Somali gov’t condemn murder of minister

The Government of Somalia has condemned in the strongest possible terms the cowardly murder of Colonel Omar Hashi Aden, the Minister of National Security, in a suicide attack carried out by extremist forces.“The assassination of Colonel Hashi was clearly intended to try to disrupt the successful peace process aimed at restoring stability to Somalia after two decades of conflict. However these bloody murderers will not succeed,” the government said in a statement.

Somalia: Mortars Welcome New President to Mogadishu

In a disturbing sign of things to come, the home of Somalia’s new president was targeted with mortars Saturday, Radio Garowe reports.There were no reports of casualties after several mortars targeted the Villa Somalia compound in Mogadishu, the Somali capital. Locals said no retaliatory fire came from Villa Somalia, which was often the case when ex-President Abdullahi Yusuf lived there.

Somalia: Ukraine Weapons Ship Freed, Pirate Kingpin Killed

Somali pirates who seized a Ukrainian vessel with controversial cargo in September have released the ship after cashing in a ransom payment, three days after a pirate kingpin was killed in Puntland, Radio Garowe reports.The MV Faina was being held hostage off the coast of central Somalia for more than four months, making it the longest period of time a ship has been held hostage by the pirates.A source close the ship’s owners said a US$3.2 million ransom payment was given to the pirates, who had previously demanded a whopping US$25 million ransom payment when they first seized the ship.A pirate source in the coastal town of Harardhere, central Somalia, told Radio Garowe that most armed men have gotten off the MV Faina and that the remaining few pirates would get off later Wednesday.

Somalia: Security Council to Strengthen African Force, Signals Eventual UN Deployment

Renewing the authorization of the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia today, the Security Council called for action to bolster those troops, while signalling its intention to establish a United Nations force, when conditions permit, in the Horn of Africa country that has lacked a functioning central government since 1991.In the resolution adopted unanimously by the 15-member body, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is requested to establish a trust fund to help support the AU force, known as AMISOM, and to facilitate a logistical support package, training and equipment, in anticipation of its eventual absorption into a UN force.

Somalia: Islamists Fight Each Other in Southern Town

Balad — The Islamic Courts Union fighters have taken over the control of Bal’ad town 30 km north Mogadishu after heavy fighting with Al- shabab fighters on Saturday, witnesses told Shabelle radio.Residents say that the two rival Islamist forces Al shabab and Islamic Courts Union fought in Balad district early on Saturday morning and the fighting has been going on for several hours.Both sides have used heavy weapons but lastly the Islamic Courts Union fighters took over the control of Bal’ad district in Middle Shabelle region.The fighting has affected the movement of the transportations and all the businesses in the town have been halted during the fighting.

Somalia: Multinational Force to Combat Pirates

The United States Navy has announced the formation of an international force to provide security in the dangerous shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden off the Somali coast.More than 20 countries are expected to contribute to the force, called the Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151), which will be headed by U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Terence McKnight. The force is expected to be operational by mid-January, according to a statement released by the U.S. Fifth Fleet from Bahrain.

Somalia: Uganda to Review Somalia Deployment

Kampala — UGANDA is reconsidering the continued presence of her forces in Somalia following the pull-out of Ethiopian forces from the volatile country.Foreign affairs state minister Okello Oryem yesterday said consultations were ongoing to assess the magnitude of the risk facing the UPDF soldiers serving on an African Union peace keeping mission.”Our commanders and those of Burundi are in consultation with the AU to determine the amount of risk and if it is established that the level of risk is high, then a pull out is the most prudent thing,” Oryem said without specifying where the consultations were taking place.

Somalia: Fresh Fighting Starts in Mogadishu

Mogadishu — Fresh fighting between Somali Islamist insurgents and government Soldiers has broken out at Dherkenley district in Mogadishu early on Monday morning, witnesses said.Residents said that the fighting began after the Somali Islamist fighters have attacked a military base of the government soldiers at around the residences come under Dherkenley district especialy the residences of Dabakyo Madow and Ma’ma’anka in Mogadishu and both militias exchanged heavy weapons as reported.

Somalia: Fresh Turmoil, Uncertainty as President Resigns

Nairobi — Fresh turmoil and uncertainty loom for the people of Somalia – already ravaged by displacement, conflict, drought and hyper-inflation – after the country’s interim president resigned on 29 December.Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed resigned after disagreements with parliament and his prime minister, as well as pressure from the international community.”President Abdullahi Yusuf resigned at around 1000am local time. The speaker of parliament, Sheikh Aden Madobe, is now the acting president until a new one is elected,” Abdi Haji Gobdon, the government spokesman told IRIN.

Somalia: Interim President Yusuf Resigns

Baidoa — The interim President of Somalia, Mr. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, has told the country’s federal parliament that he is stepping down as head of state after four years in power, Radio Garowe reports.President Yusuf told lawmakers on Monday that his resignation was “a personal decision,” but cited consultations with loyal lawmakers in Baidoa, the seat of parliament.”As I promised before, when you [parliament] elected me, I cannot do the job any longer and so I have returned the duty [back] to you,” said Mr. Yusuf, who offered a brief address declaring his resignation.