Somalia
Current Operations
EUTM
EU Military Mission to Contribute to the Training of Somali Security Forces (EU)
Since: 05/10
More Information
AMISOM
African Union Mission in Somalia (Other)
Since: 01/07
More Information
UNPOS
United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UN-Peacebuilding)
Since: 04/95
More Information
Somalia entering ‘critical stage’ as end of transition period nears, says UN envoy (15.05.2012)
(Source:UN News)
Somalia is entering its “most critical stage” as the end of its transitional governing period approaches in August, a United Nations envoy said today, calling for the international community to boost their efforts to help the east African country through its peace and national reconciliation process.
Americans train Ugandans for Somalia mission (15.05.2012)
(Source:AP)
American military advisers in Uganda are drawing on lessons learned from Iraq and Afghanistan to help train African Union soldiers to fight Somalia's most powerful insurgent group, al-Shabab.
Al Qaeda’s leader encourages militants (12.05.2012)
(Source:New York Times)
Al Qaeda’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, has released a new video in which he encourages Somali militants to fight on despite the challenges.
Convening of elders important step on path to ending Somalia’s transition – UN envoy (04.05.2012)
(Source:UN News)
The top United Nations envoy in Somalia has welcomed the inaugural convening of the body tasked with selecting members of the Constituent Assembly and new Parliament as an important step on the road to ending the country’s transition.
Somalia Prime Minister plans constitutional government by August (02.05.2012)
(Source:Reliefweb)
Somalia's Transitional Federal Government is making preparations to hand over power to an elected government in August. The surprising development is being engineered by a Somali-American technocrat intent on ending his native country's reputation as a failed state.
Deadly blast shatters calm in Somali capital (04.04.2012)
(Source:New York Times)
A bomb exploded during a ceremony on Wednesday at the newly reopened National Theater here in the Somali capital as the prime minister was addressing the guests, turning an event that had been a welcome sign of growing calm into a grisly reminder of the many troubles still plaguing the country.
Signatories agree to make amends to roadmap (27.03.2012)
(Source:allAfrica)
Signatories of the previous agreements met in Galkayo Monday afternoon and have agreed to speed up the Roadmap and Garowe principles, that plan to end the transitional government by midyear, Radio Garowe reports.
Al-Shabab forces lose Somali base of El Bur (26.03.2012)
(Source:BBC)
Ethiopian forces and Somali pro-government troops have captured a major base from al-Shabab militants, residents say. The central town of El Bur was one of the main bases still controlled by the al-Qaeda-linked group, analysts say.
Al-Shabab attacks Somalia's presidential palace (20.03.2012)
(Source:Reliefweb)
For two nights in a row, al-Shabab militants have attacked Somalia's presidential palace with mortars, killing five people and injuring many more. A senior al-Shabab commander says the group is trying to switch tactics.
Islamist rebels ousted from central Somali town (20.03.2012)
(Source:Reliefweb)
A pro-government Somali militia on Tuesday wrested back a key town from extremist Shebab rebels in fierce clashes both sides claimed killed several of their rivals, witnesses and officials said. … The capture of Dhusamareb, a strategic town in the central Galgadud region and on a key road to northern Somalia, was a notable fight back by the hardline Shebab, who have pulled out of several key areas in recent months.
Suicide bomber targets presidential palace (14.03.2012)
(Source:BBC)
At least five people have been killed in a suicide bombing in the heart of the Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, officials have said.
AU announces pull-out of Ethiopian troops in April (10.03.2012)
(Source:Sudan Tribune)
Ethiopian forces will hand over two recently captured towns in Somalia which were the strongholds of the Al-Qaida allied Al-Shabab Islamist militants in Somalia to African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), it was announced on Friday. … The AU said Ethiopia will withdraw its troops from Somalia by the end of next month.
EU to boost funding for AMISOM (08.03.2012)
(Source:allAfrica)
The European Union has pledged to increase its funding for AMISON forces in Somalia by €100 million up to 2013 and strengthen its military presence in the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean waters up to 2014 to help contain the threats posed by terror and piracy groups.
Turkish Airlines starts regular flights to Somalia (06.03.2012)
(Source:Reuters AlertNet)
Turkish Airlines started flights to Mogadishu this week, the first major international carrier to run a regular service to the Somali capital in more than two decades.
Somalia has best chance in decades to end conflict, Security Council told (05.03.2012)
(Source:UN News)
Somalia currently has the best opportunity to end its two decades-long conflict and bring lasting peace and stability to the country, but doing so will require a greater efforts by all parties and sustained support from international partners, the Security Council heard today.
Thousands flee to Mogadishu after Afgoye fighting (28.02.2012)
(Source:allAfrica)
A renewed offensive against Al-Shabab insurgents by Somali government forces, backed by Ethiopian, Kenyan and African Union troops, has sparked another influx of civilians to the capital Mogadishu, locals told IRIN.
Al Shabaab says extends reach into Somalia's Puntland (25.02.2012)
(Source:Reuters AlertNet)
An Islamist militia group in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region has merged with the al Shabaab rebel group, said the insurgents on Saturday, a union which threatens to destabilise the relatively secure area targeted by oil explorers.
Somalia promises west oil riches as diplomats vow to defeat al-Shabaab (25.02.2012)
(Source:The Guardian)
Somali prime minister says his country will give west a share of natural resources in return for help with task of reconstruction. They expect the oil to flow within weeks.
London conference: Somalia urged to unite behind stable government (24.02.2012)
(Source:The Guardian)
World leaders have pledged more help to combat terrorism and piracy in Somalia, but demanded that its politicians form a stable government and backed this up with a threat of sanctions against anyone deemed to be stalling progress. The conference in London issued a joint statement calling for the dissolution of the weak transitional government that holds power in Mogadishu and in a limited amount of territory outside the capital, with the help of African Union and Ethiopian troops.
AU welcomes agreement reached at the Garowe II conference on the constitution of Somalia (24.02.2012)
(Source:Reliefweb)
The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Jean Ping, congratulates the Somali parties for reaching a political agreement on ending the transition and laying the foundation for a new constitutional order. This Somali?owned Agreement, known as the Garowe II Principles, adopted on 17 February 2012, in Puntland, Somalia, marks a significant step forward in the peace and reconciliation process.
Somalia's future to be discussed at London conference (23.02.2012)
(Source:BBC)
The threat from terrorism and piracy in Somalia are among the issues that will be discussed at a conference in London on the future of the country.
Ethiopia, Somali troops seize rebel bastion of Baidoa (22.02.2012)
(Source:Reliefweb)
Truckloads of Ethiopian and Somali troops on Wednesday captured the strategic Somali city of Baidoa from Al-Qaeda allied Shebab insurgents, who vowed to avenge their biggest loss for several months.
Security Council calls for large increase to African peace force in Somalia (22.02.2012)
(Source:UN News)
In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body requested that AMISOM increase the number of its troops and police officers from 12,000 to a maximum of 17,731, and also decided to both expand the UN’s logistical support package to the force and extend it through 31 October.
Somalia: an opportunity that should not be missed – new ICG policy briefing (22.02.2012)
(Source:International Crisis Group)
If the international community can agree on but a few core policies, there is the best chance in years to foster peace in Somalia. “Somalia: An Opportunity that Should Not Be Missed”, the latest International Crisis Group Policy Briefing, examines the build-up to the special international conference on Somalia, which takes place in London on 23 February, bringing together senior representatives from more than 50 countries and international organisations.
UK weighs up air strikes against rebels (21.02.2012)
(Source:The Guardian)
Mounting concern about the twin threats posed by pirates and Islamic insurgents operating in Somalia has led Britain and other EU nations to consider the feasibility of air strikes against their logistical hubs and training camps, the Guardian has been told.
Somalia leaders reach agreement on re-shaping politics (19.02.2012)
(Source:BBC)
Key Somali leaders have signed a plan to try to end the country's two-decade-long political crisis. The agreement provides for a new, smaller parliament and an upper house of elders. The deal came at a meeting in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, but did not include some key actors.
The Kenyan military intervention in Somalia - new ICG report (15.02.2012)
(Source:International Crisis Group)
As Kenya advances into southern Somalia, it must act cautiously and avoid prolonged “occupation”, lest it turn local opinion against the operation and galvanise opposition Al-Shabaab can co-opt, much as happened to Ethiopia in 2006-2009. “The Kenyan Military Intervention in Somalia”, the latest International Crisis Group report, examines the October 2011 decision to deploy Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) to fight the militant Islamist group Al-Shabaab in the Juba Valley.
Fresh Somalia fighting forces thousands to flee (15.02.2012)
(Source:BBC)
Thousands of internally displaced Somalis have been forced to flee again to avoid heavy fighting in the Afgoye corridor, just south of the capital. … They are … heading back to Mogadishu … to escape heavy artillery shelling and mortar fire as African Union and Somali government troops battle al-Shabab militants for control of Afgoye, about 30km (18 miles) from Mogadishu.
Somali Government calls for end to arms embargo (13.02.2012)
(Source:VOA News)
Somalia's government has called for the end to an international arms embargo on the country, so that it can better fight the Islamist militant group al-Shabab. A government statement Monday said al-Shabab's union with al-Qaida, announced last week, will increase regional insecurity. It said that Somalia could become a base for the terrorist network.
U.S. ponders re-arming Amisom amid terror groups merger (11.02.2012)
(Source:allAfrica)
The United States is considering additional assistance to the African Union military mission in Somalia (Amisom) in the wake of an announced merger between Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda.