STATUS OF SEIZED VESSELS AND CREWS IN SOMALIA, THE GULF OF ADEN AND THE INDIAN OCEAN (ecoterra - 30. October 2011)
PROTECTING AND MONITORING LIFE, BIODIVERSITY AND THE ECOSYSTEMS OF SOMALIA AND ITS SEAS SINCE 1986 - ECOTERRA Intl.
ECOTERRA Intl. and ECOP-marine serve concerning the counter-piracy issues as advocacy groups in their capacity as human rights, marine and maritime monitors as well as in co-operation with numerous other organizations, groups and individuals as information clearing-house. In difficult cases we have successfully served as mediators, helped hostages to get medical or humanitarian relief and released, assisted in negotiations and helped the families of victims. Our focus to make piracy an issue of the past is concentrating on holistic coastal development as key to uplift communities from abhorrent poverty and to secure their marine and coastal ecosystems against any harm.
DECLARE INTERDEPENDENCE
STATUS-SUMMARY:
Today, 30. October 2011 at 21h30 UTC, at least 28 larger plus 18 smaller foreign vessels plus one stranded barge are kept in Somali hands against the will of their owners, while at least 482 hostages or captives - including a South-African yachting couple, two (or now only one) frail elderly ladies and four aid-workers - suffer to be released.
But even EU NAVFOR, who mostly only counts high-value, often British insured vessels, admitted now that many dozens of vessels were sea-jacked despite their multi-million Euro efforts to protect shipping.
Having come under pressure, EU NAVFOR's operation ATALANTA felt now compelled to publish their updated piracy facts for those vessels, which EU NAVFOR admits had not been protected from pirates and were abducted. EU NAVFOR also admitted in February 2011 for the first time that actually a larger number of vessels and crews is held hostage than those listed on their file.
Since EU NAVFOR's inception at the end of 2008 the piracy off Somalia started in earnest and it has now completely escalated. Only knowledgeable analysts recognized the link.
Please see the situation map of the PIRACY COASTS OF SOMALIA (2011) and the CPU-ARCHIVE
ECOTERRA members can also request the Somali Marine & Coastal Monitor for background info.
- see also HELD HOSTAGE BY PIRATES OFF SOMALIA
and don't forget that SOMALI PIRACY IS CUT-THROAT CAPITALISM
WHAT THE NAVIES OFF SOMALIA NEVER SEE:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/05/fighting_for_control_of_somali.html
What Foreign Soldiers in Somalia and even their Officers Never Seem to Realize:
The Scramble For Somalia
PEACE KEEPERS OR BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AGENTS ?
SG Ban Ki-Moon (UN) and President Ram Baran Yadav (Nepal) should resign and take the responsibility for 4,500 Haitians having been killed by a Cholera strain introduced by unchecked, so-called UN Peace-Keepers from Nepal into Haiti.
LATEST:
STILL CLOSE TO 500 SEAFARERS ARE HELD HOSTAGE IN SOMALIA !
ECOTERRA Intl. has been the first group to clearly and publicly state that the piracy phenomenon off the Somali coasts can only become an issue of the past again, if tangible and sustainable, appropriate and holistic development for the coastal communities kicks in. Solutions to piracy have to tackle the root causes: Abhorrent poverty, environmental degradation, injustice, outside interference. While still billions are spend for the navies, for the general militarization or for mercenaries or conferences, still no real and financially substantial help is coming forward to pacify and develop the coastal areas of Somalia ir to help the Somali people and government to protect and police their own waters.
Updates and latest news on known cases of piracy - see the status section :
NATO ALERT
The piracy alert was raised by the Maritime Security Centre.
Date of alert : October 30, 2011
Alert type : Attempted Attack
Location : [233] Somali Basin- Indian Ocean 0420S 04341E
Latitude : 04 20 S
Longitude : 043 41 E
Breaking:
FOOD AID RECEIVERS KILLED BY AIR RAID IN SOMALIA, 12 DEAD, 60 WOUNDED
Many children and women are among the dead and wounded internally displaced people (IDP), who had gathered to receive food aid from Turkey today at a centre in the southern Somali town of Jilib, when around 15h00 local time they were hit by an air-strike.
According to eyewitnesses the so far unidentified war-planes fired indiscriminately into the crowd of civilians.
Most of the severely wounded were brought to the hospital in Marerey, which is supported.by MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières).
Official figures and those provided by medical personnel and local observer speak of at first three and meanwhile twelve people killed and up to 60 wounded by the air raid. "Our staff said that around 52 people, all civilians, mostly women and children, had been wounded and that three were dead," Gautam Chapperjee, who heads MSF-Netherlands' Somalia mission, confirmed to AFP.
It could at first not be clarified if the the attacking aircraft were manned or unmanned drones and which government is responsible for the illegal attack on helpless civilians, but meanwhile several eye-witnesses identified the US-cross-financed Kenyan F-5 fighter jets as the culprits.
Kenya had bought 15 of these over 20 year old junk planes for around US$23 million in 2008 from Jordan, who received new ones, and already two of the Kenyan planes were lost five days ago in the Kenyan war activities in Somalia, because they collided in the air during an attack on an alleged al-Shabaab position. Rising food and oil prices are hitting the population in Kenya especially hard, further worsening the effects of poverty and 60% unemployment and many Kenyans fear that the Somalia adventure will badly backfire, economically as well concerning regional security.
The human rights organization ECOTERRA Intl. urged the United Nations to enforce the protection of civilians in Somalia by retraining Kenya and called for an immediate independent investigation of today's incident in Jilib as well as on all parties to spare the inhabitants of IDP camps from any military aggression.
Breaking:
KENYA AT FIRST REFUSED VISA TO SOMALI PRIME MINISTER
Informed sources at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at the outskirts of the Kenyan capital Nairobi reported that the Somali Prime Minister Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali was left stranded at the aerodrome, because the immigration officials refused to give him a visum to enter the country. No governmental official was at the airport to receive him when he arrived, though he claimed to have arrived based on an invitation by the Kenyan Foreign Affairs Minister. After almost two hours the stand-off was then solved and Prime Minister Abdiweli could drive to Panari Hotel before he will meet separately tomorrow with the United Nations and the Kenyan Government.
Abdiweli Mohamed Ali had welcomed Kenya's invasion of Southern Somalia by stating that “Kenya has right to pursue al Shabaab” - only to be rebuffed by the President of Somalia Sheikh Sharif, who foresees a major problem developing out of the Kenyan initiative to conquer Jubbaland, bordering Kenya.
EU NAVFOR PART OF WARFARE IN SOMALIA
The political representatives of the European taxpayers had pushed the naval escorts through their parliaments based on the task to escort "food aid to starving Somalis" - they didn't tell them that over 50% of these escorts were to support the warfare in Somalia.
EU NAVFOR warship SPS INFANTA CHRISTINA left Mombasa’s waters last week to assume the escort of merchant vessel PETRA 1 which carries supplies for the African Union troops operating in Somalia as part of the AMISOM force.
The journey is from Mombasa to Mogadishu and in addition to the ship escort, a Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) of Uganda’s Army was embarked on the merchant vessel during the escort to optimise the safety of PETRA I. Once PETRA 1 is unloaded, both ships return back to Mombasa.
©2011 - ecoterra / ecop-marine - articles above are exclusive reports and, if not specifically ©-marked , free for publication as long as cited correctly and the source is quoted.
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What you always wanted to know about piracy, but never dared to ask:
SEARCH THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE INTERNET PORTAL ON PIRACY
NOBODY WANTED TO LISTEN WHEN WE SOLEY STOOD AGAINST THE MEDIA FRENZY AND SPIN:
MV Iceberg Remains in Pirate Control Despite Reports of Release reported finally at least the Maritme Executive.
After media outlets just reported the release of the Dubai-based MV Iceberg 1 on Tuesday after being held by pirates for 19 months, Somalia Report announced that the ship and its 23 hostages are still being held captive for an $8 million ransom payment.
The 4,500-ton Iceberg 1 managed by Azal Shipping Company of Dubai was announced released on Tuesday when AP subsequently retracted their story, while Kaleej Times and others just continued the spin, reporting even about the "important role the "UAE government had played". Likewise Somalia Report at first "broke" the story then retracted with disappointing news. A spokesman of the pirate group holding the Iceberg 1 and crew told them that they are still aboard the vessel in the Garacad area, and have not received a ransom payment. The pirate, called Adan, said that they would not release the vessel without their ransom demand.
2010 while coming out of Aden port in Yemen and en route for the Jebel Ali Port carrying toxic fluid containers and generators - for two British firms.
So far, the Iceberg 1 remains the longest-held ship by pirates.
2010 while coming out of Aden port in Yemen and en route for the Jebel Ali Port carrying toxic fluid containers and generators - for two British firms.
So far, the Iceberg 1 remains the longest-held ship by pirates.
But still some Indian and UAE Media seem not to get it, since today on Sunday, the Indian Express publish another false piece, where one only gets the impression that certain people like their name seen printed and pay for it:
[FALSE] Somali pirates release 6 Indians (TheIndianExpress)
They released men - Jaswinder Singh, Dhiraj Tiwari, Ganesh Mohite, Santosh Yadav, Swapnil Jadhav and Shahji Kumar Purshotaman - are expected to reach India on Sunday, said Ranjan Lakhanpal, chairman of World Human Rights Protection Council.
He confirmed that the Indians were released “after paying ransom money”.
Earlier, Lakhanpal and Ansar Burney, former Pakistan Federal Minister for Human Rights had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking release of the detainees, including six Indians and two Pakistani national, of MV Iceberg-1 from the Somali pirates. The ship, bearing a Panama flag, was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on March 29,2010.
“Eighteen months have passed and yet the government seems to have taken few steps to get them released,’’ the petitioners said.
[N.B.: The flawed newspiece above is fake, but the ordeal of the poor human souls is real and it is also true that the Indian goveernment hasn't even reached the smallest finger to the families and the hostage seafarers.]
Summary of Maritime Crime and Piracy for Period October 20 – 26, 2011.
INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA
INDIAN OCEAN: Cargo ship (HR CONSTELLATION) fired upon by pirates in two skiffs on 20 October while approximately 275 nm northeast of Port Victoria, Seychelles. One of the two skiffs approached to within 50-100 meters of the vessel. The armed security team on board the cargo ship fired warning shots and the skiff broke pursuit with the pirates returning fire. The crew had mustered in the safe room while the Master, chief mate, and security team remained on the bridge. The Master reported that the vessel had implemented version 4 Best Management Practices, reported to UKMTO, and had conducted weekly counter-piracy drills. The master later reported the vessel safe. (UKMTO, Owner) INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA
SOUTHEAST ASIA
INDONESIA: Two attempted boardings of chemical tanker at anchor 26 October at 0130 near position 01:42.2N – 101:29.3E, Dumai Inner Anchorage. Robbers used folded rods with a hook to climb. Alert duty watchman sighted the robbers and informed bridge. Bridge officer raised alarm and mustered crew. Seeing crew alertness the robbers aborted the attempt and moved away. 30 minutes another boat with five robbers approached the vessel from astern and attempted to board the vessel. Once again alert watchkeeping ensured the robbers aborted the attempt. Nothing stolen. (IMB)
SINGAPORE: Pirates in two boats approached and followed a barge towed by a tug near position 01:15.5N – 104:02.0E on 25 October. The crew directed searchlights towards the barge but could not detect the small boats. Master contacted other vessels including a security vessel in their convoy. Later a Singapore navy warship contacted and alerted the tugs Master that there are two small boats hiding behind his barge. Master altered course and spotted the two pirate boats resulting in the boats moving away. At 0200 LT, small boats once agan approached the barge. The navy warship spotted the boats and alerted the Master. Even with the presence of the warship the pirates boarded the barge. Upon inspection properties and stores of the barge were found stolen. (IMB)
FORECAST for 27 OCT – 02 NOV 2011
GULF OF ADEN: Multiple bands of thunderstorms from India have pushed across the Indian Ocean and into the Somali mainland, increasing local winds in the GOA. Expect east-northeast winds at 14 – 18 knots through the next 48 hours decreasing east 8 – 12 knots by 29 October with 3 – 5 foot seas. EXTENDED FORECAST: Winds speeds decrease further by 30 October (variable 5 – 10). Expect this to continue through end of forecast. Wave heights will remain light to moderate as transiting swell waves from the Arabian Sea impact the region.
SOMALI COAST: Light to moderate winds from the northeast at 10 – 15 knots will influence conditions off the Somali coast. A small area of 5 – 7 foot seas off the central coast will diminish by 28 October and 2 – 4 foot seas will continue for entire coastline through next 72 hours. EXTENDED FORECAST: Shifting winds will decrease by 30 October. Expect SW winds at 8 – 12 knots to continue through end of forecast. Localized storms in the Somali Basin will cause small regions of increased seas through remainder of forecast period. Expect these localized areas of 4 – 6 feet to persist around the central and northern portions of the Somali coastline.
NORTH ARABIAN SEA: Moderate winds (15 – 20 knots) from the northeast continue to influence conditions within the North Arabian Sea. These winds will shift direction and increase as a storm system moves off the Indian coast. Expect east-southeast winds at 25 – 30 knots with higher gusts by 29 October. Seas will slowly build from the increased winds. Localized heights of 5 – 7 feet by 30 October will push westward across the Arabian Sea. EXTENDED FORECAST: Expect winds to slowly decrease and shift direction as the storm system dissipates. Expect 12 – 16 knots from the southeast by 31 October with 3 – 5 foot seas. A separate storm system moves off the southern Indian coast by 01 November and transits westward. Computer estimations of 10 foot seas are forecasted in the central Arabian Sea through 02 November.
INDIAN OCEAN: East-southeast winds at 5 – 10 knots dominate conditions off the Kenya and Tanzania coasts and into the Mozambique Channel. Speeds increase by 29 October off the northern tip of Madagascar. Expect minimal sea heights in these regions through next 72 hours. EXTENDED FORECAST: East-southeast winds of 18 – 22 knots will continue in the open waters off the Tanzania and Kenya coastlines, near the Comoros Islands. Sea heights will follow the increasing winds. Expect heights to range from 5 – 7 feet by 31 October and continue through forecast period. The Mozambique Channel will not be impacted through remainder of forecast.
SURFACE CURRENTS: Currents within the Somalia Basin, Gulf of Aden, and into the Indian Ocean remain variable with most areas having average speeds of less than 2 knots. Some smaller areas in the open waters of the Indian Ocean and off the coast of Somalia show increased speeds up to 3 knots.
Somali pirate hostages plead for release
The couple had sold everything to afford a sailing trip
A South African couple kidnapped by Somali pirates a year ago has made a direct appeal to be released.Bruno Pelizzari, 52, was captured with his partner Debbie Calitz, 49, during an attack on a yacht.
A third person managed to escape but the couple has been held in Somalia ever since. A ransom of $4m (£2.5m) is being demanded for their release.
During a recorded telephone call, Mr Pelizzari told his sister, Vera Hecht: "We demand our freedom".
His words seemed to be aimed at the South African government but it has a policy of not paying ransoms.
In response, a government spokesman told the BBC: "The pirates employ every tactic that they think will assist them to achieve their goal."
'Passion for sailing'
Vera Hecht was able to speak to both of the hostages after being allowed to do so by the pirates' negotiator.
She was also given permission to record the conversation and to release it to the media. She was, however, restricted in what questions she was allowed to pose.
Debbie Calitz told her of concerns about their diets in captivity.
"We are deficient in vitamins and minerals and everything. We are deficient in all of that… and Bruno's hair is falling out"
It was the first time that Miss Calitz had been allowed to talk to family or friends back home since the pirate attack and she asked whether they would ever be released.
"Vera, is there any way we are going to get out of here?"
According to their families, the couple has a passion for sailing and had sold everything to fulfil a dream.
They are said to have been living very simply - "hand to mouth", as Debbie Calitz's brother, Dale van der Merwe, put it - fishing as they sailed.
Bruno Pelizzari is described by his sister as "an old surfer beach boy with salt in his blood".
'Brazen attack'
Dale van der Merwe said it was a "huge relief" hearing Debbie's voice.
"There was always a doubt in my mind as to whether she was actually alive."
They had been working on a "basic yacht", travelling from Tanzania back to South Africa when the pirates attacked. They had been hoping to see two grandchildren for the first time.
The pirates are believed to have been brandishing AK47s and rocket launchers, forcing them to turn towards Somalia.
Dale van der Merwe explained that the families were told of the pirate attack last November.
"Initially… I thought they had gone and perhaps exposed themselves unnecessarily," he said.
"But if you look at where they were taken, they were taken a hundred nautical miles off the Mozambique waters.
"That stretch of water is not deemed to be dangerous waters as far as piracy goes but it just shows you how brazen [the pirates] have become."
Earlier this year, a court in the Netherlands imprisoned two Somali pirates convicted of being involved in the attack on the yacht. They were detained by the Dutch navy.
The two families and friends are now desperately trying to raise money to secure the couple's release.
They say paying money seems to be the most successful way of safely resolving situations like this.
However, Vera Hecht says it is very difficult.
"We just don't have the money that they will accept. We're just trying our best to collect an amount of money that would be accepted - more acceptable to them," she said.
'High hopes'
I asked her how confident she is of seeing the hostages again.
In between taking two big breaths she said: "God is great. Oh goodness, that is what I am being told all the time. It's hard to believe but we just have to keep trying our best."
"We're running on instinct. There's no guidebook on which way to turn or what to do. We're just doing whatever we can".
Dale van der Merwe said the families are doing everything they can to bring them home safely:
"They [the pirates] have been threatening to kill them from day one and it's been a year now.
"They haven't killed them yet so my hopes are quite high that if we co-operate we will definitely get to see again."
The South African government said it is not going to intervene in the family's attempts to raise the ransom money and that it will continue to support them within its "consular mandate".
Released hostage sailors' regrets - first interview by Nancy Knudsen (SAILWORLD)
A Danish family who were held hostage by Somali pirates for more than six months said in an interview they gave to a Danish newspaper this week that they decided to sail alone through the dangerous waters off the Horn of Africa, hoping to sneak through safely.
The parents, Jan Quist Johansen, his wife Birgit Marie, their teenagers, Rune, Hjalte and Naja and two other crew were kidnapped on Feb. 24 after their yacht ING was seized by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean.
Jan Quist Johansen added that he wished they had never sailed into the pirate-infested waters off the Horn of Africa. 'It was the decision of my life that I regret the most,' he said in the first interview since the family's release.
In the beginning the kidnappers demanded $5 million for the release of the family. After being seized the captives were taken to the village of Hul-Anod in the self-proclaimed autonomous region of Puntland in the northeast of Somalia.
Government troops tried unsuccessfully to free them on March 10, and they were taken back to their yacht and then transferred to the pirates' mother ship, a Greek vessel captured earlier.
They were then anchored at Gumbah, Bari, in the Baargal region where it was apparently easier to avoid government forces.
The family had left Denmark in August 2009 to sail round the world, planning to return at the end of this year. Two companions accompanied them.
They had made the decision to sail through the pirate zone alone and not in a convoy with other yachts, hoping the vastness of the sea would help protect them.
The Danes traveled without lights and any electronic equipment that would make them visible. They kept radio silence and also deliberately gave wrong information about their position on the Internet.
In the interview they explained why they chose to 'go it alone': 'A convoy is a smorgasbord for the pirates. They are both fearless and have no scruples,' his wife, Marie Quist Johansen, was quoted by the Politiken Daily, to whom they gave the interview, as saying. 'They can start shooting at the first (boat) to show that they are serious, and take all they can handle.'
But seven days after leaving the Maldives for Oman, a fishing boat with five pirates armed with AK-47 assault rifles abruptly ended their idyllic round-the-world journey.
The family immediately sent out an SOS that it was under attack, hid its GPS and threw an emergency position-indicating radio beacon into the ocean. The family's emergency calls were heard, but too late, its members said.
Marie told the newspaper they 'cried and were afraid many times' but their Somali captors never hit them. They also were able to stay together during the ordeal that ended on Sept. 6.
'They are only interested in money and if they don't get it fast enough, something bad would have happened to us,' the Jan told Politiken.
Danish officials have refused to comment on whether a ransom was paid, and the family didn't tell Politiken if any money were involved in their release.
ITF welcomes admiral’s anti-piracy commitment (ITF)
The ITF welcomed the latest statement of determination to prevent piracy from the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, US Navy Admiral James Stavridis, The organisation was responding to an exchange of letters with Admiral Stavridis, in which he reiterated the NATO task force’s determination to ‘use all its means to limit the freedom of movement to the Pirate Action Groups in the area’. The Admiral was writing in response to a letter from ITF seafarers’ section chair, Dave Heindel, in which he raised the ITF’s concerns over the greater use by pirates of violence and now torture, and the failure of many of the major flag states to make any real contribution to the fight against piracy – Distribution : daily to 18750+ active addresses 28-10-2011 Page 3
including the failure even to make sure that ships flying their flags implement best management practice. Dave Heindel wrote: ‘We need a more robust response in all areas. This would include disrupting the pirate camps on land and restricting their access to fuel and to their ability to store fuel. We would like to see their “safe anchorages” being made less safe. ‘We would like to work closely with you and to play an active part in raising the political will to take decisive action to combat piracy. If the military had been allowed to do so a few short years ago, I doubt we would be in the situation we are now in. Our fear is the longer it is allowed to go on, the more difficult it will become to deliver an effective response. We are already starting to see a similar model of piracy emerging in West Africa. Where next?’ In reply Admiral Stavridis wrote: ‘First, I want to thank you for your commitment against piracy, an evolving scourge, not only in the Indian Ocean but also, as you mentioned, emerging as a growing threat off the coast of West Africa.’ ‘As you are well aware, the military action at sea, conducted by several coalitions, only address the symptoms of a wider problem which remain on land in Somalia, which has suffered from an absence of government for more than two decades. I would like to assure you that we are doing as much as we can, with the assets the NATO members have allocated to the NATO counter-piracy task force. ‘You are right to praise the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP) and that is why the NATO Shipping Centre in Northwood publicizes the measures to be taken among the NATO members and on its web site.’ ‘Regarding the legal framework about detention and prosecution of suspected pirates, NATO Headquarters is attempting to negotiate a number of arrangements to facilitate the transfer to and from some regional states. Your concern about this issue will be relayed to NATO Headquarters which is dealing with the political aspect of the problem.’
The change of policy was necessary because of the escalation in attacks by Somali pirates and evidence showed that ships with armed guards do not get attacked, the prime minister said.
“Frankly, the extent of the hijack and ransom of ships around the horn of Africa is a complete stain on our world,” Cameron said during an interview on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show. “The fact that a bunch of pirates in Somalia are able to hold to ransom the rest of the world and our trading system, I think is a complete insult.”
Cameron’s announcement came after he held talks over the weekend with leaders from the Horn of Africa who were attending the Commonwealth heads government summit in Perth, Australia.
He said the Home Office will be responsible for issuing ships with licenses to carry armed guards, action that is not currently allowed under firearm laws.
Somali pirates have carried out 208 attacks to-date in 2011, which resulted in 400 people being held hostage and 15 people being killed, according to the latest figures from the International Maritime Bureau.
In addition to loss of life, pirate attacks also mean goods are lost, trading routes must be altered, insurance premiums increased and ransoms paid.
During Sunday’s interview, Cameron also said he would push to repatriate powers from Brussels if there was a change to the European Union treaty.
The prime minister is under pressure from members of his Conservative Party to renegotiate the terms of the treaty–last week around 80 Conservative lawmakers rebelled against his orders and voted in Parliament for a national referendum on the U.K.’s membership of the EU.
Cameron Sunday said holding a referendum on Britain’s membership was not in the national interest at the moment, however, he said potential alterations to the treaty to allow greater fiscal integration of the euro-zone countries could provide opportunities for the U.K. to claw back some powers.
Armed guards to protect UK ships against pirates, says David Cameron (Metro)
British ships will be protected against pirates by teams of armed guards, prime minister David Cameron has announced.He said that a law prohibiting the presence of armed protection on board UK vessels will be relaxed so that firms shipping valuable goods around the world can hire extra security in the form of weapon-wielding guards.
The premier suggested drastic action is needed in this area as the capabilities of pirates in certain spots - such as the Horn of Africa - continue to increase.
Westminster will approve plans for the home secretary to have the final say on whether companies can use armed guards.
Cameron described Somali pirates, who have hijacked a number of ships in recent years and instigated huge ransom demands, as a 'complete stain on our world'.
Speaking to the Andrew Marr Show on BBC One this morning, the prime minister stated: 'The fact that a bunch of pirates in Somalia are managing to hold to ransom the rest of the world and our trading system is a complete insult and the rest of the world needs to come together with much more vigour.'
He added there is evidence showing that many countries that have laws designed to allow the use of armed guards find their ships experience fewer pirate attacks.
He added there is evidence showing that many countries that have laws designed to allow the use of armed guards find their ships experience fewer pirate attacks.
UN Security Council Renews Call on Establishment of Specialized Anti-Piracy Courts (CGCPS)
The UN Security Council at its 6635th Meeting on October 24, unanimously adopted Resolution 2015 (2011) on further study regarding establishment of specialized anti-piracy courts in Somalia and other States in the region.
The Council requested the Secretary-General, in conjunction with the UNODC and the UNDP, to further consult with Somalia and regional States to identify required international assistance needed in making such courts operational and the procedural arrangements required for the transfer of apprehended pirates and related evidence. The Secretary-General is to provide detailed implementation proposals for the establishment of such anti-piracy courts to the Council within 90 days.
STOP RETALIATION
Before we can diminish our sufferings from the ill-controlled aggressive assaults of fellow citizens, we must renounce the philosophy of punishment, the obsolete, vengeful penal attitude. In its place we would seek a comprehensive, constructive social attitude - therapeutic in some instances, restraining in some instances, but preventive in its total social impact.The Council requested the Secretary-General, in conjunction with the UNODC and the UNDP, to further consult with Somalia and regional States to identify required international assistance needed in making such courts operational and the procedural arrangements required for the transfer of apprehended pirates and related evidence. The Secretary-General is to provide detailed implementation proposals for the establishment of such anti-piracy courts to the Council within 90 days.
STOP RETALIATION
In the last analysis this becomes a question of personal morals and values. No matter how glorified or how piously disguised, vengeance as a human motive must be personally repudiated by each and every one of us. This is the message of old religions and new psychiatries. Unless this message is heard, unless we ... can give up our delicious satisfactions in opportunities for vengeful retaliation on scapegoats, we cannot expect to preserve our peace, our public safety, or our mental health.
...But the punitive attitude persists. And just so long as the spirit of vengeance has the slightest vestige of respectability, so long as it pervades the public mind and infuses its evil upon the statute books of the law, we will make no headway toward the control of crime. We cannot assess the most appropriate and effective penalties so long as we seek to inflict retaliatory pain. -Karl Menninger (The Crime of Punishment, Viking Press, 1969)
READ FOR YOURSELF AND HAVE A GOOD LAUGH AT THE ANTIQUATED LINGO AND USELESS EXERCISE, WHICH DOES FOCUS ON THE ON THE BLA-BLA MORE THAN ON WHAT REALLY HAS TO BE DONE. THE ONLY DECISION WAS: "to remain seized of the matter.” WELL, ALSO THE NOW STILL ONLY % OF WOMEN IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL KNOW THAT "SIZE MATTERS", BUT IS THAT REALLY FOR WHAT GLOBAL TAXPAYERS HAVE TO SPEND BILLIONS EARNED WITH HARD LABOUR? BEYOND THE UN IS THE REAL FUTURE!
Security Council - 6635th Meeting (AM) http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/sc10419.doc.htm
Security Council Renews Call for Study of Setting Up Courts to Deal with Perpetrators of Piracy off Coast of Somalia
By Resolution 2015, Secretary-General and UN Agencies Asked to Consult
With Regional States; Provision of International Assistance, Personnel Is Foreseen
Gravely concerned by the growing threat of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, and by the increased violence employed by pirates, and also strongly condemning the practice of hostage-taking by suspected pirates, the Security Council acted today on a resolution to consider further the establishment of specialized anti-piracy courts in Somalia and other States in the region.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2015 (2011), the Council requested the Secretary-General, in conjunction with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to further consult with Somalia and regional States on the kind of international assistance required to help make such courts operational, as well as the procedural arrangements required for the transfer of apprehended pirates, and to provide to the Council within 90 days detailed implementation proposals for the establishment of such courts.
Further, by the text, the Council underlined the importance of such courts having jurisdiction to be exercised over not only suspects captured at sea, but also anyone inciting or intentionally facilitating piracy operations. This would include key figures of criminal networks involved in piracy who illicitly plan, organize, facilitate, or finance and profit from such attacks.
Recognizing that any increase in prosecution capacity must necessarily be accompanied by a related increase in prison capacity, the Council called upon both Somali authorities, UNODC, UNDP and other international partners to support the construction and responsible operation of prisons in Somalia in accordance with international law.
The Council called upon Member States, regional organizations and other appropriate partners to support efforts to establish specialized anti-piracy courts in the region by making or facilitating arrangements for the provision of international experts, including those from the Somali diaspora.
The meeting began at 10:13 a.m. and ended at 10:15 a.m.
Resolution
The full text of resolution 2015 (2011) reads as follows:
“The Security Council,
“Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the situation in Somalia, especially resolutions 1918 (2010) and 1976 (2011),
“Continuing to be gravely concerned by the growing threat that piracy and armed robbery at sea against vessels off the coast of Somalia pose to the situation in Somalia, States in the region and other States, as well as to international navigation, the safety of commercial maritime routes and the safety of seafarers and other persons, and also gravely concerned by the increased level of violence employed by pirates and persons involved in armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia,
“Emphasizing the importance of finding a comprehensive solution to the problem of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia,
“Stressing the need to build Somalia’s potential for sustainable economic growth as a means to tackle the underlying causes of piracy, including poverty, thus contributing to a durable eradication of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia and illegal activities connected therewith,
“Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia,
“Reaffirming that international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (Convention), in particular its articles 100, 101 and 105, sets out the legal framework applicable to combating piracy and armed robbery at sea, as well as other ocean activities,
“Further reaffirming that the provisions of this resolution apply only with respect to the situation in Somalia and do not affect the rights and obligations or responsibilities of Member States under international law,
“Bearing in mind the Djibouti Code of Conduct concerning the Repression of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, and recognizing the commitment of signatory States to review their national legislation with a view to ensuring that national laws to criminalize piracy and armed robbery against ships, and adequate guidelines for the exercise of jurisdiction, conduct of investigations, and prosecutions of alleged offenders, are in place,
“Commending those States that have amended their domestic law in order to criminalize piracy and facilitate the prosecution of suspected pirates in their national courts, consistent with applicable international law, including human rights law, and stressing the need for States to continue their efforts in this regard,
“Noting with concern at the same time that the domestic law of a number of States lacks provisions criminalizing piracy and/or procedural provisions for effective criminal prosecution of suspected pirates,
“Reaffirming the importance of national prosecution of suspected pirates for combating piracy off the coast of Somalia,
“Strongly condemning the continuing practice of hostage-taking by suspected pirates operating off the coast of Somalia, expressing serious concern at the inhuman conditions hostage face in captivity, recognizing the adverse impact on their families, calling for the immediate release of all hostages, and noting the importance of cooperation between Member States on the issue of hostage-taking and the need for the prosecution of suspected pirates for taking hostages,
“Recognizing that despite the efforts to date by States to prosecute suspected pirates at the national level, the ongoing work in this regard is still insufficient and that more must be done to ensure that suspected pirates are effectively brought to justice,
“Reiterating its concern over a large number of persons suspected of piracy having to be released without facing justice, reaffirming that the failure to prosecute persons responsible for acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia undermines anti-piracy efforts of the international community and being determined to create conditions to ensure that pirates are held accountable,
“Noting with interest the conclusion in the Secretary-General’s report on the modalities for the establishment of specialized Somali anti-piracy courts (S/2011/360) that, assuming that sufficient international assistance is provided, piracy trials being conducted by courts in Somaliland and Puntland are expected to reach international standards in about three years, and expressing its hope consistent with the mentioned Secretary-General’s report that this timeline will be accelerated if suitable experts, including those from the Somali diaspora, can be identified and recruited,
“Welcoming the consultations between the United Nations and regional States, including the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Tanzania, and the willingness expressed by Tanzania to assist the international community, under the right conditions, to prosecute suspected pirates in its territory,
“Determining that the incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia exacerbate the situation in Somalia, which continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,
“1. Reaffirms that the ultimate goal of enhancing Somali responsibility and active involvement in efforts to prosecute suspected pirates, as emphasized by the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Legal Issues Related to Piracy off the Coast of Somalia in his report transmitted to the Security Council on 19 January 2011 (S/2011/30), remains highly relevant in the overall context of fighting piracy;
“2. Recognizes the primary role of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the relevant Somali regional authorities in eradicating piracy off the coast of Somalia;
“3. Welcomes in this regard that the Somalia end of transition roadmap of 6 September 2011 includes developing counter-piracy policy and legislation in conjunction with regional entities as a key task of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFI), and notes that the Security Council has made its future support to the TFI contingent upon the completion of the tasks contained in the roadmap;
“4. Notes with appreciation the report of the Secretary-General on the modalities for the establishment of specialized Somali anti-piracy courts (S/2011/360) prepared pursuant to paragraph 26 of resolution 1976 (2011);
“5. Reiterates its call upon all States, and in particular flag, port, and coastal States, States of the nationality of victims as well as of perpetrators of piracy and armed robbery, and other States with relevant jurisdiction under international law and national legislation, to cooperate in determining jurisdiction, and in the investigation and prosecution of all persons responsible for acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia, including anyone who incites or facilitates an act of piracy, consistent with applicable international law including human rights law;
“6. Calls upon States to cooperate also, as appropriate, on the prosecution of suspected pirates for taking hostages;
“7. Reiterates its request, as a matter of urgency, to the TFG and relevant Somali regional authorities to elaborate, with the assistance of UNODC and UNDP, and adopt a complete set of counter-piracy laws, including laws to prosecute those who illicitly finance, plan, organize, facilitate or profit from pirate attacks, with a view to ensuring the effective prosecution of suspected pirates and those associated with piracy attacks in Somalia, the post-conviction transfer of pirates prosecuted elsewhere to Somalia, and the imprisonment of convicted pirates in Somalia, as soon as possible, and strongly urges the TFG and regional authorities of Somalia to expeditiously address any other existing obstacles that impede progress in this regard, and requests the TFG and relevant regional authorities of Somalia to provide a report to the Security Council by 31 December 2011 on action taken in each of the areas above;
“8. Calls upon UNODC, UNDP and other international partners to further their efforts to support the development of domestic legislation, agreements and mechanisms that would allow the effective prosecution of suspected pirates, and the transfer and imprisonment of convicted pirates;
“9. Strongly urges States that have not already done so to criminalize piracy under their domestic law, and reiterates its call on States to favourably consider the prosecution of suspected, and imprisonment of convicted, pirates apprehended off the coast of Somalia, consistent with applicable international law including international human rights law;
“10. Urges States and international organizations to share evidence and information for anti-piracy law enforcement purposes with a view to ensuring effective prosecution of suspected, and imprisonment of convicted, pirates;
“11. Calls upon all Member States to report, no later than 31 December 2011, to the Secretary-General on measures they have taken to criminalize piracy under their domestic law and to prosecute and support the prosecution of individuals suspected of piracy off the coast of Somalia and imprisonment of convicted pirates, and requests the Secretary-General to compile this information and to circulate this compilation as a document of the Security Council;
“12. Commends the ongoing work of UNODC and UNDP, as described in the Secretary-General’s report, in supporting counter-piracy trials and increased prison capacity in Somalia, consistent with the recommendation of the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Legal Issues Related to Piracy of the Coast of Somalia;
“13. Reaffirms that the efforts to promote effective judicial mechanisms to prosecute suspected pirates should be continued and intensified;
“14. Welcomes the undertaking of the Secretary-General, in connection with his report (S/2011/360) to further proactively assist, at the request of the Security Council, in the taking of appropriate next steps aimed at further enhancing counter-piracy prosecution efforts;
“15. Requests States and regional organizations to consider possible ways to seek and allow for the effective contribution of the Somali diaspora to anti-piracy efforts, in particular in the area of prosecution, as advised in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2011/360);
“16. Decides to continue its consideration, as a matter of urgency, without prejudice to any further steps to ensure that pirates are held accountable, of the establishment of specialized anti-piracy courts in Somalia and other States in the region with substantial international participation and/or support, and requests that the Secretary-General, in conjunction with UNODC and UNDP, further consult with Somalia and regional States willing to establish such anti-piracy courts on the kind of international assistance, including the provision of international personnel, that would be required to help make such courts operational; the procedural arrangements required for transfer of apprehended pirates and related evidence; the projected case capacity of such courts; and the projected timeline and costs for such courts, and to provide to the Council in the light of such consultations within 90 days detailed implementation proposals for the establishment of such courts, as appropriate;
“17. Underlines the importance for such courts to have jurisdiction to be exercised over not only suspects captured at sea, but also anyone who incites or intentionally facilitates piracy operations, including key figures of criminal networks involved in piracy who illicitly plan, organize, facilitate, or finance and profit from such attacks;
“18. Recognizes that any increase in prosecution capacity must necessarily be accompanied by a related increase in prison capacity, and calls upon both Somali authorities, UNODC, UNDP and other international partners to support the construction and responsible operation of prisons in Somalia in accordance with international law;
“19. Calls upon Member States, regional organizations and other appropriate partners to support efforts to establish specialized anti-piracy courts in the region by making or facilitating arrangements for the provision of international experts, including those from the Somali diaspora, through secondment or otherwise, and to otherwise support the work of UNODC, UNDP or others in this regard through contributions to the Trust Fund;
“20. Decides to remain seized of the matter.”
AND WHAT HILLARIOUS HILLARY's SPIN DOCTORS MAKE OUT OF IT (... HOPEFULLY THEY ARE ALSO LOOKING IN LANGLEY, LONDON AND DUBAI)
UN Security Council Unanimously Urges Pursuit of Somali Piracy Kingpins (U.S.AmericanDepartment of State)
Press Statement - Victoria Nuland - Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson -Washington, DC -October 26, 2011
The United States welcomes the UN Security Council’s unanimous call to all nations in the world to continue their cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of all persons responsible for acts of piracy, armed robbery at sea, and Kidnap for Ransom off the coast of Somalia. This includes key figures of criminal networks involved in piracy who illicitly plan, organize, facilitate, or finance and profit from such attacks. We also welcome the further practical steps taken by the Council in support of national, regional and international efforts to prosecute pirates, and to enhance related prison capacity.
This development is the latest indication of growing international consensus that these transnational criminals pose a serious shared security challenge for the safety and well-being of seafarers, global commerce and humanitarian aid.
WHERE ARE THE NAVIES ?
Unknown tanker sank in Persian Gulf under unclear circumstances (MaritimeBulletin)
UAE media reports sinking of the tanker with 450 mt of diesel oil on board 11 nm off the coast in Umm Al Qaiwain area, Persian Gulf, on Oct 25. Media named vessel as the White Whale, no other details given, including exact time and circumstances of the accident. No White Whale vessel found in free databases.
WELL, THE YEAR IS NOT YET OVER AND THE SEASON JUST STARTS AGAIN, BUT LET'S HOPE IT WILL COME TRUE.
Pirate hijackings show decline in 2011 (EconomicTimesIndia)
Pirate attacks that end in successful hijacking off Somalia have declined in the first nine months of the year to 24 vessels from 35 in the same period in 2010 because of naval patrols and counter measures taken by more experienced ship managers and crews. Attacks in Asian waters, including the Indian subcontinent, also continued to see reductions to 87 in the first nine months of the year compared to 106 in 2010. "Navies deserve to be complimented on their excellent work: they are a vital force in deterring and disrupting pirate activity," said International Maritime Bureau (IMB) director Pottengal Mukundan. Despite the fall in East African ship seizures, which accounted for more than half of the 352 attacks, worldwide rates of pirate attacks and armed robbery were higher than any other year with 625 seafarers taken hostage, eight killed and 41 injured, he said. Since the monsoon season, Somali pirates have widened their range of attack as far as an Omani port where they attacked a chemical tanker at anchor and under protection by coast security.
Why Captain Pottengal Mukundan, the Head of IMB, should be raised to an Admiral rank By Voytenko Mikhail (MaritimeBulletin)
I’m writing a new Study on latest Somali piracy developments and trends, a rather cumbersome undertaking, involving a lot of statistics and facts. I decided to start publishing some extras from the Study, here is the one, from “IMB statistics and reality” Section of the Study. I refer to the latest IMB report, published in October, which claims, that
“There have been a record number of pirate attacks but anti-piracy measures have been successful in reducing hijacks. The report shows that Somali pirates were behind 56% of the 352 attacks worldwide reported in the first nine months of 2011 – 199 compared with 126 in the same period of 2010”.
Let’s analyze the number of attacks, just to understand why it’s not as scary as it is intended to be. The number of attacks increased, but any sensible person, be that person incumbent with the duties of World Piracy Statistics, should easily guess why did it happen and why it may be considered more as a success than an alarming tendency.
As I wrote many times before, Somali piracy is restricted by its’ physical capabilities to hold in captivity a limited number of hijack vessels simultaneously, 25-30 and not more, excluding of course, dhows, yachts and other small fish. Statistics illustrate, that peaks and drops in number of attacks directly correlate with the number of vessels in captivity. When pirates’ dens are full of hijacked vessels, number of attacks reduces, the number of vessels pirates may hold determines the number of pirates in general, so there are not many idle pirates to go hunting, and there are no places for new vessels. With receding number of hijacked vessels, pirates go to the ocean to hijack new ones, and number of attacks goes up. Now the number of vessels in captivity is a record low, no wonder pirates desperately try to catch new prey and number of attacks climbs to new records. Why?
Answer is very loud, very clear and very unpleasant for all those who profit from piracy. Answer is called “private armed guards”. Even navies recognized armed guards as the main, and most effective, protection measure by now. EU NAVFOR said during The International Conference on Piracy at Sea, held in Sweden this month, that 90% of thwarted attacks are credited with armed guards, the rest is BMP4, citadels and other cherished toys of the “leaders of maritime industry”.
But Capt. Mukundan disagrees with statistics and navies, as “The IMB credits this reduction in hijackings to "policing and interventions by international naval forces, correct application of the industry's latest Best Management Practice – including the careful consideration of the crews’ retreat to a 'citadel' – and other onboard security measures".
I don’t know what kind of navigator Capt. Pottengal Mukundan was, what, where and when, if ever, he navigated, when talking about seas and oceans of the world, but I credit him with exceptional navigational skills, when talking about the murky waters of bureaucracy. I think his superiors should raise him from a mere Captain to an Admiral rank, for his relentless efforts, in absolutely shameless manner, in twisting the truth.
Previously I wrote:
Capt. Pottengal Mukundan, Head of IMB, as a long-time disgrace to world shipping By Voytenko Mikhail (MaritimeBulletin)
International Maritime Bureau is lying again, business as usual. IMB shocked the world with the highest figures of piracy ever recorded – “Piracy has risen to record levels in the first nine months of the year with Somali pirates behind 56% of the 352 attacks”, the International Maritime Bureau said on Oct 18. More ships, however, are escaping Somali pirates with hijack attempts "being thwarted by strengthened anti-piracy measures," the report said. Let’s look at the report and at Pottengal Mukundan, Director of IMB, more closely. This year seems to become pivotal for the world shipping with regards to Somali piracy – but not because of “orchestrated response” declared by pathetic IMO, but because shipping found its’ own way to keep itself out of trouble, and practice of using armed private guards is spreading like fire. Due to some sources, by now about a third part of the bulk of all vessels crossing dangerous waters of Indian ocean, hire armed guards. Results are obvious (for shipping they’re obvious, but not for IMO, IMB and personally for Mr. Pottengal Mukundan) – one hijack during the last 5 and a half months. In year 2010 during the same period there were 14 hijacks!
"Policing and interventions by international naval forces," as well as "careful consideration of the crews' retreat to a 'citadel' and other onboard security measures" were credited for the reduction in hijackings off Somalia by Pottengal Mukundan, Director of IMB. Somehow, he forgot to mention armed guards. Why? Because success of armed guards undermines the strategy of “Fighting the Piracy”, and the benefits that strategy is bringing to maritime organizations, UN and navies.
He likes to be titled as “Captain” Pottengal Mukundan. He’s a disgrace to this highest merchant marine rank, being a filthy politician with no honour and courage, and be the world shipping something like navies, he’d be tried by court martial and relieved of his rank with public disgrace, long time ago.
Reviews :
Strong wds, Mikhail! - ( by MGW) You're right. Absolutely. The IMB's Pottengal Mukundan bootlicking "rept" is a shame to any honest seafarer. Everybody knows that the armed security guards on board is the only guarantee NOT to be hijacked. The IMB is afraid to name the facts and calls it "other onboard security measures", in hindmost position. And what about the naval fces in the area? It's nice to see a navy vessel from time to time, but why can't they just STOP piracy? Political will is missing. Of course, IMB, IMO and all the other bodies, be it EUNAVF, NATO whoever, don't stop claiming their "success". What success? Is the INCREASED number of attacks a success? For the pirates, maybe. But not for the navies.
From the SMCM (Somali Marine and Coastal Monitor): (and with a view on news of events with an impact on Somalia)
The articles below - except where stated otherwise - are reproduced in accordance with Section 107 of title 17 of the Copyright Law of the United States relating to fair-use and are for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions held by ECOTERRA Intl.
Articles below were vetted and basically found to report correctly - or otherwise are commented.
Somalis say:
NO TO UN-TRUSTEESHIP OVER SOMALIA AND NO TO AU AND IGAD MILITARIZATION
NO foreign or local military governance on land or foreign naval governance on the Somali seas.
NO to any threat infringing on the sovereignty of Somalia, especially concerning the 200nm territorial waters, given since 1972, and the 200nm EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone / UNCLOS) already in place since 1989 as well as the 350nm continental shelf zone.
NO to any Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in relief food or Genetically Engineered (GE) seed supplies.
US flies drones from Ethiopia to fight Somali militants (bbc)
The US military has begun flying drone aircraft from a base in Ethiopia, as part of its fight against Islamist militants in neighbouring Somalia.
US officials have confirmed to the BBC that the base, in the southern city of Arba Minch, is now operational.
But they stressed that the remotely-piloted drones were being used only for surveillance, and not for air strikes.
It is part of a growing counter-terrorism presence in the region as the US pursues groups with al-Qaeda links.
The US military has reportedly spent millions of dollars upgrading the remote, civilian airport - from which Reaper drones are now being flown.
The remotely-piloted aircraft can be equipped with missiles and satellite guided bombs.
News of the drone deployment was first reported by the Washington Post late on Thursday. US officials confirmed to the BBC that aircraft were now in Ethiopia.
However, the officials added that the drones were flying unarmed because their use is considered sensitive by Ethiopia's government.
The Ethiopian foreign ministry has previously denied the presence of US drones in the country. On Thursday, a spokesman for the Ethiopian embassy in the US told the Washington Post that remained Addis Ababa's position.
"We don't entertain foreign military bases in Ethiopia," Tesfaye Yilma, the head of public diplomacy for the embassy, told the Post.
The drones are used in a surveillance role against the al-Shabab militant group - based in Somalia, and already the focus of drone missions flown from other bases in the region.
Somali-American a suicide bomber in Mogadishu attack: militants (AP)
The attack underscored the militants’ ability to carry out complex and deadly operations even after AU troops forced them from most of Mogadishu and a famine in their strongholds weakened their forces. Earlier this month, Kenya sent troops into Somalia after a string of cross-border attacks and kidnappings blamed on Somali gunmen and militants battling Somalia’s weak, U.N.-backed government.
During Saturday’s attack, the two suicide bombers blew themselves up near the entrance to the compound, then more armed attackers jumped over the walls, a Nairobi-based security official said. He asked for anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
The true extent of casualties from the assault was unclear, although a Somali soldier, Col. Nor Abdi, said at least 10 people were killed.
“They were dressed in Somali military uniform and disguised as ordinary soldiers,” Abdi said. “Then they tried to enter the base and (AU) soldiers fired at them. Then heavy gunfire started and all of them were killed. I don’t know how many they were but they were more than 10 men.”
In a claim posted on Somalimemo.net, a website it frequently uses, al-Shabab militants said one of the bombers was a Somali-American and claimed he was the second Somali-American involved in a suicide attack in Mogadishu within five months. They did not name the youth or offer further details, and the claim could not immediately be independently verified.
U.S. authorities say that around 20 American citizens, most of Somali descent, have traveled to Somalia to fight with the al-Shabab insurgents. The most well-known among them is Omar Hammami from Alabama, known as Abu Mansur al-Amriki, who posts internet videos in which he raps about the conflict.
Al-Shabab claimed to have killed dozens of AU soldiers and government troops in Saturday’s assault, but the group habitually exaggerates the number of people it kills and an AU statement did not mention casualty figures.
“With the access routes to the base cut off by other units of the Mujahideen, the Ugandan forces and (government) militia trapped inside the compound were soon massacred and all military arsenal and ammunitions seized. Some of the Ugandan soldiers who managed to escape the compound were later pursued and killed,” the al-Shabab statement said.
It was written in perfect English, a sign of the growing sophistication of al-Shabab’s media wing.
The AU statement said its forces had “beaten off” the attack. AU troops have been in Somalia since 2007. Some 9,000 AU soldiers are helping Somalia’s government hang on to the capital.
Meanwhile, the chief of Kenya’s armed forces, Gen. Julius Karangi, told reporters that the country does not have a timeframe for leaving Somalia.
“When the Kenya government and the people of this country feel that they are safe enough from the al-Shabab menace, we shall pull back,” Karangi said. “Key success factors or indicators will be in the form of a highly degraded al-Shabab capacity.”
His statement raised questions about whether Kenya risks becoming bogged down in an open-ended occupation of its war-ravaged neighbor. Both the U.N. and Ethiopia sent forces into Somalia at different times during its 20-year-old civil war but were forced to withdraw without ending the conflict.
Karangi said Kenya has no interest in permanently occupying Somalia and is working with its government. The Somali president has criticized the Kenyan intervention, but Kenyan officials said they expected “clarification” from a high-level Somali delegation on Monday.
So far Kenya has suffered one fatality due to al-Shabab fire, Karangi said, although five people were killed when their helicopter crashed. He said hundreds of al-Shabab were believed to be killed although he had no way of confirming that directly. Al-Shabab militants have mostly withdrawn without fighting Kenyan forces.
Although Kenya has bilateral military agreements with countries such as the United States and Britain, those allies are not directly militarily involved in the incursion into Somalia, Karangi said.
“There has been a lot of talk about other friends of ours participating militarily in what we are engaged in, and the answer is no,” he said.
Somalia has not had a functioning government since warlords overthrew a socialist dictator in 1991. More than 600,000 Somali refugees have fled the fighting and famine in their homeland and now live in Kenya. The Kenyan government is deeply worried about the rapidly swelling refugee camps in the north, which it considers a severe security problem.
Plea to Somali gang to release aid workers (AFP)
Employers of two kidnapped foreign aid workers appealed on Friday to Somali elders for their safe release, saying they had come "to help the people of Somalia."American Jessica Buchanan, 32, and Danish Poul Thisted, 60, were both working for the Danish Demining Group (DDG) when they were seized Tuesday by gunmen in central Somalia's Galmudug region, the group said.
A statement written in the Somali language appealed on elders to do "all they can to help the release of the abducted aid workers."
"The two kidnapped people are part of the international humanitarian community who are dedicated to work in Somalia," the statement read.
DDG clears landmines and other unexploded ordnance in the area to open up the use of land, and also provides mine risk education to reduce injuries.
The kidnaps on Tuesday were the latest in a string of abductions by armed gangs from the war-torn nation, one of the world's most dangerous regions for aid workers.
Elders in the region said Thursday that the pair are now reportedly held hostage for ransom in the coastal Hobyo district, a notorious pirate den.
A Somali colleague seized at the same time was released and is being questioned by police, according to local sources.
Security officials in the self-declared independent state of Galmudug said they have arrested several people in connection with the incident.
Two Spanish aid workers were seized in Kenya's eastern Dadaab camp earlier this month and are believed to have been taken across the border into Somalia.
A British tourist was kidnapped from Kenya's coastal areas last month, followed shortly afterward by a Frenchwoman, who later died in captivity.
Plea to Somali gang to release aid workers (ICpublications)
The kidnaps were the latest in a string of abductions by armed gangs from the war-torn nation
Employers of two kidnapped foreign aid workers appealed on Friday to Somali elders for their safe release, saying they had come "to help the people of Somalia."
American Jessica Buchanan, 32, and Danish Poul Thisted, 60, were both working for the Danish Demining Group (DDG) when they were seized Tuesday by gunmen in central Somalia's Galmudug region, the group said. Employers of two kidnapped foreign aid workers appealed on Friday to Somali elders for their safe release, saying they had come "to help the people of Somalia."
A statement written in the Somali language appealed on elders to do "all they can to help the release of the abducted aid workers."
"The two kidnapped people are part of the international humanitarian community who are dedicated to work in Somalia," the statement read.
DDG clears landmines and other unexploded ordnance in the area to open up the use of land, and also provides mine risk education to reduce injuries.
The kidnaps on Tuesday were the latest in a string of abductions by armed gangs from the war-torn nation, one of the world's most dangerous regions for aid workers.
Elders in the region said Thursday that the pair are now reportedly held hostage for ransom in the coastal Hobyo district, a notorious pirate den.
A Somali colleague seized at the same time was released and is being questioned by police, according to local sources.
Security officials in the self-declared independent state of Galmudug said they have arrested several people in connection with the incident.
Two Spanish aid workers were seized in Kenya's eastern Dadaab camp earlier this month and are believed to have been taken across the border into Somalia.
A British tourist was kidnapped from Kenya's coastal areas last month, followed shortly afterward by a Frenchwoman, who later died in captivity.
Dane among trio abducted in Somalia (CopenhagenPost)
Three employees of mine sweeping group abducted near pirate territory
Three aid workers, including one Dane, have been kidnapped by 10 armed men in northern Somalia.
The Danish Refugee Council reported yesterday that the 60-year-old Dane, a 32-year-old American woman and a Somali man of unidentified age were taken hostage while en route to an airport in the Somali city of Galkayo.
A spokesperson for the Danish Refugee Council in Nairobi, Kenya, confirmed the news to the Foreign Ministry.
The three people worked for Danish Demining Group, which is a unit of the Danish Refugee Council. According to wire reports the Refugee Council has consequently suspended its activities in Somalia.
A policeman from Galkayo said that armed men detained the trio on their way to the airport, according to the Associated Press. While the Ritzau news bureau reported that at least 10 men were behind the abduction.
After being kidnapped, they were driven to a well-known Somali pirate stronghold in the Wisil district between Galkayo and the port of Hobyo in the Mudug region, Somalia’s deputy security minister, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan stated.
It remains unclear who was responsible for the kidnapping, though Søren Hove, a researcher at the Danish Institute of International Studies specialising in militant extremism in the Horn of Africa, speculated that pirates were probably behind the abduction.
The Galkayo region, several hundred kilometres north of Mogadishu, is pirate territory, according to Hove
“Galkayo is not an area that [terrorist group] Al-Shabaab controls,” Hove told Jyllands-Posten newspaper. “The further north you go, the more you enter pirate territory. Pirates are not interested exclusively in capturing people on the water. They also live off kidnappings on land.”
According to the Associated Press, the Galkayo region is split between a northern section under the control of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland and a southern part under the control of the Galmadug clan.
The Somali policeman with whom the AP talked to indicated that the Dane and American crossed the border into the southern side, where they were abducted.
“We don’t know who kidnapped them, but we have alerted our security forces to track the hostage takers,” said Somalia’s national security minister, Abshir Diini Awale, according to Reuters.
Yesterday's kidnapping occurred shortly after two women who worked for Doctors Without Borders were abducted from a refugee camp in neighbouring Kenya. Previously, two European tourists were also kidnapped off the Kenyan coast. The AP writes that armed Somali bandits were suspected in both cases.
Danish Demining Group is a part of the Danish Refugee Council and specialises in clearing mines on land after conflicts. The group was founded in 1997 and has been involved in operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland, Uganda and Sri Lanka.
Danish Demining Group’s activities in Somalia are primarily located in the central and southern parts of the country, according to the organisation’s website.
Wagosha Movement hails Kenyan clarification on Somalia mission (WaGoshaNews)
The executive committee of Wagosha Movement of Somalia have welcomed Kenyan clarification on Somalia military incursion. Kenyan defence officials including Chief of the Defence Forces, General Julius Karangi, said the duty of Kenya Defence Forces in Somalia is to eliminate the terrorist group of Al-Shabab.
“This campaign is not time bound. We will only bring back our warriors back to the common border with Somalia, when we feel our country is safe from the Al-Shabab menace,” Karangi said.
The chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, Gen Julius Karangi, has said it is “patently dishonest” that Kenya has plans to pursue the creation of a buffer zone along its border with Somalia.
The Wagosha Movement Executive committee said the Kenya clarification was useful to clear the ongoing speculation of creating a clan buffer zone in Somalia, with the help of Kenyan government.
Soon after the launch of Kenya military incursion in Somalia, the Ethiopian refugee, Mohamed Abdi Gandi, who claims to be the leader of the so called clan state of Azania, expressed his joy, supporting the incursion and terming it as an effort aimed to install his bogus administration in Jubba regions.
The Wagosha Movement, which represents the majority of the inhabitants of Jubba regions, said Kenya has the right to defend its territory and sovereignty, but has to be more vigilant about the sensitivity of Somalia clan animosity, that cal also harm the Kenyan security in the future.
Mr. Mohamudi Matalinga, an executive member of Wagosha said Kenya is widely depending intelligence of clan driven officials in its security system, specially the Ogaden clan officials who are pursuing clan interest using Kenyan resources and the entire nation of the Kenyan peace-lovers.
Wagosha Movement has called the Kenyan government to address Somalia issue with caution, since any setback will not cost only Kenya, but the entire Horn and East Africa Region.
Ogaden clan interest in Somalia
The Kenyan Defence Minister and several politicians from the Ogaden clan in Kenya have been pushing the Kenyan government to form Jubbaland state in Somalia, so that they can have influence in Somalia politics. Most of the Ogadenis involved in this programme include Ogaden from Ethiopia like Muhammad Abdi Gandi, and many others who always resisted going back to their home country of Somali Region in Ethiopia.
For the last two years, using the taxpayers money of Kenya, the Kenyan politicians of Ogaden clan have been recruiting Ogaden youth from North Eastern Province and in refugee camps, with the hope of taking them to where the Ogaden clan elders termed as the heaven of Somalia, referring Jubbaland.
President Sharif opposed Kenya incursion
Reliable intelligence reports to President Shaykh Sharif Shaykh Ahmad, made the Somali leader to respond quickly to Kenyan incursion, saying Kenyan forces were not welcome to Somalia.
President Sharif took the decision, when reports suggested that Kenya is supporting the so called Azania in its military incursion aimed at crushing the Al-Shabab hard-liners. Ogadenis in Kenya and Somalia have held demonstrations against President Sharif, and accusing him of undermining the golden chance of forming an Ogaden entity in Somalia.
The Wagosha Movement of Somalia shared this concern with President Sharif, but despite the Kenyan clarification on the issue, its better to have in place plans to avert any further clan clashes in Jubba regions.
The best plan to avert hostility in Jubba regions to ensure that all refugees from Ogadenia are returned back home with the help of the UNHCR and Ethiopian government, and then other people who are not the residing clans return back to their home regions.
Jubbaland has been the spot of clan fighting since the independence of Somalia, with most clans trying to eliminate the majority Wagosha Bantu people, who faced discrimination and marginalized just because they are Swahili speakers, who do not look like the other Somalis.
“This campaign is not time bound. We will only bring back our warriors back to the common border with Somalia, when we feel our country is safe from the Al-Shabab menace,” Karangi said.
The chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, Gen Julius Karangi, has said it is “patently dishonest” that Kenya has plans to pursue the creation of a buffer zone along its border with Somalia.
The Wagosha Movement Executive committee said the Kenya clarification was useful to clear the ongoing speculation of creating a clan buffer zone in Somalia, with the help of Kenyan government.
Soon after the launch of Kenya military incursion in Somalia, the Ethiopian refugee, Mohamed Abdi Gandi, who claims to be the leader of the so called clan state of Azania, expressed his joy, supporting the incursion and terming it as an effort aimed to install his bogus administration in Jubba regions.
The Wagosha Movement, which represents the majority of the inhabitants of Jubba regions, said Kenya has the right to defend its territory and sovereignty, but has to be more vigilant about the sensitivity of Somalia clan animosity, that cal also harm the Kenyan security in the future.
Mr. Mohamudi Matalinga, an executive member of Wagosha said Kenya is widely depending intelligence of clan driven officials in its security system, specially the Ogaden clan officials who are pursuing clan interest using Kenyan resources and the entire nation of the Kenyan peace-lovers.
Wagosha Movement has called the Kenyan government to address Somalia issue with caution, since any setback will not cost only Kenya, but the entire Horn and East Africa Region.
Ogaden clan interest in Somalia
The Kenyan Defence Minister and several politicians from the Ogaden clan in Kenya have been pushing the Kenyan government to form Jubbaland state in Somalia, so that they can have influence in Somalia politics. Most of the Ogadenis involved in this programme include Ogaden from Ethiopia like Muhammad Abdi Gandi, and many others who always resisted going back to their home country of Somali Region in Ethiopia.
For the last two years, using the taxpayers money of Kenya, the Kenyan politicians of Ogaden clan have been recruiting Ogaden youth from North Eastern Province and in refugee camps, with the hope of taking them to where the Ogaden clan elders termed as the heaven of Somalia, referring Jubbaland.
President Sharif opposed Kenya incursion
Reliable intelligence reports to President Shaykh Sharif Shaykh Ahmad, made the Somali leader to respond quickly to Kenyan incursion, saying Kenyan forces were not welcome to Somalia.
President Sharif took the decision, when reports suggested that Kenya is supporting the so called Azania in its military incursion aimed at crushing the Al-Shabab hard-liners. Ogadenis in Kenya and Somalia have held demonstrations against President Sharif, and accusing him of undermining the golden chance of forming an Ogaden entity in Somalia.
The Wagosha Movement of Somalia shared this concern with President Sharif, but despite the Kenyan clarification on the issue, its better to have in place plans to avert any further clan clashes in Jubba regions.
The best plan to avert hostility in Jubba regions to ensure that all refugees from Ogadenia are returned back home with the help of the UNHCR and Ethiopian government, and then other people who are not the residing clans return back to their home regions.
Jubbaland has been the spot of clan fighting since the independence of Somalia, with most clans trying to eliminate the majority Wagosha Bantu people, who faced discrimination and marginalized just because they are Swahili speakers, who do not look like the other Somalis.
President Obama African Policy;
Somalia Neocolonialist Genocide… By Torrance Stephens (ThyBlackMan)
I often wonder what Obama’s father would say about his son’s incessant intervention in Africa. For certain, I know he would not say Obama’s loves him some Africa. Maybe he would because every time we look around, he sending troops to the continent left and right and in all cases to date, to murder established leaders. We saw what his intervention in Libya resulted in and we know that the goal in Uganda is to kill Joseph Kony, the leader of the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). And in Somalia, a nation that has not had a functioning government since 1991 when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, we may be doing our most dirtiest job.
Mohammed Siad Barre came to power via a [Bloodless !!!] military coup in October 1969 scientific socialism as Somali state policy – Somali nationalism with the goal of uniting all Somali people under one flag. Once (1970s), the United State provided military and economic assistance to Somalia, and the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu became one of the biggest American diplomatic missions in Africa. After being criticized by the world for providing military support to the Siad Barre regime, efforts in Congress to cut off military assistance to Somali finally succeeded in 1989.
Although we know that the present food and refugee emergency in Somalia is considered to be the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, placing millions at immediate risk via disease, drought and massive starvation, the Obama administration sent a U.S. Marine task force to the region instead of focusing on humanitarian aid and has escalated drone attacks in Somalia that contribute even more to the starvation and death of additional millions of Africans. For it is the administrations belief that the al-Shabab resistance is mostly responsible for the drought emergency.
Strange since the Obama administration has put in place policies to limit food aid to the region in an effort to starve out those who might be supporting the Shabab. Yes food as a weapon of war in Somalia. What we forget is that the problems of today can be connected to our action four yeas ago when we got the Ethiopian government to invade Somalia in an effort to overthrow an Islamist government that had established peace by ended street battles between warlords and militias via islamic fundamentalist law..
But what is more problematic for me as an African American who has lived in the region (Ethiopia in 1999) and visited Somalia, is the reckless manner in which we disrespect and lessen the value of lives there via the US policy of using drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to kill civilians in the hundreds daily. In addition, this is not even mentioned on the news nor is discussed openly by President Obama almost Bush-like. Maybe this is why the President is seeking to ban the access of international news agencies the likes of Press TV who reports such daily.
When I lived in Africa, Press TV, BBC, Der Welt Television (Germany) and Al-Jazerra were watched more than any American News outlet and to me are equal to ITN and PBS in their coverage of world news. Since I do not have cable television, I am left to reading the web sites of these respected news agencies. Case in point, the information I have found on the aforementioned in the past two weeks alone is startling and unbeknownst to most US citizens.
On Oct 14, 2001, an attack by a US UAV resulted in the killing of at least 78 people and injured 64 others in southern Somalia. The attack, which occurred near Qooqani town located in southern Somalia happened the same day another US drone attack killed 11 civilians and wounded 34 more in Hoosingow district in the south of the country. Oct 21, 2001 another attack by a US unmanned aerial vehicle killed at least 44 civilia
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