Main Developments

Security in Mogadishu continues to be erratic. On 19 January, mortar fire targeted the presidential  palace, current residence of President Yusuf. The following day, gunmen fired machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades at an Ethiopian convoy in Hurwa district. In the ensuing gun battle, four bystanders were reportedly killed. Another four people are said to have been killed on 22 January during a confrontation between Ethiopian troops and what are believed to have been remnants of the ICU. The fighting, which was triggered by house-to-house searches, took place near the livestock market in Hurwa district.

Elsewhere in South/Central, Middle and Lower Shabelle are reported to be experiencing insecurity, with militia manning checkpoints, harassing and extorting money from travellers. Three additional checkpoints were apparently erected in recent days between Afgoye and Merka (Lower Shabelle). Meanwhile, two sub-clans that had been fighting in Biyo Adde in Middle Shabelle (resulting in at least 15 deaths and dozens being displaced) have agreed to cease hostilities. In the Jubas, clan fighting has been reported (with over 10 dead in clashes in Beerhani, 90km west of Kismayo) and locals are voicing growing concern over lack of local authority in key towns.

Bay and Bakool are reported to be stable, with all roadblocks removed from the main roads in the two regions. However, residents are reported to be concerned about the planned pull-out of Ethiopian troops from Somalia and the potential insecurity that could ensue.

Following negative test results for RVF from human samples last week, efforts to determine the presence of RVF in Somalia continue. Two new human samples from Marare hospital (Jilib District, Middle Juba) have been brought to Nairobi for testing and results are expected shortly. Already the so far unidentified disease has caused 32 deaths among 62 human cases in southern Somalia. WHO will hold a workshop for partners in Nairobi to increase awareness on RVF prevention. Training in Kismayo, Mogadishu, Wajid/Baidoa, Garowe and Hargeisa will follow in the coming weeks.   

Displacement

There are reports that IDPs living in settlements and public buildings near the presidential palace in Mogadishu have been ordered by the TFG to vacate these premises within days. There are worries that as the TFIs relocate to Mogadishu and the TFG claims public buildings for their use, the IDPs presently living in these buildings will be told to relocate without being provided with alternative living space.

Access and Response 

While Kismayo airstrip remains closed to humanitarian flights, severely hampering access to the Juba regions, humanitarian needs in the area are said to be intensifying. Requests by the humanitarin community to reopen the airstrip remain unheeded. There are reports of large and still unrepaired ruptures in the river bank (caused by recent Deyr flooding), and farmers are reportedly reluctant to plant as they fear that these ruptures will heighten flooding during the Gu rains, set to begin in March. Humanitarian interventions are urgently required not only to respond to current needs but also to lessen the impact of any future threats to livelihoods and food security. Meanwhile, efforts to obtain written assurances of safety for a medical mission to Kismayo to assess the health situation – including the possible presence of RVF – have so far been unsuccessful. As of 18 January, the port at Kismayo is also officially closed.

The Kenya-Somali border also remains closed, with no movement either into Somalia or into Kenya (for reloading) at El Wak or Mandera crossings. Garbaharey airstrip remains closed to UN flights.

An inter-agency mission on IDPs is set to travel to Mogadishu tomorrow to look at how best to address the needs of all IDPs, including those who may need to move from public buildings as a result of the TFG’s ongoing relocation of the TFIs to Mogadishu.

Reports detailing response activities to date by cluster (Who does What Where) are available on the OCHA website at http://ochaonline2.un.org/Default.aspx?tabid=5066

For further information, contact:

Molly McCloskey or Amanda di Lorenzo at +254 (20) 375 4150-5