My latest research on illegal fishing in #Somalia has just been published in @GI_TOC's Risk Bulletin #22.

It details the activities of the Liao Dong Yu vessels, a fleet of Chinese trawlers that have been pillaging northern Somali waters since at least early 2020.

(thread)
The Liao Dong Yu vessels are operated by Liaoning Daping Fishery Group, based in Dandong, #China.

Many abuse allegations surround the vessels, incl forced labour practices, deadly working conditions and ~20 violations of Somali and Chinese fisheries laws and regs.
At least three Indonesian crew members have died onboard the vessels since mid-2020.
The vessels appear to have committed multiple violations of Somali law, incl fishing without valid licences and operating within the 24-nm zone reserved for local fishermen.

Crucially, the fleet is engaged in trawling, which is prohibited under both federal and Puntland law.
The Liao Dong Yu vessels enjoy protection at the very top of #Puntland’s business and political elite.

Dahir Ayanle Said, a Puntland senator and close ally of President @SaidAbdullahiDe, reportedly serves as the principal agent for the trawlers.
According to @fisheriesSOM, the Ministry has made direct representations to Chinese Ambassador @FeiShengchao concerning the illegal status of the fleet.

@ChineseSomalia's position is that this is an "internal affair" of Somalia.
As of the writing of the article, the Liao Dong Yu fleet is still active in northern Somalia.

@fisheriesSOM should act immediately by publicly declaring that the vessels are engaged in illegal fishing.
My gratitude to @IJM @ejfoundation @S_I_F @DFW_Indonesia @ian_urbina for their invaluable help with this article, as well as their ongoing efforts to assist and seek justice for the victims of the Liao Dong Yu operation.
Have a read of the full Risk Bulletin issue at the link below👇🏼

globalinitiative.net/analysis/esaob…
Correction*: two Indonesian and one Chinese crew members.

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More from @PuntlandPirates

10 Nov
My fourth paper for @GI_TOC has just gone live.

It describes how guns (specifically, Type 56-1 rifles) supplied by #Iran to the #Houthis are turning up all over #Somalia.

Some highlights 👇 (thread)

globalinitiative.net/analysis/iran-…
@GI_TOC field researchers documented over 400 weapons in illicit markets across #Somalia. Almost 10% of these consisted of Type 56-1 rifles believed to have originated in arms transfers from Iran to the Houthis.
The Type 56-1 rifle is a Chinese-manufactured copy of the Soviet AKMS assault rifle, first produced in 1956.

Since August 2018, thousands of Type 56-1 rifles have been seized during maritime interdictions of arms-trafficking dhows believed to have been supplying the Houthis.
Read 12 tweets
2 Jul
My third paper for @GI_TOC has gone live today.

It details illegal fishing practices in #Somalia and the capture of state institutions by illicit networks. (thread)

Many thanks to @ian_urbina // @OutlawOcean and @C4ADS for their assistance!

globalinitiative.net/analysis/illeg…
The report presents three case studies to illustrate the intersection between illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing networks and state corruption:
#1 - The environmentally destructive operations of gillnetters of Iranian origin off the #Puntland coast, abetted by a network of local agents and fisheries ministry officials.
Read 8 tweets
28 Apr
In December 2020, less than a month and a half before a highly volatile electoral process was supposed to take place in #Somalia, Turkey delivered 1,000 G3 rifles and 90,000 rounds of ammunition to the Somali federal government.
The materiel was intended for use by the Turkish-trained Haramcad ("Cheetah") special police unit.
Haramcad has since been linked to crackdowns on demonstrators and attacks on opposition politicians.

Yesterday, the unit raided the Mogadishu HQ of independent media outlet @MediaMustaqbal, confiscating equipment and beating up a journalist.

Read 4 tweets
15 Jan
The Financial Governance Committee (#FGC) has issued a damning advisory note concerning the #FGS Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources' (MPMR's) oil & gas licensing efforts.

Current approach provides "poor value for money...that may last for 40 years or more."

(thread)
The FGC raises concerns over "incomplete compliance with the FGS legal framework, and inadequate protection of FGS’s financial interests." Current MPMR approach risks "future legal and/or compensation claims against FGS."
The FGS makes seven principal recommendations. #7: "PSA negotiations do not prioritise short-term revenue (i.e. signature bonuses) at the expense of longer-term value."
Read 10 tweets
30 Nov 20
My second paper for @GI_TOC has just gone live.

It presents the first evidence of a criminal network based in #Somalia involved in the transfer of arms from #Iran to the #Houthis.

Some highlights (thread):

globalinitiative.net/analysis/iran-…
The dhow Al Bari 2 was seized in the Gulf of Aden by the #Saudi Navy on 24 June 2020. It was discovered to be carrying a consignment of arms reportedly destined for the #Houthi administration in #Yemen.

Here's a full list of the seizure contents: Image
The head of the network responsible for the Al Bari 2 smuggling operation is Mohamed Omar Salim, a Somali national based in Bosaso. Salim's network has links to #Somaliland, Yemen, the #UAE, and Iran.
Read 14 tweets
12 Oct 20
@GI_TOC issued a detailed statement earlier today in response to Amal Express's claims (attached below). But in my personal capacity as the author of the report, I will respond here with some additional thoughts.

(1/14) Image
In its 9 October 2020 press release, Amal Express disputed the authenticity of an October 2019 remittance receipt published in my report. The receipt detailed the transfer of $19,500 by an arms dealer in Bosaso to an individual under US Treasury (OFAC) sanction. (2/14)
Amal's statement contained several inaccuracies, but the most personally damaging was the claim that I had ignored evidence the company had presented to me proving this remittance slip to be a "forgery." (3/14)
Read 14 tweets

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