Kismayo - Al-Sahabab's lost Lifeline

The port of Kismayo in southern Somalia has for the last five years been the lifeline of the al-Shabaab militant group, that used it for resupplying and also the export of charcoal to gain revenue for its extremist operations. The port, stretching several kilometers, has nothing to show for all the goods that have been exchanged on its shores. The buildings are rundown and rust and bullet holes have got the best of them. The capture of Kismayo last week by the Somali National Army and pro-government forces, with support from the Kenyan Contingent of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), has rendered a heavy blow on the al Qaeda linked group who taxed the local residences and business people to raise money for the movement. Having lost their economic hub, al Shabaab is believed to have been severely weakened. With the security situation getting better in the Kismayo, officials from the AMISOM contingent have held meetings with members of the civil service and local business community as a way of bringing some kind of normalcy to the city. But even under AMISOM's heavy security, these business men are still afraid to be filmed, as they fear they might still be targeted by al-Shabaab supporters believed to be hiding among the population in the city. SOUNDBITE (English), Col Cyrus Oguna, Spokesman, Kenya Defense Forces: "Eighty percent of business here in Kismayo is basically charcoal business and a lot of it is still lying out there and so really they just wanted to know how that will be dealt with, and we did explain to them and again we have to consult further to see how whatever that is already out there can be gotten out or sold out so that they can be able to earn a decent living from what they have done so far." In 2008 among other sanctions on Somalia, the UN prohibited all direct and indirect import of charcoal from Somalia. But it is evident that charcoal is the local's main source of revenue. The port of Kismayo remains closed for the moment until some sort of administration is formed to run the affairs of the city. On the streets more shops are being opened and the residents are beginning to interact with the AMISOM forces. SOUNDBITE (English), Col Cyrus Oguna, Spokesman, Kenya Defense Forces: "I think in terms of the overall security situation, I think it has improved tremendously, it is getting better and better everyday and we expect within the coming few weeks it will be a lot better, but now if you go into town they can wave back, so even their confidence is building." The city has become relatively peaceful as members of the Somali National Army and pro-government forces walk the streets daily in a bid to give confidence to the residents. But with a handful of al-Shabaab supporters still believed to be in the city people remain cautious. The man in charge of security and commander of the Ras Konboni pro-government forces, Sheik Ahmed Madobe and his forces are running joint operations with the Somali National Army to provide much needed security. He is confident things will soon get back to normal as residents see the difference between them and the al-Shabaab. SOUNDBITE (English) Sheik Ahmed Madobe, Commander of the Ras Konboni Brigade (pro-government forces): "You have seen the locals are still afraid because for almost four or five years they are under the control of al Shabaab by very strong hands, that's why the civilians hope that they will get a life or something like that. And I am very happy at now the situation is." AMISOM through members of the Kenyan contingent are giving support to the forces on the ground. They are currently holding and defend all strategic locations like the airports and the seaport. AMISOM troops can be seen driving through the town as their combat engineers help to search and destroy IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), believed to have been left behind by the militant group. Somalia has achieved a number of milestones in recent months, with the swearing in of a president and members of the legislative assembly, bringing an end to the political transitional period. Somalia had been without a functional transitional government since the early 1990's. Over the weekend in Mogadishu, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, announced Abdi Farah Shidon Saaid, as the country's new prime minister. His main task is the setup up of an effective central government.