Monday, December 29, 2014
Friday, December 26, 2014
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Revolving Politics: How President Hassan fell into a political trap
By Abdisalam Garjeex
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
H.E PM Abdiweli vs President Hassan
Mahamed Sheakh Osman Jawari President Hassan Sheakh Mahamud,, Prime Minister H.E Abdiwali Sheakh Ahmad
For the last 10 years, the Somali Government has become accustomed to political infighting between the President and Prime Minister. One of the main reasons of the PM resignation is the quarrel over executive responsibility as well as issues regarding the constitution and Federal state formation. Every newly constructed Government ends up either in failure or in life support.The UN and AMISON, and the rest of the international community are more of hindrance than help as they largely function as a shadow Government, rendering Somalis incapable of having a full-fledged Government of their own. The reality remains that Somalia isn't a sovereign nation, but an entity crippled with insecurity, radicalism and terror. Any autonomy is completely stifled by the international community at large. Al-shabaab and violent groups within the Government and population wreak havoc and mayhem through assassinations and bombings. There is no sustainable economy other than illegal use of humanitarian aid. Only fragmented society remains.
The PM is well prepared, intelligent and educated - his nomination came soon after his predecessor "Saacid" was forced to resign; he appears to be smarter and have different style than all his predecessors. Hassan and his team of advisers, including his right hand man, Minister Farah were not smart in choosing Abdiweli as the next PM. At the beginning, when my fellow friends in Virginia asked me about the new PM and what he would be like, I told them that Abdiweli is not the type of person they are looking for; he is not just a follower, he would stand his grounds and would challenge the establishment. In early eighties, Abdiweli just fresh off college was instrumental in creating the then Livestock Marketing Company; he single handily attracted both investment and experts from the international organizations and universities - that experience benefited him today in his confrontation with the President - the international community sided with him. During the cabinet selection, it took him over a month to resist the President's preferred list of special Ministers. He knew that law provides him the executive powers and though the President nominated him, he was aware of his powers which he derived from the Government structure and the law of the land.
Brilliant Strategist
The PM planned to accept the list of Ministers, mainly hand-picked by the President and his aids, so that the Parliament can at last approve his Government. He knew that his executive powers will be curtailed and the President wants to run the show. With that in mind, he started implementing his agenda:-
· He developed a strong relationship with the international community, particularly the UN and the Europeans.
· He removed some of the President’s cronies and nominated important posts of his government.
· He started working and assisting the newly formed Federal states and preparing towards vision 2016.
· He resolved the festering issues of Jubaland; also mediated conflicts between opposing clans in Jubaland state administration.
· He signed a historic agreement with Puntland in economic and political development.
Those steps and many other incidents made hostilities between the office of the President and PM and on the other hand, the same actions created a big support among Parliamentarians and the public at large. It was then that Abdiweli implemented one of his biggest plans. For quite some time, I have been told from reliable sources that PM will give a pink slip to the some of the Ministers in his cabinet that have close ties with the President. With his member Parliament group, they have agreed that once he reshuffles the Ministers, his group will disrupt the proceeding of the Parliament if a motion is tabled. According to PM's press conference on the third day of the third failed attempt of his motion, which I called 'a victory speech’; he elaborated how the constitution allows him to reshuffle his cabinet as he has done it in a limited scope. He expected that the President will counter react and his actions will further lead him in a political damage. The tactical maneuvering took place as planned. At one point, I was told that in the likelihood of the parliament illegally deposing the PM, the PM will refuse to resign and this will result a constitutional crisis – it will be unprecedented since Somalia doesn't have a constitutional court. During power transfer by former PM 'Saacid', Abdiweli received from his longtime friend an insight and advice in his dealing with Hassan – Shirdon stressed the need to be aggressive and do theGovernment responsibility according to the constitutional rulesand authority and when confrontation starts which normally takes a year (every November), he will be well ahead in the game. The President was caught off-guard when the PM reshuffled his cabinet and it was tragic to see vote buying and in some cases bulling the Parliamentarians. For Saacid, he didn't deserve the way he was forced to resign. I know him, we grow up together; we went quranic, elementary and intermediate school together. He is gentle and cool.
Parliament Speaker’s missed opportunity
It was so unique and spectacular to a group of Parliamentarians opposing the motion to use the American style filibustering, they called "democracy in action" or we may best call it(qobiyoqash ma leh). President Hassan and his actions are a complete political failure; in contrast,Abdiweli's prestige, leadership and survival abilities deserve praise even when he is voted out ofoffice; he is the winner in this saga. Hassan's days in office are beleaguered; he will be a lame duck (maqaarsaar)for the remaining time in his term of office even if he nominates a new PM. His malfeasance and lack of integrity was exposed; he is now seen as unpatriotic with no vision for the country, aiming to benefit his personal interest. As I prepare my opinion in this article, I have just concluded a tour of 5 great European cities (Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Berlin and Istanbul) - all these cities, Parliament buildings were my favorite sightseeing, which reminds me the current political crises and the unruliness of our Parliamentarians. Speaker Jawari showed a weak leadership; he was unable to handle the Parliament procedures during the crises. He shouldn't have accepted a motion tabled for the sole reason of the President’s anger towards the PM after he moved Minister Farah, a close ally to a less important portfolio. A motion against the PM can only be brought to table when the Government fails its responsibilities.
Farewell to Abdiweli
With 2016 on the horizon, The new vision of building Federal states and completing the provisional constitution which will lead to free and fair elections have been just a dream, but there was a good chance of implementing some of these goals if not all had the PM stayed in office – now we are left with Hassan whom we don’t expect to perform anything good for the country, except choosing a new PM and voting out of office within a year. Thanks and best wishes to Abdiweli for telling us that the Emperor has no cloths.
Abdisalam Garjeex is Political Analysis and regular contributor to terror free Somalia
terrorfreesomalia@gmail.com
Ashburn – Virginia (USA)
Monday, November 24, 2014
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Leaked Text Messages Offer Glimpse Into Somalia’s Political Dysfunctions (Text messages between Somali Muslim Brotherhood ):EXCLUSIVE:
A screenshot allegedly shows text message exchanges between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir obtained by terrorfreesomalia.
Text messages between Somali Muslim Brotherhood :EXCLUSIVE: LEAKED CONVERSATION BETWEEN SOMALI PRESIDENT AND FARAH SHEIKH ABDULQADIR update
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom’s message to the Somali government was clear: feel independent, solve your internal problems and be wary of foreign interference.
That message — relayed to the government in December 2013 when Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was looking for someone to appoint for a prime minister after lawmakers ousted Abdi Farah Shirdon — provides a glimpse at how current Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed came to power.
Before Abdiweli was nominated, President Hassan had submitted three finalists for the premiership to UN special envoy to Somalia Nicholas Kay.
But Kay, also called “The Teacher” in a slew of text messages independently obtained by terrorfreesomalia. from a reliable source, had someone else in mind. He had lobbied for Nuradin Dirie, his current senior special adviser, for the premiership, according to the messages.
The messages allegedly linked to President Hassan and his close advisers were on Tuesday leaked to press. It was first reported by the news site Somali Agenda.
The correspondents, exchanged between January 2013 and January 2014, showcase an administration mired in internal wrangling, inconsistency and power mongering.
The bulk of the messages consist of conversations between President Hassan and his close henchman, Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir. Until recently, Farah was the minister of justice and constitutional affairs, but under a cabinet reshuffle thattriggered a dispute between President Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdiweli, he was moved to the veterinary minister.
On Tuesday, the Somali parliament’s session turned into chaos after lawmakers supporting Abdiweli started shouting and banging on empty jugs soon after debate on no-confidence motion against the prime minister began.
The no-confidence motion was submitted by supporters of President Hassan, who rejected the prime minister’s move to shift Farah from the justice and constitutional affairs portfolio to the veterinary one.
The leaked messages were written in colloquial Somali, interspersed with broken English sentences. One of the text messages used an emoji at the end of the text.
.jpg)
The messages confirmed the hunch of many analysts, who have always emphasized the role that Farah plays in President Hassan’s administration. Over the last two and a half years, Farah was rumored to have been Hassan’s right-hand man, and an indispensable wingman to the Commander-in-Chief.
“Mr. President, I consider myself to be among the people who love to see Somalia develop, and who as well have a lot of respect for you. … I hope that Allah makes the burden of the job easy for you,” Mr. Farah allegedly writes in one of the messages.
The text messages also touched on the resignation of Yussur Abrar, the former governor of the Somali Central Bank, who resigned after just seven weeks in the job. Abrar, who sent her resignation letter from Dubai, accused Hassan’s government of corruption and mismanagement of finances. In the messages, Farah wrote to the president by saying: “We have established communication channel with Yussur and with phone conversation slated for tomorrow. Meanwhile we have advised her not to address press and important that the same approach is adopted by [Somali federal government].”
True to the matter, the Financial Times had reported then that donors who supported Abrar believed “that she sent her resignation letter, dated October 30, from Dubai, before traveling to an unknown destination.”
The text messages also displayed a government structure that is not based on job merit or management hierarchy, but rather one that is based on political mileage and presidential propinquity.
This can be seen in how Farah forwards messages from certain sources to the president. The president then replies by asking: “Who sent that message?”, clearly showing the lack of proper and direct communication channels.
Suggestions even come in galore for the president. In one message, Farah dishes out advice to lower the flag “to show Solidarity” that Somalia is sad about the death of Nelson Mandela. “African countries,” he continues, “the USA, UK and other countries have done so.”
Together, the correspondents show how the current prime minister was chosen after the U.S. gave the stamp of approval to Abdiweli’s nomination. One of the messages reads: Out of the three finalists for the premiership, the U.S. said “only one candidate meets the criteria particularly engagement with the [international community].”
In December 2013, a text message from someone the president was allegedly consulting with says: “If you need my humble view then would share but I don’t see any figure with more potentials within the Maehan candidates then Abdiweli.”
Fast forward to a year later, and Abdiweli may be replaced with a new prime minister if the president’s supporters succeed to oust him.
And after some weeks, President Hassan may submit another three finalists for the premiership to Kay and the U.S.
Text messages between Somali Muslim Brotherhood :EXCLUSIVE: LEAKED CONVERSATION BETWEEN SOMALI PRESIDENT AND FARAH SHEIKH ABDULQADIR
EDITOR’S NOTE: SOMALI AGENDA has received and verified the authenticity of series of SMS messages between Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his powerful Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir. The text messages exchanged between January 2013 and January 2014 offer a fascinating and revealing insights into the working of the Hassan Sheikh Mohamud administration and the incredible power men like Farah Sheikh Abdulqaidr wield in influencing public policy in Somalia. SOMALI AGENDA has obtained multiple collections of the SMS messages; however, due to security and safety of people involved has chosen not to publish the entire collection of the messages at this time. SOMALI AGENDA might revisit the remaining unpublished documents at a later date with the aim of enlightening and informing the Somali public how their government operates, and the way policies are formulated. Furthermore, these texts also provide insight into the roots of the current fundamental basis of political infighting between the Prime minister and the President and why the country is currently in a political gridlock. A significant portion of the SMS messages occur during the political conflict between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his former Prime Minister Farah Abdi Shirdon. Then and now, Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir has been at the center of both political confrontations making the disclosures of these SMS messages significant in understanding the roots of Somalia’s political dysfunctions.
Born in a small market border town between Kenya and Ethiopia approximately 1963, Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir hails from a religious family and from a very young age received his religious education. Following the collapse of the military regime of Mohamed Siyad Barre, Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir became the president of the Somali chapter of Africa Muslim Agency which was an influential charity organization supported by leading business community and governments of the Gulf countries especially Kuwait and Qatar. Farah’s involvement with the Africa Muslim Agency provided him with the crucial opportunity to cultivate ties among the powerful groups in the Arab world. These ties proved vital in 2012 when Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir engineered the political campaign of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and successfully propelled a relatively unknown man into Villa Somalia easily beating established political heavyweights such as the then incumbent President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
To say President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is indebted to Farah is an understatement. Since the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Farah Abdulqadir has personally overseen and approved nearly every critical piece of policy forwarded by the government raising allegations that Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir was the de facto president of Somalia. These allegations gained momentum during the firing of former Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon in December 2013 when disagreements between the then State Minister for the Presidency Farah Abdulqadir and the Prime Minister ultimately led to the sacking of the prime minister by the parliament in a motion of no confidence engineered by Farah Abdulqadir.
The texts obtained by SOMALI AGENDA are evidence to the magnitude of power Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir holds over President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Much of the correspondence between the two shows a remarkable power structure and who is in essence in charge of the decisions. What becomes evident is that there seems to be a tendency from the President’s side to constantly update, verify, and ask for permission from Farah. It is then Farah who will give the go ahead, or disapprove of some of issues which require decision. In principle, it becomes clear that the President is unable to move or decide on issues without approval from Farah. Some might argue that this is not entirely surprising given the role Farah has played in the election of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, or is there any other factor that contributes to the docility of the President of the Federal Government of Somalia?
Regardless, the strange power relation between the President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Farah Abdulqadir is currently costing him a second Prime Minister and is putting the country in a political deadlock. This might explain why a minor cabinet reshuffle has become a major political crisis at a time Somalia is facing humanitarian disaster and with constant threats from Al Shahab. For President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the choice is simple: he either stays in power with Farah on his side, or the entire cabinet can fall. This is very unfortunate for the progress made in Somalia as well as denting the optimism the Somali people harbored for this administration, who are gradually coming to understand the dynamics behind the continuation of political unrest in the Somali Government: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will not continue without his strongest ally Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir.More
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Somalia:” I am concerned about allegations of some MPs being asked to exchange votes for cash in the context of a potential ‘No Confidence’ motion” UN envoy.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has expressed deep concern over the political tensions between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, which puts at risk the country’s efforts to achieve critical political targets set out in Vision 2016.
“The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia remains committed to fulfilling its mandate to assist Somalia to achieve federalism, a new constitution and elections by September 2016, as set out in the Provisional Federal Constitution and Vision 2016,” SRSG Kay said. “I call on all parties to seek a mutually satisfactory compromise that will allow Somalia’s political and security progress to continue without interruption.”
“I recognise the dedication and hard work of Members of Parliament, but I am concerned about allegations of some MPs being asked to exchange votes for cash in the context of a potential ‘No Confidence’ motion, which is a disservice to Somalia’s progress towards accountability and transparency,” he added. Somalia and Somalis deserve better.”
Mr. Kay repeated recent calls by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for political unity and continuity at the highest level of the Federal Government of Somalia, and noted that any action by any party that creates political turmoil would be reported to the UN Security Council, who will be notified that such action risks spoiling the prospect of implementing Vision 2016.
“I continue to offer the use of my good offices to seek a compromise; we are working very closely with the African Union Mission in Somalia, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the European Union, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, the United States and many others in search of a solution,” he added.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Somali police commissioner Likely died of Poisoning : Reports
Waagacusub.net - The Somali Police Commissioner Brigadier General Mohammed Sheikh Hassan Ismail, who was rushed to Umah Hospital, right after minutes of drinking a cup of tea with his dinner at the Banadir Beach Restaurant, is likely died of poisoning, Waagacusub Media Reported on Thursday.
Families and relatives of the Commissioner insisted on that his death "was not an accidental or natural in any way , but a force must be behind his assassination" , hinting that members of the President's group of Damu Jadiid had a controversial issue with the fallen Police Commissioner.
Somali Army with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took over the Umah Hospital in Abdi-Aziz neighborhood at Mogadishu at 5PM , arresting a Somali Kenyan doctor, Dr. Ibrahim Kolija and a hospital assistant, Abdulkader, who was referred the case of the fallen Police Commissioner. Somali CID has also taken a copy of the documented medical record from the hospital.
At five afternoon, the CID blocked all the roads that are surrounded by the Hospital stopping every vehicle, patient and blocking roads in checkpoints .
About 8:30 PM, the CID headed to Banadir restaurant at Lido Beach Mogadishu to arrest several people in connection with the murder, including vice chairman of Abdi Aziz district, and the restaurant owner ,Gurey, who hails from the President Hassan sheikh's sub-sub-clan of Mohammed Ade, Waisle of Abgaal Isman.
" We are shocked by the sudden death of the Commissioner Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Ismail, " said the Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed.
"On behalf of the government and the people of Somalia I send a heartfelt condolence to the family, friends and the entire people of Somalia for the death of the commissioner, he added.
On Friday the PM nominated a committee consisting of five ministers led by the deputy premier Ridwan Hassan Mohamed including The Health Minister Ali Mohamed Mohamud, The information Minister Mustaf Sheikh Ali Dhuhulow, The Home Security Minister Khalif Ahmed Ereg and the Agriculture Minister Abdi Ahmed Baffo.
Sources close to Turkey and AMISOM doctors at Digfeer hospital confirmed that a deadly poison was found in the body of the fallen commissioner but the news is yet to be told the media.
The death of the commissioner is coming at a critical time when the president of Somalia Hassan Sheikh and his PM Abdiweli are in a dispute related to a reshuffle of the cabinet minsiters, which the PM made last week and the President called illegal.
Over the last couple of years dozens of assassinations against very important politicians has been conducted by Damu Jadiid and Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security services (NISS) in Somalia .
To contact writers on this report : Ahmed Abdi at Halgan85@yahoo.com and Dahir Abdulle Alasow at dahiralasow@yahoo.com
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Somalia Chief Police suddenly dies in unknown circumstances- Mogadishu became a mystery since Somali President Hassan came to Power From MPs to Police Commissioner assassination become a norm.
Somali PM has appointed 5 ministers to investigate the death of police chief. Pres Hassan Somalia's branch of Somali Brotherhood;(dum-jadiid)Suspect
Mogadishu – Somalia’s Chief of Police suddenly died today as he was rushed to Ummah private hospital in Mogadishu’s Abdulaziz district after falling ill shortly before, according to officials and witnesses.
General Mohammed Sheikh Hassan, whose position as Chief of Police was short lived after being appointed a few months ago, died in unknown circumstances after complaining of severe pain today. “He was seen by a doctor who prescribed him some medicine, thereafter he received an injection after which he passed away instantly” a witness told terror free somalia
Somali Prime Minister, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, in a statement offered his condolences on the death of General Hassan, who was deemed close to him and further added that he had assigned five ministers, including the Security Minister, Information Minister and the Health Minister, to investigate the circumstances surrounding his sudden death.
The death of Police Chief, General Hassan, comes a midst a growing political rift between the Somali President and Prime Minister and a challenging state of security compelled by the militant Al-Shabaab movement, who in this year alone attacked the presidential palace twice.
REAKING: Doctors treating deceased Somali Somali police commissioner setained, comm killed most through poisoning.
On 10/29/14 Somali police commissioner seized a container shipment of illegal weapons & military uniforms in Mogadishu...Belong to Culusow and cabdi Qaybdiid.
Doctors treating Somali police commissioner General Mohamed Hassan Sheikh who was announced dead this evening in Mogadishu Ummah hospital have been detained.
An exclusive source has told terror free somalia that the Doctors are suspected for being behind the death of Police commissioner who was admitted to the hospital few days ago after undisclosed illness.
The source added the suspected medical personnel were taken away by Somali national security and intelligence agency officers while the medical facility was closed down.
General Mohamed Hassan took office on July this year after massive reshuffle in the Somali security agency by PM Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed following Al Shabaab militant group deadly assault on Somali Presidential palace.
General Mohamed Hassan Very Critic to Somali Muslim Brotherhood (dum jadiid Somali police commissioner Mohammed killed.most likely assassinated through poisoning. R.I.P
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Friday, October 10, 2014
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Monday, October 6, 2014
Somalia Govt Forces Recapture Key Port from Al-Shabab
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed
Fadlan lifaaqa hoose kala baxa codka Shirka Jaraa'id ee Ra'iisul Wasaaraha iyo laamaha amnigu uga hadlayeen howlgallada ka socda dalka, gaar ahaan qabashada degmada Baraawe oo ahayd xaruntii ugu weynayd Al-shabaab.
#Barawe is now under the control of the #SNA, supported by #AMISOM forces. For the first time in 23 years, Barawe is under Somali government control.
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed say about 1,000 Somali forces and African peacekeepers have retaken the southern port of Barawe, the last major port held by Islamist al-Shabab fighters.
The key port, located 240 kilometers south of the capital, Mogadishu, had been held by al-Shabab since 2008. The insurgents controlled the port to export $25 million worth of charcoal a year to Persian Gulf countries, which they used to fund their fight against the internationally backed government.
Somali military official Abdi Mire said Sunday government forces are "in full control" of Barawe. Authorities said the al-Shabab militiamen fled by land and sea as the government troops approached the city.
The loss of Barawe comes just a month after al-Shabab's supreme leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, was killed in a U.S. drone and aircraft strike.
An al-Shabab commander, Mohamed Abu Abdallah, vowed Saturday that even if the insurgents lost Barawe, they would continue their attacks on Somali troops and the peacekeeping forces drawn from six African Union nations.
While controlling Barawe, al-Shabab applied its strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law, ordering executions, floggings and amputations for various crimes.
Somalia: Al Shabaab Confronts Doomsday
October 5, 2014: The AU (African Union) led offensive against remaining al Shabaab held towns in the interior and along the coasts that began in early 2013 has accomplished about 75 percent of its goals. The peacekeeper commander believes that the rest of the active Islamic terrorists can be captured, killed or driven out of the country within a year. Al Shabaab men are increasingly fleeing the approaching AU and government forces and many of the Islamic terrorists are surrendering or simply deserting and returning to their home villages. A government amnesty program, which keeps getting extended, has been successful in getting a lot of low-level al Shabaab men to surrender. There are still believed to be at least 3,000 al Shabaab men in Somalia, including several hundred foreigners. At least a third of the remaining al Shabaab men are hard core and unlikely to surrender or desert.
Currently al Shabaab is still recovering from the death of their leader on September 2nd. The new leader has similar hard line goals as his predecessor. But dissident factions have forced the new leader to at least discuss reforms (to reduce the number of assassinations and civilian casualties in order to gain more popular support). The hardliners who have been running al Shabaab for the last few years are under pressure because their tactics appear to have resulted in heavy losses for the organization and a lot more hostility from most Somalis. The recent loss of port towns like Adale and Barawe have greatly reduced al Shabaab income and their ability to move in and out of the country. This cash shortage can be seen in action as peacekeepers report that in the last month or so al Shabaab men looted stores and homes when they were ordered to flee as peacekeepers approached. This looting was planned in advance and kept secret so that merchants would not hide a lot of their goods.
In the southeast (lower Shabelle region) peacekeepers and soldiers have been on the offensive against al Shabaab forces there since August and over 500 of the Islamic terrorists have surrendered while over a hundred have been killed or wounded. More than a thousand simply fled the approaching government forces and avoided contact with them. Al Shabaab has avoided fighting the government forces, who are better armed and equipped than the Islamic terrorists and usually win big when al Shabaab stays to fight. So the Islamic terrorists have adopted a strategy of avoiding the government forces and returning to terror attacks only.
As if the government didn’t enough problems they have had to contend with more soldiers and police becoming less effective over the last few months because of cheaper khat. Britain banned the import and use of the tropical plant khat in July, joining most other European nations and many in the Middle East. Even the UN has identified khat as a dangerous substance. This has brought joy to Somalia, where khat producers, having lost a major customer for khat exports has been selling a lot more of it in Somalia and at bargain (at least 50 percent less) prices. While this is great for all the soldiers, militiamen and gangsters who spend a lot of time sitting around waiting for some action, these guys become more unpredictable when under the influence of khat. Moreover, men with guns are the wrong people to turn into khat addicts. Khat is very addictive and an armed man with a desperate need for more khat will do crazy things to obtain the cash to buy more of the stuff. Wives complain that husbands will spend all their money on khat and ignore their starving children. It is believed that recent accusations of soldiers and peacekeepers abusing women is in part due to khat use.
Since August Kenya has deployed thousands of troops to man additional checkpoints on roads leading from the Somali border. This has made it much more difficult for Somali smugglers to get weapons and drugs into Kenya. While the smugglers can (and usually do) bribe the border guards, the additional check points are manned by many troops who refuse to take bribes and that makes getting truckloads of goods into Kenya much more difficult. The smugglers are now relying more on ships and small loads carried cross country on motorcycles or pack animals.
October 4, 2014: Al Shabaab fled the coastal town of Barawe (200 kilometers south of Mogadishu) as government forces approached.
October 1, 2014: Peacekeepers and soldiers drove al Shabaab out of the port town of Adale (200 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu).
In the north (Puntland) government forces attacked an al Shabaab base and killed over twenty of the Islamic terrorists while losing at least three soldiers. Since the 1990s the two statelets that comprise northern Somalia (Puntland and Somaliland) have been coming apart because of internal problems. Despite that, northern Somalia has been better governed since breaking away from Somalia in the 1990 to form Puntland (2.5 million people) and Somaliland (3.5 million). The other two-thirds of the Somali population to the south, has been in perpetual chaos since 1990. The two statelets have a festering border dispute that periodically flares into armed clashes. Puntland has had al Shabaab groups camping out near the southern border for several years. The number of al Shabaab men there has increased to several hundred this year as more of the Islamic terrorists flee the continuing government offensive in the south. Puntland recently decided to forget about trying to tolerate the al Shabaab presence and went on the offensive against the Islamic terrorists. The al Shabaab men in Puntland have few resources and are vulnerable. A growing number of them are returning south and surrendering to the government there.
September 27, 2014: The government offered a $2 million reward for information leading to the arrest or death of Ahmed Omar Abu Ubeyd, the new al Shabaab leader. The identity of those receiving the reward would be kept secret.
September 26, 2014: In the south (Barawe) al Shabaab carried out a public execution (by stoning) of a woman accused of having three husbands.
In Kenya the government, for the first time, closed a madrassa (religious school) for teaching Islamic radicalism. The school was in a Moslem neighborhood in the town of Machakos (60 kilometers outside the capital). The school had been operating since 1997 and recently 21 former students were arrested for joining al Shabaab.
September 25, 2014: In the central Somali town of Galkayo there was a gun battle between former pirates who had recently received $1.6 million in ransom for one of the few valuable captives still held by pirates. At least three of the pirates were killed and one group made off with the cash. No big ships (that can be ransomed for a lot of money) have been taken in over two years and few pirates are still trying. Most have found other employment (usually fishing or smuggling people into Yemen). Some pirate gangs still holding captives have fled to inland areas to continue waiting for their ransom demands to be met. Most of the captives still held are from poor families who cannot afford a ransom and are from countries that will not pay.
September 24, 2014: In the north (Puntland) the government is using satellite photos to prove that foreign fishing ships (usually from East Asian countries) are illegally fishing in Somali coastal waters. This led to the recent seizure of four South Korean ships which although they had permits to fish in Somali waters were photographed working in areas they were not supposed to be in and thus leaving local Somali fishermen with little or nothing to catch. The foreign ships with permits are supposed to operate far off shore, where the smaller Somali fishing boats rarely venture. The companies who own the four ships will have to pay fines to get them released, which is standard international practice in cases like this.
September 23, 2014: Pirates in central Somalia freed a German-American journalist after receiving a $1.6 million ransom. While the U.S. refused to pay ransom for the journalist, the Germans were willing (because the captive was a dual citizen of Germany and the United States) but refused to pay the $5 million the pirates had been demanding since they seized the man in January 2012. Fearing an American commando raid to free their captive, the pirates agreed to lower their demands and settled on $1.6 million which was delivered via Somali middlemen. The pirates were actually out of the piracy business and hiding out in central Somalia. But with government forces continuing to regain control over interior Somalia, it was only a matter of time before they showed up at the pirate hideout. This journalist was the only valuable captive they had left and now the pirates could use the money to flee.
September 21, 2014: In Kenya an opinion poll showed that over 65 percent of Kenyans believe that al Shabaab will carry out more major terror attacks in Kenya and over half believed that Kenyan troops should be withdrawn from Somalia to provide more forces for counter-terror operations in Kenya.
September 20, 2014: In Mogadishu al Shabaab gunmen shot dead three Somali engineers working for the AU.
September 14, 2014: In Uganda a series of police raids resulted in the arrest of 19 Somali men and the seizure of explosives to be used in an al Shabaab terror attack. The Islamic terrorist group has been threatening to carry out attacks in Uganda as revenge for all the Ugandan peacekeepers serving in Somalia.
September 13, 2014: In Mogadishu al Shabaab gunmen killed the deputy commander of a counter-terrorism unit. The Islamic terrorists claimed this was revenge for the recent death of their leader (via an American missile fired by a UAV) on September 2nd.
September 9, 2014: Al Shabaab used a mortar to fire several shells into a residential neighborhood in the outskirts of Mogadishu. Five civilians were wounded.
September 8, 2014: An al Shabaab roadside bomb killed about 16 civilians 30 kilometers south of Mogadishu.
AQAP (Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) announced its support for the new head of al Shabaab in Somalia. AQAP and other al Qaeda branches are hoping that the new al Shabaab leadership does not declare its allegiance to the far more radical (and al Qaeda rival) ISIL (al Qaeda in Iraq and Syria).
September 7, 2014: The government replaced its National Security Director, who had held the office for only two months. No reason was given and his deputy took over temporarily and then a former member of the supreme court took the job.
September 6, 2014: Al Shabaab announced that hardliner Ahmed Omar Abu Ubeyd was their new leader.
Monday, September 29, 2014
press statement: port of Mogadishu
TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC OPINION
September 30, 2014
Turkey, who had started quite intense humanitarian assistance for Somalia in 2011, is still maintaining this mission continuously, and building a strong brotherhood bridge between the Somalian community and Turkish community.
This mobilization, which is being operated via public establishments, private companies and humanitarian aid foundations, is being consolidated with unconditional support for Somalia in the international platforms also. The only reason behind Turkey’s self-devotion, is its idea of contributing to the Muslim Somalian public’s prosperity and Somali state’s consistency.
Turkey’s aid campaign aimed at Somalia had been started by newspapers and TV channels that are connected to the Albayrak Group, and reached a peak with our President Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Somalia.
Within this frame, Mosques, hospitals, schools, water wells, orphanages and roads are being constructed. Again, within this frame, construction of airports and works in the municipal field are ongoing. The Somalian army is receiving professional army trainings by the Turkish General Staff, and Somalian students are being offered scholarships in Turkey.
Turkey’s aid campaign mobilization aimed at Somalia is being constituted as an example on an international level, and this support is injecting a strong Somali love to Turkey’s public opinion.
Our President Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, government, business world and Turkey’s public opinion is supporting these studies from their hearts, and thus, motivating our corporations and aid organizations. These aids had provided business options to countless Somalians, and caused a serious dynamism in the country’s economy.
Turkey’s interest, love and contribution oriented in Somalia are continuing by increasing exponentially.
Within this frame, the Albayrak Group had taken on an active role in Somalia’s development. Since August 2012, much work has been conducted towards rehabilitating the Port of Mogadishu and is still continues, in order to transform it into a sea port that has international quality, elevating it to a central position in the Somalia and African economy.
Despite the fact that the Port of Mogadishu is the only employment and source of income potential in the country, it had been confirmed that the state could not gain any resource from here. As for the Albayrak Group, they had promised that without any conditions, they would be transferring 55% of the revenue from the Port.
As for the 45% revenue which is left for the Group’s administration; it is reserved for the international promotion directed at increasing machine equipment investments, construction investments, new docks and port-based trade.
The Albayrak Group is in an endeavor towards turning the Port of Mogadishu into a key address in the African economy and international market. In order for every process to be recorded and every operation to be healthy, it’s essential to establish a system, and to conduct the process according to these principles. Our Group had actualized the 1st investment phase with this objective. From now on, the ISPS application will be made by establishing a closed circuit camera system and an environment wall construction that is appropriate to the international security protocols. Besides, a modern port administration building will be constructed, and the psychical conditions will be increased to the highest level for service procurements. The entrance channels of ships, which are entering the port, will be cleaned with underwater surveillance, and in order to increase the capacity, the 2nd phase equipment investments will be made.
After these studies, our Somalian Muslim brothers’ exportation to Turkey, East Africa and content-wide will increase, and this will become prominent as a serious contribution towards increasing the level of prosperity.
While the Albayrak Group is making these investments, some circles within the Somali Parliament, despite the fact that we had explained all the realities to them, for the sake of holding onto the income they had gained just for their selves, are attempting every kind of provocation. They are conducting this via a group, which had been exploiting people for years.
Our group has no commercial expectation from this contract. The Albayrak Group’s objective is to support the Somalian community. The Turkish community’s unrequited aids are also for this. The Albayrak Group will be continuing this support, which they had conducted, without any commercial expectation until this day, without paying any mind to these circles. Though, the attempts of these foreign supported segments being oriented in breaking the motivation of Turkey will be shared with the Somalian public opinion.
Respectfully announced to the Somali public.
THE PORT OF
MOGADISHU
operated by Albayrak
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Islamic State, Shabaab leaders added to US terrorism list.
Today, the State Department added a number of jihadist commanders and operatives to the US' list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists. In addition to the four al Qaeda leaders, an Al Nusrah Front commander, the leader of the Junud al Islam, and terrorist groups Jaish al Muhajireen wal Ansar and Harakat Sham al-Islam, State added three Islamic State commanders and a Shabaab leader to its terrorism list. Below are State's summaries of the Shabaab and Islamic State leaders.
As of mid-July 2014, Amru al Absi was selected as ISIL's provincial leader for Homs, Syria, in the Aleppo region. As a principal leader of ISIL in Syria, he has been in charge of kidnappings.Salim Benghalem is a Syria-based French extremist and ISIL member, who carries out executions on behalf of the group. In 2007, Salim was convicted and sentenced to prison in France for a 2001 murder. Today, Benghalem is the subject of a European arrest warrant because of his activities on behalf of ISIL.Lavdrim Muhaxheri is a Kosovar Albanian foreign fighter for ISIL who operates in both Syria and Iraq. Muhaxheri made international headlines in July 2014 after uploading to Facebook graphic photos of himself beheading a young man.Maalim Salman was chosen by now-deceased al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamed (aka Godane) to be the head of African foreign fighters for al-Shabaab. He has trained foreign nationals who were seeking to join al-Shabaab as foreign fighters, and has been involved in operations in Africa targeting tourists, "entertainment establishments," and churches.
For more information on the other designations released today by State, see LWJ reports, US adds Chechen, Moroccan-led jihadist groups to terrorist list, and US government designations target al Qaeda's international network.