Update on security and human rights issues in South-Central Somalia, including in Mogadishu Joint report from the Danish Immigration Service’s and the Norwegian Landinfo’s fact finding mission to Nairobi, Kenya and Mogadishu, Somalia 17 to 28 October 2012 Security and human rights issues in S-C Somalia, including Mogadishu Contents Introduction and disclaimer ................................................................................................................. 5 1 Overview of political developments since February 2012 ................................................................ 7 2 Military and security developments in Mogadishu ......................................................................... 12 2.1 Level of fighting in Mogadishu ............................................................................................... 12 2.1.1 Security situation for civilians in Mogadishu ................................................................... 15 Property and land issues ......................................................................................................... 20 2.1.2 Civilian casualties and violations ...................................................................................... 20 2.1.3 Presence of international organizations/agencies in Mogadishu ...................................... 23 2.2 Al-Shabaab’s presence in Mogadishu and its surroundings .................................................... 23 2.2.1 Influence of al-Shabaab in Mogadishu ............................................................................. 24 2.2.2 Al-Shabaab’s capacity to undertake attacks in Mogadishu .............................................. 25 2.2.3 Are some districts in Mogadishu more at risk of terrorist attacks than others? ................ 26 Medina ................................................................................................................................... 27 Hamar Weyne ........................................................................................................................ 27 Hamar Jabjab: ........................................................................................................................ 27 2.2.4 Al-Shabaab and forced recruitment in Mogadishu ........................................................... 27 2.2.5 Forced marriages and rape ................................................................................................ 30 2.2.6 Al-Shabaab’s capacity to track down defectors ................................................................ 33 2.2.7 Persons at risk of targeted attacks and threats by al-Shabaab and others ......................... 34 2.2.8 Persons affiliated with international or local humanitarian organizations ........................ 39 3 Military and security developments in other areas of South/Central Somalia ................................ 40 3.1 Areas of S/C Somalia under al-Shabaab control/influence ...................................................... 40 3.1.1 Security situation for civilians in al-Shabaab controlled or influenced areas ................... 41 3.1.2 Al-Shabaab’s capacity to undertake attacks since the fall of Kismayo ............................ 41 3.2 Areas of S/C Somalia under government/AMISOM control/influence ................................... 41 Hiraan region and Galmuduug ................................................................................................... 44 2 Danish-Norwegian fact finding mission to Nairobi and Mogadishu, October 2012 Security and human rights issues in S-C Somalia, including Mogadishu Bay and Bakool regions ............................................................................................................. 45 Gedo region ................................................................................................................................ 46 Middle Juba region..................................................................................................................... 47 Lower Juba region ...................................................................................................................... 47 3.2.1 Security situation for civilians in areas liberated from al-Shabaab .................................. 48 4 Human rights issues in Mogadishu and its surroundings ................................................................ 50 4.1 Clan affiliation: protection, human rights and property claims ............................................... 50 4.2 Access to justice, police and mobile courts ............................................................................. 52 4.2.1 Risk of double jeopardy .................................................................................................... 55 4.3 Perception of former al-Shabaab fighters ................................................................................ 56 4.4 Youth returned from the West ................................................................................................. 56 5 Humanitarian issues in Mogadishu ................................................................................................. 58 5.1 Vulnerable groups .................................................................................................................... 58 5.1.1 Conditions for IDPs and urban poor Mogadishu .............................................................. 58 5.2 Public reconstruction of houses, schools, health care institutions and other urban infrastructures................................................................................................................................. 62 5.2.1 Services offered by local authorities, including district commissioners ........................... 63 5.3 Real estate prices, house rent prices......................................................................................... 63 6 Freedom of movement .................................................................................................................... 64 6.1 Freedom of movement in Mogadishu and its surroundings, and other areas under government/AMISOM control. ...................................................................................................... 64 6.1.1 Are civilians from other areas of S/C Somalia and people from the diaspora free to move to Mogadishu? ............................................................................................................................ 66 7 Return to Mogadishu ....................................................................................................................... 67 7.1 Who return to Mogadishu? ...................................................................................................... 67 7.2 Internally Displaced Persons .................................................................................................... 69 7.3 Persons returning from abroad ................................................................................................. 69 3 Danish-Norwegian fact-finding mission to Nairobi and Mogadishu, October 2012 Security and human rights issues in S-C Somalia, including Mogadishu 8 Security issues at Mogadishu airport .............................................................................................. 71 8.1 Security at Mogadishu’s international airport .......................................................................... 71 9 Issuance of documents by Somali authorities ................................................................................. 72 9.1 Issuing authorities and types of documents ............................................................................. 72 Organizations and individuals consulted, date of consultations ........................................................ 73 Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................................... 74 Annexes .............................................................................................................................................. 77 Annex 1: Map of Somalia .............................................................................................................. 77 Annex 2: Map of Mogadishu ......................................................................................................... 78 4 Danish-Norwegian fact finding mission to Nairobi and Mogadishu, October 2012 Security and human rights issues in S-C Somalia, including Mogadishu Introduction and disclaimer In January – February 2012 the Country of Origin Information division of the Danish Immigration Service (DIS) as well as the Norwegian country of origin information (COI) unit Landinfo undertook fact finding missions to Nairobi, Kenya and Mogadishu, Somalia. However, as these missions were not joint fact finding missions separate reports and notes were produced as a result of these two missions.1 However, in the summer of 2012 the DIS’ Country of Origin Information divison and Landinfo decided to undertake a joint fact finding mission to Nairobi, Kenya and Mogadishu, Somalia. This joint Danish-Norwegian mission was conducted from 17 to 28 October 2012. The purpose of the mission was to gather updated COI on South-Central (S/C) Somalia, including Mogadishu on matters mainly related to security, human rights and humanitarian issues. The mission comprised a series of interviews with interlocutors in Nairobi and Mogadishu. The Danish-Norwegian