Somalia’s Failure: A Broken System or Lousy Leaders?

By: Nafisa Santura

In most of the world’s parliamentary democracies, it’s rare to see presidents and prime ministers bickering, since their roles and responsibilities are more or less distinct and rarely overlap. However, in many African governments, power struggles between presidents and prime ministers are quite common, even when the offices have clearly defined constitutional roles.

In Somalia, the president is the head of state. His powers include appointing a prime minister and serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, which includes the power to declare of a state of emergency or war. The prime minister is the chief of the cabinet, guiding and overseeing the work of the other ministers. However, despite these neatly separated roles and responsibilities, Somalia is once again having great difficulty in governing itself under a power sharing system.

Although it’s designed to encourage collaboration between clans, the arrangement has yet to produce sustainable political stability, with a rift widening between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon. The real issue between them is unclear, but according to media reports, the president recently asked the prime minister to resign due to incompetence, while the prime minister claims that the president has no constitutional power to request his resignation. The prime minister has complained that the government cannot achieve its goals because of the slim cabinet that the president had imposed on him, which has resulted in each minister being in charge of three to four ministries.

After its independence, Somalia had a parliamentary system based on political parties. But a coup d’état in 1969 installed the Siad Barre military regime, disrupting the democratic process and eventually plunging the country into civil war. Since then, a number of power-sharing agreements aimed at resolving the crisis have crumbled.

In 2000, a Transitional National Government was established in Djibouti that ended up disintegrating due to a power struggle that began with President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan and Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galaydh. Similarly, in 2002, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development organized a reconciliation conference in Kenya that gave birth to a Transitional Federal Government and a parliamentary system without any political party presence. The party system was replaced with a clan-based power-sharing formula called the 4.5 system, which awarded an equal share of parliamentary seats to Somalia’s four major clans, with a fifth retaining a half-share.

But something’s not working. Somalia’s three most recent presidents have each appointed three prime ministers, a rapid turnover rate indicating ongoing infighting between representatives of competing clans who are loathe to cede power to each other. As a result, Somalia has been plagued by a political process that is based on competition rather than cooperation and compromise. The current fallout between the president and the prime minister is a continuation of the political stalemate that has hampered Somalia’s progress for decades.

Meanwhile, precious time is being wasted on political brinkmanship rather than dealing with the innumerable challenges facing the country. Security, reconciliation, the economy, education, infrastructure, and healthcare are a few of the many issues that do not get addressed so long as the president and prime minister are locked in a power struggle. Consequently, many Somalis have lost faith in their leaders’ ability to unite the nation, which may lead the country towards another civil war and away from economic prosperity.

Therefore, the time has come for Somalia to try a different system of governance. Somali constitutional experts should review and amend the constitution from a power sharing system back to political party system in which a president and vice president from the same party are elected on the same platform.

The clan-based system has had its chance. Only through a party system, overseen by an electoral commission, can Somalia put together a government with the capacity to solve the country’s unique challenges—and bring about the political stability that has eluded it for the last two decades.
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Nafisa G. Santur is a political researcher and conflict analyst based in Nairobi.

Prof. Axmed Ismaaciil Samater, oo Maanta Ku Soo Laabtay Dalkiisa Hooyo Markii 2aad Si Wayna Loogu Soo Dhaweeyay Madaarka Egal International Airport

“Madaxda dalkana inaanu is wareysano oo isfahamkeenu sii gun-dheeraado ayaan rejaynayaa” Prof. Axmed Ismaaciil Samater

Prof. Axmed Ismaaciil Samater,

Hargeysa – Prof. Axmed Ismaaciil Samater, oo muddo shan bilood ah dalka ka maqnaa ka dib markii uu hore Somaliland u yimid bishii July ee sanadkan sii galbanaya , ayaa maanta lagu soo dhaweeyay Magaalada Hargeysa oo uu dib ugu soo laabtay.

Prof. Axmed Ismaaciil Samater, oo lix bilood ka hor ka noqday Mabda’ii Soomaali-weyn ee uu hore u aaminsanaa, ayaa qolka Nashada ee Madaarka Hargeysa oo uu ka soo degay goor dhaweyd saxaafadda uga waramay waxyaabaha uu Somaliland u soo faa’ideeyay mudadii koobnayd ee uu maqnaa, maadaama oo uu hadda yahay muwaadin aaminsan gooni isu-taaga iyo Madax-banaanida Somaliland, waxaanu sheegay in mudadii shanka bilood ahayd ee uu maqnaa uu ku dedaalay inuu beesha caalamka gaadhsiiyo xaqiiqada Somaliland iyo waxa ay kaga duwan tahay Soomaaliya.


Prof. Axmed Ismaaciil Samater, oo ugu horeyn u mahad-celinaya masuuliyiintii soo dhaweeyay oo uu ka mid ahaa Wasiirka xidhiidhka golayaasha Somaliland, ayaa yidhi “Waxaan u Mahadnaqayaa Madaxda Xafiiska Madaxtooyada Somaliland ee na soo dhaweeyay, waxaanan salaamayaa dadka reer Somaliland, waxaanan leeyahay waynu is arki doonaa oo waynu is wareysan doonaa, Madaxda dalkana inaanu is wareysano oo isfahamkeenu sii gun-dheeraado ayaan rejaynayaa”.

Prof. Samater, oo la waydiiyay waxa uu Somaliland u soo faa’ideeyay mudadii koobnayd ee uu ku maqnaa dalka Maraykanka oo uu deggan yahay, ayaa ku jawaabay “Waddan dhan horusocodkiisu waa dadka oo dhan, qof ama laba wax ay tari karaan way iska yar tahay, laakiin shantii bilood ee aan idinka maqnaa annigu waan dedaalay oo dhul badan ayaa ka hadlay, Telefiishanada Maraykanka waan ka hadlay, Madaxda Maraykanka qaarkood waan la hadlay oo arrinta Somaliland-baan ka hadlay, siday uga duwan tahay waddanka intiisa kale ayaan ka hadlay, waxay qabsadeen dadka Jamhuuriyaddan ku nooli, oo ay ugu yar tahay dadkii qoxootiga u baxay markii Hargeysa iyo Burco ay garaacayeen ciidamadii dawladdii (Siyaad Barre) ee ka baxsaday cadaawaddii halkan ka taagnayd ay dib ugu soo noqdeen dalkoodii oo dib u dejin dalkoodii loogu sameeyay.

Taasi weli kamay dhicin Koonfurta Soomaaliya, markaa waxyaabo badan oo u gooni ah dadka reer Somaliland, ama taariikhiyan ha noqoto ama siday maanta yihiin ayaan isku dayey inaan adduunyada gaadhsiiyo, wax badana aan ka qoro, in badana waad dhageysateen ayaan filayaa doodo badan, markaa is xil-qaanka aan is xilqaamay wuxuu noqday inaad safiir bilaash u noqdo Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland” ayuu yidhi,

Waxaanu intaas ku daray inuu diyaar u yahay inuu qabto haddii Madaxwaynuhu xil u Magacaabo “Su’aashaa Madaxwaynaha ayaad weydiinaysaa.”

Prof. Axmed Ismaaciil Samater, oo sidoo kale, la waydiiyay inuu hunguri kaga jiro inuu galo siyaasadda Somaliland, ayaa ku jawaabay sidan “Hunguriga ugu weyn ee I hayaa waan inaan ummadeydii iyo dadkaygii sii badsado (Barashooda)”ayuu yidhi.

Source: Somaliland.Org

Somalia: Qatar and Saudi established a group more dangerous than Al-Shabab in Somalia

Somalis did not know the danger of Al-Shabab’s security forces, thus they don’t know more about Dam Jadid’s Ruhanta who replaced Al-Shabab. Many Somali people and government officials might not know the commander of Ruhanta, Abdalla Tarbi’ as well.

Recent political assassinations in Mogadishu in which the latest target was an MP, Mohamed Warsame, and subsequent cold blooded massacre of Syrian Somali doctors were executed by the specially trained forces of Dam Jadid, Ruhanta (Ghosts).

Dam Jadid’s intelligent forces of Ruhanta is headed by Col, Abdalla Mohamed, also known as Abdalla Tarbi’i

According to the ministry of foreign affairs of the Somali government, Qatar and Saudi Governments are the main source fund providers to Ruhanta. Both governments used to fund Al-Shabab before.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are not willing to see Somalia with effective government, and their battle relates to oil that Somalia is rich in on its ground.

Somali security personnel confirmed that Qatar and Saudi Arabia were behind the discontinuation of the fight against Al-Shabab.This brought the sacking of former director of national security agency.

Waagacusub media took three months to pursue in investigating about senior officials of Dam Jadid’s Ruhanta forces and found the picture of the army commander, Abdalla Tarbi’

Who is Abdalla Tarbiici

Abdalla Tarbiiis the deputy commander of national security agency, and chief commander of Ruhanta forces who directly receive orders from the ministry of interior and the presidency.

Abdalla Tarbiici is Dir clan, Surre, Fiqi Omar sub-clan, and he doesn’t speak too much. He is a Colonel who joined Somali security forces in 2009.

Abdalla Tarbi’ took his training on security and safety in Sudan, graduated from Africa International University in Sudan, faculty of science and microbiology.

When Mr. Abdalla went back home in 2000, he founded Plasma University in Mogadishu in which he became the president.

Farah Abdukadir and Abdikarim Hussein Guled supported him in establishing the university and it is where Dam Jadid recruits from the youth.

Abdalla Tarbii’s first office was that of the fromer national security Chief, Mohamed Sheekh. He was then appointed as head section of pirates during when Ahmed Mo’allim Fiqi was the head of the agency.

When the religious group of Dam Jadid took control of Villa Somalia, Abdalla Tarbi’i was chosen to be deputy national security agency director.

President Hassan Gargurte was initially planning to Appoint Abdalla as chief commander of intelligence forces, but foreign countries rejected that plan.

Bashir Gobe, director of national security agency and his deputy, Abdalla Tarbii’ are not friends now because many young soldiers in the agency and Dam Jadid are campaigning to have Abdalla named to the top position.

Col. Abdalla meets with president Gargurte every night by giving a report and have close contact and confidence with Farah Abdukadir and Abdikarim Dhega-jun, and he takes all his time in the presidency.

Who works with Abdalla Tarbiici?

Abdalla Tarbi’i has close cooperation with three men of Al-Shabab fighters’ senior security officials and they are as follows:-

1-Omar Dahir, Reer Aw Hassan. Omar is the head of highly trained unit within the Ruhanta Brigade.

2-Abdikariim Farey is Head of President Hassan Gargurte’s presidential guards. He is Hawiye, Murusade sub clan.

3-Abdirahman Turyare is Hawiye,Abgal Waceysle, he is head of intelligence investigation department, he took his education in Egypt.

Assassinations will continue in Somalia because security forces of Ruhanta are like Al-Shabab militants who used conduct planned assassinations when Sharif Sh. Ahmed was the chairperson of the Islamic Courts Union.

A Swedish camera man, Martin Edler was murdered on 23 June, 2006 in Mogadishu by Al-Shabab security staff, a time Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was speaking to a large crowd at Tarbunka, the camera man was filming the demonstrators.

Somalis did not know the danger of Al-Shabab’s security forces, thus they don’t know more about Dam Jadid’s Ruhanta who replaced Al-Shabab. Many Somali people and government officials might not know the commander of Ruhanta, Abdalla Tarbi’ as well.

Somali people are in a long sleep and parliamentarians are corrupted. Will Somalis be like Kurds or make use their chance to protect themselves from the risk of Dam Jadid’s Ruhanta together?

You may remember about this report later, when things fall apart. What is important here is to be aware of that youth are trained on how to make explosions and carry out assassinations.

By Dahir Abdulle Alasow

Kenya-Citizen participation key to development, Somaliland Ambassador

Ambassador Mohamed Abdilahi Jama

by Ahmed Abdi

Mr. Mohammed Abdillahi Jamac aka Sifir ,Somaliland Ambassador to Kenya has noted that empowered, responsive economic capacity building mainly the roads are very important in ensuring development.

Speaking with the media in Nairobi,he said government therefore committed to addressing issues with citizen’s participation specially Eastern Africa diaspora to foster holistic and sustainable development at the local level and the country at large.

Mr. Jama said I am here to send my heart felt gratitude to the government and the citizens in and outside the country for their patriotic participation of the development process specially I am admired their  bravery involvement to build paved roads between Burco and Ceerigaabo which I think it will connect different parts of the country.

“Somaliland developing project that’s currently going on many parts of the country is crucial and we encourage our Eastern Africa diaspora and any one that loves the development process of the country to increase his/her engagement with the local community and the government”,said Mr. Jama

The Ambassador added that the important thing is to get together rather than fundraising to promote human interaction that can increase the strength as well as government-people- relationship.

“Knowing that government alone can not be responsible for the development I am encouraging you,Somaliland diaspora, particularly those in Uganda, Kenya,Tanzania and all parts of the African continent to take part your role and work hand-in hand with partners like those in Europe,America and Australia do”,he added.

Somaliland which located in the horn of Africa is strategic partner with many parts of the middle East countries-that depend on livestock that imported from Berbera seaport-and has been enhancing to improve its relationships with the regional  African nations.

Source: somalilandpress.com

Somaliland: Uptick in road accidents in Somaliland causes concern

Serious motor vehicle accidents are at an all-time high in the Somaliland region, intensifying concerns among citizens and officials about road safety.

An overturned vehicle hits a house in Hargeisa's Ibrahim Kodbur district in 2012. [Barkhad Dahir/Sabahi]

By Barkhad Dahir 

Serious motor vehicle accidents are at an all-time high in the Somaliland region, intensifying concerns among citizens and officials about road safety.

On average, about 15 people die in motor vehicle accidents each month and more than 200 people are injured, said Fuad Ahmed Hussein, an adviser to the Somaliland Minister of Public Works, Housing and Transport.

According to the annual police report on crime, which was released November 3rd, there were 2,875 accidents between January and October 2013, resulting in 146 deaths and 1,805 injuries. Compared to the previous year, that is an increase of 18%, Hussein told Sabahi.

Not only have road accidents killed and injured many people, they are an economic hardship as well, he said. The economy lost about $6.5 million from vehicle damage, compensation to the families of people who lost their lives and for medical treatment of victims, according to Hussein.

The accidents were a result of numerous issues officials are trying to remedy, including non-uniform placement of steering wheels in cars, lack of road safety signs and enforcement of traffic regulations, poor road conditions, and driver errors, such as driving in the wrong lane, at high speeds, or lacking adequate skill and experience, Hussein said.

Traffic police officer Abdirashid Abdullahi Gadhle said overloaded vehicles and congested roads also are to blame for many accidents.

"The other problem is not separating pedestrian paths from vehicle lanes on the roads," he told Sabahi.

Suleiman Ismail Bulale

Saleban Ismail Bulale, chairman of Hargeisa-based human rights organization Hornwatch, said road safety issues were causing increasing concern in the region.

"We are worried that the most important people [leaders and intellectuals] will die in motor vehicle accidents," Bulale said. "Since the government is responsible for the safety of its citizens, this is a result of neglect from the agencies responsible for that work."

Bulale connected the increase in accidents to "corrupt or improper issuance of driving licenses by the agencies that are responsible for road safety".

Gadhle, however, denied that claim, saying that all drivers are verified and tested before they are issued a license.

Steps to improve road safety

During World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on November 17^th, Chief of Police Brigadier General Abdillahi Fadal Iman said the use of mobile phones and excessive speed were major contributing factors to road accidents.

"It is irresponsible on the part of the driver to speak on the phone while driving," he said, adding that police will fine drivers who are caught speeding.

The event, which included discussions on steps to enhance road safety, was held in Hargeisa for the first time this year. It was a joint effort between the Ministry of Public Works, Housing and Transport, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Interior, and the Road Development Agency.

Somaliland Minister of Information Abdullahi Mohamed Dahir Ukuse said the government was taking steps to address the uptick in road accidents, including repairing major roads.

Repairing roads will have a significant impact on economic development, improving travel and enhancing security, he said, adding that construction of seven major roads is currently under way.

The roads under construction are: Hargeisa-Berbera, Hargeisa-Sallahley, Dila-Borama, Kalabaydh-Wajale, Burao-Erigavo, Odweyne-Burao and Dawgaad Road, which connects Hargeisa to Djibouti.

The government hopes the increased road capacity will help decrease accidents, Ukuse said.

To complement those efforts, Somaliland National TV and Radio Hargeisa are broadcasting awareness programmes twice weekly on road safety rules, he said.

Somaliland traffic police are also expecting the municipalities of major cities to install traffic signs on the roads during 2014, Gadhle told Sabahi.

In addition, Hussein said, the regional administration is working hard to fully implement the Road Safety Act, which was passed in March, to enforce road safety regulations.

"We are happy that the law was passed after it sat in front of parliament for eight years and we hope that it will become part of the solution," he said.

Source: sabahionline.com

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood declared 'terrorist group

 

Supporters of Mohammed Morsi have held demonstrations since 3 July

The military-backed interim Egyptian government has declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group after blaming it for a deadly attack on a police HQ earlier this week.

The group, whose candidate Mohammed Morsi won the presidential poll last year before being deposed by the military, had already been outlawed.

Thousands of its supporters have been arrested in a crackdown.

A Muslim Brotherhood leader in exile vowed that protests would continue.
 
'Horrified'

Deputy Prime Minister Hossam Eissa announced the move, which will give the authorities more power to crack down on the Brotherhood.

He said that those who belonged to the group, financed it or promoted its activities would face punishment.

The decision was in response to Tuesday's suicide bombing of a police headquarters in Mansoura, in the Nile Delta, which killed 16 people and wounded more than 100, he said. 

"Egypt was horrified from north to south by the hideous crime committed by the Muslim Brotherhood group," Mr Eissa said.

"This was in context of dangerous escalation to violence against Egypt and Egyptians and a clear declaration by the Muslim Brotherhood group that it still knows nothing but violence.

"It's not possible for Egypt the state nor Egypt the people to submit to the Muslim Brotherhood terrorism."
Egypt would notify Arab countries who had signed a 1998 anti-terrorism treaty of the decision, he added.

The Brotherhood has denied being responsible for the attack, and an al-Qaeda inspired group has claimed responsibility.

Ibrahim Munir, a member of the group's guidance council who is in exile in London, told AFP news agency that the government's decision was "illegitimate".

He added: "The protests will continue, certainly."
 
Banned

Brotherhood supporters have staged protests since Mr Morsi's government - the first to be democratically elected in Egypt - was toppled on 3 July following widespread anti-Brotherhood demonstrations.

The 85-year-old Islamist movement was banned by Egypt's military rulers in 1954, but registered an NGO called the Muslim Brotherhood Association in March this year in response to a court case bought by opponents who contested its legal status.

The Brotherhood also has a political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), which was set up in 2011 as a "non-theocratic" group after the uprising that forced President Hosni Mubarak from power.

Following Mr Morsi's overthrow and the suspension of the Islamist-friendly 2012 constitution, the Cairo administrative court and the social solidarity ministry were tasked with reviewing the Brotherhood's legal status.

In September, a ruling by the Cairo Court for Urgent Matters banned the Brotherhood itself, the NGO, as well as "any institution derived from or belonging to the Brotherhood" or "receiving financial support from it".

BBC

Drone-spotting: Survival guide informs on new breed of aerial predators

Image from dronesurvivalguide.org

A Drone Survival Guide with hints and tips on how to thwart the “robotic birds” has been published on the internet. With over 30,000 drones expected to be flying over the US by 2030, the Guide urges readers to familiarize themselves with the craft.

In light of the growing number of drones, the Guide advises a number of techniques to evade and scramble drones. The document is available online and has been translated into 17 different languages.
 
“Our ancestors could spot natural predators from far by their silhouettes. Are we equally aware of the predators in the present-day?” writes the Guide.

It contains the silhouettes and measurements of all of the most widely-used drones, from the ‘Killer Bee’ to ‘The Sentinel’ as well as information on where they are currently operational. It goes on to detail ways you can hide from a drone.
 
“Most drones are equipped with night vision, and/or infrared vision cameras, so-called FLIR sensors. 
 These can see human heat signatures from far away, day or night. However there are ways to hide from drones.”

Among the tactics it advices for eluding the aerial craft are: hiding “in thick forests,” wearing space blankets to confuse heat sensors, not using wireless communication, and the use of mannequins or human-sized dolls as decoys.
 
“Wait for bad weather. Drones cannot operate in high winds, smoke, rainstorms or heavy weather conditions.”

Image from dronesurvivalguide.org

As well as avoidance strategies to escape from the craft, the document also gives advice on how to hack into a drone’s systems. The Guide gives the assurance that as long as a drone’s communications are not encrypted then they can be hacked. It describes how to intercept and interfere with the workings of a drone and also details a process called “spoofing”.
 
“Small, portable GPS transmitters can send fake GPS signals and disrupt the Drones navigation systems. This can be used, for example, to steer drones into self-destruction flight paths or even hijack them and land them on a runway.”

The US’ use of drones for surveillance as well as military strikes has drawn global recognition. Last week the Yemeni parliament passed an anti-drone motion because of the civilian lives lost in the US strikes on Al-Qaeda militants in the country. Pakistan has also condemned the US for its use of the craft, decrying the strikes as an affront to its sovereignty.

Moreover, the Obama Administration has come into the firing line for increasing the amount of drones operating in American air space. By 2030 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has estimated that around 30,000 craft will be operational in the US.

In spite of assurances of their safety there have been a number of incidents where drones have lost control and crashed. In November of this year two drones came down in two weeks with no explanation as to why they might have malfunctioned.

The first crash on November 12 grounded all drone flights in Central New York, while the second – on November 17 - saw one of the unmanned craft veer out of control and crash into a guided missile cruiser off the coast of Southern California, injuring two soldiers.

Image from dronesurvivalguide.org

Source: rt.com

Turkey: Erdogan Urged to Quit as Ministers Resign Amid Graft Probe

Photographer: Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister, center, waves to the crowd as he stands among Justice and Development Party (AKP) members during a meeting at the party's headquarters in Ankara on Aug. 20, 2013.

By Onur Ant and Selcan Hacaoglu

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan came under pressure to resign today after a cabinet minister said the Turkish leader had approved some decisions under investigation in graft probes rocking the government.
Environment Minister Erdogan Bayraktar, one of three ministers to quit today, said Erdogan ordered the redevelopment plans mentioned in an inquiry led by public prosecutors. “I have nothing that I can’t explain,” he said on NTV television. “I believe the prime minister should also resign.” Erdogan, in a speech, defended his party’s record and said corruption won’t be tolerated.

Bayraktar headed the state housing authority TOKI, which reports directly to Erdogan, before joining the cabinet. Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and Interior Minister Muammer Guler also resigned, their sons having been entangled in the probes that they say are a plot to smear the government before local elections in March.

Six months after routing opposition-led protests in the center of Istanbul, Erdogan is mired in a power struggle that has divided the police and judiciary. Its outcome may determine the fate and legacy of the 59-year-old premier, who says he is fighting what amounts to a coup attempt.

Suspected Bribery

The investigations into suspected bribery, money laundering and gold smuggling started 15 months ago, according to prosecutors. Erdogan’s supporters, though, accuse followers of U.S.-based imam Fethullah Gulen of instigating the crackdown. The cleric broke with the prime minister this year, rupturing a partnership that sustained the longest period of political stability since Turkey adopted a multiparty system in 1946.

The lira weakened 0.2 percent to 2.0809 a dollar at 4:40 p.m. in Istanbul. The Borsa Istanbul 100 Index fell 3.6 percent. The national currency and equity index both reversed earlier gains after Bayraktar’s resignation was announced.

Erdogan, in a speech to members of his ruling party today, described the probe as “an ugly conspiracy.” He said the party has a “tough stance on corruption” and called on Turks to maintain their trust in his government.

The prime minister may announce a cabinet reshuffle after meeting with President Abdullah Gul, the president said yesterday. Ten ministers may be replaced as early as today, according to Turkey’s Dunya newspaper, which did not say where it got the information.

‘Increasing Concerns’

“There is an erosion of confidence and increasing concerns within the core of the ruling party that Erdogan may have difficulty steering through this crisis,” said Ilter Turan, a professor of political science at Istanbul’s Bilgi University. “Erdogan has been acting as the top commander, directing all projects, and now the expectation among his ranks is rising for him to shoulder the responsibility.”

Sons of Caglayan and Guler were charged and jailed in connection with the police investigations, while Bayraktar’s son was released pending trial. Caglayan said in a written statement that he was stepping down to expose a “dirty game” and allow “the truth to be uncovered.” Guler’s office released a statement warning of a “dark conspiracy against the government, the ruling party and Turkey.”

‘Propaganda War’

Erdogan, who was unaware of the probe until the arrests began on Dec. 17, removed hundreds of police chiefs and officers from their posts in response, eliciting charges that he is trying to hamper the investigation.
Erdogan’s actions show that the government lacks “self-confidence,” Lawmaker Idris Bal, who resigned from ruling party this month, said in a phone interview. “If you’re waging propaganda war through the media, it means you have no confidence and there is corruption involved.”

“If anyone is taking what belongs to the people from their purses and safes, both the judiciary and we will hold them accountable,” Erdogan told hundreds of supporters yesterday.

A total of four ministers have been implicated in the probe, according to the government. EU Minister Egemen Bagis was also implicated in three secret investigations that broke open on Dec. 17 with a police sweep that took dozens into custody, according to Hurriyet newspaper Dec. 19.

Gold Smuggling

Other suspects include Suleyman Aslan, chief executive officer of state lender Turkiye Halk Bankasi AS (HALKB), top bureaucrats from the economy ministry and Reza Zarrab, an Iranian-Azeri businessman, who is accused of gold smuggling and illicit money transfers from Iran to Turkey. Zarrab is also said to have given a $335,000 watch to Caglayan as a gift, according to Zaman newspaper, which did not say how it got the information.

Shares of Emlak Konut Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi AS (EKGYO), the real estate unit of the state housing agency TOKI, has plunged 20 percent since the probe broke.

Caglayan used to run a family aluminum business and headed the Ankara Industrialists’ Association for 12 years until he was elected as a lawmaker in 2007. Before he was appointed Economy Minister in 2011, he served as minister of trade and industry and minister of foreign trade.

Interest Rates

The 56-year-old minister frequently accused the Turkish central bank last year of depressing economic growth with high interest rates. In his speech today, Erdogan said an “interest-rate lobby” was trying hard to raise borrowing costs and pledged to deal a “final blow” to their efforts.

Guler, who served as a governor of Istanbul for seven years until 2010, became minister of interior in January. Photographs showing his son’s bedroom with several safes and a money-counting machine were publicized following his detention last week. Guler said his son moved the safes home after recently shutting down a business he owned because he is “stingy.”

To contact the reporters on this story: Onur Ant in Ankara at oant@bloomberg.net; Selcan Hacaoglu in Ankara at shacaoglu@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andrew J. Barden at barden@bloomberg.net

Source: bloomberg.com 

DAAWO FILIMKAN OO OGOW WAX BADAD OO KAA QARSOONAA: Bulsho Horumartay Hagar Daamadii Hey'adaha Gaalada Kadib !!!

War baahinta islaamiga ah ee Al-furqaan ayaa soo saartay filim qofkii mar daawadaa uu ku ogaanayo wax badan oo ka qarsoonaa, kaasoo loogu Magacdaray (Bulsho Horumartay Hagar Daamadii Hey'adaha Kadib)

Filimkan ayaa waxaa laga sameeyay Jamaame iyo Kamsuuma oo ka tirsan gobolka Jubada hoose ee dalka Soomaaliya

South Sudan: Thousands dead in South Sudan violence, UN says

Analysis

James Copnall BBC South Sudan analyst

 

The growing number of allegations of ethnically motivated killings are deeply concerning. It's important to remember that this crisis is at its heart a political struggle, in a militarised, and, yes, ethnically divided society.

It is wrong to paint this as an "ethnic war", though - it is far more complicated than this. It is also unclear to what extent the military commanders can control the many armed civilians fighting in different parts of the country.

With all that said, international concern about ethnically driven violence is high. Ban Ki-moon has warned that anyone responsible for human rights violations will be held to account. It is to be hoped that these are not empty words.

Troops loyal to Mr Kiir had moved quickly from Juba to retake Bor

Thousands of people must have been killed in the past week of violence in South Sudan, the top UN humanitarian co-ordinator there has told the BBC.

Toby Lanzer, who is in Bentiu in northern Unity state, said it had been "a devastating week for South Sudan".
Earlier President Salva Kiir said his forces had recaptured the key town of Bor days after it was seized by rebels.

The rebels are led by Riek Machar, of the ethnic Nuer, who has been battling President Kiir, of the Dinka.
The UN earlier said that it had reports of at least three mass graves.

One was in Bentiu in the north, and two in the capital, Juba.

'Palpable fear'

Mr Lanzer told the BBC's Newshour programme: "I think it's undeniable at this stage that there must have been thousands of people who have lost their lives.

"When I've looked at the hospitals in key towns and I've looked at the hospitals in the capital itself, the range of injuries, this is no longer a situation where we can merely say it's hundreds of people who've lost their lives."

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said: "There is a palpable fear among civilians of both Dinka and Nuer backgrounds that they will be killed on the basis of their ethnicity."

The UN says at least 80,000 people have been displaced by the South Sudan crisis - about half of them seeking shelter at a number of UN bases

UNHCR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said a UN official had seen 14 bodies in a mass grave in Bentiu and another 20 at a riverside nearby.

But she said 75 SPLA soldiers, all Dinka, were unaccounted for there and were feared dead.

The other two reported mass grave sites are at Jebel-Kujur and Newside, near Eden, in Juba.
Security Council vote
President Kiir earlier told journalists in Juba that his forces had "retaken Bor and are now clearing whatever forces that are remaining there".

Bor, 200km (125 miles) north of Juba, had been one of the major successes for the rebels. They are believed to still be in control of Bentiu, where some 7,500 civilians have sought refuge in a UN camp.

Radio Tamazuj said government troops of the Sudan People's Liberation Army had launched attacks on positions held by Nuer commander and army defector Peter Gadet on Tuesday afternoon in Bor.
Some reports said there was still fighting near the airport.

Mr Kiir said there was also fighting in the town of Malakal and that his troops were "ready to capture Bentiu".

President Kiir and Mr Machar have both said they are willing to talk.

However, Mr Machar has said his detained political allies must first be freed, while Mr Kiir says there should be no preconditions.

Mr Machar told Radio France Internationale he had formed a delegation for talks and that they would probably be held in Ethiopia.

He said: "We want a democratic nation. We want democratic free and fair elections. We want Salva Kiir to call it a day."

Mr Kiir has accused Mr Machar, who he sacked in July, of plotting a coup. Mr Machar denies he is trying to seize power.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for an increase in the UN's peacekeepers from 6,800 to about 11,800. A Security Council vote on the resolution is expected later on Tuesday.

Sudan suffered a 22-year civil war that left more than a million people dead before the South became independent in 2011.

BBC