Somalia: Qatar and Saudi established a group more dangerous than Al-Shabab in Somalia Somalis did not know the danger of Al-Shabab’s security forces, thus they don’t know more about Dam Jadid’s Ruhanta who replaced Al-Shabab. Many Somali people and government officials might not know the commander of Ruhanta, Abdalla Tarbi’ as well. Recent political assassinations in Mogadishu in which the latest target was an MP, Mohamed Warsame, and subsequent cold blooded massacre of Syrian Somali doctors were executed by the specially trained forces of Dam Jadid, Ruhanta (Ghosts). Dam Jadid’s intelligent forces of Ruhanta is headed by Col, Abdalla Mohamed, also known as Abdalla Tarbi’i According to the ministry of foreign affairs of the Somali government, Qatar and Saudi Governments are the main source fund providers to Ruhanta. Both governments used to fund Al-Shabab before. Qatar and Saudi Arabia are not willing to see Somalia with effective government, and their battle relates to oil that Somalia is rich in on its ground. Somali security personnel confirmed that Qatar and Saudi Arabia were behind the discontinuation of the fight against Al-Shabab.This brought the sacking of former director of national security agency. Waagacusub media took three months to pursue in investigating about senior officials of Dam Jadid’s Ruhanta forces and found the picture of the army commander, Abdalla Tarbi’ Who is Abdalla Tarbiici Abdalla Tarbiiis the deputy commander of national security agency, and chief commander of Ruhanta forces who directly receive orders from the ministry of interior and the presidency. Abdalla Tarbiici is Dir clan, Surre, Fiqi Omar sub-clan, and he doesn’t speak too much. He is a Colonel who joined Somali security forces in 2009. Abdalla Tarbi’ took his training on security and safety in Sudan, graduated from Africa International University in Sudan, faculty of science and microbiology. When Mr. Abdalla went back home in 2000, he founded Plasma University in Mogadishu in which he became the president. Farah Abdukadir and Abdikarim Hussein Guled supported him in establishing the university and it is where Dam Jadid recruits from the youth. Abdalla Tarbii’s first office was that of the fromer national security Chief, Mohamed Sheekh. He was then appointed as head section of pirates during when Ahmed Mo’allim Fiqi was the head of the agency. When the religious group of Dam Jadid took control of Villa Somalia, Abdalla Tarbi’i was chosen to be deputy national security agency director. President Hassan Gargurte was initially planning to Appoint Abdalla as chief commander of intelligence forces, but foreign countries rejected that plan. Bashir Gobe, director of national security agency and his deputy, Abdalla Tarbii’ are not friends now because many young soldiers in the agency and Dam Jadid are campaigning to have Abdalla named to the top position. Col. Abdalla meets with president Gargurte every night by giving a report and have close contact and confidence with Farah Abdukadir and Abdikarim Dhega-jun, and he takes all his time in the presidency. Who works with Abdalla Tarbiici? Abdalla Tarbi’i has close cooperation with three men of Al-Shabab fighters’ senior security officials and they are as follows:- 1-Omar Dahir, Reer Aw Hassan. Omar is the head of highly trained unit within the Ruhanta Brigade. 2-Abdikariim Farey is Head of President Hassan Gargurte’s presidential guards. He is Hawiye, Murusade sub clan. 3-Abdirahman Turyare is Hawiye,Abgal Waceysle, he is head of intelligence investigation department, he took his education in Egypt. Assassinations will continue in Somalia because security forces of Ruhanta are like Al-Shabab militants who used conduct planned assassinations when Sharif Sh. Ahmed was the chairperson of the Islamic Courts Union. A Swedish camera man, Martin Edler was murdered on 23 June, 2006 in Mogadishu by Al-Shabab security staff, a time Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was speaking to a large crowd at Tarbunka, the camera man was filming the demonstrators. Somalis did not know the danger of Al-Shabab’s security forces, thus they don’t know more about Dam Jadid’s Ruhanta who replaced Al-Shabab. Many Somali people and government officials might not know the commander of Ruhanta, Abdalla Tarbi’ as well. Somali people are in a long sleep and parliamentarians are corrupted. Will Somalis be like Kurds or make use their chance to protect themselves from the risk of Dam Jadid’s Ruhanta together? You may remember about this report later, when things fall apart. What is important here is to be aware of that youth are trained on how to make explosions and carry out assassinations. By Dahir Abdulle Alasow

Somalia: Qatar and Saudi established a group more dangerous than Al-Shabab in Somalia

Somalia: Qatar and Saudi established a group more dangerous than Al-Shabab in Somalia

Somalis did not know the danger of Al-Shabab’s security forces, thus they don’t know more about Dam Jadid’s Ruhanta who replaced Al-Shabab. Many Somali people and government officials might not know the commander of Ruhanta, Abdalla Tarbi’ as well.

Recent political assassinations in Mogadishu in which the latest target was an MP, Mohamed Warsame, and subsequent cold blooded massacre of Syrian Somali doctors were executed by the specially trained forces of Dam Jadid, Ruhanta (Ghosts).

Dam Jadid’s intelligent forces of Ruhanta is headed by Col, Abdalla Mohamed, also known as Abdalla Tarbi’i

According to the ministry of foreign affairs of the Somali government, Qatar and Saudi Governments are the main source fund providers to Ruhanta. Both governments used to fund Al-Shabab before.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are not willing to see Somalia with effective government, and their battle relates to oil that Somalia is rich in on its ground.

Somali security personnel confirmed that Qatar and Saudi Arabia were behind the discontinuation of the fight against Al-Shabab.This brought the sacking of former director of national security agency.

Waagacusub media took three months to pursue in investigating about senior officials of Dam Jadid’s Ruhanta forces and found the picture of the army commander, Abdalla Tarbi’

Who is Abdalla Tarbiici

Abdalla Tarbiiis the deputy commander of national security agency, and chief commander of Ruhanta forces who directly receive orders from the ministry of interior and the presidency.

Abdalla Tarbiici is Dir clan, Surre, Fiqi Omar sub-clan, and he doesn’t speak too much. He is a Colonel who joined Somali security forces in 2009.

Abdalla Tarbi’ took his training on security and safety in Sudan, graduated from Africa International University in Sudan, faculty of science and microbiology.

When Mr. Abdalla went back home in 2000, he founded Plasma University in Mogadishu in which he became the president.

Farah Abdukadir and Abdikarim Hussein Guled supported him in establishing the university and it is where Dam Jadid recruits from the youth.

Abdalla Tarbii’s first office was that of the fromer national security Chief, Mohamed Sheekh. He was then appointed as head section of pirates during when Ahmed Mo’allim Fiqi was the head of the agency.

When the religious group of Dam Jadid took control of Villa Somalia, Abdalla Tarbi’i was chosen to be deputy national security agency director.

President Hassan Gargurte was initially planning to Appoint Abdalla as chief commander of intelligence forces, but foreign countries rejected that plan.

Bashir Gobe, director of national security agency and his deputy, Abdalla Tarbii’ are not friends now because many young soldiers in the agency and Dam Jadid are campaigning to have Abdalla named to the top position.

Col. Abdalla meets with president Gargurte every night by giving a report and have close contact and confidence with Farah Abdukadir and Abdikarim Dhega-jun, and he takes all his time in the presidency.

Who works with Abdalla Tarbiici?

Abdalla Tarbi’i has close cooperation with three men of Al-Shabab fighters’ senior security officials and they are as follows:-

1-Omar Dahir, Reer Aw Hassan. Omar is the head of highly trained unit within the Ruhanta Brigade.

2-Abdikariim Farey is Head of President Hassan Gargurte’s presidential guards. He is Hawiye, Murusade sub clan.

3-Abdirahman Turyare is Hawiye,Abgal Waceysle, he is head of intelligence investigation department, he took his education in Egypt.

Assassinations will continue in Somalia because security forces of Ruhanta are like Al-Shabab militants who used conduct planned assassinations when Sharif Sh. Ahmed was the chairperson of the Islamic Courts Union.

A Swedish camera man, Martin Edler was murdered on 23 June, 2006 in Mogadishu by Al-Shabab security staff, a time Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was speaking to a large crowd at Tarbunka, the camera man was filming the demonstrators.

Somalis did not know the danger of Al-Shabab’s security forces, thus they don’t know more about Dam Jadid’s Ruhanta who replaced Al-Shabab. Many Somali people and government officials might not know the commander of Ruhanta, Abdalla Tarbi’ as well.

Somali people are in a long sleep and parliamentarians are corrupted. Will Somalis be like Kurds or make use their chance to protect themselves from the risk of Dam Jadid’s Ruhanta together?

You may remember about this report later, when things fall apart. What is important here is to be aware of that youth are trained on how to make explosions and carry out assassinations.

By Dahir Abdulle Alasow

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.-Thomas Jefferson

SOMALIA: Escaping from truth and giving falsehood a legitimate footing.

Posted on December 19, 2013 Somali News

Escaping from truth and giving falsehood a legitimate footing.
Abdirisak Mohamed Ahmed
hanadmm2@aol.com
Dec 19th 2013

OPINION
When it comes to politics the country is not about to gain a foothold and move ahead with its contemporaries. The political turmoil between the various political actors in Somalia has become a stumbling block to the way forward and healing the wounds that apparently stemmed from the fall of the former central government. The political entities usually talk of what is neither here nor there about the past or the present but keep turning a blind eye to the status quo and the realities on the ground. They don’t consider the values and the crucial factors that will turn the corner for Somalia to stand on its own legs and develop swiftly from every aspect. The philosophy by the leaders in today’s’ Somalia is basically rooted in clan ideology for one thing and the other is opportunism, power greediness and selfishness.
They entertain people with clan politics to keep them isolated from one another with no integration, solidarity and national harmony. They conceal and never touch that the Somalis are brotherly people in the real sense of the word by religion, language, color, culture, race, and they are flesh and blood. The country is crying out for a sustainable peace and security for twenty three years running as for the Somalis are tired to death and fed up with the violence, insecurity, explosions and would like to see light at the end of the tunnel. Obviously there is no need for the political authorities and groups to bridge the gap between them through a dialogue or reconciliation as there is no any deep division among them but what is missing here is that they have miserably failed to make a mutual give and take and engage in power sharing with one leader is becoming the president and others are in wait for their turn democratically. On the contrary all are vying to be inaugurated as presidents to take the helm and lead the country at a same time and that is neither possible nor practical.
Actually they have nurtured a cold calculation of mind and happy-go-lucky attitude as to future development, progress and political trends and never take pity on the number of innocent people being killed, maimed and displaced day in day out and others living in appalling conditions. It will not take much these leaders to come together and join hands for their own good if they want to emerge as statesmen and highly notable politicians without beating around the bush and going to a blind alley. Some of the Somalis even seem to have been influenced one way or another by the culture and behavior of the current leaders by placing their narrow interest without giving a shit about the interest of their fellow countrymen. This is common at public places like hospitals.
However, the leaders should live with the realities and not drag the country into more bloodshed, wanton killings and destruction. Surely the Somali innocent population have taken the brunt of what happened in the country and they are the real victims in the disastrous situations. It is time for us to end the history in the making of our own making and set things to rights.
Abdirisak Mohamed Ahmed
hanadmm2@aol.com

Inter-Parliamentary Union
Press Briefing Note
Geneva, 10 December 2013

MPs Continue Paying Price for Defending Human Rights

Prayer next to the body of Somali MP Feisal Warsame Mohamed, killed in Mogadishu on 6 December when a bomb blew up his vehicle. ©Reuters/Feisal Omar

Assassinations of MPs in Somalia and Yemen in recent days are just the latest cases of MPs paying the ultimate price for defending fundamental human rights and exercising their right to freedom of expression, says the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) as it marks Human Rights Day 2013.
Somali MP Feisal Warsame Mohamed was killed on 6 December when a car bomb blew up his vehicle in Mogadishu. On 22 November, Yemeni MP Abdulkareem Jadban was gunned down in Sana’a in what seemed to be politically motivated attacks to silence two outspoken MPs.
These two killings highlight a worrying ongoing trend around the world of MPs being persecuted, intimidated, attacked or even killed.
“Such crimes are an attack on democracy itself. Authorities should ensure perpetrators are brought to justice quickly. Unfortunately, what we see too often is impunity, which only leads to further crimes against MPs,” says the IPU head of human rights programmes, Rogier Huizenga.
So far this year, IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians has examined allegations of human rights violations against 270 legislators (241 men and 29 women) in 40 countries. Africa accounts for 42 per cent of cases, followed by Asia (38 per cent), the Americas (14 per cent) and Europe (6 per cent). Seventy-six per cent of those targeted belong to opposition parties.

Most violations either relate to attacks on MPs’ physical integrity, such as murder, enforced disappearance or torture, or to the ability to carry out their democratic mandate. This can be by suppressing freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, or through undue invalidation, suspension or revocation of the parliamentary mandate.
Created in 1976, the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians provides concrete and effective support to individual MPs who suffer abuse

Foreign Fighters Serving With Al-Shabaab in Somalia

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Foreign Fighters Serving With Al-Shabaab in Somalia

Raffaello Pantucci and A.R. Sayyid

 

Terrorism Monitor (Jamestown Foundation)

 

December 3, 2013

 

The role of foreign fighters in al-Shabaab was brought to public attention once again in October with the release by al-Kata’ib (Shabaab’s media wing) of a video entitled: “It’s an eye for an eye: the Woolwich attacks.” [1] The video featured ten British jihadis who had died fighting alongside al-Shabaab as well as one Somali-Norwegian shown carrying out the massacre at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall. The video appeared to confirm the prominent role of foreigners inside the East African terrorist networks (Telegraph, October 25; BBC, October 18). The reality, however, is more complicated, with evidence indicating that the size of the foreign fighter contingent in East Africa has been in flux, with a number dying in a complicated internal struggle from which Ahmad Abdi Godane (a.k.a. Abu Zubayr) has emerged victorious. 

 

The most prominent casualty amongst this foreign fighter contingent was Omar Hammami, the American who rose within al-Shabaab to become its unofficial poster-boy. Increasingly angered by what he saw as the “authoritarian” approach adopted by Godane, he lashed out through videos and on his Twitter account, claiming he was under threat from the Shabaab leadership. Hammami survived one attempt on his life before succumbing to an assassin’s bullet on September 12. Dying alongside him was Osama al-Britani, a British-Pakistani national believed to be Habib Ghani, a long-standing British fighter in the region who was closely linked to the semi-mythical “white widow” Samantha Lewthwaite, widow of one of the July 7, 2005 bombers of London’s underground system (Daily Mail, September 13). 

 

The deaths of the two men came as the capstone of a series of foreign fighter deaths under mysterious circumstances. One of the first to fall was Bilal al-Berjawi, a British-Lebanese sub-commander within the group who was killed by a drone strike in January 22, 2012. A month later his companion Muhammad Sakr was also killed under similar circumstances. While the direct cause of death was clear, the circumstances that enabled the drones to find these individuals were not. 

 

In an apparent attempt to clarify these circumstances, al-Kata’ib made the unusual step of releasing a video which purported to be a confession by a young Somali who claimed to have helped direct the drone strikes against Bilal al-Berjawi and Muhammad Sakr. The confessional video seemed aimed at emphasizing that the two men had died as the result of offensive operations by the group’s enemies rather than executed by the group itself, suggesting there was some doubt that this was the case. [2]  

Evidence of an internal dispute over the targeting of foreign fighters was found in other areas. For example, in the wake of al-Berjawi’s death, there was a reported exodus of foreigners from Somalia. In late April 2013, senior leaders within the organization published a fatwa (legal pronouncement in Islam) specifically ordering that Omar Hammami, Osama al-Britani and Egyptian Khatab al-Masri not be targeted for assassination. [3] In mid-2010 there was still strong evidence that Westerners, from the UK at least, were providing a fairly steady stream of young warriors to join the Somali group, but the indicators over time have been negative. With the rise of jihad operations in Syria and other Arab Spring countries, young Westerners no longer saw the appeal of joining Godane’s increasingly xenophobic jihad.

 

For its part, al-Shabaab appears more eager to reach out to the foreign community than before. The video “Woolwich Attack: It’s an Eye for an Eye” came in the wake of a YouTube video published by the group that described the journey of a group from Minneapolis who left the United States to join al-Shabaab (the video has since been removed from the Internet). The video eulogized the fallen Westerners in a manner that seemed aimed at recruiting people to come to Somalia and to illustrate how the fight that al-Shabaab was undertaking was part of a larger conflict directed by core al-Qaeda. 

Close examination of the videos and the records of the fallen men illustrates that these cases are, for the most part, historical rather than current. The Minneapolis group moved from the United States to Somalia in a series of waves dating back to 2007. The known British fighters mentioned all seem to have travelled to the conflict before 2010. In some cases, court documents identify individuals who fought alongside al-Shabaab and then returned home. In others, networks back in the UK that were providing support and funding for fighters were disrupted, yielding information on when individuals left and how long they required financial support. [4] Some of those provided with support through these networks are now reported dead. One man, identified as “CF” in court documents, first tried to travel to Afghanistan to fight, but was dissuaded by the difficulties encountered in entering that country and instead settled for Somalia. [5] 

 

Having said all of this, there is still some evidence that Godane retains the loyalty and support of some of his foreign cadres. Part of this is evidenced through various media outlets, like the pro-Godane Twitter feed @MYC_Press, which is widely speculated to be run by Samantha Lewthwaite. Whether run by Lewthwaite or not, the account is clearly written by someone whose mother tongue is colloquial British English. Similarly, all of the videos mentioned in this piece are narrated by Abu Omar, an English-speaking Shabaab fighter who has a very clear grasp of the languages and culture of the West, most likely indicating strong foreign links. In terms of the Westgate incident, the growing evidence of a strong link to Somali diaspora elements from Norway suggests the group is still able to call upon its foreign links to conduct audacious operations. 

 

However, the dilemma remains about what role foreign fighters will have in the new organization being crafted by Godane. In April 2013, an open letter to al-Qaeda leader Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri was released by Ibrahim al-Afghani (a.k.a. Abu Bakr al-Zaylai), in which al-Afghani called for the al-Qaeda leader to step into an increasingly fractious battle within al-Shabaab that was threatening to tear the organization apart. At the heart of the division was a split between the local and international fighters, with the two groups divided over al-Shabaab’s direction (African Review [Nairobi], April 9, 2013). Interestingly, it seemed as though the foreign contingent was focused on consolidating power within Somalia, while the faction led by Godane was more interested in expanding al-Shabaab’s international reach, possibly to live up to its role as an al-Qaeda affiliate. 

 

It is possibly within this split that we see the seeds of the Westgate incident as well as an explanation of the future role Godane sees for the foreign fighters in his group. While the Westgate plot clearly used assets within Kenya and is therefore in part a product of domestic radicalization issues inside Kenya, it was nevertheless directed and claimed by Godane’s al-Shabaab network. The intent was to mount a large-scale incident to attract international attention alongside other major international jihadist attacks, such as this year’s In Aménas attack, the 2008 Mumbai attack and other large-scale terrorist operations in which mass casualties have been ascribed to al-Qaeda or its affiliates. 

 

At the same time, the group’s latest video release pointed to an eagerness to place the Somali cause within a larger ideological arc (highlighting the causes of the Uyghur and Rohignya as examples where the West was proving it did not care about Muslims) and also called upon individuals to conduct terrorist plots in the West. Al-Shabaab has previously refrained from calling openly for such terrorist operations. Delivered clearly and coherently in English, the rhetorical shift is something clearly aimed at a Western audience.  

 

The danger for Western security officials is that the group has finally made the long-awaited strategic decision to focus efforts outside of Somalia. At the same time, the decision to make this shift seems to come at a moment when the group is having less success in attracting Western fighters to its ranks, thus depriving them of the most effective tool to launch an attack in the heart of the West. With Syria currently dominating jihadists’ attention, this dynamic is unlikely to change substantially in the near future. In the longer-term, Godane’s clear interest in living up to his group’s al-Qaeda affiliation would suggest more incidents aimed at Western targets in Africa at least are likely. 

Raffaello Pantucci is a Senior Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and the author of the forthcoming We Love Death as You Love Life: Britain’s Suburban Mujahedeen (Hurst/Columbia University Press). 

A.R. Sayyid is the editor of The Somali War Monitor Blog www.somaliwarmonitor.wordpress.com.

Notes 

1. The video confession was posted in May 2013 and is available: ia600707.us.archive.org/22/items/3d-f7dhrhm-2/SoBeware2_HQ.m4v.

2. See www.aljahad.com/vb/showthread.php.

3. Regina vs Mohammed Shabir Ali and Mohammed Shakif Ali, Central Criminal Court, August 1, 2012.

4. Secretary of State for the Home Department vs CC and CF, Royal Courts of Justice, October 19, 2012, [2012] EWHC 2837.

Bishop Bertin: we must continue to respond to the tragedies of Somalia

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Bishop Bertin: we must continue to respond to the tragedies of Somalia

(Vatican Radio) Somalia, on the tip of the horn of Africa, is widely seen as a nation ravaged by drought and conflict, at the top of the global corruption index, home to gangs of warlords who sabotage humanitarian aid efforts and one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists and aid workers.

But a September conference in Brussels, the third of its kind, aimed to focus the attention of the international community on the progress made in Somalia over the last year as well as mobilize resources for the one-year-old Somali regime and assist it in the country’s reconstruction.

The conference set out a plan for Somalia’s reconstruction and has been successful in receiving over 815 million US dollars in financial pledges.

Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab Islamist militia have abandoned their posts in Mogadishu spurring hope that the new government will guarantee a more efficient management of food aid, with the support of the international community and the protection of African Union forces.

Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni asked Bishop Giorgio Bertin of Djibouti, Apostolic Administrator of Somalia’s only Catholic diocese, Mogadishu, if life has improved for ordinary Somalis…

Listen to the interview…

Bishop Bertin says that life is returning to Somalia very slowly, however, he says, although there is a sense of hope “the enemies of hope, the enemies of peace, the enemies of reconciliation are still there”.

The Bishop says that “the answer is that we should be more perseverant than the evil forces. Those who opt for life, for hope, for respect should be more determined and persevering than those who are against it”.

Bertin says that Pope Francis’s option for the poor is a great source of inspiration for him. “It reminds of our engagement for the poor, an engagement that should be intelligent in the sense that we should find out the economic, political and not only humanitarian ways to come out of extreme poverty”..

He says it is also about keeping awareness high and points out that Somalia is a forgotten nation, in the news only when a tragic event hits the headlines.

Source: en.radiovaticana.va

Soomaaliya oo dib ugu noqotey Duligii, Kana sii dareysa.

Waxaad moodaa in nidaamkii Federaalka ahaa, oo loogu talagaley in horumar lagu gaarro, inuu soo kordhiyey in gobollo badan oo Soomaaliya ay ka bilaabatey xiisad colaadeed, xiisadaas colaadeed oo isugu jirta kuwa raba ineey dad goboladda la daggan ka suuriyaan iyo kuwa raba ineey gobollo ayan daggin ku qaxaan oo xoog ku qabsadaan.

Xiisaddaha hadda ka aloosan Jowhar, Marka iyo Baladweyn waa kuwa sii kordhinaya kala fogaanshihii iyo colaaddii u dhaxeysey dadka Soomaaliyeed ee walaalaha ah.

Xiisadda ka taagan Marka, oo aad moodid in ay ka xuntahay ama ka dhiig badan tahay kuwa kale, waxaa sababey in Mooryaan la ciidameeyey oo aan laga fiirsan ninka ciiddanka la qorayo nooca uu yahay, iyo inuu yahay qof ku wanaagsan in tuuto qarran loo galiyo iyo in kale, ineey laka safteen dad qabyaalad isku haya. Reerka biyomaal la yiraahdo iyagaa u badan Shabeeladda Hoose, waana arrin aan muran ku jirrin, reerka habargidir la yiraahdanna qoysas baa ka dagga degaankaas qoysaskaas oo muddo dheer dagannaa.

Reerka Biyomaal la yiraahdo xaq u malaha ineey laayaan dadka ka soo jeedda qabiilka kale, yiraahdaanna ma daganaan karaan dhulkaan, sida Habargidirna ayan xaq ugu lahayn ineey isku habar-wacdaan oo u soo guuraan dhulkaan si ayan ahayn dad leh ay ku noolaadaan.

Jowhar ama Shabeeladda Dhexe waa deggaan Jareerweyn, waxay iyagunna xaq u leeyihiin in tixgallin lagu siiyo deggaankaas, si u dhigantanna qabaa'ilka kale ayaguna xaq u leeyihiin qoysaska deggan ineey hellaan nabad ineey ugu noolaadaan dhulkaas.

Hiiraanna waa la mid oo waa in lagu wada noolaadda Nabad. Tan Xigta sida aynnu ognahay, dhulka Ilaaheey kuwa ayuu ka dhigay Barwaaqo, Biyo badan iyo Beerahanna ku fiican, Kuwa ayaa aan geed ku oollin ah.

Waxaynu ognahay kuwa qallallan oo aan Roob ku di'in, in Ilaaheey siiyey Barwaaqo ka karaama badan Roobkii iyo dhirtii, addunkuna uu u shaqo tagey, Waxaynnu oganahay kuwa dhulkooddii Beeruhu ku fiican yihiin, in sannad walba adduunku u uruuriyo qaaraan iyo raashin la siiyo.

Arrinta iyadduna naxdinta leh, waxaa weeyaan arrin ka soo korordhey Waqooyiga Soomaaliya, ama Somaliland, arrintaas oo ah in tacaddi, Kufsi, iyo Dil loo geysto gabdhaha ka soo jeedda Gabooyaha, arrintaan oo wax laga naxo in qabiil Soomaaliyeed uu qabiil kale xalaalsado dilkooda iyo Kufsigoodda.

Arrintaan dulinamadda ah ee hadda noqotey wax aan laga yaqyaqsoon, waa mid iyaduna ka jirta meelo badan oo Soomaaliya ka mid, gaar ahaan Muqdisho, oo iyaddu gaartey in gabdhihii la kufsadey Xabsiga la dhigo. Oo dawladdii difaaci lahayd ay iyaddu ku noqoto tii ku mudaceysey dhibanayaashii iyo in la xiro wiilashii wareystey.

Dilka Soomaaliya ilaa iyo intii 20 sano ka badan wuxuu ahaa, mid la caadeystey, waxaa hadda soo kordhey in kii la rabey inuu sharciga ilaaliyo, oo ahaa Madaxweynihii dalka uu isaganna hadda farta loogu fiiqayo, inuu dillo kii shallay doortey oo codkiisa uu ku noqdey Madaxweynaha.

Waxaan ammaan helleyn Xildhibaankii, Askarigii, Xaakimkii, Gabdhihii iyo Wiilashii oo dhammaan loo laynayo, fikira aan qabo mid ka duwan buu qabaa.

Waxaa intaas ka darran oo dhammaan isku fuuqsadey, waxaas dhib ah, in ummaddii Soomaaliyeed meel ay joogaanba ay noqdeen kuwa dulmiga geeysanaya iyo kuwa daawannaya sidii ineey film fiirsanayaan oo kale, oo ayan muuqan wax kla damqanaya dhibkaas, iyagoo u kala jabey, Maxaa iga galley, Haddaan ka hadlo hebel baa ka xumaanaya, reerka dhibka uu ku dhacayo waa kii dhibka aniga shallay ii geystey ee BAGAH.

Waxaan soo sheegay oo dhan, Natiijadeeddu waxay noqoneysaa in Soomaaliya ay ku jirto gacan shisheeye, dawladnimanna ayan u soo dhaweyn.

Wa Billaahi Towfiiq.
Axmad M. Yaasiin.

Rape, The International Community, and Somali Authorities.

International donors must not turn a blind eye on abuses in Somalia. They must do more than dialogue or talk to defend the rights of Somali women and minorities in Somalia. It’s obvious that their money is the life line of Somali National Army and they are the ones who are committing most of the damaged against innocent women in Somalia.

On the other hand, Somaliland which is part of Somalia, but seeking international recognition, as separate nation are committing crimes against minorities and women. Both areas in Somalia, South and North are enjoying millions of dollars from International communities to subsidize hideous crimes against our people.

So the moral question we civil human beings ought to ask ourselves is, Is the international Community’s becoming complicity to these crimes knowingly or unknowingly? Because the money or the financing they are providing for this people has become part of facilitating these crimes against Somali people, particularly women and minorities? We cannot any longer be silent about these shocking crimes against our women and our minority people.

I personally do not care about fight against terror, as long as, our women been raped by thugs paid by international community’s. Some argued that , we must work with Somali government in Somalia, because we do not want  to see Somalia to fall back, Hello…Somalia is falling back now, whilst their weak people have been raped, tortured or killed on expenses of the International donors money. Even, AMISOM soldiers had accused of committed rape against Somali woman, no one has done anything so far, and Somali government chose not seek justice for that young girl, since they also jailed raped girls in their jails.

I urge all countries around the world to help our women and minority communities in Somalia.

Ahmed M. Yassin
amyassin@ymail.com

Somalia MP's Assissination points at the President.

SOMALIA MP’S Assassination Points at the President of Somalia

On December 6, 2013, Mohamed Warsame Mohamed (a.k.a. Faisal), who was a member of the Somali Federal Parliament was brutally assassinated in front of the presidential palace (Villa Somalia) in Mogadishu. Reports suggest that an explosive device was taped in his car which blasted shortly after leaving the Palace. Mr. Faisal dead minutes after the attack.

Reliable sources say that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed called Mr. Faisal and requested him to come to the presidency for discussion; the MP accepted the President’s suggestion and drove to the palace. The source say MP’s car was checked in three heavily guarded security check points on the road to the presidential palace, some of them run by Amisom (AU peace keeping mission in Somalia.)   We do not know what the two men discussed, but we do know they were staunch political rivals. The explosion took place after the meeting had ended and Mr.Faisal drove just few miters outside the main gate of the heavily guarded presidential compound.

Mr. Faisal, who hails from the semi-autonomous  region of Puntland where the Islamist groups have less political influence, was  dubbed as “liberal” and “federalist” and he had been staunchly opposing what he called ”damul-jadiid power grab.”   (Damul-jadiid is the Somalia branch of the Muslim Brotherhood) and the inner circle of President Hassan Shelkh Mohamud.
But the important clash of ideas between ”Damul jadiid” and MP Faisal and his colleagues has been escalated by the recent political infighting between president Mohamud and the outgoing Prime Minster Abdi Farah Shirdon, Mr. Faisal, who was the chairman of an important parliamentary committee, and a good debater, spread-headed MPs who were against the motion to oust the Prime Minster; because of his role in saving the ousted Prime Minister, he had become the media man of Shridon’s camp.

He attracted media and gave a plenty of interviews to international media outlets including BBC Soamali and VOA Somali in the run up to the parliamentary session that Shirdon was voted out. The most interesting debate on the political bickering between Mr Faisal and his rivals was held by BBC Somalia service on November 29, 2013. In that debate he made several accusations against the president and his “Damul jadiid” group, he openly accused the president of power grab and unconstitutional steps. He also warned that “Damul jadiid” was taking the country into a dark path, may be like that of Egypt.

Mr. Faisal explicitly warned his colleagues at the parliament that that president Hassan will use his security forces called (Alfa group) to intimidate or harm the MPs who oppose his plan to impeach the Prime Minister. That foretelling is very important for the investigation of Faisal’s assassination, if there will be one. Some sources say that the MP was verbally threatened by his opponents.
Interestingly, Al shabaab terror group did not so far claim the responsibility of this killing. As demonstrated by the recent Wastage Mall attack, Al shabaab do not mince at its words in such occasions and always rush to claim their heinous acts. To kill an MP in front of the Presidential palace would be major publicity for Al shabaab. The lack of claim by Al shabaab will understandably fuel the suspicion that the MP was assassinated by the security forces he foretold.

9_DEC_2013AAlthough one can’t rule out that Al shabaab was involved in this bombing,  some Somali MPs, the outgoing  Prime Minister, Puntland and relatives of the slain MP all explicitly or implicitly point fingers at President Mohamud being behind  this assassination. Some security experts to whom the author spoke suggested that this is not necessarily the work of Al shabaab. The former central bank governor Yusuf Abrar has reportedly resigned because of fear of her life after she refused to sign up corruption deals, and some source say that she was threatened by some of the president’s close aides..

The election of Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud as president in Sept. 2012 was applauded by Somalis and the West as a major success and important step toward peace and stability in the troubled Horn of African nation, some analysts suggested that Somalia may recover from its number one failed state status. Unfortunately these assumptions soon turned to be elusive and the president did not live up to the expectations. He did not came up with strategies and policies that can bring the country back together and end the 23 -year- long catastrophe. His authoritarian style of rule reminds the Somali people about the days of Siyad Barre, the former military ruler of Somalia, and even some claim Mr Mohamud is dictator in the making.

Ironically, President Mohamud stood in front of the UN General Assembly in last September and criticized Bashar Al Assad of Syria for killing his own people; he was right because Assad’s slaughter is contemptible. But if it turns out that Mohamud was behind the killing of his own MP, then President Mohamud joins ranks with the likes of Asad of Syria.

The recent political infighting, the dramatic resignation of the central bank governor, the assassination of MP Faisal, the strained relations with the regions of Puntland/Jubbaland/Somaliland, unabated rape scandals, and the quarreling with the EU for direct aid, all point out that the high hopes put on Mohamud’s government are dashed and the credibility of the President himself is seriously damaged if not destroyed.

By Daahir Sheikh,

Email: daahireeto1@hotmail.com
Daahir Sheikh is Somalia political analyst

Injustice in Mogadishu Kangaroo Courts.

Roda Rashiid wrote today on her Facebook.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.The killers in Mogadishu and their Kangaroo court today sentenced another the raped victim and the journalist who interviewed her both 6 months in jail.

From: Terror Free Somalia. Ruhanta- The killing machine for Damul-jadiid.

This is special unit for Damul-jadiid to kill innocent people in Mogadishu.

Terror Free Somalia

Sharing information

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Somalia: Dam Jadid makes Special Forces operating like Al-Shabab style in Mogadishu
Dam Jadid ALL Hawiye Clan New Islamist group made specially trained forces who are over 500 soldiers and were named Ruhanta according to the reports.

Ruhanta are part of the Somali National Security Forces, they operate such Al-Shabab security personnel style namely Amniyat.

Dam Jadid’s soldiers have killed five officials in the past two months including Mohamed Warsame Faysal, a member of the Somali federal parliament who was assassinated yesterday.

The assassinated figures were all dissatisfied with Dam Jadid’s policy.
Ruhanta, the Special Forces take orders from acting state minister of the Somali presidency, Farah Sh. Abdukadir and Qatar state pay their rights as government sources told Media.

The religious group of Dam Jadid emerged in 2011 and they are like Al-Shabab militants who were heard in 2006 and performed mass killing in the Somali capital

Mogadishu.

Islamist Damu Jadiid who more danger then Al-Shabaab is ruling party

Xamar iyo Masiibooyinka..............

Xamar iyo Masiibooyinka aan dhamaadka lahayn:

Ilaa iyo 1991koodii waxaa magaaladda Xamar ka dhacayey falal iyo Masiibooyin aad u foolxun oo Soomaali oo dhan saameeyey. Xamar waxay noqotey meel aan marnaba Dilka, Dhaca, Kufsiga, Boobka iyo Xasuuqa bini'aadamka aan lagala xishoon ama aan laga baqin in lagu sameeyo.

Waxaa marka aan ahayn been abuur ineey noqotey meel la rogey, oo Illaah u caroodey. Waxaan hubaa in nala la farey in dhulka Ilaah u carrodo laga fogaado, oo xitaa haddey dani kugu qasabto inaad martid, inaad ku martid orod iyo adoo cararaya.

Umaleyn maayo hadalkaan caawa qorayo, oo ii ah waqti dambe in qof Soomaalinimo sheeganaya, oo aan ahayn kuwii fafalkaa foosha-xun geeystey uu jirro oo hadalkeyga beeninaya ama beenin kara.

Sababtaas baa waxaa Soomaali ku waajibtey ineey Xamar ka cararraan oo ka guuraan, sida ugu dhaqso badan, ma noqon karto qof bini'aadam ah iska daa muslimnimo ku darsadey inuu hooy ka dhigan karo meeshaas.

Haddii aan intaas la garanna, Soomaali waxaa ku waajibey dhib iyo Silic aan dhamaad lahayn.

Wa Billaahi Towfiiq.
Ahmed M. Yassin

Member of Parliament killed inside of Villa Somalia by Damul-jadiid.

Mogadishu Butchers commit another crime against innocent Member of Parliament.

What happened today inside of Villa Somali can only be described designed operation to commit cold blooded murder against innocent and lawmaker of Somali Parliament Member. And they successfully completed the mission today.

Now every one of you must be wondering why the MP’s death and who’s behind this abominable action of taking this decent man life. Let me give you very important information. The victim was having ongoing disagreement with thugs in Damul-Jadiid occupy in Villa Somalia. It started when they falsified his name and pretended that he was in favor of removing outgoing Prime Minister Shirdon, which he made very clear that he had no intentions of doing such thing and also gave interviews to tell the public what was going on and how the situation is deteriorating beyond any body imagination.

Furthermore, He emphasized this motion must be defeated in the parliament. Because it has no legal basis and it’s frivolous. Therefore the thugs of Villa Somalia didn’t take too kindly and did what criminal minds do usually, threat the MP directly bodily harm to his life and that came from none other than president himself.

Nevertheless, the victim did what he thought was right but unfortunately the monkeys that are pretending to be members of parliament did what  president wanted and in the process collected their bananas. Their action didn't discourage him the least but rather animated him to draft other motion which was designed to empower the incoming Prime minister. That was the last straw for the Mafia occupying Villa Somalia. They carried out their deadly intentions with audacious fashion.

The only thing left is what we are going to do about it.

Ahmed M. Yassin

Gardarradda ka socota Puntland, yaa loo Maxkameyn doonaa?.

Gardarradda ka socota Puntland, yaa loo maxkameyn doonaa?.

50 Tikniko ah iyo 1000 askari in lagu soo weerarro Taleex, waa garadarro aan loo meel dayin, dadka reer Puntland ee dhaqan-xumadaas daawanaya, kana aamusanna waa kuwo aan aayahoodda u baqeyn.

Waxaan u arkaa inuu yahay FAL fuleynimo, oo aan salka ku hayn Islaamnimo, Soomaalinimo iyo Tolnimo midna.

Waxay dadntu ku jirtaa in si deg deg ah loo joojiyo, caalamka la ogeysiiyo in dadkii falkaas geystey aan meeshaas looga harrin.

Shir baa nin Isim ah iclaamiyey, wuxuu yiri aan isu nimaadno Majeerteeno, oo aan ka xaajoonno arrimaha ka taagan cariga Dhulbahante, oo aan iyaganna kala xaajoono.

Kuwa wax magarad, aan marnaba ka fakarin aayahay ummaddaan tolka oo wadda dagan baa waxay hor-is-taageen in shirkaasi dhaco, ilaa ay u habar wacdeen dawladdo shisheeye ah, si loo baajiyo.

Marka maxay ka fakarayeen?. Maxay ka cararayeen?. Yeeyse u cararayaan?. Miyeeysan inaba darreen lahayn?.

Kuwa gardaraddaan loola tageynna waa in ay sii damiirnimo leh, u hubiyaan in maxakamadda adduunka la gaarsiiyo falkaan aan bini'aadnimadda meella ku lahayn.

Wa Billaahi Towfiiq.
Ahmed M. Yassin

Ruthless Massacre in Taleh by Faroole's Brutal Buthers.

Letter of Condemnation of the ruthless massacre in Taleh by Faroole’s brutal butchers

28/11/213
 

We are writing to express our strongest condemnation of the recent brutal attack and invasion of Puntland Forces against the innocent Khatumo people in their own soil. The barbaric military apparatus supported the political establishment in
 

Puntland-Garowe have waged a vicious war planning to disrupt the popular will of Khatumo People.

Puntland has waged several attacks to Khatumo State of Somalia in recent months. The first attack was carried out by the savage forces of Puntland lead by his Vice President and stooge Abdisamad Ali Shire who is originally from Taleh and acted as an ordinary visitor to his hometown. But, he was a wolf in a sheep’s skin and charlatan who was manipulating and undermining the unity of the citizens of Taleh at which he could not succeed.

In early November, 2013, the Puntland forces of aggression have beaten unarmed innocent and heroic women travelling within their own SSC territory towards Taleh, the capital of Khatumo State.
On November 27, 2013 The Puntland Military has brazenly attacked the Khatumo forces who were travelling within their SSC land toward the capital city of Khatumo State of Somalia. The savage attack was rebuffed and defeated.

The next day, early in the morning of November 28, 2013 a very heavily mechanized military with a strong fire-power of Faroole’s forces from Puntland have invaded Taleh, the capital of Khatumo State and started killing indiscriminately

civilian innocent men and women and destroyed their homes and businesses. There are confirmd reports by an eye-witness on the ground at Taleh city that over 20 men and women have been massacred and more than 50 people including children were wounded in the first wave of this barbaric invasion.

The citizens and particularly women, children and elderly men have fled the city to save their lives. There are thousands of Taleh citizens who are displaced and are deprived of their right to live in their homes. Others are hiding in fear in their homes and cut off from all life-lines. Children are starving and dying in this general havoc that gripped Talex City.

One of the shocking behaviors of Faroole Forces was the random killing of innocent men,women and children. This men and women had taken no part in the war between Khatumo forces defending their city and Faroole aggression forces. Another savage behavior is that the corpses are rotting in the streets of the city because; they don’t allow the bodies to be buried. But the terrorists, far from being ashamed of their act, were proud of this massacre and claimed victory while their media are publicizing these malicious, evil and inhuman acts. The SSC people of Khatumo are horrified by the brutal deeds of Faroole forces.

In light of these savage attacks, one cannot but wonder why the Federal Government of Somalia is reticent about this bitter and frightening reality. Khatumo State of Somalia notes reports of the ruthless attacks on innocent civilians and we condemn these acts of brutal butchers. Are not Khatumo human rights being violated by the most notorious forces of Faroole?

The violations of the rights of territorial integrity and killing innocent people of Khatumo State by Faroole’s notorious forces are in contravention and contrary to the principles of peaceful co-existence between the two states and should be halted. We refuse to tolerate Puntland’s thuggish brutality against our people and government and vowed to defend our territory and the fundamental human dignity of our people. At this juncture we would like to mention that the general masses and Government of Khatumo State of Somalia are shocked and shattered by this brutal massacre perpetrated by the savage forces of Puntland. Our people all across the Khatumo State have raised the strongest voices and condemnation and are mourning thetragic loss of these innocent civilians massacred.

We believe that the forces of Faroole’s terrorist attacks can do nothing to derail the Khatumo people’s government. Further, the attacks and invasion of Faroole’s forces is a miscalculation of Khatumo’s power and raised the chance that could lead to a military clash and all-out war between the two states-Khatumo State and Puntland. From now on, the Khatumo State of Somalia is taking all conceivable measures to provide utmost protection and defense of the SSC territory and people.
Khatumo Forum for Peace, Unity and Development

info@khaatumoforum.org
www.khaatumoforum.org

No Immunity.............No Impunity for Berlusconi.

http://transparency.org/news/feature/berlusconi_no_immunity_no_impunity

Bitter divisions between top Somali leaders.

Muqdisho, November 28, 2013 -

Bitter divisions between Somalia's top leaders threaten internationally-backed efforts to battle Al-Qaeda-linked insurgents and end decades of anarchy in the war-torn nation, experts warn.
Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon, who has been in office for just over a year, is facing a confidence vote in parliament this week after he resisted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's demand that he resign.
The precise cause of the power struggle is unclear, but politicians have pointed to wrangling over alleged corruption, personal loyalties as well as Somalia's complex clan politics, where each community expects to be represented in the corridors of power.

"The prime minister told us he is at loggerheads with the president over several issues including who should be in cabinet," said MP Mohamed Yusuf.
The government, which took power in August 2012, was the first to be given global recognition since the collapse of the hardline regime in 1991, and billions in foreign aid has since been poured in.
But fighting over who gets what job appears to have become the number-one priority in a badly fractured country desperately in need of a strong central government and struggling to cast of its image as a failed state.
The political squabbling follows the resignation earlier this month of central bank governor Yussur Abrar -- the second to step down during this government -- complaining she had been pressurised to sign off on corrupt deals, claims the government denied.

Her predecessor, Abdusalam Omer, resigned his post in September amid accusations by United Nations experts the bank had become a "slush fund" for political leaders with millions of dollars siphoned out, claims that were dismissed by the government.
Sources close to the office of the prime minister claimed the president had barred all central bank signatories -- including Shirdon -- from withdrawing cash amid widespread allegations of graft.

"International backers are still behind the government because it is effectively the only option, and they do provide a chance to continue the push back against Al-Shebab," said a Western official.
The Al-Qaeda Shebab rebels still control large swathes of rural Somalia.
The Western official said the optimism that greeted the appointment of the new government is now "being tempered with reality".

"It is worrying, since they appear more and more to be following the example of their TFG (Transitional Federal Government) predecessors," the official said.
During the TFG's eight years in power, progress was stalled by political infighting -- with loyalties often aligned along clan lines and development frozen by rampant corruption.
 
Behind the scenes diplomacy


Mogadishu's government, selected in a UN-backed process in August 2012, was hailed as offering the best chance for peace in a generation.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, speaking in May, said then that the steps forward had "exceeded all expectations".

But Shebab insurgents, breakaway regions, rival clans and rampant insecurity have conspired to ensure the Horn of Africa nation remains saddled with its basket case image.
Sources close to Shirdon say the latest power struggle broke out between the president and the prime minister in September following a proposed cabinet reshuffle, with Mohamud apparently furious after Shirdon wanted to sack three of his key allies including the powerful interior minister.

Mohamud demanded Shirdon resign but the prime minster has refused.
"The president won his position by election, while the prime minister was nominated by the president," said MP Abdirahman Hosh Jibril.

"The decision of the president did not come overnight, we have been asking for change for a long time... the prime minister can still refuse to resign but he should come in front of the parliament."
Behind-the-scenes efforts by foreign diplomats to broker a deal between the two have so far proved fruitless, and a majority of lawmakers now appear to back the president's bid to sack the prime minster, but others fiercely oppose it as unconstitutional.

"The president has the power to nominate the prime minister, but does not have a constitutional right to ask for the prime minister to submit his resignation," said Mohamed Yusuf, another MP.
Shirdon earlier this month confirmed a "rift" with the president, but claimed the argument was related to "constitutional issues not political", in a statement urging citizens to have "confidence in their leaders and lawmakers... to solve the misunderstanding".

Parliament speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari has also tried to play down the rift.
"Lawmakers must not exaggerate the issue of the rift between the president and the prime minister," he told reporters. "All issues must be brought to parliament for discussion before rushing to decisions."
But without resolution, political divisions could impact efforts to battle Shebab rebels.
The African Union force that fights alongside government troops is awaiting reinforcements to
 
Source: AFP

Can Somali Government be trusted?.

A diplomatic spat has erupted in Brussels between a high Somali official and the EU commissioner for development over the level of foreign aid given to the wartorn African country.

Fawzia Yusuf Adam, Somalia's minister of foreign affairs and deputy PM, said that her country had received "nothing from the European Union - only promises".

Reacting to earlier remarks by Adam, EU commissioner for development Andris Piebalgs told IBTimes UK exclusively: "I'm very upset because that is false.

"The political process starting in Somalia is not only because of political abilities but investment in different parts of Somalia which brings people to support the federal government," he said during a private meeting at the European Development Days in Brussels.

"We have a substantial development project in parts of Somalia. We disburse nearly €50m and the biggest parts goes to areas such as Somaliland, Puntland, in education, rural development, healthcare, access to water. Lots of money being invested.

"She's right we don't channel any money to federal government but that's because in order to use that you need public finance management and an accountability system and today that's not the case," he went on.

"I pledged to work with the government as close as a I can and I will honour it. We bring very substantial support to Somalia, although we don't channel any money through the government."
The European Commission provides development aid in Somalia under the 10^th European Development Fund (EDF). The total allocation for Somalia for the 2008-13 period is €521m.
The EU support supports Amisom (the African Union Mission in Somalia), which aims to create the conditions for peace and stability, and has channelled €594m into it.

Adam said that Somalia had been pledged €1.8bn in a conference in September but claimed "so far, we have received nothing".

"We ask European countries to honour their pledge," she said. "We are looking forward to see that [for it to be] realised for development reconstruction and security.
"During the previous transitional government, €200m was pledged in 2010 but we never received it. We want friends to honour their pledge so that we can build our country."

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: g.mezzofiore@ibtimes.co.uk
To contact the editor, e-mail: editor@ibtimes.co.uk

Yussur Abrar and Thuli Madonsela: Africa's Female for future.

Yussur Abrar and Thuli Madonsela: Africa’s Female Whistleblower

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

By Bashir Goth

It was always my belief that if Africa were to change its bad reputation as the citadel of corrupt politicians and a haven for mismanaged foreign aid; it would have to be the continent’s women that lead the way.

And this is exactly what happened over the last month when two women of character, Yussur Abrar of Somalia and Thuli Madonsela of South Africa, have stunned the male-dominated corruption infested political systems of the two countries with their fearless actions.

Yusur Adan Abrar, an international banker with three decades of experience in banking, insurance, telecommunications and finance consultancy, was appointed as Somalia’s first female governor of the Central Bank in September 2013, a time when the international community pledged $2.4 billion to fund Somali's infrastructural and fiscal reconstruction.

As a professional banker, Abrar knew very well the task ahead of her. To put simply it was the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory framework for the country’s financial system and to make the Somali Central Bank accountable for every dollar that reaches its coffers.

However, what she did not anticipate was that the government had appointed her as a ploy to use her stellar record to hoodwink the donor community by using her signature to legitimize shady financial dealings.
Abrar’s goal of cleaning the system had become an affront to the Somali politicians’ old norm of stealing and enriching themselves on foreign aid and the country’s tax revenues.
Soon after she stepped into the building of the bank she was given orders and threats to sanction dubious deals. She was not given enough time to even review the demands and explore if she could find any legal loopholes that could allow her to find a legitimate compromise.  All her attempts to win the President’s support and to enlighten him about the irreparable damage that sanctioning such deals could cause to the government’s credibility fell on deaf ears.


But instead of being enlightened by Abrar’s relentless efforts to highlight the need to follow sound financial regulations, the acolytes at the government’s corruption alter tried to convert her to the Somali way of doing business and to wean her from what they saw as her unflinching adherence to ‘western values’. As she bluntly put it in her letter of resignation to the President, she said: “The message that I have received from multiple parties is that I have to be flexible, that I don't understand the Somali way that I cannot go against your wishes, and that my own personal security would be at risk as a result.”
According to the information I received, even President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud himself had at one point accused Abrar of acting like an American: “Ma Maraykan baad iskaga kaaya dhigaysaa.. Are you trying to act like an American to us?” As the Somali proverb says: Madax meel meel la taabto oo sarreeyaa ma jiro… There is no place higher than the head to reach…” Instead of showing leadership and supporting Abrar in her honest efforts to restore badly needed accountability to the country’s financial system and safeguarding the resources of the Somali people, the President was in a crusade to re-educate her to the African culture of corruption, the Somali way of Qaataye –Qaado ( I rob and you have your share)

NGO CULTURE VS CORPORATE CULTURE

Ironically, there is an element of truth in the President’s unbecoming expression. Yes, there was a clash of culture and goals between Abrar and President Mahmoud’s administration. Abrar, with her extensive experience in western corporations, her goal was to apply these standards to make the country’s banking system acceptable to donor nations and to enable the country achieve economic recovery.

“When I accepted this role, I did so with the interests of the Somali people in mind. Having worked at senior levels at some of the largest financial institutions in the world, I was looking forward to the opportunity to lend my skill sets to rebuild the Central Bank and improve the lives of our people, as the Central Bank is key to the development of the economy. Undoubtedly, economic recovery is critical to this recovery from both a fiscal and security perspective,” She wrote in her letter of resignation.

However, Abrar’s corporate culture, professional perspective and patriotic goals seemed so alien to President Mahmoud and his underlings who were trained in the NGOs culture of trickle-down economy, albeit in African context, to which the late eminent American economist John Kenneth Galbraith had explained as an approach that emerged during the depression and was also called “the horse- and-sparrow theory” which  meant: “If you feed the horse enough oats, some will pass through to the road for the sparrows.” And this is exactly the culture and mentality of the African politicians and particularly the Somali political elite who practice the principle of “me first,  crumbs for the rest.”

Strangely enough, even those western educated Diaspora returnees who serve for the President as ministers and advisors fall into this category. Writing to me from New York, a friend of mine Dr. Nimo Bokore, had correctly put this in perspective: “Lately,” she said, “I began to worry about the current scramble for Somali blood money. Will the elite, the well educated Diaspora men and their counterparts going back to politics to pay off their mortgages lead us to nationhood? Or they are just engaged in their own temporary gain ‘Geel Dhac’?”

It is indeed this Geel Dhac “looting camels” culture of the Somali political elite that clashed with Abrar’s financial ethics that she learned in the upper echelons of grand institutions.
This was not lost on Abrar as she so clearly expressed in her carefully written letter that she was not worried about the threats she received more than she was worried and frustrated by the President’s lack of support: “I am the least concerned about the security threat, but I am truly disappointed that I have not received your support and leadership on this matter so that I could objectively perform my duties.”

EXPOSING BUSINESS OF POVERTY

Since Abrar’s resignation, the Somali people and indeed the international community have yet to hear a plausible explanation from President Mahmoud’s government on the damaging information that came in Abrar’s resignation letter other than pitiful denials that carry no facts to clear their position.
After many missed opportunities which led Somalia to become a dangerous place for world trade and security, the international community decided to give President Mahmoud and his government a chance regardless of the corrupt and illegitimate way that he had come to power. With his baby face, ever-present smile, and soft-spoken style, President Mahmoud has won a certain degree of trust. And due to our strong longing for a functioning and recognized Somali government, we all ignored the early voices such as that of the satirical Somali poet and academician Mahmoud Togane, who warned us against the wolf hiding in Mahmoud’s sheep’s clothing in an interview he gave a short time after Mahmoud’s election.  We also understandably dismissed the sharp criticisms that Professors, Samatar and Glaydh, leveled against Mahmoud, due to their known political inclinations.


But thankfully it took an honest woman like Abrar with no political ambitions of her own to expose that the president’s pose was not more than a façade aimed at buying trust.
Whether the international community heeds Abrar’s wakeup call is yet to be seen. But it is reassuring to know that Abrar’s resignation had already rattled the donors’ trust. Reuters quoted one senior European diplomat saying: “What [Abrar's resignation] has done is woken up a lot of people,” said one senior European diplomat. “The notion that there is a blank check for Somalia, that's over. There's got to be results for money.”

Well said, but the Somali people need more than rhetoric and the best thing that could result from this fiasco is to deposit international aid to Somalia in an escrow account and to appoint Abrar or a person of her caliber as a financial czar to oversee the fair distribution of donor funds for the development of the Somali people.
However, if the track record of the relations between donor nations and corrupt African leaders could be taken as an indication, President Mahmoud’s administration would receive no more than a friendly censure for its behavior. And this explains why the government doesn’t look shaken by what would have been a damaging incident to any decent administration.


Nevertheless, Abrar should have no regrets even if donor nations decide to continue dealing with Mogadishu government. It will only show once more how much the international community works hand in glove with corrupt African leaders in entrenching “the horse- and-sparrow theory”. No wonder that it is often said poverty is big business.
MISS MANDOSELA: PRESIDENT ZUMA’S NEMESIS

Elsewhere, Thulisile Madonsela, a human rights lawyer, equality expert, and South Africa’s Public Protector, is facing stiff resistance from ministers close to President Jacob Zuma not to publish her findings in an investigation of renovating the president’s retirement home with $30 million. 

Miss Madonsela who has in her record as one of 11 technical experts who participated in drafting of the final constitution of South Africa in 1994-5, insists that she would go ahead to make the report public regardless.
The multi-resident estate, known as Zumaville, which is reported to have underground rooms, medical facilities, football fields, a theatre, and a helipad, is located in an impoverished neighborhood.  And President Zuma just like President Mahmoud had the audacity to speak: “passionately of his inability to sleep peacefully knowing that there are people still living in shacks in his wealthy nation.”
Now, we can understand when Abrar laments what she could have done if she was allowed to capitalize on the momentum she started in gaining the trust of international financial institutions by saying: “I can only imagine what could have been achieved provided I had your support to perform my duties objectively. Your excellency, while I am disappointed by this lack of support, I am more disappointed for the Somali people who would have benefited the most from these and future contributions.”


We can equally understand, if President Mahmoud curses Abrar for not allowing him to have his own Damujadidville; a clash of two irreconcilable cultures, indeed.
Being the people’s mules for so long who carried loads on their back and children in their bosom and belly, while at the same time tilling the land, African women have come of age and have another burden to carry today; to cleanse the continent of its corrupt male leaders.

It is reported that Dr. Kuwama Nakrumah, Ghanian Independence leader and an admired African hero, once said that the “black man is capable of managing his own affairs”? I beg to differ with him by saying: “Yes indeed, Mr Nakrumah, the blackman is capable of managing his own affairs; but his own personal affairs only in fattening himself, but it is the black woman who is capable of managing the affairs of the continent and rectifying the historical mistakes that men have committed against the poor people of Africa.” Viva Yussur, Viva Miss Madonsela, and viva all conscientious women of Africa.