Thursday, November 1, 2012
SOMALIA: Saracen trained forces surround the home of former Somali Prime Minister in Bosaso
Prof.Abdiweli Ali Gaas, Former Prime Minister of Somalia was warmly welcomed in Bosaso
It is believed that these forces were trying to prevent the local politicians and clan elders from visiting the former Prime Minister who arrived the town, yesterday.
Mr.Gaas is currently touring the autonomous region of Puntland State, his delegation received a warm welcome from the residents of Bosaso, the largest city in Puntland.
On Monday Clan elders, politicians and hundreds of residents of Bosaso greeted Mr.Gaas and his delegation on the outskirts of the city. On his arrival Mr.Gaas thanked the people of Puntland for their support. Mr.Gaas and his delegation have so far visited most of the major towns in Puntland, including Galkacyo, Goldogob, Bursalax, Burtinle, Garowe and Qardho (Gardo).
While Mr.Gaas got a warm welcome from the people of Puntland, however the government was not so pleased with his visit to the region.
When Gaas arrived the capital of Puntland Garowe, he was forced to leave all the armed vehicles that his personal bodyguards were traveling on. Instead the President of Puntland Abdirahman Farole adviced Mr.Gaas not to travel to the remaining towns in Bari region, where Mr.Gaas was planning to visit.
According to sources close to the presidential palace in Garowe, Abdirahman Farole the President of Puntland, said Abdiweli’s visit came at the wrong time.
Puntland government is struggling with political tensions in the region, as the government prepares to delay the Presidential Elections in January 2013. Many people in Puntland see Prof.Abdiweli Gaas as a potential candidate.
Gaas has turned down the President’s request and he continued his tour, when he arrived in the town of Gardo, he met with thousands of cheering crowds. After Gardo, Mr.Gaas was preparing to go to Bosaso city, the commercial capital of Puntland.
Bosaso Hotels warned
This week, the district administration of Bosaso and the governor of Bari region have personally stopped three meetings that were supposed to take place in the city, prior to the arrival of the former Prime minister. One such meeting was supposed to take place in Hotel Huruse, but the meeting was postponed after the governor with his bodyguards stormed the conference hall.
The authorities warned all the Hotels and the convention centers in the town not to host any kind of political gathering, without the approval of the government.
Yesterday, the governor issued another statement saying; the residents were not allowed to gather near the main checkpoint of Bosaso. Despite these warnings hundreds of people turned up to welcome Mr.Gaas and his delegation.
Both the Mayor of Bosaso and the governor of Bari who were at the time Bosaso’s main check point, said they were welcoming Prof.Abdiweli, but their advice for him was not to meet with the politicians and clan elders in the town.
Saracen in action
Hours later, hundreds of the Puntland’s Maritime Police Force surrounded the villa he was staying, completely blocking all the roads leading to the residence of Gaas in Bosaso. These forces are trained by a company called Sterling Corporate Services also known as Saracen.
On Tuesday morning the forces left their positions after local residents and armed militias supporting the former Prime minister gathered near his home in Bosaso.
Recently, the Controversial South African private military operator Sterling Corporate Services, aka Saracen International, has lost its anti-piracy contract in the semi-autonomous Somali region of Puntland.
The termination comes in the midst of strenuous criticism by the UN’s Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group (SEMG) of SCS’s handling of its United Arab Emirates-funded contract to train a paramilitary Puntland Maritime Police Force.
In July, the SEMG published a 350-page report on the security situation in Somalia, sharply critical of the actions of Sterling and the maritime police under its control.
The report highlighted several incidents where Sterling operators – whose nominal brief was confined to training and advising the maritime police force – were involved in military actions against Faroole’s enemies.
Also noted were documented tortures and other incidents of human rights abuse allegedly perpetrated under the command of the mainly South African Sterling corps.
On this basis, the monitoring group called for strong action by the UN Security Council.
Notably, it wanted Sterling/Saracen “designated” along with other companies and individuals in the opaque network connected to the Puntland operation, and subjected to “targeted measures”.
Yet, Saracen continues to operate in Puntland, the company’s assets which includes light airplanes, helicopters and armored vehicles are still stationed at their military camp near Bosaso Airport.
Hussein Farah
Horseed Media
http://horseedmedia.net/2012/10/31/somalia-saracen-trained-forces-surround-the-home-of-former-somali-prime-minister-in-bosaso/
Turkish oil firm Genel to explore in Somalia from 2013
REUTERS
* Plans to drill 2 wells in Somaliland by 2015
* Company is moving forward despite political disputes
* Genel will spend $400 mln to drill 5 wells in Africa
By Kelly Gilblom
NAIROBI, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Turkish oil and gas company Genel Energy Plc plans to conduct seismic work in northwestern Somalia early next year and drill its first well in the second quarter of 2014 and another well in 2015, company officials said.
The London-listed explorer said in August it had the rights to two blocks, Block 13 and Block 10B, in the country's semi-autonomous Somaliland region.
The area shares the same geological structure with oil producer Yemen and could have 1 billion barrels of oil, the company said. It plans to spend about $400 million drilling five wells in Africa overall over the next three years.
"Somaliland provides an exciting geological opportunity, and we look forward to starting work in the region," said company spokesperson Andrew Benbow, in an email to Reuters on Tuesday.
East Africa has recently become a major hub of oil and gas exploration activity, but Somalia has largely missed out due to violent conflicts that have made the Horn of Africa country unstable.
In September, Somalia elected a new federal government, its first permanent government since 1991.
Somali technocrats have said they now must sort out a tangle of overlapping oil and gas exploration licences issued over the past few decades by the former federal government and the semi-autonomous regions of Puntland and Somaliland.
Genel Energy declined to comment about the political situation in Somalia but said it planned to move forward with exploration, despite speculation the new federal government might upend agreements made after 1991.
The Somaliland licences are Genel's only exploration acreage in the region, although it has a number of contracts in west and north Africa. (Editing by George Obulutsa and Jane Baird)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/30/somalia-exploration-somaliland-idUSL5E8LUDPU20121030
* Company is moving forward despite political disputes
* Genel will spend $400 mln to drill 5 wells in Africa
By Kelly Gilblom
NAIROBI, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Turkish oil and gas company Genel Energy Plc plans to conduct seismic work in northwestern Somalia early next year and drill its first well in the second quarter of 2014 and another well in 2015, company officials said.
The London-listed explorer said in August it had the rights to two blocks, Block 13 and Block 10B, in the country's semi-autonomous Somaliland region.
The area shares the same geological structure with oil producer Yemen and could have 1 billion barrels of oil, the company said. It plans to spend about $400 million drilling five wells in Africa overall over the next three years.
"Somaliland provides an exciting geological opportunity, and we look forward to starting work in the region," said company spokesperson Andrew Benbow, in an email to Reuters on Tuesday.
East Africa has recently become a major hub of oil and gas exploration activity, but Somalia has largely missed out due to violent conflicts that have made the Horn of Africa country unstable.
In September, Somalia elected a new federal government, its first permanent government since 1991.
Somali technocrats have said they now must sort out a tangle of overlapping oil and gas exploration licences issued over the past few decades by the former federal government and the semi-autonomous regions of Puntland and Somaliland.
Genel Energy declined to comment about the political situation in Somalia but said it planned to move forward with exploration, despite speculation the new federal government might upend agreements made after 1991.
The Somaliland licences are Genel's only exploration acreage in the region, although it has a number of contracts in west and north Africa. (Editing by George Obulutsa and Jane Baird)
Radio dramatist's murder raises Somalia media death toll to 18
Death toll this year is second highest in the world after Syria, and no arrests have made in any of the killings
A renowed poet, musician and radio dramatist who used comedy as a
weapon against Islamist militants has become the 18th media worker
killed this year in Somalia – the second highest death toll in the world after Syria.
Warsame Shire Awale, who was in his 60s, wrote and acted in comedy plays critical of al-Shabaab, the extremist group linked to al-Qaida, which he accused of twisting Islam to mislead people.
His death follows the murder of another comic, Abdi Jeylani Malaq, better known as Marshale, in August. Both men worked at Radio Kulmiye in Mogadishu.
Warsame was shot several times by unidentified men near his house in the Waberi district of Mogadishu on Monday night, the National Union of Somali Journalists said. He was taken to hospital where he was declared dead.
Warsame had received threats recently after making comments about gunmen who targeted civilians, the union said.
Omar Faruk Osman, the secretary general of the union, said: "We urge the federal authorities of Somalia to conduct a full and impartial investigation into Warsame's death and the sustained killings of journalists to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice, because justice delayed is a justice denied."
Warsame was a stalwart of the Somali cultural community for more than three decades. He had been a member of the police band, held in high esteem before the civil war, and sang songs encouraging people to join the force. He recently gained popularity among young Somalis for his radio comedy dramas urging them to reject violence and support the government.
Bashir Yusuf of the Ifiso Independent Vetting Coalition, a civil society group, said: "Many Somali people affirm that he was one of the few Somali songwriters and poets who stayed in Somalia during the whole period of the civil strife.
"I don't think the killing of Warsame Shire Awale will discourage and stop others from following his footpath. It is tragic that insecurity has been in Mogadishu for more than two decades and that the outlook that it will disappear seems distant. Traumatic experiences will unfortunately linger for the near future."
One of Warsame's colleagues, Sharmarke Abukar Amin, said journalists in Somalia were being targeted solely because of their profession. Last week Mohamed Mohamud Turyare, a 25-year-old reporter at Shabelle radio, was shot as he walked home. He subsequently died of his injuries.
No arrests have been made in any of the 18 killings of journalists this year. "That's the second highest toll in the world after Syria," said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN high commissioner for human rights. "We are extremely alarmed by the continuing assault on Somalia's media workers and journalists by al-Shabaab and other elements."
Colville called on the Somali government "to take urgent steps to protect journalists and other media workers and to end the complete impunity that has been enjoyed by their killers. The role of the media is crucial as Somalia tries to get back on its feet, and the continued slaughter of the country's journalists risks stifling the media's ability to contribute to an improvement in law and order and good governance."
Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for killing more than 10 media employees, one of whom was beheaded in Mogadishu. Some of the murders are also believed to be linked to clan and factional struggles or to have been ordered by business and political leaders unhappy with the coverage they receive.
Al-Shabaab was forced out of the capital more than a year ago by African Union peacekeepers and the Somali army, but its fighters still stage frequent attacks in the city. The press rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders has described 2012 as the deadliest year on record for journalists in Somalia, outstripping 2009 when nine died.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/30/radio-dramatist-murder-somalia-media
Warsame Shire Awale, who was in his 60s, wrote and acted in comedy plays critical of al-Shabaab, the extremist group linked to al-Qaida, which he accused of twisting Islam to mislead people.
His death follows the murder of another comic, Abdi Jeylani Malaq, better known as Marshale, in August. Both men worked at Radio Kulmiye in Mogadishu.
Warsame was shot several times by unidentified men near his house in the Waberi district of Mogadishu on Monday night, the National Union of Somali Journalists said. He was taken to hospital where he was declared dead.
Warsame had received threats recently after making comments about gunmen who targeted civilians, the union said.
Omar Faruk Osman, the secretary general of the union, said: "We urge the federal authorities of Somalia to conduct a full and impartial investigation into Warsame's death and the sustained killings of journalists to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice, because justice delayed is a justice denied."
Warsame was a stalwart of the Somali cultural community for more than three decades. He had been a member of the police band, held in high esteem before the civil war, and sang songs encouraging people to join the force. He recently gained popularity among young Somalis for his radio comedy dramas urging them to reject violence and support the government.
Bashir Yusuf of the Ifiso Independent Vetting Coalition, a civil society group, said: "Many Somali people affirm that he was one of the few Somali songwriters and poets who stayed in Somalia during the whole period of the civil strife.
"I don't think the killing of Warsame Shire Awale will discourage and stop others from following his footpath. It is tragic that insecurity has been in Mogadishu for more than two decades and that the outlook that it will disappear seems distant. Traumatic experiences will unfortunately linger for the near future."
One of Warsame's colleagues, Sharmarke Abukar Amin, said journalists in Somalia were being targeted solely because of their profession. Last week Mohamed Mohamud Turyare, a 25-year-old reporter at Shabelle radio, was shot as he walked home. He subsequently died of his injuries.
No arrests have been made in any of the 18 killings of journalists this year. "That's the second highest toll in the world after Syria," said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN high commissioner for human rights. "We are extremely alarmed by the continuing assault on Somalia's media workers and journalists by al-Shabaab and other elements."
Colville called on the Somali government "to take urgent steps to protect journalists and other media workers and to end the complete impunity that has been enjoyed by their killers. The role of the media is crucial as Somalia tries to get back on its feet, and the continued slaughter of the country's journalists risks stifling the media's ability to contribute to an improvement in law and order and good governance."
Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for killing more than 10 media employees, one of whom was beheaded in Mogadishu. Some of the murders are also believed to be linked to clan and factional struggles or to have been ordered by business and political leaders unhappy with the coverage they receive.
Al-Shabaab was forced out of the capital more than a year ago by African Union peacekeepers and the Somali army, but its fighters still stage frequent attacks in the city. The press rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders has described 2012 as the deadliest year on record for journalists in Somalia, outstripping 2009 when nine died.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/30/radio-dramatist-murder-somalia-media
EmailGenel Energy obtains oil exploration license for Somaliland region
October 31, 2012
Ankara-based oil firm Genel Energy has acquired a fuel search license
for the Somaliland region, Turkey's Hurriyet Daily News reported
Tuesday (October 30th). "Because of its similarities with the geographical structure of the Arab peninsula, it is strongly predicted that Somaliland, a region Genel Energy prioritises for its investment programme, has important coal and oil assets," Genel Energy said in a statement.
Genel Energy acknowledged that there are risks associated with investments in Somalia, but asserted that a recent World Bank report had deemed the region suitable for private investments. The company did not elaborate on the finances of the planned exploration
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