Somalia facing 'cash flow disaster'

Somali refugee walks in front of a camp for internally displaced people in Mogadishu on December 4, 2012. War-torn Somalia will  be dealt a devastating blow if international banks carry out threats to stop money transfer systems sending funds that dwarf levels of foreign aid, experts warned. (AFP Photo/Abdurashid Abdulle)

War-torn Somalia will be dealt a devastating blow if international banks carry out threats to stop money transfer systems sending funds that dwarf levels of foreign aid, experts warned Wednesday.
With their country ravaged by decades of conflict and no formal banking system, diaspora Somalis depend on money transfer services to support their families, sending some $1.3 billion (1 billion euros) each year, according to a recent report by aid agencies Oxfam and Adeso.

But Barclays, the last major British bank working with transfer companies, has said it will close all accounts with money transfer systems on September 30, cutting a $500 million (380 million euro) yearly flow.

"Remittances are more and more the backbone of Somalia's economy," said Degan Ali of Adeso, an African charity and development agency.

"It is also a lifeline for the whole trading and business system," she said, noting remittances were double that spent in humanitarian aid last year.

International banks have been tightening rules in a bid to comply with international regulations against money laundering and the funding of groups accused of terrorism, but experts said that there had been no actual cases recorded of regulatory failures by Somali companies.
Closing organised transfers could drive them underground.

"Why let something happen that could increase money laundering and possibly terrorism?", Oxfam's Ed Pomfret said, speaking at a meeting in the Kenyan capital, where he called for regulatory changes to keep the remittances flowing.

Long term solutions would be to set up formal banking systems, said Philippe Lazzarini, United Nations humanitarian chief for Somalia, warning that cutting transfers in the meantime would "greatly undermine" development efforts.

Somalis send money back home via transfer businesses which can accept deposits abroad and immediately credit recipients back home.

But regulations require transfer systems pass money through a bank account.

"We are not asking for a favour and will follow the rules...Tell us what we should do and we will do it," said Abdirashid Duale, head of Dahabshiil, a key Somali transfer company, headquartered in Dubai with some 24,000 outlets in over 140 countries.

Other countries across the world will also be impacted by cuts to the transfer companies, but none face the extreme challenges of Somalia.

"If Barclays is saying they believe it is too risky, why would another bank then want to come in? All banks approached so far... have said no," Duale said. "That is why we need the regulators to get involved."

Somalia has been fought over by multiple warlords since the collapse of central government in 1991, but large parts are now relatively peaceful and are developing.

"If those areas don't get the money... it will create instability again, it will feed radicalism, and it will bring about what the banks are worried about," Duale added.

Ironically, the move to cut transfers follows a rapid drop in some of the most controversial sources of finance in Somalia -- cash from piracy and Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents -- said Matt Bryden, former head of the UN Monitoring Group for Somalia.

"It's a draconian decision that is going to have a terrible impact," Bryden said.

National Security Council Announces Somalia’s Got Our Back

The National Security Council announced another addition to President Obama’s Syria coalition a short time ago:

@US National Security Council said at it's Twitter "#Somalia has signed on to the September 6 Joint Statement on #Syria: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/09/09/statement-additional-countries-support-september-6-joint-statement-syria …"

That brings the Sept. 6 joint statement on Syria up to 35 signatories, agreeing that Bashar al-Assad bears responsibility for the Aug. 21 attack and supporting “efforts undertaken by the United States and other countries to reinforce the prohibition on the use of chemical weapons.”

Incidentally, the Obama administration is running a bit of a secret war in Somalia. Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab controls a sizable chunk of the country.

Al-Shabaab was recently kicked off Twitter (again) for tweeting murder, but recently rejoined under a slightly different handle.

Alshabaab said in it's new Twitter "History shall remember this day as the day America was subdued, with both its prestige & pride irreparably dented. It’s an Islamic revival"

Somalia's Shebab hail 'courageous' 9/11 hijackers

A man returns home from the mosque in central Mogadishu, on May 21, 2013. Somalia's Al Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents on Wednesday celebrated the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks with a Twitter eulogy for the "courageous" hijackers. (AU UN IST/AFP/File)

NAIROBI (AFP) –  Somalia's Al Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents on Wednesday celebrated the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks with a Twitter eulogy for the "courageous" hijackers.
In a series of posts on Twitter, the Islamists vowed "the mujahideen will continue with their jihad against the West until the world is ruled by one sovereign state, an Islamic state."

"A single attack by the mujahideen shattered US dreams of global domination, tarnished their reputation and severely crippled their economy," the Shebab said in one of a series of posts.
"Today, the spark ignited by those courageous 19 martyrs has grown into a raging inferno that continues to threaten every kafir (infidel)aggressor," said another post.

Another post praised the hijackers as "19 young men armed with a rigid faith an
d a firm conviction."

"History shall remember this day as the day America was subdued, with both its prestige and pride irreparably dented. It's an Islamic revival," the group said.

The Shebab, who are fighting the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu, announced their return to Twitter earlier this week under the new account name @HSM_Press.

Their previous account was suspended last week -- the second time they have been pushed off the site this year -- after they threatened to kill Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Twitter warns that accounts can be suspended if users publish "direct, specific threats of violence against others."

 

Source: foxnews.com

 

The 5 Accused American Terrorists the U.S. Will Pay $21M to Catch

By James Gordon Meek

It’s been 12 years since the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks and though al Qaeda’s leader, Osama bin Laden was killed more than two years ago, the group and its terrorist affiliates remain — populated in part by high-profile recruits straight from the American homeland.

Below are five men, considered U.S. persons and alleged supporters of terrorism wanted so badly by the U.S. government that a reward of $21 million has been offered in total for information leading to their arrest or conviction. Federal authorities consider all of these men “armed and dangerous.”
RELATED: Obama Marks 9/11 With Nod to Benghazi, Syria Crisis

Omar Shafik Hammami: $5 Million

Omar Hammami, known as the rapping jihadist for a series of videos in which he rhymes about battling infidels, was born in Alabama but traveled to Somalia years ago to fight alongside al-Shabaab, an al Qaeda-affiliated terror group there.

Known to his terrorist comrades as Abu Mansoor al-Amriki, or “the American,” Hammami is accused by the U.S. government of being a propagandist for al-Shabaab and, at times, a military leader in the organization. However, a curiously public spat between Hammami and al-Shabaab’s local leadership has put his status in the organization into question.

Hammami is wanted by the U.S. government for allegedly providing material support to terrorists.
READ: American Terrorist’s Mom Wants Him Back Home

Adam Yahiye Gadahn: $1 Million

Born Adam Pearlman, Adam Gadahn is one of the most high-profile members of al Qaeda. He left his home in California for Pakistan more than a decade ago, seeking out the terror group.

The 35-year-old has served as a spokesman for al Qaeda in the past and in 2010 released a video message to President Obama, ridiculing him for a drop in popularity.

Documents recovered from bin Laden’s Pakistani compound show that Gadahn was a “breakout personality” who plays a “significant role” in al Qaeda for his media skills, according to West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center.

He is wanted for “treason and [providing] material support to al Qaeda,” according to the FBI.

Jehad Serwan Mostafa: $5 Million

In March 2013, when Hammami was added to the State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program, so was Jehad Mostafa.

Mostafa, a former resident of California, at the time was also believed to be in Somalia where authorities say he “served as a media expert and leader of foreign fighters for al-Shabaab.” He is formally accused of a number of terrorism related crimes, including providing material support to terrorists.

Adnan G. El Shukrijumah: $5 Million

Adnan El Shukrijumah, an asthmatic native of Saudi Arabia but considered a U.S. person by the government after living in America for years, is accused of playing a role in a plot to attack the New York City’s subway system in 2009.

U.S. authorities believe the plot was hatched by senior al Qaeda leadership in Pakistan and El Shukrijumah is “thought to have served as one of the leaders of al Qaeda’s external operations program,” according to the FBI.

Jaber A. Elbaneh: $5 Million

Jaber Elbaneh was born in Yemen but hold dual citizenship with the U.S. He lived in New York and the FBI’s Wanted poster for him says that he worked for a time as a salesman and a taxi driver.
He also allegedly provided material support to al Qaeda and was indicted in absentia as early as 2003. He was reported to have been associated with the Lackawanna Six, a group of terrorists arrested in 2002 after returning to the U.S. from an Afghan terror training camp, but Elbaneh did not return to the U.S. with the others and instead went to Yemen.

Elbaneh, who The New York Times reported briefly worked in a cheese factory in the U.S., has been in and out of prison in Yemen but the country repeatedly refused to extradite him to the U.S. to face charges.

On each of the wanted posters, the FBI asks that anyone with information relating to the suspects contact their local FBI field office or the closest U.S. embassy or consulate.

On Migration, UN Calls Puerto Rico a Country, UNclear on Somaliland

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, September 11 -- When the UN reported on Migrants by Origin and Destination on Wednesday, they listed Puerto Rico to the US among the Top ten country-specific corridors, 2013.

Inner City Press asked John Wilmoth, the director of UN-DESA's Population Division, how the decision was made to list Puerto Rico as a country -- noting that some there certainly want that -- and whether for example Somaliland or Puntland have such designation.

Wilmoth said that there are 232 "countries or areas." Inner City Press asked who decides which areas get separately listed -- the UN Department of Political Affairs?

  Wilmoth indicated the Statistics Division; afterward his colleague Bela Hovy told Inner City Press to just look at the glossy poster distributed as it lists the 232 countries and areas.

But who decides?

The UN has for example tried to dismiss Somaliland, unilaterally giving its airspace to Mogadishu until, after protest, the decision was reversed. Which area has more of the indicia of separateness? Or how is the decision made?

Inner City Press asked asked about Australia's policy, announced by the just-lost Kevin Rudd, of sending all refugees and asylum seeks to Papau New Guinea. Inner City Press previously asked UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson if Ban had any comment, having taken Rudd's ground-cover or blue-wash telephone call about it. No, there was no Ban comment.

And perhaps UN Secretariat comments have been Banned -- Wilmoth and Hovy sure had none.

Footnote: The moderator automatically gave the first question to Pamela Falk of CBS as UNCA's 2013 president. Falk began by saying she hadn't read the study, then ask if there was any Syria connection. It has become clear that she goes only in order to get or take the first question, even when this makes it impossible for other journalist who actually have questions to get called on. 

 

Combined with the stealth trolling, work stealing and attempts to destroy others' business pattern of Falk's UNCA in 2013, this continued UNCA first question is UNacceptable. Watch the Free UN Coalition for Access @FUNCA_info. Watch this site.

UAE hopes to build capacity for Somalia

by Allan Jacob
While the international community and navies have succeeded in bringing down Somali maritime piracy, problems on land remain. Al Shabab militants are striking at will as shown by their attempt on the life of the president of that country last week and the killing of 15 innocents recently.

The fledgling government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud requires long-term support to rebuild the nation still struggling to find its feet after decades of civil war.

A good start was made at last year’s conference where, led by the efforts of the UAE, the leaders of Somalia and breakaway Somaliland agreed to begin stalled negotiations after 20 years.

At the third counter-piracy conference starting in Dubai today, the UAE and other regional countries hope to build capacity and foster long-term development in the Horn of Africa.

“Central to the UAE’s counter-piracy strategy is the recognition that the capability and capacity of countries in the region to combat piracy are varied and at different stages of development. Determining specific gaps thus allows the UAE to target assistance where it can have the greatest impact, thereby advancing regional partners’ security and stability,” said Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a statement.

The plan is to help countries like Somalia which are affected by civil strife to develop their own counter-piracy capability, strengthen their rule of law, and protect their sovereignty and territory against the scourge of maritime piracy, said the minister.

He said the UAE had strengthened its military’s maritime security capability, engaged and trained private industry on best practices in areas such as port security, and used the legal system as a tool for prosecuting and deterring piracy-related offences.

“The recent reduction in piracy in the Indian Ocean region is the result of exactly these kind of strategic, focused and multi-disciplinary approaches that include security operations, investments in economic and social development, humanitarian assistance, and capacity building for local security forces and legal systems,” Shaikh Abdullah said.

Credit is due to international naval patrols: Eunavfor, Nato Operation Ocean Shield, and CTF-151, as well as efforts by China, India, Japan and South Korea, which curbed the phenomenon, but Oceans Beyond Piracy, a think-thank, said their mandates would expire in 2014 and gains could be reversed if the global community dropped the ball on Somalia.

“It is vital that the international community continues to engage with the government in Mogadishu to provide them assistance and support. It is only when the conditions ashore become stable and there is commerce and employment, that piracy will cease to be a threat to ships at sea,’’ Pottengal Mukundan of the International Maritime Bureau said from London. Maritime forces like the Eunavfor continue to engage with the Somalis. Last week, it hosted the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, onboard the Dutch Eunavfor flagship, HNLMS Johan de Witt.

The Somali officials met the EU’s Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso; the EU Naval Force Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Bob Tarrant; and the Head of Mission of EU Capacity Building Mission (EUCAP) Nestor, Etienne de Poncins.

The Dubai counter-piracy conference will be followed by the ‘New Deal for Somalia’ summit in Brussels on September 16 where countries will endorse a ‘Compact’ between Somalia and the international community that identifies the key political, security and socio-economic priorities.

“Somalia welcomes cooperation with the EU to improve maritime security as part of the broader engagement of the EU in Somalia. Maritime cooperation will have important effect on the stabilisation and development of coastal areas in my country,’’ said President Mohamud in a statement.

 Public-private partnership

The two-day conference in Dubai is jointly convened by the UAE Ministry Foreign Affairs, global ports operator DP World and Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC).

The organisers said 500 participants comprising foreign ministers, senior government officials, military officers, executives of global maritime-sector companies, and leading experts are expected to attend.

DP World called on the private sector to identify mechanisms to further create an environment for sustainable development of Somalia’s emerging economy and address the root causes of maritime piracy.
Source: khaleejtimes.com

SOMALIA: Al Shabaab oo Fagaare Ku Yaalla Buuloburde Ku Toogtay Labo Ka Mid Ah Maleeshiyaadkooda

Buuloburde, Somalia - Xarakada Al Shabaab ayaa maanta magaalada Buuloburde ee gobolka Hiiraan ku toogtay labo nin oo ka mid ahaan jiray dagaalyahanadooda kuwaasoo ay ku eedeeyeen inay qorsheynayeen inay dilaan Fu’aad Maxamed Khalaf oo ka mid ah horjoogayaasha Al Shabaab.

Fagaare ku yaalla degmada Buuloburde ayaa maanta dadweybe ay isugu keeneen iyadoo saaka dadka lagu wargeliyey inaysan furin goobaha ganacsiga, waxaana fagaaraha buux dhaafiyey dagaalyshano ka tirsan Al Shabaab oo indhaha duubtay.

Goobta fagaaraha ayaa lagu soo bandhigay labada nin oo dhalinyaro ahaa, waxaana goobta ka hadlay horjoogaha Al Shabaab u qaabilsan gobolka Hiiraan Sheekh Maxamed Mire oo sheegay in labada nin ay ku soo heleen inay ahaayeen jaajuusiin u shaqeeya waxa uu ugu yeeray “shisheeyaha”.

Iyadoo fagaaraha ay joogeen dadweyne fara badan oo la isugu keenay goobta ayaa waxay dagaalyahano Al Shabaab ka mid ah oo wajiyadu u xiran yihiin ay rasaas ku dileen labada nin.

Ilo wareedyo ayaa sheegaya in Al Shabaab ay ku eedeeyeen labadandhalinyarada ah inay qorsheynayeen inay ka takhalusaan Fu’aad Shongole oo Shabaabka u qaabilsan dhanka dacwada, kana mid ah taageerayaasha Axmed Godane.

Dilkan ayaa noqonaya midkii labaad ee Al Shabaab ay dhexdooda isu geystaan, waxaana ka horeeay bishii June oo garabka Axmed Godane ay si gaadmo ah ku dileen labo sarkaal oo Al Shabaab ka mid ahaa degmada Baraawe ee gobolka Shabeelaha Hoose.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: 2014 Leadership Awards for Conservationists Worldwide

Deadline- 11 November 2013

All eligible applicants are invited to submit applicationsfor Conservation Leadership Programme Awards which aims to advance biodiversity conservation globally. The focus of this program is to build the leadership capabilities of early-career conservation professionals working in places with limited capacity to address high-priority conservation issues.

Successful applicants will-

• Develop the knowledge, skills and abilities of team members
• Implement a focused, high-priority conservation projectcombining research and action
• Contribute to the long-term success of local conservation efforts

Awards/Categories-

• Future Conservationist Awards: Approximately 20 awards of up to $15,000 each
• Conservation Follow-up Awards: Approximately 6 awards of up to $25,000 each (available only to previous CLP Future Conservationist Award winners)
• Conservation Leadership Awards: 1 award of $50,000 (available only to previous CLP Follow-up Award winners)

Eligibility & criteria-

CLP projects must occur in and be led by nationals of countries excluded from the World Bank list of high-income economies across Africa, Asia, Eastern and South-eastern Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific, Latin America and theCaribbean, where there tends to be fewer resources and capacity for conservation. Exceptions include some high-income economies located in some temperate and tropical areas of high biological diversity but thought to have low national capacity for conservation, including the Pacific Islands, Caribbean Islands and the Middle East.

The Call for Applications for 2014 CLP Awards is Open!

Share our Call for Applications  with your colleagues and keep up to date with the awards process via the CLP Facebook page!

The CLP has been helping young conservationists to achieve their goals and move into positions of influence within the conservation sector for more than 25 years. Every year we put out a call for funding applications for Conservation Awards. These awards are aimed at early-career conservationists (less than 5 years professional experience in the conservation sector). Successful applicants will: 1.) develop the knowledge, skills and abilities of team members; 2.) implement a focused, high-priority conservation project combining research and action; and 3.) contribute to the long-term success of local conservation efforts.

Awards include:

• Future Conservationist Awards (up to US $15,000 each)
• Conservation Follow-up Awards (up to US $25,000 each) – available only to previous CLP Future Conservationist Award winners
• Conservation Leadership Awards (up to US $50,000 each) – available only to previous CLP Follow-up Award winners

Anyone interested in applying for a CLP award should read our Frequently Asked Questions document 

All teams that make it through the first round of reviews receive feedback on their proposal. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact a member of the CLP team more than two weeks before the application deadline for advice on eligibility, project concept, methods and activities. The CLP can also put teams in touch with local partner offices or other experts who can provide additional advice.

A representative from each award-winning team is invited to attend an international training event organized by the CLP to share ideas, develop skills and knowledge and network with their peers. Additionally, winning teams are able to network with experts from within each of the partner organizations and past winners. CLP team members are available to help with project implementation, including guidance required during the planning and team training stages.