SOMALIA - MYSTERY SHROUDS MURDER OF PAKISTANI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 001718

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PTER PHUM PGOV SOCI MOPS SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - MYSTERY SHROUDS MURDER OF PAKISTANI
CLERICS; RESIDENTS OFFER THEORIES

REF: NAIROBI 1691

Classified By: Somalia Unit Counselor Bob Patterson for reasons 1.4(b,d
).


1. (C) Summary: The August 12 killing of 5 Pakistani clerics
in Galcaio remains shrouded in mystery, but our contacts
indicate Galcaio residents suspect the murders were the
result of sectarian tensions or political competition between
north and south Galcaio. (Note: Northern Galcaio is part of
Puntland while southern Galcaio is considered part of
south-central Somalia. End note.) The government of the
semi-autonomous region of Puntland, the administration in
southern Galcaio, al-Shabaab, and Alhu Sunna Wal Jama'a
(ASWJ) have denied any involvement and made statements
condemning the murders. Our contacts tell us the most common
theory offered by residents in Galcaio is that ASWJ killed
the clerics because ASWJ suspected the Pakistanis of
supporting al-Shabaab. Our contacts say most residents in
Galcaio think the Pakistanis were non-violent clerics. Some
residents offer a competing theory that the killings were
politically motivated and meant to destabilize the area. End
summary.


2. (C) A group of masked gunmen on August 12 reportedly shot
and killed 5 Pakistani clerics affiliated with the Tabliq
Jamaat movement at Towfiq mosque in Galcaio. (Note: The
Tabliq Jamaat is a conservative Islamic missionary movement.
Some extremists have been linked to the group but Tabliq
Jamaat is generally considered to be apolitical and
nonviolent. Foreign Tabliq Jamaat clerics travel to Somalia
regularly. Seven Pakistani Tabliq Jamaat clerics in January
2007 were arrested near Villa Somalia in Mogadishu, inviting
considerable public protest. End Note.) The Pakistanis
reportedly flew into Galcaio airport and were residing at the
mosque. The gunmen forced the Pakistanis outside of the
mosque before early morning prayers and shot them in the
street before fleeing the scene. Our contacts tell us the
mosque is located on the border between the two halves of
Galcaio and, consequently, both political administrations
have accused each other of lax security or complicity in the
killings. (Note: Southern Galcaio is governed by a coalition
comprising ASWJ-aligned militia and a Hawiye/Habr Gedir/Sa'ad
local administration. Northern Galcaio is governed by a local
Majerteen administration which considers itself a part of
Puntland but has little confidence in Puntland President
"Faroole". End note.)


3. (C) Our contacts tell us the most common theory in
Galcaio is that ASWJ killed the clerics because ASWJ
suspected the Pakistanis of supporting al-Shabaab. (Note:
ASWJ is best described as an ideological Sufi orientation
shared by the majority of Somalis. Over recent months some
ASWJ leaders have organized militia, through local clan
support, to take part in armed resistance against al-Shabaab.
ASWJ is highly decentralized in both its ideological and
militant manifestations. End note.) Our contacts tell us ASWJ
from Galgaduud region issued a statement of condemnation. The
Galgaduud ASWJ are reportedly not directly connected with
ASWJ in the Galcaio area. A contact with a non-militant ASWJ
group in Mogadishu told us he thinks ASWJ in Galciao was
involved. A well-connected ASWJ supporter told us he thinks
ASWJ should have killed the clerics, whether they did or not,
because it is "better to be safe". Several of our contacts
say most residents in Galcaio think the Pakistanis were
non-violent clerics.


4. (C) Some residents offer a competing theory that the
killings are politically motivated and meant to destabilize
the area. Against the backdrop of the August 5 murder in
Galcaio of the Puntland Minister of Information (reftel) and
a subsequent curfew in northern Galcaio, some residents think
the killings are intended to further destabilize the town.
However, our contacts were unable to explain exactly what
political machinations might be behind the assassinations.
They unanimously noted, however, that there is so much
tension, that "anything is possible." (Note: "Faroole" has
highlighted the area, where he enjoys very little support, as
a "terrorist" safehaven. Longstanding HabrGedir and Majerteen
tensions dominate Galcaio, and ASWJ recently put its military
weight behind the local administration in southern Galcaio
when it was confronted with a rival HabrGedir leader claiming

NAIROBI 00001718 002 OF 002


authority. End note.)
RANNEBERGER