Author Archives

• Somali Forces Tackle Pirates, Tanzanian Security Mystery, and Weekend Longreads

  By Tres Thomas on April 15, 2017 • ( 0 )

  

  Piracy Somali pirates suffered some notable defeats in a week that also highlighted the capacity of Somali forces to contribute to counter-piracy operations. However, many of the factors that motivate piracy — including foreign illegal fishing, availability of weapons, perceived corruption over foreign fishing… Read More ›

• Piracy, Drought, and Security Shakeups in Somalia

  By Tres Thomas on April 8, 2017 • ( 0 )

  

  SOMALI PIRATES SEIZE FOURTH VESSEL SINCE MID-MARCH. On 3 April, pirates hijacked the Salama 1 near the Socotra Island and it was later moved to Ceel Huur. Last month, a Reuters report found local frustration in Puntland region over licensing with foreign fishermen… Read More ›

• Around the Horn: Ethiopian Exits, Somaliland Courts Trump, and U.S. Expands Drone War

  By Tres Thomas on March 31, 2017 • ( 0 )

  

  ETHIOPIAN WITHDRAWALS: Ethiopian troops reportedly withdrew from three areas in central Somalia, including Ceelbuur, Dhusamareeb, and El-lahelay.  Last October, Ethiopia made similar withdrawals citing “lack of support” from the international community for its Somalia operations, while some attributed it to the need to discuss… Read More ›

• Somali Refugees Returned from Kenya to Somalia Amid Ongoing Drought

  By Tres Thomas on March 26, 2017 • ( 0 )

  

  According to a new report issued by UNHCR: In 2017, a total of 17,359 Somalis have returned from Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya to Somalia under the international community’s “voluntary repatriation” process, despite the ongoing drought and threat of famine…. Read More ›

• Kenya Fails to Apply Lessons Learned from Last Al-Shabaab Mass Raid

  By Tres Thomas on January 31, 2017 • ( 1 )

  

  In the aftermath of al-Shabaab’s latest mass raid attack against Kenyan troops, the government showed it had not effectively applied lessons learned from the January 2016 El Adde attack where over 140 soldiers were thought to have been killed. At around 5 AM last… Read More ›

• A Primer for Understanding How the African Union Mission in Somalia is Funded

  By Tres Thomas on January 14, 2017 • ( 0 )

  

  The International Peace Institute’s Global Observatory has published a must-read primer on how the Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is funded — written by George Washington University Associate Professor Paul D. Williams. The article covers: What AMISOM Financing Issues Are… Read More ›

• Political Sands Shift in Central Somalia: Galmudug’s Political Crisis

  By Tres Thomas on January 12, 2017 • ( 0 )

  

  This week, the Interim Galmudug Administration’s (IGA) parliament voted to oust regional president Abdikarim Guled from office, citing “incompetent leadership” in a no-confidence vote that had been looming for months. Earlier in the week, Guled’s presidential guards reportedly blocked access to the… Read More ›

• Power Struggles Hamper Anti-Corruption Efforts in Somalia Elections

  By Tres Thomas on December 23, 2016 • ( 0 )

  

  Somalia’s National Leadership Forum (NLF) is expected to make a series of important decisions that will address disputes in the electoral process and ultimately delay the presidential vote for a fourth time. To date, the process has been marred by… Read More ›

• Does the Kenyan FM’s Call for Self-Determination Translate to Support for Somaliland?

  By Tres Thomas on December 9, 2016 • ( 0 )

  

  Kenyan Foreign Minister (FM) Amina Mohamed has advocated for self-determination for the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic’s (SADR) as part of her campaign for chairperson of the African Union (AU) commission, raising the issue of whether she would also push for self-determination… Read More ›

• Somalia and East Africa React to Donald Trump’s Election Victory

  By Tres Thomas on November 9, 2016 • ( 3 )

  

  East African leaders have begun to speak publicly about their expectations for bilateral relations with the U.S. following Republican candidate Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton in the American presidential race. A statement from Ethiopia’s Prime Minister unsurprisingly did not veil its… Read More ›

• ELECTION UPDATE: Somalia Begins Selection of its Next Government

  By Tres Thomas on October 21, 2016 • ( 0 )

  

  Somalia’s electoral process involves three main phases: the selection of the Upper House, the Lower House, and the president, who will nominate the Prime Minister. This week, the country kicked off Upper House elections — the first of its kind… Read More ›

• Step-by-Step Guide: How to Run for President in Somalia

  By Tres Thomas on October 7, 2016 • ( 1 )

  

  Election season in Somalia is in full swing. Polls have encountered multiple delays, but this has not stopped candidates — ranging from those looking to boost their resume and public profile to serious contenders — from engaging in a carefully scripted public flirtation… Read More ›

• Methodology or Misinformation: What’s Driving Dadaab Refugee Camp Numbers Down?

  By Tres Thomas on October 3, 2016 • ( 0 )

  

  The population at Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp has plummeted by 60,000 people in the last two months, according to data provided by UNHCR, begging the question — what are the factors driving such a drastic reduction in the population could… Read More ›