By Goth Mohamed Goth

Pressure is mount on SFG President Hassan Sheik Mahmoud for  failing to keep his pledge increased security in Mogadishu during the holy month of Ramadan this after an upsurge of deadly terrorist attacks in the past few days.

Before the start of the holy month of Ramadan the government of President Hassan Sheik Mahmoud announced a new program called “Break the Fast in Peace” this after the formation of a special security unit which was tasked with deterring any attacks on the capital but the last two days we have seen a surge in the number attacks which has cost life’s of a prominent MP, police officers and many other people killed in deadly bombing.

Yesterday was the most recent day where a legislator of the Somali Federal Parliament was killed in the capital city Mogadishu.

With increased casualties in the number of traffic policemen killed in the attacks on the capital reaching 4 in just one week this after two more perished after an attack on the parliament yesterday.

Members of the Somali Federal Parliament claimed their safety is at jeopardy and President Hassan Sheik Mahmoud government had failed to secure the capital in a statement issued by the legislators yesterday.

The MPs led by the former speaker Mr. Mohamed Omar Dalha, a Member of the Somali Federal Parliament argued that there is no major guarantee from the Somali Federal Government that proves that their safety is being taken care of or that the government sheds responsibility to ensure that no further MPs are targeted.

Employees at Villa Somalia are provided with bulletproof personal vehicles and MPs own cars that are likelier to be targeted from quite a distance, as lawmaker Dalha said.

Another MP whose name is Mr. Dahir Amin Jeesow said, “The proposed President Hassan “Break the Fast in Peace” has turned to be ‘Break the Fast in Fear”.

Mr. Abdillahi Jama , a Member of the federal parliament expressed his frustration on the continued increase of attacks on the capital, what the people need is action not empty promises.

Although AMISOM forces have being successful gaining more territory in other regions of the country the government of President Hassanh Sheik Mahmoud has failed to deliver elusive peace to Mogadishu , capital of Somalia.

SomalilandPress.com

By Mohamed A. Hussein

One of the most known member of the parliament, Mohamed Mohamud Hayd was reported to be killed in the center of city Mogadishu while heading to the parliament building on Thursday morning, July 3, 2014. His body guard was also reported to be killed in that gunfire.

Immediately it was also reported that Alshabab took the responsibility of that execution and threaten to continue murdering in the month of Ramadan. Security officers are said to be in pursue of assailants. PM, Abdiwali Sheikh Ahmed and president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud both declared the killers would be brought to justice. Based on the past performance of security agents whose minister resigned few months ago soon after the parliament building was attacked, it is hard to expect this case to be concluded soon as predicted.

Parliament building, Villa Somalia and UN building were attacked recently. The government leaders gave the same speech. Condolence was sent to the families of diseased and promise to pursue killers until brought to justice was declared. None had happened afterward. As result, it is a reasonable in this case to also expect the government agents failing to find the killers.

Despite all those unsolved crimes in Mogadishu, surprisingly UN representative, Nicholas Kay has been and still reported as to have claim that Somalia is making progress in term of security as indicated on his recent report to security council few months ago, but his activities on the ground toward his own security tells different story.

Soon after UN building, one of the places used to consider safest place in Mogadishu was finally attacked by Alshabab, Mr. Kay immediately requested from Security Council to approve additional Ugandan troops trained specifically to guard the UN building in Mogadishu, which was later granted.

Now, it is no doubt that UN building is the safest place in Mogadishu because it is the only building being assigned over 700 special guards. Therefore, it is possible when Mr. Kay talks about the progressive safety of Mogadishu, he has in mind the UN building.

All the other areas are perceived for Alshabab to have free access, and the most of the political assassination is reportedly claimed by Alshabab. However, lately their claim is being questioned. Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta denied that the recent killing that took place in Lamu, Kenya in which Alshabab claimed its responsibility and instead accused local militias to be behind it. Other security analysts questioned in that case also if Alshabab was responsible why only certain tribes in Kenya were targeted.

Here in Mogadishu, the last attack in the parliament building where Alshabab is reported to take its responsibility was also questioned by security analysts as to why the attack in parliament happened the day after president’s supporters warned the members of the parliaments from talking part in debate over motion against president.

Now it should be considered any further claim by either president, prime Minster or for this matter Mr. Kay that Mogadishu is safe to be pure verbiage. Safety of the city cannot be accomplished without reconciliation among Somalia people. It is not enough for the President to just claim the safety of the city is his number one, two, and three priority. It is possible and probably the reason why there is a lack of progress so far is that the president Hassan thought since he was elected the first president after transition period,
no further reconciliation is needed and as result he should dictate from top down.

President forgets the mandate of his government was to continue reconciliation among others which is the foundation of safety of not only the capital, but the whole nation. He should also realize that international recognition without the approval of Somali people is why Somali people are still at square one. One clan militias turned to be police force for the nation will not secure the safety of the capital, not to mention other areas.

Mohamed A. Hussein
Political Analyst in the horn of Africa
Mohabdhus@aolcom

Senseless assassination of Hon. Mohamed Mohamud Hayd

Mogadishu, 3. July 2014 – One of the most experienced and steadfast Somali politicians of Somalia, Adm. (ret.) Mohamed Mohamud ‘Hayd’, a Member of the Somali Federal Parliament, was killed today,Thursday, morning in Hamarweyne district of Mogadishu, when alleged al Shabaab gunmen opened fire on a group of legislators.

Hon. Mohamud Hayd and a security officer were shot and killed on the spot. Another parliamentary official, Abdullahi Ahmed Onka, accompanying them was severely injured while another MP reportedly escaped unharmed.

The legislators were attacked as they exited Masjid Marwaaz, a mosque adjacent to the hotel they were staying at. The armed assailants allegedly shot at the MPs in a drive-by shooting before quickly fleeing in their vehicle. No arrests have been made so far.

Lawmaker Abdi Barre Yusuf confirmed to Radio Shabelle that the MPs were getting ready to come to today’s parliament session. Pro Al Shabaab radio Al Furqqaan immediately reported that the al Shabaab militia group claimed the responsibly for the attack.

A fellow legislator, lawmaker Dahir Amin Jesow, told Reuters, that this was the fifth such attack in as many days. “Hon. Hayd was a former admiral and a hardworking lawmaker who has been in parliament for over a decade. I understand the gunmen escaped – it is very unfortunate, he stated.”

Al Shabaab, who have since also claimed officially the responsibility for today’s assassination of the well liked parliamentarian and his bodyguard, had threatened to step up attacks during the Ramadan fasting month which began on Sunday.

Sheikh Abdiasis abu Musab, al Shabaab’s spokesman for military affairs, pledged to continue killing Somali legislators “one by one”, Reuters published.  “The so-called lawmakers are the ones who brought the enemy Christians into our country. We shall continue killing the legislators in bundles,” Musab reportedly told Reuters, a reference to the support Mogadishu receives from Western governments and African Union members who have sent in troops to battle the rebels.

The diplomatic relationship especially of Somalia and Kenya, have become strained since Kenya first invaded Southern Somalia and then became part of the AMISOM detail. It further deteriorated since Kenya recently started arresting also legally documented refugees and embarked on the deportation of many Somalis after an attack on a shopping mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, whose true masterminds have not been found out clearly, though Al-Shabab also for this case claimed responsibility.

They killed the wrong man

“They got the wrong man,” is the impression of many Somalis, who know that Hon. Hayd, who had studied in Russia, was one of those straight-forward Somali politicians, who always put the interests of the Somali people and their nation first.

The foreign backed Islamist militants were pushed out of the capital by military force with the assistance of AMISOM, the African Union lead peacekeeping forces, in 2011 but have since waged a bombing and assassination campaign to try to overthrow the government and impose their strict version of Sharia.

President Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud and Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed sent their deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of Veteran MP Mohammed Mohamud Hayd, who under earlier Somali Governments had also served as Minister of Fisheries and Minister for Tourism and Environment.

“This criminal act only promotes violence, distress and grief in our community. Taking a human life is abhorrent and only affects an innocent family and strikes them with grief. This criminal act will be investigated and justice will be brought forth,” the Prime Minister said and added “Mohammed Mohamud Hayd was a man who served his country and his people. We condemn this and any other murders especially during the holy month of Ramadhan. Islam does not support the killing of innocents, brothers slaying brothers and criminal acts. Mohammed Mohamud Hayd will be remembered for his unwavering patriotism and devotion to the great nation of Somalia.”

The Acting Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Honorable Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, who in a media briefing had boasted: “We are confident in the ongoing political process. Our mandate is to ensure a safe and secure environment for the government and the people to conduct their business,” stated she learnt with sadness the assassination of Honourable Mohammed Mohamud Hayd who until his death was a well respected Member of the Federal Parliament. “At this time when Somalia is trying to lay the critical foundations of a stable and a democratic state, the assassination of legislators who represent the voices of the people remains an intolerable crime, ‘she said. The AU Special Representative offered her condolences to the Federal Parliament of Somalia, relatives and friends for the death of the Honourable Mohammed Mohamud Hayd. She also prayed for quick recovery of another parliamentarian, Honourable Abdullahi Ahmed Onka who was wounded in the same attack.

“I am appalled to learn of the murder of Mohamed Mohamud ‘Hayd’ and condemn his brutal murder in the strongest terms. Ramadan is a time for peace and reconciliation; to commit such callous crimes during the holy month demonstrates how little regard the perpetrators have for the Somali people,” UN-SRSG Nicolaus Kay said. “I call on the authorities to make every effort to bring the perpetrators to justice as quickly as possible. We remain resolute in our support for the Somali people and their representatives as they work to realise their hope for a peaceful and stable future.” he added.

A great Somali statesman, steadfast defender of Somali interests, the Somali people and their nation, a dedicated leader and a great friend and colleague fell to this senseless assassination carried out by heinous murderers.

Our deep thoughts are with the family and the many Somalis of all regions, who lost their caring and integrating father figure.

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03/07/2014

The EU Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso, condemns today’s brutal murder of the Somali Member of Federal Parliament, Honourable Mohammed Mohamud Hayd, in Mogadishu and extends his sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues in the Parliament. He calls on Somali authorities to bring to justice those responsible without delay.

“This coward and senseless assassination is an attack against the nation,  against peace and reconciliation, against the Somali  people, stated the EU Special Envoy. Committing these atrocities during the holy month of Ramadan shows even more how little respect terrorists have for the people of Somalia. “

The European Union, together with the rest of the international community, continues to support Somalia, its leaders and its people on their course to peace and stability. A course that will not be deviated by such cowardly actions. (END)

               
        Delegation of the European Union to Somalia

P.O. Box 45119 Nairobi | Insurance House, Ragati Road, Upper Hill 

Tel.: +254 (0)20 280 20 00

Email: SOMALIAMISSION@eeas.europa.eu

Website: http://www.eu-somalia.eu 

Twitter: @SomaliaEU | Flickr: EUSomalia | Youtube: EU SOMALIA

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. military advisors have secretly operated in Somalia since around 2007 and Washington plans to deepen its security assistance to help the country fend off threats by Islamist militant group al Shabaab, U.S. officials said.
The comments are the first detailed public acknowledgement of a U.S. military presence in Somalia dating back since the U.S. administration of George W. Bush and add to other signs of a deepening U.S. commitment to Somalia’s government, which the Obama administration recognized last year.
The deployments, consisting of up to 120 troops on the ground, go beyond the Pentagon’s January announcement that it had sent a handful of advisors in October. That was seen at the time as the first assignment of U.S. troops to Somalia since 1993 when two U.S. helicopters were shot down and 18 American troops killed in the “Black Hawk Down” disaster.
The plans to further expand U.S. military assistance coincide with increasing efforts by the Somali government and African Union peacekeepers to counter a bloody seven-year insurgent campaign by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab to impose strict Islamic law inside Somalia.
Those U.S. plans include greater military engagement and new funds for training and assistance for the Somali National Army (SNA), after years of working with the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, which has about 22,000 troops in the country from Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Djibouti and Ethiopia.
“What you’ll see with this upcoming fiscal year is the beginning of engagement with the SNA proper,” said a U.S. defense official, who declined to be identified. The next fiscal year starts in October.
An Obama administration official told Reuters there were currently up to 120 U.S. military personnel on the ground throughout Somalia and described them as trainers and advisors.
“They’re not involved in combat,” the official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that until last year, U.S. military advisors had been working with AMISOM troop contributors, as opposed to Somali forces.
President Barack Obama last year determined that Somalia could receive U.S. military assistance.
Another official said American forces over the years had provided advice and assistance in areas related to mission planning, small unit tactics, medical care, human rights and communications. The official said U.S. forces in Somalia have also facilitated coordination, planning and communication between AMISOM troop contributors and Somali security forces.
SPECIAL OPS
The comments expand upon a little noticed section of a speech given early in June by Wendy Sherman, under secretary of state for political affairs. She publicly acknowledged that a “small contingent of U.S. military personnel” including special operations forces had been present in parts of Somalia for several years.
Still, it was not immediately clear from her remarks the extent to which U.S. personnel had been operating.
U.S. special operations forces have staged high-profile raids in the past in Somalia, including an aborted attempt in October to capture an al Shabaab operative in the militant group’s stronghold of Barawe. U.S. officials have acknowledged Washington’s support for AMISOM and Somalia’s struggle against al Shabaab.
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency officials have been known to operate in the country.
U.S. troop numbers on the ground in Somalia vary over time, the officials told Reuters. Deployments are “staggered” and “short-term,” one official said. But the Obama administration official added that there was overlap in the deployments to allow for a persistent presence on the ground.
Asked about where U.S. forces were deployed, the administration official said they were “in locations throughout Somalia” but declined to elaborate further for security reasons.
The official declined to say precisely when the first U.S. military forces went back into Somalia, saying: “It was around 2007” and in support of AMISOM.
Asked about why Sherman chose to disclose the information, a State Department official told Reuters: “In the past, our assessment of the security situation in Somalia informed our decision to err on the side of force protection concerns and not divulge their presence.”
That’s changed, the official said. “We do not currently believe that acknowledging the U.S. presence will increase the already high threat to our personnel and citizens operating in Somalia.”
The announcement also reflects a deepening of the U.S.-Somali relationship and comes as the United States prepares to name its first ambassador for Somalia since 1993, who would initially be based out of the country due tosecurity concerns.
“Absolutely there’s been a shift” in the relationship, an Obama administration official said.
Military trainers from the European Union are already on the ground in Somalia training soldiers after shifting their operations at the end of last year to Mogadishu from Uganda, where troops were previously drilled.

Source: Reuters

Mogadishu, July 1, 2014: The newly appointed Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission in Somalia (DSRCC), Honorable Lydia Wanyoto Mutende has applauded the leadership of the previously fractious Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions for burying the hatchet and working towards unity.

Hon. Wanyoto-Mutende was speaking after meeting the regions’ administrators in Baidoa yesterday, exactly a week after representatives of the South West-6 Group and the South West-3 Group signed an agreement to form an interim administration for the three regions of Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle.

“By working together in peace, Al Shabaab will find no way to operate. Do not give a chance to violence. Continue to solve all issues by sitting down together, discussing and resolving your conflicts amicably,” she said. “It is now time to rebuild Somalia; to build schools for your children, roads, water sources to alleviate the suffering, and other infrastructure. There are more important things to do.”

Hon. Wanyoto conveyed her admiration for the determination of the local administration to steer their region into a direction of peace and reconciliation. She emphasized the importance of solving all problems through dialogue rather than resorting to violence.

The leaders expressed their “appreciation for the passion and sincere involvement of AMISOM in matters that are dear” to them, and said Hon. Wanyoto-Mutende’s visit was testimony about AMISOM’s concern for the well-being and progress of the people of Somalia.

“AMISOM has a different culture from ours, but they have showed us time and again that we are all brothers and for this, we shall continue to support them and to work very closely with them,” they said.

The elders also conveyed to the DSRCC their challenges, including the lack of properadministrative skills to effectively serve the people they represent. The DSRCC reassured them of AMISOM’s continued support.  She cited the capacity building programme for Somali civil servants that the mission has been conducting since 2010, as part of the on-going support.

Meanwhile, the DSRCC met with the Ethiopian troops in Sector 3, led by their Sector Commander, Brig. Gen. Gabremadhin Fikadu, as well as the women serving in the contingent, to motivate them and thank them for the sacrifice they are making for the cause of stability in Somalia and Africa. She passed a goodwill message for the holy month of Ramadan while meeting with the locals, before she toured the now relatively secure town, as a reassurance to the communities of the presence of AMISOM forces particularly during this Ramadan season.