Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 23:15:35 +0200
Somalia: UN report accuses Puntland's President of weak anti-terrorism
policy, piracy links
Oct 19, 2014 - 09:46:18 AM
GAROWE, Somalia Oct 19, 2014 (Garowe Online)-United Nations Monitoring Group
on Somalia and Eritrea has acknowledged in a confidential
<http://www.garoweonline.com/garowe/resources/2014/10/F7nttviQ.pdf> report
that the President of Somalia's North Eastern State of Puntland Abdiweli
Mohamed Ali Gaas has showed extreme reluctance to address the upsurge in
extremism, saying his ties to pirate linchpins also remain apparent, Garowe
Online reports.
The 8-member panel of UN investigators further spotlighted the increasing
threat by beleaguered Islamist militants to the state's peace, Al Shabaab
infiltration into low-morale Puntland Forces, frailty of security
apparatuses and Gaas' links with top pirate leaders.
Citing poor cooperation from Puntland presidency and consistent stumbling
block by President Gaas himself, UN monitors say:" The Puntland authorities
hindrance is indicative of its apparent unwillingness to robustly address
the threat of Al-Shabaab".
Chief of cabinet at President's Office, Deeq Sulieman Yusuf was initially in
contact with the UN investigators but shortly after the cooperation became
suspended, the group unveiled that they were again confronted with repeated
efforts by the Puntland authorities, in particular the President, to
obstruct its investigations into Al-Shabaab activities, both within the
territory of Puntland and beyond.
According to independent experts, among the four issues that contributed to
the increasing presence of Islamist insurgents in Galgala area and other
hideouts along Golis Mountain Ranges are 'catch and release' policy adopted
by Ali, demoralized army troops, militants unprecedented pullout in
south-central hotbeds and reconfiguration of Al Shabaab Northeast political
leadership.
"During in the past year, increasing evidence indicates that Al-Shabaab has
also successfully attempted to infiltrate the Government of Puntland," read
the <http://www.garoweonline.com/garowe/resources/2014/10/F7nttviQ.pdf> UN
report." In Puntland, Al-Shabaab has used its infiltration to conduct
offensive action, such as surveillance of United Nations compounds, and in
one instance as a sanctuary for carrying out an operation against a regional
Member State".
Bari Regional Police Commander killing
UN report exposed that Al Shabaab suicide bomber- the killer of Bari
regional police commander Abdirahman Ali Abas (Muslim) on August 4- who was
identified as Mohamed Abukar Zubayr comes from the same clan as Puntland
leader and was possibly released on presidential pardon.
"While information surrounding Mohamed Abukar's release is unclear, credible
information obtained from multiple sources, including diplomatic and senior
Puntland officials suggests he was released either by the Police or granted
amnesty by President Abdiweli in 2014," the report noted.
Puntland security officials could not be reached for comments on the behind
the scenes of Zubayr by Garowe Online but multiple independent sources say,
Zubayr might have taken advantage of amnesty offer on the eve of Eid Al Fitr
celebrations.
Piracy Links
On Pirate finances, UN investigators said Puntland leader seems to have a
relationship with two pirate kingpins-Abdikani Diriye Abdulle and Ahmed
Dirie Abdille-in accordance with photographic images posted on Abdikani's
facebook feed.
"Abdiqani Diriye Abdile is identified as the brother of Ahmed Diriye and
sent him USD 26,300 in 2013. Judging from their Facebook accounts, both
brothers seem to have ties or some form of relationship with Puntland
President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali "Gaas"," said UN report, disclosing that
Ahmed Dirie Abdulle (long-footed) hails from the clan that President belongs
to and received transfers totaling USD 1,575,112.47 between May 2009 and May
2014.
Dirie (long-footed) who resides in UAE is Ethiopian passport holder, however
UN monitors say UAE government didn't respond to UNMG letter seeking
information on Dirie activities.
Astur Jawase Abdi and her husband Abdullahi Ahmed Haji Farah-pirate leader
who runs heavily armed milita- were also said in UN report to have sent
money to Dirie as were his brother Abdikani Dirie Abdulle.
Garowe Online learned that Astur Jawase, former Khat dealer announced that
she would compete for the mayor of Qardo, 122km southeast of Puntland
capital of Garowe in the forthcoming municipal elections.
Amnesty offer
UN report revealed that Isse Mohamud Yusuf (Isse Yuluh)-popular pirate
leader-currently based in the coastal village of Murcanyo in Bari region of
northeastern Somalia reportedly received amnesty offer from Puntland
Government under a deal brokered by presidential advisor Abdullahi Eid.
"In March 2014, Yuluh announced in the media his renunciation of piracy and
was reportedly given "amnesty" by the Puntland Government.The deal was
brokered by "Abdullahi Eid", the interior and municipalities affairs adviser
to the Puntland President, Abdiweli Mohamud Ali "Gaas", and formerly a
prominent member of Gaas" Puntland Presidential election campaign team," the
report added.
On May 4, reliable sources told GO that Puntland Government lured Yulux into
an agreement that would pave the way for the informal handover of fighting
vehicles and armed-trucks as well as integration of militiamen into Puntland
Defence Force (PDF).
In response to GO article, Puntland presidency rejected the matter as false
media reports on May 15.
Ali, was elected Puntland's new president in a narrow victory margin of
33-to-32 parliamentary vote on January 8,2014.
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