Press Freedom Prize
In partnership with the French retail chain FNAC, Reporters Without Borders is delighted to award its 2010 Press Freedom Prize to two symbols of courage, the jailed Iranian journalist Abdolreza Tajik and the embattled Somali news radio station Radio Shabelle.
Stewart Bell, National Post
The federal Cabinet has approved sanctions against
Stewart Bell, National Post
The federal Cabinet has approved sanctions against
19 March 2010 – The Security Council today agreed to extend the United Nations panel of experts monitoring compliance with sanctions related to the conflict in Somalia for another year and to expand its mandate to try to maintain the arms embargo imposed in the region.
19 March 2010 – The Security Council today agreed to extend the United Nations panel of experts monitoring compliance with sanctions related to the conflict in Somalia for another year and to expand its mandate to try to maintain the arms embargo imposed in the region.
Last week, a group of investigators dispatched by the Security Council to Somalia released an exhaustive, 100 plus page report on arms trafficking, aid diversion, and other criminal activities in Somalia. So far, much of the press around the report has focused on allegations that World Food Program aid had been diverted to suspected militants.
Last week, a group of investigators dispatched by the Security Council to Somalia released an exhaustive, 100 plus page report on arms trafficking, aid diversion, and other criminal activities in Somalia. So far, much of the press around the report has focused on allegations that World Food Program aid had been diverted to suspected militants.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan unsealed an indictment March 8 accusing a suspect brought to the US from Nigeria, Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed, of conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization—al-Shabab, the main insurgent army in Somalia. Ahmed, 35 of Eritrea, is also charged with providing that support, conspiring to receive training from a foreign terrorist organization, and receiving the training.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan unsealed an indictment March 8 accusing a suspect brought to the US from Nigeria, Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed, of conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization—al-Shabab, the main insurgent army in Somalia. Ahmed, 35 of Eritrea, is also charged with providing that support, conspiring to receive training from a foreign terrorist organization, and receiving the training.
By MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN and JASON STRAZIUSO (AP)
MOGADISHU, Somalia — The recruits gather in scorching desert hideouts in Somalia, use portraits of President Barack Obama for target practice, learn how to make and detonate bombs, and vow allegiance to Osama bin Laden.
By MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN and JASON STRAZIUSO (AP)
MOGADISHU, Somalia — The recruits gather in scorching desert hideouts in Somalia, use portraits of President Barack Obama for target practice, learn how to make and detonate bombs, and vow allegiance to Osama bin Laden.
It was a question worth killing over, in the minds of some Somali Islamic extremists. In May, Ahmed Omar Hashi, a reporter for Mogadishu’s Radio Shabelle asked Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to explain his country’s support for al-Shabab, the hardline Somali Islamic group. Afwerki explained that Eritrea only wanted to enable “Somali nationalists” in their efforts at “ensuring Somali unity, sovereignty and independence.”…President Afwerki’s reply to Hashi was a softball answer to a softball question. But that didn’t matter to the Mogadishu-based Islamic extremists, who later called Hashi on his cell phone, accusing him of spreading lies about al-Shabab, and threatening to kill him.
It was a question worth killing over, in the minds of some Somali Islamic extremists. In May, Ahmed Omar Hashi, a reporter for Mogadishu’s Radio Shabelle asked Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to explain his country’s support for al-Shabab, the hardline Somali Islamic group. Afwerki explained that Eritrea only wanted to enable “Somali nationalists” in their efforts at “ensuring Somali unity, sovereignty and independence.”…President Afwerki’s reply to Hashi was a softball answer to a softball question. But that didn’t matter to the Mogadishu-based Islamic extremists, who later called Hashi on his cell phone, accusing him of spreading lies about al-Shabab, and threatening to kill him.
The United States has sent a shipment of weapons and ammunition to the government of Somalia, according to a U.S. official who said the move signals the Obama administration’s desire to thwart a takeover of the Horn of Africa nation by Islamist rebels with alleged ties to al-Qaeda.
The United States has sent a shipment of weapons and ammunition to the government of Somalia, according to a U.S. official who said the move signals the Obama administration’s desire to thwart a takeover of the Horn of Africa nation by Islamist rebels with alleged ties to al-Qaeda.
The State Department said Thursday the United States is providing urgent military aid to Somalia's Transitional Federal Government, the TFG, to help it repel what is termed an "onslaught" by Islamist rebels. U.S. officials are also renewing their criticism of alleged Eritrean support for Somali extremists.
The State Department said Thursday the United States is providing urgent military aid to Somalia's Transitional Federal Government, the TFG, to help it repel what is termed an "onslaught" by Islamist rebels. U.S. officials are also renewing their criticism of alleged Eritrean support for Somali extremists.
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Sitting on a mat at home between taking orders for arms on his two mobile phones, Osman Bare gives thanks for the riches flowing from Somalia's war.
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – Sitting on a mat at home between taking orders for arms on his two mobile phones, Osman Bare gives thanks for the riches flowing from Somalia's war.
MOGADISHU, May 22 (Reuters) – An influential Somali insurgent leader said on Friday Eritrea supported the rebel fight against the government in a holy war that was as much an obligation for Muslims as prayer.
MOGADISHU, May 22 (Reuters) – An influential Somali insurgent leader said on Friday Eritrea supported the rebel fight against the government in a holy war that was as much an obligation for Muslims as prayer.
Aweys, 62, is on a U.S. list of terrorism suspects. He quit self-imposed exile in Eritrea last month and went to Sudan for what some Somalis had hoped would be reconciliation meetings with the president and members of parliament from his clan
Aweys, 62, is on a U.S. list of terrorism suspects. He quit self-imposed exile in Eritrea last month and went to Sudan for what some Somalis had hoped would be reconciliation meetings with the president and members of parliament from his clan
CAIRO, Dec 22 (Reuters) – At least 18,000 Eritrean and Somali refugees have arrived in Sudan since the start of the year, and the government is struggling to provide them with aid, a Sudanese government official was quoted as saying on Monday.
CAIRO, Dec 22 (Reuters) – At least 18,000 Eritrean and Somali refugees have arrived in Sudan since the start of the year, and the government is struggling to provide them with aid, a Sudanese government official was quoted as saying on Monday.
Intelligence reports from Eritrea say that President Isias Afawerki has got angry over the departure of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed to Djibouti to join in Djibouti peace talks sources in Eritrea said.Intelligence reports from Eritrea say that President Isias Afawerki has got angry over the departure of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed to Djibouti to join in Djibouti peace talks sources in Eritrea said.African-analyst Richard Cornwell at South Africa's Institute for Security Studies says he believes it is likely Eritrea is backing Aweys because Asmara, too, opposes any moves to reach a deal with a government backed by Eritrea's bitter rival in the Horn, Ethiopia. - VOA 29
African-analyst Richard Cornwell at South Africa's Institute for Security Studies says he believes it is likely Eritrea is backing Aweys because Asmara, too, opposes any moves to reach a deal with a government backed by Eritrea's bitter rival in the Horn, Ethiopia. - VOA 29
Prime Minister Gedi again acknowledged that his country remains in the throes of a vicious insurgency, and appealed to feuding clans to settle their disputes peacefully. He accused neighboring Eritrea of fueling the conflict.
Prime Minister Gedi again acknowledged that his country remains in the throes of a vicious insurgency, and appealed to feuding clans to settle their disputes peacefully. He accused neighboring Eritrea of fueling the conflict.
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has backed a new Somali opposition alliance, saying arch-foe Ethiopia’s fight against insurgents in Mogadishu was doomed to fail, state media reported on Saturday.
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has backed a new Somali opposition alliance, saying arch-foe Ethiopia’s fight against insurgents in Mogadishu was doomed to fail, state media reported on Saturday.
Mogadishu (Somalia) Members from the Hawiye clan elders, a pre-dominant clan in Mogadishu, have refused to attend the conference of Somali opposition figures due to start in Eritrea next week, saying it is not all-inclusive and would have no value for Somalis.
Mogadishu (Somalia) Members from the Hawiye clan elders, a pre-dominant clan in Mogadishu, have refused to attend the conference of Somali opposition figures due to start in Eritrea next week, saying it is not all-inclusive and would have no value for Somalis.
Security has been stepped up across Somalia’s capital Mogadishu ahead of a national reconciliation conference later today.
