The administration of Al-Shabab an Islamist adversary faction in Somalia has on Monday banned cutting down of tress at Bula-Hawo district in Gedo region in west of the Somali capital Mogadishu, and the surrounding areas.
Instantaneously after the decree was announced the fighters of Al-Shabab has conducted operation to monitor if at all there people in the bush who are cutting down trees, and in the operation 5 lorries which were partly laden with charcoal and waiting for the capacity of the lorry to be filled were brought at the former Somali police station in the district which is now a base for Al-Shabab.
“My administration can longer accept trimming down of trees within the district and its surrounding villages and it is the time to say enough is enough and whoever is apprehended cutting down trees will be prosecuted” said Moalim Daud Mohammed Garane the commissioner of Bula-Hawo district in Gedo region.
The administration of Al-Shabab has given full authority to its warriors that they can confiscate the belongings of those who are caught red-handed cutting tree.
The region is very rich with trees which are very important for charcoal use, such as Acacia and Mahogany.
Since the collapse of the last effectual central government in Somalia was thrown out of power in the year 1991, charcoal trading was one of the major booming commercial activities in the country.
There have been attempts to impose similar bans since 1991 - see, for instance, IRIN's 2006 article Charcoal trade on the rise, among others in their archive. Also this 2007 case study, Somalia's Coal Industry. Not sure whether any of those earlier efforts directly prohibited the cutting down of trees.
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IRIN:
fears of major clashes in Beletweyne have contributed to a "quiet exodus" from the town, according to sources.
A resident, who requested anonymity, told IRIN some residents of Hawo Tako and Kooshin districts, to the east of the town (and close to the lines separating pro-government forces and Islamist insurgents that control the town), were leaving their homes.
"They are worried and afraid that they may get caught in the crossfire once again," he said.
He said forces of the Islamist insurgent group, Hisbul Islam, which controls the town, were not allowing people to move out.
"They don’t want the neighbourhoods to be emptied and allow the government forces a foothold, so they are telling people to stay put," the resident said.
He said the pro-government forces were "about 20km away from the town".
"Everybody is waiting for the fighting to start any day," the resident said. "Only the heavy rains have saved us so far but as soon as the rains subside there will be clashes, no question about it."
Beletweyne has changed hands between government forces and insurgents about four times since 2009.
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Daily Nation: Radical group to set up new Somalia administration
Sheikh Mohamed Osman Arus, the Chief of Operations of Hizbu Islam, one of the Islamist groups opposing the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia, has on Wednesday announced that his movement is soon going to establish an authority in Mudug region in Central Somalia.
Sheikh Arus held a press conference for the local media to announce that his forces reached many villages and settlements in Mudug region, including the coastal town of Haradhere, formerly a pirate haven, 490 kilometres north east of Mogadishu.
“We have been welcomed by the people in nearly 30 villages and settlements in Mudug region,” said Sheikh Arus. “The Muslim people in this part want our Sharia (Islamic) based rule,” he added.
If Hizbu Islam’s dream is attained, Mudug region will have five parallel authorities. There had already been four administrations in the area, namely Puntland State, Galmudug State, Himan & Heb and Ahlu Sunna wal-Jamea.
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Garowe Online: 10 killed in Mogadishu, ex-Mayor survives bombing
At least 10 people have been killed and more than 25 others wounded in a fierce clashes between Somali government forces and rebel fighters in the Somali capital Mogadishu, paramedics and witnesses said.
Government forces attacked bases of fighters loyal to Hizbul Islam in Mogadishu's northern districts, leading to heavy gun fire excahnge.
...
Hizbul Islam spokesman Sheikh Arus blamed government soldiers on the latest clashes, saying they have raided a base belonging to the fighters.
"Government forces attacked us and we repelled. We are still in control of the contested areas," he said.
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Meanwhile, former Mogadishu Mayor Mohamed Omar Habeb, better known as Mohamed Dhere, has escaped unhurt from a landmine explosion that was targeted on his car.
Mohammed Dhere accused the explosion on Al-Shabaab militants.
“One of my security guards was killed and three others injured in the explosion which was targeted on my car. My men arrested the culprit behind the attack and he will be brought before justice,” he said.
The ex-mayor said he is ready to liberate the country from Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam rule if elected to any position in the government.
AFP adds:
Somali Defence Minister Yusuf Mohamed Siad told AFP they raided the militia base in the capital Mogadishu in retaliation for an attack by the insurgents.
Six of the dead were civilians while the others were fighters, medical sources and an AFP correspondent said.
"Our forces advanced onto the position of the violent guys here in Taleh neighborhood as they attacked our positions. They run away... after we killed several of them," Siad said.
Head of Mogadishu ambulance service Ali Muse said 31 civilians were also wounded by the shelling.
Shabelle Media: Over 60 injured citizens brought to Medina Hospital
More than 60 injured civilians have been bought in Medina hospital in over the past 24 hours, just a day after bitter fighting in Mogadishu.
Ali Ise Elmi, one of the officials of Median hospital told Shabelle radio that 66 wounded civilians were rushed to the hospital in past hours adding that half of those rushed to the hospital returned home after getting medical treatment.
“It was very serious shelling that caused more people to be brought to the hospital. 66 people were brought and 31 returned home,” said Ali Ise.
Shabelle Media: Chairman: "We are very sorry for the deadly shelling"
Abshir Nor Farah better known as (Ba’adle), the chairman of the Somali composers has Thursday express concern and condemned on yesterday’s deadly shelling in Mogadishu.
“We are condemning the bitter and serious shelling. It was not logical indeed so we are calling for the government to keep and respect the civilian areas. The shelling of yesterday was aimed at the business of Bakara Market while compared with the former. If the person claims responsibility, he should keep it so the government claimed responsibility so it should keep the responsibility of the people,” said Abshir Ba’adle
The chairman of the composers Abshir Nor Faraha reiterated his call to the government saying that it was needed to start a crackdown action about the shelling from the military comps of AMIOSM if claiming responsibility.
LA Times: Amid doubts, offensive to retake Somalia capital looms
On streets and alleys whittled by gunfire, Col. Abdi Bashir Dhagol is arming for a new battle amid the fleeing families, bloodied markets and boy soldiers of Mogadishu.
Somali troops, supported by U.S.-funded weapons and training, are preparing to retake the capital from Al Qaeda-backed militants in an offensive to shift the balance of power in the Horn of Africa. But like many plans in a country ravaged by years of conflict, success lives half a breath away from failure.
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"Most of the soldiers have concluded their training and are equipped with guns. What we are waiting for is the go-ahead from top officials," Dhagol said as dozens of soldiers, most earning about $100 a month, milled around. "It could be any time, maybe this afternoon."
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"There's a lot of political rhetoric, but it seems far away from reality to think the government can capture Mogadishu," said Ali Sheikh Abdi, a Somali scholar. "This offensive will endanger the lives of many vulnerable civilians."
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Inner City Press:
UNITED NATIONS, May 12 -- The UN's envoy on Somalia Ahmedou Ould Abdullah, fresh from being denounced and asked to resign by over 300 members of the Somali parliament, dismissed the criticism on Wednesday as being the product of web sites. "I don't consult web sites, except yours from time to time," he told Inner City Press.
He went on to say that the AP report of 300 MPs was "based on a letter not signed." He did not respond to the rejection of the Norway-funded deal he unilaterally made with Kenya, about Somalis' rights to their shelf continential shelf. As to the criticism that rather than mediating he has taken sides in the Somali conflict, he said "yes I take sides.. for peace, stability, legality, human rights." ...
But he has in fact defended violations of human rights by Ugandan and Burundian troops in Mogadishu, who have fired into civilian areas trying to "drain the sea" to get at Islamist rebels. Ould Abdullah earlier called for a moratorium on the reporting of the killing of civilians by AU peacekeepers. Now he says reports by human rights groups are overblown.
Speaking of reports, UK Deputy Permanent Representative Philip Parham told the Security Council on Wednesday that he would "like to register our disappointment that the Secretary-General’s report was issued less than 24 hours before this meeting."
Ould Abdullah claimed that he had only read the first draft of his report, trying to explain why in person he was more dismissive of claims of aid diversion than the report was. What exactly is Ould Abdullah doing? He is a man of action. He does not read UN reports, he does not read web sites (except this one, from time to time). He is not based in Mogadishu but rather Nairobi, Kenya. Soon he will be in Turkey beating the drum for donations. But does he have support in Somalia? Apparently not. What is the UN going to do about this? Watch this site.
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IRIN: Departing pirates leave Haradhere merchants out of pocket
Merchants in Somalia's central town of Haradhere, formerly a pirate stronghold, are counting their losses after the pirates, whose presence had inflated the price of basic goods, were forced out of town by Islamist insurgents in late April.
"They used to pay twice or more than the actual prices; if something was selling for say 10,000 Somali shillings [about US$0.30], they would be charged 20,000 [$0.60] and they would pay," said Abukar Maolim, a trader in the town.
A 200-litre drum of fuel that used to cost between $280 and $290 while the pirates were in town is now selling for $190.
Maolim said the pirates' presence had caused an inflation of many goods, from khat - a mild stimulant widely chewed in Somalia - to tea and meat.
He added that the inflated prices often hurt the very poor the most.
The pirates had controlled the town for the past four years and used it as a staging ground for their activities.
Many businesses and traders who depended on their business were now suffering, he said. "There are some shops that are now really suffering and letting go of people who used to work for them."
He said there were those who would miss the pirates, "but I am sure the majority here will not".
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Meanwhile, the militant Al-Shabab group reportedly arrived in the town on 13 May, creating tensions between it and the in situ Hisbul-Islam group.
"Hisbul-Islam was not very happy to see these guys [Al-Shabab] here, and want them out," said a resident, who requested anonymity.
He said the two sides were meeting to resolve their differences. "There is no shooting but many people are closing their businesses just in case," he added.
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