...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] has announced, which will allow security forces to conduct operations within the heavily fortified facility.
The Halane Base Camp plays host to several diplomatic missions and the United Nations
...an idea whose time has gone...
within Mogadishu. This camp is viewed as one of the most protected areas within the federal republic of Somalia, which is struggling to contain the al-Shabaab
...... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...threat.
Just a few weeks ago, al-Shabaab turbans attacked the facility leading to the death of at least ten people, main foreigners working in Somalia. The security threat triggered questions about the safety of foreigners and other senior government officials.
In a communique dispatched to the press, ATMIS, which is also facing serious internal challenges, noted that the facility will be out of bounds from April 25 to April 28, to allow security forces to conduct "operations within the surrounding areas".
The decision, ATMIS adds, was arrived upon consultation with Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble, noting that the exercise will be done "safely and without interference". Insecurity has rocked the Somali capital Mogadishu in recent weeks with al-Shabaab heightening attacks.
Last week, the turbans attacked Lido beach in Mogadishu where a number of politicians and Police chief Major General Hijar were holed up in a meeting. So dire was the attack that a number of security analysts questioned why security forces within the compound were not armed at the time of the attack.
Despite the closure of the facility, ATMIS said, operations within the busy Aden Adde International Airport will go on uninterrupted. However,
it was a brave man who first ate an oyster...
activities within Air Force Hangar will be extremely limited to allow security teams to put a number of things in order.
The closure coincides with elections of the Speakers of the Lower House and Senate which have been scheduled for April 26th and 27th within. Afisiyoni tent within Halane Base Camp. The committee responsible for the elections moved them from Villa Hargeisa due to security concerns.
After the elections, politicians from the bicameral house will elect the president of the federal republic of Somalia. Outgoing President Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo is battling to defend his seat but he has been under persistent attacks for allegedly "interfering" with the polls.
Farmajo is facing stiff opposition from former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud along with former PM Hassan Ali Khaire and Wadajir party leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame who was elected to the Lower House recently.