the power brokers

Transitional federal government
Established in Nairobi in 2004, this is the internationally recognised authority in Somalia. The warlord Abullahi Yusuf was elected as president by MPs, but failed to win support on the ground. In 2006, when an alliance of sharia courts, the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), wrested power from warlords who controlled much of south and central Somalia, the government was saved by invading troops from Ethiopia. Yusuf resigned in 2008 and was replaced by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed after the Ethiopians withdrew in January. A moderate Islamist who co-led the ICU, Ahmed supported the ­installation of sharia. His ­government exercises very little authority.
Al-Shabaab Created from the remnants of the ICU's radical wing, the Shabaab led the initial insurgency against Ethiopian troops, the ­transitional federal ­government and later peacekeepers from the African Union. Commanded by trained ­guerrillas, they are alleged to have links to al-Qaida and are designated as a terrorist organisation by the US. They have carried out numerous suicide bombings, a tactic previously alien to Somalia, and use improvised explosive devices. In some areas under their control the Shabaab practise harsh Islamic law, with penalties including amputations and death by stoning.
African Union mission to Somalia This 4,300-strong ­peacekeeping ­mission, ­established with UN approval, is mandated with ­supporting ­government ­structures, ­including the presidency, the port and the airport in ­Mogadishu, the capital, as well as facilitating ­humanitarian aid. Staffed by Ugandan and ­Burundian troops, it has come under frequent attack from ­insurgents, with at least 23 peacekeepers killed since 2007.http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/xanrice

Governor Arnold of California Congratulates the Ethiopian people and Ethiopian Americans for May 28th,(Ginbot 20) National Day

http://aigaforum.com/news/Gov_Arnold_On_Ginbot20_Eth_2009.htm

Somali Insurgency Grows, Roiling President's Peace Effor

Stepped-up attacks by Somali militants are challenging the new president's campaign promises to bring peace and order to this war-torn country.President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's plan involved more public relations than firepower: erode the popular base of the country's extremist Islamist insurgency and win over other, influential warlords.But in recent weeks, Al Shabab, a loose collection of Islamist militants including hardened insurgents, disaffected youth and other extremists, has intensified its assaults.On Wednesday, nine people died after insurgents fired mortars at the presidential palace in Mogadishu. The mortars missed their target and fell instead on a residential area.The violence underscores the difficult task for Mr. Ahmed, who took office in January.Somalia has long been a tangle of shifting alliances. President Ahmed was once part of a government that declared jihad on its neighbor, Ethiopia.Now, he is positioning himself as a moderate working for peace.During his first few months in office, Mr. Ahmed pressed warlords -- many weary of fighting -- to support the administration. His government and the United Nations say he is making progress there.The government's broader strategy has been to weaken Al Shabab by providing opportunities for education and jobs to young men who might otherwise, in the words of a government spokesman, be enlisted by insurgents for "seventy dollars and a mobile phone."Those plans are on hold, however, amid strife in Mogadishu. In recent weeks, Al Shabab and another militant group, Hisb-ul-Islam, banded together to overturn the government, clashing with Somali forces in a fresh push toward Mogadishu.The fighting has prompted more than 45,000 Somalis to flee the capital, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency.So far, Somali and African Union forces have managed to keep the insurgents at bay, holding significant portions of Mogadishu under government control...more..http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124346144044959953.html

Desperate Islamic Radicals

May 28, 2009: The fighting in Mogadishu this month has killed or wounded a few dozen, to over a hundred, people a day. The radicals (al Shabaab and al Qaeda) are trying to wrest control of the city from the moderates (Islamic Courts) who control the government. Nearly 100,000 civilians have fled the city, mainly because about half the casualties have been civilians. The government is appealing to foreign governments, and the UN, to help with the surge, this year, of nearly 500 foreign Islamic radicals (al Qaeda and others.) There are several radical factions, and they don't get along. This has limited the effectiveness of the radicals, who are spending more time fighting each other, or refusing to cooperate with each other. There is a certain urgency in al Shabaab's attacks, because Western nations have agreed to give the government over $200 million for recruit and train and army and police force. This would make it a lot more difficult for al Shabaab to seize and hold ground. Another problem is that word is getting around that, when al Shabaab take over an area, the radicals try to impose Islamic conservative lifestyle rules. This does not go down well with many Somalis, and is contributing to growing resistance to al Shabaab and other radical groups. Most Somalis adhere to less radical forms of Islam (mainly Sufi). But these mellower Somali Moslems have guns, and are being compelled, by the radicals actions, to fight.

Two years of fighting in Somalia have killed over 18,000 and driven over a million from their homes and into refugee camps. The government accuses Eritrea of aiding al Shabaab, and other radical groups, by supplying weapons and transportation. International pressure on Eritrea is having little effect.

Off the coast, foreign warships continue to play catch (pirates) and release (pirates after seizing their weapons). The anti-piracy patrol is getting some help from clan and religious leaders ashore. The successful pirates are being criticized by their neighbors for spending money on booze and foreign whores. This is considered un-Islamic, and the conservative clan leaders (of clans not in the piracy business) and clergy (few are involved with the pirates) are hostile to all this debauchery. They also criticize the thievery and kidnapping (of ship crews). Some local leaders also fear retaliation by foreign countries. France and the United States has killed pirates, and there is growing fear that the United States will come ashore and go after the pirates, and anyone in the vicinity. Several hundred young men have publically renounced their pirate ways, but that's partly because so many have come north hoping to get a shot at pirate riches. But there were not enough opportunities (speedboats and mother ships) for all the adventurous young men. The pirate operations are becoming more organized and disciplined. These pirate groups are more successful at finding and seizing ships, mainly because they have agents in London and other shipping centers, where information (about ships headed for the Somali coast) can be obtained and passed on to the speedboat crews. So far this year, there have been more attacks since the 111 last year. more..http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/somalia/articles/20090528.aspx

Wedding parties banned in Kismayo,Warships block vessel from rebel-held Somali port

Kismayo al shabaab jubaland region, have banned people in Kismayo to have big wedding parties and ordered the cameramen in the city to register in the media office in Kismayo, an official said on Thursday.
The Islamists said it was forbidden to have big wedding parties and they also banned the integration of men and women. Severalty, Abdifatah Ibrahim Ali, the deputy head of information in Kismayu called for the cameramen in the city to register in the media office of the Islamic administration in Kismayo town in Lower Jubba region adding that the reason is to know what kind work they do in the town. They had banned music and other western cultures in the town of Kismayo.
Warships block vessel from rebel-held Somali port
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE54S33N20090529?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

Ohio county baffled by costly calls to Somalia

SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio county has asked the FBI to find out who made scores of lengthy calls to Somalia at taxpayers' expense. Telecommunications coordinator Bob Hall with the Erie County Emergency Management Agency says a person phoned a county agency's voicemail system last month and was able to reroute more than 120 calls to Somalia. The county's Department of Environmental Services was billed $212 for more than 20 hours of conversation. At the time, the agency's voicemail wasn't password-protected, but Hall says that's now fixed. AT&T agreed to forgive the international calling charges. Hall says the calls may have been rerouted through multiple locations, making them tough to trace. FBI spokesman Scott Wilson says he can't comment on the investigation. --- Information from: Sandusky Register, http://www.wytv.com/content/news/ohstate/story/Ohio-county-baffled-by-costly-calls-to-Somalia/1RvMz57MAk6DeGqcOIFASg.cspx

Mo Farah breaks British 10,000m road record in London

On the lighter side

Great Britain's Mo Farah breaks the British record in a time of 27 minutes 50 seconds, knocking five seconds off the 25-year-old record of Mark Scruton to win the Bupa London 10,000 Run. Photograph: Johnny Green/PA

Mo Farah has won the Bupa London 10,000m road race in a British record time. He crossed the line in 27min 50sec, knocking five seconds off the 25-year-old record of Mark Scruton, to beat easily Samuel Kosgei of Kenya and Ukraine's Sergiy Lebid...more..http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/may/25/mo-farah-10000m-london-british-record

Thousands flee Mogadishu ahead of war build-up

MOGADISHU, Somalia May 27 (TF.SF) - Thousands of people are fleeing the Somali capital Mogadishu as government forces and insurgent fighters gear up for renewed fighting, mogadishu Radio reports.More than 20,000 residents have fled their homes in Wardhigley and Dharkinley districts in Mogadishu, where government forces have poured into in recent days."I had recently returned to Mogadishu and was hoping to live in peace," said resident Sahro Omar, adding that she was forced to flee again for fear of new fighting.Col. Farhan Mahdi, a government military commander, told reporters Wednesday that government troops have been deployed in Dharkinley to "restore security and to prevent opposition groups from launching attacks."More than 200 people have been killed in armed clashes in Mogadishu this month as fighting raged between government forces and Islamist rebels, led by Shabab and radical militia Hizbul Islam factions. On Tuesday, the U.N. reported that upwards of 67,000 people fled the Somali capital since the first week of May when heavy fighting erupted between government forces and insurgents.

Kenya: Military chopper gunned down

East Africa A Kenyan military helicopter crashed on Tuesday and injured three senior army officers as it patrolled the volatile Kenya-Somali border. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the plane was shot down by enemy fire from the Somali side. However, the Kenyan Department of Defense has denied it.

A loud bang suspected to be from a riffle was heard before the plane came down, according to an eye witness report. Two pilots and a senior military officer, identified only as Colonel Muteti, who is in charge of the Northern region, were injured when the Hughes-MD500 chopper, popularly known within the military circles as 'YY' came down. The incident took place at the Hulugho division in Ijara district at about 3pm. The American made plane is the only one used in the entire African continent.Those who were injured were airlifted to the Forces Memorial Hospital in Nairobi and are reported to be in a stable condition.Confirming the accident, a senior police officer from Ijara District situated in the Northern Kenya, Remas Warui, said the helicopter was patrolling the Kenya-Somali border with another identical plane. Both planes were based at the Kiyungi Millitary base in the tourist resort district of Lamu within the Coast Province. He said they were heading towards the Hulugho Base.The military plane crash comes after a 60-year-old controversial Somali cleric Abdikadir Abdi was kidnapped from a refugee camp in Ijara district, where he had sought refuge to escape attacks from the Somali militia group, Al Shabaab. The Islamic preacher is reported to have delivered sermons critical of the militia. The group controls most of the Southern regions of Somalia. The militia, which has links with the Al Qaeda terror organization, has made incursions into the Kenyan territory on several occasions, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The organization has also been reported to lay claim to the Kenyan North-Eastern Province, which is inhabited by Kenyan ethnic Somalis.Meanwhile, the Kenya-Somali border is officially closed.

East Africa: Somali Crisis a Genocide, Says President Museveni,Museveni to meet Burundi president over Somalia

President Yoweri Museveni has described the situation in Somalia, where hard-line Islamists are battling the transitional Government, as genocide.East Africa: Somali Crisis a Genocide, Says President Museveni
Museveni to meet Burundi president over Somalia
The state visit today by President Pierre Nkurunzinza is expected to focus, among others, on the future of the African Union peace keeping mission in Somalia [AMISOM] composed of Ugandan and Burundian forces according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Nkurunzinza’s visit comes on the heels of continued fighting in Somalia between the Al Shabaab, radical Islamist fighters and the A.U supported transitional government of President Sheriff Sheikh Ahmed.The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday extended the mandate of AMISOM for another nine months and pledged over 200 million dollars in logistical support which could allow the deployment of additional troops by other countries military sources said...more..http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Museveni_to_meet_Burundi_president_over_Somalia_85548.shtml

Analysis: Somali infighting could help al-Qaida

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - As battles rage between Somalia's Western-backed government and Islamist insurgents, another conflict is being fought behind the scenes between competing versions of Islam.The winner may determine not only the future of the failed state, but whether al-Qaida establishes permanent bases in the strategically vital Horn of Africa.
Fighting has intensified in the past two weeks as insurgents attempt to push the government from the capital; nearly 200 people have been killed. The bloodshed has been fueled by the arrival of hundreds of radicalized foreign fighters who, experts fear, could use Somalia as a base for terror in the region.It's a pattern that has played out in bloody conflicts around the world, including Chechnya, Afghanistan, and Iraq: petrodollars from oil sheikdoms in the Middle East pay for fighters to travel to far-flung wars.Experts now fear Somalia has become a magnet for such fighters."The radical factions need to boost their forces, and that means inviting in more foreign fighters," Mark Schroeder, an analyst for the international intelligence company Stratfor, told The Associated Press.Last year, the Islamist insurgency split, and its more moderate wing now forms the government. But analysts say fighters from countries including Pakistan, Yemen and Saudi Arabia are reinforcing the more extreme insurgent factions fighting government forces.Now two different types of Islam are struggling for dominance, adding sectarian violence to what has mainly been a clan-based conflict.Arid Somalia's camel-herding nomads and their descendants traditionally observe Sufi Islam, a relatively moderate form of worship that allows the veneration of respected saints. But in recent years, Somalia's insurgent militias have also begun to follow austere Wahabi Islam _ rooted in Saudi Arabia and practiced by Osama bin Laden and the Taliban.Wahabism is a component of jihadi Salafism, a doctrine that preaches spreading a strict interpretation of the Quran, the Islamic holy book, through violence...more,,..http://www.wtop.com/?nid=105&sid=1684060

Fighting in Somali capital kills 9,Somalia Presidential palace under attack

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali insurgents fired mortars at the presidential palace in the capital, killing seven civilians and two government soldiers, witnesses and officials said Wednesday.Military spokesman Farhan Casoye said the insurgents were aiming for the palace but hit a residential area Tuesday night — the latest bloodshed in a surge of violence this month that has killed nearly 200 people. Insurgents are trying to topple the country's Western-backed government and install a strict Islamic state.The mortars rained down on our home, I ran with my children for cover and on my way I saw the dead bodies of two government soldiers in uniform, they were hit by a mortar, Sahra Abdullahi Gedi, a mother of six.The military spokesman said seven civilians were killed.Somalia is riven by fighting among clan warlords and an Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands of civilians and sent hundreds of thousands fleeing for their lives in recent years. The country has not had a functioning government since 1991, and the United States worries that Somalia could be a terrorist breeding ground.On Tuesday, the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to condemn the recent surge in fighting in Somalia and called for an end to actions that undermine the country's Western-backed government.
Somalia Presidential palace under attack
Seven people are reported to have died when rebel mortar shells aimed at the presidential palace in Somalia's capital Mogadishu landed on homes. Islamist insurgent groups are trying to topple Somalia's government .
http://www.voxafrica.com/modx/en/news-en/headlines/somalia-presidential-palace-under-attack

Injured Ugandan soldier evacuated from Somalia to Nairobi

One of the two UPDF soldiers, who were shot and injured by Islamist fighters in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Monday, has been evacuated to Nairobi for treatment.The Defence/army spokesperson, Maj. Felix Kulayigye, told Daily Monitor yesterday that the unidentified soldier is now in Nairobi receiving treatment after Islamists fired mortar bombs at the presidential palace and attacked African Union (AU) peacekeepers. Maj. Kulayigye said: “The other (soldier) remained in Mogadishu receiving treatment because he had minor injuries. UPDF will not deploy more troops despite the increased attacks on the AU forces by the Islamists.”The increased Islamists’ attacks on the peacekeepers, have forced AU to call on the UN to impose sanctions on Eritrea, which Mogadishu accuses of backing the fighters. But Eritrea has denied the allegations.Uganda and Burundi each recently deployed a battalion in Somalia making a total of over 4,300 peacekeepers in the lawlessness country. However, this has still left vacuum of 4,700 soldiers needed for the peace keeping mission in fragile Somalia.Maj. Kulayigye said Uganda Battle Group Four (Ugabag4) will be leaving to replace the batch that is coming back home soon. According to BBC, AU has called for a no fly-zone along with a sea blockade off Somalia to stem the flow of weapons from Eritrea.Islamist fighters took up arms in 2007 to force Ethiopian troops out of Somalia propping up a Western-backed government which failed to wield control over much of Somalia.

In Somalia, African Union takes the offensive in information war

AMISOM is rehabilitating Radio Mogadishu and publishing articles to 'empower' Somalis and push back against Islamist insurgent
Nairobi, Kenya -
No sooner do officials from the African Union stabilization force arrive in Somalia's battlefield of a capital, Mogadishu, than Islamist insurgents send them a warning."AMISOM," reads the text message on their phones, "we're going to kill you."Fighting in Mogadishu has escalated in the past month, and the undermanned and underfunded African peacekeeping force known as AMISOM is increasingly bearing the brunt of the ugly conflict, which pits extremist Islamist insurgents against a new, more moderate, transitional government.Analysts say the mission has held up well, given the circumstances. But AMISOM officials say they – and the fragile government they aim to protect – are losing on one important front: the information war.Insurgents loyal to militias known as Al Shabab, or "The Youth," and Hizb al-Islam, the party of Islam, began this latest round of attacks on May 8. And they have "misled" the international community as to their strength, according to Nicolas Bwakira, the African Union Commission's special representative for Somalia, and head of the peacekeeping mission.But AMISOM is now fighting back – with words.Sitting in his Nairobi office – due to the lack of security in Mogadishu, AMISOM's headquarters is in Kenya – Mr. Bwakira is on a mission to set the record straight, as he puts it."The image is that the government has no control whatsoever. That's not true," he says.AMISOM is planning a public awareness campaign – hiring journalists to craft both the mission and the government's message, rehabilitating the defunct state-run Radio Mogadishu, buying air time, and publishing articles in the local press. ..more..http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0527/p06s17-wogn.html

Embassy evacuated after terror threat

Operations at the Norwegian Embassy in Nairobi were suspended for the better part of yesterday following a threat from a group linking itself to a terrorist organisation.The group, calling itself ‘Worrier Brave’, sent an e-mail to the embassy offices at Lion’s Place in Westlands, Nairobi, threatening an attack.The building was evacuated for hours as police searched it. The e-mail accused the embassy of backing Kenya to annex the Somalia coast for oil prospecting."We are targeting the interests of Norwegian government in the globe, including hunting (sic) their diplomacies… to using suicide bomb attacks to their embassy in Westlands, their residence and cars using our friends in Kenya," read the e-mail. Similar attackA similar e-mail was sent to The Standard and Daily Nation offices, threatening a similar attack. It read in part: "Nation building and East Africa Standard headquarters in Nairobi are among our target for attacks, please ready (sic) for revenge."But police headquarters dismissed the threat adding that officers were tracking the e-mail source. Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe said officers from the anti-terror unit were investigating the matter."They have found no substance in the threat. The claims are unfounded and we are looking for the source of the e-mail," Mr Kiraithe said.Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua said the counter terrorism centre is analysing the message as part of investigations to authenticate it. He termed the threat alarmist and uncalled for.

Political and Military Conflict in the Sool, Sanaag, & Cayn Regions of Somalia

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Dangerous Political and Military Conflict in the Sool, Sanaag, & Cayn Regions of Somalia



Stop Forcing SSC to Vote for Secession in so called Somaliland, Stop the Massacre


Urge the international community, individual countries, and international organizations to act on the following:

1. Stop the secessionist so called Somaliland intimidation of unionist populations of Sool,  

    Sanaag, and Cayn regions of Somalia and forcing them vote for secession

2. Stop the blood shed and massacre happening in Widh Widh, Balli - Hadhac and

     surrounding areas in Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions of Somalia

3. In order to achieve peace, peaceful co-existence between neighboring Somali clans/

    tribes, and development cooperation, the secessionist group of so called Somaliland

    must and should withdraw their aggressive militias from the SSC regions of Somalia 



4. Understand that unionist populations of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn are fully against the

   secessionist  so called Somaliland, because they had resolved to be part of united            

    Somalia. Therefore, their right to self determination should be respected.

5. The Human Rights of the population in Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions of Somalia is

     being violated by the secessionist group so called Somaliland. The United Nations and

     the International Community should hold the secessionists accountable for their

     violations and crimes against humanity.

6. The war waged by the secessionist militia of so called Somaliland on the unionist

  territories of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn in Somalia, it has destabilized the relative

  peace in that part of Somalia. The aggression has already resulted in heavy loss of

   lives, injured people, significant internally displaced populations in Widh Widh and

   Balli Hadhac, and huge material destruction. The suffering of the most vulnerable

   is note-worthy - infants, small children, woman, the sick, and elderly/seniors.

7. The International Community, United Nations, and International aid

     Organizations to provide an urgent humanitarian assistance to the suffering and

     displaced populations of Widh Widh, Balli Hadhac and Buhodle in Sool, Sanaag,

     and cayn of Somalia due to the naked aggression carried out by the secessionist

     so called Somaliland terror group

8. We call on the International Community, United Nations, and International Aid

    Organizations to rethink, review, and stop the financial and material assistance

    provided to secessionist so called Somaliland, as it is well evidenced that the

    assistance granted to them is miss-used and diverted to arm and feed their militia

    currently attacking, massacring, and displacing the peace loving populations of

    Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions of Somalia

9. The irony is that the secessionists who are refusing to remain united with Somalia

    are blind to the rejection of the unionist Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn populations to

    support the secession agenda

10. No where in the history of democracy principals is documented the use of force and

    falsification to subjugate an opposing population and intentionally plan to call the  

   results of  such so called theatrical elections a free and fair process. Unfortunately,

   this is  exactly what the secessionist calling itself Somaliland is doing in Sool, Sanaag,

   and Cayn.

11. The international community is not prepared to be faced with the dreadful scenario of    

     Somalia becoming 20 – 30 small internationally recognized countries.  Look at

      the emerging regional groupings from the ash of Somalia : Awdal Land, SSC Land,

       Makhir Land, Galmudug Land, Hiiraan Land, Banadir Land, Bay Bakool Land,

       Gedo Land, Jubba Land, Somaliland, Puntland, and many more. However, it does

       Make some sense to bring all these tiny regional groupings under some sort of

       Federalism – a bottom up approach.





Background history, and detailed information regarding current events in Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions:

This  petition highlights and raises awareness on the political and military conflict underway in the Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn regions of Somalia and begs the attention of the international community. The Northern Regions of Somalia (EX. British Somaliland) was historically divided into two regions – the North West and the North East. At independence in 1960 these two regions united with Italian Somaliland and together formed the Somali Republic a member state of the United Nations Community. In 1991, after the collapse of the Somali Government lead by late president Mohamed Siad Barre, the SNM rebellion movement supported by the tribes inhabiting in the North West Region of Ex. British Somaliland had unilaterally announced secession from the rest of Somalia, calling itself the Republic of Somaliland.  However, the secession was and is opposed by the majority of Somalis including the other northern tribes inhabiting the North East Regions of Ex. British Somaliland – currently better known as Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn of Somalia. In October 15, 2007 the North West Region’s Somali tribes represented by the so called Somaliland militia captured through armed offensive small part of the Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn territory including the regional capital city Las Anod. Since then, the militias from the so called Somaliland continuously harassed, oppressed, tortured, abused, jailed, and killed the local population opposed to their unilateral agenda of secession.



For your information, the unionist Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn population has politically and militarily organized themselves and currently they are represented by their traditional leaders (Issimo), the Khususi (Local Parliament), and Hogaanka Badbaadada iyo Midnimada (the Leadership of Salvation and Unity - Executive Branch) for the purpose of peacefully managing their own affairs by putting in place efficient administration and good governance for their own territories and in preparation to participate in any reconciliation effort bringing all Somalia together to form an effective Somali Government, one which will  alleviate the burden on international community. In the mean time, the Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn regions support the internationally recognized Somali Government based in the Somali capital Mogadishu.



And, because the Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn unionist population are peace loving who did not take any part on the civil war taking place in Somalia for the last almost 30 years, the traditional leaders, Khususi (Local Parliament), and the leadership of Salvation and Unity have all on numerous times called on the secessionist political leadership, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and intellectuals to evacuate the Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn territories and peacefully ship back their militias to their respective areas of Hargeisa, Burca, Berbera, and gabiley. Unfortunately, instead of taking positive steps and peacefully leaving the Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn territories, they decided to further solidify their oppression and brought more forces into the region in order to force the local population into the process of voting for their so called presidential elections that they announced to take place in June 26, 2010.  For sure, the unionist population of Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn will not vote on this so called presidential election and will not ever accept secession from the rest of Somalia. But, the secessionists plan to intimidate the peace loving population and falsify the process by reporting full participation.



The secessionist intimidation in forcing the local population of Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn of Somalia territories into the bogus presidential election of what they call Somaliland, have already caused a fresh round of hostilities and military battles in the area. For example, on 21st, 22nd of May, 2010 military confrontations occurred in the towns of Widh Widh, Balli – Hadhac and surrounding areas. These battles have resulted in heavy loss of lives, wounded people, displaced population (IDPs) and material destruction. The deaths estimated in a number around 50 people include many combatant and non combatant people, whereas the wounded are reported to be over 75 people.  Moreover, the secessionist militia has so far massacred civilian non combatants including a pregnant woman, 4 infants, and 3 elderly individuals. On the other hand, internally displaced population is thousands in number who are in the open without shelter, food, water, and medical supplies.



Furthermore, the occupying secessionist militia and SSC forces are continuing to battle and confront each other, as the battles and the zone of conflict is expanding to cover all Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn regions and the potential that eventually the battles move to the secessionist territories of the North West is extremely high.



Therefore, the peace and co-existence loving population of Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn territories of Somalia and their leadership call on the United Nations and International Community the following:

To intervene and urge the secessionists stop the aggression and evacuate the SSC regions in order to establish peace, co-existence, and development cooperation between the Somali communities and spare the area of further loss of lives, displacement, and destruction. The SSC leadership is also calling on the United Nations, International Community, and International Aid Organizations to provide immediate humanitarian assistance for the destitute internally displaced populations of Widh Widh, Balli – Hadhac, and Buhodle of the SSC territories of Somalia. Finally, we urge the international community, individual countries, and organizations to rethink, review, and stop the financial and material assistance provided to the secessionist so called Somaliland, because they use the assistance to arm their militias and destabilize the region  with their aggression on the Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn regions.

In a nutshell we ask for the following:

Urge the international community, individual countries, and international organizations to act on the following:

1. Stop the secessionist so called Somaliland intimidation of unionist populations of Sool, 

    Sanaag, and Cayn regions of Somalia and forcing them vote for secession

2. Stop the blood shed and massacre happening in Widh Widh, Balli - Hadhac and

     surrounding areas in Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions of Somalia

3. In order to achieve peace, peaceful co-existence between neighboring Somali clans/

    tribes, and development cooperation, the secessionist group of so called Somaliland

    must and should withdraw their aggressive militias from the SSC regions of Somalia 



4. Understand that unionist populations of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn are fully against the

   secessionist  so called Somaliland, because they had resolved to be part of united           

    Somalia. Therefore, their right to self determination should be respected.

5. The Human Rights of the population in Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions of Somalia is

     being violated by the secessionist group so called Somaliland. The United Nations and

     the International Community should hold the secessionists accountable for their

     violations and crimes against humanity.

6. The war waged by the secessionist militia of so called Somaliland on the unionist

  territories of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn in Somalia, it has destabilized the relative

  peace in that part of Somalia. The aggression has already resulted in heavy loss of

   lives, injured people, significant internally displaced populations in Widh Widh and

   Balli Hadhac, and huge material destruction. The suffering of the most vulnerable

   is note-worthy - infants, small children, woman, the sick, and elderly/seniors.

7. The International Community, United Nations, and International aid

     Organizations to provide an urgent humanitarian assistance to the suffering and

     displaced populations of Widh Widh, Balli Hadhac and Buhodle in Sool, Sanaag,

     and cayn of Somalia due to the naked aggression carried out by the secessionist

     so called Somaliland terror group

8. We call on the International Community, United Nations, and International Aid

    Organizations to rethink, review, and stop the financial and material assistance

    provided to secessionist so called Somaliland, as it is well evidenced that the

    assistance granted to them is miss-used and diverted to arm and feed their militia

    currently attacking, massacring, and displacing the peace loving populations of

    Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions of Somalia

9. The irony is that the secessionists who are refusing to remain united with Somalia

    are blind to the rejection of the unionist Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn populations to

    support the secession agenda

10. No where in the history of democracy principals is documented the use of force and

    falsification to subjugate an opposing population and intentionally plan to call the 

   results of  such so called theatrical elections a free and fair process. Unfortunately,

   this is  exactly what the secessionist calling itself Somaliland is doing in Sool, Sanaag,

   and Cayn.

11. The international community is not prepared to be faced with the dreadful scenario of    

     Somalia becoming 20 – 30 small internationally recognized countries, as each and

    every clan requests the status of statehood and to be granted an international

    recognition.  Look at the emerging regional groupings from the ash of Somalia: Awdal,

    Land, SSC Land Makhir Land, Galmudug Land, Hiiraan Land, Banadir Land, Bay  

   Bakool Land,  Gedo Land, Jubba Land, Somaliland, Puntland, and many more.        

   However, it does make some sense to bring all these tiny regional groupings under

  some sort of federalism – a bottom up approach.



Thank You, 

Cummunity of Sool, Sanaag, and cayn regions of Somalia

Islamists Ban Men And Women to Sit On the Same Seats in Transportation

Kismayu — The Islamic administration in the port town of Kismayu 500 kilometers south of the Somali capital Mogadishu has issued orders banning men and women to sit on same seats in the transportations working through the city, officials said on Wednesday..more..http://allafrica.com/stories/200905270214.html

Eritrea destabilising Somalia, says president

President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Wednesday accused Eritrea of arming hardline Islamists fighting to oust his government, a day after his own palace came under a barrage of mortar shells.It is the first time he directly pointed a finger at the small African nation since the eruption early this month of some of the heaviest onslaughts against his four-months-old government.
"We know for sure that the majority of the weapons in the hands of the insurgents are coming from Eritrea," he told foreign reporters at his Mogadishu Villa Somalia headquarters and targetted residence."Eritrea is very much involved here," he said in response to a question adding: "We know that Eritrean officers come here and bring money in cash." He said Asmara's intention in backing the radical Islamists was to create a base to train units to wage guerrilla war against its arch-foe Ethiopia."Since there is a war and tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Eritrea needs a place where Ethiopian opposition groups could be trained," he said. "They want to destabilise Ethiopia from Somalia..more..http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Eritrea_destabilising_Somalia_says__05272009.html

Jihadists in Kismayo ban filming of weddings, music

Mogadishu, 27 May 2009 (tf.sf) - The Islamic Administration in Kismayo, Lower Jubba [southern Somalia] has banned ways wedding celebrations are conducted in the town and have imposed various restrictions meant to align it with the teachings of Islam and change the way these celebrations are conducted.
Sheikh Abdirashid Ma’alin Ahmad alias Abu Yonis who is among officials of the Alshabaab militants Administration in Kismayo said there will be no music or dancing by men and women in weddings that are held in the town since it involves men and women who are not allowed to mingle and is against the teachings of Islam.
“Escorting of couples with a convoy of vehicles has also been banned as it creates unnecessary traffic jam in the town. We will not allow more than three cars which we will ensure that they are carrying the immediate relatives of the two couples. The Administration will not also be allow any filming of the wedding,” said Abu Yonis.
He warned that certain measures that are in line with the Islamic Shariah will be taken against those found to be violating these restrictions imposed by the Administration.
The restrictions imposed on the way weddings are conducted in the town banning dance, music and filming during the event has been received with mixed reactions by residents of the town.
Many bachelors in the town who were looking forward to get married have said that they are in favor of the restrictions as it will completely eliminate some of the expenses they would have incurred. Women in the town have received the news with dismay saying that it is too restricting and favors the men.

Suicide Bombing in Somalia Raises Concerns About Foreign Support

Sunday's suicide car bombing at a military camp in the Somali capital is raising alarm about how much foreign support the radical al-Shabab group may be receiving in its ongoing war against Somalia's U.N.-backed government. An explosion at an alleged al-Shabab safe house in Mogadishu nine days ago may offer some clues. According to the Puntland-based website Garowe Online, the explosion that shook the Daynile district on the outskirts of Mogadishu on May 17 was the result of one or more bombs detonating prematurely on vehicles being prepared to be used in suicide car bombings. Quoting unnamed sources, Garowe Online says the blast killed at least 17 people, including four foreigners. There are also unconfirmed reports that al-Shabab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane was wounded while meeting senior al-Shabab commanders inside the house. Garowe Online sources said faulty wiring caused the explosion.
Residents in Daynile say al-Shabab fighters sealed off the area, making confirmation of the story difficult.Somali sources tell VOA an increasing number of foreigners from Pakistan, Yemen, Algeria, Morocco, and Libya, among others, have been arriving in Somalia in recent months on chartered planes, landing at an airstrip near Mogadishu. The unconfirmed reports say some of the foreigners came by road from neighboring Kenya, crossing the poorly-guarded border into al-Shabab held territories in southern Somalia.
The sources say many come to Somalia not to fight, but to work as instructors at more than half a dozen training camps set up by al-Shabab in Lower and Middle Jubba and the Lower Shabelle regions. There, young Somali boys, often recruited at gunpoint, are usually given three months of combat and terrorism training.
Despite support from Islamist factions and the presence of more than 4,000 African Union troops, the Somali government controls only a small area of the capital. Al-Shabab, listed by the United States as a terrorist organization for having links to al-Qaida, controls most of southern and central Somalia, including two large seaports and several airstrips. On Monday, Somalia's moderate Islamist President Sharif Sheik Ahmed openly acknowledged his government lacked power and resources to stop the flow of foreigners into the country.The Somali leader says the country is being invaded by foreign fighters, who work for the interests of other countries and whose main purpose is to keep Somalia in chaos. He says the government is calling for the international community and the Somali people to defend the freedom, honor and the nationhood of Somalia.On Monday, al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide car bombing the day before, which killed nearly a dozen people including the bomber and six government soldiers. Government officials said the attack was carried out by a foreigner, but al-Shabab says the suicide bomber was a Somali from Mogadishu. Last week, Somalia's security minister Omar Hashi told reporters that foreigners have been spotted fighting in pitched battles against government forces in Mogadishu. Al-Shabab's commander in the Banadir region, where Mogadishu is located, confirmed the report.