Many Somali men and women who are eager to migrate to countries in southern Africa travel through Tanzania. Some of them fall into the hands of Tanzanian authorities and find themselves behind bars. Were it not for the corrupt nature of the police in this country, very few refugees would be able to continue. To learn more about this unfortunate situation, Somalia Report interviewed Mohamed Abdi, who was recently released from Tanzanian custody.

Thanks for your time, Mohamed. What took you to Tanzania in the first place?

I thank Somalia Report for their concern. In June of last year, I discovered that there were smugglers taking people to South Africa for $1000 US, personal expenses not included. My father struggled and acquired this amount. We departed with a group of other Somalis, both men and women. The route was to take us through Tanzania, I didn’t have any intention of going to Tanzania otherwise. We were arrested here for illegally trespassing the border.

How were you arrested?

We were passing through a checkpoint in a town known as Mpanda. The police asked for our identification. Most of us were not even able to communicate in Kiswahili, and we didn’t have enough money to give to them because we paid a lot of bribes at previous check points. They arrested us and took us to their prison. We did our best to convince them to free us, because we meant no harm to them, but they did not listen.

How is life in those prisons, and what was the worst condition you encountered?

It was the most difficult moment of my life, waking up every morning on the cold cemented floor and finding yourself in such a place is an experience that no-one would wish to find himself in. The facility was not conducive and we really suffered a lot as we waited to be taken to court. Language was a major problem as you cannot even ask for anything. They just reply ‘nini’, meaning what.

Were you all taken to court at the same time?

No, they took us in groups, almost twenty people were taken to court at a time. Also they were considering those with the same case. As some wait for trial, others other were being taken to court to answer their cases.

Were you allowed to defend yourself?

In court, you are only allowed to confirm your presence, they don’t give you chance to speak. There was no lawyer for us, or any other form of assistance whatsoever. They call your name, after which you are required to raise your hand. You could not even hear what they are saying, because the translator was not fluent in Somali. It was difficult to bear with them, because you are required to be attentive throughout the session.

On which conditions were you released?

After the court order, we were then taken back to the prison, Later on, we got information through the guards that we were required to reach our relatives to pay $250 US so that we could be released and deported back to Somalia. We contacted our relatives to send us the money so that we can go home, through the Somalia ambassador to Tanzania. The ambassador demanded a lot of money, imagine the heartless man collected $700 US from just me and another refugee. I even have the receipt from Tawakkal money transfer (hawala). This so-called ambassador is very corrupt. Instead of assisting us to be freed, he is there to oppress his own country men and women - what a shame!

Are there any other Somali officials in Tanzania?

I don’t think so, apart from that self-serving ambassador. And even if there are, they they didn’t show up to assist us.

Do you know his name or ever heard it before?

I have never had him before, but my colleagues say that he is called Diriye somebody. I am not certain about this.

What is your message to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia concerning this ambassador?

I know that His Excellency, President Sheikh Sharif, is good to his people. Those he gave posts, to represent the government, are letting him down, and these are who should be blamed. I think the president should take immediate action against these people.

How many other Somalis are still detained in Tanzania?

I don’t have the exact figure, but Somalis travel daily across Tanzania and they are caught and held in police custody. Hundreds of them are currently being held there, amongst them are vulnerable women, who are not strong enough to face the tough challenges.

Do Tanzanian authorities have a policy for the refugees?

I don’t know, maybe they have. But they don’t treat us like refugees, they treat us the same as the Ethiopians who were in the country illegally.

Are you allowed to get identity cards or the UNHCR registration?

This was not possible. How can you think of identity cards when you can’t even express yourself? And you are in custody most of the time. I did not see any UNHCR representative in the area I was held.

Hundreds gathered today in Las Anod, the capital of Sool region, to protest for the recognition of Khatumo State of Somalia. They were carrying Somali flags, as well as that of the newly-formed Khatumo state. As the protestors were moving through the town they collided with Somaliland police officers, who responded by opening fire on the protestors, killing one and injuring six others. Police were reported to be firing bullets recklessly into the crowd.

Police also arrested almost fifty protestors.

Khatumo state was formed two months ago in Taleeh, capital of Sool region, whose residents have opposed Somaliland's quest for statehood.

Somalia Report spoke to one of the protestors.

“We, the people of Khatumo state, we belong to the blue flag," he said, referring to the Somali national flag. "We all know the indigenous people of Khatumo, those people who were born and brought up here, will gain the victory. So there's no need to be forced to stay with those who remove themselves from the larger Somalia."

Today’s protest marked the second time that Somaliland police offices have opened fire on pro-Khatumo protesters.

The protests was partly caused by the implied recognition of Khatumo state by the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) on Wednesday, when Khatumo delegates, led by President Ahmed Karaash, visited Mogadishu. The delegates met with TFG President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the Defence Minister Hussein Arab Isse, and other cabinet ministers in a closed-door session.

Khatumo state of Somalia is comprised of three regions, Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC), in accordance with the 2004 Transitional Federal Charter, which permits two or more regions to federate. Cayn is currently under the control of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, while Sool and Sanag are under the jurisdiction of the Somaliland government.

Both Puntland and Somaliland have refused to recognize Khatumo, with Somaliland officials claiming that the creation of the state was a plot to destabilize the government.

Prisons are not meant to be places where people want to spend time, and in Somalia that can mean a fate worse than death. In Somalia's semi-autonmous region of Puntland, prisoners complain of severe overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, beatings and being held for over a year without trial. To get a better understanding of the plight of Somalia's prisons, Somalia Report interviewed the mother of a prisoner, a prisoner, and a police chief.

Halima Idle is the mother of a son who is currently jailed in Garowe, the capital of Puntland. This is her story.

Welcome, Halima. Please tell us briefly about yourself.

I was born and brought up in Garowe town. I am blessed to have five children, two boys and three girls. The girls are all well married in various parts of the country. I lost one of my sons five years ago in a clan battle. My son Gulled (name changed), who is being held in prison, is my last born child. Their father is currently very weak because of his age.

Tell us about Gulled and how he was arrested.

He is 24 years of age and grew up to be a very obedient and God fearing man. Gulled used to travel between Garowe and Galkayo doing small businesses like selling of household goods. He was only doing it about a year when he got arrested. One day he left home late in the afternoon to take some goods to Galkayo to sell. He was not married so he was staying home with us. I did not hear anything from him for almost three days, but I knew it was usual for him to stay away from home for a couple of days. On the fourth day I heard my son had been arrested as he was travelling at night towards Galkayo and he is now in custody in Garowe.

How did you react after receiving this bad news?

It was one of the worst moments in my life. Only a mother can feel how I felt, bearing in mind how the suspects in this region are treated. I cried all night when I heard that he was suspected of being a terrorist because I knew he was innocent. I received the news from his friends who are also in the same business with him. I knew this would happen to him one day because the police keep arresting especially young people without reason or evidence.

When was he arrested?

He has now been in custody for two months without being taken to court.

Do you visit your son in the cells?

I only visited him once because he is under tight security and you are not allowed to visit him frequently. I even had to beg to see him at that time.

How was he when you saw him?

I cried when I saw him first, he had bruises all over his face and his arms. I can only say he was not in good condition. He was even in poor health because and was very thin. I doubt that they give them anything to eat.

Lastly can you tell us about the conditions of those cells?

The place is congested. You can see a small cell occupied by three to four inmates. It is also smelly and in bad shape you wonder how those people are kept there for so long.

Thank you very much Halima for your time.

In our quest to gather more information on this matter, Somalia Report also spoke with Mr. Hassan who spent six months in a Garowe prison.

Hassan, could you tell us how you were arrested?

First, I appreciate your presence in Puntland and how you are determined to bring out the problems of the people. I was arrested in February 2011 as I was travelling from Galkayo to Garowe to visit my cousin who was ill at that time. Since I was not a frequent traveller along that road, I was hardly known by the traffic police. At the check points, the police decided to arrest me together with three other men who i was travelling with.

Which crime were you accused of committing?

We were not told what they arrested us for until we reached the police station, and then they told us we were terrorists and we have relations with al-Shabaab militants. Because those days there was a rumour going on that al-Shabaab were infiltrating Puntland to cause harm.

What challenges did you encounter in custody?

The major problem is overcrowding with almost five suspects in a cell meant for one, which makes for unsanitary conditions. Another thing is the mistreatment because sometimes police will beat you up badly if you refuse to comply with them or if you talk to them.

How did you get out in the end?

They kept me in the cell for six months. During this period, they promised to take me to court to answer my case. The commander kept giving excuses that there are many cases pending in the courts so we should wait until my turn comes, but he was not understanding that I was suffering here for mere allegations. Finally my turn came and I was taken to court, I remember it was on Thursday morning. The judge heard my case and set my free because there was not enough evidence to prove beyond any doubt that I was an al-Shabaab militant or i belonged to any terrorism group. That is how i was released.

Thanks for spending this time with us Hassan. We promise to take your voice to the concerned people so that action may be taken to rectify this.

Puntland police have been accused of arresting civilians without reason. It has been reported that unknown travellers along the road from Galkayo to Garowe road were arrested under the pretext of being terrorists, then the suspects were held in custody for over five months, in most cases, before they are taken to court. Somalia Report interviewed Commander Jaama Saed Warsame, to ask him about the allegations against the police.

What major challenges do you face as a commander?

I am grateful to God that we are operating well, despite our challenges. A major one is to reduce the infiltration of terrorists from the south into Puntland, both people and explosives. It is easier to scrutinise the passengers than detect explosives which are sometimes hidden under trucks and busloads of goods. They are not easy to detect, and we lack sophisticated equipment.

What criteria do the police officers use to distinguish between a terrorist and an innocent person?

We use various methods which are confidential, and cannot be exposed. But I can assure you that we only arrest when it is necessary. Terrorists are easy to identify, because they always feel guilty.

What do you say about the allegation that the police arrest civilians on baseless charges and torture them?

I have not heard of this, but there are always complaints about every step the police take. Our work is to arrest suspects and the law-breakers. We do not care about the magnitude of the law they break, I think that is the work of the court. We don’t torture suspects, but take them into custody where they are taken care of. If the suspect refuses to take orders from the police then that is another story, the police are allowed to use force and make the suspect to comply with the orders given.

Can you please share with us any achievements you had as a commander of the traffic police.

Despite our challenges, we at the same time have something to boast about. The police have done a tremendous job in fighting terrorism in Puntland. We have arrested dozens of suspected terrorists and also intercepted vehicles packed with explosives. The most recent case being a lorry carrying food stuff towards the Galgala mountains, which was packed with explosives in between the sacks.

Somalia Report also took the opportunity to interview Aden Musa Jama, the Garowe central police commander, where suspects have been reported to be subjected to abuse.

Could you tell us about the conditions of those held in custody in the central police station?

Well, I can’t say it is comfortable, but I think the inmates are in good health and that is the most important thing to note. The cells are small in size, and that is the way they were built. We can’t do anything to change this. There is also the issue of congestion in the cells, which is partly caused by the delays in the courts. Otherwise, the suspects are well cared for.

There are allegations that the police are harassing the suspected criminals in the cells, who are by law required to be treated as innocent until proven guilty. What can you say about this?

If you hear that police are harassing inmates in the custody, there is a high likelihood this is not true. It is the inmates that are not complying with the rules. For instance, if the police do regular inspections and find mobile phones and other illegal items with the suspects, then it is obvious that the police would take some action against them. There are a few instances where the police have harassed suspects, and in this case if it is reported and the officer is found guilty, then necessary actions are taken against him.

What do you think can be done to speed up the court processes in order to reduce the number of suspects in the cells?

I think Puntland should come up with other smaller courts that deal with minor cases, and a few others which can handle cases of high magnitude like the ones of terrorism. We should also employ more qualified judges to speed up the the process.

Editor's note: Puntland is in the process of modernizing its prisons, with the help of European nations.

Disabled Somalis are often regarded as burdens to their families making them prime recruits for the al-Shabaab militant group fighting for control of Somalia. Somalia's rampant poverty, on-going conflicts and famine have made it difficult for disabled citizens to seek help, some turning to the militants as their only choice.

According to the World Health Organization 10% of the world’s population is composed of disabled people, but it is unknown how many Somalis are affected as reliable data is difficult to compile due to decades of conflict. A 2011 report titled ‘Disability Rights in Somalia’ released by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency confirms that the number of disabilities in Somalia increases by 20 people daily, and suggests 12-15% of the population are disabled. The World Blind Union reported Somalia does not have a national coordination agency responsible for establishing disability policies. Due to lack of sufficient resources Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has been focused on the most fundamental issues such as security, education and narrowly on health. Other non-governmental organisations like the Disability Action Network (DAN) that operates in Somaliland are unable to access areas that are controlled by the insurgent group. As a result, disabled people are often left to fend for themselves.

In an effort to understand the extent of the recruitment by al-Shabaab, Somalia Report visited Faafa Haduun and Eel Ade in the suburbs of Bardeere in Gedo region where al-Shabaab militia are reported to be exploiting disabled persons under the pretext that they are fighting a ‘holy war’.

Abdi is one of five deaf al-Shabaab’s fighters in this area. Married with children, Abdi was well trained by the militia and is able to fight despite his inability to hear gunfire or other sounds. A woman close to Abdi who operates a small tea shop in Faafa Haduun, told Somalia Report that he also used to kidnap suspects who are known to the al-Shabaab officials in the area.

Warsame, a former employee with Médecins Sans Frontières, an international, independent organisation for medical humanitarian aid, confirmed the role of Abdi in the Shabaab mechanism. MSF was prohibited by al-Shabaab from operating in parts of southern Somalia last year.

“Yes I know that deaf man is al-Shabaab. He is callous and can even go to the extent of shooting anyone if they refuse to comply with his orders. He used to charge $20 per day to escort people to and from al-Shabaab controlled areas. This is the only way the man can sustain his family in addition to the undisclosed monthly salary that he receives from the militia,” explained Warsame.

Both Warsame and the tea shop owner said Abdi is very religious and devoted to his job as a militant.

Somalia Report also spoke to Ali Muhamud, a disabled fighter who was recruited as a spy and currently lives in Eel Ade in Gedo region.

"I lost my legs ten years ago in an explosion in Mogadishu. After finding it difficult to cope with the city due to sporadic fighting, I decided to come to this village. I thank God I am still alive despite the difficulties I encountered in my life," he explained. "Al-Shabaab told me that every person should fight for the sake of God regardless of their abilities, so as a crippled person I was forced to work for the Mujahidins as a spy.”

Ali explained how he lived in fear of the militants for the last three years.

"I heard the mujahidins were encouraging the disabled people in the major cities like Mogadishu and Baidoa to physically involve themselves in the holy war. They tell them to participate in suicide bombing since they cannot fight at the battle front, so I was fearing that one day it will be my turn to do so,” Ali told Somalia Report.

Farhia Hassan, a local resident, explained what she had learned about al-Shabaab's recruitment of disabled people.

"I know a man who has both legs amputated because of a lorry accident a couple of years back, I don’t want to name him because this is a sensitive matter. After the incursion of al-Shabaab in to our area in 2007, he was forced to join the militants since they had fewer fighters back then. He was used by the militants to convince the locals to support the mujahidins and the boys to fight the Somali enemy. He was good at this despite his inability to walk; he crawls from one point to another. Some two years later after the militia gained control and public trust from the locals, he was assigned to take care of the mujahidin’s cells where he was supposed to sit outside the cells in Bardeere taking care of the inmates,” she told Somalia Report.

She also clarified that the militia mostly consider the disabled people as a weapon to attack their enemy.

“They sometimes encourage the disabled people to carry out suicide bombing because they say the only way they can fight a holy war is by sacrificing their life, since they cannot physically engage themselves in fighting.” We asked her about their treatment of mentally ill people, Farhia said she had heard that in Baidabo and other cities like Mogadishu the militia exploits the mentally ill, “When the militia want to bomb their enemies in an open place they do it mostly by sending the mentally ill people to their opponents carrying a letter with explosives.”

Dahir Gamey is an al-Shabaab senior judge and a major contributor to the increasing number of disabled persons in this war torn country. Under al-Shabaab's version of Sharia law, numerous cases qualify for amputation when found guilty. Most are theft related in a poverty stricken society, spying allegations in an conflict ridden environment and adultery which earns one death by stoning.

A good example is Ismail Khalif Abdulle, who was among four young men accused of stealing mobile phones and pistols in Mogadishu. In June 2009, the teenagers were cross amputated after a judgement was passed by Dahir Gamey to that effect. In October the same year, the militants also cross amputated Nur Hussein in Afgoye after alleging that he was a spy.

After subjecting many to such inhumane treatment, the militia continues to encourage the amputated and disabled populace to take part in suicide attacks arguing that they are of little use in society. These victims eventually engage in dangerous activities in order to survive.

Somalia Report tried to contact al-Shabaab militia for their perspective on this matter but have received no response.

Mr. Hussein Abdullahi, a TFG official stated that the federal government of Somalia upholds the rights of the disabled people and does not under any circumstances arrest or mistreat them. He went ahead and alleged that al-Shabaab fighters go to the the extent of killing their injured fighters who have sustained serious injuries since they consider them a burden during their operations.

The provision of socio-economic support for this population is a key priority for both their survival and development. Somalia being a poverty ridden country lacks adequate access to qualified medical practitioners, rehabilitation services and facilities as well as social inclusion programmes for disabled people. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that almost 1.5 million Somalis are internally displaced and lack access to humanitarian aid. Equipment that will improve the mobility and lifestyle of the disabled like wheelchairs, hearing aids and crutches are not easily available. The disabled continue to lack access to education, economic and social services that are meant to improve livelihoods for all. Somalia is far from fulfilling the United Nations standard rule on equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

Every disabled individual who was interviewed for this report urged the government to establish laws that safeguard the rights of disabled citizens, ensure the provision of quality medical care and rehabilitation services. Somaliland is in the fore front in supporting its disabled population. The first school for individuals with hearing impairment is well established in Borama city where deaf children access primary and secondary education.

Charcoal production has been in existence since the creation of the horn of Africa state. Output from this industry is consumed both locally and internationally. Somalia started the exportation of this lucrative commodity back in the 1970s making it the backbone of its economy. Up until 1991, 50% of Somalia's charcoal produce was exported to the Gulf States. Later on, livestock exportation gradually took over the export market but soon after that Saudi Arabia banned the importation of livestock from Somalia due to poor health standards. It was only two weeks ago when Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on importation of livestock from Somalia.

The lure of income from charcoal trade proved to be overpowering as traders, especially the low income earners turned to charcoal as their only source of income. The enterprise requires minimal capital and depends largely on human labour. The major effect of this economic incentive is gradual degradation of arable and pasture land which leads to long term desertification. Currently 80% of Somalia’s charcoal output is exported mainly to Saudi Arabia, Yemen and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the Somalia Ecological Society (SES) 70,000 tonnes of charcoal are exported annually from Somalia.

If an Acacia tree can produce an estimate of 8 to 10 sacks of charcoal, 25kgs each, one can easily estimate the magnitude of annual deforestation in Somalia. Somalia Ecological Society estimated the deforestation rate in Somalia to be 35,000 hectares per year.

Previous Somali regimes have done little to combat the booming enterprise. There was no restriction and regulation imposed on this industry. Recently the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) requested that the United Nations (UN) ban the exportation of charcoal from Somalia, not because it was slowly turning Somalia into a Sahara desert but simply because charcoal exportation is a reliable income generating enterprise for the al-Shabaab militia. The insurgents use Kismayo and Barawo ports as their major exporting points. Three months later, on 25th February 2012 the United Nations heeded this call and the UN monitoring group banned the exportation of what it referred to as ‘black gold’. This means that the Gulf countries must refrain from using charcoal which is imported from Somalia. Bearing in mind the huge market for this cheap source of energy, this objective may be difficult to attain.

Competition in charcoal production has intensified as various clans have turned to it as a source of livelihood after the recent droughts resulted in loss of livestock.

For a better understanding of what the charcoal trade involves, Somalia Report spoke to a charcoal trader in Burgaabo who preferred to identify himself as Hassan (not real name).

“I have been working as a charcoal trader for eight years now. Aside from that, I also own twenty goats that I purchased using income generated from the charcoal business. This is the only enterprise that can provide a reliable source of earning in this area. That is what has forced me to do this job so I can fend for my family,” he said.

In regard to production of the commodity, Hassan described it as a labour intensive and difficult activity.

“Charcoal production cannot be handled by one person but an average of four to five men. We start felling acacia trees and chopping them into almost 1.5 meter long logs. We then dig the ground and arrange the logs in piles. We cover the logs with steel drums or leaves during the rainy season. This is done to minimize air circulation in the enclosure and convert the logs to charcoal. The final step is setting fire to the pile,” he described.

To produce 20 sacks of 25kg each, two huge acacia trees are felled. Charcoal prices are an average of $5 and are sold to merchants. The charcoal merchants in turn sell the commodity to Arab countries at $10 to $15 when the demand is high. However, lower prices of $2 were applied for sale of charcoal to al-Shabaab militia when they were in control of the area. The militia imposed taxes on loads of donkey carts ranging between $2 to $3. Hassan informed us in hushed tones that there are still al-Shabaab agents who trade in charcoal using capital from the Mujahideen after which they send the profits to the fighters.

Charcoal burners and pastoralists are currently at loggerheads due to the obvious state of environmental degradation and its impact on livestock. Abdullahi Gedi is a herdsman who expressed his disappointment in the current state of affairs.

“I don’t know what the TFG is doing. How can they remain aloof and fail to take legal action against these miserly people who are focused on destroying our future? Everyone knows that livestock is the backbone of our economy. These charcoal burners go to the extent of cutting flourishing green trees after exhausting the dry and dead wood. They do this for their selfish needs. I have seen trees with stems chopped off and ‘magadi’ (salt) inserted in that section so as to induce gradual drying of the trees,” he said. A frustrated Gedi insisted that they will no longer tolerate such selfish actions and interest by the charcoal burners.

Somalia Report contacted a TFG conservation official in Gedo region who conceded that the cutting of trees is an offense in Somalia today unlike in the past.

“I am not surprised that charcoal burners are doing this intensively. I believe our institutions are not well developed or have the capacity to impose any form of restriction on such trade. It is also difficult to implement and reinforce laws when there is minimal or no government presence on the ground," he said.

The charcoal industry in Somalia spells disaster for the indigenous acacia trees which are now confined to riverside areas of Shabelle and Juba. Widespread tree cutting has resulted in low rainfall production and limited atmospheric purification. Once a forest is destroyed mass wasting is impossible to prevent and soil erosion cripples farming produce and livestock rearing. Somali leaders must rise to this challenge and invest in the future of their country before it is no more. Environmental conservation is as deserving of adequate attention and resources as combat and military engagement. It is the one common enemy among all Somalis.