Article

2010-12-08 Africa Horn

Private Army Prepares for War in Puntland

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Posted by Water Modem 2010-12-08 01:21|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top

#1 I remember reading something about this several months ago but I can't for the life of me remember where. Basically it was someone traveling who met one of these mercs headed down there.

I suppose it has been 3 or 4 months ago but I can't seem to put my finger on who it was or where it was published.

Posted by crosspatch 2010-12-08 02:12|| 2010-12-08 02:12|| Front Page Top

#2 that is very interesting. Puntland's state leader Dr Farole's budget was only $15 million in 2008.

He needs money and manpower to control the piracy issue and he has tried. The international community (UN) only funds the national Transitional Federal Government - which does nothing but hoover it up at Java House, Nairobi.

So given that nature abhors a vacuum... in come the muslims.

While we waste money and time in Af=pak, Somalia is brewing to take over as jihadi central. Puntland used to be a bulwark against the al Shabaab... but who knows now? this is a bad development

Posted by anon1 2010-12-08 05:02|| 2010-12-08 05:02|| Front Page Top

#3 this is a bad development
Posted by anon1

No, this is actually a good development. I would encourage you to dig a bit deeper.

Posted by Besoeker 2010-12-08 05:24|| 2010-12-08 05:24|| Front Page Top

#4 AP had this to say: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101205/ap_on_re_af/af_somalia_military_force

The article mentions that a few years ago, Hart Security unsuccessfully trained a Puntland coast guard. It is believed that some of those trained later became pirates.

Posted by Mike Ramsey 2010-12-08 05:26|| 2010-12-08 05:26|| Front Page Top

#5 thanks Besoeker, I will. You might be right. As long as it isn't the Saudis ...

Posted by anon1 2010-12-08 07:04|| 2010-12-08 07:04|| Front Page Top

#6 apologies besoeker, you are right. Yes i read it and it is great news! I am guilty of seeing the summary and flashing off comment before properly looking at it.

GOOD news! :)

Posted by anon1 2010-12-08 08:09|| 2010-12-08 08:09|| Front Page Top

#7 Puntland's Coasties have also captured a few pirates.

Rather than funding the TNG it'd make more sense to split up "Somalia" and give the pieces to recognized Puntland and Somaliland, assuming they want them, and the rest of it to Kenya or Ethiopia.

Posted by Fred 2010-12-08 09:53|| 2010-12-08 09:53|| Front Page Top

#8 Fred yes that is brilliant.

I totally agree.

That is the best possible solution. But if you give any to Ethiopia they will probably fight over it. The Somalis hate the Ethiopians. Kenya they seem to like, Lord knows there are enough Somalis living in Eastleigh, Nairobi..

Posted by anon1 2010-12-08 18:11|| 2010-12-08 18:11|| Front Page Top

#9 Recognize Puntland and Somaliland, give them aid and funding, and to hell with the rest of Somalia. Make it a free-fire zone, that would just be recognizing reality anyway.

Posted by Shieldwolf 2010-12-08 22:55|| 2010-12-08 22:55|| Front Page Top

#10 It seems that Saracen International is threatening to sue the media for saying that it has taken the contract. Its CEO says that it is Saracen Lebanon that has taken the contract, not his Uganda-based South African Special Forces-manned company as is being reported.

Posted by Shieldwolf 2010-12-08 23:05|| 2010-12-08 23:05|| Front Page Top

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