Military Intelligence Basic Officer Course-Africa brings together officers from partner countries of Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and South Sudan

Randy Bretzin, Intelligence Training instructor, U.S. Africa Command, teaches critical thinking skills to East African service members at the Military Intelligence Basic Officer Course-Africa (MIBOC-A) in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 24, 2013. Military officers from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and South Sudan are participating in the eight-week course. MIBOC-A provides partner nation junior offices with the skills to work as part of a military intelligence staff. Marine Corps Forces Africa is conducting the training in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

NAIROBI, Kenya -- The eigth iteration of the Military Intelligence Basic Officer Course-Africa brings together officers from partner countries of Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and South Sudan for an eight-week course in Nairobi, Kenya, that began in January.

The MIBOC-A class will help strengthen interoperability between East African militaries by providing partner-nation officers with the skills to engage as part of a multi-national military-intelligence network and introduces topics such as: briefing fundamentals; creative and critical thinking; Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment (IPOE); social-network analysis; insurgency and counterinsurgency; and stability and peacekeeping operations.

MIBOC-A also enhances capacity for intelligence collection, analysis, information sharing among the participating nations, and provides an environment designed to promote collaboration methods within the region's military intelligence community.
Throughout the course, leadership training is presented and reinforced with individual briefs, group exercises in the classroom, and open discussion about intelligence techniques and procedures.

Course instructors include U.S. intelligence professionals from U.S. Africa Command's Regional Joint Intelligence Training Facility, Molesworth, U.K., with support from Marine Forces Africa, Stuttgart, Germany, and Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.

Upon completion of the course, participating officers will graduate and return to their home countries to put their skills to use. The program oftentimes invites graduates back to be assistant instructors for new iterations of the course. 

Hogaamiyaha Ugu Sareeya Kooxda Al Shabaab Axmed Godane iyo shan kale oo ku luglahaa Dilka Sheekha oo ay Dil ku xukuntay Maxkamad ku taal Puntland.

Wararkii ugu dambeeyay ee naga soo gaarayo Magaalada Boosaaso ayaa waxaa ay sheegayaan in maxkamada Ciidanka Maamul Goboleedka Puntland ay dil ku xukuntay mas’uulka ugu sareeyo Kooxda Shabaab Axmed Godane ka’dib dilkii loo geystay Sh.caan ka ahaa magaalada boosaaso ee xarunta Gobolka nugaal oo lagu magacaabi jiray Dr Axmed xaaji C/raxmaan.

Maxkamadeynta Shan nin oo lagu tuhmayo in ay ka dambeeyeen dilka Sheekha ayaa iyana lagu xukumay Maxkamada.

Goobta uu dilka ka’dhacayay ayaa waxaa ku sugnaa qaar kamid ah raga dilka lagu xukumay walow uusan halkaasi kusugneyn hogaamiyaha Ururka Shabaab axmed Godane halka ay jiraan rag kale oo iyana qayb ka’ahaa dilka Sheekha oo ay haatan maxkamadeyntoodu socoto .

Maamul Goboleedka Puntland oo Eedaysay Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya

The FG is advised to invest its time and energy on repairing and rebuilding the disintegrated Federal Republic, instead of attempting to sell what little remains of Somalia. ......................  Press Statement issued by Puntland Somali regional administration

PRESS RELEASE 26 February 2013 

The Federal Government (FG) of Somalia is violating the country’s Provisional Federal Constitution (PFC), which the elected leaders were sworn to uphold.  The FG has actively interfered with the formation of emerging Federated States, such as Jubaland in southern Somalia, directly contradicting the principles and provisions of the PFC and abandoning the aspirations of the Somali people, who hope for responsible and accountable governance that paves the way for peace, stability and development, and promotes justice, political cohesion, outreach and national reconciliation.

Instead of focusing on principal priorities, the FG has adventured illegitimately on resource exploitation by hiring foreign advisers to build the ‘Somalia Petroleum Company’ and actively pursue oil companies – former concession holders as well as new companies – to renegotiate old concession or sign new Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) to areas that are not under FG’s control. This is contrary to the PFC and the FG should refrain from such broker activities until all Federated States are formed, so the Somali people have a role in the fundamental decisions of their future.

This unilateral move is a dangerous ploy that threatens to unravel political cohesion and potentially imperil stabilization progress in Somalia. The FG is advised to invest its time and energy on repairing and rebuilding the disintegrated Federal Republic, instead of attempting to sell what little remains of Somalia.  The PFC clearly defines power belongs to the people, as represented by the Federated States, and defers political power distribution, revenue sharing, and natural resources management, until the Federated States of Somalia is completed and a negotiated settlement is reached between the Federal Government and the Federated States.  Until such time, Puntland State shall retain and exercise powers endowed in the Puntland Constitution.

Puntland calls on the FG to adhere to the country’s Federal Constitution, to support the formation of the remaining Federated States, to speed up establishment of the Upper House of Federal Parliament, to promote national reconciliation and justice, and to shun unreasonable maneuvers that trigger political crises in Somalia.

-END-

HOGAAMIYAHA PUNTLAND ABDIRAHMAN FAROLE & WIILASHIISA OO KU TAGRI FAL AWOODEED IYO MUSUQMAASUQ BAAHSAN KU HODMAY

Puntlandnews24 Editorial:

Waxaa maalintii Talaadada ee shalay Garowe gaaray wafdi balaaran oo ka kala socda Wadamada maalgeliya Qorshaha Dimuquraadiyeynta ee Puntland laga wado.

Wafdigan ayaa waxaa kamid ahaa madaxa Xafiiska Midowga Yurub ee qaabilsan Soomaaliya Michele Cervone d’Urso oo ay wehliyaan ergo ka kala socota dalalka Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden iyo hay’adaha DFID iyo USAID, guddigan oo la isku yiraaho [The Democratization Programme Steering Committee (DSC)].

Wafdigan balaaran ayaa markii ay soo gaareen magaalada Garowe waxay la kulmeen Madaxweynaha Puntland Cabdiraxmaan Maxamed Faroole, kulan kaasi kama aysan qeyb gelin Golaha Wasiirada ama xubnaha kale oo ka tirsan Xukuumada, marka laga reebo wiil uu dhalay madaxweynaha oo lagu magacaabo Cusmaan Faroole, oo isagu howlaha aabihiis ka wado madaxtooyada qeyb ka ah xilna ka haya madaxtooyada.

Lama yaqaano sababta rasmiga ah ee ka dambeysa in wasiiradii iyo madaxdii kale ee xukuumada Puntland aysan goob joog uga ahayn kulamadan cul-culus balse mid ka mida dadka ka faalooda arrimaha siyaasada oo aan dooneyn in la magacaabo ayaa Puntlandnews 24 u sheegay in wasiirada Puntland aysan Faroole u lahayn ahmiyad iyo qadarin macne leh, wuxuuna u arkaa inay yihiin dad uu isagu wax ka dhigay oo isaga u shaqeeya, wasiirada aad sheegeysaan maalin walba ayaa la dharbaaxaa, lagu bahdilaa aqalka madaxtooyada iyagoo loogu hanjabo anaga ayaa wax idinka dhignay ee ma cid ayaa idin rabtay.

Waxaa kaloo jirta in safiirada reer Yurub ee todobaadyadii u dambeeyey ku soo noq-noqnayey Garoowe aysan la dhacsanayn geedi socodka dimoqraadiyada laga hadal hayo Puntland, iyadoo ay horay u jirtay in mucaaradka Puntland ay ashtakooyin gaarsiiyeen xafiisyada maal geliya howlaha dimoqraadiyeynta iyo xisbiyada ee ka socda Puntland.

Political corruption is the abuse of public power, office, or resources by elected government officials for personal or family gain.

Cusmaan C/raxmaan Faroole oo maalmahan aabihiis kala qeyb galayey kulamada wufuuda Garoowe imanaysa xili wasiiradii Puntland Garoowe dhooban yihiin, wuxuu bishii December ee kal hore magaalada Boosaso gacanta ula tagay wasiirka maaliyada Puntland Faarax Cali Shire kadib markii ay ku murmeen qeybsashada saamiga dhaqaale gaarayey dhowr malyan oo dollar oo uu lahaa madaarka magaalada Boosaso.

Qoyska madaxweynaha Puntland ee sida joogtada ah ugu lug leh go’aamada iyo howlaha dowlada Puntland waxay kala yihiin Maxamed C/raxmaan Faroole oo haatan isku darsaday xilkii la taliyaha saxaafada madaxweynaha, iyo abaanduulaha ciidamada Bada Puntland iyo xilka agaasimaha shirkada shisheeye ee Saracen. Maxamed wuxuu kaloo amarada iyo socodsiinta howlaha maamulka kaga amar iyo gacan sareeyaa C/samad Cali Shire Madaxwayne ku xigeenka Puntland oo aan saamayn macne leh ku dhex lahayn xukuumada maamul goboleedka Puntland.

Maxamed C/raxmaan Faroole oo da’diisu tahay 49 jir wuxuu marka  laga tago dhanka awooda iyo maamulka ka sokow tabcaday dhaqaale lixaad leh oo uu geliyey ganacsi isugu jira shirkado shisheeye, hanti muuqata oo uu ka samaystay gudaha iyo caalamkaba.

Corruption – misusing public office for personal gain, for example, by accepting bribes or by charging personal expenditure to a public expenses account.

Khadar C/raxmaan Faroole oo isaguna kamida caruurta fir-fircoon ee madaxweynaha wuxuu isku heystaa dhowr xil oo ka culus wasaarado badan, kan ugu hilan culusna waa agaasinka macdanta, batroolka iyo maalgashiga Puntland, Khadar wuxuu kaloo xukuumada Puntland u metelaa shirarka caalamiga ah.

Madaxweyne Faroole waa madaxweynihii ugu horeeyey ee soo mara Puntland oo ugu yaraan 3 kamida caruurtiisa aya xillal aan lagula xisaabtamin loona dhaarin ay ka hayaan dalka, xillalka iyo shaqooyinka ay qabtaan oo u baahnaan lahaa in lagu dhaariyo amaanada aabahood u dhiibtay maadaama ay yihiin jagooyin culus oo ka miisaan badan wasiirada Puntlnad oo qaarkood shaqooyinkooda ayba marooqsadeen qoyska madaxweyne Faroole.

Nasiib darrada ugu weyn ee Puntland aan looga rajo qabin inay horay u talaabsato ayaa ah iyadoo aysan jirin haba yaraatee wax is xisaabiya [accountability] ama eega [track record]  haday noqon lahayd shacabka dulman ee iska aamusan ama haday noqon lahayd hanti dhowrkii dalka oo aan howl gelin, haatana kamid noqday xisbiga madaxweynaha ee Horseed Party.

source: Puntland News-24

Open letter UK Prime Minister

Dear UK PM Honourable David Cameron

UK Prime Minister Office

I find myself knocking your door again with one kilo of  Khat with me again I feel compelled to write this letter as a concerned member of the community almost exasperated at the lack of progress being made on this long standing issue. We as a community feel we have spoken with one voice by requesting in no uncertain terms that the UK government BAN Qaad, or catha edulis to call it by its scientific name. We have made this request on the basis of evidence of medical and social harm and not on the basis of our whims. I say we, because an online petition requesting that Qaad be made illegal managed to successfully garner over one hundred thousand votes in its favour.  I remind you that in opposition, the Conservative party pledged that it would ban Qaad if it came into office and now, three years into this parliament, we see no signs of this on the government’s agenda. Large sections of the Somali community voted Conservative almost against their instincts, thereby contributing to your political mandate more in expectation rather than hope that the Conservative party would help us help ourselves. Enthusiastic expectation that this would come to pass has now been transformed into dwindling hope that this will be seen through.

The intransigence on this issue is perplexing, particularly given the backdrop of the Conservative message being put out about taking individual responsibility in these tough economic times, is that we are essentially requesting in vain that the government help us overcome unnecessary barriers to our integration into wider society. Partly due to the fact that the last stable government Somalia ever had was a ruthless dictatorship, the concept of the Big Society did resonate with us in that smaller government would allow us to take control of our affairs and thereby allow us to regain a modicum of self esteem and dignity by contributing positively to our local communities and by extension, society at large. Somali society has unfortunately suffered over the past few decades from a brain drain and high levels of illiteracy in certain age groups as a direct result of  civil war. Seeing these very same people come together in modern day Britain to try and achieve the banning of Qaad in a democratic manner is in a way an achievement in itself. A lack of an end result will lead many to conclude that the many well-documented Qaad related deaths across Britain were in some way less important than the meow-meow related deaths that were given the oxygen of publicity in the national media in 2010. Does this therefore mean that if Khat were as widely used as meow-meow was that it would be banned? Its difficult to conclude otherwise.

The voluminous social and scientific, empirical evidence of Qaad’s harm has for some reason been offset by the claim that it is part of Somali culture. It is important to distinguish between cultural norms and individual vices and habits. The growing number of single parent families in our community has given rise to an increasing stigma being attached to the consumption of Qaad as its very mention conjures images of being the primary cause of family breakdown. The word Qaad itself linguistically means to ‘take’ in that once one consumes it, that individual is therefore ‘taken’ under it’s influence. The reference to the mosque in Cardiff that deems Khat to be permissible from an Islamic perspective is laughable and I feel confident enough to claim that you would be hard pressed to find any segment of Somali society (apart from those whose financial interests it serves) prepared speak in its favour.

The ACMD states that due to Khat’s bitter taste means that it would be unattractive for potential users. Well, we often hear that many alcoholic drinks are an acquired taste but on a more serious note, I put it to you that there has been an alarming trend of a growing number of UK born Somalis consuming Khat more regularly. Of real concern is the report’s alarmingly naive understanding of how Khat is sold and distributed. Does the ACMD honestly believe that Khat is sold, distributed and consumed in line with statutory health and safety legislation?

It is confusing to learn that both cathine and cathinone, while individually banned in the UK, are somehow rendered legal in leaf form when the combination of the two is found in Qaad. It is also difficult to comprehend how the UK is out of step with much of the EU (including most recently Holland, I might add), the USA and Canada with regard to the legal status of Qaad. Why is this the case? Is Britain out of touch? Or is the government’s position on this commensurate with the perception that Qaad only affects the Somali community and therefore pushed to the very bottom of the government’s to do list?

We appreciate that the coalition is facing immense challenges in terms of balancing the nations finances in the context of seemingly unrelenting economic crises in the Eurozone and the wider global economy, not to mention high levels of youth unemployment to name but a few. But we would like to play our part, however small, in at least contributing on a community level by assimilating, integrating and setting a positive example for our children. We call upon the government to remove the needless barrier of Qaad and help us unlock this undoubted potential as we are desperate to portray a positive image of our community and thereby at least begin to repay the hospitality granted to us as refugees from our war-torn homeland.

Yours sincerely

Abukar Awale (Qaad –Diid)

The Lead Anti-Khat Campaigner

WATCH LIVE: "Al-Qaeda in the United States: A Complete Analysis of Terrorism Offences"

WATCH LIVE at 10:00 AM ESTFollow @CSIS for live updates

"Al-Qaeda in the United States:  A Complete Analysis of Terrorism Offences"
Featuring:

General Michael Hayden (Ret.)
Former Director
Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency

and
Robin Simcox
Publication Author and Research Fellow
Henry Jackson Society

Moderated By:

Stephanie SanokActing Director
CSIS Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Program

Tuesday, February 26, 201310:00-11:00AM

CSIS 1800 K. St. NW, Washington, DC 20006
B1 Conference Center

In recent years, several individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds have attempted to attack the United States on behalf of al-Qaeda. These individuals have defied easy categorization, creating challenges for intelligence, law enforcement, and other agencies tasked with countering their activities. However, with the publication of "Al-Qaeda in the United States", the Henry Jackson Society seeks to provide new insights into the al-Qaeda movement and its U.S. operations by rigorously analyzing those involved or affiliated with the organization. Please join CSIS and the Henry Jackson Society on February 26 for an on-the-record discussion of this new report and the nature of al-Qaeda-related terrorism in the United States.

Somalia: British Ambassador Meets With Puntland Leader

Garowe, Somalia — British Ambassador to Somalia, Matt Baugh led a delegation of officials to meet with Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole in Garowe on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.

After landing at Garowe International airport, Ambassador Baugh led a delegation that included Head of UK's Department for International Development (DFID) for Somalia Joanna Reid and met with Puntland President Farole and Vice President Abdisamad Ali Shire, Minister of Security Khalif Isse Mudan, Minister of Education Abdi Farah Juha and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Daud Mohamed Omar.

After the ambassador met with President Farole the two officials gave a brief press statement on their meeting on Tuesday.

President Farole said that they had discussed the ongoing democratization process in Puntland and how the British government supports the process.

"We discussed a number of issues including development projects in Puntland, security, the democratization process which the British government has given full support for and issues regarding all of Somalia," said President Farole.

Ambassador Baugh firstly thanked the Puntland government for their welcome and issued his condolences to the family of Sheikh Abdiqadir - who was recently assassinated in Garowe - he also said that the British government would give its support in counter-terrorism projects in Puntland.

"I want to express the British government's sincerest wishes to help Puntland combat those [security] threats and address them together," said Ambassador Baugh.

He also said that the British government supports the democratization process in Puntland so that it can achieve, "a credible, fair and safe election".

Earlier this month, in a press release from the DFID pledged to help build "a new democratic government and federal parliament," as well as deliver development aid.

Somalia: Al-Shabaab Kills Two Officials in Gedo

Suspected al-Shabaab members shot and killed two government officials in Busar, a small town in Somalia's Gedo region, UN-funded Radio Bar-Kulan reported.

Heavily armed militants shot dead Busar deputy administration officer Osman Abdinoor Abdirahman and head of social affairs Mohamed Hussein Ibrahim inside a restaurant Monday night (February 25th), according to regional army spokesman Colonel Warfa Sheikh Adan.

The Busar police boss was also at the restaurant during the attack but managed to escape unhurt, Adan said, adding that government troops now pursuing the assailants who escaped after the incident.

Media Discover the Limits of Freedom in Somalia

Somali Journalists protest on Jan. 27, 2013 against the arrest of their colleague Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim who was arrested for the story of a woman who alleged that she was gang-raped by Somali government forces. Credit: Abdurrahman Warsameh/IPS

Media advocates in Somalia worry that a recent case against a journalists who exposed the story of a gang rape involving members of the national security forces will serve as a deterrent to journalists countrywide.

Journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim was arrested on Jan. 10 for publishing the story of a 27-year-old woman who alleged that she was gang-raped by five Somali security forces in August 2012.

Ibrahim was detained for one month without charges, but was later charged along with the victim for “insulting state security forces”. Earlier this month a regional court in Mogadishu found both accused guilty and sentenced them to a year in prison. They case went into appeal, with a new verdict now being expected on Wednesday Feb. 27 by the Mogadishu Appeals Court.

This will make journalists avoid venturing into areas that will lead them to risky stories such as this one, Abdulahi Elmi, a media advocate in Mogadishu, told IPS. And that has huge implications for the already-dismal press freedom situation in the country. It will definitely negatively affect and worsen the situation for local media workers.

The case sparked an international outcry, with international rights organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) calling for the government to drop its case against both, which HRW deemed "groundless".

The National Union of Somali Journalists called the conviction “a serious setback's for press freedom.

But Somali government officials have repeatedly distanced themselves from the case, saying it was a judicial matter and insisting on the independence of the country's judiciary.

Following Ibrahim's arrest, however, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that his administration would not tolerate negative coverage from the local press.

Local journalists who support Ibrahim told IPS that they would now think twice before interviewing people critical of the government or reporting on stories involving abuse by security forces.

"It was a clear warning for us," a local journalist told IPS. He asked for anonymity because he feared reprisals.

"Our friend was treated badly just because he dared to listen to a woman who said she suffered injustice at the hands of those who were supposed to protect her.

Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim was arrested for publishing the story of a 27-year-old woman who alleged she was gang raped by five Somali security forces in August 2012. Credit: Abdurrahman Warsameh/IPS - 

Ibrahim is not the only journalist who has been arrested in connection with the case. Daud Abdi Daud was held by government police for nearly a week without charge for protesting in court on Feb. 5 against Ibrahim’s sentence. He was eventually released on bail on Feb. 12.

Daud told IPS that he was not allowed to see a lawyer and was not officially charged for any crime, although officials had told him that he was being held for “discipline”.

“The police took me to custody after I said journalists should be able to interview any woman, including the first lady, if she allowed it,” Daud said in Mogadishu after he was released on bail.

Abdi Aynte, director of the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, an independent think-tank in Mogadishu, said the case showed that there was a need to improve media freedom here.

“In comparison to some of Somalia’s neighbouring countries, like Ethiopia or Eritrea, I think Somalia enjoys a considerable amount of freedom in terms of what people can say and in terms of what groups can say. But there is no doubt that the government could do more to improve that condition,” said Anyte.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Eritrea leads the world in imposing censorship on media. In 2012 the CPJ ranked Somalia as the second-worst country where journalists are murdered regularly and the killers go free.

A total of 49 journalists were killed since 1992 in Somalia, CPJ figures show, with 12 being killed in the last year alone. No one has been arrested in connection of the killings, according to the watchdog organisation.

But Anyte said that the government's handling of the case had cost it a considerable amount of credibility.

Both the government and the journalists have capacity issues. One can question the investigatory capacity and prosecutorial capacity of the government. One can also question the capacity of local journalists in reporting and verifying information,” said Aynte.

In what is widely perceived as a diversion amidst increasing public scrutiny, the Somali government on Feb 3. announced the formation of an independent Human Rights Taskforce. The goal of the taskforce is to “investigate the broadest range of human rights abuses, including the organised killing of journalists and sexual violence against women.

Somalia: Five European Ambassadors Present Credentials to Somalia

Five European ambassadors jointly presented their credentials to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu on Tuesday (February 26th), according to a news release from the Delegation of the European Union to Kenya.

Ambassadors Margit Hellwig-Bötte of Germany, Etienne de Poncins of France, Javier Herrera García-Canturri of Spain, Bart Ouvry of Belgium and Sofie From-Emmesberger of Finland become their countries' ambassadors to Somalia for the first time in more than two decades.

"With the accreditation of five EU member states' ambassadors to Somalia, the EU expresses its genuine commitment to the people of Somalia and underlines its confidence in the new political dispensation," the statement said. "The EU's partnership with Somalia is based upon respect for Somali ownership and responsibility."

The EU said it supports the Somali government's efforts in building a federal state, establishing security and the rule of law, improving its financial management system, and living peacefully with its neighbours