Somalia to recover frozen assets overseas

By PATRICK MAYOYO The EastAfrican

Somalia's Foreign Affairs Minister Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Aadan. Photo/FILE  AFP

In Summary

• Foreign Affairs Minister Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Aadan began her tour of several countries this week to document Somalia’s financial assets in foreign banks, as well as its commercial properties, embassies, aircraft and ships.
• According to the online newspaper Sabahi, Ms Aadan is set to visit the United Arab Emirates, Italy and the United Kingdom.
• Many of the government’s physical assets abroad have since been mismanaged or are unaccounted for.

The Somalia government is working on a plan to recover assets running into millions of dollars frozen by foreign governments and organisations since the collapse of the central government in 1991.

Foreign Affairs Minister Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Aadan began her tour of several countries this week to document Somalia’s financial assets in foreign banks, as well as its commercial properties, embassies, aircraft and ships.

In Kenya, ambassador Mohammed Ali Nur said that no assets belonging to the Somali government had been frozen apart from those that had been plundered. “One of our properties here in Nairobi that had been taken by another party has since reverted to us,” he said.

According to the online newspaper Sabahi, Ms Aadan is set to visit the United Arab Emirates, Italy and the United Kingdom. “We will conduct an exceptional review of all of Somalia’s global assets in all of the continents and we will consult with Somali and foreign financial and legal advisers,” Ms Aadan told Sabahi.

She said the Somalia government would demand the return of money held by the Swiss authorities as well as ships and airplanes in Germany, Italy and Yemen.

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority is yet to reveal the breadth of the former Somali central government’s bank accounts or dealings between Swiss banks and prominent Somali figures whose assets were frozen.

Amid the chaos following the collapse of Somalia’s central government, some foreign governments froze official Somali government bank accounts to prevent their unauthorised use.

However, many of the government’s physical assets abroad have since been mismanaged or are unaccounted for.

According to a United Nations report leaked in July, mismanagement of public assets continued under the rule of the Transitional Federal Government, where 70 per cent of revenue was lost through corruption, theft or waste. Much of this money is suspected to have been sent abroad.

Finance minister Mohamud Hassan Suleiman called on the international community to work with Somalia to help recover all of its assets. “We will not hesitate to retrieve money that was illegally deposited in foreign accounts, including bank accounts of previous governments, and (stolen from) financial aid over the past two decades,” Mr Suleiman told Sabahi.

“We will organise a programme through which we will appeal to our Somali partners, including former finance officials, to tracking those funds.”

In November, the Somali cabinet sent an official request to the UN Security Council for help with reclaiming assets from abroad.

Source: The East African

Somali prisoner commits suicide in Lecce penitentiary

Italy's jails continue to suffer overcrowding

Italian Penitentiary Police Union (OSAPP) said on Monday that a 38-year-old Somali man committed suicide Sunday afternoon in the Borgo San Nicola penitentiary near the southern city of Lecce by hanging himself in the prison's infirmary cell.

Mohamed Abdi, who was serving time for theft, had been in the Lecce prison for approximately one year. OSAPP representative Domenico Mastrulli said that the prison, located in the region of Puglia, is "beset by several problems, first and foremost overcrowding".

Roughly 60 prisoners in Italy commit suicide each year, approximately 20 times average for the general population, according to a study released in December.

The Permanent Observatory on Prison Deaths also found that 10 penitentiary police take their lives annually - a rate that exceeds the norm by a factor of three and ranks highest among the various branches of Italy's security forces.

Contrary to most suicides, which are usually tied to personal events, a comparative study found that at least two-thirds of Italian prison suicide cases are due to "environmental factors".

The environmental factors in question do not refer to the prison environment per se but to "illegal" detention conditions, the study reported. The prison population has almost doubled in 40 years whereas prison capacity has only increased by 10,000 places.

Marco Pannella, the historic leader of Italy's Radical Party, recently held a nine-day thirst-and-hunger strike to call for an amnesty to stop chronic overcrowding in Italy's jails, and for prisoners to be given the right to vote.

Source: Gazzetta del Sud

Somalia keen on reintroducing higher currency denominations

By ABDULKADIR KHALIF
Special Correspondent

In Summary

• Hope of reviving the Somali shilling was renewed when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with his Sudanese counterpart Omar al-Bashir on Wednesday.
• Sudan is going to keep the Somali currency it had printed in the past until Somalia’s financial institutions are ready to use the money.
• Three years ago, Sudan began printing the Somali shilling upon the request of the TFG though no deliveries were ever made.

Somalia's economy will soon enjoy the benefits of trading in several denominations of the Somali shilling.

The country — which is in the process of reconstruction after two decades of civil war — has been trading in US dollars after its currency lost value due to the instability.

The 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 shilling notes became worthless after heavy depreciation when the central government of the late Gen Mohamed Siad Barre collapsed.

Though the 500 and 1,000 denominations survived, only the 1,000 shilling note is currently used.

Hope of reviving the Somali shilling was renewed when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with his Sudanese counterpart Omar al-Bashir on Wednesday.

Speaking to the media in Khartoum, Somalia’s Interior Minister Abdikarim Hussein said the leaders discussed ways in which the two countries could advance their collaboration in matters of education and peace.

The minister said that Sudan was going to keep the Somali currency it had printed in the past until Somalia’s financial institutions are ready to use the money.

“Somalia and Sudan agreed that the Somali shillings printed for the former Transitional Federal Government (TFG) are kept in safe custody by Sudan until the financial organs in Somalia are fully empowered,” said the minister.

Three years ago, Sudan began printing the Somali shilling upon the request of the TFG though no deliveries were ever made.

The money printed in Sudan in various denominations, which include shillings 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 is expected to replace the almost worthless currency left by Somalia’s last stable government.

Despite the need to have the currency in several denominations, there have been conflicting views on whether the money should be returned. Some critics say the reintroduction of the Somali shilling would mess up the financial system.

State organs dealing with money, like the almost paralysed Central Bank of Somalia, need to be revived before the currency can be reintroduced.

President Mohamud asked the Sudanese leader to help this new government until the country reaches a stage of self-reliance.

He also met with the larger Somali community living in Sudan and discussed ways to empower Somali government institutions.

Source: The East African

South Sudan Detains Somali Nationals in Its Capital

By Shabelle

Juba, South Sudan

 South Sudanese police has detained a large number of Somali expats living in the capital city of Juba, according to Somali residents living there.

The Somalis detained are reported to be 23 persons and South Sudanese police force surrounded a house where these Somalis were living before taking them into custody.

The police later 15 of the 23 persons arrested after they were not found guilty of any break of the law.

The Somali embassy in Jubba is now trying to help the detained Somalis get their freedom back. It is reported that the police suspect those Somalis were planning illegal activities against the security.

A large number of Somali expats live and have businesses in the newly independent state of South Sudan and Somalia has a diplomatic mission there.

Source: AllAfrica

Somali appears for murder case

By KATEBE CHENGO

THE case in which a Somali national is charged with murder has been adjourned to January 16, 2013 for mention and possible committal to the High Court.

A SOMALI businessman Omar Mohamed Hashi (centre) who allegedly shot and killed his cook, Holland Kabaso, yesterday appeared before the Ndola Magistrate’s Court amid tight security. – Picture by AGGREY BANDA

Appearing before magistrate Ben Akende yesterday was Omar Mohamed Hashi, 30, of house number 1 Catchpole Flats, Kopa Road in Northrise, Ndola, who is facing one count of murder contrary to Section 200 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that on December13, 2012 Hashi killed Holland Kabaso, his cook who was demanding his salary arrears.

“Your matter will come up on January16, 2013 for another mention and possible committal to the High Court because that is where your case is supposed to be heard,” magistrate Akende said.

Hashi, who was clad in a suit was five minutes later led to a van amid tight security. He was taken to Kansenshi State Prison where he is remanded.

Meanwhile, the matter in which two managers of Kemuz High School are facing six counts of theft by servant involving over KR200,000 (K200 million) has been adjourned to January 5, 2013 for trial.

Lotsan Chilukusha, 35, a head teacher of 1701 Pamodzi township, Ndola,  and Alfred Chirwa, 38, a school manager Kemuz teachers compound appeared before magistrate Pumulo Mubita, charged with six counts of theft by servant contrary to Section 272 and 278 of the Laws of Zambia.

In the first count, it is alleged that on unknown dates but in February last year, Chirwa stole KR9,900 (K9.9 million) cash belonging to Kemuz school while in the second count, the two are jointly charged with theft of KR6,000 (K6 million), also belonging to the same school.

In the third, fourth and fifth counts, Chilukusha is alleged to have stolen a total of KR150,000 (K150 million) from the institution.

In the last count, Chilukusha is charged with theft by agent contrary to section 272 and 280 of the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that on unknown dates in March 2012, he stole KR455,000 (K45.5 million) property of the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ).

Source: Zambia Daily Mail

2012 marks a historic year for Somalia

For many Somalis the year 2012 will go into the history books as the year when Somalia elected its first democratic president in 43 years.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected by lawmakers, becoming the first new leader to be chosen inside the country since 1991. He defeated former transitional president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, putting an end to his eight years of interim rule.

During the past year, Somalia has witnessed many important events the like approval of a new constitution, selection of a new 274 seat member parliament and choosing a new prime minister.

However, despite these great changes, security remains the biggest challenge of the country. Just two days after electing the new president, two bombs hit a hotel in which he was residing. The al-Shabaab fighters claimed responsibility for the attack.

The political progress in Somalia inspired confidence in the international community and high level delegations visited Somalia in hopes of reviving ties with the Horn of African nation. Countries like Iran reopened their embassy in Mogadishu, paving the way for many other countries to name their envoys to Somalia.

The streets are also laying the grounds for better business, with the start of the street lighting program. New hope and confidence has been risen among the business community who now operate even during nights.

Mogadishu has also removed illegal road blocks, to improve the sense of security among traders and business owners.

With the booming reconstruction in Mogadishu, the past year also saw the largest number of Somalis from Diaspora return back home. With a record high turnout of youths and Diaspora in the country’s famous beaches, luxurious hotels and beach resorts were also built.

New universities, launch of new technologies like the third generation internet service which is the first of its kind in south and central Somalia are all examples of advancements made in the country during 2012.

As Somalis usher in the New Year, many here hope that an end to war will create a perfect environment and a return of more Somalis from refugee camps and abroad.

Dulles CBP seizes over 213 pounds of khat in air cargo

BY: JOEL HENDON

According to a CBP press release dated Dec. 28, 2012, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized over 213 pounds of khat that was shipped as air freight from Doha, Qatar to Washington Dulles International Airport.

It is the second largest khat seizure recorded by the CBP. Second only in air cargo at Dulles since April 30, 2010, when CBP officers seized 385 pounds of the amphetamine-like plant. CBP officers discovered the 96.92 kilograms, or 213 pounds, 10.7 ounces, of khat (pronounced COT) during a routine inspection of freight manifested as wood coffee tables. The khat has an approximate street value of about $30,000.

Khat is a green, leafy plant grown in the Arabian Peninsula. Its principal components, cathine and cathinone, are considered controlled substances in the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies khat as a schedule 1 narcotic – the most restrictive category used by the DEA – when the leaves are freshly picked. It is chewed for its stimulant effect and retains its potency for up to 48 hours after being harvested. The World Health Organization classified khat as a drug of abuse in 1980.

Catha edulis, commonly called Arabian tea, khat, qat, gat, or miraa, is a flowering plant native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Among communities from these areas, khat chewing has a long history as a social custom dating back thousands of years.

“Khat remains an illegal substance in the United States and as such, Customs and Border Protection officers remain vigilant to intercept khat and other illicit and dangerous drugs at our nation’s borders,” said Christopher Hess, CBP port director for the Port of Wash., D.C. “Narcotics interdiction remains a CBP enforcement priority.” (Ibid)

The freight was being shipped from a wood working company in Kenya to a furniture store in Wash., D.C. Prosecution was declined. CBP officers seized and destroyed the khat.

Khat contains a monoamine alkaloid called cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant, which is said to cause excitement, loss of appetite and euphoria. In 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as a drug of abuse that can produce mild to moderate psychological dependence (less than tobacco or alcohol), although the WHO does not consider khat to be seriously addictive. The plant has been targeted by anti-drug organizations like the DEA. It is a controlled or illegal substance in some countries, such as the United States, Canada and Germany, while its production, sale and consumption are legal in other nations, including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen.