Abdulkarim Jimale Features

Leaked Document on London Somalia Conference

2012-02-21T08:23:00.001+03:00

Leaked Document on London Somalia Conference

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 20:19

This is a leaked document on the Somalia conference planned for February 23, 2012. It contains a draft communique to be published at the end of the conference:

LONDON CONFERENCE ON SOMALIA: DRAFT COMMUNIQUE

1. The London Conference on Somalia took place at Lancaster House on 23rd February 2012, attended by around fifty representatives from the international community, and from Somalia itself.

Introduction

2. We agreed that this is a critical time in Somalia's history. Life for most Somalis has got consistently worse over the past few years. A generation of Somalis has grown up knowing nothing but conflict. The humanitarian crisis continues: the United Nations has said that the situation in Somalia remains the most critical in the world. It is time to turn the tide. Current governance arrangements come to an end in six months, in August, and Somalis want clarity on what will follow. African troops have successfully established a good measure of security in Mogadishu over the last twelve months. Advances by other forces have liberated areas formerly held by Al Shabaab. And at sea, international action against piracy has secured the international trade route in the Gulf of Aden

3. So we met in London to take stock, and to take decisions which will sustain the momentum of change. We wanted to show Somalia and the world that there is solidarity among the international community; that we are committed to supporting Somalia's continued emergence from its former status as a failed state;

and that we recognise the importance of new actors on Somalia, especially Turkey and Qatar, in helping Somalia's future development.

Humanitarian [Language to be amended by DFID and other humanitarian actors]

4. The Conference was preceded by a separate meeting on humanitarian issues. Participants expressed concern at the critical humanitarian situation in Somalia. Four million people require emergency assistance; three million are in the South of Somalia, where famine and risk of imminent death remains for 250,000 people. They agreed that:

- Drought has become famine in South Somalia because of conflict and insecurity; ending conflict is key to ending the current and future risk of famine.

- Participants would provide timely, sustained and principled support to humanitarian organisations to ensure assistance reaches those who need it, when they need it, and regardless of political considerations;

- International partners needed to move beyond just life saving assistance and provide more multi-year support to longer-term activities including for livelihood and basic social services, in order to strengthen people's resilience to shocks and stresses, and contribute to reducing the risk of future famines; and

- International partners would coordinate more closely on humanitarian assistance in order to maximise the coverage of needs we can meet

Political process

5. We agreed that the transition must end, and that the political process must now connect with the people of Somalia. We considered how the international community could support Somalis to accelerate decision-making on their future political structures. In this context, we noted the conclusions of the African Union Summit that: ...... We made clear that nobody would agree to the roll-over of the Transitional Federal Institutions in August. We were interested in process not individuals. We called on the Transitional Federal Institutions to make as much progress on the Roadmap as possible before August.

6. We noted the intention expressed at the Garowe meeting in December to convene a Constituent Assembly. We called on the Garowe signatories to enhance the proposed process to ensure that members of the Constituent Assembly were genuinely representative of communities across Somalia; and that the Assembly had adequate time to discuss the four key outstanding constitutional questions: whether Somalia should have a centralised or federal state; the boundaries of the constituent regions; whether Somalia should adopt a cabinet or presidential system of government; and the role of religion in the state. We also noted that decisions on the shape of the parliament must be taken within the framework of the discussion on the constitution.

7. We agreed that in August the functions of government should pass to a caretaker authority until the constitutional discussions concluded. The constitution itself must be endorsed by the people of Somalia in a referendum, or by an elected parliament once democratic elections have been held. We agreed to review progress on the Constituent Assembly at the Istanbul Conference in June, and encouraged the Secretary General of the United Nations to include an update on this in his regular reports to the Security Council.

8. We noted that corruption drives the war economy in Somalia, distorting the incentives of the authorities and reducing finance available for development and service delivery. One consequence is that some international trade is driven towards Kismayo port, which in some ways is a more reliable business environment than Mogadishu port. Somalia has important economic assets, which need to be used much more to benefit its people. We welcomed the launch of a Joint Financial Management Board between the Transitional Federal Government and donors. We noted the importance of mutual accountability between the authorities and the international community. The Board will ensure the good management of Somalia's domestic economic assets and revenues, and international aid, allowing Somalis themselves to monitor financial flows and to hold their leaders and the international community to account. We called upon relevant international agencies to accelerate feasibility studies for better and more transparent management of ports and airports, including Mogadishu port, and committed ourselves to supporting measures to implement these.

9. We talked about the role of Al Shabaab. We agreed that there was no place for violent extremism or foreign terrorists in Somalia, and we would continue to support the fight against them. But we also agreed that there would be a place for Islamic political parties in a future peaceful Somalia. We invited all those willing to reject violence as a political weapon to join the discussions on the future constitution of Somalia, which will determine the role of religion for the Somali nation.

8. . We also agreed that international standards of human rights and probity of behaviour in public life should prevail in Somalia. We noted that the role of the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights in monitoring human rights violations, and in recommending how the Somali authorities, with the support of the international community could strengthen accountability for human rights violations and abuses. We agreed that individuals who diverted funds or aid intended for the benefit of the people of Somalia, or who sought to block or disrupt progress towards peaceful and stable government, should be held accountable, and we agreed to consider specific proposals in this regard at the Istanbul Conference. We agreed that the international community would uphold previously agreed sanctions by stopping engagement with those known to be involved in corruption, and agreed to adopt the following measures [whatever is agreed]. We also agreed to redouble efforts to comply with UNSC Resolutions and strengthen controls over vessels involved in illicit trade with Somalia.

Security

11. We agreed that greater security in Somalia was essential to allow development and a more stable and inclusive political process. We welcomed the United Nations/ African Union plan for coordinated military engagement by the regional powers and Transitional Federal Government, and [wording on UNSCR on increase in support for AMISOM, if agreed before the Conference]. We also welcomed the agreement of the European Commission to continue funding the salaries of AU soldiers on the ground [If agreed].

[12. We agreed that for lasting security Somalia must develop its own professional and accountable security forces. To that end, we agreed principles for the development of Somali armed forces, police and coastguard (Annex C), and agreed to support that development in a coordinated way. AMISOM would over time transition into a training mission. We agreed that the EU Training Mission strengthens Somali national forces; and welcomed the agreement to provide barracks for Somali forces in Mogadishu[If agreed], so they can concentrate on their military tasks.

12. Equally important is the development of structures to provide justice for the people of Somalia. We also agreed to support that sector by providing coordinated and strategic support based upon key principles (Annex X). We agreed to develop an international coordination structure for support to the Somali security and justice sectors.

Piracy

13. On piracy, we agreed that the roots of the issue are on land not at sea, and our work on regional stability would be central to tackling the causes of piracy. Nevertheless we agreed that there would be no impunity for pirates, wherever they may be operating, under UNSCR 2015. As an interim measure some participants had amended their law to allow the use of armed guards on their flagged vessels: no vessel using armed guards has been successfully taken by pirates. We noted that international naval operations had reduced the incidents of piracy in the Gulf of Aden to their lowest levels since 2008 through international naval operations. We welcomed the EU commitment to supporting better maritime security arrangements from neighbouring states in East Africa.

14. We welcomed the arrangements some of us have instigated to allow us to capture pirates at sea; transfer them to the jurisdiction of the Seychelles and Mauritius for trial [and others]; and then if convicted, the transfer of prisoners to internationally certified prisons in Puntland and Somaliland. These arrangements will be extended, to ensure a virtuous and effective circle of arrest, trial and imprisonment from sea to Somalia.

15. Finally, we noted the creation of a Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecution and Information Coordination centre in the Seychelles which will look at disrupting the money involved in piracy activity and seek to prosecute those who benefit from the proceeds of crime.

Counter Terrorism

16. We expressed our concern that terrorism linked to Somalia posed a serious threat to Somalia itself, to the region and to the wider world. The continuing terrorist campaign by violent extremists has inflicted untold suffering on the Somali population. We acknowledged the importance of the wider work to develop a more stable and secure Somalia in achieving a long-term solution to the problem. But we also agreed that, in the meantime, the international community and the countries in the region had to work together with greater determination to develop capacity to disrupt terrorism across the region. This means stopping the movement of terrorists to and from Somalia, disrupting the flow of their finances, and delivering effective intelligence gathering, investigation, criminal prosecution and detention against them. We encouraged the relevant regional and international fora to drive forward international co-operation to produce concrete results in these areas.

Stability and Recovery

17. We agreed that support to existing and emerging local areas of stability can play a crucial role in building peace and security for the Somali people. We talked about how the two approaches of supporting local (bottom up) and national (top down) stability should reinforce each other. A local stability approach can build positive incentives for local areas of stability to join a national political process, increasing its inclusion and credibility, and strengthening the process to build a legitimate central authority in Mogadishu after August 2012.

18. We also agreed that the local stability approach can deliver immediate development benefits for ordinary Somali men and women – notably by improving their safety and security and their access to economic opportunities, services, and to the benefits of reconstruction. We noted that quick wins such as this would be particularly important in newly emerging areas of stability.

19. We endorsed a set of principles for international support to areas of stability [Annex D] and [placeholder: discussion on merits of establishing a Stability Fund ongoing. If agreed, we should include announcement of contributions here].

International coordination

21. Finally, we discussed the way in which the international community coordinates its approach to Somalia. We agreed that there needed to be effective mechanisms to ensure that progress made in London was carried forward to the Istanbul Conference and beyond. The International Contact Group on Somalia will continue to provide a forum for agreeing international community positions. We agreed on the need to restructure that group, establishing working groups to address international community support on the key issues of the political process, security, development, and human rights, with each working group convened by a lead nation. We agreed to put proposals in this regard to the next meeting of the International Contact Group.

22. We also agreed that a core group of Fifteen states and organisations would lead work on supporting Somalia with the United Nations. The group would hold open a sixteenth place for the permanent government of Somalia, once elected. They recommended that this core group report back to the international community every six months at the International Contact Group meetings. We looked forward to taking work on Somalia forward at the Istanbul Conference, and at the Abu Dhabi Conference on international piracy in June.

22 . We highlighted the central role of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) in facilitating progress towards peace and stability in Somalia. We welcomed the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Mr Mahiga in this regard. We called on UNPOS to improve and strengthen their operations to ensure adequate support to the Somali people in carrying out the challenging tasks ahead. We encouraged more effective coordination between the UN entities working on Somalia.

Diaspora

4. We recognised the important role played in Somalia by the diaspora and by civil society, which are critical actors in the political, economic, security and humanitarian affairs of Somalia. Although attendance at the conference was reserved for governments and international institutions, Somali views, including those of the diaspora, were sought in advance of the event. Looking forward, we agreed to work together with Somali diaspora communities and civil society to help shape a better future for Somalia.

Concluding points

23. The responsibility for stemming Somalia's decline rests with Somalis and in Somalia. We agreed that, as partners of Somalia, we would deliberately spend less of our time in Nairobi and other capitals, and more time in Mogadishu and other Somali cities. A number of us have recently opened Embassies in Mogadishu and appointed Ambassadors. Others are planning to do so. We look forward to the day when a conference on Somali issues can be held inside Somalia.

Draft list of Annexes

A Humanitarian donor activity

B Political Process

C Security Sector Reform/AMISOM

D Local Stability Principles

E Terms of Reference for JFMB

F Slide showing proposed international coordination structures

G List of participants

Obtained by : Medeshi

Documents on London Conference from Mark Bough office (UK representative to Somalia)

2012-02-21T08:17:00.002+03:00

Documents on London Conference from Mark Bough office (UK representative to Somalia)

This letter is from the UK office to Somalia.

NON-PAPER: PROMOTING LOCAL STABILITY IN SOMALIA

What are we trying to achieve?

Stronger sub-national administrations, trusted by Somalis, with the capacity and incentives to: a) govern peacefully, b) engage in an inclusive national political process to form a stable and effective state, and c) reduce the threats of terrorism and piracy.

How would this be achieved?

The international community would build on existing interventions to help remove the barriers to stabilising these regions, and incentivise constructive engagement in a national political process. Barriers to greater local stability include local conflict over resources, a lack of local capacity, perverse financial interests, and varying levels of legitimacy across existing governance structures. Each region will require a differentiated approach that integrates political, security and development elements.

Components of any approach would include:

Development: strengthening capacity and facilitating representative administrations at all levels; delivering basic services; creating jobs; and maximising the potential of economic assets.

Political: building commitment to Somali-led local and national reconciliation; facilitating political agreements; and establishing agreements for resource management.

Security: strengthening local Somali security and police forces; building community safety and security.

How likely is success?

Evidence suggests a local stability approach can succeed over time, and that sub-national areas of stability can be joined together towards a stable nation-state. Interventions should be based on in-depth understanding of local actors and interests, and establish incentives to participate in inclusive negotiations. For local progress to move towards an effective state via a national political process, coordination across regions will be critical. Access to areas may present a challenge in some cases.

How long will it take?

To be effective the approach will need to demonstrate immediate benefits for local populations. These will need to be reinforced and extended into particularly complex regions over a medium-term timeframe. This incremental approach is probably best suited to the risks associated to Somalia’s operational context.

What do we want the London Conference to achieve?

The core group of countries commit to providing integrated support to local stability, in a coordinated manner, against an agreed set of principles.

What could the Conference announce?

a) An agreement on an international approach for promoting stability at the sub-national level, and a common set of principles for support

b) A multi-donor Stability Fund with associated coordination architecture.

What needs to be done to secure agreement at the Conference?

In order to deliver a common vision at the Conference the core group of countries will need to develop a shared understanding of context, aims, and outputs well in advance. To ensure our support is effective and contextually appropriate we will need to agree a set of principles (based on best practice) to guide planning and implementation.

What do we need to resolve?

a) Explore the best means to coordinate efforts across the international community;

b) Agree mechanisms for delivery which can respond to scale;

c) Consider our appetite for risk and how this impacts on which sub-regions we can scale up our efforts;

d) Develop ideas on how to strengthen the sub-national/national interface and promote national cohesion.

DFID Somalia, 20 December 2011

Writing Blues

2011-09-20T18:15:00.005+03:00

Life isn’t fair,

Writing Blues and my paper dripping

Oozes tears

Every time I get to thinking

Sinking deep down

I’m losing wits!

Can You Help me?

Looks like my soul

Has left my body

Too tired to fight

Yet flightless

Stumped by situation

Is it a fiend?

Can You Help me?

I’m going crazy

Hope gets rejected, leaving me neglected

Unheard was my message

Shot was my uncle, while he was teaching

Though I survived Death

I got scarred,

Can’t forget that day

Can You Help me?

Can You Help me

When Brother Turned on His Brother!

2011-08-11T12:51:00.000+03:00

By Abdulkarim Mohamed Jimale

Freelance Writer- Somalia

“I asked our commander why the militias killed my father while he was not fighting us, he (commander) slapped me in response and said everybody who is against us is against our religion and everybody who supports the government is infidel we must kill him or her.”

“They tortured me for four months and told me to fight on or they will kill me and put false charges that i was spying for the Christian government!”

For many Somali youngsters like Hashi, the fight was to liberate the country and defend the religion from the enemy (Ethiopian forces) that invaded. But the fight took unexpected twist of turns.

Read part one and two of the series:

- Story of a Child Solider

- The Miserable Life of Mine (Child Soldier’s Story)

The Damned Journey!

In early 2009, Hashi’s commander led them to Baidoa, the capital city of Bay region in southern Somalia, where they were addressed by Sheikh Abu Mansoor, the former spokesman of Al-Shabaab.

Abu Mansoor’s speech evolved around Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the former Islamic Courts Union chairman, who has now replaced former President Abdullahi Yussuf. At that time Ethiopian forces left the country, accomplishing more than two years of military occupation.

“Some of my friends were brave enough to ask the commander why we are fighting if Ethiopians left, but hours later they went missing and we found their beheaded body on the streets ...we were told they were spies!” That scenario complete changed his perception regarding the group, he once pledged allegiance.

“I and my friends were struggling how to defect from the militias but it was not too easy, we wondering when we'll be free like the other youth in this world and other parts of Somalia, we patiently waited and lately we got the fateful day.” Fortunately, he escaped from the hand of his masters and tormentors, sneaking in to Kenya for hundreds of kilometers to Kenya, he is still afraid from the militias to kill him in neighboring countries.

“It was March 2010, after Friday prayers in Baidoa city, me and two other friends of mine left Baidoa to Buulo Haawo, a Somali-Kenyan border town to sneak in Kenya, where we got back our freedom. We called our relative and they sent to us each $250USD. Then we paid trafficker to smuggle us in to Kenya,”

“Sometimes I cry when I see youngsters going to secondary school, because I remember my close friends who have been killed during fighting in the past three years,”

“I am worried about the other Somali youngsters, who have been lured to fight for religion or country, but I am sure one day they will realize they were in wrong path and will defect from the militias.”

After four years Hashi is now learning Kiswahili and English to get an entry in to another school in Nairobi to continue his education.

Tears for Somalia

2011-07-24T01:45:00.005+03:00

No matter how early one rises with the sun
Instead of the birds singing before the day's begun
Russian revolvers chatter louder and louder
Before falling into line in my Somalia

Instead of the promise of the morning air
Shooting, shelling, killing are the days here,
Where life not so precious schools in things that guns do,
Not for reading and writing and dreams too...

The roads to somewhere blocked everywhere

Kids dare, Sleep with the Devil and see no Evil
Instead guns replace toys, for what is joy
When trust is a word with no meaning

On the coastline of homes, the sun seems to shine
If you are hungry you join the battle to survive,
Yet children dare not chill, thrilled by the echo of bullets

As their endless hunger, so why should they
They don't want to, but got no choice

Replace the internal scream with firing Kalashnikovs
like playing soccer or American football
Where the bodies of children were raised to move around like muggers,
killing everybody they see

The right to life keeps being circumvented

Replaced by Sorrow burdened souls un-placated

Because they believed the wrong really love us

Peace has run out of space here,
Just to mention it,
Invites two flying bullets
Or a free magazine

The rule of law is incarcerated by,
Murderers, bombers, ghosts for leaders
Where Future has no light

Good things went to hell,

And bad things got worse

Just to end this misery life
I wish I could die

These are the words of a freelance journalist, a Somali, and a man of values, Abdulkarim Jimale, but don’t believe everything in the media again, for the travesty of Somalia is the illusion that it exists like Haiti except to serve other nation.

When She's Gone

2011-06-10T10:24:00.002+03:00

When she is going off about something that you said

Your heartbeat staggers,

Your body, your soul trembles

You lose your wits,

All you can do is cry; you feel loneliness while you’re in crowd of people

When you lost in thoughts of your love

All days, nights pass while you are not awake neither sleep

People call you insane

Oh, then your heart speaks

When I found you, myself got so strong

But when I drive you mad

I feel so weak, start sinking

My heart, my loved ones became stranger to me,

I feel distant even to myself

Sometimes I feel like a lost child

I wonder why I said that word

I feel guilty

Without you I am like homeless child

I admit my mistakes, feel so sorry

What can someone do in this stage?

Forgive me babe, I offer her heartfelt sorry

Love has no limits for some, neither does the soreness

Listen Darling

2011-04-20T10:12:00.001+03:00

Just have a seat and listen

My dream, my desire,

My tale is you to become my soul-mate

Your beauty melted and ripened my heart

You’re the light of my eyes

You are my hope

I want to understand you

You alone I will heed

You are my queen

You are my sight,

You are my strength

You are the star of my life

You face shines my life

I adore speaking with you

You're like a creature from heaven

You’re my shadow

A love to the last is the best babe

Thanks for all the love you gave me

ODAY SHIRWAC VS AL_SHABAAB

2011-04-15T04:15:00.000+03:00

I Dream

2011-04-14T23:41:00.002+03:00

I dream of

A day when peace rings from south to the north of the country

A day of peace, kindness, equality and justice for all

A day when we are one people of one land

A day when foreigners can’t divide and rule us

A day when we are all brothers of one nation

A day when the blind man walks from south to north free of dread

A day when everybody sleeps without scare of being killed, tortured or harassed

A day when mothers are not hopeless and helpless

A day when mothers are free of worry

A day when the wives don’t worry the situation of their husbands

A day when boys respect their fathers and mothers

A day when elders are the leaders of the community

A day where the professors are leaders not destroyers

A day when religion is not desecrated

A day when the girls go to school and have rights

A day when murders, destroyers and deceivers are in jail

A day when all are free of bandits, rapists, bombers, ghosts and killers

A day when the winners are respected

A day when all the youth have future

A day when kids are free of guns and bombs

A day when all kids go to school

A day when children play freely and walk around the streets with, books, balls and bicycles

I dream of a day when we are all free to return and build our mother’s land

Written By Abdulkarim Jimale, a son of Somalia living in a far away land.
He is a journalist currently writing for for On Islam and The Horn Times.

Somali government orders Parliament House speaker’s Arrest

2011-04-13T10:33:00.004+03:00

Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo ordered Parliament house speaker’s arrest on Tuesday, Garowe Online has learnt.

Ahmed and Farmajo had meeting in the presidential house after Speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden attended UN High consultative meeting in Kenyan capital Nairobi. They accused Aden of breaking the government’s law and ordered arrest of the speaker when he returns back to Mogadishu, the restive capital of Somalia, sources close to the president told GO.

"Somali President and Prime Minister ordered police and military commanders to arrest Speaker Aden when he returns back to Mogadishu," government officials who are not authorized to speak to the media told Garowe Online.

Somali cabinet ministers met in Mogadishu and discussed the consultative meeting that is currently underway in Nairobi, the said in a statement from the office of the Prime Minister “The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia is disappointed with current political engagement of UN Political Office in Somalia (UNPOS),”

“The delegation currently participating in the Nairobi meeting led by the Speaker of the parliament has no mandate or authority from the Council of Ministers or the parliament. On the contrary, both have demonstrated publicly and privately to the Speaker their clear rejection to participate. This has included presentation of a motion signed by over 100 members of the parliament (MPs) that was presented to the Speaker, which he decided to ignore,” the statement said.

There is a wrangle between the president and parliament speaker for the last months over parliament’s term extension for three years, while the government’s transition period is scheduled to expire on August this year.

Somalia’s week transitional government backed by African Union troops is fighting with Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda linked militia to Somalia. The militias control much of south and central Somalia including large parts of the war-ravaged capital, Mogadishu.

Somalia was without functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrown Siad Barre’s administration.

GAROWE ONLINE
http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somali_government_orders_Parliament_House_speaker_s_Arrest.shtml

Somalias ravaged generation

2011-04-06T20:56:00.002+03:00

BY ABDULKARIM JIMALE

His childhood dream was to be a doctor but his homeland Somalia had nothing to offer him as a brighter future in order to realize the reality of his unbounded ambition.

Mohamed Abdulkadir Hashi, 20, thin, short and dark in color, is a Somali refugee in Kenya, eats a plate of white rice in one of the low-cost hotels in Nairobi´s Eastleigh neighborhood.

He has no job and gets no regular income; all he depends on is the irregular support of some friends and family members.

He was born and bred in one of the world´s most dangerous terrain, a hopeless city for a young boy like Hashi, The once beautiful seaside capital of the horn of Africa nation of Somalia.

All that sticks into his childhood memory is where he used to roam, a dusty, rough streets, unhealthy bumpy roads, and piles of garbage. As activity he used to play football to pass time, regardless of possibility of unexploded deadly ordinances left by the wars in the play grounds.

Schooling was nothing, due to the fact that the education centers were spearheaded by extremists with hidden jihadist Agendas.

He was enticed by classmates and misled him into a way that simply made the Islamist extremists to recruit him simply with religious false promises and forced him to fight for them. Hashi was a student at Imamu Shafi´i Primary School, one of the top schools, established after the Somalia´s government collapsed 1991.

"I used to go school at morning and Madarasah (School of Quran for Muslims) at afternoon…..what a good time was it! But later everything changed," he said with tears of grieve and regret running down of his cheeks.

"I was planning to study abroad after I finish high school and come back to my country as a doctor to assist my people…..imagine I was at class eight….and never thought to carry a gun and fight for militias." he repeated biting his upper lip and looking down.

He adds school, football, cinema and going to shore were only things to do before 2006, the life was really great and I never thought something will change my ordinary life forever,

"In our school they never taught as what peace meant for us, what good governance held for our future and the losses of living in war," he lamented.

Thousands of kids like him used to do the same in Mogadishu and other parts of the country to follow their dreams but extremists shattered their dreams and forced them to take up guns and put down pens and books.

Inside Somalia, the rule of law is changed by the rule of guns; the country became where there is a space for muggers, killers and rapists who are using Islamic religion for their own selfish gains and as tool that toilers their own agendas.

A gun walking freely in Somalia's war-torn capital Mogadishu Photo: Alinoor Moulid

He was trained in a camp at the outskirts of Mogadishu in February 2006, they taught him how to use AK-47 rifle and fight at the front lines. And he was fighting for them nearly four years.

"I remember it was my first time to carry a gun, I was too scared but my colleagues encouraged me to fight along them, because they were older than me.

Hashi was thought by a Pakistani trainer how to fight on the frontline and plan assassinations; he fought alongside Pakistanis, Kenyans and dozens of his former classmates.

"The taught us to kill other Muslims, Christians, Jews and everybody who were against Al-Shabaab" Hashi says. "The recruits are told the United States is the enemy of Islam,"

He spent much time and energy fighting with his native people and destroying his motherland but not education neither entertainment nor resting.

Hashi is not alone in the gloomy and destructive world; thousands of Somali children are lured into the same trap.

MISERABLE LIFE

Narrating a tough time he spent with the group He said “life in the camps is austere. Recruits sleep on plastic sheets and sometimes eat only one meal a day — often maize cooked with water. Phones are confiscated.

Recruits are only allowed to speak to their parents once every other Friday — Islam’s weekly holy day” “Our lives have been miserable. But that depends on the scenarios on the ground. If there is fighting then there will be no food at times. Sometimes we beg our relatives to give us some food,”

He says at the front line, life is far from easy, killing innocent people, a father kills his son. A son kills his mother, a brother kills his younger sister!” mothers and babies screaming, shelling mortars to silent them, increasing bloodshed and displacing your fellows was the mission by the foreign trainers.

“The worst to see is your friend or relative critically injured and you are not allowed to assist him or tend to him at hospital , if you try to help him you will lose your life, a foreigner is ready to kill you in your own mother- land,” he said.

The militias used to wear military clothes for at least 20 days. “When we tell our leaders that we want some new clothes, they tell us don’t worry, all these buildings you see have been left by the members of Somali lawmakers and we will take them over. But we realized it is not true the buildings belong to innocent civilians.”

Somali governemnt troops in Mogadishu, youngesters are target for the warring sides in Somalia

He adds that some of the buildings belonged to the relatives of members of the militias, who fled the fighting.

“Sometimes they use to tell us take some things from people by force and use the money to provide for your families. It is not good to do that in religion but we had no option.”

“There are no special caring for fighters ….you only get attention from the leaders when there is fighting going on, that is the time when we receive airtimes, but you will never find them any other time.”

Hashi was married, his two wives used to work but he was not providing them anything for the last 10 months.

“When we want to visit our wives, we ask for permission and tell our leaders to give us something small. They provide nothing other than unfulfilled promise. We are forced to beg our people.”

The Risk of Escaping from militias

After enduring the harsh realities under the hands of Shabaab, Hashi was rewarded with a call to kill his father because he was working with Somali government and late they beheaded his uncle, Seeking justice for his beloved ones landed him torture and arrest for 120 days.

“I asked our commander why the militias killed my father while he was not fighting us, he (commander) slapped me in response and said everybody who is against us is against our religion and everybody who supports the government is infidel we must kill him or her.”

“They tortured me for four months and told me to fight on or they will kill me and put false charges that i was spying for the Christian government!”

Change of Mind and Heart

For many Somali youngsters like Hashi, the fight was to liberate the country and defend the religion from the enemy (Ethiopian forces) that invaded. But the fight took unexpected twist of turns.

Brother turned on brother

“As Somalis we were lured into fighting because of the religion and we believed in that agenda ever since the Islamic Courts Union. I thought I was fighting a holy war but I realized that foreigners had another agenda.

Our leaders sold the course to foreign people. Now the foreigners have reached the no-return point. Nobody can expel them from this country because they call the shots.”

In early 2009, Hashi’s commander led them to Baidoa, the capital city of Bay region in southern Somalia, where they were addressed by Sheikh Abu Mansoor the former spokesman of Al-Shabaab.

A young boy walking at Aden Adde Airport Road in Mogadishu Photo: Alinoor Moulid

Abu Mansoor’s speech evolved around Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the former Islamic Courts Union chairman, who has now replaced former President Abdullahi Yussuf who resigned. At that time Ethiopian forces left the country, accomplishing more than two years of military occupation.

“Some of my friends were brave enough to ask the commander why we are fighting if Ethiopians left, but hours later they went missing and we found their beheaded body on the streets ...we were told they were spies!”

That scenario complete changed his perception regarding the group, he once pledged allegiance.
“I and my friends were struggling how to defect from the militias but it was not too easy, we wondering when we'll be free like the other youth in this world and other parts of Somalia, we patiently waited and lately we got the fateful day.”

Fortunately, he escaped from the hand of his masters and tormentors, sneaking in to Kenya for hundreds of kilometres to Kenya, he is still afraid from the militias to kill him in neighbouring countries.

“It was March 2010, after Friday prayers in Baidoa city, me and two other friends of mine left Baidoa to Buulo Haawo, a Somali-Kenyan border town to sneak in Kenya, where we got back our freedom. We called our relative and they sent to us each $250USD. Then we paid trafficker to smuggle us in to Kenya,”

“Sometimes I cry when I see youngsters going to secondary school, because I remember my close friends who have been killed during fighting in the past three years,”

“I am worried about the other Somali youngsters, who have been lured to fight for religion or country, but I am sure one day they will realize they were in wrong path and will defect from the militias,”

After four years Hashi is now learning Kiswahili and English to get an entry in to another school in Nairobi to continue his education.

Abdulkarim Jimale is a Somali freelance Journalist with experience in humanitarian reporting from the Horn of Africa Region. He has worked with Kenyan and American Radio's and newspapers. Jimale is now correspondent for On Islam and The Horn Times Magazine. You can contact him by emailing: muxsin55@gmail.com

Supporting the Family Structure in Love and in War Somalia

2011-02-17T07:04:00.000+03:00

By Abdulkarim Jimale

Islam Online Correspondent, Freelance Writer - Somalia

Somalia, a forgotten African nation that is marred by almost 20 years of anarchy, has seen half of its population flee to other countries, both neighboring and further afield. Somalis abroad have their own diaspora in their respective countries of residence. Most of them are in Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, UK, USA, Canada, and Scandinavia — the diaspora plays a big role on how to connect the Somalis abroad and keep them in touch with one another.

You will be surprised to see people fighting in their own country and killing each other, share the best and worst of times abroad!!! Even, the politician's of the warring groups in the war-ravaged country become close friends when they are abroad. They sit in one place, drink tea together, and sometimes sleep in one hotel just like close friends. Thus, this frames the real problem as a political one.

Here in Kenya, especially Eastleigh estate, where Somalis populate, you can see Somali Islamists and government's officials, who were fighting in Mogadishu sleeping in one hotel, taking tea in one restaurant, and sometimes talking to each other — relatives care for each other.

Somalis traditionally take care of each other, think of and for one another, and share the best and worst wherever they are in the world. 35-year-old Ismail Hussein, a father of two children, works for a telecommunication company and takes home US $2500 as salary. The money is divided among his family both in Kenya and back in war-torn Somalia.

"I like my relatives. I share the best and worst, in ease and difficulty. I just try every time to help in whatever I can do for them. Ismail Hussein told IslamOnlne.net (IOL)

"I really work hard to cover the needs of my family and take care of them because I am the breadwinner of the family".

Mr. Hussein says his salary is divided between his family in Kenya, his parents in Somalia, and any other needy family member, adding that any delay to his salary payment will affect the well-being of the family structure. He said he most worries about his young brothers because of the risk in participating in the senseless fighting that is going on in the country.

"They are in a very appalling situation because they don't work and have no other means of survival, Hussein said.

"I am very worried about my younger brothers because if you are hungry and jobless in Mogadishu, you can fall prey to anything that is worse".

Hundreds of Somalis, like Ismail in Kenya and other parts of the world take care of their relatives in one of the world's most dangerous places.

From London to Nairobi

Living in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is far from easy if you are not Kenyan or don't have job. Ibrahim Daud Abdalle, 23, a Somali refugee on Eastleigh estate in Nairobi, doesn't work but study. In an interview with IOL, he was wearing a black suit, which cost approximately 15,000 Kenyan shillings (US$200).

Abdalle told IOL, "I fled from Mogadishu; I don't have a job here, but my cousin Mohamed, a taxi driver in London, covers all my needs, including my education fees.

"He pays my school fees, the rent for my room, and my daily expenses".

Ibrahim added Mohamed also helps a number of his relatives in Mogadishu. He is, however, worried that if Mohammed losses his job, his entire life will change.

Warsame ‘Ali another refugee in the same estate told IOL that his old friend helps him.

"He covers all my needs just like my big brother or father".

The official unemployment rate in war-torn Somalia is close to 100 percent, mostly the youth don't work, but get support from their relatives or old friends abroad.

Worst of Times

For the last two decades, Somalis have witnessed everything that can be described anymore than gross human rights. Take for example, the December 3, 2009 suicide bomb explosion in a graduation ceremony for Benadir University, which was held at Hotel Shamo in Mogadishu. That explosion, one of the deadliest, left 22 people dead, including doctors, government officials, journalists, students, guests, and more than 50 others wounded. The university recently held a lunch get-together in Nairobi and fundraised to help the families of effected people's. Somalis from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, and diaspora attended the ceremony, where more than US$100,000 was collected. Somalis are fighting, but at least they are still helping each other!

Money Transfer

Banks are not working inside Somalia, but local "hawalas" (money transfer) centers play a crucial role in sending and receiving money in Somalia. You can send money to the smallest village in Somalia through a hawala. Qaran Express, one of the leadinghawalas in Somalia, declares if someone sends money to you, you can pick it up after 10 minutes. They charge you like two per percent on the dollar. To receive your money, you only need six serial digits, it adds. The hawalas are available everywhere around the globe where Somalis reside.

Telecommunication

Mostly Somalis use to contact each other by mobile phones, in Somalia there are three main telecommunication companies. One can access their service everywhere in Somalia, even the smallest nomadic village. The absence of a central government in Somalia has not hampered the evolution of a competitive wireless industry, in some ways it has been rated one of the most advanced technology-wise. This has enabled Somalis across the world to contact their families back in the country.

Support Business

Business is one of the important part of Somalis life, Somali businessmen help, think of, and care for each other. Nur ‘Ali a businessman in Eastleigh told IOL,

"My shopping mall burnt down last year, and I was reversed to zero. I had nothing left, but thanks to Allah and my business colleagues, I am back in business.

"I am in Kenya. If I want to get goods from China or Dubai, I will send money to my friends in China, and they will represent me on my behalf without charges".

Somalia Professionals Dreams Cut Short

2011-02-17T06:52:00.001+03:00

By Abdulkarim Jimale

Islam Online Correspondent, Freelance Writer - Somalia

Editor’s Note: On 3 December 2009, a bombing at Shamo Hotel left senior government officials, journalists and students dead and wounded raising condemnation from certain Western countries. The author reflects on the emotional and psychological ‘fallout’, as he recalls friends who had died in that blast.

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Medical, Computer Science and Engineering graduates who had hopes of serving their country was shattered moments before they were to receive their hard earned certificates by a bomb which sent them early to their graves. A local group of international journalists wanted to air this auspicious occasion for their respective media houses, bringing the deaths of these graduates to headlines worldwide. Meanwhile, future graduates at the same institution, Banadir University reflect on their futures.

These are the many un-answered questions that are lingering in the minds of many Somali people. For the last two decades in the lawless Somalia state, everything had come to a halt, but the education system still worked amid the instability. For the last three years, several universities had been closed, but only a few lived by the dream of having an educated Somalia future.

Trying Moments

A student who underwent his education in Somalia narrates of the trying moments in his education life in the war torn country.

“At times we could lie flat on the ground or hind behind bankers. Bullets could criss-cross the school compounds like flies. It was terrible learning from there,” he told IOL at an interview in Eastleigh, Kenya where he now lives.

For many of the students in Somalia, being caught in a cross fire is not a big deal or news to them. Factions could open fire without minding the innocent students going home or attending their lecture halls.

On the fateful day, everything culminated. A man clad in women’s clothing sneaked in at Shamo Hotel, Mogadishu where the celebrations were being held. Survivors said it was fun - the final leg of the long educational journey. Statistics released reveals that 3 cabinet ministers, 3 journalists, 10 medical students and 2 parents were reported dead at the scene. Twenty-two students, 3 parents, a cabinet minister, doctors and university officials were seriously wounded and recuperating in various hospitals.

No medical student has earned a medical degree in Somalia. This was the second class to graduate after the first graduated on December 2009 after nearly 20 years. Coupled by many challenges, doctors in Somalia had in 2002 had wanted to see Somalia be self reliant in human resources, and had started the university. Their dreams were short-lived. They fell victim.

Turn of Events

“A big blast came. Smoke followed. Seconds later, the well décor-fitted Shamo Hotel was like a slaughter house: blood and flesh everywhere,” narrates a survivor from the deadly blast.

Mohamed Amin, a Radio Shabelle correspondent, and Hassan Zubeyr, Al-Arabia cameraman took their last images alive. They died on the spot. I have known the two dedicated journalists for ages: as long as my journalism career entails. We had worked together on assignments in Kenya and Somalia.

Mohamed Amin

He was only 25 years old, and among the active radio journalists in Somalia. He worked for the largest local media house in the restive capital of Somalia, Mogadishu. Joining the media industry in 2006, Mohamed started his career with Jowhar Radio based in Johwar City, 90 Kilometers North of Mogadishu. Local media houses in Somalia had hand his stint as he reported on cross-cutting issues on Somalia.

For only one year, he worked for Radio Shabelle, Mogadishu. To me, he was more than a friend: he was there to ensure objectivity, and was time conscious in news delivery and quality. Amin is the fourth Radio Shabelle journalist killed this year. Only five journalists are still working at the Shabelle media house.

Similarities

His father, commonly known as Aden was felled by a motor shell at Martini Hospital in Mogadishu during the historical Somalia-Ethiopian wars in 1977. His mother also died during a civil war that erupted in 1991 after clan warlords overthrew Siad Barre’s Administration. Mohamed had been turned into a sole bread winner by bombs and motor shells: he raised his siblings. Now they have been left with no one to take care of them. The aging grandmother has little to offer. Civil war has pulled apart a family setup.

Hassan Zubeyr

The mention of the word ‘fantastic’ in Somalia and Kenya is synonymous with journalism. This is Hassan Zubeyr.

He was ‘fantastic’ and perfect in his career as a journalist, and an Al-Arabya TV cameraman. He also died in the deadly blast. I personally met Fantastic in 2001 at Radio STN. He had also served as a radio technician for a number of media houses before joining Al-Alabya as a cameraman in 2006.

His father commonly known as Zubeyr worked as a technician at a government run radio station, Radio Mogadishu. I clearly remember how he taught me camera work while together at Al-Arabya TV offices in Mogadishu. He just wanted me to learn, and keep learning. This was the message of a 31-year old father to his child. Everyone was his brother, sister, child, mother, father and others.

Shocked

His death came as a shock to all of us who knew him. Fawzia Hassan Jeilani, his mother, was shocked by the death of her son.

“I will never forget this. I pray that Allah reward him in heaven,” the sobbing Fawzia told reporters in Mogadishu after news bloke out of his death.

The death of Mohammed, and Zubeyr makes nine journalists killed in the line of duty in Somalia this year alone. National Union of Somalia Journalists secretary general Omar Faruk Osman describes the incidence as heinous act towards a free press.

“It’s hard to work under this. Whenever a media personality is killed, the nation is killed. We condemn the killings,” Omar says.

Somalia President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has since described the attack as a national disaster.

In One Spirit with One Mind Scenes of ‘Eid from Kenya

2011-02-17T06:14:00.002+03:00

By 'Abdul Kareem Muhammed Jimale , Suleiman Mbatiah

Editors Note: ‘Eid Al-Adha is the culmination of the Muslim annual pilgrimage which offers on e time in the year when peoples from all over the world gather in One Name in sisterhood and brotherhood, despite conflicting national calendars. For those who do not make the pilgrimage, for the sake of Allah (SWT) we join in spirit as one family, under one God, with the best of intentions where status and position has no meaning. Here are some scenes from the Kenyan experience for those who remained at home

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Muslim faithful at Eastleigh Estate, East of Kenya's capital Nairobi, buy goats on November 26, 2009 ahead of ‘Eid Al Adha.

This year's festivity was hardly hit by economic recession in most parts of the world.

Worshippers for this year's Eid festivities have their prayers at Sir Ali Muslim grounds in Nairobi Kenya.

The faithful join for prayers to mark ‘Eid.

Children (and some adults) having fun after the prayers at Sir ‘Ali Muslim club grounds in Nairobi, Kenya .

Kamal ‘Abdullah adjusts his son's Kanzu at Sir ‘Ali Muslim grounds for ‘Eid prayers - Nairobi, Kenya.

Who Are the Real Pirates in Somali Waters?

2011-02-17T06:12:00.000+03:00

By Abdulkarim Mohamed Jimale

When will Somali piracy problem come to an end? When will the world really care for Somalia’s unprotected waters, stop the illegal fishing and the dumping of toxic waste? When would the world leave the vast coast of Somalia to Somalis to protect?

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According to the United Nation (UN) report, an estimated US$300 million worth of seafood is stolen from the Somali’s coastline each year by foreign vessels. In response, piracy off the Somali coast has threatened international shipping since the collapsed of Somali government in early 1990s. It has recently become a big issue, which has affected the maritime world and has lead to a shift in strategy towards Somalia. Somalis and many leaders around the world believe that the problem of piracy is linked to the need for peace and stability in Somalia.

However, piracy has become the easiest way to make money for the jobless youth, former militiamen and ex-fishermen in the restive country of Somalia. Allegedly, deadly clashes between Islamist rebels and the fragile UN-backed Somali government have forced many jobless youths to join the lucrative scourge.

In August 2008, the Security Council called on all countries and regional organizations with the necessary capacity to deploy naval ships and military aircraft off the Somali coast to fight against piracy. This call impedes UN efforts to feed the millions of hungry civilians in the war-torn country.

What Led to the Action of Pirates?

The key cause of piracy in Somalia’s unprotected waters, are the foreign ships that have looted seafood, dumped toxic waste, and have destroyed the boats of fishermen. Poverty, lawless, instability and jobless are other reasons that have exacerbated piracy in Somalia. Elders in the pirate-powered districts believe that there are two pirates operating in Somali waters, thus complicating the situation.

“The foreign vessels that illegally fish, and destroy fishermen’s boats are the real pirates, but the world doesn’t recognize them as pirates,” Muhammed Jama'a a resident of Harardere district, North of Somalis capital Mogadishu told IOL in a telephone interview.

“Since 1991, foreign vessels have been dumping toxic and nuclear waste in our waters, and have destroyed an unknown number of our marine resources.”

“They (people) don’t have a choice to fight against foreign vessels, if the world doesn’t recognize the looters as pirates, and protect them from our mineral resources, we will support our volunteer coast guards (pirates),” Jama'a said.

Badmax, a Somali pirate based in Harardere district told IOL:

“I was a fisherman in Harardere coast village in central Somalia, but I became a coast guard (pirate), when foreign vessels destroyed our fishing equipments and looted our seafood.”

He pointed out that piracy could be a problem as long as Somalia remains unstable, Badmax was among the pirates, who seized the Spanish tuna trawler hijacked on October 2, 2009, and they took nearly US$ 4 million as ransom.

Do the pirates Act on Behalf of the People?

Pirates claim they are defending Somali’s long coastline, and act on behalf of their people, but this is not what all Somalis believe. There is a small number of people who support pirates:

“We support the pirates only when they hijack foreign vessels which dump toxic waste or fish illegally,” an Eyl resident said.

Saalim, a local radio station director in Puntland, a semi-autonomous Somali region told IOL

“Residents in Eyl district chased away the pirates who had power in that district years ago. This show Somalis don’t like pirates,”

Ahmed Sheikh Burale, a former head of Banadir Court of Appeal, who worked for Siad Barre’s administration told IOL:

“Pirates at first acted on behalf the people. They hijacked a number of foreign vessels which were dumping toxic waste on our coast, and illegally fishing, but now the pirates are totally different. They started hijacking cargo ships, UN-chartered ships and tourists’ yachts and this is not what we want.”

Burale, also a Somali author, added that pirates are now a great problem for Somalis, especially the Internally Displaced People (IDPs):

“Sometimes they hijack ships carrying humanitarian food aid for IDPs - it’s a problem.”

The scourge of piracy along Somali waters has threatened the delivery of aid to the war-torn country, which half of its population depend on.

Honorably without Supporters

Some family and friends regard pirates as honorables in Harardere Coast district in Mudug region, about 500 km to the North Eastern of Mogadishu the capital of Somalia. The population (mostly nomads and fishermen) of the district is estimated at 7,000. Also there’s small number of businessmen.

“They have money, they build new big houses, they buy new cars, they wed the most beautiful girls, and most of them are aged between 20 and 35 years and business is booming,” said Si’ad Abdulle in Harardere in a telephone interview.

Local Perception of the Pirates

“The pirates based in our district [Harardere ] came from different regions in Somalia, but a few are residents. We support them only because they chase or hijack foreign vessels,” Abdirizak a resident in Harardere added.

According to Reuters, activity has helped bolster the local economy in Harardere, which has morphed from a fishing village to a town where pirates cruise the streets in luxury cars.

“Piracy-related business has become the main profitable economic activity in our area, and as locals we depend on their input,” said Mohamed Adam, Harardere deputy security officer, told Reuters.

“The district gets a percentage of every ransom from ships that have been released, and that goes on public infrastructure, including our hospital and public schools,” he added.

There is no fighting amongst pirates, because the money keeps them together!

“Our people don’t like pirates, but they have money, power, and they are getting stronger with each day!

The battle between pirates and foreign naval forces in Somali waters have heavily impacted on fishermen in the south, central and north eastern Somalia who face daily harassment from warships.

“The fight against piracy is affecting us. Warships suspect us as pirates; they frequently target us, which sometimes jeopardize our work” a fisherman in Gara’d Village told IOL.

In the recent past, France navy forces opened fire on fishermen, causing the death of four fishermen including a Yemeni. Others were injured.
Double the Price

Moneyed pirates in one of the worlds most poverty country, buy the cars, clothes and mobile phones in double price. Toyota Surf Vehicle is nearly US $6,000 dollars in Mogadishu, however...

“They buy Vehicle Toyota surf from the car dealers at a double price $12,000 US dollars when they get ransom from the ships,” a car dealer in Mogadishu told IOL.

Sacdiyo Abdillahi, a tea seller in Harardere told IOL:

“I normally sell a cup of tea at 2,000 Somali shilling (US$ 0.2) but the pirates; I charge them 12,000 Somali shillings (US$1).”

Pirates, who hijack ships and are waiting for ransom delivery, usually take credit from ‘special shops and restaurants’, and repay double price.

Between Pirates and Foreign Naval Ships!

Cost of Living

When pirates get their ransom, the price of the basic household commodities shoot up:

“We cannot buy anything as we once used to. Getting something for our children is now a nightmare. Everything has just skyrocketed. We are really suffering,” a resident in Harardere told IOL.

Thousands of residents in most pirate-controlled districts face the same problem: after a hefty heist, the price of food and other commodities become a problem to the locals who are mostly nomads and fishermen who are reeling from the occasional droughts.

The Nature of War on Piracy

Why would the world declare war on piracy after 20 years of bloodshed and anarchy in Somalia?

Navies from more than two dozen nations are patrolling Somali’s water to deter possible pirate attacks on commercial and UN-chartered vessels. Somalis are now suspects in the increase of foreign trawlers which steal seafood since the start of the anti piracy mission.

Ahmedou Ould-‘Abdallah, UN special envoy to Somalia stated on July 25, 2008 “because there is no (effective) government, there is so much irregular fishing from European and Asian countries."

Awad Ahmed Ashareh, a Somali MP told radio Shabelle early this year that foreign vessels are looting Somalis seafood:

“Spain, South Korea and other countries are illegally fishing, dumping toxic waste, and destroying our mineral resources. They come for their own interest.”

Mr. Awad added that foreign navies patrolling in Somalia coast are protecting their cargo ships. In the other words, countries, which have deployed warships, are only concerned with the trawlers that come under constant attacks from the pirates.

Making the Annual Pilgrimage Kenyans and Somalians

2011-02-17T06:09:00.000+03:00

By Abdulkarim Mohamed Jimale

Correspondent, Freelance Writer - Somalia

‘Abdul Kareem Jimale takes a look at the issues that present themselves to Kenyans and Somalis alike wanting to go on Hajj!

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Kenyan Muslims began their journey to Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in early Novermber.

“This year (2009), 3000 Kenyan Muslims are expected to perform Hajj. About 2000 pilgrims left for Hajj this year, most of them from Nairobi” Sheikh Hussein Sharif Omar Al-Hamid the vice chairman of Kenya Hajj Commission told Islamonline.net

Sheikh Hussein added last year 2700 pilgrims left for Hajj pilgrimage most of them from the North East, East and the Coast, but this year, those provinces recorded the lowest number of pilgrims because of the devastating droughts that have affected those areas.

Recently, the government of Kenya removed the Hajj desk at Immigration offices in Nairobi after it emerged that it was misused.

Sheikh Hussein said the desk was removed after the Ministry of Immigration and Registration of Persons discovered that some people travelled to the US or other countries after acquiring their passports; as Kenyan pilgrims going on Hajj get their passports more easily now than before.

Somalis going to Hajj

Somalis in lawless war-torn Somalia, which suffers from 20 years of anarchy, are joining millions of Muslim faithful in the Hajj pilgrimage even though there is no clear statistics that reflect the exact number of pilgrims.

Somalia, like the rest of Horn of African countries is experiencing worst droughts, which is compounded with inadequate humanitarian assistance, armed conflict,

increased poverty and hunger but still a large number of Muslims are going to Hajj pilgrimage.

According to Ahmed Hassan, of Somalia’s Jubba airways, an estimated 4000 people leave for Hajj from all corners of Somalia annually.

Kenya and Somalia, Pilgrims Vaccinating

Sheikh Hussein Sharif Omar told the Standard “Pilgrims are expected to get vaccinated with the influenza vaccine, as Kenya is yet to acquire the H1N1 vaccine.

Health Ministry of the Somalia’s transitional government started a vaccination campaign in the restive capital Mogadishu, targeting Hajj Pilgrims who are faced with the possibility of contracting the H1N1 virus during their pilgrimage. The vaccine comes in the form of injections given in the muscle to help stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies to resist H1N1 in case of entry of the virus into the human body.

Qamar Aden ‘Ali, Somalia’s health minister told the reporters on Saturday, 14 November that her ministry in conjunction with World Health Organisation has launched a vaccination drive targeted on Pilgrims.

“The health authorities of the Somali government in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) are carrying out HINI vaccination on the pilgrims going to Hajj,” said ‘Ali adding that a legal identification health book is issued to every vaccinated pilgrim.

She urged travel agencies not to carry pilgrims who do not have legal identification health books from the Ministry of Health. However, the vaccination exercise is only carried out in Mogadishu while pilgrims from other Somali regions such as breakaway Somaliland travel without the vaccine.

According to Sheikh Hussein Sharif, the vice chairman of Kenya Hajj Commission the government is not involved in any HINI vaccination drive for Hajj pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia has made it mandatory for all Hajj and ‘Umrah pilgrims from across the globe to take vaccinations against such endemic diseases as meningitis, yellow fever and polio prior to embarking on the pilgrimage.

Muslim Leaders Appealed to Travel Agencies

Travel agencies in Kenya have been involved in a cutthroat business in the transportation pilgrims.

“$2500 US dollars was Hajj package offer for pilgrims leaving for Hajj pilgrimage last year but this year it is $3000 US dollar” Hassan Mo’alim Mohamed, the director of Alla Uun Travel agency in Nairobi told IOL.

Mohamed claims that the financial crisis which brought the world market to its knees is being felt in the region, adding that situation is the same in war-torn Somalia.

“Last year it was $2300 US dollar for Pilgrims in Somalia but this year it went up to $2800 US dollar”

Sheikh Muhammad Swalihu, the Imam of Jamia Mosque, the largest Mosque in Kenya appealed to Hajj travel agencies to exercise justice, and offer suitable services to the pilgrims. Swalihu called on upon the agencies to regard their ventures as a religious activity rather than a commercial business engagement. He expressed regret that some of the agents were offering a raw deal to the pilgrims despite charging them exorbitant fees.

Pilgrims Urged to Address Muslims' Affairs on Hajj

Muslim pilgrims who would take part in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage ritual have been urged to embrace the spirit of occasion, and utilize the event to address the challenges facing Muslims worldwide.

Sheikh Muhammad Osman, a member of the Majlis Ulamaa Kenya, when he delivered the Friday, 13 - November Khutbah (sermon) at Jamia Mosque said that many people have today lost touch with the real objectives of Hajj, saying that they are performing it as a mere customary practice.

“Muslims should utilize this opportunity to find out the problems affecting other Muslims and come up with remedies on how we can solve them”, Osman advised.

Floods Left 16,000 Homeless and Helpless Inside Somalia

2011-02-17T06:06:00.000+03:00

By Abdulkarim Mohamed Jimale

Nearly 20 years of bloodshed and anarchy, the people of war-torn Somalia particularly the restive capital Mogadishu have witnessed serious atrocities against human rights. Since May 2009, there has been a massive exodus from Mogadishu after Somali powerful insurgent groups joined forces and launched major offences against the fragile UN-backed Somali government. Tens of thousands of residents who fled the fighting became internal displaced people at the outskirt of the capital and the other main cities of the country. However, the misery did not end there!

From Droughts to Floods

After consecutive years of serious droughts that have left Somalis desperate, heavy torrential rains triggered flash floods, forcing approximately 16,000 of internally displaced people, pastoralists and farmers to leave their homes around Mogadishu, South, North and Central Somalia. The worst affected were those living around the rivers Shabelle and Jubba. Thousands of people living near the rivers of Jubba and Shabelle were forced to look for higher grounds after the rivers burst their banks. Thousands of livestock were killed, crops destroyed, and makeshift homes washed away by floods after the river banks burst.

The Flood Information Group estimated that at least 16,000 people have been displaced by flooding in Hiraan, Gedo and Lower Shabelle regions. The floods have damaged river embankments, demolished latrines and contaminated shallow wells. Many of the displaced populations so far have been able to get accommodations from their relatives. Latest figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, indicate that Some 3.6 million people inside Somalia are relying on emergency food aid.

Hopeless and Homeless

Residents of Jowhar, the capital of Lower Shabelle region about 90 km north of Somali capital Mogadishu, have been forced to seek shelter elsewhere after their homes were submerged by flash floods. Hamdi Mohamed, 32, a mother of three, said:

“Floods washed away everything that was valuable. There is just my husband, our three children, and me now. Neighbours were not spared either. They we all left without anything - utensils and everything are gone. No one can help the other,” she said.

She added that she was lucky to get accommodation from her relatives, but later rented a room for her family.

Jama Nur is another Jowhar resident who told IOL about an old man was narrowly survived when his bedding was submerged in the middle of the night, and he was fortunately rescued by his relative. Nur also claims to have taken part in rescuing children and women who were being washed away by the flash floods.

“A father lost both his children, and he doesn’t know whether they were washed away by the floods or lost. He only hopes to find them alive.”

After two years of poor harvests, farmers were expecting to have a good harvest, but they are now facing worst of their problems. Floods have also caused devastation to hundreds of farm canals, cutting off the irrigation in the town, which is famous for its farm produce.

Heavy rains have washed away makeshifts in Damayo IDP camp, in Galgadud region about 500 km north of the capital Somalia. The camp practically lacked everything; sanitation, medical facilities, clean water, sufficient food and shelter. Trees are the only shelter from the heavy down pour.

Hawo Osman Ahmed, a former pastoralist, now one of the IDP’s in Damayo Camp told IOL about the situation.

“Three days of heavy down pour rendered us homeless. Even the squashy makeshifts have been washed away by the floods. Some of us we only left with the mercy of our better colleagues who had makeshifts still standing.”

Before joining dozens of her villagers in Damayo camp, Hawo had several herds of livestock but lost all of them to the drought.

“We were pastoralists before, but droughts killed all of our livestock. We came to Damayo Camp to save our lives, but now the situation is worse than before. Floods have taken what property we had.”

Aid Groups Warned

The United Nations warned on Tuesday 10th November, that money was running short to provide crucial relief aid to war-torn Somalia, as floods forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes in the south.

‘Abdi Ibrahim Jama, information officer for the World Food Program me,WFP, in Somalia said the World Food Agency is assessing the situation in terms of the number of villages and people affected by the floods do that they can be provided with the necessary assistance.

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned that medical conditions are also worrisome, with outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea, cholera, measles and respiratory infections. Hundreds of thousands more Somalis are on the brink of leaving their country, where floods have aggravated already desperate humanitarian conditions.

Even the Animals Starve in Kenya

2011-02-17T05:42:00.000+03:00

By Abdulkarim Mohamed Jimale, Islam Online Correspondent

“I had 300 goats, 100 succumbed. More than hundred are losing energy to move” says Da’ud ‘Ali, 66, a pastoralist from Dafur village (90 km South of Wajir District). Just like Da’ud, for Omar Mohamed Mursal, 61, the story is the same. He says that the drought did not happen in the last 35 years

“I had 700 heads of cattle, now 650 are dead,” he stated pointing at the diminishing herd under an acacia tree. He adds that of the 50 remaining, 20 of them are in the worst stage of starvation.

“They don’t have much energy. They will definitely die later.”

Women and children have not been spared either. Women trek for miles in search of water. Some have died along the way due to hunger and sweltering sun. Tropical diseases have also developed to alarming levels in the area. It is estimated that more than 3.8 million Kenyans are facing the worst drought ever in their history.

Latest figures from the government of Kenya and Oxfam International point that over 10 million people and thousands of livestock are in dire need of food and water from 29 September 2009. Most of the affected regions are North Eastern, Coast, Eastern, Rift valley and central, areas such as Rift Valley, which have never previously experienced a drought of this intensity, are now affected. Pastoralist communities fled to neighboring countries seeking survival. Some went as far to Ethiopia, Somalia and Tanzania where thousands of their animals face death as the areas are also experiencing severe droughts.

Malnutrition rate among young children are already above emergency levels. Parents are now pulling their children out of school to join in the search for food by begging along major highways. Young girls assist their parents in search of water in far areas exposing them to early marriages. An Education officer in Mandera town says that most of the schools there remain closed for weeks as the crisis heats up.

Sand storms have left a number of classrooms roofless exposing pupils to eye problems. The anticipated El Nino rains have failed in most of the hard hit areas. Many farmers have never had a bounty harvest for a decade now. Food prices have gone up more than five times their amount. According to one a worst hit pastoralist, the situation could not be this worse if residents had animals.

“We used to sell some of our animals to local butchers and traders, and we got some coins to buy some food, but now there’s none to sell,” he says as he sighs.

“The ones [animals] remaining can hardly fetch money in the market. They are emaciated and look sick.”

Drought Hangs Over Muslim Areas

The areas that are predominantly Muslim bear the drought pangs. Many families face breaking up due to roles bestowed to different members of the society.

The ‘Ummah Foundation is one of the local agencies owned by the Jamia Mosque. Jamia Mosque waged a heavy campaign and contributed food to the victims in Isiolo, Wajir and many areas where Muslims have been affected. Also the Foundation was at the forefront in helping and contributing aid to all disaster situations nation-wide.

The Kenyan coalition government launched an ambitious emergency response programme to provide rapid delivery of food, water and medicine to over 10 million people in arid and semi-arid areas of the country most affected by the prolonged drought.The response programme has presented serious challenges to the government anf their coping mechanisms posed by the unprecedented deterioration of food security in the country.

Food Programmes

The multi-faceted rapid response programme was simultaneously in eleven arid and semi-arid districts by President Mwai Kibaki, and Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Loiyangalani trading centre in Marsabit North District.
Kibaki said the interventions undertaken would complement the relief food distributed by the government in conjunction with the World Food Programme covering 2.6 million adults, another 1.5 million children, and over 250,000 others in supplementary feeding. Meanwhile, the government kicks off providing a relief food programme to victims nation-wide to ensure full success of the programme.
Also the government initiated a free feeding programme to public schools nationwide so that children can continue their education peacefully.

Pastoralist have not been left out in the response. The government began the scheme of buying animals from them, despite that a month later the scheme backfired when the initiative was cancelled due to lack of finance (a big blow to pastoralist. The minister of Livestock and Development Hon. Mohamed Kuti announce the move: the suspension of slaughtering and buying animals from the pastoralists, saying the treasury was yet to release Sh 200 million to finance it.

Many states in the world have experienced drought but they have come up with alternative solutions. Here in Kenya what is possible is a marshal plan that can ease food insecurity by coming up with a nation-wide irrigation scheme, which supports farmers.

Kenya is a low-income food-deficit country with a GDP per capita of around US$1,240 (2007 World Bank). The 2007 UNDP Human Development Report ranked Kenya among the “medium human development” countries of the world, placing it 148th out of 177 countries. WFP operations in Kenya support the Government's efforts in implementing all eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Rains are began early on this month Octobe,r but are likely to bring scant relief or worse still, deluges that could dramatically worsen the situation. There are genuine fears that the region could be hit by floods as a result of the El Nino phenomenon, which could destroy crops, houses, and increase the spread of water-borne diseases. Even with normal rain, the harvest will not arrive until early 2010. People will still need aid to get them through a long hunger season.

Meanwhile, Kenya has not been excluded from the global recession which makes life for many all the more difficult, with electricity rationing, high prices and water shortage.

Inside Somalia´s despair

2011-02-17T05:40:00.000+03:00

September 15 2009, Nairobi, Mogadishu, refugee camps

By: Abdulkarim Mohamed Jimale

Will the resilience of the Somali people ever come to an end? This pressing issue comes to mind looking at the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in the worlds most infamous failed state.

More than two and half years ago, when US backed Ethiopian troops invaded the country, Somalia entered into a renewed phase of violence that saw countless people being displaced. The troops were in support of the Transitional Federal Government, led by former president Abdullahi Yusuf, who resigned in late 2008, and removed the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) from power.

According to estimates from the UNHCR more than 1.2 million Somalis were forced to flee from their homes ever since. This has resulted in an exodus to neighboring countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda and Djibouti.

The UN reported that the deadly and daily clashes between government forces and rebel groups have forced about one-quarter of a million Somalis to flee the capital Mogadishu since May 2009. The organization holds that most have sought refuge in the Afgoye corridor, some 30 kilometers west of Mogadishu. This area is now home to more than 534,000 internally displaced people.

Most of the internally displaced living in the camps in the outskirts of Mogadishu and across the country are women, children, elders and disabled people.

Conditions in the overcrowded camps are abject. There is a lack of practically everything, sanitation, medical facilities, clean water, sufficient food and shelter. A number of people simply live under trees, with no shelter from the sun. Cynically enough daily life here is much more expensive than in Somalia´s devastated capital.

"The situation is not good, in fact I am experiencing the worst time of my life and it is not getting any better", says Fatuma Mohamed Ali (34) on September 15 2009, a mother of six at a camp in Elasha Village, southwest of the city. "Two of my children were killed in a mortar attack that hit our house. We fled, I have no idea where to go to now. It seems every year things are getting worse."

Thousands of Somalis returned to their homes when Ethiopian troops left Somalia and president Sheik Sharif Ahmed was elected president at the beginning of 2009. Once again they were forced to flee when fighting erupted between Islamist militants and Somali government forces backed by AU-troops erupted early in May 2009. This also happened to be Fatuma´s fate, who´s husband was injured when mortars landed on their house a few hours past midnight.

"I had hopes for peace and that my children could go back to school, but these dreams were shattered when the fighting resumed."

Just like 3.2 million Somalis Fatuma and her children rely on food aid facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the last eighteen years, and perhaps the worst human tragedy in the world. Many of the displaced people receive only one meal a day.

In the same camp Raho Roble (34), also a mother of six, stands in front of her small makeshift tent. She carries a baby on her back, all skin and bone. "I fled the violence mid 2007", Raho, who´s husband had disappeared, says. "One day my son Mohamed (11) didn´t return form the madarasah [a Quran school], I was worried sick. It was early in the morning, yet the air was cool, when fighting between insurgents and Ethiopian troops erupted in our village", Raho recounts. "People were killed, dozens were wounded. That was the day I lost my son. Not knowing whether they are dead or alive, I still hope I will see my husband and son again."

The women in the camps live with fear of being raped. There were numerous accounts of rape last month. Hawo Aden, a resident of Ajuuran camp, one of the largest in Galkayo, told IRIN that in the past two months, eight women had been raped in her camp alone. "It is happening in every camp," she said.

Somalia was with out central authority since 1991 when clan warlords overthrew the central government of President Siad Barre.

(Hasan Osman in Mogadishu Contributed this report)

Homophobia Increasing In Kenya

2011-02-17T05:23:00.001+03:00

BY ABDULKARIM JIMALE, BIN Correspondent
Homosexualis new and amazing culture in Africa, in Kenya Muslims and Christians Kenyans believe it is aped from Western countries. The majority Christians and the 30 percent Muslim have their leaders united on the stand against homosexuality.

“Our society is so homophobic, you can’t declare to the public you are gay or lesbian, they may harass you.” Joshwa told Before It’s News.

Almost all of the other African countries have the same homophobic.

Gay and lesbian people are afraid to come forward in Kenya, a country where homosexuality can result in jail or harassment from the civilians both Muslims and Christians.

The population of Kenya Muslims and Christians has same homophobia.

Africa and Homosexual

Most of the African countries homosexuality is crime, like Congo if you are gay you will become an outlaw and you will be behind the bars. Also Uganda and Nigeria has the same punishment.

The president of Zimbabwe Mr Robert Mugabe compared gays and lesbians to pigs and dogs. Namibian police are trained to arrest homosexuals and push out them from the country. Kenya, homosexuality between men is legally prohibited as well.

In Africa homophobia has led to attacks, and discrimination against fellow human beings often backed by the state and religious groups. In others it has inspired oppressive legislations and barbarous policies that violate the human rights of homosexuals.

Homophobia in Kenya

Homosexualis illegally in Kenya, and the phenomena is punishable by up to 14 years in jail.

The few, little-known gay community in the country is living in constant fear of discrimination, torture, maltreatment, persecution, stigmatization, disgracing of their families or being sent to jail. They keep their relationships in secret.

“The government is sitting silent while mobs try to kill human rights defenders and assault people they suspect are gay” Human Rights Watch said on 18 February, 2010.

Kenyans are not ready to follow Human rights worse ideas.

In April 2009, a woman accused of being lesbian was attacked by another lady in a night club. The issue made the gay and lesbian community in the country to demand state protection but their request has not been answered back by the government.

On February 12, 2010 gay couple recently wanted to hold public wedding ceremony in Muslim-populated district of Mtwapa in the Kenya’s Coast city of Mombassa. But the two met the wrath of angry local Muslim and Christian communities. They were rescued by police, who whisked them away from the scene but later were reported to hold in a police cell.

“I never dreamt that this will actually happen in Kenya where the community is so homophobic,” said Hassan a resident in Mombasa told BIN.

“The incident shocked me. If were not for the police, the two men would have been lynched by the angry mob,” he said, adding that he is now worried more than ever about the future of Kenyan youth.

The ceremony was the first public gay marriage held in Kenya. A gay couple of Kenyan origin got married recently in London, attracting much criticism within the Kenyan population with some even unleashing the wrath to the couple’s family in the country.

Religious Leaders appealed to the youth

After the aborting the gay marriage in Mtwapa, Religious leaders jointly held a press conference to denounce same-sex marriage, terming it against both Islam and Christian religion.

They vowed to mobilize the community in a bid to flash out gays and lesbians.

Otiego, 28 year old Christian in Nairobi told BIN “Our society can never allow homosexuals. It’s not our culture and our religion doesn’t allow this disgusting phenomenon".

He accused western people of ‘disturbing the worth African culture’.

In a statement on February 18, Human Rights watch appealed to the Kenyan government to respect the rights of Homosexuals.

“Kenya’s government should act quickly to protect people accused of homosexual conduct and groups offering HIV/AIDS services from vigilante attacks.”

However, the statement did not go done well with the public. Sheikh Mohamed Abdi, 34, Kenyan Muslim told BIN, that Human Rights Watch wants to force ‘us to take foreigner worse culture’.

On February 7, 2010 several imams told their congregations during Friday prayers to be vigilant and to “expose” homosexuals across the country. Also several Bishops had done the same in churches.

On February 11, Sheikh Ali Hussein of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya and Bishop Lawrence Chai of the National Council of Churches of Kenya held a news conference together and called on the government to investigate the conduct of Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), a government health centre that provides HIV/AIDS services to the community.

They demanded KEMRI office in Mtwapa to stop offering counselling to the Homosexuals or instead the office be shut down.

The call instigated mob that wanted to torch down the KEMRI office in the area, according to HWR report.

“On February 12, an armed mob of 200 to 300 people surrounded the KEMRI health centre. Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that a man called “Faridi,” an organizer of the mob, said a KEMRI staff member was homosexual because he wore a T-shirt promoting safer sex. In response, police who were at the scene took him and another KEMRI staffer into custody.”

Homosexualincrease HIV/Aids

In Kenya, according to a recent Kenya Aids Indicator Survey, 60 per cent of men having sex with men (MSM) in are also having sex with women, appears to make them vulnerable to two sources of infection.

Mr Kuria manager of the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya says stigma and discrimination of homosexuals hinders them from getting medical treatment.

“The war against Aids in Kenya will be difficult to win if the government doesn’t flash out all gays and lesbians,” John, a Christian in Eastern Province told BIN.

When gays are infected they delay going to hospital fearing of the population.

Kenya government has no strategic plans on HIV with gays and lesbians.

The minister for Public Health and Sanitation Mrs Beth Mugo lauded the launch noting that the strategic plan will guide the NGOs consortium in their contribution towards the national response to HIV and Aids and Tuberculosis (TB).

“The organisation works to provide leadership and capacity building among civil societies and other stakeholders to respond to the diseases at a community level,” the minister said.

She said that 7.4 percent of Kenyans aged between 15 and 64 years are HIV positive with a rise in numbers among those previously thought to be low risk.

According to statistics made available by Mr Joshua Gitonga of the National Aids Control Council (NACC), a high rise of new infections has been found to be of heterosexual couples at 41.1 per cent.

Casual heterosexual relationships, he said, are at 20.3 percent while infections from health facilities and drug abuse using injections stands at 2.8 and 3.8 per cent respectively.

Munich Re warns against arms race in pirate defence-INTERVIEW

2011-02-13T12:06:00.000+03:00

MUNICHRE/PIRATES (INTERVIEW)

* Pirates active over vast area, threaten oil shipping

* Sea carriers mull using snipers, armed guards

* Arming ships a dangerous escalation -Munich Re

By Jonathan Gould and Christian Kraemer

FRANKFURT, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Installing sharpshooters on oil tankers to fight off pirates as some shippers have suggested risks provoking more aggressive attacks, a senior executive at reinsurer Munich Re warned.

Shipping firms are debating adding snipers and other armed teams costing up to $6,000 a day to defend vessels against pirate attacks that are growing in range and audacity, said Dieter Berg, head of the marine division of the world's biggest reinsurer and marine reinsurer.

"This raises the danger of escalation," Berg told Reuters in an interview. "Pirates are often themselves former security forces and will adapt to the threat. At some point they'll shoot back."

Shipping companies are desperate to counter an escalating pirate threat to merchant vessels and oil tankers in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

The economic cost of piracy has been estimated at $7 billion to $12 billion per year, with shippers facing rising insurance costs that threaten to boost commodity prices.

Munich Re's premiums in the transport segment total around 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion), of which only a fraction is piracy-related.

Brokers estimate sales of marine kidnap & ransom policies have risen to about $125 million a year since 2008, when the products were first developed in response to an upsurge in vessel seizures and ransom demands off the cost of Somalia.

"Damage claims have been rising faster than premiums can be adjusted up to now," Berg said, warning that losses could be much greater and might involve damage to the environment in the event of a sinking.

"We don't know how it will develop but the trend is toward an increasing number of pirate attacks," he said.

NEW TARGETS

Pirates operating some 1,000 miles off the coast of Somalia on Wednesday hijacked a tanker carrying oil worth about $200 million, haunting waters previously considered safe.

With 40 naval warships now patrolling the Gulf of Aden and waters off East Africa, pirates are shifting their attention further afield, including towards the Strait of Hormuz, through which pass around 40 percent of the world's oil shipments by sea.

"These are worthwhile targets for the pirates, who are feeling their way forward," Berg said.

Ransom payments have shot up over the last five years and now average around $4.5 million TO $5 million per ship, from around $150,000 to $300,000 previously, Berg said.

"We've also seen mishandling and torture of crews, which is an extreme escalation," Berg said, adding that hostages now spend an average of four months in captivity, a month longer than before.

Last year, pirates captured 52 ships, of which 49 were off the coast of Somalia. There were a total of 445 pirate attacks, in which nearly 1,200 hostages were taken.

Pirates are holding 31 ships and more than 700 crew members hostage. (Editing by David Holmes) ($1=.7377 Euro)

Street kids face drugs, sex abuse, militias in wartorn Mogadishu

2011-02-13T11:10:00.000+03:00

A boy crosses a street in Mogadishu

Reuters/Feisal Omar

By Mohammed Sheikh Noor

The ongoing civil war in Somalia has taken the lives of many parents whose children end up living on the street. The kids use all types of drugs, from opium to glue, and become victims of crime, sexual assault, abuse, exploitation … and they are prey to recruiters for the country’s militias.

Some children have taken to the streets to support their families. Others have no families to take care of them.

Said Husein Madahey, now 12, lost his parents in the conflict when he was six.

He is now a glue sniffer. When he sniffs glue he feels happy, he says.

” I think I’m on the moon, sometimes I dream I am either in New York or Washington,” he says.

“I get pleasure and enjoyment every minute I use glue”

To make ends meet, Madahay collects garbage from the streets of Mogadishu.

He earns little money but ”most of the time the little money you earn in the day is taken away by an older street boy. It is the power that counts.”

And life on the Mogadishu street is dangerous.

“I randomly choose the place I spend at night, be prepared to face two risky phenomena, either to be killed by stray bullet or to be molested.”

Madahay, a sharp-eyed youth in a white dirty tee-shirt, is always in bare feet. He said
”I take a bath in the sea once a month, since I believe the water of the city is not clean enough to remove the dirt from my body,” he says.

Mohamed Deq, whose NGO Kalmo deals with child care, says the situation of the street children continues to be dire, especially when the fighting between the Somali government and Al-Shabab militias is still in existence.

War and poverty have thrown thousands of children onto the streets of the Somali capital, leaving them in the crossfire of one of the world's most brutal guerrilla wars and exposed to disease, drugs and sexual violence.

”The teenagers are living in a scramble life where nobody is prepared to handle them to make or create a better future life,” says Deq, adding that the former regime of Siad Barre had paid a lot of effort for those kids to establish a better life."

Before the war, most people relied on each other and their extended families for support. Since the war, traditional structures have broken down and immediate and extended families often don’t have enough resources to care for all their children.

And that is why Mohamed Deq believes more and more children must go out and fend for themselves whatever risks they face.

SOURCE: RFI

With Education, Somali Youth Can Turn Somalia Around

2011-02-13T11:03:00.000+03:00

Yasin Ali
Saturday, February 12, 2011

In 1992, I was born not knowing anything about Somalia. I grew up as a Somali citizen and throughout my nineteen years of life, I have not seen or enjoyed a peaceful Somalia. I have lived all throughout my life, waiting with hope, that one day I will see my homeland united and peaceful. Year after year, my dreams of seeing a peaceful Somalia are diminished. Peace deals after peace deal, the hope of seeing Somalia becoming a country where its citizens will have the basic necessities of life are taken away from me.

Prime Minister after Prime Minister, the same routine and the same clan-based government always repeats itself in different forms. Now I am tired of waiting. I am tired of hearing former warlords calling themselves Ministers and Members of the Parliament. I am tired of hearing incompetent and uneducated clan-based politicians controlling the fate of the Somali people. I am tired of seeing former warlords and politicians killing innocent Somalis to further their agenda. I am tired of hearing how my beloved religion is used to murder innocent girls and women. I am tired of people who will do anything and everything to gain power, even when that means murdering innocent people and taking away their fundamental right of life and liberty.

Some of you, and I know some Somalis will definitely ask, how can an eighteen year old who does not know anything about Somalia comment on Somalia’s politics? Well, I have some news for you. I maybe eighteen years old, I maybe a citizen of another country, but the love that I have for my people and my homeland surpass age, experience or anything related to that. This mentality of age being the factor in the Somali culture is something we need to leave behind.

Do not get me wrong, I love and respect my elders, but they need to step down and let the upcoming generation take over. It is time for the new generation to bring new ideas on how to rebuild our country. It is time to allow the young generation to bring new perspectives on how to resolve conflicts in peaceful ways. And most importantly, it is time for educated and competent individuals to lead Somali ministries and government.

To all Somali youths who live in the diaspora, it is time for you guys to work towards achieving peace in your homeland. It is time for you to build a grass root movement to challenge and take over Somali politics. This dream would never come true by joining the ranks of Al-Shabab. It would never come true by being involved with gang activities and doing drugs on the street corners. It would never come true if you drop out of school and take a minimum paying job, and certainly it would never come true if you do poorly in school.

The only way we can bring peace to Somalia is getting education and competing with our fellow peers to attend the highest ranked institution one could enter. If the young men who left North America and Europe to join the ranks of Al-Shabab used the enthusiasm and the courage they had to tackle their education, today we could have a future lawyer, a doctor and maybe an educated politician who could have contributed positively to the situation in Somalia.

We are the future of our country, we are the generation that could bring peace in Somalia but we are also the “lost” Somali generation as our elders always refer to us. Somali youths are murdered every day, not in Somalia, but in North America and in Europe. They associate themselves with gangs, do drugs, traffic innocent Somali girls to prostitution and shed their own brothers’ blood in the name of gang loyalty. Let’s be honest, our elders have a point when they call us the “lost” generation. Our parents did all they could to bring us to these different countries we live in, not for their own sake but for us to have a better future and access the numerous opportunities available in these countries that took us in and protected us from the murderous, power hungry politician of ours. We have a responsibility to pay them back.

We have a responsibility to our parents, our families and all of those who did everything they could to see that we are having a chance to succeed in this world. We need to pay them back by educating ourselves and taking advantage of the opportunities available to us. We need to pay them by becoming peace loving individuals, good citizens of the world and finally, we need to pay them back by helping those who were not fortunate enough to achieve or access these opportunities.

I am not preaching to you nor am I writing to you as a snobby, rich kid who is protected from the reality. I am your typical Somali immigrant kid. I also get it; going to college is hard and tiring when you have bills to pay and nobody to support you. Believe me, there are days when I wake up and I just want to quit. There are days when the best effort I put in a class is not enough and I get a D on a test. There are times I have to work on an evolution theory paper all night and all I want is to go to bed. I mean, I don’t believe in it, why should I bother writing about it? Well, there is something that keeps me writing, there is something that stops me from quitting and there is something that keeps me working harder to achieve a better grade in the next test. That is success, I haven’t seen it yet but I smell it.

Success does not come easily to everybody, but dreaming and hoping to succeed is something we can all do. Let’s dream about it because this is our time. This is the time for the Somali youth generation to step up, educate themselves and work towards achieving a peaceful and united Somalia. Let’s get to work, let’s hit the books and let’s use the knowledge we learn to bring peace to our homeland and help the humanity in general.

Yasin Ali
aliym0@wfu.edu
Yasin Ali is a student at Wake Forest University majoring in Political Science.

Somalia: Commerce amid chaos

2011-02-13T10:07:00.000+03:00

Canny traders adapt to anarchy

Thursday, February 10, 2011

SEVEN dhows and three freighters float in the sunlit port of Mogadishu. White dinghies bob out on the petrol-blue waters. Fisherboys wade to the beach shouldering sharks and swordfish. Sandbagged machinegun nests protect peacekeepers from the African Union (AU). Together with Somali soldiers, the AU has pushed the Shabab (an Islamist militia linked to al-Qaeda) deep into the city, so there has not been a mortar strike on the port since October. “We’re open for business again,” beams a trader.

In 1331 a Muslim traveller, Ibn Battuta, described “Maqdashu” as one of best cities in the world in which to do business. Somalia’s capital has lost that distinction. On the upside, there is no taxation system to speak of. On the downside, there is no government to speak of either. (A “transitional government” more or less controls part of the capital.) No government means no irksome regulations. But it also means that contracts are hard to enforce, and that firms must spend 10% or more of their earnings on security measures such as gunmen.

Still, there are ways for canny traders to get by. Sales of imported electronics are brisk. Nine mobile-phone operators in Mogadishu offer cheap calls. It is hard to connect between networks, but that is beginning to change. Some operators, including Golis, HorTel and Telesom, have banded together to launch a mobile banking service allowing traders to send and receive payments on their phones.

The port is Mogadishu’s biggest employer. Ancient cranes lift cement and oil drums. The rest is done by hand. The 4,000 or so stevedores are paid in cash and employed along clan lines. The transitional government’s entire revenue, says its finance minister, Hussain Abdi Halane, is the $1m a month it gets in customs revenues from the port. It makes a hash of collecting even that. “They should be getting $6m a month,” says a logistics manager who has examined the port’s accounts. “Most goods do not get near the customs.”

“Hunger is the first priority,” says Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, the mayor of Mogadishu. The dhows are stacked with pasta, rice, sugar, flour and cooking oil. One of the freighters has been chartered by the UN World Food Programme to bring in food aid, which is the biggest earner for local transport contractors. Some 3m of Somalia’s 8m people need aid to subsist.

The most lucrative import is qat, a stimulating leaf chewed by Somali men. It arrives on small planes from Kenya and Ethiopia. There is a madcap drive from the airstrip to the city: those who reach the market first receive the best price.

Mogadishu’s marketplaces, Bakara and Hamarweyne, bustle with enterprise. Many deals are done in Somali shillings, a currency without a central bank to support it. Local businessmen guess the shilling is kept afloat by “common assent”. Remittances in hard currency funnelled through hawala (Islamic word-of-mouth banks) may have more to do with it. The biggest of the banks, Dahabshiil, has offices in 40 countries. It moves a “large share” of the $1 billion or more that Somalis abroad send to relatives back home each year. “We now operate under full banking licences,” says Dahabshiil’s boss, Abdirashid Duale, who spends much of his time in London.

Manufacturing in Mogadishu is not what it was. There are bottling plants for water and Coca-Cola, plus tanneries, garages and a cannery. But that is about it. Other factories have rusted. Banana and tomato exports collapsed long ago. Cattle and camels still earn money, as do goats shipped to Saudi Arabia for slaughter by pilgrims to Mecca. The fishery is promising, especially since pirates have scared off illegal tuna boats. But Somalia’s lawlessness is visible in the booming charcoal trade, which is annihilating what’s left of the country’s trees. Dhows docking at Shabab-controlled ports pay $5 a sack and sell it in Dubai for $15.

Source: The Economist

Border crisscross: A Somali journalist gets to see the U.S. - including two months of a Calhoun County jail

2011-02-02T12:43:00.002+03:00

Border crisscross

A Somali journalist gets to see the U.S. - including two months of a Calhoun County jail

MT PHOTO: TRAVIS R. WRIGHT
Abdulkarim Jimale is a Somali journalist who earned asylum in Detroit.
By Sandra Svoboda
PUBLISHED: FEBRUARY 2, 2011
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More Destinations
Working in East Africa and writing critically about the armed fundamentalist militias that control parts of Somalia, the threats Abdulkarim Jimale faced were all too real. So many of his journalist colleagues had been intimidated or killed that he and other reporters lived in a compound in Kenya for self-protection.

He didn't expect that when he came to the United States at the invitation of the Department of State last year that he'd be threatened from afar, spend two months behind bars, and wind up arguing before an immigration judge that his life would be in danger if he returned.

But the 22-year-old Somali journalist now has earned asylum in a case that his attorney says "shows the immigration system works," but also has major flaws.

"If an asylum officer had the authority to grant him asylum, we could have avoided the costs of a prolonged detention and allowed the Immigration Court to be used for more controversial cases," says David Koelsch, the director of the immigration law clinic at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law who handled Jimale's case.

"He could prove who he is, what he does, that he is not a terrorist, and that he had a credible fear of returning to Somalia. It was a waste of time and money to make him also present his claim to an immigration judge — his time and the taxpayers' money."

Jimale is a soft-spoken, thoughtful, slightly built young man who wanted to be a writer as long as he can remember. He started working in high school, and after graduation went on to the East African School of Media Studies in Nairobi, Kenya. Attending classes there and traveling home, he wrote and reported for several newspapers, online sites and radio stations. His reporting was sometimes critical of the lawlessness, the rigid Islamic principles and the violence perpetuated by well-armed, fundamentalist, rebel groups.

One of those groups was al-Shabaab, also known as the Mujahedeen Youth Movement, a Somali-based group that the U.S. government designates as a terrorist organization and believes is affiliated with the al-Qaeda network.

Somalia, located on the horn of Africa, has not had a stable, central government since 1991. Less than 40 percent of the population of roughly 9 million is literate, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Today the country is largely run by militant Islamist groups and is often labeled as a sanctuary for al-Qaeda.

"The insurgents in Somalia have led a campaign of terror against the media," says Mohamed Keita, the Africa advocacy coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists. "Somalia remains the deadliest, most dangerous country for the press in Africa because of the murders of journalists."

Jimale's writing often described the terror al-Shabaab perpetuated against citizens in his homeland, and he was getting more work. In the last six months of 2010 he filed more than a dozen pieces for the Free Speech Radio News network, which is based in Madison, Wis., and sends programming to 114 stations around the country. It also broadcasts worldwide on short wave radio.

Jimale also worked for the Somali National Post newspaper and Islamonline.net, where one of his pieces involved interviews with Somali pirates. He also worked for an independent radio station, Shabelle Media Network. Five of its journalists have been murdered since 2006, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Last summer, Shabelle aired a BBC broadcast of news and music in direct violation of al-Shabaab's orders in the areas of the country the group controls.

"A Somali journalist's life is short anyway," Jimale told the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists when a correspondent interviewed him about the broadcasts. "We just made the decision not to be intimidated by these groups."

Jimale applied for and was accepted to last fall's International Visitors Leadership Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. One correspondent from each of roughly 150 countries was chosen. The group traveled to Washington D.C., New York, Florida and Seattle, meeting with local officials and attending journalism classes.

Jimale says the reality of the United States is not what he had been led to believe at home: Americans are friendly, do not hate all Muslims, and did not discriminate against him. The country, he says, is not the militaristic state he previously thought it to be.

Impressed with the United States, the freedoms he observed and how the reality of life here clashed with the perception he and other Somalis had, Jimale participated in a BBC interview about his experience in the United States to help clear up misconceptions, he says.

"I was thinking I would be discriminated [against] because of being Muslim, but all of the things I have expected did not happen," he told the BBC interviewer.

"America is much better and safer (than Somalia). ... In Somalia there are youth who are not thinking and fighting. In America, the youth are organizing, building organizations, and working toward peace, and this was one of the most fascinating things I have ever seen here. Our youth in Somalia are working toward and distributing the destruction of an already destroyed country."

The interview was broadcast overseas and enemies of the free press heard it. The threat came in an e-mail, and the journalist feared his life would be in legitimate danger if he returned home at the end of the State Department program.

"We know that you became an spy for the Americans and that was the reason they took you to America, but you need to wonder where you will be coming back to. We are waiting to see you when you get back," the e-mail read. It was signed by "The movement of Young Mujahideen," one of al-Shabaab's names. A voice mail threatened his life as well.

Not knowing what to do, Jimale went to see a relative in Milwaukee. He decided to try for asylum in Canada and took a bus to Detroit, where he crossed through the tunnel.

When Canada rejected him, he returned to Detroit and was detained at first at a federal holding facility and then at the Calhoun County jail, which contracts to hold people with immigration cases being adjudicated.

Because his visa, though valid for his presence in the United States, did not allow him to leave the country and return, he was jailed. Just crossing through the tunnel counted as leaving, even though he was not admitted to Canada.

"Why was I with the real criminals?" Jimale asks. "Why was I treated the same way as people who committed violent crimes?"

He connected with Koelsch, an assistant professor at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law who runs the immigration legal clinic.

"I don't know how he came up with it, but he thought that because he was sponsored by the U.S. government to come here, that if he applied for asylum, the U.S. government would reject him," Koelsch says. "One of the restrictions that he came on was that he leaves the United States when it's all over. He thought he'd be ungrateful by asking for asylum."

Koelsch verified Jimale's identity through a variety of sources. He gathered his writings, e-mailed editors here and in Africa to confirm his record, and matched information and photos on Jimale's Facebook page with what the young journalist had told his attorney.

"There was an overwhelming volume of evidence in his case, and he was highly credible," Koelsch says. "The evidence was not only about his identity but also that he is brave enough to stand up to al-Shabaab."

After two months of imprisonment and three hearings, a judge granted his asylum application, and he was released Jan. 21. One of his first calls was to one of his editors. "She told me to start writing my story," Jimale says.

He is living in Milwaukee with a relative and plans to enroll in journalism school, spending at least a few years in the United States before returning home, where he'd like to work to counter the terror groups' commitment of young people.

"The problem in my country is the youth," he says. "If they don't get the youth, they can't do anything."
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