let's take over the territory of Somalia. Let's block the ports ...

[AYOUB]

Send troops not navies to Somalia, says Uganda

(AFP) – Nov 12, 2010

 

KAMPALA — The world is wasting its money on ineffective naval operations to tackle Somali piracy when it should be spending it on the African Union's force in Mogadishu, Uganda said Friday.

 

"The international reaction has been: 'Let's deal with piracy. Let's have our commanders there.' It is a good reaction, but it has not been successful," James Mugume, permanent secretary at Uganda's foreign ministry, told reporters.

 

Reflecting on Uganda's tenure at the UN Security Council which expires next month, Mugume urged the panel to vastly strengthen the AU force, arguing it will be more effective against piracy than international naval patrols.

"The concept of operation we presented to the Security Council is: let's take over the territory of Somalia. Let's block the ports ... and the issue of piracy will automatically be reduced."

 

Ugandan troops make up the bulk of the AU's 7,500-strong force in Mogadishu, which has chiefly been protecting the fragile Western-backed government since 2007 but has failed to break an Islamist insurgency led by the Al Qaeda-linked Shebab group.

 

Following the July 11 suicide bombings in Kampala that killed at least 76 and were claimed by Somalia's Shebab, Uganda asked the UN to give the AU force a more robust mandate and support its expansion to 20,000 men.

 

Neither request has been met but, according to Mugume, "the security council did not say no."

He argued that Uganda's plan to curtail piracy is "cheaper," than the current measures in place.

"It's more sustainable and it brings regional peace and stability," Mugume said.

 

European, American and other navies have deployed dozens of warships to take part in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean at an annual cost believed to be in the billions of dollars.

 

Somalia's pirates, whose cumulated ransoms in 2009 totalled less than 100 million dollars, have never been more active and currently hold some 30 vessels and more than 500 crew hostage.

 

 

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Dharaar baa iman doonta

mujrim oogo madowoo

islaam sheeganayaa

agablaay hambadaada

isa sii kaba raasho

-ku darsoo Axmed-doolow

waxaan ahay xog-ogaaloo

hir fog baan arkayaa

orna waa maqlayaa

waxna way urayaan

 

Aaminaay waan gabyayaa

nin abwaanana waan ahoo

ereygiisu tuf leeyahay

Hadeydaan i adeecinoo

ergedaan ahay maanta

ka abaal ka dhacdaan

Ilaahay balankii

ibtilaa dhici doonta

 

Dhulkay eyro ku fooftana

Afrikaan madmadowiyo

ajnabaa degi doona

iyagaa talin doona

 

Ergo (1992) ~ M X Dhamac "Gaariye"

[AYOUB]

Saleh; the man with the plan. Picture by Morgan Mbambazi

 

By Joint Report (email the author)

Posted Monday, December 13 2010 at 15:51

 

Saracen International, a security company associated with Uganda’s Gen Caleb Akandwanaho, alias Salim Saleh, a senior advisor to President Yoweri Museveni, who is also his younger brother, has come under the international spotlight for its alleged involvement in training militia in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland state.

 

Intelligence sources told The EastAfrican that President Museveni’s younger brother’s interest in this private military contractor has major regional security implications that could affect the efforts to restore peace in Somalia.

 

Last week, the Associated Press reported that a well-equipped military force was being created in northern Somalia with the help of Michael Shanklin, a former CIA officer and Pierre Prosper, an ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues under former President George W. Bush.

 

The training and the equipment — which is so far estimated at over $10 million — is being paid for by a mysterious “Muslim nation.”

 

These sources said that this deal usurps the mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom), which includes security training. Ironically, Uganda has the most troops in Amisom, with the rest coming from Burundi.

 

The source said that the African Union is concerned that Saracen’s advent could be a propaganda gift for Islamic fundamentalist groups like Al Shabaab, because they can argue that Amisom is in Somalia to make profits and do business, not to bring peace.

 

“If this is not nipped in the bud, it could bring the roof down on the head of the AU in Somalia because Uganda has the largest contingent there,” he said.

 

The revelation comes at a time when some AU officials and members are allegedly concerned about how Uganda is handling the affairs of its troops in Somalia.

 

The Amisom troops are paid $750 a month. Uganda docks $200 from each soldier. Burundi, on the other hand, takes off the recommended $100.

 

It is understood that the AU, fearful that this could demotivate the troops, has complained to Ugandan authorities, who have agreed to deduct the standard $100 only from each soldier, and refund the rest.

 

Our source also said that there is “grumbling” in the AU that Uganda, because it went in with the most equipment, has already been compensated more than handsomely for use of its resources — nearly $28 million so far, compared with $170,00 for Burundi.

 

Bad memories

 

A Nairobi diplomat also told The EastAfrican that the entrance of Saracen “conjures up the ghost of Democratic Republic of Congo,” where Uganda initially intervened in 1998 to deal with anti-Kampala rebels, but got embroiled in the conflict there and was later accused by an international panel of plundering Congo’s resources.

 

These concerns, however, may be coming too late because Saracen seems to have been quick in establishing itself.

 

The AP reported that, “In recent weeks, Shanklin and Prosper met several Nairobi-based diplomats to discuss the contract between the Puntland and Mogadishu governments and a private security company called Saracen International.

 

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/-/2558/1070662/-/ol5q9rz/-/

[AYOUB]

 

 

Sea Port Manager

 

 

Reference

 

Job Type Full-time

 

Job Status Sourcing

 

Date Posted 26 Oct 2010

 

Location Mogadishu, Somalia

Start Date ASAP

 

Duration

 

Company Information SKA AIR & LOGISTICS

 

 

Website: http://www.ska-arabia.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Job Description

 

 

The Role

 

This is a superb opportunity for an experienced and accomplished Seaport Manager.

 

This challenging and exciting role offers full responsibility for management and coordination of seaport operations relating to our business operations in Mogadishu, Somalia.

 

Candidate Requirement

 

An accomplished leader with an extensive military/ civilian leadership experience. Ideally having directed operations in hostile environments

 

Substantive knowledge, skill and expertise in the management and execution of sea transportation and logistics operations.

 

Ability to demonstrate strong judgment, analytical, program management and leadership skills applied on an individual and an organizational level.

 

Ability to evidence success in program planning, finance, resource management and training relating to sea transportation and logistics operations. Experienced in applying evaluative methods and techniques delivering optimum program performance and efficiency of operations

 

Outstanding communication skills and inter-personal skills.

 

Previous relevant work experience regarding Sea Port Cargo Terminal management or sea port cargo terminal supervision and operations is necessary. Experience in UN projects or minimum 5 years working experience in African continent is desirable

 

 

Number of Openings 1

 

How to Apply

 

Email Resume To tmehmood@ska-arabia.com

 

 

http://www.ska-arabia.com/index.php?option=com_jobline&Itemid=177&task=view&id=28

[Qodax Qorax]

I dont think any sane foreigner will stay for long in Somalia.

[AYOUB]

The Scramble for Somalia

by ECOTERRA International December 08, 2010

 

 

How the Sick Games are Played By Venatrix Fulmen

Ethiopia Not Enthusiastic About Kenya's Jubaland Initiative in Somalia

 

 

- Nairobi - In a cable sent by from the U.S.American embassy (YATES) in Addis Ababa concerning U.S. UNDER SECRETARY OTERO’S MEETING WITH ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER MELES ZENAWI on JANUARY 31, 2010, it was reported that in the presence of U.S. Under Secretary Otero, Assistant Secretary Carson, NSC Senior Director for African Affairs Michelle Gavin, PolOff Skye Justice (notetaker) and Special Assistant Gebretensae Gebremichael from the Ethiopia Prime Minister Meles Zenawi as follows:

 

"Meles said he had been briefed extensively regarding Kenya’s Jubaland initiative. Because Ethiopia had previously intervened in Somalia without seeking Kenyan approval, he said, the GoE would not presume to analyze the Kenyans’ chances for success in their own intervention. The GoE is sharing intelligence with Kenya, but Meles expressed a lack of confidence in Kenya’s capacity to pull off a tactical success, which he feared could have negative regional impacts. The GoE is therefore working to minimize the likelihood of a spillover effect in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State. Noting that Ethiopia might have underestimated Kenya, Meles said, “We are not enthusiastic, but we are hoping for success." - so far the cable.

 

Full Article >>> http://www.groundreport.com/World/The-Scramble-for-Somalia/2931878

[Polanyi]

On the flipside, three hundre khat addicts got trained up in Kampala. SOmalinimo, SOmaliweyn, gul, inshallah.

[Ismahaan]

Polanyi;683472 wrote:

On the flipside, three hundre khat addicts got trained up in Kampala. SOmalinimo, SOmaliweyn, gul, inshallah.

Qaad addict waa waxa ina waalay .

[AYOUB]

First Published: 2010-12-28

 

 

Dubai logistics company to run Mogadishu airport

 

 

Dubai-based SKA Air & Logistics’ 10-year contract with Somalia's transitional government covers management of terminals, security, screening, passenger security.

 

MOGADISHU - Dubai-based SKA Air & Logistics has signed a contract with Somalia's transitional government to take over the running of Mogadishu international airport, an SKA official said Tuesday.

 

"We have not formally taken over at this stage but in few weeks' time we will be taking over management of the airport," a company manager who asked not to be identified said.

 

The 10-year contract covers "management of the terminals, security, screening and also passenger security," he said, without disclosing any financial details.

 

Several SKA staff members are already present at Mogadishu airport where they have started training Somali personnel.

 

 

"We have started training local staff while we wait for our equipment to arrive," the manager explained.

 

SKA, which operates airports in Iraq and Afghanistan and whose motto is "doing difficult jobs in difficult places", was approached by the Somali government for the job, he said.

 

The prospect of working in the Horn of Africa country, which has had no functioning central administration since 1991 is "challenging for the time being but as we go along hopefully things will improve."

 

Aden Adde airport, on the seafront in the part of Mogadishu controlled by the government, is secured by troops from the African Union force AMISOM, who have their main base there.

 

Several companies, operating within Somalia and elsewhere in the region, operate flights every day.

 

Islamist rebels have on occasion fired mortars at the airport, notably when government officials and President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed have been flying in and out.

 

SKA, which also has operations in the United Arab Emirates, in Kuwait and elsewhere in Africa, is also in the running for a contract to manage Mogadishu sea port, sources said.

 

The Somali government last week admitted the existence of another contract -- signed by the previous cabinet -- with private security company Saracen International notably to train body guards. A Gulf state that has asked not to be named is picking up the bill.

 

Meanwhile Somali lawmakers on Monday proposed a motion demanding the government explain the foreign deals, according to parliamentarian Mohamed Dhere.

 

"Parliament will debate the secret deals the government struck with foreign companies including SKA and Saracen International, and government will have to explain its actions," Dhere told AFP, adding the debate should start in the coming days.