February Report: High Level Forum in Istanbul, Mogadishu and Baidoa attacks claim 50 lives
Goobjoog News regional monthly report looks at the stories which hit the headlines in every regional state of Somalia. Somali leaders and representatives from over 50 countries converged in Istanbul, Turkey for the High Level Partnership Forum from February 21 to 24.
Deadly terror attacks rocked SYL hotel in Mogadishu killing 20 people on February 28. A similar attack claimed another 30 lives and 61 were injured in the South West state capital, Baidabo on February 29.
Here are the key highlights in the month of February ranked according to states.
Puntland
February 2, 2016: Two civilians were confirmed dead and 5 others wounded after a violent demonstration rocked the commercial city of Puntland, Bosaso. Police used live bullets to disperse residents who were demonstrating against the local administration.
February 2, 2016: Unknown armed men killed a famous businessman Yusuf Aalim in Bosaso district, the headquarters of Bari region and the commercial centre of semi autonomous regional state of Puntland.
Eye witness say men armed with pistols opened fire on the businessman immediately after evening prayer and fled from the scene.
February 6, 2016: Puntland President Abdiweli Gas declared the region was facing drought and called for international humanitarian intervention.
February 11, 2016: The International Community team led by the UN Special envoy to Somalia Michael Keating concluded talks with Puntland in Garowe regarding the 2016 electoral option. Keating also sought to convince the northern state to soften its stance on the 4.5 model adopted by the government in January.
February 17, 2016: Puntland president Abdiweli Gas named Interim Election Commission (IPEC) of Puntland state. The commission consisted of five members. There were: Ahmed Mohamed Ali (Kismayo), Abdullahi Ali Nur, Mohamed Abdulle Farah, Naimo Abdirahman Gulled, Mohamed Hassaan Soofe and secretary Mohamed Saed Omar.
February 18, 2016: Puntland president Abdiweli Gas held talks with Ethiopian foreign minister in Addis Ababa. The two discussed the political situation of Somalia even as Puntland sought the support of Addis Ababa for its district based model for the 2016 polls.
February 21, 2016: Puntland state opposed the efforts by Federal parliament to review the constitution. In a statement Puntland noted: Puntland has been closely following the constitution put forward to the parliament, which has been altered to favour a unitary system.
February 28, 2016: Puntland president snubs Istanbul conference to meet Puntland Diaspora in America pouring cold water to relations with Mogadishu.
Jubbaland
February 4, 2016: Kenyan Police in the border city of Mandera arrested several tracks carrying food and medicine supply to Somalia. In a statement the Kenyan border police justified the arrest on grounds the supplies would have been seized by Al-Shabaab. Dowlo and Bulla Hawa residents have strong trade ties with Somali region of Kenya.
February 5, 2016: Jubbaland president Ahmed Madobe called on United Nations to review it policy towards Jubbaland. The state president complained that the UN office in Jubbland ignored several requests from Jubbaland Administration.
February 6, 2016: Jubbaland force and AMISOM troops fought Alshabab in Bulla-Gadud village. At least five people were killed in the fight.
February 7, 2016: Deputy Commissioner of Gedo region was wounded after a bomb attack. Mohammad Hussein Alqadi sustained injuries when a bomb planted beneath his car went off in Bardere town. Alshabab was suspected to have carried out the attack.
February 8, 2016: Kenyan Defense Forces said Alshabab intelligence Chief Mahad Karatay had been killed in airstrike. Al-Shabaab in their side dismissed the claim noting that Karatay was still alive.
February 9, 2016: Unspecified number of people was killed in a remote controlled bomb targeting Jubbaland police near Kismayo airport
February 10, 2016: Somali National Army fought inside Bardere town of Gedo region. The fight erupted when members of the army attempted to disarm others inside the main market of the town. At least one was killed and five others injured.
February 13, 2016: A car bomb blast targeting Jubbaland security forces in Kismayo went off in Via Afmadow district. No casualties were reported.
February 20, 2016: Jubbaland president Ahmed Mohamed Madobe officially opened reconciliation conference for clans of Gedo region clans in Kismayo town. Speaking at the conference, Madobe said that the aim of the conference was to end the hostilities and tensions and strengthen the brotherly bond among the clans in the region.
February 24, 2016: Armed men killed civilian driver in Afmadow. The driver allegedly rejected to pay for the armed men. No arrests were made against the killers of the driver.
February 26, 2016: Kenyan air force killed at least two people in raid outside Bardere town of Gedo region. Two civilian herdsmen were the victims of the raid, residents confirmed to Goobjoog News.
February 29, 2016: Jubbaland president upon his return from Istanbul conference called on Somali leaders to take the responsibility for the country. The president particularly reiterated Somali security forces should be in charge of Somalia presidential palace instead of AMISOM troops.
Somaliland
February 2, 2016: Somaliland president went on inspection visit to some main towns and districts in Somaliland.
February 5, 2016: Three soldiers died in bomb blast in Borma city of Awdal region.
February 6, 2016: Somaliland security forces clashed with angry protestors over land dispute in Sheikh district of Somaliland.
February 18, 2016: Somali-land opposition leader Faysal Ali Warabe accused the ruling party of Somaliland- Kulmiye to have squandered national revenues on election campaigns. Warabe urged the money be directed to cope with a drought ravaging some parts of Somaliland.
February 22, 2016: Somaliland president, Ahmed Silanyo named a new committee whose task was to push for the recognition of Somaliland. In a decree number # JSL/M/MG/241-3855/022016 issued from his office he asked the new commission headed by foreign minister to push for Somaliland recognition.
February 22, 2016: Federal government immigration directorate lifted ban on flights from Somaliland. The directorate retracted a statement issued a week before which called for the suspension of all flights from Somaliland regions for 20 days.
February 23, 2016: Somaliland rejected to attend the Istanbul High Partnership Forum
February 26, 2016: A fatal road accident killed 14 people and wounded 9 others in the outskirts of Gibley. The accident happened after two speeding cars collided. Somaliland has one of worst road accident records in Somalia.
Galmudug State
February 3, 2016: Adado town named to be the commercial city of Galmudug state in a by the state president Abdikarim Hussein Guled.
February 8, 2016: Galmudug state president led a delegation to the strategic coastal district of Hobyo. The president launched a development masterplan for the Hobyo port which lines on the shores of the Indian Ocean.
February 9, 2016: Galmudug State President named Abdullahi Ahmed Ali, the new commissioner of Hobyo district.
February 19, 2016: Tens of Ethiopian troops crossed the border with Somalia. The troops stationed at Da’der village in Galgudug region enforced orders on including gun ban among residents.
February 21, 2016: Locals fought with Alshabab fighters in Adaly village of Mudug region.
February 22, 2016: At least three Somali military officers were injured in a clash among themselves following dispute over food distribution in Adado
February 17, 2016: A Kenyan doctor who was kidnapped by gunmen 18 months ago in Adado town, central Somalia was rescued by Galmudug forces. The operation took place at Hilibi, which is 160 kilometres from Adado town. The doctor was later handed over to the Kenyan Government.
Southwest state
February 5, 2016: Al-Shabaab took over Marka town of Lower Shebelle. AMISOM troops vacated their bases hours before Al-Shabaab seized the town.
February 6, 2016: In a counterattack AMISOM troops retook Marka town from Al-Shabaab fighters. Al-Shabaab fighters fled the city without single shot fired.
February 7, 2016: A woman was killed and four others injured in bomb explosion inside Qoryoley town of Lower Shabelle.
February 13, 2016: A woman killed in a knife attack in Afgoye. The assailants aimed to kill the husband of the woman but killed her when she resisted telling his whereabouts.
February 13, 2016: At least one person was wounded in bomb attack against Somali national army in Marka town.
February 14, 2016: A police officer killed another police man in Afgoye. The two police men exchanged verbal assaults against each other before multiple shots were fired.
February 18, 2016: Intense fight between Al-Shabaab and AMISOM troops reported in Burhakabo of Bay region. At least 7 people were confirmed dead in the attack.
February 20, 2016: A hand bomb attack inside Marka town targeted Somali National Army soldiers.
February 20, 2016: Barawe district commissioner was wounded in bomb attack. The commissioner Hassan Barre Mohammad sustained light wounds in his right hand. In an interview with Goobjoog News he confirmed that he survived the attack.
February 21, 2016: South West state concluded 3 months military training for 312 soldiers in Wajid district of Bakool region.
February 24, 2016: At least 3 people were killed and four other injured in shootout between South West state soldiers inside Baidoa.
February 29, 2016: At least 30 people were killed in twin bomb attacks claimed by al-Shabaab at a busy traffic junction and a nearby restaurant in Baidoa. The death toll went up overnight after more people died at the hospital. The attack marked one of the deadliest suicide attacks in Baidoa.