Somalia, Africa: Ethiopean troops seen packing up: President resigned: claiming he had lost the country: News 24

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. News 24 (South African; Secular) 31/12/2008)

Article by Marc Aupiais

They said they would leave by the end of 2008, and they are packing up. Ethiopian troops, have been the lifeblood of order in Somalia, now they are to leave: News 24 reports of the danger posed by Islamic rebels on the loss of the Ethiopian army.

Somalia's president resigned recently, cited as an obstacle to peace: he had lost most of Somalia to rebels: by the time of his resignation.

Somalia's President Resigns: He was seen as obsticle to peace?

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters AlertNet (Secular?) 29/12/2008)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Somalia's president has resigned, having been blockaded by a regional group, and called a blockade to peace efforts, by some authorities. The warlord president was propped up against Islamic insurgents, by the International Community, and seems to have been leading a sort of interim government. Within 30 days there should be elections, also important: Ethiopian troops are leaving the torn and ravaged country soon.

Other issues we have covered in Somalia: include recent losses by the Somalian government: against the advance of divided insurgents, as well as the kidnapping of two nuns from Kenya, by Somalian militants, and we have also reported of late of Somalian pirates: attacking western as well as eastern, and middle-eastern vessels. Some of this news, may have been covered in other services offered by Scripturelink, all of it is available on http://southafricancatholic.blogspot.com

Stories of note on Somalia:

Agenzia Fides- Somalia- Terrorists hit UN in Somaliland 04/11/2008
http://socialjusticesa.blogspot.com/2008/11/agenzia-fides-somalia-terrorists-hit-un.html

Somalia- Rebels control most of the country- 17/11/2008
http://socialjusticesa.blogspot.com/2008/11/somalia-rebels-control-most-of-country.html

Gulf of Aden, Somalia, Africa: Theft of ships causing 19/11/2008
http://socialjusticesa.blogspot.com/2008/11/gulf-of-aden-somalia-africa-theft-of.html



Impacts on human rights, dignity, and the humanitarian efforts in Somalia: are not immediately clear: the situation in coming months could go either way. Please feel free to see our previous news on Somalia, either click on the label: Somalia or else: search in "See What We See", or see the links we have given above for a more comprehensive view. To only subscribe to our Somalian emails in the email service: remember: this option is designed to be given to those who subscribe. We have also provided links to other sources we do not endorse, nor even often know of: on this story. We do not guarantee article content, or the link at all:

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LT459139.htm

Gulf of Aden, Somalia, Africa: Theft of ships causing diversion of shipping from Suez to Cape of Good hope, by some big shipping groups

(Social Justice South Africa ; c.f. Reuters (Secular) 18/11/08; Reuters (Secular) 17/11/08; Associated Press 18/11/08; Sky News Channel (Secular) 19/11/08; Other Sources (Largely Secular) ??/??/??)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Reuters( 17/11/08; 18/11/08;) , the London based news Firm, is reporting the effect of the consistent hijacking of ships by pirates in Somalia- currently in a civil war. Unlike other News Services- they have said that there is no major move to the cape route (18/11/08). Ships, however, many carrying "dry cargo" or electronic equipment are being diverted from the quicker route of the Suez Canal, via the Gulf of Aden, having had, or noted of issues with Somalian Pirates: taking rather: the long route from before the Canal was created- around the Cape of Good Hope.

The Cape of Good Hope is located in Cape Town, in the Western Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa. Insurance costs of taking Suez are estimated by a source in shipping: quoted by above mentioned Reuters:  to be one probable reason, however major Middle Eastern Oil producing nations have not yet hinted at any diversion, despite the recent hijacking of a Middle Eastern oil carrier. A reason sited by a shipping company withdrawing: is the risk faced, not by companies, but by crews of ships. There is also disappointment in the lack of support from the authorities and governments: in combating the piracy: whether or not this disappointment is warranted will be seen in coming weeks.

The civil war in Somalia between their Warlord president and Islamic rebels, has resulted in the government controlling less than half of Somalia's territory, with Rebels now controlling what seems an ever-growing amount of ground. When two Catholic religious were captured as hostages in a raid, by terrorists in nearby northern Kenya, and brought back to Kenya's Neighboring Somalia, the Somalian Government, appears to have had to ask Kenyan help to try resolve the issue.

Reuters, which reported firstly on the diverting of shipping, appears to have done a more extensive analysis: via an interview of a shipping company not quoted as pulling out: one day later, which saw the issue as not a major factor. All sources noted some ships being redirected to avoid the Gulf of Aden.

The extend of the diversion: will be determined by how effective promised efforts by the European Union: to stifle the hijacking of ships in the Gulf of Aden will be.

Somalia- Rebels control most of the country- Administration's head admits

(Social Justice South Africa ; c.f. Reuters 16/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

With many unsuccessful attempts at governance since 1991, when a dictator was disposed of, Somalia has had many failed governments, with a warlord currently "president", and yet with a current insurgency still fighting for control, and it seems succeeding. The insurgents now control more territory within the Somalian Nation: than the administration of the North African country. When it is noted Somalia has a crippled government- that is to say that they have a government which hardly controls the country- and is basically unable to govern- as an internal war continues. The country is a danger to surrounding countries- in the region, and if it were not for recent intervention from Washington- the nation would not have its current government, salvaged as insurgents of Islamic background recently took the capitol, and were pushed out of it again.

For this protection- Somalia has Ethiopian troops to thank, who were spurred on by American support to save the militarily nearly conquered government, yet just last week the rebels advanced significantly again, and the government itself is divided by politics and feuds. Only a third- of the aid so needed needed to sustain over 3 million starving Somalians has been secured, after the the United Nations this year appealed for it.

North Africa, Somailia, Africa- Italian Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya safe- Elders negotiating release

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters 15/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Reuters is reporting the answer to the prayers of perhaps- millions. A Representative of the Kenyan authorities is reporting that the two Italian nuns kidnapped in Kenya, and taken against their will deep into wartorn Somalia are safe, and elders approached by the authorities, are negotiating a release. More prayer is needed for the two servants of the church.

Africa- Somali/Kenya- Somali Government asks Kenyan help in tracking down kidnappers of Italian Nuns

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters AlertNet 11/11/08; Reuters AlertNet 11/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

In the incident involving two Italian nuns kidnapped in a raid by militants, the Somali government has asked Kenya to help them track down militants, saying they would welcome a Kenyan party, if it were sent to help them.

In another blatant attack on aid workers, and a Catholic target, Somali gunmen recently kidnapped two Italian Nuns, in the northern part of politically unstable Kenya, which has large portions of its population saturated with Ethnic Somalis.

The Somali Government usually points to Islamic rebels as the source of attacks- but some Islamic sources claim it is in fact conducted by the government to discredit them. The actual attack involved sporadic gunfire, and the launching of a rocket into a police position by gunmen who fled across the border. The Kenyan authorities have enlisted the help of Somali elders, while the Somali government, crippled by a failed economy, and civil war- also cannot seem to prevent what is almost inevitable. Many aid workers are kidnapped and killed by Somali gunmen, specifically targeted for whatever purpose this is so.

Meanwhile, Somali Pirates have captured another international cargo ship off the Somali coast. 10 EU Nations recently signed a deal into effect, that will soon see at least 4 to 6 ships patrolling the coast at any time, and the use of possible surveillance aircraft. Over half of the world's ship hijackings took place in Somali territories last year. These EU Nations want to secure the well-traveled maritime path for commercial shipping lines to safely use in commerce.

Africa- Human Rights News- Italian Nuns kidnapped in Kenya, by Somalians

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. BBC World News 10/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Sparking an international incident- involving the Italian government, Catholic Papal Nuncio in the region, the Kenyan government, and Somali elders- Somali gunmen have kidnapped two Italian by citizenship Catholic Nuns. The two reports of the incidence differ, with an aid worker claiming they were taken in a gun battle by a church, while another source, the Red Cross- says they were kidnapped at their place of residence.

Kidnapping, and terrorism are considered evil in themselves by the Roman Catholic Church structures, and theology. The area of Kenya where this happened, the BBC says largely has many Somali descendants living in it. Somalia is in a state of humanitarian crisis, has no effective governance, and is in the midst of a civil war. Kenya likewise has seen the murder of many for political reasons, and accusations of electoral fraud. The Kenyan authorities claim to be in contact with Somali elders, to try to attempt some kind of securing of reclaiming the nuns for freedom. Catholic targets are beginning to appear as especially favorite targets for militants in the region, due to repeated attacks on Catholic targets, along with aid workers which are kidnapped and killed by Somali groupings.

Humanitarian Issues still not resolved

(Social Justice South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais

We would like to update on some issues- the situations in India, DRC, Somalia, and other areas we reported on are still largely happening, with some or other manifestation. Such issues are overcome by actions and by prayers.

Agenzia Fides- Somalia- Terrorists hit UN in Somaliland

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Agenxia Fides 29/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The UN Development Program building in Somaliland, a breakaway from Somalia, was hit among other targets in recent terrorist attacks, which coincide with a regional meeting in the region.

DRC Congo- Rebels continue to use the defense of an ethnic group as a defense, and first world woes as a cover to perpetrate their actions

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Agenzia Fides 10/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Agenzia Fides reports (10/10/08) that using the media fog over Africa, the excuse of the defense of an ethnic group, and the misdirection of the global attention to internal issues such as financial issues, and terrorism- the Congo rebels continue to wage war on their government- displacing 1.2 million people.

Unlike Sudan- countries like the DRC, and Somalia which also are facing unjust aggression, and internal conflicts from different parties against others and for their own benefit- do not receive the needed media attention to help stem the tides of these conflicts and humanitarian situations- rather- these stories are oft kept out of the media- and when they appear in it, often nothing is done to better the situations- leaving western citizens believing the situations either solved, or because of inadequate efforts in the past and present to stop these conflicts- that they will not be solved by external aid.

The people behind the ship theft tragedy!

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Agenzia Fides 9/10/2008)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The Ukrainian arms carrying ship stolen off the Somali coast must not ecclipse the source of the problem- that being the dire humanitarian situation in the country. This according to Agenzia Fides (09/10/2008), who note that 3 250 000 Somalis need emergency aid, and that the level in need of this is nearly double (77% greater)that of January 2008.