted in 14,000 deaths and the destruction of Mogadishu in 1992 (HRW 1995). The top leaders of the UIC, Sheikh Aweys, warlord Indahadde, and Afghanistan-trained militia leader Hashi Ayro, are all from the Habr Gedir. In fact all are from the Ayr subclan of the Habr Gedir. The UIC's ability to balance the interests of the various Hawiye clans and subclans will determine the reaction of the people to the TFG and Ethiopian intervention. The TFG prime minister, Nur Hassan Hussein , is a civil society activist from the Abgal clan of the Hawiye but may not have strong support within his clan.
The Islamic courts in Mogadishu are clan-based and represent differing aims. The faction led by Sheihk Aweys is openly working towards establishment of an Islamic state. Yet the radical Islamists are poorly educated and may not be qualified to administer Sharia. In 2002, the previous attempt at forming a government (the Islamist-oriented TNG) required all Sharia judges to take an exam or resign. Sheikh Aweys was one of those who refused

There is an unfolding political crisis in southern Somalia. Over the past two years, a collection of local clan-based courts in Mogadishu have evolved to become the most powerful military force in southern Somalia. The courts, known collectively as the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), have expelled militia warlords from Mogadishu and brought a level of peace and security.
However, radical Islamists tied to al-Qaeda and al-Ittihad al-Islami have assumed central roles within the UIC, creating a significant threat to regional security. The UIC has also taken an intransigent stance versus the UN-recognized Transitional Federal Government (TFG), threatening to undo the two-year negotiation process that had reached consensus on re-establishing the Somali state.
...hopes have been dashed by the rapid consolidation of power on the part of hardline elements within the [UIC]. Led by Hassan Dahir Aweys, the hardliners control most of the sharia militias, the flow of weapons arriving via Eritrea, and funds pouring in from both non-state and state sponsors of the [UIC], including Iran. This virtual monopoly on coercive and financial assets has allowed the hardliners to outmaneuver moderates and dictate policies. - Somalia, Spiraling Toward War, K. Menkhaus, CSIS Africa Policy Forum, Sep 14, 2006
The resurrection of al-Ittihad in a new form, its links with al-Qaeda, its threat to Puntland and Somaliland, and its public declarations of hostility towards Ethiopia present a significant security threat to Ethiopia and to the international community.
Ethiopia has three basic alternatives for dealing with the crisis:
1. Full-scale intervention to defeat the radical Islamists; Ethiopian troops try to enter Mogadishu and help the TFG establish itself there.
2. Limited intervention to stabilize the situation and isolate the radical Islamists, followed by negotiations to include moderate Islamists in the Transitional Federal Government. UN-sanctioned peacekeepers could then be brought in. Ethiopian troops would not try to enter Mogadishu.
3. Negotiation only; No intervention: Unilateral withdrawal of existing Ethiopian forces; imposition of a tighter arms embargo, and diplomatic initiatives to promote negotiation between the TFG and the UIC. If negotiations fail to resolve the crisis, Ethiopia could follow a containment policy and (a) wait for the the UIC to implode due to internal clan, economic, and religious divisions, or (b) defend itself within Ethiopia against an expected radical Islamist jihad to recover "western Somalia" and against additional foreign-sponsored subversive activities
The first alternative would be a disaster and must be avoided. The last alternative, (negotiation and defensive containment along the Ethio-Somali border) would be reasonable under normal circumstances when dealing with a sovereign state. But giving the radical Islamists and their foreign allies a free hand in stateless Somalia is an abdication of responsibility. The end result could be far more costly to Ethiopia (and Somalia) in the long run.
But this is the alternative recommended by the experts of the International Crisis Group (ICG), and many, (if not most) knowledgeable western observers. In its August 2006 report the ICG explains its opposition to Ethiopian intervention and its belief that this will fracture the TFG and help the radical Islamists gain popular support:
"The single most important foreign actor in Somali affairs, Ethiopia, is the TFG's patron and principal advocate in the international community. It has legitimate security interests in Somalia and has in the past intervened constructively to support reconciliation and state-building, notably in Somaliland and Puntland. But its current engagement has been deeply divisive and has undermined its own security objectives."
- "Rather than bolstering the TFG's fortunes, intervention seems bound to produce exactly the opposite result by undermining the TFG's pretence that it represents the will of the Somali people" - Can the Somali Crisis be Contained? ICG, Aug 10, 2006
But the ICG's recommendation for negotiation without intervention has no chance of success. As long as radicals such as former al-Ittihad leaders Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys and Hassan Turki exercise effective control over the UIC, they will never agree to negotiations with the TFG. Their openly declared goal is the establishment of an Islamic state across the Horn of Africa. Their association with al-Qaeda means that they will never disarm.
The recommendation of western experts such as the ICG seems to take into account the remoteness of Somalia and its limited utility for launching attacks against Westerners. Only a relatively small number of western tourists are at risk, and few western economic interests are at stake. Were Somalia located on the border of the United States or any of the European countries, the same experts would not hesitate to recommend decisive intervention. But Ethiopia does share a long border and history with Somalia, and its vital interests are at stake.
Al-Qaeda
Hassan Turki and Sheikh Aweys are wanted by the international community for assisting terrorist attacks in East Africa that have killed over 300 people, including citizens of Kenya, Tanzania, Israel, the U.K, Italy, and the United States. Sheikh Aweys is believed to be protecting al-Qaeda terrorists, including Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, the mastermind of the the East Africa embassy bombings, and several other terrorists that were indicted back in May 2000 for their role in the attacks (see State Dept. announcement: U.S. Indicts Suspects in East Africa Embassy Bombings for list of names). One of the indicted terrorists, Suleiman Ahmed Salim Swedan, was captured in Mogadishu in March 2003 and transferred to the United States (ICG, July 2005).
A Jordanian member of al-Qaeda, Sadiq Odeh was arrested in Pakistan in 1998 and discovered to be involved in the East Africa bombings:
According to U.S. intelligence sources, al-Qaeda's residual linkages with Somalia reflected the involvement of al-Ittihad cells led by Aweys and Hassan Turki in the preparations. Odeh told American investigators that just over one month before the attack, Aweys despatched a message to bin Laden requesting meeting in Afghanistan. Aweys was designated as an individual with links to terrorism by the U.S. government in November 2001; Turki was added in 2004 and has been formally indicted for the murder of an American citizen. -Designation of Al-Shabaab U.S. Department of State Somalia : Eliminating the Terrorist Threat
http://www.state.gov/p/af/rls/fs/2007/79383.htm


In formulating Ethiopia's alternatives, the desire of the Somali people must be given top consideration. If most Somalis are actively opposed to Ethiopian intervention then it won't succeed. The TFG will collapse and the UIC will be strengthened. This seems to be the calculation of Sheikh Aweys. But he has badly misjudged the desires of the Somali people before. In the 1990s, Sheikh Aweys led al-Ittihad from Doble (near Kenya) to Bosasso, to Las Korey (northeastern Somalia) and then to Luuq (southwest Somalia), attempting to establish an Islamic ministate. He was rebuffed each time by the local inhabitants (although in Luuq he temporarily succeeded before being dislodged by the Ethiopian army cooperating with the local clan militia).
What is happening in the various regions of Somalia?
Somaliland: Somaliland is determined to remain aloof.. The TFG is designed as a federation, and, unlike the UIC, does not have the will or military power to threaten the existence of Somaliland.
Puntland: Puntland, just south of Somaliland, has established a peaceful, democratic regional state that aims for autonomy within a united Somalia. TFG president Col. Abdullahi Yusuf is from Puntland. On June 19 1992, he and all the top clan leaders of the region were captured and imprisoned by al-Ittihad while they were having a conference in Garowe, the capital of Puntland. Al-Ittihad had launched a sudden uprising, capturing strategic towns in the region including the port of Bossaso, and declaring the creation of an Islamic emirate. Al-Ittihad's military force was commanded by Sheikh (Colonel) Aweys.
By June 26 however, Puntland's local clan militias had mobilized to defeat Al-Ittihad, killing over 600 al-Ittihad militia and expelling them from the region. Subsequently, the state of Puntland was formally declared in 1998 after a regional conference, and Puntland has made good strides in establishing stable administration and economic growth. A portion of the port revenue from Bosasso is being used to fund the TFG.
Given their experience with al-Ittihad and Sheikh Aweys, it is highly unlikely that the people of Puntland (who are from the Harti clans of the Darod) will welcome the expansion of the Hawiye-based UIC. The UIC has now sent militia to the southern border of Puntland, creating a tense situation in the divided town of Galkayo.
Together, Puntland and Somaliland account for at least a third of Somalia's population.
Hawiye Regions: Galgudud, Hiraan, north Shabelle, and Benadir: The Hawiye-inhabitated territory south of Puntland and extending to Mogadishu is the home region of the Habr Gidir clan and Sheikh Aweys. The Hawiye are about 25% of Somalia's population. But there is a deep split in the Hawiye between the Habr Gidir and the Abgal. The Hawiye, led by General Farah Aideed, evicted Siad Barre from Mogadishu in January 1991, but once Siad Barre was gone, tension developed between the local Abgal clan (led by Ali Mahdi) and General Aideed's Habr Gidir newcomers (who came from central Somalia). Conflict between these two clans resulted in 14,000 deaths and the destruction of Mogadishu in 1992 (HRW 1995). The top leaders of the UIC, Sheikh Aweys, warlord Indahadde, and Afghanistan-trained militia leader Hashi Ayro, are all from the Habr Gedir. In fact all are from the Ayr subclan of the Habr Gedir. The UIC's ability to balance the interests of the various Hawiye clans and subclans will determine the reaction of the people to the TFG and Ethiopian intervention. The TFG prime minister, Ali Mohamed Geedi, is a civil society activist from the Abgal clan of the Hawiye but may not have strong support within his clan.
The Islamic courts in Mogadishu are clan-based and represent differing aims. The faction led by Sheihk Aweys is openly working towards establishment of an Islamic state. Yet the radical Islamists are poorly educated and may not be qualified to administer Sharia. In 2002, the previous attempt at forming a government (the Islamist-oriented TNG) required all Sharia judges to take an exam or resign. Sheikh Aweys was one of those who refused (Stateless Justice in Somalia - Formal and Informal Rule of Law Initiates, Andre LeSage, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, July 2005).
According to the LeSage report (2005), there are four different systems of law in Somalia, (traditional clan law (xeer), formal state law, sharia, and civil society/private sector initiatives), and these need to be harmonized. Civil society organizations in Puntland and Somaliland have already started the difficult process of unifying these legal systems. But the UIC will destroy this progress. There are over 150 law students in Mogadishu universities (Mogadishu has at least three universities) who will have no place in the legal system of the UIC.
Many of the Islamists seem willing to negotiate with the TFG
More moderate members of the Joint Courts are expecting to negotiate with the new government to provide security services in exchange for appointments to control the judiciary branch. Further, not even all of Somalia's Islamic movements support the courts. In particular, they are rejected by the reformist Al Islah group.78 According to its Secretary General, Dr Ibrahim Dusuqi, Al Islah objects to the current practice of the courts and is not a member of the Joint Courts administration. Their rejection stems from the courts' reliance on the personal judgments of poorly educated sheikhs. By contrast, Dr Dusuqi states that Al Islah would promote a simlar fiqh or 'jurisprudence' as has been adopted in Kuwait. - Stateless Justice in Somalia - Formal and Informal Rule of Law Initiates, Andre LeSage, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, July 2005
Rahanwein Regions: Bay, Bakool: The agropastoralist Rahanwein (Digil and Mirifle clans) are about 20% of Somalia's population. Their descent line (Sab) is separate from that of the other Somali's (Samaale) and they speak a separate dialect, Maay, that is considered a separate language. They suffer discrimination as a result of their separate language, separate descent, and agricultural orientation.
The Rahanwein are the least powerful of the four major clan families in Somalia, and were the last to establish their own militia and control their own territories. The Baidoa famine in 1992 was a by-product of the Darod-Hawiye conflict which ranged across Rahanwein territories. When the UN arrived they were able to establish local administration, but General Aideed (Hawiye_Habr Gidir clan) captured their territory as soon as the UN left in 1995. The Rahanwein Resistance Army (RRA) was set up in September 1995 and finally managed to liberate Baidoa on June 6, 1999. Ethiopia has been the main backer of the RRA. There has been some progress towards establishing an autonomous Bay-Bakool administration. Without Ethiopian intervention, Baidoa will likely be captured by Hawiye militia operating under the UIC banner.
Darod/Mixed Region: Lower Shabelle, Gedo, and lower Jubba Valley (to Kenya Border) : The Marehan clan of Siad Barre is from this area along with some Ogadeni and other Darod clans, as well as the Rahanwein. Kismayo is a mixed city hosting immigrants from all of Somalia. In addition the Bantu (Jareer) minority, who constitute about 6% of Somalia's population, live in the Jubba and Shabelle valleys and are heavily victimized. "Most of the Bantu living in contemporary southern Somalia are descendants of Bantu who were enslaved by the Sultanate of Zanzibar in the eighteenth century (Cassanelli 1982). Their ancestral tribes came from present-day southern Tanzania, northern Mozambique, Zambia, and Malawi. They were shipped along the East African coast to serve as labourers in the agricultural sector, mainly on plantation farms" (Webersik, 2004).
Because of its mixed population, (and rich agricultural resouces) the river valleys of southern Somalia have been the scene of extended conflict. The Hawiye Habr Gidir clan (and in particular, the Ayr subclan of Sheikh Aweys that is the power behind the UIC), is deeply involved in the rapacious exploitation of the region:
Strong clans have occupied valuable urban and agricultural real estate by force. The patterns of clan settlements have changed mainly in the urban and arable areas such as the lower Shabelle, Juba Valley, and Mogadishu. These areas have undergone substantial changes due to heavy infusions of non-resident clans supported by their militias. These stronger marauding clans have grabbed rich plantations and real estate owned by agricultural clans and indigenous groups, often leading to their displacement, or worse still, their enslavement. - Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics World Bank, Jan, 2005
- Another source used almost the same terms to describe the situation of farmers of the Hawadle and Rahanweyne communities who were displaced from lower Shebelle and other areas by the Habr Gedir, but allowed to return as laborers. "They now work the land they used to own."
- Interviewees from many non-Habr Gedir groups described the domination of some areas by Habr Gedir forces as an "occupation." Sometimes whole populations were forcibly expelled; in other cases, farmers and plantation workers are allowed to remain if they agree to work for Habr Gedir traders or businesses.
- A leader of the Digil-Mirifle (Rahanweyne) people of lower Shebelle, now in hiding, described the situation of his community since the Habr Gedir militia seized control as one of virtual servitude. " The Digil-Mirifle used to own farms; taken by the Habr Gedir, now they work on their own farms. We are slaves who have been conquered."
-Somalia: Facing the Future; Human Rights in a Fragmented Society Human Rights Watch, April, 1995
The expansion of Hawiye militas of the Habr Gedir clan into the Juba and lower Shabelle river valleys is unsustainable. Athough they are the most powerful force, they only have several thousand milita (now incorporated into the UIC). It is their control of revenue from agricultural production and trade, that allows them to maintain militia in the towns of the region. Empowerment of the local inhabitants through the federal arrangement envisaged by the TFG is certain to displace the Habr Gedir militia. However deep divisions and internal conflict within the Rahanwein and the Bantu populations means that they remain weak and open to manipulation by external militias.
It is likely, however, that they would welcome the prospect of getting ownership of their land back and regaining self-administration (similar to what they had when the UNOSOM district councils were established). Thus it seems likely that the TFG will be able to evict the UIC from Kismayo and the Juba and lower Shabelle valley's with only limited Ethiopian backing.
Some Darod clans (Marehan and Ogaden) allied with the TFG are also involved in exploiting the Bantu and Rahanwein, so unless the TFG fully asserts its principle of federalism and local self-administration, Ethiopian intervention will simply prolong the suffering of the indigenous people by substituting one exploiting clan for another.
Conclusion
The complex, multi-player competition for power in Somalia has, at one level, clarified into a two-player contest between the TFG and the UIC. Yet behind the scenes, local, regional, national, and global interests engage in bewildering layers of cross-cutting interaction, cynically manipulating each other as they try to advance their separate interests.
These complex entanglements discourage intervention by neutral peacekeepers, and led to the departure of the UN's first mission in Somalia (UNOSOM) in March 1995. The idea of Ethiopian intervention is thus unappealing, yet it is the best of the available alternatives. Without intervention to counterbalance the foreign support the radical Islamists are receiving, they will likely expand across Somalia and develop capacity to launch a large-scale campaign of war and terror against Ethiopia. The Ethiopian public should support limited intervention to stabilize the situation, isolate the Islamist radicals, and allow the introduction of UN peacekeepers.
Due to the incredible degree of factionalism and shifting alliances in Somalia, it is hard to gauge the potential reaction to Ethiopian intervention in Somalia, however, the reaction of the majority of the population is likely to be neutral or positive. Hassan Turki and Sheikh Aweys are wanted by the international community for assisting terrorist attacks in East Africa that have killed over 300 people, including citizens of Kenya, Tanzania, Israel, the U.K, Italy, and the United States. Sheikh Aweys is believed to be protecting al-Qaeda terrorists, including Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, the mastermind of the the East Africa embassy bombings, and several other terrorists that were indicted back in May 2000 for their role in the attacks (see State Dept. announcement: U.S. Indicts Suspects in East Africa Embassy Bombings for list of names). One of the indicted terrorists, Suleiman Ahmed Salim Swedan, was captured in Mogadishu in March 2003 and transferred to the United States (ICG, July 2005).
A Jordanian member of al-Qaeda, Sadiq Odeh was arrested in Pakistan in 1998 and discovered to be involved in the East Africa bombings:
According to U.S. intelligence sources, al-Qaeda's residual linkages with Somalia reflected the involvement of al-Ittihad cells led by Aweys and Hassan Turki in the preparations. Odeh told American investigators that just over one month before the attack, Aweys despatched a message to bin Laden requesting meeting in Afghanistan. Aweys was designated as an individual with links to terrorism by the U.S. government in November 2001; Turki was added in 2004 and has been formally indicted for the murder of an American citizen. - In formulating Ethiopia's alternatives, the desire of the Somali people must be given top consideration. If most Somalis are actively opposed to Ethiopian intervention then it won't succeed. The TFG will collapse and the UIC will be strengthened. This seems to be the calculation of Terrorist Hassan Dahir Aways. But he has badly misjudged the desires of the Somali people before. In the 1990s,TerroristHassan Dahir Aways led al-Ittihad from Doble (near Kenya) to Bosasso, to Las Korey (northeastern Somalia) and then to Luuq (southwest Somalia), attempting to establish an Islamic ministate. He was rebuffed each time by the local inhabitants (although in Luuq he temporarily succeeded before being dislodged by the Ethiopian army cooperating with the local clan militia).
A large part of southern Somalia is essentially under occupation by Hawiye militia who came from areas north of Mogadishu after the fall of Siad Barre in 1991. Within the Hawiye, it is the Habr Gedir of the late General Aideed, and in particular, the Ayr subclan of Terrorist Hassan Dahir Aways that has moved in and is forcibly exploiting the indigenous Bantu and Rahanweyn populations. The people in this area, (a rough triangle from Baidoa to Mogadishu to Kismayo), are likely to be at least neutral or positive towards the TFG. But Mogadishu and the Hawiye-inhabited areas to the north are likely to be hostile to the idea of Ethiopian intervention.
Great caution and oversight is needed to make sure that the intervention is limited and that Ethiopian troops stay out of areas where they are unwelcome by the local population. Most importantly, this must not turn into a renewal of large-scale Darod (Abdullahi Yusuf) vs Hawiye (Terrorist Hassan Dahir Aways) conflict, but should stay focused on promoting negotiations between the moderate Islamists and the TFG.

'Puntland elections on time': Somali president

GAROWE, Somalia - The president of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) addressed the Puntland Parliament on Saturday, in a remarkable speech that delved into issues of national security, natural resources and the upcoming presidential elections in Puntland, Radio Garowe reported.
Regional officials led by Puntland leader Adde Muse, Members of Parliament, traditional elders and civil society welcomed Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf and his federal government delegation, which included Oil Minister Mohamud Ali Salah, at the airport in Garowe, capital of the northeastern State of Puntland..more http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Puntland_elections_on_time_Somalia_president.shtml

Opposition chief condemns Eritrea, calls for UN forces


DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti July 27 (Garowe Online) - Somalia's opposition leader, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, has called for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops and the 'speedy deployment' of United Nations peacekeepers to the Horn of Africa country plagued by nearly 18 years of war.
Sheikh Sharif, chairman of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), spoke Sunday in Djibouti City at the conclusion of the group's Central Committee meeting, which opened nine days more. http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_opposition_leader_condemns_Eritrea_calls_for_UN_peacekeepers.shtml

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Somali president_Abdullahi Yussuf Ahmed arrives in Garowe

GAROWE, Somalia July 25 - Interim Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf has landed at a small airport in the outskirts of Garowe, capital of the northern state of Puntland, with conflicting reports emerging from his Saturday visit.
Radio Garowe's correspondent in the national capital Mogadishu reported that President Yusuf's armored convoy was ambushed by insurgents along the road linking the Villa Somalia presidential compound to Aden Adde International Airport more.http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/After_Mogadishu_ambush_Somalia_s_leader_arrives_in_Puntland_capital.shtml

SOMALIA: Famine Looms as Aid Workers Flee


NAIROBI, Jul 25 (IPS) - By December this year, aid agencies estimate that the number of displaced and hungry people in need of life-saving aid in Somalia will swell to 3.5 million—nearly half the country's population. Yet, as drought and conflict conspire to worsen the crisis, the humanitarian space to deliver food and other essential assistance in this conflict zone has all but vanished. more.. http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=43320

Somalia- WHO official survives attempt on his life




An official works for the United Nations World health Organization (WHO) has survived an assassination attempt in the central Somalia town of Dhusomareb, Galgadudu region by armed teenage boy eyewitnesses said. An armed man with pistol has attempted to fire into the official as he left from a mosque in the town, but auspiciously the pistol couldn’t let off the bullets for unknown reasons as some people with the survived officer from the mosque , the assailant boy fled to jungle area outside of the town after backfire of his attempt.After the incident The official that is to say Abdullhi Mohamed Mo,alin has startlingly left the area. It’s yet unknown the rank of this official in WHO.This comes as several aid workers have been killed in Somalia while others have been sent to death threats by unknown groups while additional aid workers have fled from Somalia after the situation has changed from bad to worst.