Three Nights of Viewing the News Looking For Pieces on Somalia

During the three nights of watching the news, I was disappointed that I didn't get to see a news piece about Somalia. I guess Somalia is not new worthy enough according to ABC to be put on night time news. I know however that Somalia has a lot of news dues to it's turbulent status. One thing I would have talked about was that the Prime Minister of Somalia, Ali Mohamed Gedi, resigned after trouble with Somalia's President and ongoing problem within the government system. More then 9,000 people fled Mogadishu in the past week due to some of the most intensive fighting the capitol has seen in months. They could report on the refugees and/or the fighting. The U.S. Navy is also helping keep the shores off of Somalia safe from Somalian pirates. They are also helping the Japanese to regain some of their pirated ships. Somalia is also becoming very hostile towards journalist. Journalists are being harassed, arrested, killed, and areas of media are being shut down by Somalia's own government. Hunger and malnutrition in throughout Somalia. Humanitarians are being stopped and food aides are being stop as well. Eritrea, a country near Ethiopia, is blamed for helping cause chaos in Somalia by arming and providing fake currency to militant groups in Somalia. The governor of Mogadishu says that Eritrea is doing this to prevent Somalia form having a stable government.

What the news did report about was Holiday Shopping, people are spending less this year, but so far gift cards are the current hot sellers. Hot Wheels is having a 40^th anniversary cars, which are modeled after high-end real life cars. “Woof Water”, which is water for your dogs is better water for your dog. People's Resource Center in Wheaton help the homeless and poor with over 800 volunteers. Thunderstorm Noel is making it way across the east coast. Shops are beginning to open up in Iraq, but not many shoppers fell it safe to go shopping. Chinese factories are trying to better their image to foreign nations after a lot of current recalls. Why do the leaves turn red? When they lose the chlorophyll in their leaves, leaves are more susceptible to sunburn, and red reflects a lot of sunlight. The other idea is that the color red is a sign to bugs not to plant it eggs on it, because if the tree has enough energy to make red leaves then it has enough energy to kill the eggs. Mother of three is missing in woods near 26^th street S. Chicago. Mother and child were murdered in their apartment. Ex-governor of Chicago is being tried for corruption. CTA is delaying the “Doomsday.” “Manhunt 2,” the most violent and disturbing game is being released so keep out of the hands of kids. African charter workers are arrested by the Chad government in Africa and France. Chad government and France say that they were trafficking children into France. Thirty Six U.S. troops died in Iraq in October. U.S. is giving out $5,000 in grants to help stimulate Iraq's economy and helping people open shops. Nancy Nord, director of the Consumer Product Safety, is going against the proposed bill that grants her organization double the agents. Her complaint is that there is no need of more people in her department and fining business who don't submit every little product danger. They is a strong link between obesity and cancer. The more overweight you are the more likely cancer will develop in your body. Staph infection called Merca that has been going around schools is not as dangerous as it seems. Only 0.000005% of people catch this outside a hospital. Elephants get pumpkins and children get candy at the zoo for Halloween. Federal Reserve lowered the Federal Fund Rate, which lowers the rate at which banks can borrow money. Debate Number 8 has Hilary Clinton on the defensive after attacks from her opposition. Soldier in Iraq was stabbed in the head by a teenager and survived. Halloween isn't just for kids anymore. Grown-ups dress up and often times tells things about the wearer. Navy beats Notre Dame and Northwestern beats Iowa. Nebraskan teacher arrested for kidnapping 13 year old boy. Priest faces federal charges for molesting two boys. Mother is missing near Dupage River Greenway.

Out of all the news some of it could have been dropped to cover what was happening in Somalia. I would have taken off the reports on the leaves turning red, dressing up for Halloween, elephants getting pumpkins, Woof Water, People Resource Center, sports, Hot Wheels, and Manhunt 2. I see these things as filler. Viewers could really care less about these items, but they are showed anyway. Somalia news could have been put in these slots easily and would have been more informative.

Human Rights; HRW Chides Gov't for Media Abuses

Human Rights Watch have condemned Somalia government for harassment of reporters, shutting down media outlet and not investigating the killings of eight journalist in the past year. The government must condemn and investigate these attack and stop their own attacks as well. The latest death is Bashir Nur Gedi form Radio Shabelle, who was shot dead on Friday night. Some of his colleagues say that the killing was politically motivated. Several station have been shutdown and those who work their are arrested. One of Somalia only success story, which is the increase in media has been attacked over the past 10 months with attacks and killings. The Somali government has yet to condemn the killing let alone investigate it at all. With classes between Islamists and Somli government and Ethiopian ally, Somalia has become incredibly dangerous for journalists. Few foreign reporter run the gauntlet in Somalia, which leave the local ones facing the risks. The government states that they are trying to protect journalists as well as civilians, but it up against a strong foe with link to al Qaeda.

Piracy Continues to Threaten Humanitarian Aid - UN Agency

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has declared that pirates are attempting to attack thier boats off the coast of Somalia. Things are already in upheaval after the detention of one of the WFP's officials last week. On Sunday the WFP go a distress call from one of their contractors. Pirates attacked him with two speed boats about 60 miles off shore near the port of Brava in Southern Mogadishu. The boat lucky had already unloaded it's cargo of 7,000 tons of food. The vessel and crew were unscathed, but the agency fears about further piracy attempts and ask the international community to help keep the waters safe. 80% percent of WFP's food moves by sea and goes to 1.2 million people. French naval vessels are going to be put in charge of escorts next month. Also discussion are continuing about the release of Idris Osman who was captured at the UN compound in Mogadishu since Wednesday. WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran condemned the detention of her friend and asked the government to beef up security for humanitarian workers.

Radio Garowe Closed, Three of its Journalists Arrested

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today declared that the closing of Radio Garowe in Puntland and the arrests of three journalist that worked their was not lawful. Heavy armed security forces of Puntland Regional State stormed the Radio station and ordered the manager to shutdown the station. They arrested three journalist who were: Abdi FArah Jama Mire, Director of the Radio; Isse AbdullahMohammed, Editor of the Radio; and Mohammed Dahir Yusuf, a Producer. The motive for the shutdown of the station is unkown. Puntland journalist believe that it was due the reporting of a National Security Agency of Somalia agent criticizing how the agency ran things. NUSOJ formal denounces the act of the closing and demand the Puntland authorities to release the journalist and allow the Radio station to continue with its broadcasts.

Somali forces detain head of UN aid programme

Armed forces form Somalia attacked a UN compound in Mogadishu and detained the head of the World Food Program. People say a force of 60 men took place in the attack. This was response to weeks of growing tension between the UN and Somalia transitional federal government. The WFP said it had not been given word about the detention by the national security service and is suspending food operation to 75,000 people in Somalia. Eight civilian and a police man died during some of the heaviest fighting in weeks. Although the WFP is the largest aid agency, who deliver food to 2 million people, have been accused of feeding Islamics terrorist hiding in aid camps. Camps are composed of hundreds of thousands of people who fled Mogadishu after the fall of the Islamic Courts Union at the end of last year. Giving aid is hard to due to constant hijacks, border seals, and aid workers have to risk their lives dealing with warlords. The African Union and government soldiers have tried to assert control. Overall 400,000 people have fled to aid camps.

Burundi Troops Ready for Deployment in Somalia

Two Burundian battalions will be deployed into Somalia as accordance to the African union. After six weeks of training and supervision by U.S. army officials the troops were deployed on October 4th. This training has made a closer bond between the Burundian and the U.S. which was not good since the war in Burundi in 1993 when the Democratic President was assassinated. These troops were also trained by the French. The U.S. has promised telecommunication materials and France has promised transport support, since the deployment of the troops was delayed due to lack of these materials. This will be the fist large scale mission involving soldiers form Burundi.

Uganda Sends Diplomats to Help Mediate Somalia Peace

Uganda has sent diplomats to Somalia to help with the current affairs and bring about peace. They are trying to help the tensions between Somalia's government and its opponents. This diplomatic effort is trying to anticipate the removal of Uganda's 1,500 troops from Somalia due to lack of support by other countries. The Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni sent over three delegates. Delegates have talked to the president of Somalia Ethiopian-backed interim government, but has yet to met Islamists and other factions of anti-government groups. Negations are going positively, but they are taking time. Ethiopian and Domalia troops have been fighting and have killed thousand of civilians and displaced many more. Two months ago, Islamists and other groups boycotted the government reconciliation conference in Mogadishu saying talk would ot be possible while Ethiopian troops were still in Somalia. Uganda had to try to establish peace before withdrawing its troops. He sent the troops in as an original effort with the African Union, which was 8,000 strong, but increased violence has stopped other countries form sending troops. Uganda has asked the U.S. for assistance in talking Ethiopia and Somalia's transitional government to accept the Islamists to join the Somalia government.

Breaking into even smaller bits

Somalia is slowly declining once again. The North of Somalia has been stable while the South has been been burned and broken. Now while the effort of rebuilding the South, the Norht is slowing crumbling. Fighting occurred between Somalialand, independent country near the north, and Puntland, a semi-autonomous territory near the northeast. The dispute is over a region called Sool. Somalailand has killed and captured Puntland soldiers. Puntland has now claimed they have regained control, but the problems do not end there. Sool is split up sub-clans that either supports Puntland or Somalialand and those who want autonomy. Somalialand was a former British colony, that declared independence in 1991. Puntland identity is less strong, but sees itself as a building block for a future federal Somalia. Puntland is now losing grip because within Puntland, Sanaag, drawing its history form the sultanate, has declared independence in July. Abdullahi Yusuf, strongman, left Puntland to become president of Somalia. He left with troops, vehicles, weapons, and ammo. His departure also gave others courage to those who were thinking of autonomy and secession. Puntland has also made many oil and gas rights deals, and refuses to uphold them. Yusuf was making these deals behind Prime Minister, Ali Mohamed Gedi, back and refuses to acknowledge them. Mogadishu, the capitol, is getting worse as well. Kids are not goig to school, the market is stagnant, and battles with Ethiopia, Islamists and the government.

Somalia explosions kill 4 people; government starts security crackdown

On Thursday October 4, 2007 the Somalia government announced a massive campaign to stop further violence after two explosions killed four people in the capitol. The plan is to divide the capitol in four sections and station soldiers at every junction. People are being arrested after small battles between the soldiers and hostiles. Capitol has been full of strife since the help of the Ethiopians crushing the Islamic militia that was in control. Violence is occurring everywhere, even marketplaces. Many people are injured from the blasts and accidental fire form the police. Bakara Market is one of the most turbulent ones, with a recent fire that destroyed 200 shops. The government wants this operation to take out the insurgents once and for all and prevent them form growing.

Tensions rise in northern Somalia following clashes by forces of rivals

Tensions are growing more and more unstable in northern Somalia. Clashes between rival regional administrations grew today, but diplomats on both sides were calling for control. Somalia has a weak federal government that is based in Mogadishu, which is unlikely to take control in the south and influence anything over the Puntland region and Somalialand. Puntland's Vice President, Hassan Dahir Mohamud, said that one soldier has been killed and three others wounded. Somlailand had declared, on the local radio, that they killed three Puntland soldiers at a village named Sool. Since 1991, both Puntland and Somalialand claim Sool and they have clashed over this area four times already thus far.The Committee of the Coordination of International Support to Somalia wants both Somalialandf and Puntland to think carefully and exercise restraint. Troops are gathering in Sool daily, and more regional troops were sent to prevent troops from Somalialand from crossing into Puntland. Men were arrested with explosives in vehicles with plates registered to Buhodle, a town bordering Puntland and Ethiopia. Those arrested were handed over to Ethiopia for further questioning.

Somalia's prime minister wants U.N. to take over from small African Union force in his country

On September 27, 2007 Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi called for U.N. peace keepers to take over from a small African Union force. The prime goal would be to help restore security and combat terrorism. Key UN countries decided that their must be a peace in order to maintain one and Somalia is not in a state of peace. Gedi complains that he is not getting the help he need in order to deploy the 8,000 strong African Union force. Only 1,500 AU troops from Uganda made it to Somalia. He wants the deployment of the African Union force to be a UN mission because he believes it will be more cost-efficient, the longer we wait the more costly it will be. Diplomats said their is almost no attempt to support deploying U.N. forces in Somalia.

slamist insurgency and reappearance of inter-clan fighting

After the collapse of the ICU the remaining forces split up and decided to continue fighting. The small faction used guerrilla warfare against Ethiopia and SOmalia. The African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) was created to establish security with 8,000 peace keepers. The mission was conducted by the Horn of Africa-based nations of IGAD. The Islamic group, Popular Resistance Movement in the Land of the Two Migrations (PRM), vowed to fight against and foreign troops.

US intervention

The US officially intervened in Somalia for the forts tome since the UN deployments in the 90s in January 2007. The US had airstrikes against Islamic positions in Ras Kamboni to try to kill Al Qaeda within the ICU. The border to Kenya was closed and naval forces were deployed to to prevent any sea escape.

Ethiopian intervention and collapse of the ICU

Towards the end of 2006, the ICU and TFG begain the Battle of Baidoa. Due to the constant chaos battles broke out in Bandiradley in Mudug and Beledweyn in Hiran. ICU attempted to push the Ethiopians, but lost all major battle and were forced to retreat to Mogadishu. On december 27, the leader of ICU resigned after the final Battle of Jowhar. In the Battle of Jilib, Kismayo fell to the TFG and Ethiopian forces on January 1, 2007. After the win, Prime MInister Ali Mohammed Ghedi called for the country to begin disarming,

Height of ICU power

The ICU succeeded in taking control of the capitol, Mogadishu, in the Second Battle of Mogadishu. They succeeded in gaining the support of the remaining warlords and together they were able to drive out the ARPCT. Over the years they were able to expand their borders to Puntland and southern and middle Jubaland. Due to the Islamic movements growing power and militant ideals tension got worse between the ICU and Islamists and other factions of Somalia, which comprised of Transitional Federal Government (TFG), Puntland, and Galmudug. Ethiopia also joined the fray to help secular forces of Somalia. The ICU was able to gain support of Eritrea and mujahideen, which both declared holy war against Ethiopia because Ethopia was occupying Gedo and deployment around Baidoa.

Rise of the ICU, War with the ARPCT, TFG and Ethiopia (2006–present)

The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was founded in Nairobi, Kenya in 2004. Things got worse in Somalia, so they were not able to establish themselves in Mogadishu. In 2006, TFG established an temporary government in Baidoa. The Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT) was formed and consisted f mainly Mogadishu warlords. The ARPCT was against the rise of Sharia oriented Islamic Courts Union (ICU). The ICU has been gaining power over the years and are backed by funding from the US's CIA, which led to increasing conflict in the capitol.

Division of Somalia (1998-2006)

Throughout 1998–2006 many self-declared autonomous states started to pop-up within Somalia. Somalia land was the only one who also asked for independence. Puntland, one of the self-proclaimed states, declared independance in 1998 to try to form a new central government. A second state, Jubaland, also made movements toward a new central government. In 1999, a third self proclaimed identity called the Rahaweyn Resistance Army (RRA) was created near Puntland. The secession was also reasserted in 2002, which soon led to the autonomy of Southwestern Somalia. The territory of Jubaland was encompassed by Southwestern Somalia and it status is currently unclear. The fourth self-declared state was declared in 2006 called Galmudug in response to the growing power of the Islamic Court Union. During this time many warlord and clans continued to battle and the national government movement has very little control over Somalia.

UN Intervention (1992–1995)

The UN Security Council Resolution 733 and 746 created UNOSOM I to provide relief and help restore some order to the now chaotic Somalia. In 1992, the UN Security Council Resolution 733 which approved the UN peace keepers to form UNITAF. UNITAF was in control of making sure that the aid was being distributed and peace was being made in Somalia. UN troops did not see Somalia till 1993, which started a two year effort to help the hunger condition.

Somalis and Australian Army soldiers wait near the loading zone of a US Marine CH-53 Sea Stallion delivering Australian wheat

The UN effort was lead by the United States and was criticized by some. Some of the critics believed that the US was intervening because of the prospects of oil in Somalia.

Somalis opposed the foreign presence fearing imperialism and oppression form the outsiders. The largest battle was the Battle of Mogadishu, in which 24 Pakistanis, 31 US soldiers, and over 1000 Somalis were killed. The UN withdrew all it's forces on March 3, 1995. Order in Somalia still has not been restored.

1986-1992: The civil war in Somalia started from the uprisings against Siad Barre, who had a repressive regime over the inhabitants of Somalia. Once he was taking for power a counter-revolution soon followed to put him back in power. Over the years the situation has grown increasingly violent and turbulent. The state soon turned to almost anarchy.