US Imperialism Levels More Threats Against Somalia

Al-Shabaab fighters conducting military drills outside the Somalian capital of Mogadishu. The US is behind an international attempt to crush the resistance movement., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Garowe Online (Garowe)

Somalia: U.S. Secretary for African Affairs Warns of Sanctions to Spoilers

11 June 2012
Hassan Mahamud Ahmed/

Members of Al-Shabaab: The U.S. has proposed million dollar rewards for information on the militia group leaders.

Mogadishu, Somalia — The US's Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson, issued a stark warning to spoilers who could face sanctions from the US if they continue their actions, Radio Garowe reports.

Mr. Carson met with Transitional Federal Government (TFG) President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed at the US compound at Mogadishu's Aden Adde airport on Sunday. He also met with Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas and had a brief meeting with traditional elders.

It is unclear what exactly President Sharif and Mr. Carson discussed at the private meeting, but officials said that security was the key issue discussed at the meeting. Recently the US proposed million dollar rewards for information that led to the arrests of top Al Shabaab leaders.

The Secretary also commended the recent security progress made by the Somali and African Union forces in southern Somalia.

After meeting with President Sharif, Mr. Carson flew to Nairobi where he held a press conference.

At the press conference Mr. Carson issued a warning to those opposed to the end of the transitional government in August, that they could face economic sanctions and travel bans if they continue to undermine the process.

"The kind of action we must take against spoilers range from visa sanctions to travel sanctions to asset freezes," Mr Carson said, adding, "It is extremely important to the people of Somalia that this Roadmap be completed on time and as fully as possible."

TFG officials would not be exempt from the sanctions according to Mr. Carson who said that even top TFG officials could face implications for disrupting the transitional process.

A similar warning was repeated this year by the representatives of IGAD and the UN, such as Augustine Mahiga who has given this similar warning often this year.