AU calls for credible transitional Process in Somalia
Mogadishu (Alshahid)-African Union High Representative for Somalia, Jerry John Rawlings has in a meeting with the Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdiwali Mohamed Ali called for renewed momentum and credibility in the Somali transitional process. Rawlings, a former Ghanaian President, said partners and donors will be more forthcoming with resources to support and enhance the process [...]
Fight over oil revenues would harm Somalia peace prospects
Somalia’s embattled central government will not argue with semi-autonomous Puntland over potential oil revenues for fear of scuttling a fragile peace process, but a top official said on Monday the law made clear control lay with Mogadishu. Canadian firm Horn Petroleum, majority-owned by Vancouver-listed Africa Oil Corp., and its exploration partners started drilling in March [...]
Somaliland and Somalia: U.S. Dual Track Policy
David H. Shinn Over the years, I have addressed several Somaliland conferences. It is always a pleasure. On this occasion, I have been asked to speak on the U.S. dual track policy towards Somalia and Somaliland. While you would receive a more authoritative presentation on this subject from someone who represents the U.S. Government, which [...]
Arms embargo against Somali pirates
The international community is intensifying its efforts to combat maritime piracy in Somalia. While the U.S. and the EU take additional military measures to eliminate strongholds of the pirates on the coast, private companies are creating their own guards to protect their cargo. Under these conditions, Russia insists on taking more effective measures to prevent [...]
Mogadishu to have street lights soon
Mogadishu (Alshahid)-The Somali capital city will have street lights soon, after decades of darkness, according to Banadir provincial administration. Mohamed Yussuf, Banadir administration spokesman told journalists Saturday that plans to light up streets in the war ton Mogadishu is going on. “Makka Al-Mukaram high way is currently being renovated. We are also planning to put [...]
UN envoy in Somalia concerned over violent clashes in Hargeisa
The United Nations envoy in Somalia, Augustine P. Mahiga, today expressed concern over recent violent clashes in the northern city of Hargeisa, located in Somaliland, between Somaliland security forces and citizens which allegedly resulted in the deaths on both sides. According to media reports, earlier this week a military court in Hargeisa, the capital of [...]
Somalia Govt Wants Held Passports, ID Cards Handed to Embassy
The Somali government now wants a consignment of Somali passports, identity cards and machines impounded at the port last year to be handed over to its embassy. Speaking on the sidelines of a case involving a businessman charged in relation to the container, Somali ambassador Mohammed Ali Nur said detaining the consignment is illegal. “He [...]
Seven killed in Somalia blasts
At least seven people, mostly Somali soldiers, were killed on Saturday in bomb explosions in the Somali capital Mogadishu, officials and witnesses said. A roadside bomb planted under a tree killed four soldiers and one civilian in northern Mogadishu’s Karan district while at least two soldiers died in a separate grenade attack in Bakara market. [...]
Mogadishu On the Up
It is Friday morning in Mogadishu and Lido beach presents a scene reminiscent of seaside towns around the world. At the top of the beach, women sit with their wares, selling water and ice-lollies from cool-boxes. The middle-beach is dominated by young men playing football using driftwood as goalposts. At the water’s edge, boys and [...]
Lawrence Solomon: Occupy Somalia
The EU Naval Force made headlines this week by blasting a pirate base on Somali shores and pirate ships out of Somali waters. The well-publicized and logical rationale for the navy’s aggressive new stance: Somali piracy costs the world economy an estimated US$7-billion a year. An unpublicized and equally logical reason for this action: On [...]