SOMALIA - BOSSASO CLERIC'S SUPPORTERS PROTEST ARREST

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 000601 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/E AND ACTING A/S CARTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV SOCI SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA - BOSSASO CLERIC'S SUPPORTERS PROTEST ARREST SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On March 24, violent protests erupted in Puntland's port city of Bossaso as police and Puntland Intelligence Service (PIS) officers arrested Osman Mohamed Shire, a prominent local cleric. Puntland residents told us that PIS targeted the cleric for his public statements in support of a recent Osama bin Laden video on Somalia, and on suspicion that he has links with al-Shabaab in Kismayo, which he has visited frequently. The arrest sparked a violent protest as youth threw stones at security officers and lit fires on the main road. The protests temporarily stopped all traffic and businesses along the main highway. The media and Embassy contacts report that three persons were killed, a PIS officer in a vehicle accident, and two protestors. Prominent imams objected to the way in which Shire was treated while being detained. They urged residents to refrain from any violent acts and at present, Bossaso remains calm. End summary. Preacher Arrested, Violence Ensued -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On March 24, violent protests erupted in Puntland's port city of Bossaso as police and the Puntland Intelligence Service (PIS) arrested Osman Mohamed Shire, a prominent local cleric known for his efforts to generate street support for his causes. Several sources in Bossaso confirmed to Somalia Unit that Shire was preaching to crowds along the highway from a car fitted with a public address system when PIS officers detained him. The crowd violently confronted the PIS officers in an attempt to prevent them from taking Shire away. Angry youths threw stones and other objects at the security officers. The confrontation drew additional crowds and protestors burned tires and blocked the road with boulders. ¶3. (SBU) Maryan Ahmed, a Bossaso-based educator and activist for women's rights told us the PIS had been following Shire for several months for his suspected links with al-Shabaab. Shire reportedly visited Kismayo on numerous occasions after al-Shabaab took over, Ahmed said. Shire gained support for numerous fundraisers he conducted in Bossaso to build mosques and support orphans and enjoys a wide following, especially among youth. Ahmed suspects that it was these travels, Shire's regular preaching, and sermons supporting the recent Bin Laden video on Somalia which provoked his arrest. ¶4. (SBU) According to one of our partners in Bossaso, at the time of Shire's arrest a helicopter was seen flying over the area, causing increased tensions and further escalating the protests. Others alleged to us that unknown gunman fired at security officials from the rooftop of an adjacent hotel. PIS officers reportedly fired into the air to disperse the crowd. Two protesters were reportedly wounded and later died of their injuries. The third reported death was that of a PIS officer who was killed when he fell from his vehicle and was run over by another PIS vehicle while leaving the protest. Calm Restored -------------- ¶5. (SBU) In the wake of the disturbance, several prominent imams urged Bossaso residents to remain calm. These imams criticized the manner in which the PIS arrested the cleric, although they did not publicly question the decision to arrest Shire. In a media interview, Abdullahi Said Samatar, Puntland Minister of Security, termed the violent reaction of Bossaso youth deplorable and insisted that the security forces have the right to arrest anyone for security reasons. Samatar announced that President Farole had appointed a high level committee, including the Ministers of Security and Interior, to investigate the incident and elucidate the circumstances surrounding the violence. "We will correct our actions if investigations reveal misconduct on the part of our security forces," said Samatar. In the interim, he urged members of the public to work in partnership with the security forces and avoid antagonizing each other. At present, the situation in Bossaso remains calm. Comment NAIROBI 00000601 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Security formed one of President Farole's election campaign platforms and this incident is evidence that his administration is willing to use a strong hand, if it deems it necessary. The October 29 suicide bombings and an evident fundamentalist Islamist presence have convinced the Puntland Administration that it must act aggressively to counter any potentially disruptive influence. It is also significant that the Minister of Security voluntarily opened an investigation and is willing to take corrective action, if warranted. RANNEBERGER