London Conference stripped Somalia of its indivisibility, sovereignty and polity
The communiqué of February 23 Conference on Somalia, dominated by the International Contact Group (ICG) and the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia fell far short of all expectations. The promised new approach or step-change by the British leaders to tackle the root causes of insecurity and lack of functional government responsible [...]
Somali radio station director shot dead
Mogadishu (Alshahid)-The director of Somaliweyn radio, Abukar Hassan Kadaf, was killed by masked gunmen in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, police officer confirmed on Tuesday. The witness said that Abukar was shot by two men armed with pistols in the capital, Mogadishu. Mr Kadaf had run Radio Somaliweyn until it was looted by Alshabab in 2010 when [...]
Pirates kill 2 hostages on hijacked vessel
Nairobi (Alshahid)-The Danish navy says it has freed 16 hostages held by pirates off the Somali coast the previous day, but that two more captives died in the rescue operation. Navy spokesman Kenneth Nielsen said Tuesday that 17 pirates were detained in Monday’s anti-piracy operation. He declined to give the nationalities of the hostages. Danish [...]
Somali PM wants transitional government end term observed
Somalia’s prime minister has insisted that the term of the current transitional government would wind down as scheduled in August, reiterating the position agreed on at last week’s well-attended London Conference. Prof Abdiweli Mohamed Ali said that the transitional period, which was set to end last year before an extension, would end on August 20. [...]
Somali reform rush may be militant lifeline
Somalia’s nine million people are composed of dozens of clans and sub-clans, many with a history of armed rivalry over land, political power and businesses during 20 years of war Weakened on the battlefield, Somalia’s al Shabaab militants may yet survive, and even prosper from, a reinvigorated Western and African push to rebuild arguably the [...]
Kenya’s TJRC opposed to Kiplagat return
Nairobi (Alshahid)-Controversy looms at the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) after members of the commission said the reinstated chairman Bethwel Kiplagat was still not welcome to resume his duties despite a court ruling on Friday dismissing a suit seeking to block him. Led by acting chairperson Tecla Namachanja, the commissioners said they would neither [...]
EU extends Somalia anti-piracy operation to 2014
Brussels (Alshahid)-European Union Foreign Ministers have approved the extension of the Somalia anti-piracy operation Atalanta until the end of 2014. During their monthly meeting in Brussels, ministers from the 27 member states extended the EU diplomatic and military mission by at least another two years. Operation Atalanta began in 2008 with the aim of protecting [...]
Somali Leader Says Jobs Can Help End Piracy
By JENNY GROSS The key to beating piracy in Somalia is improving the standard of living in the country’s coastal cities and creating jobs for their young people—not relying on intervention by international naval forces, Somalia’s prime minister said. “You don’t want to cure the symptom, you have to cure the cause,” Abdiweli Mohamed Ali [...]
The World’s options for aid in Somalia
International leaders met last week to address the piracy, famine and terrorism in Somalia. Many previous attempts by the international community to intervene have failed. Jeffrey Gettleman, East Africa Bureau Chief for The New York Times, discusses the world’s options. Transcript JOHN DONVAN, HOST: The Somali Civil War that began in 1991 destroyed the country’s [...]
Somalia Prime Minister’s Statement at Chatham House
Prime Minister’s Statement at Chatham House February 24, 2012 I would like to thank Chatham House for convening this important gathering. I would also like to extend my appreciation on behalf of Somalia and its citizens to the UK for hosting the London Conference on Somalia. Let me start with yesterday’s conference which was attended [...]