European Union Training Mission

PRESS SUMMARY 04th December 2018

“In ‘Media’ stat virtus”

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SUMMARY TITLE PAGE Spy officer shot dead in Beled-Hawo, Gedo region 2 Tension Brewing On The Outskirts Of Jowhar Following Battle 3 ISIS claims to have inflicted casualties on 7 bomb experts in Somali 4 capital US-backed force to begin anti-Al Shabaab operations 5 Deadly clash kills 4 people in south of Somalia 6 Robow Coalition Question New Southwest Poll Dates, Says May 7 Lock Out International Observers New Somali Ambassador To Kenya Arrives In Nairobi 8 Self-exiled Somali opposition leader wants to go home 9 HIV/Aids Activist Shot Dead In 10 Somalia: Govt Announced the Resumption of Passport Issuance 11 president appoints electoral dispute resolution 12 commission In Somalia, Businesses Face 'Taxation' by Militants 13 Istanbul conference explores Turkey-Somalia, Africa partnerships 17 Somali telecom operators criticise ministry for choice of regulatory 19 directors Somaliland coast guard in Berbera receive three fast boats 20 Kenya: Somaliland Opens Its Doors to Kenyan Investors 22 Somalia: Rise in al-Shabaab Activity in Central Somalia 23 The fight to protect Somaliland’s wildlife 26

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Spy officer shot dead in Beled-Hawo, Gedo region

December 3, 2018

An officer attached to the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) was Sunday shot dead in Baled-Hawo in Gedo region.

The officer identified as Abdiqani Ahmed Farah was shot by unidentified gunmen who fled the scene immediately with his AK 47 gun.

Security forces launched house to house operations at the town Monday in search of the assailants. Police contacted by Goobjoog News declined comment. http://goobjoog.com/english/spy-officer-shot-dead-in-beled-hawo-gedo-region/

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Tension Brewing On The Outskirts Of Jowhar Following Battle

03 December 2018

Reports from Jowhar states that fighting has erupted at the outskirts of the town, which is the regional capital of Middle Shabelle. Tension has been brewing between two tribal militias, who fought in the area in the past few days, thereby forcing many families to flee their houses and seek shelters in the nearby villages.

Meanwhile, Somali military forces were reported to have left for the battle zones to de- escalate the tension, and prevent any further confrontation in Mandheere and Kongo. Mr. Abdullahi Mohamed, one of the Somali military commanders in the region, told Radio Shabelle that the two sides welcomed the peace efforts by the Somali government. http://somaliamediamonitoring.org/december-3-2018-daily-monitoring-report/

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ISIS claims to have inflicted casualties on 7 bomb experts in Somali capital

3rd December 2018

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL, also known as ISIS) has claimed to have inflicted casualties on 7 Somali bomb experts in the capital of Mogadishu.

The group says it had inflicted devastating loss of life of 7 explosive experts after exploding improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at Bakara junction in Mogadishu.

“We are responsible for inflicting casualties on 7 Somali bomb experts while trying to defuse two IEDs planted at Bakara crossroad”, the group claimed through its website.

Earlier on Monday, Somali police said Mogadishu’s bomb squads found two IEDs at Bakara junction, succeeding to defuse and dismantle them.

The police said no one was killed or injured during the operation. https://mareeg.com/isis-claims-to-have-inflicted-casualties-on-7-bomb-experts-in-somali- capital/

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US-backed force to begin anti-Al Shabaab operations

3rd December 2018

MOGADISHU, Somalia – First batch of US backed Somali especial forces known as “Danab” have arrived in Dhusmareb, the capital city of Galmudug State of Somalia.

It is a town lies some 511km from Somali capital Mogadishu.

The especial commandos were reportedly airlifted from the airport of Galkacyo town to Dhusamareb in central Somalia.

A Somali military official, who asked to be anonymous, told Mareeg Online that the US backed especial forces, would launch new anti-Al Shabaab operations in towns in Galmudug.

“We want to flush out Al Shabaab in Galmudug region. These new soldiers will help us for eradicating Al Shabaab”, he said.

The US led coalition forces will carry out new operations against Eldher and Elbur towns held by Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab.

Al Shabaab group has been driven out of many urban areas since 2011 following joint military offensives carried out by African Union forces and Somali National Army forces.

The group still controls territory in rural areas and carries out gun attacks and bombings on military and civilian targets in the war-ravaged nation. https://mareeg.com/us-backed-force-to-begin-anti-al-shabaab-operations/

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Deadly clash kills 4 people in south of Somalia

3rd December 2018 MOGADISHU, Somalia – At least four people have been killed and scores injured in fighting between local armed militias and Al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab in south of Somalia.

The fighting flared up near Cadalle town, some 140km north of Somali capital Mogadishu, after Al Shabaab launched an attack on villagers, according to local residents.

Residents said four Al Shabaab militants had been killed in the fighting.

The clash came after locals refused to pay their money to Al Shabaab.

Tension between Al Shabaab and local militias has been reportedly building up high in the town of Cadalle since Monday’s morning. https://mareeg.com/deadly-clash-kills-4-people-in-south-of-somalia/

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Robow Coalition Question New Southwest Poll Dates, Says May Lock Out International Observers

03 December 2018

A coalition led Mukhar Robow, former Al-Shabaab deputy leader stated that the new date December 19th set by the Southwest Election Commission, will make it impossible to have a free fair and favor election, since most of the international community will not be present during the Christmas holidays. The statement was dated on 2nd December and signed by Mr. Robow, Ibrahim Maalim and Nur Adan Nur. “The new date comes at a time that the international community is preparing for the festive season, thereby making it difficult for proper supervision from international agencies. And so that creates fear of whether the polls will be free and fair”. “We are asking the UN, EU, AU, IGAD and Aid agencies from USA, UK,FRANCE, SWEDEN, NORWAY, DENMARK, Finland, Italy, Germany and others, who care for the wellbeing of Somalia to stand with us, so that we have a free and fair elections in Southwest Somalia” the statement added. The coalition said that security must be beefed up worrying that, Al-Shabaab may be planning to disrupt the polls

“The candidates are urging the security agencies to act steadfastly to prevent any issue that deters peace effectively.” The electoral commission of Somalia’s Southwest state has admitted it is ill prepared for the elections set for December 5th therefore postponed to the 19th. A statement released by the commission stated that it had several tasks to complete before the elections. The regional parliament will vote for next leader for Southwest, to replace Sharif Hassan Adan, former president who recently quit the race, after he announced his resignation. The race pits former Al-Shabaab deputy leader Mr. Robow, against pro federal government candidates. The government supports former spy Chief Hussein Osman Hussein, former Trade Minister Abdiaziz Hassan Laftagareen and former Somali envoy to Uganda Sid Ahmed Muse. http://somaliamediamonitoring.org/december-3-2018-daily-monitoring-report/

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New Somali Ambassador To Kenya Arrives In Nairobi

3 December 2018

Somalia’s new Ambassador to Kenya, Mohamud Ahmed Nur (Tarsan) on Monday arrived in Nairobi where, he was received by acting Ambassador, Ali Mohamed Sheikh Ali Bagadi and other officials, from the Somali diplomatic mission in Nairobi. The new Ambassador is expected to present his letters of accreditation to President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, December 5th.

Ambassador Nur was the former Mayor of Mogadishu, was approved by Somalia’s Council of Ministers on July 2018. Mr. Nur, who until his appointment was President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed’s Senior Political Advisor, will lead the Somali mission in Nairobi.

For the past two years, the embassy was without an ambassador, since the departure of Ambassador Gamal Mohamed Hassan, who is currently Federal Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development. Mr. Nur begins his role, at a time diplomatic relations between Somalia and Kenya has significantly improved despite the two countries still remain embroiled over the maritime boundary dispute. https://madmimi.com/p/0a0f5d?fe=1&pact=6632348-148579184-5372507253- c8ff46217d707a1595fde99c00af6ff91a376c52

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Self-exiled Somali opposition leader wants to go home

Tuesday December 4, 2018

Self-exiled Somali opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame has said he plans to return to Mogadishu this month to mark the first anniversary of his arrest. Mr Abdishakur said he intended to hold a big rally in the Somali capital, which will also be used to honour five of his bodyguards who were killed as security agencies arrested him on December 19 last year. The politician was arrested after a fierce fight between his guards and government security officers who were acting under a search warrant order on his home that led to the death of the politician's four guards and driver.

“I am a leader of the party that opposed the federal government. I was attacked by more than 20 security officers who killed my five bodyguards. We are going to hold a peace rally to commemorate this day and pay honour to the fallen men,” he said.

In an exclusive interview with The Standard in Nairobi, the former presidential candidate - who was released after spending a few days in prison - said he would not relent. “(Intelligence officers) didn’t produce one single evidence in court. They just wanted to malign my name but the court ordered that I be released,” Abdishakur said about his alleged treason. He was accused of receiving money from foreign countries to destabilise Somalia, which has been characterised by sectarian wars since the fall of dictator Siad Barre in the 1990s. The opposition leader has accused the government of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed of seeking to return the country to the dark old days. “It is a new phenomenon in Somali since 1991. It is a totally new approach by the current government which brings back memories of Siad Barre,” he said. https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2018/Dec/161382/self_exiled_somali_opposition_leader _wants_to_go_home.aspx

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HIV/Aids Activist Shot Dead In Mogadishu Dec 3, 2018 Somalia’s prominent HIV/Aids activist Abdirashid Sheikh Abdi was on Sunday night shot dead by unknown gunmen in the capital Mogadishu. Abdi gained prominence by championing the rights of people living with HIV and Aids in a country where the disease is still a taboo subject. Abdi had orgabised an event on 1st December to mark the day in Somalia. Abdi launched a campaign to sensatise and end the stigma on people living with HIV five years ago. Authorities are yet to identify the perpetrators of his killing. https://www.radiodalsan.com/en/2018/12/03/hiv-aids-activist-shot-dead-in-mogadishu/

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Somalia: Govt Announced the Resumption of Passport Issuance

A statement from the Immigration and Naturalization Authority said the resumption of the Somali passport issuance after days-long hiatus.

The agency has announced that it is extremely saddened by the convenience of passport issuance and apologized to the public at large.

The statement further said that the agency in the past few days has been developing and reforming the Somali passport system and will resume operations on Tuesday 4 December.

The Somali Immigration department has succeeded to open centers in cities in the country, thereby facilitating the public access to the passport in their regions. https://allafrica.com/stories/201812030534.html

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Puntland president appoints electoral dispute resolution commission

December 3, 2018

The President of the Puntland regional state of Somalia has released a list of eight persons who are expected to be part of a regional dispute resolution committee. All male members main task will be verification and dispute resolution of the ongoing selection of Puntland assembly members by various tribes in the semi-autonomous Somali regional state. Aqil Osman Ismail will chair the important committee whereas Mohamed Abdukadir was designated as the secretary. Feminist have already disapproved the committee saying no female respective in the significant resolution committee.

Meanwhile, opposition politicians from the regional state have also criticized the move by the President saying the appointment is political. They argued that President Ali Gas is paving the way to mismanage the upcoming regional Presidential elections on 8th January next year by using such committee.

More than Sven candidates are campaigning to unseat the incumbent professor Abdiweli Gas who was first elected to the office in January 2014. His administration relations with the federal government in Mogadishu has soured after regional states declared to sever ties with the central government earlier this year during a meeting in Kismayo. http://radioshabelle.com/puntland-president-appoints-electoral-dispute-resolution- commission/

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In Somalia, Businesses Face 'Taxation' by Militants

December 03, 2018

Al-Shabab and pro-Islamic State militants in Somalia are engaged in an economic war, and it is the country's business sector that is getting cut down in the crossfire. Somali businessmen and analysts say the rival Islamist groups are targeting companies to an unprecedented degree with demands for so-called taxes. Al-Shabab has already strong-armed business owners for years to finance its war against the Somali government and African peacekeepers who protect it. Now, al-Shabab is stepping up its demands, and pro-IS groups are apparently trying to fund its own activities by copying Shabab's tactics of pay up-or-pay the consequences.

The groups are leaving a trail of bodies as a warning to those who don't cooperate. Somali intelligence sources say IS militants killed telecommunications official Abdullahi Ali Omar in Bosaso on August 7 for not paying up, and that they're also behind the more recent shootings of at least eight employees of Hormuud, the country's largest telecommunications company. Meanwhile, Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the shooting of businessman Nur Khayre Gutale on October 29 in Mogadishu, although it said Gutale was targeted because he was involved in the selection of Somalia's parliament in early 2017. Abdirahman Mohamed Turyare, former director of Somalia's National Intelligence Agency, says the extortion demands are strangling merchants who have managed to function, even thrive, in Somalia's perpetual state of war and chaos. "Businesses are paying three taxes today, al-Shabab taxes, Daesh [IS] taxes and the normal government taxes," he said."The businessman who is paying these three taxes, who started his business with a small amount, is going to be forced to flee to neighboring countries because the business won't pay for itself." But not paying hardly

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"If they don't pay, they will be targeted, as well as their children and wealth," he said."The punishment is death.They have to choose between the two."

'You have to contribute'

Al-Shabab is the dominant militant group in Somalia and the main threat to the business community. The Hiraal Institute outlined al-Shabab's funding system in a report issued in July. Over the past decade, the group's finance department has "become the most ruthless collection entity in Somalia," the Institute said. The report and Somali businessmen say al- Shabab agents collect "taxes" on many types of commerce in Somalia, including the sales of farm produce and livestock, and also demand money for general support and for zakat, or alms for the poor. Al-Shabab's greatest revenue comes from its system of taxing vehicles that are transporting goods through Shabab-controlled territory.

"There isn't a single vehicle that does not pay al-Shabab this fee, regardless of the goods it's carrying," said "Shabelow," one of several businessmen who spoke to VOA's Somali service about their experiences with al-Shabab on condition they remain anonymous for safety reasons. Shabelow, a fuel supplier based in Mogadishu, says al-Shabab charges him $2.50 for every barrel of fuel he transports.He says the money is usually collected in the city's Bakara market, a remarkable fact given that the Somali capital is ostensibly in the hands of the government and the African Union force, known as AMISOM.

Many other fees are gathered at Shabab-run checkpoints on roads in the interior. Shabelow says al-Shabab tells traders that if they don't pay the fees, their trucks will be "blown off" the road.That's exactly what happened during a June incident in Somalia's Bakool region, when the jihadist group destroyed 11 vehicles and killed six civilians for failing to pay up. Al- Shabab sometimes seeks out more random payments from businesses, schools, hospitals and individuals, categorizing the payments as infaaq, or support for the group."Mumin," another businessman, says the demands can be unrealistic. "They might ask someone to pay $100,000 even though his business is not worth that amount," said Mumin."Eventually the person either accepts to pay the money asked or faces imprisonment."Mumin said one

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"They say, 'You are a wealthy man, there is work going on, you have to contribute,'" Mumin said."No businessman or business owner escapes from this, no one." How much does the group collect using these tactics?No one knows for sure, but Sheikh-Ali (formerly known as Hussein Moallim Moahmud) says the amount has been increasing annually."We estimated that in 2017, the best year they have had, they collected $27 million," he said. The U.N. Monitoring Group on Somalia issued a report in November that said al-Shabab draws roughly $10 million a year from just one checkpoint in Somalia's southern Bay region. The monitors' report, which addresses general security challenges in the beleaguered Horn of Africa country, also said al-Shabab "generates more than enough revenue to sustain its insurgency," and functions as a shadow government with "a centralized taxation system applied consistently across southern and central Somalia."

"Al-Shabab operates a state within a state, where ... in terms of taxation it operates more effectively than the federal government," said Matt Bryden, the former chief of the U.N. Monitoring Group, now director of Sahan Research, a Nairobi-based research firm.

"And I think this is simply what any serious group aspiring to power in Somalia would do, amass a base of revenue domestically and begin to compete for legitimacy with other authorities."

IS Returns to Urban Area

The Islamic State faction in Somalia is much smaller than al-Shabab, having formed only in 2015 when a pack of militants splintered off from Shabab during a dispute over whether the group should switch its main allegiance from al-Qaida to IS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. Until recently, IS was active only in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region.But the recent wave of attacks suggests they are expanding their reach. Somali intelligence sources say IS set off a bomb outside Mogadishu's Salama bank on September 14 after the bank defied the group's extortion demand.Three days later, gunmen in Mogadishu attacked a senior bank official, Abdulkadir Haji Wasa, firing bullets into his head.Wasa survived and is now being treated in Turkey, where he is said to be in critical condition. Security officials say

EUTM - SOMALIA 15 EUTM - SOMALIA 04/12/2018 they believe after three years in the remote mountainous region of Puntland, the IS militants found that if they want to survive they have to return to the cities and raise funds. Targeting the businesses is a part of the drive to impose themselves in urban areas, they say. The Somali federal government and various regional authorities, which have struggled to stop terrorist attacks by al-Shabab and IS, appear largely unable to protect the business community from the extortion demands.

Former intelligence director Turyare says that while in office, he met with businessmen facing militant demands for money, but was only able to offer "advice." Sheikh-Ali notes that militants have been known to attack targets in their own business places, or even mosques and universities.

It leaves the typical business owner very few options, he says. "They have to choose to defend themselves, or stay in a place where they can be defended, or accept to pay al- Shabab," said Mohamud."The punishment is death, and you do not know where [the militants] are coming from, and where they are going to make the kill." https://www.voanews.com/a/in-somalia-businesses-face-taxation-by- militants/4684759.html

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Istanbul conference explores Turkey-Somalia, Africa partnerships

Monday December 3, 2018

ISTANBUL (HOL) - An annual meeting in Istanbul aims to push for groundwork for high level collaboration on future Somali-Turkish relations by seeking non-Africans perspectives of the continent in a bid to clarify misconceptions and contribute new perspectives on the New Turkish policy towards East Africa.

Turkey remains a major investor and partner for Somalia and channeled hundred millions of dollars into the post-war horn of Africa nation’s reconstruction efforts. The Turkish government has also built one of its largest embassies in the world in the Somali capital, reflecting the long-term strategic interests it has in Somalia which is recovering from decades of civil unrest.

Meanwhile, this year’s multi-stakeholder platform, The East Africa Development forum which opened at Wish More hotel in Istanbul on Sunday also focuses on the status of Somali and Turkish education system and future opportunities, with participants including head of states, representatives from the United Nations, IGAD and nongovernmental organizations would discuss over ways to help improve the multi-faceted Turkey-Somalia partnerships.

During the 2-day forum, stakeholders are also expected to narrow their debates over some key issues related to the development fields including research, agriculture, industrialization, maritime, and diaspora communities.

The Turkish Somali Partnership forum also present policy advices for institutional building, good governance, youth empowerment and poverty reduction in Somalia which is struggling to secure funds for its public finance reforms in an effort to rebuild the conflict-ridden country following 30 years of civil unrest.

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Convened under the theme of “Stepping Forward”, participants would also explore alternative ways which the immense natural resources of the region could be exploited effectively as parts of the Future Outlook in Turkish Somali Relations and the East African region in general.

In recent years, the Turkish investments in Africa had exceeded $6 billion in value as parts of its foreign investments across the world, with observers say that the Turkish investments in North Africa alone have more than doubled in the past five years, pushing its investments threshold in the continent close to China, Africa’s largest partner.

Turkish firms have mainly targeted countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria. https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2018/Dec/161380/istanbul_conference_explores_turkey _somalia_africa_partnerships.aspx

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Somali telecom operators criticise ministry for choice of regulatory directors

Monday December 3, 2018

The Association of Somali Telecommunication Companies (USIS) held its monthly meeting and discussed a number of issues, including a lack of cooperation between the ICT ministry and telecom operators.

They accused the minister for post, telecommunication and technology for handpicking directors of the National Communications Agency (NCA) in violation of the law.

USIS said it has told the government and ICT stakeholders that it will not participate in the consultative conference to establish NCA governance, which it called an attempt by the ministry to willfully legitimise the NCA board. The association cautioned against the consequences of abuses in the name of the NCA, such as the formation of governing committees, establishing tariffs, issuing telecommunication licences, and misguided strategies for safeguarding national assets. It called for the appointment of members of the NCA in accordance with the Communications Act articles 10 and 34. The operators reaffirmed their commitment to the rule of law. https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2018/Dec/161378/somali_telecom_operators_criticise_ ministry_for_choice_of_regulatory_directors.aspx

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Somaliland coast guard in Berbera receive three fast boats

3rd December 2018 EUCAP’s Maritime Operational Capability Project reached a milestone in Berbera, when the Somaliland Coast Guard (SLCG) received three fast and modern boats with trailers and spare partsdonated by Sweden. The SLCG also received three cars: two from the EU Delegation and one from EUCAP,to support building slipways and other necessary facilities for the boats.

Additionally, 80 SLCG officers received training for safe and efficient use of the boats. Basic safety training was given to 50officers, while 30 officers received maintenance and technology and navigation and operational training.

In her speech on the occasion of the hand-over ceremony, EUCAP Head of Mission Maria- Cristina Stepanescu referred to the partnership among the Somaliland Coast Guard, the Berbera Maritime and Fishing Academy (BMFA), UNODC, and the European Union (EU).

“This project, aiming at enhancing the Somaliland Coast Guard capacities is an epitome of the comprehensive approach and cooperation between the Somaliland authorities, the international community and the EU. Sweden as an EU Member State donated the much needed vehicles and also sent experts to train Somaliland officers in handling and maintaining the boats”, said Ms Stepanescu.

Several dignitaries from Somaliland and the EU attended the handover ceremony, includingthe SomalilandDeputy Minister of Interior, H.E. Mohamed MusaDiriya, the Somaliland Coastguard Commander Admiral Mahamed Hussein Farah, the Governor of Sahil Region, Jama Yusuf, the Deputy Attorney General, Yusuf Abdullahi, the Governor of Sahel/Berbera Region, thePresident of the BMFA Abdiqaniand representatives of the Embassy of Sweden, counsellor Johan Svensson and Political Officer Jenney Andersson.

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The port of Berbera is of crucial importance to the Somaliland maritime economy, and EUCAP supports this development through capacity building of the SLCG.

The SLCG is also vital to the development of the maritime rule of law, which means that the SLCG needs to be a champion in respecting human rights and gender equality. Thus it was natural that international campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” was also addressed in the handover ceremony. https://mareeg.com/somaliland-coast-guard-in-berbera-receive-three-fast-boats/

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Kenya: Somaliland Opens Its Doors to Kenyan Investors

Kenya has a big role to play in Somaliland's economic development if local investors venture in the Horn of Africa nation.

Somaliland's Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Minister Yasin Mohammed Hiir has encouraged Kenyan investors to take advantage of the investment opportunities in his country.

"Come and work with us in building the great nation of Somaliland, we have so many opportunities," Mr Hiir said as he addressed Somaliland Investment Conference in Nairobi on Friday.

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice chairman James Mureu said Kenya was ready to do business with Somaliland.

FOREIGN INVESTORS

Mr Hiir said his country was ready to open its doors to foreign investors.

"Kenya and Somaliand share so much in common. We have a historical bond that needs to be nurtured so as to empower our people through trade and investment," said Mr Hiir. https://allafrica.com/stories/201812030119.html

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Somalia: Rise in al-Shabaab Activity in Central Somalia

December 3, 2018

Al-Shabaab has made a notable resurgence over the past several months, conducting numerous attacks across the country, including in the capital, Mogadishu. The majority of the group’s recent operations have centered on areas in southern Somalia—however, there has been a notable uptick of activity in central Somalia, where the group has not been particularly active in the past year.

Al-Shabaab’s Shahada News Agency released a report claiming responsibility for 17 attacks in central Somalia over a nine-day period, which is particularly significant given the lack of al-Shabaab activity in the region over the past year (SITE, November 19). A significant number of the attacks took place in Mudug and Glamudug, primarily targeting government forces and aligned militias. The group, however, has also conducted numerous successful attacks on civilians in central Somalia. Most notably, on November 26, al-Shabaab members conducted a complex attack on a religious center in , Mudug region. The militants detonated an explosive-laden vehicle to breach the perimeter before gunmen opened fire on those inside, killing 20 people including prominent Sufi leader Sheikh Abdiweli Ali Elmi Yare (Garowe, November 26).

The United States has taken notice of al-Shabaab’s increased frequency of attacks and operations in central Somalia. At least six U.S. drone strikes have occurred in the Mudug region since November 19, the highest frequency of strikes in Somalia since U.S. President Donald Trump ended policy limitations on drone strikes in March 2017. According to AFRICOM reports, the drone strikes have killed more than 50 al-Shabaab fighters and destroyed numerous operational bases and weapons caches. The highest number of casualties occurred during the first strike on November 19 near the Debatscile area of the Mudug region. The strike reportedly targeted an al-Shabaab camp and killed an estimated 27 militants. (AFRICOM, November 20). Other strikes have taken place in Qeycad, Haradere, and near Galkayo.

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In addition to the strikes, AFRICOM Commander General Thomas D. Waldhauser made a rare visit to Somalia on November 28 for high-level talks with Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and other top Somali defense officials on security in the country (AFRICOM, November 27). The meeting suggests further cooperation and likely a continued increase in U.S. efforts against al-Shabaab.

Drone strikes have been relatively successful in degrading al-Shabaab’s leadership and resources in the past few years—however, the group’s operations in the past year are evidence of its resilience. Al-Shabaab has demonstrated a significant ability to move about the country and relocate to areas where security is lacking. Until AMISOM and Somali ground forces can improve their ability to capture and hold territory without leaving significant swaths of territory unsecured, drone strikes will likely only push the group into hiding in other areas of the country.

Malaysia: Abu Sayyaf Activity in Malaysia Increases as Group Loses Ground in the Philippines

Despite persistent military operations, Abu Sayyaf Group remains resilient and is reportedly increasing activities within and along the coast of Sabah, Malaysia. The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) issued an alert in late October that Abu Sayyaf Group was operating in Sabah’s waters. The warning stated that the organization was looking to loot foreign vessels and kidnap high-value individuals and vessel crew members (Daily Express, November 1). The threat, however, is not limited to Sabah’s waters, as evidenced by recent security operations on the ground in Sabah and Putrajaya.

Abu Sayyaf Group has faced stiff resistance from the Philippine army—particularly in its stronghold of Jolo—over the past several years. The organization has lost both significant territory and revenue streams. The group, however, remains resilient and is looking toward Malaysia for revenue and recruitment, including the recruitment of young children.

Esscom’s alert followed an incident off the coast of Semporna Town in Sabah on September 11, when two unidentified kidnappers with M-16s captured two Indonesians from a fishing vessel. The incident was the first confirmed kidnapping in the area in more than two years. Authorities noted that while the kidnappers remain unidentified, it is likely that either Abu Sayyaf Group was behind the incident or that the kidnappers delivered the individuals to the

EUTM - SOMALIA 24 EUTM - SOMALIA 04/12/2018 group. Police officials also believe that local illegal immigrants—likely from the Philippines— supplied the kidnappers with information on the targets (Channel News Asia, September 18).

Malaysian security forces have carried out numerous security operations in recent months to crackdown on terrorist groups and sympathizers. During operations between October 30 and November 12, Malaysia arrested eight militants, the majority of which belonged to Abu Sayyaf Group (Channel News Asia, November 16). Inspector General of Police, Fuzi Harun, noted that among those arrested, the majority were Filipinos living in Malaysia and that they were involved in kidnapping-for-ransom and recruiting children to use as human shields in Basilan. An unnamed 35-year-old Filipino man that was arrested was also reportedly involved in the beheading hostages being held by Abu Sayyaf Group. Also among those arrested was another unnamed individual who is reportedly an Abu Sayyaf sub-commander with close ties to notorious senior group leader Furuji Indama (The Sun Daily, November 16).

Concerns over an increase in Abu Sayyaf activity in Malaysia grew further after intelligence reports indicated that Hatib Hajan Sawadjan, an Abu Sayyaf sub-commander known for involvement in kidnapping, escaped a battle with the Philippine Army in Jolo on November 16 (Straits Times, November 22).

While Malaysian authorities have reportedly thwarted at least 10 other kidnapping attempts and made several high-profile arrests, there are thousands of illegal Filipino immigrants in Sabah. Many of them have relatives in Abu Sayyaf or those that are vulnerable to coercion. The arrest of an Abu Sayyaf sub-commander that had long been operating in Sabah coupled with the escape of Hatib Hajan Sawadjin suggests Abu Sayyaf activity in Sabah and its waters is likely to increase as the group seeks refuge from the Philippine Army as well as new members and revenue to support operations in Jolo. https://jamestown.org/program/brief/

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The fight to protect Somaliland’s wildlife

Somaliland, an unrecognised former British colony in the Horn of Africa, has been described as the African miracle that nobody knows about. It lies in a region facing severe challenges: political instability, the rise of extremism and conflict. But Somaliland has, somehow, managed to avoid these threats. It remains severely poor and is still recovering from three consecutive years of drought. Yet tonight senior Somaliland ministers, British MPs and campaigners are meeting in the House of Commons to see how it can begin what seems an improbable journey: to join the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.

You’d be forgiven for thinking protecting wildlife in a country facing so many human problems is unlikely. But as someone who has reported from the drought in the region and who has family living in the midst of it, I can tell you it isn’t. Political instability in fragile places such as east Africa is more linked to conservation, climate change and the illegal wildlife trade than you think.

As a child I remember visiting the lush savannah bush outside the capital, Hargeisa, and the regions to the east that are still home to one of the last natural wild forests of trees producing frankincense and myrrh. These same areas saw a considerable abundance of wildlife, in particular cheetahs that were common, from the very south of Somalia near its border with Kenya, to the very north, in areas near the Red Sea.

But hardly any of those creatures remain today.

The civil war between Somalia and Somaliland in the Eighties saw the near-annihilation of wildlife. The few that survived soon saw their habitats destroyed as the shrub, trees and much of the savannah bush that they relied on was burned for charcoal — which almost every household uses to cook their food. Some of these creatures, however, do remain clinging to life in an ever-decreasing habitat where a perfect storm of degradation of soil and plants, deforestation, climate change and the effects of civil war have ravaged both rural communities and wildlife.

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But Somaliland’s ability to avoid political instability and terrorism — and hold four multi- party one-man, one-vote elections with peaceful transfers of power — have given it the chance to do something about this, and tonight the House of Commons is hosting its conference. Somaliland doesn’t have the resources to protect and rehabilitate the last few remaining cheetahs and other rare species but it is willing to do so if it gets the help.

The reason is simple; and I’ve seen this for myself in nearly all those countries. The groups behind the illegal wildlife trade are the same groups involved in human trafficking and migration, violent extremism and terrorism, undermining the rule of law and governments. This conference really could lead to big things — for Somaliland and for us. https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/the-fight-to-protect-somaliland-s-wildlife- a4006716.html

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