Why Somali President wants Kenya army out

27 October 2011
Somali President Shariff Sheikh Ahmed is opposed to the deployment of Kenyan troops in his country because he believes it is an attempt by Kenya to create an autonomous Jubaland. Communication from as far back as March 2011 between President Shariff and President Kibaki shows that the Somali leader asked Kenya not to deploy to Juba region an estimated 2,500 young Somali soldiers who had been trained and equipped in Kenya.
Internal Security minister George Saitoti yesterday wrote to the Somali government demanding an explanation on President Shariff's remarks as well as conflicting media media reports about the Somali government's position on the ongoing military co-operation. "In the light of this the Kenya Government is seeking clarification of the Somali government's position as it is essential to have a unified approach in dealing with the destabilization of Somalia by Al Shabaab and its threats to peace and security to Kenya and the region," Saitoti's letter read. "In the meantime Kenya with collaboration with IGAD and AU, is continuing with the operation against Al Shabaab."
While Kenya wanted the soldiers it had trained to form a buffer between Kenya and the Al Shabaab-controlled regions around Mogadishu, the Somalia Transitional Government wanted them sent to Mogadishu to fight Islamist militia. Ethiopia too has objected to the creation of Jubaland mainly inhabited by the Ogaden and Merehan clans. Addis Ababa feels that would encourage separatist passion in the Ogaden Region of Ethiopia.
The decision by the Kenya government to recruit mainly from the Ogaden resulted in complaints from other clans. The Ogaden clan primarily lives in the Central Ogaden plateau of Ethiopia, the North-Eastern Province of Kenya, and the Jubaland region of Southern Somalia. They also inhabit Somalia's major cities such as Mogadishu and Kismayo. The Marehan mostly live in Jubaland, Gedo and Lower Juba regions in Southwest Somalia and in Northeast Kenya. They are considered the most fierce nationalists among the Somali people and have always played key roles in both the Somali uprisings.
In a letter dated March 21 and addressed to President Kibaki, the Somali President acknowledges the role Kenya has played in training and equipping the army of youths. "Excellency we are particularly indebted for the training and equipping our forces in Kenya. We pray that a peaceful Somali and region will enjoy Strengthened friendship and prosperity," states President Shariff. The letter was handed to President Kibaki in Nairobi by Somali Prime Minister Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke.
Due to suspicions against his former Defence minister Ghandi, President Shariff in the letter to President Kibaki transferred the responsibility of the coordination of the youth recruits from Ghandi to then Defense Minister Abdullah Boss. "I write to you this letter to inform you that the bilateral security responsibilities including the coordination and follow up of Somali force training in Kenya that we previously assigned to our former Minister of Defense and current Minister for Air and Land Transportation HE Mohamed Abdi Gandi is hereby transferred to our current Ministry of Defense," the letter says.
The Somali President further transferred the responsibility of regional administrators trained in Kenya to the current Interior minister of Somalia, Abdirashid Mohamed Hidig. "There are people who are unhappy of the training that you have provided for our forces and the regional administration and wish to deny this region and Somalia any peace and stability. We wish to correct this situation administratively by bringing the military force under the department of Defense and the regional administration under the ministry of interior," stated the Somali President.
In late March 2011, Gandi hosted elders from the Marehaan and Ogaden - who are the main clans in Gedo and Juba regions of Somalia - at Chester House in Nairobi to discuss the stalemate in the deployment process. In the meeting Gandi discussed with the clan elders a possible withdrawal of support to the government.
Meanwhile, thousands of Somalis at the Dadaab,Ifo and Hagadera refugee camps yesterday held a peaceful demonstration against President Shariff and to voice their support for the military operation. Hagadera camp Chairman Kussow Abdi Nuni said they supported the intervention as frequent incursions into Kenya by Somali militiamen had negatively affected their peaceful stay in the country.
He said Shariff's sentiments were out of touch with the reality on the ground as al-Shabaab had carried out frequent raids forcing humanitarian organisations working in the camps to scaled down or stop their operations altogether putting the lives of thousands of Somali refugees in jeopardy. "As the refugee community we have to be grateful to Kenya for giving us a safe haven for more than two decades. We condemn insecurity and that is why we support the Kenyan opearion in Somalia", said Kussow.
Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
Somalia: Al Shabaab Claims Victory Over Southern Region Battle With Kenya
28 October 2011
Mogadishu — The Al shabaab fighters, which US alleges to be Al Qaeda's surrogate in the horn of Africa, have claimed victory over fighting with Kenyan military in southern Somalia.
Sheikh Abdi-aziz Abu Mus'ab, a spokesperson for Al shabaab told the local press that they have battled with Kenyan forces just outside of Dhobley in Lower Jubba region.
The fighting started after Al shabaab fighters ambushed Kenyan military in Lower Jubba region, according to Al shabaab spokesman.
He said they killed a number of Kenyans and burnt down five of the military wagons during the combat. Three of the burnt down wagons were dragged back by Kenyan forces, the official added.
The Al shabaab movement has vowed they will keep on their struggle against what they called Kenyan incursion in Somalia.
For his part, Abdinasir Sayrar, a spokesperson for Rasmkaboni group, speaking to Shabelle has denied the claims made by Al shabaab.
Kenya has not released any comments about the fighting on Thursday so far.
Al-Shabab Leader in Somalia Calls for Attacks Against Kenya
Posted Thursday, October 27th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
An al-Shabab militant leader in Somalia is calling on his followers to carry out huge explosions inside Kenya, in retaliation for Kenyan troops going into Somalia to try and stop the Islamic militants.
Sheikh Muktar Robow says tossing grenades is not enough. He is urging the militants to strike what he calls big painful blows.
Kenya sent forces into Somalia this month in pursuit of al-Shabab, which Kenyan officials blame for the cross-border kidnapping of several foreigners.
Kenya says its troops had their first direct clash with al-Shabab Thursday.
The army says about 45 al-Shabab fighters attacked the soldiers near the southern Somali town of Qoqani. It says Kenyan forces killed nine militants while two Kenyan soldiers were wounded.
The army also says it carried out an airstrike on an al-Shabab training camp and has captured the town of Busar.
A Kenyan government spokesman says Kenya's goal is to destroy al-Shabab in the shortest time possible. He said the militants present a clear and present danger to the region.
At least four Kenyan government workers were killed Thursday when their vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in northeastern Kenya, near the Somali border. Wednesday, a Kenyan man who admitted to being a member of al-Shabab, pleaded guilty to one of two grenade attacks that took place in Nairobi earlier this week. One person was killed and more than 20 wounded.
Tags: Kenya, Militants, Somalia, Th, Upd
Posted in Africa