Recent Appearances...

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Hello !
Recent Appearances...

Sharif Sheikh Ahmed

Council of Islamic Courts

Africa Horn

Somali

20060625

Link

Africa Horn

Ex-Somali President Rejects Al-Shabaab Allegations, Cites Security Corruption

2025-05-30

Not so much sympathetic as creating insurance against the possibility that Al Shabaab might win, I suspect. Just like the party in power. It’s the culture, right?

[Garowe] Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Wednesday strongly rejected recent government accusations that opposition groups are sympathetic to al-Shabaab

... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...
, dismissing the claims as baseless and politically motivated.

Speaking at a political conference in Mogadishu, Sheikh Sharif said the allegations were an attempt to silence dissenting voices and undermine legitimate political opposition. He accused the federal government of trying to derail dialogue and reconciliation efforts by branding critics as murderous Moslems.

"These accusations are meaningless and only serve to stifle the voice of the people," said the former president, calling for political maturity and openness to dialogue among all stakeholders.

Sharif also sounded the alarm over widespread corruption within Somalia’s security institutions, particularly the armed forces, arguing that it has severely weakened their ability to combat the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab insurgency.

"If corruption within the security sector is not addressed, the country’s stability and development will be at serious risk," he warned.

The former leader urged Somali political actors to come together in open dialogue to find lasting solutions to the country’s worsening political crisis and ongoing armed conflict.

"Dialogue is the only key to saving Somalia," Sheikh Sharif said. "We must all recognise the importance of unity and work towards peace."

He stressed the need for accountable leadership and inclusive governance, saying the Somali people deserve transparency, justice, and political stability.

Such pious sentiments.

Wednesday’s conference also discussed the broader political landscape, including opposition concerns over President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s push for elections without a consensus. Opposition leaders called for a united front to challenge what they described as a unilateral and exclusionary process.

The political climate in Somalia continues to deteriorate as President Mohamud’s term nears its final year, with tensions rising over electoral disagreements and governance challenges.

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Africa Horn

Forces Launch Joint Operations Against Al-Shabaab in Southern Somalia

2025-04-03

[Garowe] The Somali National Army (SNA) with the help of Jubaland regional forces conducted joint military operations in southern regions, targeting key al-Shabaab

... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...
hideouts within the vast lands of the state which is struggling to contain the group.

At Lower Jubba, the military officers and their local counterparts managed to destroy crucial checkpoints used by the al-Shabaab during Ramadan to collect Zakatul Fitr—an obligatory alms payment during Ramadan—from local civilians.

Al-Shabaab made significant losses but the exact number of casualties would not be established — but key hideouts were destroyed as the military took over. Traditionally, al-Shabaab takes advantage of Ramadhan to extort locals besides hitting military installations.

Lower Juba remains one of the regions where al-Shabaab retains a foothold, and it frequently sees festivities and counterterror operations by federal and Jubbaland forces. Early this year, the Jubaland forces and federal troops clashed in Raskamboni.

But the latest joint operations signify improved relationship between the federal and regional forces, perhaps coinciding with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s clarion call over the weekend.

During Eid al-Fitr celebrations on Saturday night, President Mohamud emphasized that defeating al-Shabaab requires broad political consensus and unity. He thanked politicians for prioritizing the nation’s unity and called for their inclusion in both security and state-building efforts.

"I am opening the door to politicians and community leaders so that their views and efforts can be part of the fight against the Khawarij and the establishment of a modern state based on democracy and a federal system, operating within our constitution and laws," the President said. "We welcome all good ideas to preserve our unity."

His sentiments have been backed by opposition leaders led by former presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Mohammed Abdullahi Mohammed alias Farmajo, who insisted national dialogue would cure the disconnect in the al-Shabaab war.

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Somalia: Al-Shabaab publicly executes suspected 'spies'

2024-11-17

[Garowe] The al-Qaeda-linked group in Somalia; al-Shabaab

... al-Qaeda's tentacle in East Africa...
, has resolved to punish civilians suspected of collaborating with the Somali National Army (SNA), following a series of setbacks in central and southern regions of the country for the last two years.

On Friday, the bully boyz carried out the public execution of two men accused of collaborating with Somali forces in a village near Janale, approximately 90 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, witnesses said.

The killings took place in Busley Daoud, a locale firmly under al-Shabaab's influence, where Mohammed Abdulkhadir Ali, 21, and Mohamud Hassan Ali, 20, were rubbed out, witnesses added, noting the notorious conduct of the group.

Abdulkhadir Ali was accused by al-Shabaab of aiding forces in Marka, in the Lower Shabelle region, and Hassan Ali was said to have assisted government troops in Aden Yabaal, Middle Shabelle, a district recently liberated by the Somalia military, residents said.

It is not the first time the al-Shabaab group has executed those accused of collaborating with 'enemies' and the common allegations would be — that they work with foreign soldiers or government troops in various parts of the country.

The al-Shabaab bully boyz lost strategic towns across Somalia for the last two years after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared total war against them. The Somali National Army in collaboration with the US Africa Command and the African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) have jointly made the gains.

Besides military operations, the government of Somalia has immensely invested in tracking illegal checkpoints and blocking the group’s sources of finances, including illegal taxation — not excluding revocation of business permits of traders supporting them and closing bank accounts and mobile money transfer firms associated with the group.

But even with the gains, squabbles among the elites in the country have tremendously affected the spirit — including trigging the group’s resurgence due to much focus on political feuds.

Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed voiced grave concerns about Somalia's situation during a presser in Mogadishu on Saturday, suggesting that the country is at risk of not even being able to conduct an indirect election, let alone a democratic one.

Opposition leaders, including Ahmed, have questioned "whether there will even be a handover of power," highlighting the deepening crisis in governance as the nation struggles with ongoing security issues and political discord.

But earlier, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi accused opposition leaders of being swayed by foreign entities in response to claims that government officials have been auctioning off public land in Mogadishu.

Fiqi also issued a stern warning to those critiquing President Hassan Sheikh's administration, stating, "If they don't stop tarnishing the image of this country, we will take action." Analysts believe these internal rifts could significantly deal a blow to the war against al-Shabaab.

Link

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Somali lawmakers go to 2nd round to choose next president; UPDATE: Hassan Sheikh Mohamud seals deal in 3rd round

2022-05-16

[ALAHRAM] Legislators are choosing the country's next president in the capital, Mogadishu, which is under lockdown measures aimed at preventing deadly bad boy attacks .

The top four candidates out of 36 presidential aspirants will be on the ballot in the next round: incumbent President Mohammed Abdullahi Mohammed, former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, former Prime Minister Hassan Khaire and regional leader Said Dani.

Dani, president of Puntland
...a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998. Puntland and the equally autonomous Somaliland seem to have avoided the clan rivalries and warlordism that have typified the rest of Somalia, which puts both places high on the list for Islamic subversion...
state, led the first round of balloting.

Voting is taking place inside a tent in an airport hangar within the Halane military camp, which is protected by African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
peacekeepers.

Update from Garowe:

After a long and unprecedented wait, Somalia will have a new president, following an epic battle which saw former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud capture the seat from the incumbent Mohammed Abdullahi Mohammed better known as Farmajo.

Sunday's late-night results were after all expected following relentless resilience from members of the opposition who ganged against Farmajo, whose tenure was characterized by massive human rights
...which are usually open to widely divergent definitions...
violations, arbitrary detentions and executions, triggering protests from thousands of critics.

But for the results to favour a spirited opposition, it took politicians three rounds of voting to determine the outright winner. All 36 candidates invested massively in all campaign platforms including defending their agenda before citizens and even on social media platforms.

During the first round, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, a fierce critic of Farmajo, beat all candidates after garnering 65 votes. He was closely followed by Farmajo [59], Hassan Sheikh Mohamud [52], and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire [47].

Another former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed scored 39 votes contrary to the expectations of his supporters while opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame managed only 15. Abdulkadir Osoble scored 12 while Addow Ali Gees managed 8 of the 328 MPs who voted.

The scenario slightly changed in the second round of voting after Hassan Sheikh Mohamud scored 110 votes to Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo's 83 votes.
Said Abdullahi Deni scooped 68 while Hassan Ali Khaire managed 63, pushing the race to the third round where a simple majority between two frontrunners was to determine the winner.

In the third round, opposition bigwigs led by Said Abdullahi Deni and Hassan Ali Khaire, a former PM who fell out with Farmajo, ganged up to Mohamud's advantage, sealing a historic victory. Hassan Sheikh becomes the first Somalia president to be re-elected having served from 2012-to 2017.

The third round saw Hassan Sheikh Mohamud score 214 votes to Farmajo's 110 votes, sending Mogadishu into a celebratory mood. Farmajo's term expired last year in February but has been in office after stakeholders failed to steer elections in time.

Before clinching victory in the election, Hassan Sheikh took to his Facebook to rally politicians to consider supporting him in the third round. He said: "Please vote for me so that we can complete the journey of the process of building our nation together. Our country needs an inclusive government."

Similarly, Farmajo also asked politicians to consider him for the second term, noting that it will enable him "to promote the continuity of change in our Republic for the next years and fulfil my vision for our beloved motherland".

With Somalia walking up on Monday morning by starting to usher in a new administration, the outcome was expected given Farmajo's style of leadership which had even attracted criticism from his own Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble.

In a previous post, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who has been consistent with his criticism against Farmajo, maintained that should he get elected, he will ensure political freedoms are adhered to in the country. Under Farmajo's administration, Villa Somalia has often been accused of using security forces to muzzle freedoms of speech and association.

"Restricting, shrinking and or closing the freedom and the political spaces incorporated with a fear among our people was part and parcel of the current regimes political," he said in a previous post while condemning death threats directed at Hodan Ali, a political and security pundit.

Mohamud inherits a deeply divided country that is struggling with an economic downturn, al-Shabaab

...... al-Qaeda's tentacle in East Africa...
threat, drought, the resurgence of clan militia, and weakened foreign policy. Despite his defeat to Farmajo in 2017, he reinvented himself by defending human rights in Somalia.

The result effectively ends the electioneering period which was marred with endless political squabbles. The main hero of the process is Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble, who stood firm to ensure the process was credible despite resistance from Villa Somalia.

Link

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US rules out recognition of Somaliland ahead of Somalia's presidential poll

2022-05-14

[Garowe] The United States will not promote the secessionist ideology being pushed by Somaliland, two senior US officials have maintained, just over a month after President Muse Bihi Abdi visited Washington to rally for statehood in the region.

And rather, the US now maintains it will continue promoting a single Somalia policy, that advocates for close cooperation between the South and the North, which have been wrangling for the last three decades.

Larry Andre, the new US ambassador to Somalia, and General Stephen Townsend, the commander of US Africa Command, on Thursday, visited Hargeisa, the regional administrative capital of Somaliland, where they pushed for the US agenda for Somalia.

"Amb. André and US Africa Command Gen. Townsend met with Muse Bihi today. The leaders discussed furthering our cooperation within the context of our single Somalia policy," the US embassy said. "They also met with Berbera port and airport officials, then viewed the port by helicopter."

The US delegates' visit comes amidst last preparations ahead of the anticipated Somalia presidential election following a prolonged poll process. This also marks Ambassador Larry's first visit to Somaliland since taking office as the head of the US mission in Somalia.

On Sunday, Somalia will be holding a presidential election which has triggered fierce contests, pitting outgoing President Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo and former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud among other potential winners.

The northern regions [Somaliland] have elected their senators and Lower House members mainly domiciled in Mogadishu to represent them in the Federal government in the capital. The senate speaker Abdi Hashi and the deputy PM Mahdi Guled hail from Somaliland.

The region is also pushing for the building of a US military base and has even threatened to cooperate with China.

China has been penetrating markets in Africa by directly participating in the development agenda, further triggering massive economic and military interests by the US. Washington is keen to edge Beijing out of the Horn of Africa thus frequent visits to the region.

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Suicide blast kills at least four in Somalia ahead of elections

2022-05-12

[Garowe] With just a few days to the presidential elections in Somalia, a jacket wallah targeted KM-4 junction which is located near the Aden Adde International Airport and the National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA] headquarters.

Police said four people died, including the bomber on the spot and several others were maimed after the suicide bomber targeted a car assigned to a top official whose name is yet to be revealed. The explosion just comes a few days before the country holds a presidential election.

The vehicle which was targeted was among those crossing towards the busy Aden Adde International Airport, which is frequented by high-profile politicians and visitors. It was just three weeks ago the al-Shabaab

...... al-Qaeda's tentacle in East Africa...
snuffies also targeted the airport.

On Sunday, Somalia will be holding a presidential election that has attracted over 30 candidates, with outgoing President Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo declaring interest in the seat. He will be facing among others, former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Security concerns have been raised and despite the fact that security responsibilities were handed to African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
Transition Mission [ATMIS] in the country, the attacks are persistently targeting areas located near Afisiyoni tent where elections will be held.

There is no group that has taken responsibility for the attack but the al-Qaeda associate, the al-Shabaab is known for such attacks. The group has heightened attacks within the capital Mogadishu in recent months as the country struggles to conclude elections.

Elsewhere, the al-Shabaab friendly media outlets reported that a suicide bomber driving one of its truck bombs that went kaboom! at a military base controlled by Burundian forces was a Kenyan national, who has been working with the group for a couple of years.

The bomber was identified as Jamaal Diba Diida alias Zubeyr al-Muhaajir. The May 3 attack killed at least 30 Burundian soldiers and was the first major attack targeting ATMIS Forward Operating Base since the new transition mission took over from AMISOM in March.

Al-Shabaab snuffies control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia but their influence has been degraded by concerted military operations within the region. There have been also efforts by regional players to help the country stabilize.

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After Al-Shabaab attacks, ATMIS imposes lockdown at Halane Base Camp

2022-04-26

[Garowe] Access to the Halane Base Camp will be limited in the next three days, the African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] has announced, which will allow security forces to conduct operations within the heavily fortified facility.

The Halane Base Camp plays host to several diplomatic missions and the United Nations
...an idea whose time has gone...
within Mogadishu. This camp is viewed as one of the most protected areas within the federal republic of Somalia, which is struggling to contain the al-Shabaab

...... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...
threat.

Just a few weeks ago, al-Shabaab turbans attacked the facility leading to the death of at least ten people, main foreigners working in Somalia. The security threat triggered questions about the safety of foreigners and other senior government officials.

In a communique dispatched to the press, ATMIS, which is also facing serious internal challenges, noted that the facility will be out of bounds from April 25 to April 28, to allow security forces to conduct "operations within the surrounding areas".

The decision, ATMIS adds, was arrived upon consultation with Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble, noting that the exercise will be done "safely and without interference". Insecurity has rocked the Somali capital Mogadishu in recent weeks with al-Shabaab heightening attacks.

Last week, the turbans attacked Lido beach in Mogadishu where a number of politicians and Police chief Major General Hijar were holed up in a meeting. So dire was the attack that a number of security analysts questioned why security forces within the compound were not armed at the time of the attack.

Despite the closure of the facility, ATMIS said, operations within the busy Aden Adde International Airport will go on uninterrupted. However,
it was a brave man who first ate an oyster...
activities within Air Force Hangar will be extremely limited to allow security teams to put a number of things in order.

The closure coincides with elections of the Speakers of the Lower House and Senate which have been scheduled for April 26th and 27th within. Afisiyoni tent within Halane Base Camp. The committee responsible for the elections moved them from Villa Hargeisa due to security concerns.

After the elections, politicians from the bicameral house will elect the president of the federal republic of Somalia. Outgoing President Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo is battling to defend his seat but he has been under persistent attacks for allegedly "interfering" with the polls.

Farmajo is facing stiff opposition from former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud along with former PM Hassan Ali Khaire and Wadajir party leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame who was elected to the Lower House recently.

Link

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IS-Somalia financier slapped with 15-year imprisonment by military court

2021-08-25

[Garowe] A man convicted of financing the IS-Somalia ~~bandidos~~ turbans was on Monday slapped with 15-year imprisonment by a military court, following mounting evidence which was produced throughout his trial in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

Abdirizak Mohammed Abdi Jimale was ordered to serve the next 15 years behind bars for his role as a money launderer for IS-Somalia, becoming the first major IS-Somalia convict in recent months, according to government records.

Documents provided in court established that Abdirizak Mohammed Abdi Jimale transferred $400,000 through a company called Heeryo Trading Enterprise between 2019 and 2020 to individuals suspected to be working for IS-Somalia in the war-torn nation.

The money was received by Ugandan and Æthiopian nationals in South Africa, court documents further stated, noting that it was specifically meant to facilitate terrorism. Military courts in the country have often proved to be efficient in trying terrorism-related cases.

Reports indicate that Somalia's spy agency, NISA arrested Jimale in March 2021. During his arrest, he was found to be in possession of $19,000, which he couldn't immediately explain the use, thus leading to his incarceration.

According to the court records, before joining ISIS in 2016, Jimale had been a member of al-Shabaab

...... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...
, the more dominant Islamist bully boy faction in the region. Jimale was maimed in 2011 while fighting for al-Shabaab against the transitional federal government of President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

He is believed to be one of few individuals who defected from al-Shabaab to IS-Somalia. Apparently, the two bad boy groups do not work together due to ideological differences and missions in the country.

While al-Shabaab is dominant in central and southern Somalia, the IS-Somalia is confined to the Golis mountains of Puntland
...a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998. Puntland and the equally autonomous Somaliland seem to have avoided the clan rivalries and warlordism that have typified the rest of Somalia, which puts both places high on the list for Islamic subversion...
in northern Somalia where they have little influence. In recent months, both the Somali National Army [SNA] and the Puntland Security Forces [PSF] have managed to destroy IS-Somalia hideouts in Somalia.

Military courts are often used to try individuals accused of terrorism in Somalia and have managed to preside over hundreds of cases. The ~~bandidos~~ turbans are fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed Somalia administration, which is yet to stabilize due to a host of internal challenges.

Link

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Al-Shabaab leader threatens electoral delegates ahead of the polls

2021-07-21

[Garowe] The al-Shabaab

...... the personification of Somali state failure...
says it is monitoring the ongoing preparations for elections in Somalia, something which threatens the future of the Horn of Africa nation, which is still struggling with instability, over three decades after the ouster of the ex-central government.

Al-Shabaab, which controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia, has been battling to overthrow the fragile UN-backed Somalia administration through threats, cowardly attacks, and intimidation of bigwigs and innocent civilians.

In recorded audio published by the group's media houses, Ahmed Omar alias Abu Ubaidah, the substantive al-Shabaab leader, is heard purportedly threatening delegates who are set to participate in Somalia's elections that are due to kick off from July 25.

According to Ubaidah, whose whereabouts still remain unknown, al-Shabaab opposes the process in "totality" given that it's "not transparent" and denies Somalis the right to "vote for the right leaders" in a free and fair exercise.

"They [leaders] will not be guaranteeing your safety," he said in purported audio published by the hard boy media. It was his first speech in regard to upcoming polls, something which may lead to several questions about the safety of those casting votes.

The FMS parliaments are set to pick senators of the 54-seat Upper House this month before 27,775 electoral delegates representing Somali clans elect Members of Parliament. In early October, the MPs will choose parliamentary leadership who then choose a new president.

Outgoing President Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo, whose term expired on Feb 8, is seeking to defend the seat but he's facing stiff competition. Among others, Farmajo will battle with former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud along with former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire among others.

Stakeholders have raised questions about the possible infiltration of al-Shabaab in the exercise, something which may end up producing sympathizers or even al-Shabaab members in the coming parliament. The vetting of delegates has been heightened.

Last week, the Jubaland state warned elders against associating with the group, arguing that those found culpable will be expunged from the delegates list. Somalia still practices indirect elections where elders have a huge role to play alongside their clans of origin.

It's unclear where or when Abu Ubaidah’s speech was recorded but he mentions the hard boy group’s attack on Bosaso prison in March, and the Somali parliament’s term extension in April, and the political stalemate that followed, tells a lot.

The group raided Bosaso prison in Puntland
...a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998. Puntland and the equally autonomous Somaliland seem to have avoided the clan rivalries and warlordism that have typified the rest of Somalia, which puts both places high on the list for Islamic subversion...
in March where a number of prisoners escaped. A month later, Farmaajo tried to extend his term in office but was outrightly rejected by various stakeholders, leading to a consensus meeting that paved way for elections.

Link

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How Turkey is responsible for Somalia's instability

2021-06-21

[Garowe] The republic of ~~The Sick Man of Europe~~ Turkey
<del>The Sick Man of Europe</del> Turkey

...just another cheapjack Moslem dictatorship, brought to you by the Moslem Brüderbund...
has been dragged into Somalia's internal politics, with opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame now claiming Ankara is directly responsible for problems bedeviling the Horn of Africa nation.

If Turkey were not there, it could not have been their fault. They are there, therefore it must be their fault — the same logic the Saudis use about foreigners in car accidents.

Turkey is a major development, financial, and security partner of Somalia, a relationship that has lasted for almost a decade, even as the country struggles to fight ~~violent~~ mostly peaceful extremism among other challenges. Some of the projects Turkey is taking part in include the improvement of roads and hospitals in Somalia.

But it's the training of Haramcad police and the GorGor troops that has often caused rifts in the country, with the opposition accusing President Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo of "misusing" the soldiers for political expediency. They are accused of targeting opposition leaders in the crackdown.

In Mogadishu, Turkey has one of the largest overseas military training schools, which targets recruitment and training of Gor Gor special forces. But Abdishakur believes Turkey uses the opportunity to train and provide weapons that are wrongly used.

Turkey must help Somalia responsibly. It is not acceptable to train and provide weapons to soldiers who contribute to the insecurity and repression of the opposition," he told Garowe Online during Twitter Space conversation, Saturday dubbed "Democratization and state-building".

Ankara has massively invested in Somalia in a move that has seen equal competition from Qatar
...an emirate on the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It sits on some really productive gas and oil deposits, which produces the highest per capita income in the world. They piss it all away on religion, financing the Moslem Brotherhood and several al-Qaeda affiliates. Home of nutbag holy manYusuf al-Qaradawi...
and United Arab Emirates [UAE]. Even in recent weeks, the ~~Ottoman~~ Turkish convoys have often been targeted by al-Shabaab
...... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...
, which seeks to overthrow the fragile UN-backed Somalia administration.

While acknowledging Somalia's problems are enormous, Abdirahman Abdishakur however, blamed outgoing President Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo for focusing on "non-issues" with an aim of protecting his stay in power albeit in short term.

"In any case, no president can solve Somalia's problems in four years, but he can work to make it better," he said, adding that: "Farmaajo wasted time in crushing his critics and the Federal States in Somalia, and that's is what kept him busy from the war on al-Shabaab."

For a long time, Farmajo has been accused of using security forces for his personal benefits. Ironically, in most of his speeches, the president has often asked security forces to adhere to their constitutional obligations in protecting the nation and its interests.

~~Ottoman~~ Turkish-trained Gor Gor commandos and Haramcad police are often dragged to the country's internal politics like the operation in Gedo and raiding of opposition leaders' residences in Mogadishu. Recently, a fallout in the army almost plunged the country into civil war after Farmajo's attempts to extend his term.

But Abdishakur suggests that "The power to appoint and replace heads of the security agencies in Somalia should not reside with the president." Across the world, security is a national government function.

"The goodness and strangeness of the army forces are not measured by the weapons and uniforms they carry, but by their independence from politics. The outgoing leaders used the SNA - Somali National Army for political purposes in Somalia," he added.

Link

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Fighting breaks out in Somalia's capital after president’s term extended

2021-04-26

It’s not enough that they have jihadis to fight, but they have to fight among themselves over who gets to loot the place while they do so.

[Garowe] Heavy festivities erupted in Mogadishu between government forces and mutinous soldiers opposed to the illegal term extension of outgoing president Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo.

The battle began after the mutineers who deserted their bases in the Middle Shabelle region have poured into the seaside capital last night and took control of key villages in the north, including Fagah and Sana.

The skirmish spread into most parts of the capital on Sunday evening with opposition candidates reported their residences came under attack from pro-government forces, mainly ~~Ottoman~~ Turkish-trained units.

The renewed festivities in Mogadishu have erupted after the Lower House chamber of the Somali parliament has unilaterally extended the mandate of Farmajo by two more years on April 12 without Senate approval.

Farmajo’s predecessor Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who now leads an opposition alliance termed a "very unfortunate" that SNA forces under the command of the ex-president attacked his residence in the Marino area.

"I have already warned and reiterated the dangers of politicizing the security sector. Farmajo is responsible for the consequences of this attack," said Mohamud in a Twitter post.

Another leading opposition candidate Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame said his house came under attack, accusing Farmajo of being behind the assault and will shoulder the consequences of this action.

In a statement, the council of the presidential candidates has strongly condemned attacks on the residences of former president and Wadajir party leader Warsame in Mogadishu by Farmajo’s army.

The opposition alliance said Gorgor forces who are trained and funded by ~~The Sick Man of Europe~~ Turkey
<del>The Sick Man of Europe</del> Turkey

...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire...
were actively involved in the attack, accusing spy chief Fahan Yasin of transporting ammunition from AMISOM to use the raid.

Turkey has trained and equipped fifteen battalions of the red-bereted Somali GorGor forces, ostensibly to fight Al Shabaab, and an unknown number of the Haram'ad special police.

The Somali government has denied the accusations. Outgoing Security Minister Hassan Hundubey said the troops have been providing protection to the former presidents in Mogadishu and not attacking them.

The minister said the government is deeply concerned about the grave allegations from Hassan Sheikh and added: "All our heads of state are highly protected by the national guard and any threat to them remains a matter of huge concern to the FGS."

Details of the casualties remained sketchy.

The UK’s embassy in Somalia has voiced alarm over the violence in Mogadishu, calling for calm and restraint while highlighting the importance of peaceful dialogue which served the country’s interests.

Meanwhile,
...back at the wreckage, Captain Poindexter awoke groggily, his hand still stuck in the Ming vase...
the EU mission in the country highly concerned about the ongoing events in Mogadishu, says violence is unacceptable and those responsible will be held accountable.

The renewed festivities in Mogadishu have erupted after the Lower House chamber of the Somali parliament has unilaterally extended the mandate of Farmajo by two more years on April 12 without Senate approval.

Link

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Federal Govt meddling in Puntland elections

2013-10-03

Theirs, not ours. Ours is closed and can't possibly meddle.

GAROWE, Somalia -- As presidential elections draw closer in Somalias northeastern state of Puntland, Federal Government of Somalia is campaigning to deny, the potential candidate and the incumbent Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole victory according to independent sources, Garowe Online reports.

The Somali Federal Government Presidents right hand man, a close presidential aide and State Minister for Presidency Farah Abdulkadir recently visited Minneapolis after returning from New York where a delegation led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended UN General Assembly meeting last week.

Abdulkadir met Puntland politicians and businessmen at Duable Tree hotel in Minneapolis and he presented to the participants of the meeting his intention of intervening in the upcoming Puntland presidential elections according to some of the participants who spoke to Garowe Online on condition of anonymity.

Sources said that Abdulkadir requested the politicians and the businessmen to shore up every possible efforts of denying Farole victory by in turn telling that the incumbent Puntland President is an outstanding hindrance to Somali unity.

Puntland is an important part in Somalia and we like to forge good ties with it but President Farole doesnt comply with our willingness, he is an obstacle to Somali unity and wouldnt lead Puntland people to progress, President Hassans close aide was quoted as saying by the attendants.

The sources further disclosed that nearly 20 people joined the discussion and speaking at the meeting, the presidential aide revealed Federal Governments keenness to provide both technical and financial assistance with each and every contender who could garner support for Mogadishu-based Federal government from Puntland.

Meanwhile in Mogadishu, as Puntland gears up for the most hotly contested presidential election that is slated for January 2014, Somalia Federal Government also stepped up its domestic involvement by throwing its weight behind some presidential candidates whom it regarded as soft and flexible individuals.

Former TFG Prime Minister, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas who gave an interview to UK-based Somali TV stations Somali Channel and Universal TV- last week pointed out what he described looming threats of insecurity in Puntland, remarks that Puntland government called as ludicrous claims and Political comments .

In response to deliberate violations in the legitimate Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC) whose clauses and articles have been tampered with, Puntland withdrew cooperation from the Somali Federal Government on August 5.

The 66-seat-chamber of Puntland will be choosing the leader on the 8th of January 2014 in presidential election and the upcoming election would bring together, the current Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole and a number of rival politicians including Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gas who- in September 2012- lost election to current Somali Federal Government President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after he competed against former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.

Farole has bagged a big record as Puntland President for the past five years and has demonstrated prudent leadership, overwhelming majority of Puntland people confirmed in a poll conducted by Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe.

Farole administration has a pleasant record in power after visible changes in the areas of international relations, security, health and education emerged within the first three years of tenure.

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