Somali rebels claim killing of MP, threaten more assassinations | Reuters

Gunmen shot dead Mustaf Haji Mohamed outside his home after evening prayers, the latest in a wave of attacks since Somalia's new assembly elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud earlier this month.

"How many times had we warned Somalis against joining the infidel government?" Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, spokesman for military operations for the Islamist militant group al Shabaab, told Reuters late on Saturday.

"Let it be a good lesson for the rest."

Mohamud's election was hailed by his supporters and Western powers as a vote for change after more than two decades of violence. The militants were swift to brand the political newcomer a "traitor" who headed a government serving only Western interests.

Mohamud was the target of a failed suicide bombing just two days into his new job.

"We killed legislator Mustaf ... and we will kill all Somali MPs and officials one by one," Musab said.

The U.N. secretary-general's special envoy to Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, called the shooting a cowardly act that was a "reminder of the challenges faced by the new institutions and administration."

The appointment of a new, slimmed-down parliament and the first presidential vote came as African troops prepared an assault on al Shabaab's last stronghold in the south of the country.

Al Shabaab drafted in hundreds of fighters from other regions this week to reinforce the port city of Kismayu.

The African Union AMISOM force said, however, there were signs of deepening internal rifts within al Shabaab. More than 200 rebels defected near the town of Jowhar, about 80 km (50 miles) from the capital, on Saturday, AMISOM said.

"Al Shabaab is divided and being defeated across Somalia," Brigadier Michael Odonga, the force's deputy commander, said.

There was no immediate reaction from al Shabaab.

While the loss of Kismayu and its port would weaken the rebels' morale and deprive them of a key revenue source, it would unlikely deliver a knockout blow to the insurgency.

Although AMISOM and Somali government forces have regained control of numerous towns across southern and central Somalia, the vast rural areas between remain a free-for-all.

Diplomats expect al Shabaab to retreat to the hinterlands, as they have done before, and resort increasingly to the suicide bombings and targeted assassinations that have marked Mohamud's first two weeks in power.

(Additional reporting by Andi Sheikh in Mogadishu and Richard Lough in Nairobi; Writing by Richard Lough; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

The last stand of al-Shabaab - Africa - World - The Independent

Abdirahim Sheikh joined al-Shabaab after they visited him on his farm in southern Somalia to tell him that "foreign invaders" were abusing the Koran. He says the next three years of his life fighting for the radical Islamic militia were unimaginably tough. There was frequent bloody action on the front line and little or no care for the wounded who died in large numbers. But his morale only started to drop when he heard that fellow jihadists had killed worshippers at a mosque.

"If someone who is praying in a mosque can be killed then al-Shabaab are the infidels," said the 30-year-old. Standing in Mogadishu's ruined stadium, which the militia used as a training base during their long battle for the Somali capital, the farmer has switched sides and joined the war against them. He decided to defect, he said, after seeing a friend executed in front of him. The man was accused of planning to defect and the commander slit his throat as a warning to the others. That warning backfired. "After that the defections became a flood," said Abdirahim.

It is just over a year since al-Shabaab abandoned the crumbling sports ground and the rest of the city, leaving behind them the huge rusted metal plates speckled with shrapnel where their gunners practised piercing the armour of the African Union forces. The bowels of the stadium are now occupied by their former foes and a handful of al-Shabaab defectors who fled across the lines of a battle that the Islamic extremists appear to be losing.

The retreat that began at the height of the Horn of Africa famine in August last year has now reached the militants' once unassailable stronghold of Kismayo. The militant fighters last week trekked out of the historic port of Marka to the south of the capital. African Union forces have this year seized control of strategic towns like Afgoye outside the capital and Afmadow in the south. Now, the Islamists' commanders are reported to have left Kismayo, with residents in the port city seeing the militants withdraw their heavy weapons and larger trucks this week.

The series of reverses has led some observers to question whether a military defeat of Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen is now within reach. Abdirashid Hashi a Somalia analyst with the International Crisis Group (ICG) said that he expects Kismayo to be recaptured but that the war will continue in another guise. "Al Shabaab has been deserting or retreating from towns and cities since last year. But their ideology and many of their fighters are still there," he said.

"They are wounded and their strategy will now be to bide their time in the countryside and wait for the foreign forces to leave. They believe that time is on their side and they can fight a guerrilla war."

It is only six years since Ethiopian forces swept into Somalia with the political and military backing of the United States to topple the Islamic Courts Union, an Islamist movement which had taken control much of south and central Somalia after years of disastrous feuding between warlords. Ethiopia's vastly better-equipped forces quickly routed the youth militias loyal to the courts with hundreds killed or driven from the cities.

However, the Ethiopian intervention bolstered nationalist support for the courts' military wing helping to create al-Shabaab in its current form. Within a year the occupiers wearied of the guerrilla war and withdrew.

Now the foreign forces – comprising troops from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti and Sierra Leone, as well as Kenyans in the south – have some legitimacy under the umbrella of the African Union. After costly early mistakes, the AU force in the capital has restored some semblance of order enabling a freshly assembled parliament to elect a new president last month. The government of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the surprise winner among the MPs, has UN backing but also, crucially, some support among Somalis themselves who were largely contemptuous of his predecessors in the corrupt and squabbling Transitional Federal Government – an administration that a UN report uncovered was stealing 7 out of every 10 dollars it received in aid. The relative security in Mogadishu has seen people and money pour in from the Somali diaspora. Something of a revival is clearly underway.

But there is mounting concern that a botched operation to recapture Kismayo could undermine support for the new government and for the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom). Thousands of residents have streamed out of the port city in recent days as Kenya's navy has rained indiscriminate shellfire on the city.

"They are shelling everyone, everywhere," a Kismayo resident told The Independent by telephone from the besieged city. "The people are now understanding that the Kenyans have no plans to save the people." Kenya's land forces, operating under the banner of Amisom, have advanced to within 40 kilometres of the city. They have so far ignored appeals to establish a humanitarian corridor. Witnesses in nearby villages said the troops are firing on "anything that moves in front of them".

An equal or greater threat to southern Somalia may come from an imminent power struggle for the port city between competing clans. Similar struggles between Somalia's complex of clans and sub-clans were largely responsible for 20 years of civil war that followed the collapse of the last central government in 1991.

Al-Shabaab proved adept at managing the clan system in cosmopolitan Kismayo. In recent days they have allowed hundreds of lightly armed fighters from the Hawiye clan to move into the city. A warlord from the rival Marihan clan, Barre Hiiraale, is reported to be bringing his fighters to the city with the backing of Ethiopia. Meanwhile, the Kenyan advance from the south has been achieved with the backing of the Ras Kamboni militia from another rival clan, the Ogadeni.

The convergence of forces could see a three-way fight between proxies of Ethiopia, Kenya and al-Shabaab, an outcome that could restore some nationalist support for the Islamic militants after a year at bay.

UN Presses Kenya on Kismayo Civilian Protection

East African civilians depart in a truck, right, as AMISOM forces advance on al-Shabab-controlled region, Somalia, Sept. 4, 2012.

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Gabe Joselow

September 19, 2012

NAIROBI —

As Kenyan troops close in on the al-Shabab militant stronghold of Kismayo, Somalia, United Nations officials are urging armed forces to try to minimize civilian casualties.

U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Mark Bowden met with the Kenyan defense minister and military officials in Nairobi Wednesday to discuss ways to protect civilian lives as the military operation heats up around the port city.

Port Kismayo, Somalia

Bowden said there has been a spike in the number of civilians fleeing the coastal city, one of the Somali militant group's last remaining bastions.

​​“At the moment there appears to be a level of panic or concern about military operations, and yesterday we recorded over a thousand people leaving Kismayo," said Bowden, explaining that plans for providing humanitarian access to those in need must be made as soon as possible.

Al-Shabab Timeline

2006: Launches insurgency to topple Somali government, impose Islamic law

2008: U.S. declares al-Shabab a foreign terrorist organization

2009: Seizes control of parts of Mogadishu, Kismayo

2010: Expands control across central and southern Somalia; carries out deadly bombings in Kampala, Uganda in first attack outside Somali

2011: Blocks drought/famine aid from areas under its control

2011: East African leaders declare al-Shabab a regional threat, Ethiopian, Kenyan troops enter Somalia to pursue the group, which is driven out of Mogadishu

2012: Declares itself an al-Qaida ally, loses ground in Somalia, troops advance on the group's stronghold Kismayo

​​“The concern is that their interests are safeguarded and hopefully we can then make sure these people don't become long-termed displaced populations, and are able to return to safety as soon as possible," he said.

Accounts of civilian casualties

According to Kenyan military officials, ships have been shelling al-Shabab targets in Kismayo, and receiving return fire from militants, in the past few months. U.S.-based Human Rights Watch urged Kenya to investigate an August shelling incident in which two children and a pregnant woman were killed. 

Although Kenya's military was integrated with African Union forces (AMISOM) in June, its naval ships continue to operate independent of the AMISOM mission.

Kenyan military spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna said that, in operating independently, Kenyan forces are doing nothing illegal.

“We're not entirely banned from using maritime forces as long as it's in line with our national interests," he said. "So yes, that's why we're using maritime forces [to shell Kismayo], including air forces. As long as we're using it to protect our national interests and we're also taking care of collateral damage, we have not broken any law whatsoever.”

Oguna also said Kenyan and Somali forces captured the town of Jana Cabdalla, which is within 50 kilometers of Kismayo, on Wednesday.

A fight to the death

Military officials and witnesses have said al-Shabab commanders have been fleeing Kismayo this week, but that some fighters may be staying behind to defend the city.

VOA Somali service reports an al-Shabab radio transmitter dismantled earlier this week in Kismayo is again up and running, broadcasting the group's message and urging residents to stay calm, but vowing to fight to the death.

Somalia: Assuming Kismayo Falls, What Next for Al Shabab? | Sahel Blog

'via Blog this'The port city of Kismayo, Somalia (map) has long been a target of the Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF), who entered the country last October to help defeat the rebel movement Al Shabab. Under pressure from both the KDF and forces from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Al Shabab has withdrawn from a number of cities and towns, leaving Kismayo as its last major stronghold and a critical source of income. Kenyan forces have been steadily shelling Kismayo and preparing for a final battle since August. On MondayKenyan troops battled Al Shabab in Birta-dher, a town some 24 miles from Kismayo, and now they are reportedly closing in on the city itself. Al Shabab seems to feel the city’s capture is likely:

Young armed men from the Islamist army, Al Shabab, still patrolled, but higher-ranking officers had today disappeared from their usual tea shops and command bases. Even Al Andalus, Al Shabab’s radio station, was off the air.

“They are fleeing toward various locations, some are going north, some are going into the forests. It is all the senior men; the young boys are still here in town,” says Abdi Qani Ahmed, a Kismayo trader.

[...]

Kenyan forces Tuesday were reported to be less than 50 miles from Kismayo, battling for control of at least two towns on the road into the city, according to Abdinasir Seyrar, a Somali Army officer. “We are a short distance from Kismayo now and we can reach it immediately we want to,” he says.

The looming fight has already created serious humanitarian concerns:

The United Nations and United States warned Wednesday that civilians must be protected as forces battling Somalia’s Islamist fighters tightened the noose around the key insurgent bastion of Kismayo.

More than 6,000 civilians have fled ahead of the anticipated assault on the strategic port city, the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said Wednesday, with aid agencies preparing for a potential swift escalation of those needing support.

The capture of the city would not necessarily end these humanitarian concerns, nor will it answer the political questions concerning who will rule Kismayo and how. As Horn of Africa analyst Tres Thomas comments, “It does not appear that there are adequate plans to manage Kismayo if taken.”

Assuming Kismayo does fall, what will Al Shabab do? Three answers occur to me. One is that they will continue to carry out terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings targeting key buildings and persons in Mogadishu and elsewhere. Part of that trend may include continued attacks outside Somalia, especially in Kenya. A second answer is that they will retain a presence in rural areas of southern Somalia. And a third answer, suggested in the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia’s most recent report (pp. 15-16), is that Al Shabab may seek refuge in the semi-autonomous polity of Puntland and also head for destinations outside Somalia, such as Yemen.

Find more speculation about Al Shabab’s future at Al Jazeera. What are your thoughts? Do you expect Kismayo will fall easily? What comes next for Al Shabab?

Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia should unite ! - Topix

Its time for ethiopians, somalis and eritreans to form a cushitic-semitic democratic union. 
The bantu supremacists are colonizing cushitic lands in northern Kenya and the wahabists/arab supremacists are colonizing cushitic lands ( beja lands) in northern Sudan and southeastern Egypt. 
If Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia united you could stop the wahabists/arab supremacists and liberate the cushitic bejas in northern Sudan and southern Egypt and include them in your cushitic-semitic Horn union and you could stop the bantu colonization and liberate northern cushitic Kenya and include NFD in your union.

This Kush( beja)-Axum( tigray-amhara)-Punt(afar-somal i-oromo) union is the only way to stop the arab and bantu colonization of the cushitic Horn.

Example of bantu colonization of cushitic lands:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-193439... 

Example of arab colonization of cushitic lands:
http://www.enoughproject.org/blogs/beja-cultu... 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halab_Triangle 

Al-shebaab is sponsored by wealthy wahabists/arab-supremacists who desire to destroy the cushitic somali culture and arabize the Horn from northeastern Sudan( beja lands) to northern Kenya ( somali borana lands). Al-shebaab are using bantu footsoldiers who are committing mass rape of cushitic somali women.

Ismail Omar Gelle and Ethiopia’s new Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn have arrived in Somalia’s capital,

MGADISHU[laanta.net///]   The Djiboutian President Ismael Omar Gelle and his high-ranking delegation were received at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu by senior Somali Government officials and Djiboutian troops who are part of the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia(AMISOM).

Hon. Ismael Omar Gelle is taking part the inauguration ceremony of Somalia’s newly elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday, September 16, 2012.

Similarly, Turkish deputy prime minister Baker Bozdag landed in the capital on Sunday,to  attend the handing over ceremony where the newly elected Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud will be formally crowned as the new president of Somalia.

A number of other delegates and world leaders, mostly from east African countries,presidents of Sudan, Djibouti, Uganda, and Kenya are also in Mogadishu for the same reason, the inauguration ceremony of Somali president.

Ethiopia’s new Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who survived a vote by the ruling party over the weekend and was announced as the official representative of the party, arrived in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu on Sunday for talks with Ethiopia’s neighbor.

Sources close to the PM confirmed to Bikyamasr.com that the new prime minister would take part in the inauguration ceremony of Somalia’s new president in the capital.

Other reports said that delegations from the United States, Europe, the African Union and Arab countries are to be in the country for the inauguration of a president in Somalia for the first time in four decades.

The presidents of Sudan, Djibouti, Uganda, and Kenya are expected to arrive also, a source said.Somalia’s parliament elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamed as Somali President on September 10.

Ethiopia is accused of political involvement in Somalia for the last 20 years and arming the warlords in Somalia.

Ethiopia sent its troops into Somalia to oust Islamist groups controlling southern Somalia In late 2006 and currently, Ethiopian troops are in Somalia, region of, Hiiraan, Bay and Bakool.

Somalia central government collapsed in 1991 civil war, after Mohamed Siyad Barre is ousted by opposition forces and last 8 years Somalia formed a transitional government that ended with the last election.

African Union Welcomes the Presidential Election in Somalia - The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!

Posted by: TP Newswire    Tags:  African Union, elections in somalia, hassan sheikh, Jean Ping, new president in somalia, sheikh shariff, Somalia, somalia constitution, somalia elections, somalia elections 2012, somalia presidential elections, somalia transition, the african union    Posted date:  September 13, 2012  |  No comment

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Jean Ping, welcomes the successful completion of the presidential election in Somalia, which was held in a transparent and fair manner. He congratulates Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on his election as the new President of the Federal Republic of Somalia. He also commends the outgoing President, Sheikh Shariff Ahmed, for having gracefully conceded defeat and for his significant contribution to the peace and reconciliation process in his country.

The Chairperson of the Commission notes that yesterday’s election, following the adoption of a new interim Constitution and the selection of a new Parliament, marks the conclusion of the transition. It therefore ushered in a new chapter in the history of Somalia.

While commending all the Somali stakeholders and people for the maturity and commitment they have displayed over the past few weeks to complete the transition, in difficult circumstances, he urges them to remain steadfast and to continue to be driven by the higher interests of their country, in order to overcome the many challenges that lie ahead. He calls on them to build on the significant results thus achieved and the progress that continues to be made on the ground by the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali forces to further the peace and reconciliation process.

The Chairperson of the Commission wishes to assure the Somali stakeholders and people of the AU’s continued support in their efforts. In particular, the AU, through AMISOM, will continue to work towards the improvement of the security situation and the extension of State authority, the building of strong and effective Somali security forces and the reconstruction of the country. He acknowledges the critical role that the region, in particular IGAD and the East.

African Community, and the rest of the international community, notably the United Nations, the European Union, the League of Arab States, as well as the United States and other bilateral partners, have played in the results achieved so far. He calls on the AU member states and partners alike to remain actively engaged and to enhance their assistance to Somalia to enable it meet the even more demanding and complex tasks ahead.