On January 15th of this year, Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamud Silanyo named a commission for the registration and selection of political parties, but at least half of the parties are crying foul over the commission's recent rulings. Somaliland formally adopted a multi-party system in August 2011.

During the registration process, 15 political parties started their campaign throughout the six regions of the self declared state of Somaliland by calling on their supporters to attend public rallies in major cities in order to fulfil the required conditions. The campaigns were conducted in a peaceful manner, and there were no reports of violence. On the 20th of April, the qualifying parties were announced by the Somaliland Commission for Registration and Selection of political parties.

The commission announced the parties which had fulfilled the requirements and those that failed to meet the set criteria. Only 6 out of the 15 new political parties fulfilled all requirements for registration.

The Council of Registration invited party leaders and other stakeholders to Maansoor Hotel in Hargeysa where they officially announced the qualifying parties. Security was tight as many police officers were deployed to the scene. The Registration and Selection Commission, the Somaliland Electoral Commission and party leaders attended the meeting.

Abdalla Ibrahim Mohamed, the deputy commissioner, made the announcement, “After examining and verifying the information of the political parties, we realized that only 6 parties had fulfilled the conditions that were given by the government. The qualifying parties are Wadani, Dalsan, Rays, Umada, Nasiye and Xaqdhowr. The other nine parties which are Nuur, Damal, Horyaal, NDB, Badbaado, Gurmad, Udhis, Jamhuuriga and SSCD have not fulfilled the requirements. This is our final decision and parties are able to appeal," Mr Ibrahim Mohamed told Somalia Report.

Hassan Ahmed Duale “Moalim”, the spokesman for the commission, confirmed only 6 parties were allowed to register.

“We started registering political parties on January 15th of this year. We had several lengthy discussions about the qualifications with the parties and found that only six are suitable and fit the criteria of political parties. I am calling upon them to observe and obey the law of Somaliland, the culture and the Islamic religion," Du’ale told Somalia Report.

Mr Duale described the major conditions necessary for qualification of a political party:

“The biggest conditions are; they have to have an office in all the six regions of Somaliland, they must register at least 1000 members from each province and give them party identification, they must organize a national meeting in the capital, and they have to act within the laws of Somaliland. After this, they can stand for local government elections. We also find out the source of funding of the parties to ensure that they are legally financed," he added.

Party leaders from the rejected parties such as those from NDP, Udhis, Horyaal and Gurmad rejected the announced result, saying it was unacceptable and unfair.

Fauzia Yusuf Haji, the chairwoman of NDB, the first and the only woman to have formed a political party in Somaliland, was jailed and beaten with dozens of her supporters by Somaliland government.

“The announcement was unfair and we are not satisfied. Our party fulfilled all the necessary conditions. The selection of parties was not transparent. The commission even refused to meet with us despite NDP having 300,000 registered supporters throughout Somaliland. There are some organizations that didn't even campaign and were given the approval letters. When we asked the commission to produce clearing letters and justify why they rejected our party, they kept silent. That shows us they are not ready to correct mistakes they have made against us and the people of Somaliland. Also, the government is backing the commission,” Miss Yusuf told Somalia Report.

The chairman of Udhis party, Mr. Ibrahim Abdilahi Hussein Dhegoweyne, expressed his frustration with the outcome.

“Our party had influential people and we met all the requirements. We believe it was a plan that only six parties were selected. We are not accepting the results and we are going to start demonstrations, and call our supporters to come to the streets," he said.

“The announcement was a plan made before by the commission, and they prepared their own things but they must prove this in front of the people and the law. We will go to court," he added.

Miss Fosiyo accused the government of torturing and humiliating her supporters.

“During the preparation for our demonstration, the Rapid Response unit and Anti Terror Forces were deployed against us. 30 of our supporters were detained for one day. Ten of our party officials and I were jailed for four hours without reason in Hargeysa. My supporters were humiliated and tortured by the Anti Terror police. We are denied our rights, we are not allowed to talk, we are made speechless by the government, we are under pressure, and no one is respecting our request and suggestions. I call on the international community and donors to intervene and demand accountability for their funds which are used to beat us," Fosiyo told Somalia Report.

On the other hand, Somaliland Internal Security Minister Mohamed Nur Aarrale (Duur), warned any party which tries to create violence or protest.

“Somaliland is a peaceful country. We have our own security forces and any party which is not satisfied by the law, commission of registration or government is not a party of Somaliland. And anyone who tries to start hostility in this country will not be allowed to and we will take action against them. We will not let those people destroy what we were building for the last twenty years. We will show them that there is a powerful government," Araale Nur declared.

Sultan Mohamed Abdulqadir, one of the oldest Somaliland elders, called on both the Somaliland state and the political parties to remain calm.

“I call on unsuccessful parties not to demonstrate. A strike can bring violence in our land. We are not going to demolish our country with our own hands," he said.

Then again, Nuur Farah HirsI, the chairman of Gurmad, one of the unsuccessful parties, was banned from holding a rally in Erigavo, Sanaag region. He claimed that they completed all the requirements for a political rally, but it was halted by government officials and security forces, sources close to Mr. Hirsi told Somalia Report.

“The governor, Adan Diriye Geljire and police commissioner of Erigavo, Mohamed Jama, went to the home of Mr. Xirsi and they told him that he cannot talk to the people of Erigavo and he must go back to Buroa. After a meeting, Mr. Farah was forced to leave the city, without talking to his supporters," claimed the source.

Yusuf Ismail Ali, the Chairman of the High court of Somaliland, said that he has not received any complaints from political parties.

“The country’s justice system is independent from the government and the government does not dictate to us. So far, the high court has not received any formal complaints from the political parties that failed to meet the requirements. If they reach out to us, we will review their complaints and will take the suitable action."

While many political leaders are angry about the decision by the commission, elsewhere, the chairpersons of successful parties held a joint meeting to congratulate the commission of registration for their effort.

Abdurahman Mohamed Abdullahi, the chairman of parliament and leader of Wadani party talked to Somalia Report about the results.

“We are very happy with the outcome. We welcome the decision and selection by the commission for political parties. This is a victory for the people of Somaliland. The commission has done the right job at the right time. We request them to schedule elections," said Mr. Abdullahi.

Mohamed Abdi Gabose the chairman of Umada expressed his happiness at his party’s victory and being one of the six qualifying parties.

“Umada party and its officials congratulate the commission. This was fair and we are very happy to be among the selected six. My party fulfilled all the requirements," he told Somalia Report.

Ahmed Musa, a Hargeisa-based political analyst disagrees.

“If I look at the matter of political parties and their approval, it seems it was not conducted fairly. Let me give you examples. Most of the selected parties were chaired by politicians who are holding different positions in the current government. Secondly, the commission stated that they will accept any complaints and so far they haven't talked to any one of the aggrieved parties. The third point is that this commission is required to produce a letter articulating how and why these nine organizations failed; the commission has done nothing about that. On the other hand, the government put pressure on the protestors and political leaders. All these points show us that there is something messy. Perhaps the government, commission and key politicians of the elected parties agreed at some points to drop the nine parties,” he explained.

Political tension in Somaliland is rising every day and especially in key cities like Hargeysa, Erigavo, Burao and Berbera. The government and its security forces are controlling the matter, while the disqualified but influential political parties are angry with the government whom they accuse of not listening to them and pressuring them.

While there have been no casualties from the demonstrations that took place after the announcement by the commission, the situation remains unpredictable as the disqualified party leaders and followers nurse their anger. They may fail to heed the call for calm by local elders.

Al-Shabaab Islamic militia fighters, aligned with al-Qaeda, have arrived in Somalia's Mudug and Galmudug regions after fleeing their strongholds in the south due to pressure from the allied forces of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, according to to sources who spoke to Somalia Report.

While it was known that the fighters had moved recently to Mudug region, Galmudug officials today confirmed al-Shabaab fighters arrived in their territory last night.

“We received information that al-Shabaab militia with number of armed cars arrived in parts of our province. They reached the villages of Bud-Bud and Barwaaqo, which are parts of Hobyo district of Galmudug state. We prepared our troops in order to prevent them for coming and our army are moving forward to these areas. We are ready to defend our people and our territory,” said Galmudug Security Minister Abshir Diini.

Somalia Report discovered that Abdi Shakur Ali Oma, the al-Shabaab official leading the migration, originated from Galmudug. Mr. Omar talked to elders and people of Bud-Bud and Barwaaqo villages calling on them to obey Islamic faith. He also called on them to support an Islamic administration that he plans to announce, according to villagers.

The same sources confirmed that this unit of al-Shabaab established bases in the towns they reached, provoking Galmudug officials to initiate a state emergency meeting. Officials are concerned the fighters will begin a terror campaign of hit and run attacks, suicide bombs and assassinations, as they have done in Mogadishu.

Harardhere, a well-known pirate hub in Mudug region, has also been slowly becoming an al-Shabaab town. Over the last two years, al-Shabaab has been extending its power to the difficult-to-access area since it lacks any law enfocement or effective government. Currently, al-Shabaab controls the main town and surrounding villages, while the pirates control the shore and the sea.

Shabaab in Puntland

Extending their reach further north in Puntland, al-Shabaab killed two relatives, Puntland security official Minjir Hassan Gurhan and Ali Diib Gurxan, a civilian, in Bosaso, a commercial port city. The men were assassinated in a tea shop near Juba Hotel on Thursday. Both men hailed from the Dubays clan.

Somalia Report learned that Mr Minjir Hassan Gurhan was one of the officers in charge of leading the attacks in Galgala Mountains in Bari region against Sheikh Atom's militia, which recently aligned with al-Shabaab. He was recently on the frontlines and his close relative told Somalia Report they believed he was targeted because of his participation in the Galgala war and because he was Puntland security staff. Previously he was also injured in 2005 during fighting between the Puntland forces and local people at Majiyahan.

The pro-al-Shabaab Radio Al-Andalus said the militants were responsible for the murders and claimed the men worked for the Puntland Intelligence Service.

Khalif Isse Mudan, Punltand’s security minister, said that they have captured suspects. “We arrested seven persons over the incident and five of them are al-Shabaab intelligence. Our security are still investigating the matter. One of the deceased was among our security officers, while other was a civilian,” said Mudan.

Locals Residents Fight Al-Shabaab in Baidoa

Meanwhile heaving fight broke out around noon outside Baydabo (Baidoa) village, the capital of Bay region, between al-Shabaab and local residents of Labaatan Jirow. Both sides used was used different weapons included heavy and small arms. Source told Somalia Report weapons and other supplies were given to the Labaatan Jirow residents by the people of Baydhabo, government troops and their allied forces of Ethiopian.

The rift began on Thursday when al-Shabaab militias were ousted by the people of the city. In turn, al-Shabaab killed boy from the village after accusing him of spying, sparking outrage from the local residents.

“It’s true, they killed on Thursday morning a young guy accusing him of spying for the Somali government. They shot him. We cannot tolerate their horrific actions. They want to kill and torture innocent people so we decided to fight against them. We got support from the people and forces of Baydhabo city. We ousted the militia from our territory," said Mohamed Hilow, a resident of Labaatan Jirow.

These incidents come a day after al-Qaeda’s global leader, Dr. Ayman Al Zawahiri, sent a video to al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia, encouraging them to change their tactics into hit and run. He also urged them to oust Somali the AMISOM forces and to double their attacks inside Somalia. He further added that the fighters should not be worried about American drones, saying that they cannot change your faith of war.

Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops captured a 35-year foreign al-Shabaab fighter at the Somali-Kenyan border town on Friday night. According to Somalia Report sources, the suspect named "Ali Bakaar" was captured in Hosingow a few miles from the Kenyan border. Hosingow had been an al-Shabaab training camp, but is now controlled by the Kenyans and TFG.

Ali Bakaar is believed to be a longtime associate of deceased al Qaeda member Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, who was killed by U.S. Special Operations forces in September of 2009. The man was arrested while aboard a bus heading to Kenya from Kismayo as it stopped at a checkpoint in Hosingow. He was among twenty passengers who described Ali Bakaar as a Tanzanian due to his language. Prior to boarding the bus, he had been dropped off at the Kismayo bus station by a group of youths in a car.

TFG troops based in the Lower Juba region told Somalia Report that the foreigner was considered to be a high ranking member of al-Shabaab.

TFG Sergeant Mohamud Ali Osman told Somalia Report they were informed of his presence on the bus.

“We received a tip that a foreign member of al-Shabaab, was hiding in a bus heading to Kenya. We found the man in the back seat and he tried to escape. Our troops captured him immediately. We would describe him as a white man. He claimed Tanzanian citizenship, with his birthplace as Mombasa, Kenya. He doesn’t speak Somali, but rather Kiswahili language,” said the official.

Mr Ahmed Geedi, a Member of Parliament from Lower Juba region, said that the Somali Defense Forces were given information by civilians from Kismayo.

“He was an al-Shabaab officers who fought in Mogadishu before they were forced from the capital. He then moved to the south. We believe he is either a Kenyan or Tanzanian citizen."

The TFG handed the suspect to Kenya Defense Forces for further investigation. The TFG is supporting the Kenyan Defense Forces, now part of AMISOM, in their bid to oust al-Shabaab and bring security to the border.

Kidnap Victims Rescued

That same night in Hosingow area, the TFG also rescued ten kidnapped civilians in a late night raid. Nine of the rescued hostages were reported in good condition. One captive was shot and killed as military forces approached and their al-Shabaab captors ran into the bush.

Mohamed Ali Dhuubow, a government officer at Hosingow, said, “ We spent last night searching for the abducted civilians. At midnight we found them. The kidnappers ran away and cruelly shot one of hostages who later died."

Fomer Somali Defense Minister, Member of Parliament and warlord, Colonel Barre Adan Shire (Barre Hirale), yesterday left Ethiopian 'custody' in Dolow and made his away to El Wak (Ceel-waaq) in Gedo region, which is under the control of Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF).

Hirale, also the former leader of Juba Valley Alliance (JVA), has been in Dolow, home to an Ethiopian training camp in southern Somalia bordering Ethiopia, for the last two years.

Colonel Barre was accompanied by Colonel Aden Mohamed Wacey (Adan Koronto) and number of his special staff. While the Ethiopians said he was free to leave at anytime, sources close to him told Somalia Report that some of his former militia men planned the escape, hiding him in a car fleeing Dolow. The Ethiopians, however, were fully aware of his departure, the source stressed.

“The MP has taken a long journey from Dolow and is now safe and with the army in El Wak and under the guard of his militiamen," said another source.

The Colonel was not on good terms with Ethiopia after Ethiopian forces detained Hirale in May of last year over disputes about how to conduct military operations and then released him a month later in June 2011.

Hirale is vital to politics in southern somalia because he controlled the city port of Kismaayo for eight years. People see that he is key military strategist and strong political player in Juba and Gedo regions because of his popularity and the massive support he has in Kismayo, one that might be able to turn the side against al-Shabaab, which now controls the port city.

News of his arrival in El Wak has been met with skepticism, speculation and joy. Unconfirmed reports suggested there was a new relationship between Bare Hirale and KDF officials. Somali political experts believe that with Hirale Kenya has now received a key military strategist and strong political player in the southern Somalia. Ethiopia, on the other hand, doesn't want to see Hirale in charge of Kismayo, a vital commercial city.

"Hirale and Ethiopia have been on bad terms since he arrived in Dolow when he was arrested in 2011. Then he was released after some time, he was not happy staying there. He made several contacts with the Kenyan government, but those contacts failed for many reasons, but he didn't hesitated to continue contacting the government. Finally they had made some kind of good agreement, and that is why right now he is with the TFG and KDF forces," Colonel Warfaa, TFG Spokesman in Gedo and Juba region, told Somalia Report.

Meanwhile, TFG forces celebrated his return.

"Barre arrived in the district late yesterday with some of his guard and TFG forces welcomed them. Mr. Hirale addressed the soldiers and encouraged them to continue their fight against the al-Shabaab militants. Barre had a meeting with the commanders of the TFG and we have discussed in that meeting military issues," said Colonel Warfaa.

"We are very glad he arrived. We welcomed him with open hands and hearts. He is a member of the Somali parliament also he is a good military strategist so he can lead us. We do not have a problem with him and he is endorsed by our forces," added the colonel.

Hirale is from Marehan, a sub clan of Darod, and is a current MP has a strong force of about 800 men, trained and equipped by Ethiopia which fights against al-Shabaab in Gedo region. They are mainly from the Marehan clan and although they use Ahlu Suna Wal Jamaa as their cover, they are considered as both clan militia and TFG force.

(Photo credit: Raxanreeb)

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.