European Union Training Mission Somalia

European Union Training Mission Somalia PRESS SUMMARY 2 nd October 2018 In Media stat virtus

SUMMARY TITLE PAGE Statement by the Spokesperson on the attack in Somalia 2 EUTM-Somalia convoy hit in Mogadishu 3 Al-Shabab Attacks EU Convoy in Mogadishu, Two Killed 4 Alshabaab Claims Responsibilty For Suicide Attack on Italian Army 6 Convoy In Mogadishu Saudi Arabia strongly condemns bombing of convoy of the 7 European Union in Somalia AU mission trains police on curbing terror threats at checkpoints in 8 Somalia Mogadishu's alleged role in palace coups 9 Somali Government Has Dismantled Terrorist Networks And 11 Hideouts, Says Foreign Minister Somalia urges Iraq to probe ship with smuggled charcoal 12 Ex-President Elected Chair Of Union For Peace And Democracy 13 Party EUTM - SOMALIA 1

Statement by the Spokesperson on the attack in Somalia Bruxelles, 01/10/2018 A convoy of the EU Training Mission in Somalia was hit today in Mogadishu. While no personnel of EUTM were injured, civilians in the vicinity of the attack are reported be among the casualties. This shows once again that Somali civilians pay the highest price from the terrorist threat in the country. We express our condolences to the families of those affected at this difficult time. We also stand close to EUTM staff working for peace and security in Somalia. This attack will not deter the EU's commitment to support the Somali authorities and people in their efforts to build a more stable and prosperous future. https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/51437/statement-spokespersonattack-somalia_en EUTM - SOMALIA 2

EUTM SOMALIA HEADQUARTERS EUTM-Somalia convoy hit in Mogadishu 01 October 2018 - A convoy of the EU Training Mission in Somalia was hit today in Mogadishu. Sadly, civilians in the vicinity of the attack are reported to be among the casualties. No personnel of EUTM-S were injured and the convoy returned safely. No shots were fired by EUTM-S neither during nor after the blast. This shows once again that Somali civilians pay the highest price from the terrorist threat in the country. We express our condolences to the families of those affected at this difficult time. This attack will not deter the EU's commitment to support the Somali authorities and people in their efforts to build a more stable and prosperous future. European Union Training Mission Somalia works to develop and strengthen Somali defence institutions, through the provision of strategic military advice to the Somali National Army HQ and the support of military training. The EU military mission operates in close cooperation and coordination with the other international community actors in the area, such as the United Nations, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), US, UK and Turkey." https://www.eutm-somalia.eu/eutm-somalia-convoy-hit-in-mogadishu/ EUTM - SOMALIA 3

Al-Shabab Attacks EU Convoy in Mogadishu, Two Killed October 01, 2018 A suicide bomber drove a car into a Western military convoy in Mogadishu on Monday, killing two people and injuring four. Witnesses and officials say the car, packed with explosives and driven by a suicide bomber, hit an armored military vehicle belonging to the Italian military outside the Jaalle Siyad military base in the Somali capital's Hodan district. The al-shabab militant group claimed responsibility for the attack. Aamin Ambulance services in Mogadishu reported that the bodies of two men killed in the explosion were recovered, and four injured people including a child and a woman were transported. All the victims are civilians, witnesses and officials say. It's not known if any Italian military personnel were hurt in the attack. The personnel are in Mogadishu as part of a European Union military mission to train Somali government forces. EUTM - SOMALIA 4

A witness told VOA Somali that the incident took place on the October 21 Road. "The Italian convoy was coming from the opposite side, but before we passed each other, the explosion erupted, we were covered by [a] plume of smoke, then I jumped out of my car," said one witness, speaking on condition of anonymity. He said the Italian military personnel did not fire after the explosion hit their convoy. He said he believes that restraint may have saved other lives. Charcoal smuggling Meanwhile, Somalia has expressed "deep regret" that a ship carrying more than 200,000 bags of charcoal smuggled out of Somalia has docked at the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr. The Somali ambassador to the United Nations, Abukar Dahir Osman, told VOA Somali that the ship docked at Umm Qasr late last month. Osman says charcoal production, which begins with the cutting down of trees, harms the environment in Somalia. However, he said, businessmen who are involved in the tree cutting have forged relationships with al-shabab. "[Charcoal is] the biggest source of income for al-shabab, and it enables them to continue the war," Osman said, adding that al-shabab receives about $7 from each bag of charcoal. United Nations investigators told the Security Council in November 2017 that al-shabab earns approximately $10 million per year through the illicit charcoal trade. Somalia has urged Iraq to carry out an investigation and to "be swift in actions to halt" giving clearance to the ships smuggling charcoal out of the country https://www.voanews.com/a/al-shabab-attacks-eu-convoy-in-mogadishu-twokilled/4594589.html EUTM - SOMALIA 5

Alshabaab Claims Responsibilty For Suicide Attack on Italian Army Convoy In Mogadishu On Oct 1, 2018 Alqaeda linked Somali militant group Alshabaab on Monday claimed it s suicide bomber targeted a European Union convoy in Mogadishu. The militant group s spokesman Abdirahman Abu Muscab claimed four Italian troops were killed in the explosion a fact that is yet to be established. Radio Dalsan was privy to photographs of the aftermath of the SVBIED attack. The flag of Italy could be identified in the wreckage. The attack occurred near the Jaalle Siyaad Military base in Daynile district The Italian troops are part of the an EU training programme for Somali National Army according to a government official. https://www.radiodalsan.com/en/2018/10/01/alshabaab-claims-responsibilty-for-suicideattack-on-italian-army-convoy-in-mogadishu/ EUTM - SOMALIA 6

Saudi Arabia strongly condemns bombing of convoy of the European Union in Somalia October 01, 2018, SPA -- An official source at the Foreign Ministry expressed Saudi Arabia's strong condemnation of the bombing that targeted an EU convoy in the Somali capital Mogadishu. The source stressed the Kingdom's categorical rejection of all manifestations of violence, terrorism and extremism regardless of motives and reasons, offering condolences to the families of the victims, the government and the people of the sisterly Republic of Somalia and wishes for speedy recovery for the injured. https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1821289 EUTM - SOMALIA 7

AU mission trains police on curbing terror threats at checkpoints in Somalia 2018-10-02 -- African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said on Monday that it has carried out training of 100 police officers on ways to mitigate potential terrorist threats at checkpoints. The AU mission said in a statement issued in Mogadishu the aim of the short course was to devise ways of managing vehicle checkpoints through the employment of swift responsive anti-terror mechanisms. "This training has come at the right time to prepare AMISOM Police for the transition and at the same time prepare Somali Police for the transition," said Christine Alalo, acting AMISOM police commissioner. The officers will in turn impart the knowledge and skills learnt, to their Somali counterparts. Alalo who closed the training challenged the AMISOM police officers to apply the knowledge gained, to improve the security in Mogadishu and the regional cities. The training was part of its continuous efforts to build the capacity of the security forces, to fight the indiscriminate use of Improvised Explosive Devices, which remain al-shabab's weapon of choice. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-10/02/c_129964870.htm EUTM - SOMALIA 8

Mogadishu's alleged role in palace coups Monday October 1 2018 The political impasse between Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo and regional federal leaders is being attributed to suspicions that Mogadishu is sponsoring candidates to depose the regional presidents in the forthcoming regional elections. Experts say this is one of the factors that led the latter to announce a severance of links with Mogadishu on September 8, a move that could derail efforts to liberate areas still held by Al Shabaab. The regions are supposed to hold presidential elections progressively from November till the end of 2019. The South West State will go to the polls in November, followed by Puntland and Hirshabelle. Abdilatif Maalim, a strategic communications specialist based in Mogadishu, told The EastAfrican that with elections coming up in most of the federal states, the incumbent leaders are facing stiff competition from candidates said to be sponsored by Villa Somalia. But Mr Maalim added that besides fear of the outcomes of the upcoming elections, another bone of contention is that since President Farmajo took office in February last year, his government has paid little attention to the grievances of the federal states. He has instead planted cronies across the states who have made life difficult for the incumbents. The five regions EUTM - SOMALIA 9

All the five regional leaders boycotted a National Security Council meeting that was called by President Farmajo on September 17, demanding a third party mediate talks between them and Mogadishu. Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre, however, rejected the demands, saying Somalia has gone beyond third-party mediation and that all differences can be solved through compromise by Somalis themselves. The regional leaders, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas (Puntland), Ahmed Duale Gelle (Galmudug), Mohamed Abdi Ware (Hirshabelle), Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden (South West State) and Sheikh Ahmed Madobe of Jubaland accuse the president of interfering in their internal affairs, failing to defeat Al Shabaab and falling behind in the legislation process. The Upper House (Senate), which represents the interests of the federal states, has formed a committee to mediate between the centre and the regions, but this effort faces the challenge of perception that the Senate is pro-regions. Somalia charge de affairs to Kenya, Ali Mohamed Sheikh, told The EastAfrican that the government is talking to the leaders individually before convening a meeting with all of them. Let Amisom be - Still, Somalia experts are concerned that prolonged wrangling will affect the preparations for the one-man-one-vote election of 2020, which is dependent on the federal states co-operation with the centre. But of more concern is that the wrangles will reverse the gains made by the African Union Mission in Somalia, which has driven Al Shabaab from all the major towns into rural enclaves, despite unpredictable funding and sufficient levels of troops levels and equipment. Kenya s President Uhuru Kenyatta, while addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, appealed to the global body to increase funding to Amisom so that it can play a bigger role in supporting the government of Somalia. In January, President Kenyatta opposed Amisom s phased withdrawal following a directive from the UN Security Council, saying that the timing was unfortunate because the government of Somalia is not yet ready to take on full responsibility for security. In the meantime, the World Bank on September 25 approved $80 million in grants to Somalia to fund public finance reforms, marking its first disbursement to the government in 30 years. http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/mogadishu-alleged-role-in-palace-coups/4552908-4783914-r4dbd2z/index.html EUTM - SOMALIA 10

Somali Government Has Dismantled Terrorist Networks And Hideouts, Says Foreign Minister 30 September 2018 The Somali government, in collaboration with its partners, has defeated Al-Shabaab and ISIS militia groups in Somalia, the country s Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Awad Isse told world leaders gathered at the just concluded United Nations General Assembly. The minister said the ideologies presented by Al-Shabaab or Al-Qaida are no longer appealing, and the groups no longer have new recruits. In addition, leaders and members are surrendering along with so-named technicals (improvised attack vehicles) and weapon caches. Working with our partners, the nation has dismantled terrorist networks and hideouts. It is also engaged with religious leaders, community elders, women, youth and the civil society to turn the tide against the twisted ideology of hate and religious intolerance, said Isse while addressing the UN Assembly s annual debate. Solving that problem once and for all requires a multifaceted approach, added the minister: The silver lining is, young men and women are not joining terrorist groups. In that context, the Minister called on the UN Security Council to lift the arms embargo on his country, stressing that stronger fighting capacity will help national security forces fully dismantle terrorist groups in a shorter time. The Somali official thanked the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) and its personnel for their sacrifice and keeping Somalis safe, noting that the country remains indebted to them. Alongside that, gains in security, as well as the mission s support to Somali security institutions will enable the country to gradually take over responsibilities from AMISOM, he said. The minister highlighted that the country s reformed, inclusive electoral model has been approved at both central and provincial levels. He also informed the General Assembly of the country s economic development goals, building upon its productive capacity, natural potential and international trade: We are seeking to strengthen alliances with our core partners to promote trade and investment opportunities even as we widen our scope in our quest for broader, far-reaching economic cooperation. We are ready for business. http://somaliamediamonitoring.org/october-1-2018-morning-headlines/ EUTM - SOMALIA 11

Somalia urges Iraq to probe ship with smuggled charcoal October 1, 2018 - The Somali government on Monday called on Iraq to launch urgent investigations into a ship carrying 200,000 bags of charcoal smuggled out of the Horn of Africa nation. Somali Ambassador to the United Nations Abukar Osman said the ship, which has docked at the Iraqi port of Umm Qasri, is said to have forged custom documents indicating to be from Ghana. The federal government of Somalia calls on the Iraqi government to expedite investigations and be swift in actions to halt further clearance of the said ship, Osman said in a statement issued in Mogadishu. He called on international partners to support efforts by Mogadishu in preventing charcoal smuggling out of Somalia. Osman, who regretted the incident, condemned all parties involved in the racket and those who have been engaged in the illegal export of charcoal from Somalia. Illegal charcoal smuggling is detrimental to the security and stability of Somalia, since revenue from illegal charcoal export is the main financial source for the terrorist organizations of al-shabab and al-qaida, Osman said. The charcoal business has become al- Shabab s most lucrative source of income, according to the United Nations Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea. According to a UN monitoring report, the militant group always pays for weapons and fighters with revenue it earns from taxing traders and from the export of charcoal, trade that was banned by UN Security Council Resolution 2036, which was adopted in 2012. http://radioshabelle.com/somalia-urges-iraq-to-probe-ship-with-smuggled-charcoal/ EUTM - SOMALIA 12

Ex-President Elected Chair Of Union For Peace And Democracy Party 30 September 2018 Former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been elected interim chairman of the newly formed Union for Peace and Democracy (UPD) party. Officials of the party meeting in Mogadishu on Sunday endorsed Mohamud, who served as the first President of the Transitional Federal Government between 2012 and 2016, to serve party boss of the new political outfit. The new party, which brings together Mohamud s Peace and Development Party and Daljir Party, also approved a coalition Constitution: We elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as interim chairman for six months. The national party convention will meet in March to elect permanent officials of the party, UPD allied Member of Parliament, Ahmed Fiqi, told Goobjoog News. Fiqi claimed that the new party now commands single majority in the Federal Parliament with a total of 80 lawmakers. The party, which will be officially unveiled Thursday, will battle it out for the country s presidency in the 2020 elections. Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled hinted in July that plans for the formation of a new party led by President Mohamed Farmaajo were underway. Mohamud lost to Farmaajo in last February s elections in a tight contest. http://somaliamediamonitoring.org/october-1-2018-morning-headlines/ EUTM - SOMALIA 13