©

Military Trucks Donated by US

Despite the 1992 United Nations arms embargo against Somalia, the United States today handed over 26 military vehicles, uniforms and water tanks to the Somali National Army (SNA) at the largest base of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in Mogadishu, Hallane.

The arms embargo states, "All Member States shall immediately implement a general and complete arms embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Somalia until the Council decides otherwise," yet the Somali military and police have received military equipment in the last week from the US and Japan.

Guests at today's handover ceremony included Somali Deputy Prime and Minister for Business and Industrials Abdiwahab Ugaas Hussein Ugaas, African Union High Representative for Somalia Jerry John Rawlings, Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Wafula Wamunyinyo, AMISOM Command Chief Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti and the Deputy of Somali National Army General Abdikarin Yusuf Dhegabadan.

The military equipment was handed over by Ambassador Rawlings to the deputy prime minister as part of the international community’s support to the Somali government in their effort to stabilize the country.

Today's donation included cars intended for government officials, as explained by Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti.

“This military support is from the United States of America through the Department of State. It is allocated for the Somali National Army through the African Union and includes 16 trucks, 4 Hilux cars, 6 four wheel drive vehicles, one water tank, and military uniforms," said Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti, who took over as the AMISOM Chief Command this month. Deputy Prime Minister Abdiwahab Ugaas Husein welcomed the support.

“The Somali government and Somali National Army are very glad to have such support. We really appreciate for their efforts of standing with Somali government. This support will add more value to the task of the military," said the deputy, referring to the ongoing battle against al-Shabaab militants.

“This will enable us to double our efforts of getting rid off al-Shabaab from all the Somali regions, as we force them several regions and Somali National Army is greatly pleased with these supplies," he told Somalia Report. Omar Ismail Enow, a Somali National Army commander, who attended the ceremony today also confirmed Somalia Report that this is the first and largest assist that the Somali National Forces receives since his service of SNA

“I was admitted to the SNA 2007. We usually receive a uniform, but this was the biggest and the first aid that we received since I have been Commander. This is good and it will increase our work for our nation. We didn't have any good vehilces to carryout operations. While in battle and front lines, these cars can deploy hundreds off commanders to the battle scene and it will make easy our transportation division," he told Somali Report.

He added that the Somali National Army were in need for uniforms in order to recognize them as SNA forces. This comes a week after the Japanese government handed to the Somali Police Forces 16 Land Cruisers, 2 ambulances, 2 trucks, bullet proof vests and helmets as part of the global support and development to Somalia.

Puntland authorities have confirmed that the incident took place. Somalia Report spoke with Said Mohamed Rage, Puntland's Minister for Sea Transport and Ports, who confirmed the administration is investigating the incident.

Somalia Report has interviewed the families of the dead fishermen and the remaining crew members, who explained the events that led to the deaths.

Comprehensive details of the incident will be included in this week's Piracy Report, only available to subscribers. For more information, please see here . For those interested in purchasing a subscription, please contact va@somaliareport.com

Somalia Report

Mohamed Abukar Hassan, Deputy Commander, Somali Navy

Although Somalia has become a well-known hub for pirates, the country once boasted a powerful naval force, which today celebrated its 50 year anniversary at Mogadishu's Second/Sugunto Lido Beach. Before the fall of the government in 1991 Somalia had half a dozen small Russian built ships that quickly fell into disrepair.

Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) President Shiekh Sharif Shiekh Ahmed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Husien Arab Issa, Chief Commander of Somali Navy Admiral Farah Ahmed Omar (known as Qarre), and hundreds of marines participated in the celebration, which marked the founding of the navy on February 10, 1962. The Russians provide military aid until 1977 when the US stepped in and beefed up Somalia's Naval capability.

In 2009 the navy began a program to build up a force of 5000 sailors, beginning with the first class of 500 men graduating in December of that year. The job of Admiral Farah was once called "the worst job in the world" by the BBC, who pointed out that a navy without ships would have a hard time defending Somalia. The Somali Navy recruits are paid $60 a month, which is not much in comparison with the millions promised by pirates for the same skill sets.

President Sharif Shiekh Ahmed spoke proudly of the Naval forces, “I am really so glad to see these well trained marine forces. Congratulations on your 50th anniversary, the government renews these forces and knows you need more support. There are a number of international naval forces in our seas to fight pirates, but pirates are still hijacking vessels. I am saying to international countries that Somalia's naval forces can only erase the pirates' power so they should support these marine forces,” said the president referring to the NATO and EU NAVFOR anti-piracy missions.

Throughout the speeches, the underlying theme was that the Somali Navy only lost its capability and credibility after the nation collapsed in the early 1990s, which then allowed piracy to flourish, and now is the time for the marines to reclaim their lost power and dignity.

“Now they are ready to play their role, which is to remove illegal fishing vessels, to remove those planting poisons (dumping toxic waste) in our sea and to fight pirates. I hope that they will succeed in all their duties and soon they will keep the security of coasts of the country,” said President Sharif.

“We have to restore our dignity. We've got these committed forces - a lot of young men and women are now ready to support their own country - but they need support,” he added.

Although admitting they need help, the president did not specify exactly how the TFG would support the marines to guard their 3,300 kilometer coastline. Last year a visiting TFG delegation to Turkey submitted a €250 million ($330 million) proposal for the funding of two search-and-rescue ships and six coast guard boats. Other countries like Kuwait and UAE have promised funding for anti-piracy programs that would involve a coast guard but not a navy. A navy is a military force to guard the maritime region whereas a coast guard is a police force that guards the shoreline and interfaces with the justice system.

Somali Navy Capabilities

The TFG said they had 'many speedboats' and 'hundreds of marine forces,' but would not specify exactly how many are active today, admitting that much of the funds are directed toward the land battle against the hardline Islamic group, al-Shabaab, throughout southern Somalia. The Somali Navy consists of small fishing skiffs with heavy machine guns mounted midships.

The Navy of Somalia

Piracy flourishes in central and northern regions, rather than out of Mogadishu, the capital of the country and the home of the TFG. Pirates and kidnapped ships are found in coastal areas of Puntland, Galmudug and Galgadud region, which mainly under the control of the pro-government Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa (ASWJ) miltia.

The Somali Navy trained, but without ships were forced to join the army in fighting al-Shabaab, leaving Puntland and Somaliland and other regions to fight their own battles at sea.

To that end, Puntland has created the Puntland Marine Police Force, with the blessing of the TFG, to battle pirates and illegal fishing. Galmudug has said they will create a force and Somaliland has a small and underfunded Coast Guard that protects its coastline.

For a more thorough look at the Somalia Navy, read Somalia Report's investigation into its capabilities and mission.

Pirates Say "They" Are the Marines

Pirates often claim they only emerged after their country collapsed and spiraled into chaos, leaving fishermen to defend their waters from illegal fishing and dumping. Some groups call themselves "Coast Guards" and insist they prevent toxic dumping, illegal fishing and plundering of the seas. Statistically only about 6% of pirate attacks are on fishing vessels and typically to use them for motherships.

“We are defending the security of our sea, so we are the marines of Somalia. We are doing this job without any order or support from the Somali government, but we did get millions of dollars within short time for defending the seas,” a pirate in Harardhere told Somalia Report, referring to hijacking and ransoming vessels.

“Pirates were fishermen who trying to seek revenge after illegal foreign fishing vessels destroyed their equipment, but now pirates like me are not fishermen. The new pirate generation is seeking only to get large sums of money within a short time,” said Mohamed Ahmed, another pirate in Bari region.

Somalia Report

PMPF Helps Boat Disaster Victims

The Puntland Marine Police Force (PMPF) today came to the aid of victims after a boat carrying 61 people, including three human traffickers, capsized off Ceelyao, 35km west of Bosaso, in Sanaag region, a disputed area between Somaliland and Puntland, according to officials who spoke to Somalia Report.

According to surviving witnesses, the boat departed for Yemen from a beach less than a kilometer east of Bosaso port on the evening of February 4th. An hour into the voyage, the boat's engine cut out and the three-person crew threw 22 passengers overboard to lighten the load. Shortly thereafter the boat capsized, sending everyone into the sea. The 13 survivors said that they floated in the open seas for four days before drifting ashore.

"Shocking details came to light yesterday (Thursday) as survivors recounted to local authorities and our partners how smugglers forced 22 passengers overboard soon after the engine failed," according to a statement from Andy Needham, Public information Officer for UNHCR Somalia.

Apart from the survivors, 11 people are confirmed dead and 34 are still missing. Local sources told Somalia Report the three smugglers have returned to the city, but what the government intends to do with them remains unknown.

Somalia Report

PMPF Providing Aid

Initial reports indicate the boat was carrying illegal immigrants, mainly Ethiopians, to Yemen, and Puntland authorities are investigating the incident. Cases of human trafficking have been on the rise in the local area as have reports of abuse by the smugglers, including throwing people overboard as allegedly occurred in this case.

The PMPF was established in late 2010 as a locally-recruited coastal police force to promote peace through anti-piracy and humanitarian operations throughout the Puntland region, according to the Puntland government press release. Last year, the group delivered 800 tons of food and 70,000 liters of water to Puntland residents.

Update: Bodies of Migrants Found

The corpses of least 15 migrants, and 17 survivors in serious condition, were found on Sunday in the Sanaag region of Puntland. The survivors include women and children. They were discovered along the Sanaag coastline, an area in the Sanaag region between the Lasqorey district and Ad-Ado. The boat capsized last week, and the survivors have gone more than a week without food and water. Somalia Report contacted Yusuf Jama Dibad, the governor of the Lasqorey district.

"The migrants left on a small boat from east Bosaso port on February fourth, and their boat keeled over. On Sunday, residents in the area near Ad-ado village found 15 dead and 17 survivors, including women and children. The survivors are in serious condition as they have not eaten or dranks for several days," said Mr Yusuf.