From Yemen to Somalia: US strikes on Al-Qaeda

The US president sought Donald Trump 's management powers granted to the army, to carry out strikes in Somalia against al Shabaab rebels. 

Under the unprecedented powers, the US military will not be obliged to justify the legitimate self - defense, to launch air strikes.

Well, granted, more independence in the decision to launch strikes, the commander of US forces in Africa, General Thomas Aldozr.

Greater powers of the US Army, the largest US unmanned aircraft in Somalia and freedom.

American fighters, watching, and hunting, and bomb Yemen base. And American ground forces additional, up to the front lines against Daesh, in Syria and Iraq. The talk is about sending more.

US military seems motivated, to resolve the fight against terrorism, especially his head Daesh, great.

And it seems the US president, who has made the slogan "America first" a symbol of the isolation, dramatic surprise internal issues statements.

Words Trump also appeared during the election battle, at odds on achieving victory on terrorism, with a number of very limited ground forces, is not inconsistent with his faith the judge to limit Washington's obligations abroad and as it is supposed to reject the policy of nation-building.

Trump criticized in the door of his predecessor, Obama, who was ironically one of the most American presidents in an effort to distance the US forces, foreign policy conflicts.

It was considered that the main reason for the chaos that the region now, and Daesh infiltration into the region of the gap left by the United States in Iraq ... 

The man has won, and say between What a difference already.

All the movements of Washington Wednesday leaves no doubt that the military approach aimed at expanding the direct role in the front rows of its own, and expand its operations in more than one spot in the world, from the fight against terrorism gate legislator.

In any case, many of the sayings of Trump as soon as he entered the White House changed.

It may be his position of rejecting the sticky ground troops in the front lines in the region, one of them, not the most recent

Somalia recently elected President Mohamad Abdullahi Farmaajo welcome the new policy. According to the chief of Somali Army General Mohamed Adan message post on his Twitter account. @ChiefOfDefence.  

Somali president it was one of his campaign promise to eliminate Alshabaab terrorist.. he's a Somali American from upstate New York.. work for New York Department of Transportation Before he ran for president of Somalia, Farmaajo was always Affiliated with Republican of New York.. it seems President Donald Trump  is very fortunate to have willing partner in Somalia . There's absolutely no doubt alshabaab terrorist days are numbered.

There was absolutely no progress for the last 8 years on the fight against alshabaab in somalia.. under the leadership Somalia Muslim Brotherhood Dumjadiid Pary of former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and democratic Obama administration

.

.You can always follow me on Twitter on update
@terrorfreesomal

Trump authorizes more aggressive airstrikes against Alshabab in Somalia

Trump authorizes more aggressive airstrikes against al-Shabab in Somalia: The new authorization will allow the United States to conduct offensive counterterrorism airstrikes against al-Shabab in the east African nation of Somalia without seeking prior presidential approval, a Pentagon spokesman said.

White House Gives "Green Light Department of Defense DOD Offensive in Somalia to Eliminate Alshabaab terrorist

Pentagon spokesman captain Jeff Davis today press briefing

US President , Donald Trump , approved a proposal submitted by the Department of Defense DOD to grant additional powers to support the operations of the mission Union AU in Somalia and the security forces of Somalia to eliminate the "Alshabaab terrorist " movement extremist.

Spokesman Davis added , these powers commensurate with the US commitments to expand the capabilities of the security forces of Somalia and to support regional partners.

Alshabaab terrorist is a Somali movement emerged in 2006 and linked to al - Qaeda through the mediation of some officials of the cells of the international organization in East Africa

TEAM DC Team Farmaajo
You can always follow me on Twitter on update
@terrorfreesomal

The White House gives the military a broader mandate offensive in Somali

Pentagon Pres Sec  US Department of Defense (Pentagon) The White House, the US Army awarded a broader mandate to strike in Somalia against the militant youth movement linked to al-Qaeda

The officials White House announced on Wednesday evening parts of Somalia , " the work of anactive combat zone" for at least 180 days.   
These parts do not include the capital Mogadishu.

 President of Somalia H:E Mohamed Abdullahi (Farmajo) and Somalia chief o8f Defense Somali National Army General Mohamed Adan Ahmed. Welcome expanding ops in Somalia to counter alqaeda linked AlShabaab 

General Twitter account  @ChiefOfDefence statement said we welcome DOD nnounces White House approved additional precision fires in support of AMISOM & Somali security forces ops to defeat alShabaab. 

German parliament extends mission training force in Somalia

The German parliament approved the extension of the work of German troops participating in the training mission in Somalia for another year

The parliament decided on Thursday to extend the task forces that are involved in the training of Somali forces to fight al Shabaab militias engaged in terrorist operations inside the country.

Allowed parliament 's decision send up to twenty German soldiers to train Somali troops and to advise them.

The number of participants in the training mission in Somalia , the German soldiers until recently was only 11 soldiers.

According to the justification of the German troops ' mission in accordance with the decision that instability in the Horn of Africa poses a threat to security in Europe as well.

The German government says that since the beginning of the Somali forces led by the European Union since 2010 training mission has been training about 5,400 Somali troops so far

Somalia H:E President of Federal Republic of Somalia H.E Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo, The Arab League Amman Summit Speech

Somalia H:E President of Federal Republic of Somalia H.E Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo

 The president's speech

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia 

Somalia H:E President of Federal Republic of Somalia H.E Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo, The Arab League Amman Summit Speech

before the 

Arab Summit 

held in Sea the Dead Jordan 

March 29, 2017 In the 

name of God the Merciful Your 

Majesties, Excellencies and Highnesses , 

Excellencies

His Excellency the Secretary General of the League of Arab State

Gentlemen , heads of delegations

ladies and Gentlemen, peace be upon you and God 's mercy and blessings be upon you begin by thanking and appreciation to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 's King, government and people , and especially thank His Majesty King Abdullah II, President of the twenty - eighth session of the summit presentation Yeh for his kind invitation to us to participate in the work ofthis summit, and for the warm reception and generous hospitality, I wouldalso like to thank and due to His Excellency President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz , President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania , the sister, thePresident of the previous summit , which led the vessel to safety wisely.

- and I share for the first time in an Arab summit let me extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Your Majesties, Excellencies and Highnesses and HE the Secretary General of the League of Arab States to congratulate them and Tpricathm us on the occasion Atnkhabna President of the Republic of Somalia , federal, and assure you that I will do my best to be an active member and active contributor in the Arab labor joint.

Your Majesties, Excellencies and Highnesses:

It was natural to convene the Arab summits always the Arab world passes through certain circumstances, where each summit dealt with topics and issues before it and issue appropriate decisions according to the prevailing circumstances, and this summit , like other Arab summits held in exceptional circumstances and in the period critical and accurate Arab world , which is facing the challenges of security, political, economic and humanitarian needs us more collective action and to unify the efforts and the word and take appropriate decisions to confront and overcome insurance for the protection of our present and for the future of our countries and our peoples.

- The security and humanitarian challenges of the most serious facing theArab world at the moment and came mostly due to internal differences, Throughout the Arab world are suffering our people in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen , the problem of strife, wars , and the lack of security and stability, so we invite them all to renounce violence and unite and tell them the reality of Our experience and long bitter that there is no alternative to dialogue and sit at the negotiating table, then stand united against the terrorists who reject peace because terrorism is aimed at everyone.

• All crises and challenges that we talked about and facing a number of Arab countries sister and other threatening and ignite the fire on Aziza from the Arab parts of the body, it can not end with a magic wand unless our summit take this crucial political decisions extinguish the fire before the flames reach the relatively safe areas the entire Arab body Victal.

• I am in this place the oldest advice fraternal Arab countries which iswitnessing disputes and internal conflicts and acts of violence that benefit from the experience and the lesson of Somalia there is no substitute for dialogue, no matter how prolonged the war and whatever spilled the blood of the parties will turn eventually to dialogue so they inject their blood.

Your Majesties, Excellencies and Highnesses:

Despite the crises and challenges looming over the Arab world has bled you human from Somalia , where he held elections in our country early this year in an atmosphere for peaceful and unprecedented Anthus free democratic transparent and was broadcast live in full view of all the world starting with the legislative elections , which the Somali people elected according to which the members of the Federal parliament , which consists of the parliament and the Senate, followed by the presidential elections that were not less enthusiastic presence and where the members of parliament and the Senate together to perform the constitutional duty and the election of a new president of the Republic responded in a manner Rigg Of the Somali people in change and received the Somali people as a result of the elections by welcoming and cheers, and welcomed and blessed by the international community, and these elections have been through the ballot boxes peaceful transfer of power between the new presidents and former before the heavy presence of international Almojta and under the eyes of the local and international media lenses, and in the light of the election result, according as determined by the Constitution and the system in force in the country, we have appointed brother Hassan Ali charity a new prime minister who won the confidence of the parliament and on March 21 the formation of the new government and submitted it to the parliament again to gain confidence.

Your Majesties, Excellencies and Highnesses:

Somalia 's new government faces a number of challenges that need to be realistic planning and support to our brothers and friends to overcome. Many polymorphic challenges and worst:

1. the danger of extremism and terrorism ,

the continuing attacks and terrorist bombings subsequent that destroy what was built by the Somalis with their efforts and their race and claim the lives of thousands of unarmed innocent and deplete the human and material energies, is the president who is an obstacle to the reconstruction of Somalia and restore security and stability of the danger. It is true that terrorism has become epidemic spread in most of the world 's continents, but we suffered from the Massaibh for is short and more than any other country, and the reality of the experience we call on the world to unite positions and coordinate its efforts and assembling its resources to confront and eradicate the plague of terrorism , which does not exclude anyone.

2. wave of drought and famine:

recurrent drought in Somalia is due to the phenomenon of climate change in the world and the interruption of rain, dry rivers and gore water sources, causing famine and the spread of epidemics and deadly diseases for more than three million children, women and elderly Somalis who may be exposed to the risk of death unless their ministry and providing assistance to them, and also causes drought killed millions of heads of livestock which is one of the most important pillars of the Somali economy. The face of the risk of drought need urgent action and effective relief to those affected and need a movement medium and long term to find sustainable solutions to break the cycles of successive drought by providing permanent water sources and the expansion of agricultural land.

3. limited physical possibilities:

no doubt that any country is exposed to a series of wars and strife and turmoil for a period of twenty - six years will collapse , its economy and up to the brink of bankruptcy and poverty no matter how great potential and flourishing economy , and this situation is Mayaaneha the Somali people at the moment and make efforts to overcome them.

- Somali people face the challenges and risks that I 've listed thetogetherness of the official and popular efforts and stand united and bearing in mind first and foremost to assist drought - affected where harnessing all material capabilities limited to provide some of the immediate needs of food and medical supplies , but the little that we have to Effi the desired goal and ISD the need for affected brothers therefore appeal to our brothers in the Arab world from governments, philanthropic organizations and the private sector to rise up to save millions of Somalis affected by providing emergency humanitarian aid of food, medical and water drinkable Oll Agriculture and livestock watering.

Your Majesties, Excellencies and Highnesses:

The temporary aid and aid emergency can not be a solution to what we are experiencing economic problems and do not achieve what we are looking for economic growth and rebuilding the infrastructure and the fight against terrorism, extremism and provide security to the citizens so we appeal to our brothers in the Arab countries to take one practical steps include:

1. to stand by the Somali government and its support in the fight against terrorism and extremism through the Somali National army and security services building and the provision of equipment necessary for them weapons and help improve the performance of the judicial organs and the judiciary.

2. Review the special support of Somalia items in the decisions taken by the Arab summits of successive terms of the new government of the Republic of Somalia attaches hopes to implement the provisions of these resolutions, and we request the current of our summit to issue decisions calls for treatment plant assistance to meet the challenges and risks that we mentioned and to activate and implement all decisions with the support of Somalia, and the mention of which decision to Sharm el - Sheikh summit to provide urgent financial support amounting to ten million dollars a month for the Somali government 's budget for one year and the decision to hold a conference for the development of Arab Somalia this year, and in this context , I would like to express our thanks Jizzi And gratitude for the decision of the State of Kuwait to host conference to support Somalia 's education sector , hoping to take place as soon as possible and look forward to Arab broad participation and effective in this conference, reform of the education sector approaches important to address the problems of Somalia and in the forefront of the problem of violence directed young Somali movements of terrorist and extremist.

3. invite Arab businessmen and the private sector to Arab investment in Somalia and more open Arab markets to Somali products.

4. Provide possible long - term Odion financial aid to help Somalia in theextraction of resources buried in the ground and in the depths of the sea and the development of agricultural, livestock and fisheries.

Conclusion:audience you asking God to grant our summit with successGentlemen , heads of delegat

COMMUNIQUÉ: SPECIAL SUMMIT OF THE IGAD HEADS OF STATE ON DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR SOMALI REFUGEES

COMMUNIQUÉ:  SPECIAL SUMMIT OF THE IGAD HEADS OF STATE ON DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR SOMALI REFUGEES
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Somali President His Excellency Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo IGAD summit speech



Federal Republic of Somalia
Statement by the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia
On Special Summit of IGAD Heads of States and Governments on Protection and Durable Solutions of Somali Refugees
Nairobi, 25 March 2017

Excellences and distinguished delegates:

Presidents, Prime Ministers and Vice Presidents of the IGAD Member States;
I would like to take this opportunity to thank H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya for hosting this special Summit on Durable Solutions for Somali Refugees.

I would also like to thank the head of the UN High Commission for Refugees, H.E. Filippo Grandi and Ambassador Alex Rondos of the European Union for co-organizing this important event.

Most importantly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people and governments of IGAD member states and Yemen, who collectively host more than one million Somali refugees in their countries. Your generosity to my people at the time of their greatest need is immensely appreciated. On behalf of my people, we are eternally grateful to you.

Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentleman:

I take this opportunity to commend you for the commitment you have demonstrated by attending this important summit, which renews attention to the plight of Somali refugees and IDPs, considered to be one of the most protracted problems in the world.

This summit is the culmination of a series of meetings and side events intended to bring to the attention of the world, the magnitude and complexity of the Somali refugees and IDPs. I refer here to a few of those meetings:
The High Level Global Initiative on Somali Refugees in Geneva in 2013, followed by the one in Addis Ababa in August 2014 which resulted in the Addis Ababa Commitment by the countries in the region hosting Somali refugees.

These commitments were also highlighted at the High Level Partnership Forum held in Mogadishu between 29-30 July 2015, the High Level side event on Somalia held at the margins of the General Assembly in New York on 28 September 2015, the General Assembly meeting and September’s Commitment to Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and its side event on Somali refugees, and lastly, the IGAD meeting held in Mogadishu on the 13th September 2016 and its resolution to hold this Special Summit.

These commitments and those entered into within the Tripartite Agreement of November 2013, and its six months extension, all are based on two crucial principles which are: To find sustainable and durable solutions to the problem of Somali displacement, and to preserve the institution of asylum.
Let me say at the outset that, it is my hope that we will be able to re-dedicate ourselves to the achievement of both these aspects for the benefit of the Somali displaced people.

Today, about two and half million Somali refugees and IDPs live in camps in and out of the country. Tragically, some have lived in these camps for 3 generations, all because the environment wasn’t conducive enough in Somalia for them to return. That said, many have voluntarily returned over the past few years, as conditions in their regions have improved gradually.
However, the current drought and the looming famine pose yet another challenge to voluntary return. We must not leave a stone unturned to avert another famine in Somalia.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:

The Federal Government of Somalia has made Durable Solutions for Refugees and IDPs a centerpiece of its resilience strategy. The basis of our strategy is the inherent believe that refugees and IDPs are deeply tired of being displaced and living on handouts in squalid camps. Moreover, it’s based on the principle that the overwhelming majority of them would rather live in dignity and self-reliance. Based on that, our strategy aims to unshackle them from the vicious cycle of displacement, and investing in their innate ability to reclaim their dignity. For far too long, we have been investing in the management of refugees and IDPs. Time has come for us to invest in their God-given ability to manage themselves.

Daawo War Farxad leh Qodo Muhim ah oo ay ku heshiyen Somali iyo Kenya

Press Release: Dhamaan Xubnaha Xildhibaanada ah ee isku bahaystay qabyalaada si ay sadbursi awoodeed u helaan

سَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم

 Press release: Gudoomiya Isbadaldoonka shacabka soomaaliyeed

Ku: Dhamaan Xubnaha Xildhibaanada ah ee isku bahaystay qabyalaada si ay sadbursi awoodeed u helaan =Muqdisho=

Ujeeddo:- Digniin kama danbeys ah.

Anigoo ku hadlaaya magaca dhamaan Isimada ama Salaadiinta caafimaadka qaba ee Beelaha Soomaaliyeed meel ay joogaanba, magaca Shacabka Soomaaliyeed ee wadaniyiinta ah iyo magacayga waxaan uga digaayaa inay kusii adkaystaan ama kusii dhiiradaan falkooda daneystanimo ee meelka dhaca ku ah Xildhibaanada kale ee sharafta leh dhamaan Xildhibaanada isu bahaystey qabyaalada si ay sadbursi awoodeed uga helaan Xukuumadeena curdanka ah ee baryahan ku mashquulsanaa in ay is hortaagaan ansixinta Golaha Wasiirada la magacaabey dhawaan.

 Waxaan leeyahay Xildhibaanoow Allaah ka cabsada cabsida uu mudan yahay kana waantooba qabyaalada iyo isbahaysiga xaqdara ku dhisan ee kasoo horjeeda Maslaxada Guud ee Dalka, Dadka iyo Diinta Soomaaliyeed isla mar ahaantaasna ceebta ku ah magaciina iyo diintiina maadaama aad Allaah hortiisa Kitaab ku dhaarateen inaad daacad ugu adeegaysaan Maslaxada Dalka, Dadka iyo Diinta Soomaaliyeed.

 Soomaalidu waxay ku maahmaahdaa "meeshaad nin ka qaadatid nin ayaa uga tagtey" ee ogaada hadaad qabiilkiina la safataan inaad Qaranimadii qabyaalad ka doorateen, taariikhdaana xusi doonta Xildhibaan walbaa sidii u dhaqmay mudaduu xilka hayey.

Allaah xeer u dhigta Ummaddana ka xishooda inshaa Allaahh.

Wa billaahi towfiiq.

Sultaan Cabdulcasiis Muxammad Ciisadheere (Shaaciye).

Email: shaaciye1@live.se

Tel: +46767131933

Stockholm Swede

Kenyan president Hosted a State Banquet in honour of Somalia President H:E Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. President Republic of Kenya H:E Uhuru Kenyatta Joint press briefing

link
President Republic of Kenya H:E Uhuru KenyattaJoint press briefing with H:E Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed

 Kenyan president Hosted a State Banquet in honour of Somalia President H:E Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed at State House
Hosted a State Banquet in honour of Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed at State House.

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmaajo) Kenya State Visit

"A Somali in America" documents the experience of Ali Warsame, a Somali refugee who gained residency in the United States in 2015

Daawo sharaftii ciidankii qaranka somalia

Why al-Shabaab Attacks Kenya: Questioning the Narrative Paradigm: Terrorism and Political Violence: Vol 0, No 0

This article questions the current narrative paradigm and argues that al-Shabaab attacks Kenya for strategic and highly rational reasons, beyond sharing a border and having bases in southern Somalia closer to major population centres than Ethiopia or Uganda. Al-Shabaab targets Kenya more than other frontline states because of the opportunity spaces linked to Kenya’s international status and visibility, its relatively free and independent media that widely publicizes terrorist attacks, a highly developed and lucrative tourist sector that provides soft targets, the comparatively high number of Kenyan foreign fighters within the group’s ranks, the presence of terror cells in Kenya, expanding democratic space, and high levels of corruption. These variables play into al-Shabaab’s motivations and aid planning and execution of terrorist acts that aim to fulfil the group’s quest to survive by maintaining relevance. In order to address this predictable menace, we offer a number of measures that Kenya needs to take, including reducing corruption in order to properly invest in intelligence efforts and relevant homeland security measures, thereby making it possible for Kenya to sustainably and effectively combat al-Shabaab.

Why al-Shabaab Attacks Kenya: Questioning the Narrative Paradigm: Terrorism and Political Violence: Vol 0, No 0: (2017). Why al-Shabaab Attacks Kenya: Questioning the Narrative Paradigm. Terrorism and Political Violence. Ahead of Print. doi: 10.1080/09546553.2017.1290607

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo said UN chief's visit to Somalia reinforces the severity of the drought facing Somalia

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo said UN chief's visit to Somalia reinforces the severity of the drought facing the country,

Make Somalia Great Again Somalia newly elected President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo ia Already making Somalia Great Again

Somalia: Countdown to AMISOM Withdrawal

Kampala — The swearing-in last week of Somalia's new President Mohamed Abdullahi "Farmajo" was greeted with a surge of optimism on the streets of Mogadishu that a new era of stability was on its way.

He won by a landslide, on a wave of nationalist fervour. But the fact that the ceremony took place in a highly secured airport zone, under the control of African Union peacekeepers, in a city repeatedly bombed by the jihadist group al-Shabab, betrays how huge the task confronting him is.

The International Crisis Group's latest report said Farmajo had benefited from being seen as the right leader "to build a robust Somali National Army (SNA), speed up the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)'s exit, stabilise security, curb interventions by neighbouring countries, and protect Somalia's dignity and sovereignty."

But this is an ambitious wish list and the path ahead is fraught with danger.

Countdown

Central to Somalia's security is the 22,000-strong AMISOM multinational force. It has been in Somalia for a decade, battling al-Shabab and helping slowly expand state authority.

AMISOM is due to start withdrawing its troops from October next year and is expected to be fully out of the country by December 2020, handing over to the SNA, which will probably number just 20,000.

"AMISOM alone cannot defeat al-Shabab," said a report last year by Mogadishu's Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS). "This can only happen if AMISOM can partner with a capable, legitimate and inclusive set of Somali security forces."

But the Somali National Army is a force beset with problems, particularly over corruption, capacity and its acceptance in regions beyond Mogadishu. At the moment, there are doubts it will be able to stand up to a degraded, but still dangerous, insurgency.

Francisco Madeira, AU special representative to Somalia, is painfully aware of that challenge. "Building the capacity of the Somali National Security Forces is something that is central to the mandate of AMISOM, and we are doing this to the best of our ability and within the available resources," he told IRIN

oo soon?

Given this, and the historically weak and divided nature of the Somali state, experts fear AMISOM's departure will be premature.

"It seems highly unlikely to me that the Somali army [and state institutions] would be ready in just three years, given the current state of the security situation," said Nina Wilen, a research fellow at Université Libre de Bruxelles.

"A withdrawal of AMISOM in 2020 will be untimely," agreed Christian Ani Ndubuisi, a researcher at the Institute for Security Studies. A more viable option, he believes, is for international donors to support a longer transition, of five to 10 years.

The challenge for AMISOM is that exiting Somalia with some honour hinges on several factors beyond its control. Crucially, it relies on international funding, and not enough has been forthcoming "to seriously degrade rather than simply displace al-Shabab", said the HIPS report.

AMISOM draws its main fighting forces from Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and Burundi. Allowances for the troops are paid by the EU, and logistical support - from food to medical supplies - is provided by the UN. The attack helicopters it desperately needs have not been available.

There is also now trouble in the ranks of the troop-contributing nations, which have threatened to withdraw ever since the EU cut the monthly allowance paid to soldiers by 20 percent in January 2016, from $1,028 to $822.

While the AU argues that its soldiers bleed and the West provides only money, the EU counters that there are other peace operations on the continent deserving of its support, including Central African Republic, Mali and the Lake Chad crisis.

"AMISOM will celebrate its 10th year this year, and the main funder [the EU] does not see the light at the end of the tunnel," said Thierry Vircoulon, ICG project director for Central Africa. "It is not ready to fund another never-ending peacekeeping mission as the UN usually does."

Somalia: Countdown to AMISOM Withdrawal - Is Somalia Ready? - allAfrica.com

Moderate Islamist group signals relations with new Somalia government, Alhusuna leader Mohamed Shakir Hassan ready to work with Somalia President Mohamed Farmaajo’s

                   Alhusuna leader Mohamed Shakir Hassan  ready to work with Somalia President Mohamed Farmaajo’s

The moderate Islamist group Ahlusuna wal Jamaa has indicated its willingness to work with the Federal Government but maintained unwillingness to cede ground for established Federal States in central Somalia.

In an exclusive interview with terror free somalia blog Mohamed Shakir Hassan the group’s leader for the so called Central Regions territory said they were ready to work with President Mohamed Farmaajo’s administration but on condition they are regarded like any other regional administration.

“We do not have any problem with the current administration. Our issue was with former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who brought an administration which had nothing to do with the people of Galmudug. He came with his supporter and violated the constitution by allowing the formation of a state from one and half regions,” said Hassan.

Galmudug state formed in 2015 is made up of Galgadud region and the southern part of Mudug. The Provisional constitution notes two or more states can join to form a state. Ahlusuna walked of the state formation conference in April 2015 and has since occupied the Dhuusamareb, the supposed administrative capital for Galmudug state.

The 43 year Hassan who says is now pursuing a PhD in political science from Ahqaf University in Yemen claims Ahlusuna’s territory straddles the central regions to cover Mudug, Hiiran and Galmudug. Alhusuna is however primarily based in Dhuusamareb.

Asked how possible it is that a small group made up of two communities could claim stake of three regions, Hassan dismisses it as fabrication of the media. “That is how the media makes people believe. As you can see even the man who organized the interview for you is an MP in my administration but comes from a different clan outside Dhuusamareb.”

Ahlusuna wal Jamaa fought alongside Somali forces in driving out Al-Shabaab from parts of central Somalia but fell out with the government over what it termed as exclusion despite efforts at pacifying the region.

Hassan is not open to the idea of discussing his troop numbers but says ‘they are enough to control the three regions and were strong enough to finish Al-Shabaab’. As to the sources of funding for the group, Hassan states “We get money from supporters of the Alhusuna liberation and our administration is supported by all in Galmudug, Alhusuna, Himin and Heeb and consists of Mudug, Galgadud and Hiiraan.”

Himin and Hebb existed alongside Galmudug before 2014 but joined together to form Galmudug state.

During his meeting with President Farmaajo, Hassan says they did not discuss the Galmudug issue but instead focused on efforts to fight Al-Shabaab. The leader who could not see eye to eye with former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended President Farmaajo’s inauguration in what was seen as a sign of better relations with the new administration.

But Hassan is categorical that Alhusuna fighters will not surrender their weapons to the government. “We will not give out our weapons. Alhusuna is just like any other region and the government must deal with us as a regional state,” said Hassan. He assured humanitarian agencies however of free movement noting they restricted movement in the past because of the bad relations with Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration.

On his group’s relations with Ethiopia, Hassan observes, “we enjoy good relationship with Ethiopia just like we do with the new government.”

Two Political Novices To Lead Somalia´ New Era

After unanimous endorsement by the parliament, Somali’s new Prime Minsiter Mr. Hassan Khayre, a novice and newcomer to the political landscape, embarks a new venture that is markedly different from his corporate and humanitarian background, to a volatile and often tumultuous politics.

Mr Khayre, who until he was appointed to PM was minor shareholder of Som & Oil Gas Company, faces immediate and steep challenges that stems from, but not limited to, forming new lean cabinet, reorganizing the federal government institutions, charting a new path towards transitioning the country into one-man-one vote in 2020. In new aura of overwhelming expectation, the cabinet will define the premiership and, to larger extent, the presidency.

It is in this process of coming up with the names of ministers that the President and Prime Minister will confront the mounting pressure from the various political actors who are seeking to have their names included in the new cabinet. Among the major political actors who are already lobbying for cabinet posts include the federal member states – namely Jubba, South West, Galmudug, Hirshabelle and Puntland, and they have been relentlessly maneuvering around the new PM’s resident and office. Similarly, the Mogadishu-based political brokers, who often compose of various Islamist groups, clan affiliates, business groups, civil societies and former politicians are among the actors and lobbyist looking for new cabinet posts. Managing these various competing actors – and meeting their demands – is another major litmus test for Mr. Kheire’s leadership, who already made several promises to certain clans before his endorsement.

which ultimately result the PM’s ejection in vote of no confidence, and leads to political paralysis. Although the president Farmaajo promised a new era of political stability and zero-conflict with PM, yet the political infighting between the president and PM has its roots in the provisional constitution, rather than the political aspect. Strikingly, the last two presidents, Hassan Shiekh and Shiekh Shariif had six PM in each, and both have fought and finally fired two PM for each.

Additionally, the challenges ahead for the two Khayre will include how to handle with competing actors who have vested interest in Somalia, both locally and internationally.

“Long time powers deep based on interest and they are more powerful than government and they include security firms , business and humanitarian organizations” Abdishakur Abdirahman a former Minister in the Somali government recently tweeted.

And in many cases those would want to use financial influence to have their wishes met. Corruption has affected past administration and is one of the major impediments to the development of Somalia and the country is ranked highly in Africa for this wrong reason.

In seemingly blunt term, the new PM has recently tweeted: “We will tackle corruption I vow to prosecute individuals implicated regardless of her status. The area of impunity is over” Khayre said immediately after his approval today.

Plenty of questions remain unanswered or needs to be seen. Will the duo be able to deal with the impunity from persons with much influence on the government he runs? If yes what new measures are they likely to introduce to put an end to corruption and impunity?

“Corruption is widely involved in all sectors of the government and politicians have experience on how to go about corrupt dealings. It means the new administration need to deal careful and ensure accountability” Abdishakur advises.

Another delicate act of balance is how president Farmaajo and PM Khayre balance the needs of Somalia and the diplomatic relations with its neighboring countries, chiefly Kenya and Ethiopia, both of whom attended Farmaajo’s inauguration and promised a continued cooperation with new administration.

They find a Somalia that has a 20000 plus AU peace keeping troops with regional military powers Ethiopia and Kenya been part of it . Private security firms from the US and other countries are present to offer services to the many organizations operating in the country.

The country is at a juncture in its history where it is still in need of assistance after two decades of civil war especially now that it is dealing with an insurgency by militant group Alshabaab and an ongoing drought.

Beyond the neighboring countries, Turkey and UAE are increasingly dipping their feet and influence in Somalia. Both Turkey and UAE provide significant financial support to federal government, and both of have commitment with previous administrations to establish new military base, which could trigger a new wave of sectarian proxy that could potentially have impact on Somalia. As Rashid Abdi, analysts at International Crisis Group (ICG) tweeted today: “A growing militarization of Red Sea, Golf of Aden and Geopolitical competition make combustible mix for the region.Somalis are wary the border of Horn of Africa belt which bas became a new conduit for Arab proxy battlefield”.

Taking leaf from his mentor and inspirational figure, Mr. Kheire mentioned former PM Abdirizak Haji Hussine, who was regared among the most successful PM ever Somalia had.

“The creed of government will be competence and efficiency as was the motto of former PM Abdirizak Haji Hussein” Kheyre said on Wednesday in reference to the Somali PM who served between 64 and 67 just less than one year before the current Prime Minister was born.

Finally, the appointment of PM Kheire marks a new paradigm shift in the power sharing and the political structure of the country. His appointment was welcomed across the aisle, and people are closely watching his new cabinet and administration.

Abdirahman Warsame

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