Foreign Relations
Feb 1
A Togo-flagged boat MV Fox, loaded with illegal charcoal at the Kismayo Port, Jubaland, under AMISOM’s Kenyan contingent supervision, is now anchored in Salalah, Oman. The ship run by a UAE-owned Company, Oscar Middle East Ship Management LLC, suffered a water leak and crew abandoned ship. The Somali government requested Oman authorities to have the boat seized and the cargo confiscated and returned to Somalia.
Feb 1
A delegation of senior officers from the Djiboutian army was received in Hargeisa by the secessionist authorities to participate in the 28th anniversary of Somaliland armed forces. Since January 2021, Ismail Omar Guelleh has accelerated activities hostile to President Farmajo nationalist agenda by supporting northern separatists and Mogadishu-based opposition and sabotaging Somalia’s stability.
Feb 2
Somali PM Roble visiting the United Arab Emirates met with the UAE Red Crescent Society. Roble also met with Abu Dhabi aid workers in the country and discussed ways to provide emergency aid to the drought-stricken Somali population.
Feb 3
PM Mohamed Hussein Roble returned to Somalia after a visit to the UAE four days earlier at the invitation of the Emirati leadership. His visit was shadowed by the fact he was not afforded any protocol given to foreign dignitaries in official. There are speculation he went there to request funding for his bid to the presidential seat in the coming election.
Feb 3
Somalia lost its bid for a seat on the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC). Foreign Affairs Minister Abdisaid Ali campaigned honorably for Somalia to join this executive arm of the AU despite hostilities from Djibouti, Kenya & Uganda. Foreign Minister showed great professionalism and congratulated the 15 elected members of the PSC.
Feb 4
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and a delegation he led arrived in Ethiopia to attend the 35th African Union summit to which African leaders are invited. On the agenda: the reform of the African Union, the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the resolution of the various challenges of the continent, including violence and malnutrition and the disease COVID-19.
Feb 6
President Farmajo delivered a keynote address to the African Union Peace and Security Council presenting a report on the overall peace and security situation in Africa. The President, highlighting the significant achievements of the Federal Government of Somalia in the fight against terrorism and the restoration of peace in the country, stressed the importance of our continent’s commitment to eradicating Al-Shabab and other terrorist organizations.
Security
Jan 31
In Qoryoley, Lower Shabelle region, one person was killed and two others injured when forces of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) fired mortar shells at a residential area of Qoryoley. The incident happened in Hodan district, causing panic among residents. Victims were from the same family. The injured were later transported to Mogadishu. AMISOM was previously implicated in the killing of civilians in the same region. In Qoryoley, district officials have yet to comment on the incident.
Feb 1
The military tribunal of Puntland this morning sentenced to death and imprisonment a network accused of belonging to Al-Shabab terrorists. Most of the accused are teenagers.
Feb 1
Heavy fighting between two clan militias recently erupted again in Harale village, 40 km west of Balanballe district in Galgadud region. Residents reported that the fighting was fierce and left around 100 dead and as many injured. Fighting between the two clan militias in the area has been going on for some time now, and many people have been killed and injured in the clashes. Local and regional administrations have yet to comment on the fighting and no effort has been made to stop the fighting.
Feb 3
Somali military claims to have killed seven Al Shabab militants and destroyed their mobile court while capturing two senior operatives after an operation carried out in Awdhegle and Qoryoley towns.
Feb 6
Danab forces conducted operations in Sanguni, Muse Hajji, Arrare, and Koban areas all under the control of Lower Juba region. The troops who carried out the operation were part of the 5th Regiment of the 16th Danab Commandos of the Somali National Army. The purpose of the operation was to destroy Al-Shabab hideouts in the area, which they said was harassing innocent civilians.
Human Rights
Feb 3
The Somaliland court has acquitted and ordered the release of journalist and humanitarian Abdimalik Muse Coldon, who has been detained in Hargeisa’s main prison for several months. Coldon was facing charges of spreading false information against Abaarso School and Barwaqo University. The separatist regime has repeatedly arrested the journalist for his anti-establishment views.
Feb 4
Awdal population commemorates the 31st anniversary of the 1991 massacre carried out by the SNM fighting the Somali government. Close to 1000 people were killed and thousands injured within 12 hours.
Feb 5
Somali teenagers trying to cross the border between Turkey and Greece have been found dead. Turkish authorities said 19 people froze to death after Greek border guards stripped them of their clothes, shoes and belongings before pushing them back into Turkish territory in a sub-zero environment. Two of the teenagers identified are Abubakar and Yahye from Borama, Awdal region. There are reportedly a large number of missing Somalis in Turkey.
Southwest
Feb 4
Southwest State Parliament Speaker, Dr. Ali Said Faqi, chaired a meeting on security in Barawe and polling station security. The meeting, which brought together officers from the Armed Forces, Police, NISA, Southwest Darwish forces and AMISOM, comes after Somali Police and Military Forces deployed earlier in the Barawe district, who will help maintain security in the district.
Feb 5
The Southwest Electoral Commission (SEIT) has announced the list of the Committee selecting the Electoral Delegates for the 13 seats in the regional state’s 2nd constituency of Barawe.
Feb 6
Now that Southwest State is set to hold elections in Barawa, its 2nd-town elections, Gudlawe is welcomed to Beledweyne, and Madobe is still dragging his feet to reconcile communities in Jubaland or hold free and fair elections as agreed in September 17 agreement, Gedo region prepares to hold the elections with or without him.
Hirshabelle
Feb 6
HirShabelle Chairman, Ali Gudlawe and a delegation led by him landed at Ugas Khalif Airport in Beledweyne. Ali Gudlawe and his delegation were met at the airport by HirShabelle Vice President Yusuf Dabageed and other local officials. The president and his entourage were escorted to the HirShabelle presidential palace in Beledweyn, where he will begin consultations. The situation in the city is tense and security forces have recently been deployed to secure the upcoming legislative elections.
