Originally posted by Xaji_Xunjuf: ^kula yaabi mayo adiga reer maakhir baad tahay lol. The former Somalia existed for 31 years we failed miserably, invading Ethiopia trying to add Kilinka shanaad to Somalia. Which led to the downfall of the former Somalia. I believe the people of kilinka shanaad should also form their own country and be self determent the same with the people from the Nfd. If it’s in their interest. And try Establish 5 strong countries at the African union At the Arab League at the united nations. Why use the old dead ending policy towards somaliweyn. If we know its not going to be reality . Walalahi thats cool with me, 5 strong somali countries, side by side, working togther for the greater interest of all somali people

Originally posted by Xaji_Xunjuf: quote:Originally posted by Hassan6734: I view myself as a somali nationalist. Honestly i looks like somalia is going to take a while before it gets back on its feet. Out of somalimo and love to our somaliland brothers. Should we work hard towards somalilands recognition. An independent, peaceful strong somaliland is a postive step for all somali people. Inshalla somaliland could once after becomming a strong governemnt could also help out the rest of us somalis towards peace and goverannce. I think that probably somaliland becoming a UN member could be a postive thing for the rest of us somalis. Somalis would be more powerful having 3 seats at the united nations Somaliland Djibouti And Somalia. 3 seats in the African union 3 seats at the Arab league 3 seats on igad. Somalis in the horn would form a huge strong block. Somaliland and Somalia and Djibouti could work together things concerning the military the economy etc. Mashallah, thats what am talking about. Horta if somaliland inshalla does become UN member nation. It along with Djibouti would hve to responsbility to ensure that somalia stands up on its feet and also eventually become a strong government. Then we three could work very hard to make Oga de*ninaa another independent somali nation. Then us four somali governemnts could also work hard to get the NFD to join either the goverments of somalia or Oga de*ninaa

Originally posted by Sacad *Ducaale: spoken like a true patriot. :cool: but i am afraid some somalis are xasiidin and don't want to see their fellow brothers progress , instead they want to keep everybody in a dark hole. Walahi thats spot on, you are right that most somalis are xasiidin. A recogntion for somaliland would be a guul for all somalis, be it in south somalia, Og"a den, NFD etc. Having another somali governemnt in the Horn in addition to Djibouti would be a great. And we somalis would forever be united because we have the same blood iyo deen and language anyway. It would only be a huge blow for ethiopia to face up too somali goverments.

Originally posted by Sacad *Ducaale: that is true, imagine having somaliand and djbouti side by side and helping to restore the peace in somalia maxa ka ficaan ariinta? Walahi that's what am talking about, just imagine 2 well develped somali countries, djibouti iyo somaliland. Walahi that would make me proud as a somali. To see somaliland develop like Dubai would be excellent

Walahi this post shows that am not a hater and that i am indeed very somalimo. TFG should give recogntion to somaliland, whats the point of leaving somaliland in a limbo and allow them to be used by the Tigraay.

And what parts of somalia are you from Che -Guevara? Gedo, loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool No wonder why you tend to support al-shabaab

I view myself as a somali nationalist. Honestly i looks like somalia is going to take a while before it gets back on its feet. Out of somalimo and love to our somaliland brothers. Should we work hard towards somalilands recognition. An independent, peaceful strong somaliland is a postive step for all somali people. Inshalla somaliland could once after becomming a strong governemnt could also help out the rest of us somalis towards peace and goverannce. I think that probably somaliland becoming a UN member could be a postive thing for the rest of us somalis.

Originally posted by Che -Guevara: quote:Originally posted by Hassan6734: Thanks Sacad quote: Originally posted by Che -Guevara: ^I dare him to post link or source Did i hurt your feelings, so you love tuug dhar aweis, what a clown, lol That really says everything about you. Actually You and I share that in common. I wanna see Daahir and Turki gone but I don't wish on them. Hopefully they will retire and disappear into oblivion though that's unlikely. So I take it no sources then? Che -Guevara we are not the same, been reading your post for a while. You come across to me as a traitor. Your not the type like me. I got reer Mudug blood running in my veins and don't take any sort of crap from any anti-somali individuals iyo orgs.

Dr. Michael A. Weinstein The unfolding conflict between Harakat al-Shabaab Mujahideen (H.S.M.) and the clan militias fighting under the banner of Ahlu Sunna Wal-Jama'a (A.S.W.J.) for control of Somalia's central regions entered a new phase on January 10 and 11, when A.S.W.J. took major military action against Hizbul Islam (H.I.), which is tactically allied with H.S.M. in the central regions, in Beledweyne, the capital and strategic transit junction of the Hiiraan region; and against H.S.M in the villages of Wabho and Warhole in the Galgadud region that lie close to the town of El-Bur, where H.S.M. has its largest military base in the central regions. A.S.W.J.'s action came ten days after H.S.M. had briefly captured Dhusamareb, the capital of Galgadud, in which A.S.W.J. is dominant. Although A.S.W.J. retook Dhusamareb a day later, it was forced to postpone the conclusion of a conference it was holding in the town of Abudwaq on forming a permanent administration for Galgadud. A.S.W.J. had previously stated that its aim was to eliminate H.S.M. from the central regions; the attack on Dhusamareb forced A.S.W.J.'s hand. Run-Up to A.S.W.J.'s Counter-Offensive On January 4, the day after it had retreated from Dhusamareb, H.S.M. opened a conference in Somalia's capital Mogadishu for 100 traditional clan elders from the country's southern and central regions for the purposes of training the elders in how to apply H.S.M.'s rigorous Salafist version of Shari'a law and how to support its present and planned regional administrations. At the training sessions, Sh. Mukhtar Robow, who has recently re-emerged as a power figure in H.S.M., said that H.S.M. would not permit the formation of rival administrations, such as the one being formed by A.S.W.J. in Galgadud. H.S.M. spokesman Sh. Ali Dhere said that the intent of H.S.M.'s attack on Dhusamareb was not to take the town, but to break up A.S.W.J.'s conference in Abudwaq, which it had succeeded in doing. A.S.W.J.'s chair for the central regions, Sh. Mohamed Farah, responded that the conference had been successfully concluded before H.S.M.'s attack, which contradicted A.S.W.J.'s earlier postponement of the conference's conclusion (key executive and advisory committees had not yet been chosen). As H.S.M. laid down its line, Radio Gaalkayco reported that newly trained H.S.M. fighters with 50 armored vehicles were crossing from the Middle Shabelle region, where H.S.M is dominant, into the Hiiraan region, adding that H.S.M. was holding secret talks with H.I. in Hiiraan on a joint offensive against A.S.W.J. Also on January 4, Ethiopia, which backs A.S.W.J., sent forces into Hiiraan and re-established a base at the Kalabeyr junction near Beledweyne, conducted vehicle searches, and arrested eight suspected members of H.S.M. On January 7, Sh. Ali Dhere announced that H.S.M had completed strategy talks and, "within a matter of days," would "capture some central regions." On the same day, A.S.W.J. and H.I. fought outside Beledweyne while Ethiopian forces remained at their base. The rhetorical dimension of the conflict heated up on January 10, when Robow reiterated the claim that H.S.M. was ready to mount attacks and restated its aim of "extending Shari'a to the whole country" and establishing an "emirate." He said that H.S.M. would move north into the semi-autonomous state of Puntland and the self-declared independent republic of Somaliland, charging that both of them "answer to Ethiopia" and have "thrown away Shari'a." Robow accused the "Western powers" of trying to control Somalia by dividing it into regions and of working hand in glove with Ethiopia. In response, A.S.W.J. appealed to Puntland and Somaliland for support, arguing that if H.S.M. were to succeed in "moving past Galgadud," it would first move against the Mudug region to the east; then against Mudug's capital Galkayo, which is split between central Somalia and Puntland; and finally against Puntland and Somaliland. Emphasizing its determination to resist H.S.M., A.S.W.J. executed an H.S.M. commander whom it had captured after the January 3 battle in Dhusamareb. A.S.W.J. spokesman Sh. Abdullahi Sh. Abu Yusuf explained the group's first reported execution, stating that the H.S.M. commander had refused to recant his position "that all people were infidels except his group."According to a Reuters report, Sh. Abu Yusuf concluded: "What else are we supposed to do to those who believe they will go to paradise for killing us and the whole human race?" Unlike H.S.M.'s January 2 attack on Dhusamareb, which appeared to take its rivals by surprise and had not been anticipated in local media, it came as no surprise when, on January 10, A.S.W.J. forces, led by the former governor of Hiiraan's Mahas district, Aden Abdulle Awale, mounted a full-scale attack on Beledweyne and succeeded in capturing the east side of the town from its H.I. administration. Over the next two days of fighting, the east side changed hands twice, after which A.S.W.J. forces attempted to attack the west side and were met with resistance at the bridge that connects east and west Beledweyne. As armed conflict continued on January 12, H.S.M. forces were reported to be mobilizing in the town of Bulo Burde to back up H.I. Somalia's internationally recognized but ineffectual Transitional Federal Government (T.F.G.), which is nominally and reservedly supported by A.S.W.J., declared that H.S.M. was supporting H.I. in Beledweyne. Fighting continued for a fourth day on January 13, with reports that the former T.F.G. governor of Hiiraan, Yusuf Dabaged, was involved on the side of A.S.W.J. Shabelle Media Network reported that H.S.M. forces had joined the H.I. militias. On January 14, Shabelle reported that fighting had ceased for the moment in Beledweyne, with H.I. and H.S.M. holding the west side of town and A.S.W.J. the east side. On January 12, A.S.W.J. opened a second front in Galgadud, engaging H.S.M. between the villages of Wabho and Warhole, which, if taken from H.S.M., would open the way for an A.S.W.J. attack on the town of El-Bur, the site of H.S.M.'s largest military base in the central regions. Sh. Abu Yusuf announced that A.S.W.J. would "remove" H.S.M. from El-Bur: "We are prepared to do everything." Press TV reported that thousands of H.S.M. forces were moving into Galgadud to protect El-Bur. Also, on January 12, the chair of A.S.W.J.'s council, Sh. Omar Abdikadir, announced that the three governing councils of the incipient A.S.W.J. administration would be elected in Dhusamareb. He continued to insist, however, that the Abudwaq meetings had been successfully completed before H.S.M.'s January 2 attack on Dhusamareb. Explanatory Intelligence As reported by this writer in Garoweonline on December 8, 2009 and January 3, 2010, a knowledgeable source in the Horn of Africa disclosed that H.S.M.'s actions in the central regions have the wider aim of encircling Mogadishu in order to isolate completely the T.F.G. in the small enclave in the capital that it holds with the essential support of an African Union peacekeeping mission (AMISOM) - to strangle and suffocate the T.F.G. on its way to establishing an "emirate." A.S.W.J., on the other hand, was an umbrella organization of traditional Sufi clerics that had held itself aloof from politics until a year ago, when it reacted to H.S.M.'s desecration of Sufi graves and shrines, and assassinations of Sufi clerics, by becoming the front for local and regional clan militias, politicians, and T.F.G. officials who had been displaced by H.S.M. and H.I., which has a Salafist-nationalist ideology. The alliances between clan warlords and politicians, and A.S.W.J. have worked to the advantage of both by providing the variegated anti-H.S.M. clan factions with a religious veneer and a possible political formula and alternative vehicle should the T.F.G. collapse entirely (as they seem to think it will); and by providing A.S.W.J. with muscle, the possibility of political power, and the opportunity to implement its own version of Shari'a. The same source who disclosed H.S.M.'s encirclement strategy has provided explanatory intelligence on the current phase of the conflict in the central regions. The source reports that H.I. has been "heavily infiltrated" by H.S.M., which will take advantage of H.I.'s "precarious position" to get a foothold in Beledweyne should H.I. retake the town with its aid. The source goes on to underscore the expedient character of A.S.W.J.'s alliances with clan factions, noting in particular how the anti-H.S.M. Hawadle sub-clan (******) elements led by Abdulle Awale have simply exchanged the T.F.G. nameplate for the A.S.W.J. brand. The source reports intelligence that he cannot substantiate that clan factions fronted by A.S.W.J. are disputing over allocation of weapons provided by Ethiopia. In assessing the balance of forces in the central regions, the source provides an analysis that need not be amended or enhanced. Arguing that the conflict in the central regions is a war of attrition imposed by H.S.M., the source points out "a major structural defect within A.S.W.J." that puts it at a disadvantaged position in confronting H.S.M. As a transclan movement, the source observes, H.S.M.'s battle casualties are shared among all clans and - it may be added - are relatively distant from them. In contrast, the sub-clans associated with A.S.W.J. bear the full brunt of battle casualties. Therefore, the source explains, it will be difficult for the sub-clans to sustain "heavy losses for long" when they "look at the Shabaab onslaught facing them," giving H.S.M. the edge. That A.S.W.J. would counter attack was to be expected. The struggle for control of the central regions is now well underway, and there is no political brake to apply to decelerate it. Report Drafted By: Dr. Michael A. Weinstein, Professor of Political Science, Purdue University weinstem@purdue.edu

Originally posted by Jacaylbaro: ninkan SOL ha laga qabto ,, Bruv you know i got know problem with your somaliland thing. So why you be on my throat for?

Thanks Sacad Originally posted by Che -Guevara: ^I dare him to post link or source Did i hurt your feelings, so you love tuug dhar aweis, what a clown, lol That really says everything about you.

Sacad *Ducaale i don't know if its true, but walahi i really hope that it turns out true

Props to the young man who shot this wahabi rat. Walahi massive respect

Originally posted by Jacaylbaro: You still did not answer my question Hassanow ,,,,, are you in Beletweyne right now ??? No i am not in beledwyene

Yeah that right, pigs die hard, Thanks that this agent of Eritrea got killed and shot to death by a patriotic somali teenager who lost he's entire familiy thanks to Tuug Dhair aweis

Originally posted by Che -Guevara: Hassan....You say the news is out there, out where? I can't find. Last I heard from sources, liiqliidato baa la,isku horfadhiyaa, but you can check here. lool@jb Cos a terrorist like you is in the bad habit in believing what he wants to believe. Horta what are you denying? Don't tell me that you are denying that Al-sunnah control beledweyne. Keep hating, cos reality is giving your traitor mind some massive blows Somalia hanoolato, props to al-sunnah wajamah mujahids, inshalla we gonna clean somalia from any trace of wahabist terrorist

Originally posted by Jacaylbaro:up Are u in Beletweyn now ??? Bruv let me tell you something, since your a somalilander you seem to know little. Been calling Beledweyne, the city is now calm, terrorist be pushed back and defeatd. The best thing is that the people strongly support Al-sunnah wajamah iyo the whole uprising against the terrorist all started thanks to the locals who had enough of these terrorist.

Originally posted by Jacaylbaro: Guys, you're asking too much. He is the damn source Jacaylbaro help me out here, you know we dealing with brain dead terrorist supporters here. I just can't believe terrorist be askking for sources for things that already be fact. Terrorist put it in your thick heads, beledweyne is under the control of al-sunnah wajamah. Hizbul Islam iyo al-shabaab been defeated. What else you want me to say?

Che -Guevara we know that you are a hardcore al-shabaab supporter so quit hating on me. And yet with disgrace you put the somali flag on your avatar. GTF outta here, in supporting a rebel group that won't accept somalia's flag. Word up i don't hve to provide a source to a person such as yourself. If you disagree with me that beledweyne is now under the control of al-sunnah wajamah then that's your problem cos cos the news is already out there fore everyone that beledweyne iyo wahbo is now fully under the control of al-sunnah wajamah.

Shabelle-Nairobi — The Foreign Office Minister for Africa, Baroness Glenys Kinnock, is visiting Kenya between 13 and 15 January for wide-ranging discussions on bilateral and regional issues with members of Government, Parliament and civil society. During her visit she will hold bilateral meetings with Kenyan President Kibaki and his Prime Minister Odinga as well as the Somali President, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed who is now in Kemya. "I am also pleased that I will have the opportunity to meet the President of the Transitional Federal Government while I'm in Nairobi." Said the minister in a statement released by the British high commission in Nairobi. We have been working hard with international partners to help Somalis build a peaceful and stable Somalia. Consistent engagement by all countries remains critical. Instability in Somalia caused by extremist insurgents has led to huge suffering to the Somali people themselves and presents a serious threat to regional and international peace, security and development . Kenya in particular knows only too well the challenges ongoing instability in Somalia presents to its neighbours. They and other countries in the region have a key role to play as part of the international community, she added. While the situation in Somalia remains extremely difficult, there were some encouraging signs of progress towards the end of last year. Relevant Links The minister welcomed the TFG's strategic vision and plans for 2010 presented at the International Contact Group meeting in Jeddah in December and progress on the budget and on key institutional appointments. I look forward to discussing the TFG's plans for transition and further reconciliation. I will also be looking at how the international community can best co-ordinate its support to the TFG and of course to the African Union peace-keeping mission, AMISOM. The UK remains committed to supporting AMISOM operations to which we contributed over £15 million last year. AMISOM is providing essential security in the most difficult circumstances. We will also continue to work with partners and the TFG to help reduce conflict and improve governance and democracy to make Somalia a place where people can live and return to safely. Our development assistance budget for 2009/10 stands at £25 million for the provision of humanitarian aid and delivering critical services in areas like health and education to the Somali people."

by Abdulkadir Dirie Email: dirie2004@yahoo.com Gang Culture Alshabab and Hizbul-Islam Culture Birth and Expansion Gangs evolve from being turf and brotherhood oriented to an organization involved with criminal enterprise. A group of small clan-oriented courts in Southern Somalia evolved into Islamic courts union which gave birth to Al-Shabab and other religious gangsters. Leadership Leaders issue orders and benefit from the gang's activities. Leadership authorizes mass murder and claim credit for the terror activities carried out by loosely connected units. Law Gangs break the law to obtain funding for gang activities or to promote the gang's reputation on the streets. Total disregard for the state sovereignty, and the sanctity of the principles of Islam. Funds come from the Gulf States as well as Alqaa’ida sources in Somalia and in the Diaspora Slogan Certain types of clothing, colors, tattoos, or brands. Emulate Alqaa’ida banners, and slogans (A black flag with the Shahada on it). Objective Most gang members crave power, or "juice" as it is known in gang slang. Members crave for draconian rule that virtually eradicate every sane, thinking Muslim. Motives for recruitment Identity, recognition, belonging, money, disenfranchisement, and general breakdown of social values Very much the same. Most Alshabab/Hizbul-Is.. Fighters are disenfranchised youth who have no education or income. War is a job as well as a short cut to ‘paradise’. Membership Gang members are told they will be killed if they try to get out. Zero tolerance for disobedience and desertion. Alshabab assassinated many runaways from its crime enterprise. Media Gang culture highly glamorizes reports of their brutality by the media. Alshabab glamorizes mass murder of innocent citizens including students, teachers, women and children. Affiliation Most gangs align with large major city gangs: Crips, Bloods, Folk Nation, People Nation, Blackstone Rangers, etc. Alshabab is an affiliate of Alqaa’ida, Taliban, and other outlawed organizations. Principle Reputation: is based by having the most "juice". Respect: is carried to the extreme. Retaliation: No challenge goes unanswered. Very much the same. Recall the mass killings that took place in Hargeisa, Beledweyne, and Mogadishu. Graffiti Signs drawn in the neighborhood show gang affiliation. Gang members are not all one ethnic group. AlShabab and their affiliates display Alqaa’ida signs and affiliation. Alshabab includes Somalis, Arabs, Afghans, and African terrorists. Motto “Mess with the best die like the rest” “Undergo the ultimate test of life. Meet Allah before your eyes. Carry out suicidal terrorism, and go to PARADISE!” The Quran Says: "...If anyone kills a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all people. And if anyone saves a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all people" (Qur'an 5:32). Will the religious thugs in Somalia get the message of this verse and refrain from criminal activity?

Waryaa have you been alsleep for the past 3 days. Go to hell with your sources cos you acting a fool right now. Beledweyne is under the control of Al-sunnah wajamah. If you deny that then you have some issue

by JULIANA TAIWO The entire event was aimed to explore mechanisms of influencing public opinion and support for African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) in Somalia, especially in current and potential Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs). The forum sought to enable citizens—through gatekeepers—from the TCCs to appreciate the roles, responsibilities and contributions of their troops to the peace process in Somalia and its far-reaching implications for the African continent. It also aimed to explore mechanisms of influencing public policy in the current and potential TCCs with a view to generating more troops for the mission. It is pertinent to note that the Nigerian government had stated categorically that there is no peace to keep in Somalia rather what is needed is peace enforcement. Apparently, Nigeria drew its assertion from its experience in Liberia and Sierra Leone conflicts of the late 80s and early ‘90s. It also further stated that the agreements reached with the European Union (EU) in providing equipment and funding has also not been met. Nigeria had last August, said in the face of dwindling resources following the global economic crisis as well as the then militancy in the Niger Delta region and other competing demands at the home front, it was considering reducing its commitment in external peacekeeping operations. Government had also lamented that with 5,000 soldiers in Darfur and the current troop strength of 17,000 in various peacekeeping missions worldwide, the burden on Nigeria’s budget was becoming unbearable. But the Acting Special Representative of the Chairperson of African Union Commission on AMISOM, Hon. Wafula Wamunyinyi grabbed the attention when he raised the alarm that if TCCs do not redeemed their pledge of sending troops to tackle insurgency and restore peace in Somalia, the continent should not be surprise to witness a repeat of September 11 attack on an African soil with the kind of support the Al-Shabab group was enjoying from Al-Qaeda which is known to commit ghastly terrorists attacks that have led to hundreds, if not thousands, of deaths in counties like US, Afghanistan, UK, Pakistan among others. “If more security-sophisticated countries like the US, UK and Spain could be affected, then Africa may be like a play ground for any Al-Qaeda terrorist attack,” he explained. Wamunyinyi further warned that African continent is not immune from the September 11-like attack if each member state of the African Union (AU) continues to play the ostrich as Al-Shabab are now being trained by Al-Qaeda militias in terrorism acts, suicide bombings, targeted attacks and kidnappings. He added that “no African country should think it is safe as long as Al-Qaeda is present in Somalia.” The AMISOM boss particularly called on Nigeria, being a senior, strategic partner and a major stakeholder on African issues with experience in peacekeeping operations to take the lead in keeping to its international commitment, warning that no country is safe if Al-Shabab is allowed the freehand to foster. Ordinarily, the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) was established by the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) in January, 2007 and mandated to provide support to the Somalia Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) in their efforts to stabilise the country and further dialogue and reconciliation; facilitate provision of humanitarian assistance, and create conducive conditions for long term stabilisation, reconstruction and development in Somalia. In implementing its mandate since March 2007, AMISOM Programme Manager, Mr. James Gadin, explained that the mission has deployed a military component comprising of two contingents from Burundi and Uganda. According to him, AMISOM force is deployed in strategic locations covering the airport, seaport, Kilometre-4, Villa Somalia (The Presidency), Siad Barre Military Academy and the former Mogadishu University. Apart from providing security to the TFIs and key installations, the force has also been involved in the provision of humanitarian services such as medicare and portable water supply to Somalis, which have gone a long way in winning the hearts and minds of the ordinary Somali citizen. Taking participants through the challenges of AMISOM, Gadin said AMISOM has suffered some challenges despite its laudable objectives including operating below the mandated troop strength of 8000, operating in a very hostile environment in which AMISOM soldiers have been attacked (200 injured) and killed (60 deceased), as well as lack of sufficient understanding of the mandate and roles of AMISOM both in Somalia and in the current and potential Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs). “Despite the laudable objectives of the mission, and the political, security and humanitarian tasks which the mission has undertaken over the last two years in Somalia, it continues to suffer a number of challenges which have hampered successful implementation of the mandate. The mission has not been able to generate and deploy its mandated troop strength of 8000 soldiers, largely due to inadequate financial and logistical resources. The mission is also operating in a very hostile environment. By September 3, more than 60 peacekeepers had been killed, while close to 200 had been injured. That problem has been compounded by the complex and multi-faceted nature of the conflict and the fluid nature of the actors. “AMISOM has also faced the challenge of lack of wider public support in Somalia, and in the respective Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs). This is due to lack of sufficient information about the mission, and negative publicity arising out of the attacks and killings of its soldiers. In particular, the level of casualties recorded by the mission has been exploited by those opposed to the mission in Somalia and the TCCs to call for troop withdrawal, as well as to delay deployment by potential TCCs and other logistical support,” he lamented. Speaking on the needs for TCCs to react now, Wamunyinyi said, “we have made an appeal to member states of the African Union to deploy troops in Somalia, particularly we have asked our big brothers Nigeria, Ghana and others to take the Somalia situation not as Somalia concern alone, but an issue for the entire African region, and for the whole of the international community. “The Al-Shabab at the moment are now being supported by Al-Qaeda and Al-Qaeda’s continuous grip on the activities of Al-Shabab has given them such manner of organisation that they have gone as far as appointing managers, trainers, financiers to manage the affairs of Al-Shabab and have opened up training camps within Somalia. Unless this is checked we will have the movement of Al-Shabab strengthened by Al-Qaeda and also because the international community’s efforts in Afghanistan are being strengthened, there is need to act so as not to turn Somalia to a new haven for Al-Qaeda activities. “President Barrack Obama has recently resolved that America is making further deployment of over 30,000 soldiers to Afghanistan, the United Kingdom deploying 10,000, the NATO members and European Union states are doing the same, to strengthen the multilateral military efforts in Afghanistan. The troop level in Afghanistan is going up to 150,000. “While Afghanistan is receiving that much attention, Africans on the other hand, are not deploying in Somalia. We need to realise that as pressure mounts on Al Qaeda in Afghanistan they will move to Somalia and when they move, the situation will become critical because they can attack anybody, especially with the weak institutions there. This is because now they are training in terrorism, suicide bombings, targeted attacks and kidnappings. What happened in the US on September 11, can happen anywhere in Africa. No African country should think it is safe. African leaders must understand that this problem must be solved otherwise the security of Africa, the security of member states is greatly jeopardised by the presence of Al-Qaeda in Somalia,” he warned. Wamunyinyi said “Nigerian forces have been involved in peacekeeping missions in various countries and have had extensive experience in conflicts resolution, we need them to provide us with selfsame experience as a senior and critical partner and a major stakeholder on the continent. I mean Nigeria is a strategic partner and a major stakeholder on African issues. So we are really looking at Nigeria to take its position to lead, to take up its position as a leader in Africa to deploy in Somalia. If this does not happen they should not sit in Nigeria or anywhere and think we are safe. Al-Qaeda and by extension Al-Shabab is capable of attacking anywhere, this is how serious it is,” he said. Currently, only Uganda and Burundi have deployed troops made up of 4,500 peacekeeping (six battalion) soldiers who are presently being owed nine months allowances since April. Only $800,000 has been disbursed of the US$230million promised by the European Union (EU) to support the efforts to restore peace in Somalia. So there are enormous financial and logistics challenges for the mission. While the spirit was still high on the second and final day of the workshop, news filtered in from Somalia that a suicide bomber disguised as a woman sneaked into a graduation ceremony at the Shamo Hotel in Mogadishu and blew himself up resulting in the death of three ministers, journalists, parents and several others including 30 of the 43 medical students having their graduation ceremony. Obviously, the saddening news disrupted the workshop for about 10 minutes during which AMISOM issued a statement condemning the attack in strong terms. In a pensive mood, Wamunyinyi, told the participants and the media present that the attack was to blackmail the government of Somalia and the AMISOM working towards peace and stabilisation of the country. “We condemn this attack and the perpetrators of this act in the strongest terms. We want to assure the people of Somalia and the international community that AMISOM will remain steadfast, we are going to continue providing our services to the people of Somalia, Transitional Federal Government (TFG), to the people of Africa and this is not going to cow us in any way. Our message to President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmad is that we will be with them at this difficult time all the way. The commander of the African Union (AU) peacekeeping force in Somalia, Maj. Gen. Nathan Mugisha said the attack showed an urgent need to deploy more peacekeeping troops to the country to restore peace and tackle terrorists. He warned that as countries continue to take a slow decision in deploying troops, the militants in Somalia are gaining more grounds. “These are things we have been talking about here. Now, it is evident you can see an explosion at a graduation ceremony where you have harmless students, parents, leadership and the public. Obviously it was not a good intention, when you are targeting innocent people, young doctors graduating having been trained. “What has happened shouldn’t derail us from our plans, it’s a shock but it is not surprising and I think if anything, it should just make us more resolute to achieve in this conference anything that was determined to be achieved,” he said.

by Abdurahman Abdullahi (Baadiyow) Saturday, January 02, 2010 Militancy simply means having a combative character; aggressive, especially in the service of a cause. Adding Islamic adjective signifies that certain interpretation of Islam is used as the guiding ideology of that militancy. The first such militancy in the history of Islam was labelled “al-Khawarij” ["the Seceders" or the Rebels] because of their rebellion [khuruj] against fourth Imam of Islam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib. In the opposite stands the terminology of moderation “balanced” “al-Wasadiyah” which signifies being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme, and not violent or subject to extremes. In general, Islam calls for moderation in everything: in belief, warship, conduct, and legislation; and warns against all forms of extremism: ghuluw (excessiveness), tanattu' (meticulous religiosity) and tashdid (strictness). Moderation, or balance, is not only a general characteristic of Islam, it is a fundamental landmark. In the Qur’anic verse (2:143) Allah says: “Thus, have we made of you an Ummah (Nation) justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations and the Messenger a witness over yourselves”. The phenomenon of Islamic extremism was well articulated by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qardawi in his booklet “Islamic Awakening between Rejection and Extremism” which is very useful to briefly understand current militancy in a balanced way. Looking into the history of Somalia in the 18th and 19th centuries, the revival of Islam was carried by the Sufi Brotherhood movements and legendary Sufi scholars belonging to the three main Sufi Orders: Qadiriyah, Ahmadiyah and Salihiyah had emerged. The names of Sheikh Madar, Sheikh Abdirahman Al-Zayli, Sheikh Aweys al-Baraawi, Sheikh Mohamed Guleed, Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan, Sheikh Ali Maye, Sheikh Sufi and many others are well known teachers and respected Islamic Scholars in Somalia. Sufi brotherhoods are generally moderate and use peaceful means of propagating Islam that offer due consideration to the norms and customs of the people. Often, they use innovative means to assimilate and absorb the pastoral and illiterate masses and mobilize them into common action. Bloodlettings being the most heinous crime in Islam, Islamic scholars usually abstain from recurrent clan fighting in the harsh pastoral environment. Their role is limited to conflict resolution, community education and conducting various religious functions. However, there were three historical events in the history of Somalia when Islamic militancy emerged and certain Islamic scholars led internal fighting to gain politico-religious hegemony. Such historical events have historical importance and constitute precedents for current Islamic militancy and extremism in Somalia. It offers lessons that doctrinal differences and political ambitions may develop into violent wars under the leadership of charismatic and ambitious scholars. 1. The first event occurred around Baardheere town in the southern Somalia as a confrontation between the Bardheere religious settlements (Jamaaca) and the Geledi Sultanates at Afgoye. The Bardheere settlement was founded in 1819 by Sheikh Ibrahim Yabarow, introducing some Islamic reforms such as outlawing tobacco and popular dancing and prohibiting ivory trade. They began to implement some elements of Islamic Shari’a, such as the wearing of decent Islamic dress for women. In the mid-1930s, receiving strong adherents, the Jamaaca decided to expand its sphere of influence to other regions during era of Sharif Abdirahman and Sharif Ibrahim from Sarmaan in Bakool. By 1840, the Jamaaca warriors reached Baidoa area and Luuq and finally sacked Baraawe, the historic seat of the Qadiriyah Order where both Sultan Ahmed Yusuf of Geledi and Sheikh Maadow of Hintire clan learned, the most powerful leaders who together reacted to the Baardheere expansions. The town of Baraawe accepted their capitulation conditions that include prohibiting tobacco and popular dancing, adopting the Islamic dress code and so on. They also agreed to pay an annual tax of 500 Pessa. This action provoked a concerted response from the clans of the inter-river areas under the charismatic leadership of Geledi Sultan Yusuf Mohamed. The Sultanate mobilized an expedition force of 40,000 from all clans, stormed Bardheere and completely burned it. Professor Cassanelli characterized this conflict as between the rising power of Islamic reformists and the established traditional power of the Geledi. Moreover, he adds the economic factor of curbing the lucrative ivory trade as well as a clan aspect, which stemmed from the armed immigrant nomads, the followers of the Jamaaca, being perceived as a threat to the local population. The external actors’ role in this conflict was not well researched, however, it is said that Sayid Bargash, the Sultan of Zanzibar, was on good terms with the Geledi Sultanate in the confrontation, perceived to be a Wahabi “Salafia” penetration into Somalia. 2. The second event is connected with the arrival of Sheikh Ali Abdurahman (*****tain) (1787-1952) in Merca in 1946 and his confrontation with the dominant Geledi Sultanate. Sheikh Ali *****tain was born in Nugal region between Growe and Laas-Aanood in the current Puntland. He traveled to Mecca and Baghdad for further learning where he met “with the disciples of Mohamed Abdulwahab” and came back to his home area. He established an Islamic education center at Halin (Xalin) wells near Taleex. However, he emigrated from his home after conflict with his clan and moved to the eastern region under the tutelage of *****tain Sultan Nur Osman. Here also, Sheikh Ali found it unacceptable to live with the overt violation of Islamic Shari’a by the Sultan Nur of *****tain, forming an alliance with Haji Farah Hirsi, a rebel Sultan of *****tain who attempted to establish a new sultanate or to overthrow his cousin, similar to the Saudi style where Haji Farah would take political responsibility and Sheikh Ali would administer religious affairs. To achieve this goal, Sheikh Ali sent a letter to the ruler of Sharja Sheikh Saqar al-Qasimi offering his allegiance and requesting his support. However, Sheikh Saqar could not respond promptly and, dismayed, Sheikh Ali traveled to Zanzibar and remained there for 15 months under the custody of Sultan Said al-Bu-Saidi. Having in mind to establish an Islamic Emirate, Sheikh Ali had arrived in Merca in 1946, three years after the defeat of Baardheere Jamaaca and the dominance of Geledi Sultanate over the vast southern regions. However, Biimal clan, the major clan of Merca, was rebelling against the Geledi sultanate at that time. Sheikh Ali *****tain had arrived in Merca in alliance with Biimal clan, with 5 boats carrying 150 followers and substantial quantities of firearms and ammunition. He settled near Merca with the consent of the Biimal clan and began his activities and education programs. First, he attempted to play the role of a peacemaker between Sultan Yusuf and the Biimal clan and sent a letter to Sultan Yusuf requesting that he accept his reconciliation efforts. However, when Sultan Yusuf refused his offer, he arbitrarily declared war against him. Sheikh Ali’s followers confronted the Geledi sultan in 1846 without the support of Biimal clan and were easily defeated. His expectation of receiving assistance from Sultan of Zanzibar was dashed, and instead the Zanzibar sultan helped the Sultan of Geledi to confront what was perceived as the threat of the “Wahabis”. The doctrinal inclination of Sheikh Ali is evident in the letter he sent to the clans of Brava showing that he considered the Geledi Sultanate to be a deviated sect (firqa dalah). Commenting on the outcome of war, Sheikh Ali stated according Aw Jamac Omar Iisse that “in reality ours [deaths] are in paradise and theirs are in hell” and “if you are among the deviated sect whom Sultan Yusuf leads, there is no relation between us, and your blood will not be saved from us”. The intolerance of Sheikh Ali to the propagation of Islam among his people, his mobilization of armed followers and his siding with the Biimal clan against the Geledi sultanate, all indicates that he belonged to a militant ideology similar to that of Bardheere Jamaaca. 3. The third significant event was the arrival in Berbera in 1895 of Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan, which was not only the beginning of armed encounters with the colonial powers but also initiated internal conflict among the Somali Sufi Orders. Upon his arrival in Berbera, Sayid Mohamed challenged the authority and credentials of the Qadiriyah establishment, setting up the competing Salihiyah Order. He publicly criticized some practices of Qadiriyah Sheikhs, and introduced new verdict (fatwas) on some issues, such as prohibition of chewing Qaad and tobacco, although tolerated by other scholars. However, Qadiriyah scholars succeeded in overcoming these challenges through religious debates. Scholars, like Aw Gas and Haji Ibrahim Hirsi, invited Sheikh Madar from Hargeysa, the head of the Qadiriyah Order in the region, and Sheikh Abdullahi Arusi, the teacher of Sayid Mohamed, to participate in a meeting held in Berbera in 1897 to discuss issues of lawful and prohibited in Islam raised by Sayid Mohamed. However, after heated discussions on the major disputed issues, followers of Qadiriyah in Berbera rebelled against Sayid Mohamed and the British authorities intervened to maintain public order. As a result, Sayid Mohamed was compelled to emigrate from Berbera, carrying with him doctrinal enmity against Qadiriyah. This deep-rooted conflict between Qadiriyah and northern Salihiyah had two dimensions, political and doctrinal. First, Sayid Mohamed was aiming to establish an Islamic Emirate under his leadership without consulting other prominent scholars. His unilateral, authoritarian and violent approach annoyed many scholars and clan leaders. Second, Salihiyah questioned the doctrinal credentials of the rival Qadiriyah Order, condemning them as heretical and claiming that only Salihiyah was authentic and original. This theological controversy escalated into the trading of polemics and then developed into bitter propaganda against each other. For instance, Sheikh Aweys al-Baraawi, the famous leader of Qadiriyah in southern Somalia wrote poems vilifying Salihiyah Order. Here are some selected excerpts from the poem, translated by B.G. Martin: The person guided by Mohamed’s law, will not follow the faction of Satan [salihiyah] Who deem it lawful to spill the blood of the learned, who take cash and women too: they are anarchist Do not follow those men with big shocks of hair, a coiffure like the Wahabiya! Publicly, they sell paradise for cash, in our land; they are a sect of dogs They have gone astray and make others deviate on earth, by land and sea among the Somalis Have they no reason or understanding? Be not deceived by them But flee as from a disaster, from their infamy and unbelief. This verbal polemic was countered by a similar diatribe of poems by Sayid Mohamed, which he concluded as Professor Said Samatar related: “A word to the backsliding apostates, why have gone astray, from the Prophet’s way, the straight path? Why is the truth, so plain, hidden from you?” This developed into physical attacks on the leaders of Qadiriyah, and on April 14, 1909, followers of Salihiyah murdered Sheikh Aweys al-Baraawi at Biyooley. Unfortunately, when Sayid Mohamed heard of the death of Sheikh Aweys he recited a victory hymn saying “behold, at last, when we slew the old wizard, the rains began to come!” (Candhagodoble goortaan dilaa roobki noo da’aye). The implications of this conflict in Somalia were tremendous, affecting anti-colonial resistance and tarnishing the image of the Salihiyah Order among the population. On other hand, before the arrival of Sayid Mohamed in Northern Somalia, there was the Dandarawiyah Order, an offshoot of Ahmadiyah, in the towns of Sheikh and Haahi. It was introduced into Northern Somalia by Sayid Adan Ahmed, a disciple of Sayid Ibrahim Al-Rashid. Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan claimed to be the sole authorised legitimate heir of the al-Rashidiyah Order in Northern Somalia and demanded that Dandarawiyah Order in the town of Sheikh and Hahi (Xaaxi) follow him, which they have utterly refused to do. Against this background, Sayid Mohamed’s forces burned the Ahmadiyah centers in the town of Sheikh as reported by Abdirisaq Aqli in his book “Sheikh Madar”. Sayid Mohamed’s bright points were romanticized by the Somali nationalists in their efforts to nurture national consciousness by narrating glorious past and reconstructing symbols, heroes and myths. In this approach, self inflicted wounds, civil wars, massacres, and human atrocities are downplayed and belittled. However, in tracing the background for the current extremism in the name of Islam, it is necessary to bring up other episodes of the Sayid Mohamed that suggest the historical roots of the current extremism in Somalia. In conclusion, the early militancy in the name of Islam resembles current militancy in (1) the exclusion of other Islamic groups, (2) monopoly of religious legitimacy; (3) excessive use for violence against other Muslims; and (4) selective and haphazard application of Shari’a. All these forms of militancy have its roots, connections and influences of the Salafia (Wahabi) school of Saudi Arabia. The current extremism and militancy, however, is rooted to the emergence of Al-itihad al-Islami in 1980s and its militaristic adventure in 1990s which ended in the disastrous defeat in Kismayo, Puntland and Gedo in 1991, 1992 and 1996 respectively. Moreover, although current extremism in the name of Islam is a recent phenomenon and an expression of anger responding to various internal and external tensions, it is not without precedence in Somalia and the above stated three episodes attest the occurrences of similar phenomenon despite the fact that it happened in different context and conditions. Furthermore, all the three events ended with military defeat and massive human suffering which most likely will be the fade of current militancy in Somalia. Abdurahman M Abdullahi (Baadiyow) specialized in the history of Islam in the Horn of Africa. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mogadishu University. You can reach him Email: abdurahmanba@yahoo.com

Yemen and Somalia are separated geographically by the Gulf of Aden, which at its narrowest point, is just 100 miles across – about the same distance as Miami is from Cuba. The ethnic, cultural, and linguistic gap between the two nations is much wider. Still, both are poor, internally riven nations battling Islamist insurgencies. In the wake of the Christmas Day Northwest airlines bombing attempt, some observers are wondering if the Al Qaeda branch in Yemen might be connected to the Al Qaeda sympathizers in Somalia. Regional exerts say there is little if any concrete evidence of a broad, coordinated terrorist campaign in both countries. But it could happen. "The linkage is that you have elements in both countries with the same jihadist and extremist ideology," says Ted Dagne, a Horn of Africa expert and senior researcher at the Congressional Research Service in Washington. "The geographic proximity allows these extremists to sustain themselves and coordinate their efforts." The potential for linkage may shape the way the Obama administration moves to beef up support for the Yemeni government's efforts to rein in radical Islamists. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced yesterday that US efforts would focus as much on development as on military support. But experts say it's clear that solutions in Yemen and Somalia will largely have to come from greater leadership and vision within those countries. "The similarity between Yemen and Somalia is that they are tribal societies, they have conservative social norms, and they have both had weak states unable to provide services to the people," says one Horn of Africa expert, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Al Qaeda embeds itself into conflict societies. They build ties with tribal elders. They build schools. They provide social services, like Hamas [the Palestinian militant group] does. They buy loyalty, they get legitimacy, and once clans make friends with someone like this, you don't give them up. Getting them out will be like finding a needle in a haystack." Somalia's Al Qaeda Connection As in Yemen, Al Qaeda fighters have begun arriving in Somalia to carry out a war against a state that is seen by Islamists to be imposed on that society by the West. Security experts say some 200 foreign jihadists have arrived from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, India, and even the US, who serve as military trainers and experts in explosives. Many Islamists flocked to Somalia to help fight the Ethiopian Army, which invaded Somalia in Dec. 2006 to oust the Islamic Courts Union government. Now these foreign jihadis are staying on to transform the narrow nationalist fight into a global jihad, and their harder ideology is seen in a rash of recent suicide bomb attacks on African Union peacekeepers and even a university graduation ceremony on Dec. 3 in Mogadishu. Experts say this is a sign that foreign jihadis have taken over leadership of Somalia's largest Islamist militia, Al Shabab. Both Somalia and Yemen have suffered punishing civil wars, and Somalia has gone nearly a generation without a functioning government. Decades of infighting by clan leaders and warlords have created a burgeoning arms trade, smuggled to and from Yemen. Yemen now has the largest number of Somali refugees in the region, many of them young, battle-hardened men looking for jobs abroad. Feeling duped by clan elders, many Somalis turn toward religious leaders preaching unity through the one institution – Islam – that all Somalis share in common. Yet despite all these common factors, the conflicts in Somalia and Yemen seem to be largely separate, and there is little evidence that they are coordinated by some larger Al Qaeda entity. "Shabab has only recently turned to Al Qaeda, and then it was only from the East Africa cell of Al Qaeda, not from Yemen," says another expert on Somalia, who also spoke on background. An Al Shabab Connection? While there is the potential for these two conflicts to become "increasingly intertwined," as Shabab senior commander Muqtar Robow claimed recently Somali Shabab fighters were leaving to help Islamists fight the government in Yemen, this expert says that this may be simply rhetoric. "Shabab has its own major conflict looming with Somalia's Transitional Federal Government," as the current Western-backed Somali government in Mogadishu is called, he says. Thousands of Somali Army soldiers have now completed training in Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia, and will be returning over the next month to Mogadishu. There are rumors that the government will put these soldiers to immediate use, and attempt to expel Al Shabab from portions of its territory across the south. "This is one of the preconditions for extending the mandate of the transitional government," says the expert. "They need to demonstrate that they can protect themselves and protect the Somali people." Yet as successive US administrations sending troops to Afghanistan have concluded, military might is only part of the solution. People living in neglected regions turn to those who offer support and keep their promises, and if Al Qaeda or its allied Islamist militias can show that they will bring development and security to the regions under their control, Somali or Yemeni citizens will be reluctant to kick them out. The likely solution, experts say, is for Al Qaeda extremists to wear out their welcome, after carrying out one too many suicide bombings and killing too many innocent Somali bystanders. Until then, the West needs to be more flexible in choosing its friends, and be willing to work with those Islamists it once feared, but who share a revulsion to the destructive ideology of Al Qaeda. "There is the perception or assumption that just because people come from Muslim countries, they are extremists," says Mr. Dagne. "Islam is not the enemy. The ideology of extremism is the enemy. Those Somali leaders wrongly labeled as extremist and Jihadists are the ones fighting the real terrorists."