Administrative Note: Expected downtime

This site will resume regular posts starting the second week of June. Until then I'll be traveling (w/o a computer and not anticipating having much internet access) so it's unlikely I'll be able to contribute anything. Thank you for stopping by and for being patient.

Somalia thread for the week ending May 16

SMC: Al-Shabab outlaws cutting down of Trees

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.

...

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.

...

"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."

...

"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".

...

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.

Somalia thread for the week ending May 9

Garowe Online: Al Shabaab insurgents accuse Americans of mosque bombing

A senior official of Somalia’s radical Islamist group Al-Shabaab, who was target of Mogadishu mosque blast that killed several people have accused American security companies of the attacks.

Sheikh Fu'ad Muhammad Khalaf aka Shongolo accused the Xe, formerly of Black Water, whom he alleges to based at Mogadishu airport of being behind the blast, adding that he would have been happier if he died with his followers.

“I would have preferred to be martyred with my followers and guards rather than speaking to you now,” he said while sturdily accusing Somali transitional government of abetting Xe in the act.

The Islamist leader said Americans and its allies are not happy with his existence and would not allow the realization of an Islamic state in Somalia, ambition which he says would make him die for.

“We want to implement Islamic Sharia law in this country, and we would not rest until we fulfill this ambition,” he noted in front of hundreds of his supporters in Mogadishu.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks, which attracted condemnation from all quarters of the war-torn Somalia.

From Jeremy Scahill's Secret Erik Prince Tape Exposed

Despite [Blackwater/Xe owner Erik] Prince's attempts to shield his speeches from public scrutiny, The Nation magazine has obtained an audio recording of a recent, private speech delivered by Prince to a friendly audience. The speech, which Prince attempted to keep from public consumption, provides a stunning glimpse into his views and future plans and reveals details of previously undisclosed activities of Blackwater. The people of the United States have a right to media coverage of events featuring the owner of a company that generates 90% of its revenue from the United States government.

In the speech, Prince proposed that the US government deploy armed private contractors to fight "terrorists" in Nigeria, Yemen, Somalia and Saudi Arabia, specifically to target Iranian influence.

...

The speech was delivered January 14 at the University of Michigan in front of an audience of entrepreneurs, ROTC commanders and cadets, businesspeople and military veterans. The speech was titled "Overcoming Adversity: Leadership at the Tip of the Spear" and was sponsored by the Young Presidents' Association (YPO), a business networking association primarily made up of corporate executives.

...

Here are some of the highlights from Erik Prince's speech:

Send the Mercs into Somalia, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria

Prince painted a global picture in which Iran is "at the absolute dead center... of badness." The Iranians, he said, "want that nuke so that it is again a Persian Gulf and they very much have an attitude of when Darius ran most of the Middle East back in 1000 BC. That's very much what the Iranians are after." [NOTE: Darius of Persia actually ruled from 522 BC-486 BC]. Iran, Prince charged, has a "master plan to stir up and organize a Shia revolt through the whole region." Prince proposed that armed private soldiers from companies like Blackwater be deployed in countries throughout the region to target Iranian influence, specifically in Yemen, Somalia and Saudi Arabia. "The Iranians have a very sinister hand in these places," Prince said. "You're not going to solve it by putting a lot of uniformed soldiers in all these countries. It's way too politically sensitive. The private sector can operate there with a very, very small, very light footprint." In addition to concerns of political expediency, Prince suggested that using private contractors to conduct such operations would be cost-effective. "The overall defense budget is going to have to be cut and they're going to look for ways, they're going to have to have ways to become more efficient," he said. "And there's a lot of ways that the private sector can operate with a much smaller, much lighter footprint."

...

Prince scornfully dismissed the debate on whether armed individuals working for Blackwater could be classified as "unlawful combatants" who are ineligible for protection under the Geneva Convention. "You know, people ask me that all the time, 'Aren't you concerned that you folks aren't covered under the Geneva Convention in [operating] in the likes of Iraq or Afghanistan or Pakistan? And I say, 'Absolutely not,' because these people, they crawled out of the sewer and they have a 1200 AD mentality. They're barbarians. They don't know where Geneva is, let alone that there was a convention there. (sic)"

It is significant that Prince mentioned his company operating in Pakistan given that Blackwater, the US government and the Pakistan government have all denied Blackwater works in Pakistan.

...

Prince went into detail about his company's operations in Afghanistan. Blackwater has been in the country since at least April 2002, when the company was hired by the CIA on a covert contract to provide the Agency with security. Since then, Blackwater has won hundreds of millions of dollars in security, counter-narcotics and training contracts for the State Department, Defense Department and the CIA. The company protects US Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and other senior US officials, guards CIA personnel and trains the Afghan border police. "We built four bases and we staffed them and we run them," Prince said, referring to them as Forward Operating Bases (FOBs). He described them as being in the north, south, east and west of Afghanistan.

...

Prince also addressed the deadly suicide bombing on December 30 at the CIA station at Forward Operating Base Chapman in Khost, Afghanistan. Eight CIA personnel, including two Blackwater operatives, were killed in the bombing, which was carried out by a Jordanian double-agent. Prince was asked by an audience member about the "failure" to prevent that attack. The questioner did not mention that Blackwater was responsible for the security of the CIA officials that day, nor did Prince discuss Blackwater's role that day. Here is what Prince said:


"You know what? It is a tragedy that those guys were killed but if you put it in perspective, the CIA has lost extremely few people since 9/11. We've lost two or three in Afghanistan, before that two or three in Iraq and, I believe, one guy in Somalia--a landmine. So when you compare what Bill Donovan and the OSS did to the Germans and the Japanese, the Italians during World War II--and they lost hundreds and hundreds of people doing very difficult, very dangerous work--it is a tragedy when you lose people, but it is a cost of doing that work. It is essential, you've got to take risks.

...

Prince also addressed what he described as his outing as a CIA asset working on sensitive US government programs. He has previously blamed Congressional Democrats and the news media for naming him as working on the US assassination program. The US intelligence apparatus "depends heavily on Americans that are not employed by the government to facilitate greater success and access for the intelligence community," Prince said. "It's unprecedented to have people outed by name, especially ones that were running highly classified programs. And as much as the left got animated about Valerie Plame, outing people by name for other very very sensitive programs was unprecedented and definitely threw me under the bus."

Garowe Online: Somali warring sides condemn Mogadishu Mosque blasts

A twin bomb explosion that killed scores of people inside a mosque in Somalia ’s restive capital Mogadishu on Saturday has been strongly condemned by all warring sides involved in Somali conflict.

The attack took place inside a packed mosque in the main Bakara market, an area controlled by insurgent group Al-Shabaab.

The leader of Somalia's Hizbul Islam Islamist militant Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys said targets on worships are unheard off in Somalia but now seems to be getting its way into the country thanks to ‘foreign enemies’.

...

The fragile UN-backed [read: foreign-backed] Somali government termed the incident as ‘new foreign barbaric phenomena’ that totally dints the historic Islamic culture of Somalis.

...

Sheikh Abdullahi Abdirahman Abu Yusuf Al-Qadi, a spokesman for pro-government Ahlu-sunna Wal-jamaa group, which is involved in bloody war with insurgents groups Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam described the act as a foreign terror campaign that is finding its way into the Somali society.

Al Shabaab movement blamed the attacks on foreign security firms operating in Mogadishu. The group is waging war against the UN-backed Somali government and its backer African Union troops.

Will be interesting to see how much the TFG presses the "foreign" meme wrt the mosque bombing - if, as they continue to cry out publicly, H.S.M. leadership has pledged allegiance to al-Qai'dah how then do they expect to attribute the bombing, which targeted H.S.M. personnel, to the work of AQ? And does it occur to them that the largest foreign military presence in the country is the very one assigned to them by their foreign sponsors?

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Shabelle Media: TFG and Ahlu Sunna wraps up second round deal in Mogadishu

The second round deal between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Islamist clerics of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a has been wrapped up in Mogadishu and agreed to unite troops to seize whole country, officials said on Monday.

Both officials of the Somali government and Ahlu Sunna were led by the Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharma’arke and Sheik Mohamed Ibrahim Hefow, head of executive committee for the clerics and they held doors closed meeting that continued for hours in Villa Somalia, the presidential palace of the government in the capital.

...

The prime minister said they had directly concluded their deal and agreed collaboration of the policy and uniting the troops of the government and Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a adding that the government is committed to implement the decision.

The official of Ahlu Ahlu sunna also said during the press conference that the meeting was long been waited adding that both sides agreed to sign more articles. He said they appointed three committees for concluding the deal between the two sides pointing out that the government was required to implement the decisions.

Lastly the Prime Minister said that the government is planning to take over whole control of all regions and the Somali capital Mogadishu for coming days saying that the main reason that the TFG and Ahlu Sunna agreed uniting the troops was seizes whole control of the country.

Shabelle Media: Heavy fighting breaks out in Mogadishu

Heavy fighting between the transitional government troops with Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a fighters and forces of Harakat Al-shabab Mujahideen with Hizbul Islam has broken out in parts of Hodan and Hawl-wadag districts in Mogadishu, killing 3, injuring 15 others, witnesses told Shabelle radio on Monday

Both sides were also reportedly exchanged bitter shelling as the fighting continued for a while in the war zones and areas far away from the battle ground in the capital.

Shabelle Media: Ahlu Sunna: ‘we shall continue fighting in Hodan and Hawl-wadag districts’

Sheik Abdullahi Sheik Abdirahman Abu Yusuf (Al-qadi), the spokesman of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a has Tuesday said that they would continue the fighting in Hodan and Hawl-wadag districts in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

The spokesman had held press conference between Dabka intersection and Bakara market in Mogadishu and disproved reports saying that some of the areas under their control had been taken over by the their rivals claiming victory over fighting that continued yesterday afternoon until overnight in war zones of both districts adding they inflicted casualties to the fighters against them.

Abu Qadi said that more government troops mainly the troops of the state minister for the defense affairs Sheik Yusuf Mohamed Si’ad (Inda’adde) adding began from that day they would collaborate the fighting with government troops and would seize whole districts in Mogadishu.

More government officials including the state minister of the defense affairs Sheik Yusuf Mohamed Siad (Inda’adde) and other members of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a clerics were present ... to supervise the areas of the troops of the government and Ahlu Sunna in Mogadishu.

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Demotix: EU military mission contribute to training Somali Security forces

At a press conference held at the EU headquarters in Uganda, attended by EU military mission (EUTM Somalia) commander Colonel Gonzalez Elul, Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala Commander land forces, Uganda, and the EU ambassador to Uganda Vincent De Visscher, the mission will involve two batches of 1,000 troops being trained one after the other in Uganda.

The soldiers, who make up about one fifth of Somalia's entire army, will be trained in communications, to shoot using light weapons, fight in built-up areas and provide medical help to wounded colleagues.

Uganda is a principle contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) whose force is commanded by a Uganda general. The EU military mission will operate on close corporation and coordination with international actors, in particular, the United Nations, AMISOM, and the United States of America.

Xinhua: EU trained Somali gov't troops to be monitored to avoid defection to militant groups

All Somali government troops who are going to be trained by the European Union (EU) forces in southwestern Uganda will be monitored to avoid them defecting to militant groups when they return home.

Col. Gonzalez Elul, EU Mission Commander of EUTM Somalia and Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala Commander of Land Forces Uganda People's Defense Force told reporters here on Tuesday that the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) will ensure that the troops stay focused in stabilizing the volatile Horn of African country.

"The time they land back in Mogadishu, they have about two months of mentoring by the AMISOM forces so that helps them to stay in shape and also stay focused on the mission," said Wamala.

Elul said that the 2,000 Somali government troops that are going to be trained at Bihanga camp in Ibanda district southwestern Uganda have been vetted to ensure that there are no wrong elements. The first batch of 250 troops is scheduled to arrive in Uganda on Tuesday.

"All these people have gone through our vetting mechanisms implemented by the United States in terms of being sure that all the guys we are training are good guys and they will respond effectively," he said.

IRIN: EU helps boost Somali government’s military strength

KAMPALA, 5 May 2010 (IRIN) - Military trainers from the European Union (EU) in Uganda this week began instructing 2,000 soldiers from Somalia as part of the EU’s efforts to strengthen the transitional federal government’s (TFG) ability to tackle Islamist insurgents.

Col Gonzalez Elul, commander of the European Union Training Mission (EUTM), told reporters in Kampala the 12-month training - taking place in Bihanga camp, 200km west of Kampala - will produce a security force in Somalia that is both professional and sustainable.

...

Besides basic military instruction the EUTM programme also includes international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law, as well as the protection of civilians, including the specific protection needs of women and children.

Update to something I've been pointing out in recent weeks re the March 10th UN Monitoring Group on Somalia's report addressing the EUTM, which stated,

217. The European Union is currently planning to provide training to Somali forces in Uganda. The planning phase should end by the end of February so that the mission can be launched in May 2010. The stated objective is to contribute to the strengthening of the Somali security forces through the provision of initial military training up to platoon level. A programme to identify potential non-commissioned officers and junior officers would also be put in place. Overall, at least 1,000 Somali combatants would be concerned.

218. Paragraph 11 (b) of resolution 1772 (2007) makes reference only to States and not to international, regional and subregional organizations. It is therefore not possible under current circumstances for the European Union to obtain an exemption from the Committee for its activities.

The latest resolution, 1916, adopted by the UNSC on March 19, 2010, states:

The Security Council,

...

Recalling that, as set out in its resolutions 1744 (2007) and 1772 (2007), the arms embargo on Somalia does not apply to (a) weapons and military equipment, technical training and assistance intended solely for support of or use by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and (b) supplies and technical assistance by States intended solely for the purpose of helping develop security sector institutions, consistent with the political process set out in those resolutions and in the absence of a negative decision by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992), the mandate of which was expanded pursuant to resolution 1907 (2009) (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”), within five working days of receiving an advance notification of such supplies or assistance on a case-by-case basis,

...

Taking note of the report of the Monitoring Group dated 12 March 2010 (S/2010/91) submitted pursuant to paragraph 3 (j) of resolution 1853 (2008) and the observations and recommendations contained therein,

...

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,


...

Decides that paragraphs 11 (b) and 12 of resolution 1772 (2007) also apply to supplies and technical assistance by international, regional and subregional organizations;

"Organizations" is a rather specific term. Does that address those other entities cited in another of the Monitoring Group's "observations" that

Non-State and intergovernmental actors mentioned in this section fall beyond the scope of the Monitoring Group’s mandate: namely, regional and international organizations, aid agencies and private security companies.

...

Few private security companies are aware of the arms embargo, and may therefore be operating in violation of its provisions. As mentioned above, resolution 1772 (2007) is silent on whether non-State actors providing support to Somali security sector institutions or private militias might be eligible for waivers or exemptions

Seems the UNSC hopped to it when it came to legitimizing the training missions in Uganda and elsewhere but didn't quite see any urgency in addressing this particular loophole.

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Shabelle Media: Ahlu Sunna official appointed for deputy of army commander

One of the Islamist clerics of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a has been appointed for the deputy commander of the national Somali army of the transitional government of Somalia on Thursday by president Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed

Abdikarin Yusuf Adan (Dega Badan), one of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a was appointed to the deputy commander of the Somali army and he told reporters that he would do his job and work with the troops of the TFG.

President Sharif said that the declaration was parts the of the deal between the two sides adding that he would also appoint other posts for some of the national Somali army who lost their limbs in the former difficulties in Somalia.

The appointment of the president comes as Moallim Mohamud, chairman of Ahlu Sunna Waljama’a clerics in central Somalia said that the deal between the transitional government of Somalia and Ahlu Sunna had failed.

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Selections from a May 3rd commentary/analysis from Abdikarim Buh

Mosques and holly (sic) sanctuary bombings: A PR opportunity for the Islamists

The Bakara market which has been turned in to civilian slaughter house by the AMISOM occupation forces indiscriminate bombings for years has yet to come to terms to the carnage inflicted on the innocent worshipers in the house of God in this weekend. This is the second time a mosque was targeted in the Bakara Market and at the time of this writing another bomb was detonated inside a Mosque in the port city of Kismayo (500 miles south of Mogadishu) killing one and injuring 12 others. [Most reports say that a hand grenade was thrown at the Mosque, e.g., Reuter's Explosion at Somali mosque in port city: witnesses]

Leading clergy men from all regions of the country expressed their dismay about this scandalous assault and encouraged people not to abandon God’s house in fear of the crusader’s terror campaign which is bound to strengthen the word of God. Emotions are running high all over the country as this amounts to attack on the last thing left in the hearts of the masses and the finger points all to one place –Ethiopian intelligence, UNISOM and their pay master (USA).

This wholesale bombing of the mosque is perpetuated by Somali mercenaries who were hired and trained in explosive handling by the same occupation forces who have been running failing and expensive battles against the Islamists for some time.

...

Abu Huriera Mosque in the Bakara market was attacked a week ago with a land mine which killed one worshiper and injured some. The target at the time was Sheikh Aweys-the Hisbu Islam leader- who was reading his prayers along with the local worshipers in the Mosque. This act failed to raise eye brows as it was confined to the gate of the Mosque and most of the people at the time blamed the old unexploded ordinance, often from AMISOM shells..

...

There was strong [rumor] for the last two months in Mogadishu that the Ethiopian intelligence with the help of the CIA has trained a force of around 100 strong in explosives to be used to target Islamist leaders and some others they deem as undesirables and this weekend’s atrocity is lending credibility to the fear – they chose the explosive teams as financially more attractive than Drones and other military operations that require expensive hardware. The select team’s first operations helped the image of the Islamists at a time the 2006 warlords are building notorious militia, under the name of Ahlu Sunna, to rerun their failed cantonization paradigm of Mogadishu.

Sheikh Faud Khalaf who survived the attack, surrounded by multitude of admirers, held press conference in Mogadishu Bakara market today. The sheikh took advantage of this sought after press conference to inoculate in to the psyche of the masses who their real enemy is? The sheikh blamed an American security company based in Halane(Ex- Somali military training facility) to have been behind this barbaric action and asked the people to join the Jihad in massive numbers as Islam is under attack. The people who happen to live under the daily bombardments of AMISOM and who most certainly have lost so many of their relatives and parents to the indiscriminate AMISOM shelling were chanting “Takbir” in unison all the time during the short speech of the Sheikh. The sheikh also pleaded to the Somalis in the Diaspora to donate as much as they can for the noble cause of the country’s defence against the domination of the west – America and its stooge Tigryan regime. ...

In conclusion this act of terrorism that has put to shame all that had happened in Somalia for the past two decades arrived at a time the Islamists were craving more than ever a stunt to attract the attention of the nation. This dreadful act which is seen to have been conducted by the enemies of the nation failed in a big way and is bound to generate both financial and manpower to the coffers and ranks of the Islamists.

Buh also observes that

God’s hand seems to be at work as the evil projects of the Tigrayan regime of Ethiopia is falling apart one after the other like a house of cards –

1. TFG (17th of its kind) ended up in failure.

2. Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama (central region) war lords melted away and as a last resort funnelled some of their fighters to strengthen their traditional 2006 area of influence in Mogadishu (KM4 to Hodan). Their fighters should have taken positions in Shibis and Monopoliyo district if the TFG is at all alive but this is a race for bargaining positions as the TFG is locally consigned to the past.

3. Ahlu Sunna Mogadishu wing run by 2006 war lords (Qanyare, Yalaxow, Maxamud Dheere, Bashir Rage and etc) is not an option but utter disaster which will further strengthen the disciplined Islamists. The war between the TFG tribal militias in Dharkinley district is a war in which the warlords are securing their respective enclaves.

It is the yesteryears experiment and will yield the same or even worse outcome – at least the warlords escaped with their life but time will tell if they spare their skin once more.

Timely counterinsurgency propaganda?

defpro.com: AU peacekeepers in Somalia warn of car bombs against civilians

The African Union (AU) peacekeepers in Somalia (AMISOM) are warning of waves of car bomb attacks at public places in the Somali capital Mogadishu, a spokesman revealed on Wednesday.

AMISOM spokesman Major Brigye Ba-hoku said in a press conference in Mogadishu late on Wednesday that AU intelligence services have reliable information that extremists are planning coordinated terrorist attacks reportedly being “very imminent”.

“The information we have indicates that militants have prepared ten cars full of explosives which are intended to cause heavy losses on the Somali people in the capital Mogadishu, who have already been fed up with wars and insecurity,” Major Ba-hoku said in a press conference.

“They are going to use different cars for the attacks, including Toyota pickup trucks, land cruisers and mini-buses; and the man who will be the first suicide bomber is called Mohyaddin Yusuf” the spokesman stated.

He called on the Somali people in the capital to be more vigilant and call the security forces whenever they encounter suspects.

“The terrorists are the enemies of the Somali people as they are going to attack busy market places, mosques and universities. As you know, they have already carried out such attacks against public places,” the AU spokesman added.

On Saturday, Somalia witnessed the first-ever attack against a place of warship (sic) when twin bombs targeted a mosque in Mogadishu. More than 30 were killed and nearly 80 others wounded in the first attack, while another mosque attack occurred in the militant-controlled southern town of Kismayo the following day, killing two people.

Xinhua adds:

The warning comes a week after Islamist insurgent movement carried out suicide car bomb attack on a base of the AU mission in Mogadishu known as AMISOM. "Credible information reaching AMISOM indicates that some of the armed opposition groups are planning to carry out a series of synchronized suicide attacks and planting IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) in public places such as mosques and markets," Ba-Hoku Barigye, AMISOM spokesman told reporters in Mogadishu.

...

"Lately we have been witnessing a new trend of various activities conducted by extremist forces against the innocent civilians. The extremist forces have of late become desperate after losing the support of the people and experiencing infighting within their leadership," said the AMISOM spokesman.

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Garowe Online: Ahlu Sunnah and the collapse of power deal with TFG

To 'officially formulate' the agreement, Somali President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed on Thursday 6 May appointed Abdulkarim Yussuf Adan from ASJ, the deputy Somali military commander.

However, Sheikh Muhammad Sheikh Hassan immediately held a press conference in central Somali town of Dhusamareb, the administrative capital of Galgadud to denounce the agreement over ‘foreign element interference’

“The agreement was infiltrated by power-hungry politician and warlords who are not part of the TFG and Ahlu Sunnah,” he said.

“We directed our delegation in Mogadishu to walk out of the talks and return to Galgadud…after signing agreement we warned against any foreign interference before it is implemented and this is what we have warned,” he added.

Confidential reports that reached Garowe Online suggest that the ASJ chairman was infuriated by the interference from politician Ahmed Abdisalan Haji Adan and ex-Mogadishu warlord Mohammed Qanyare.

The two are said to have found their way into the power-sharing deal and make some changes to suit their interest.

Since its inception in Djibouti in 2009, Sheikh Sharif-led government, which is also a product of western-brokered power-sharing arrangement, has been plagued by internal rift that puts his administration in awkward position in front of powerful insurgency.

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SMC: senior Al-Shabab officer Blames USA for being behind Mosque attacks in Somalia

Sheikh Fuad Mohammed Khalf a higher-ranking Al-Shabab officer and a former Swedish national, has blamed the American government of been behind the twins explosions in a Mosque at Bakara market in the Somali capital Mogadishu, and a similar explosion in another Mosque in the southern seaport town of Kismayo.

“We have enough evidences that a certain American company by the name Black Water which has very recently arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu was behind the explosions in the Mosques in Mogadishu and Kismayo, we shall not regret about what has happened those who have died are martyrs and we want to inform the Americans that we shall show vengeance which is more horrific than what has happened in Somalia” said Sheik Fuad Mohammed Khalf.