“The line between disorder and order lies in logistics…”- Sun Tzu
I have had the opportunity to see SKA Air and Logistics in action in Iraq as have many contractors, and these guys have been busy. They provide a very unique capability that involves setting up logistics and air services in war zones. They are doing it in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and they are also trying to do this in Somalia.
So why am I bringing these folks up now? Well with all of the news of Saracen International in Somalia, or Erik Prince’s supposed involvement, to me the other interesting story that everyone is missing is the logistics side of this operation. That SKA was listed along with Saracen International for contracts in Somalia. Talk about a tough contract?
Below I have listed as many stories as I could find about SKA and their recent dealings in Somalia. From what I can gather, they had a contract to modernize the airport in Mogadishu and to modernize and manage the seaport. (a boat with all of their stuff and tools is in an Oman port as we speak) These two key logistics hubs are absolutely vital for any kind of future development in that country. They are also vital to any stability operations or anti-piracy operations.
What is also interesting about this contract, as with the Saracen contract, is that there is some heart ache within the ever changing government of the TFG in Somalia as to the particulars of the contracts. If the contracts were signed under different political leadership, then all sorts of issues pop up. Of course the corrupt aspects of this ever evolving government want to ensure they get paid or get a cut of the action. Then there are the warlords that currently manage or have control over the airport or seaports. Then there is Al Shabab and the Islamists and their influence on the situation. All of these forces add extreme complexity to establishing a contract and the services that go with. But that is what SKA gets when dealing with a failed state and an active war zone. Like I said, this will be a very challenging contract to fulfill.
As for jobs, if you check out their career section they have one position available for work at the seaport in Mogadishu. No word about guard contracts. From the website, SKA used Fijians as guards in Iraq. Who knows, maybe Saracen is involved with that aspect of the contract? I would speculate though that whatever company is used for guard services, the force would be a mix of local guard forces and the standard expat management. Hopefully someone from the company can pop up and fill in the blanks.
On a side note, oil exploration is ramping up in Puntland. One of my readers pointed this out to me and I thought this was an interesting tie in with the anti-piracy initiatives Saracen International has signed onto in that region. Are they connected, who knows, but these oil companies do benefit from a stable and secure Somalia. –Matt
Somalia: Nation Hands Over Mogadishu Airport to Foreign Company
SKA Air & Logistics to manage Aden-Adde International airport
Somalia: SKA Air And Logistics Denies It Takes Over Mogadishu Airport
Welcome to SKA Air & Logistics
SKA Air & Logistics is a world-class provider of aviation services and logistics. The teams that currently make up SKA have been operating in Iraq since 2003 and are now expanding the operations in Kuwait, the UAE, Afghanistan and the African Continent. Our diverse capabilities include a wide range of Aviation Services, Ground Logistics, Life Support, Fuel Supply Chain Management, Camp Construction, and Security Services. We specialize in moving people and equipment smoothly and safely in challenging environments. We pride ourselves on combining unique solutions with unrivaled service helping you achieve your goals in the most difficult environments and our motto, “Doing Difficult Jobs in Difficult Places.” is not just a marketing slogan it is a matter of proven historical record.
Security
SKA Air & Logistics operates its own Security Force to ensure the security of all our installations, aircraft, staff and cargo. Chosen for their robustness, loyalty and unblemished record of service, the SKA Security Force is managed by former British and US military personnel and we currently operate security teams comprising of former Fijian Military staff. At the higher level we have members of senior management with extensive experience of military operations and the international security industry. Our security services include:
• Asset Protection
• Emergency & Contingency planning
• Full Logistical & Administrative Security
• Cash in Transit Services
• Aviation flight Security
• Static Guard Force
National Elections In Iraq
SKA provided critical support to previous elections carried out in Iraq and helped to transport thousands of tons of voter registration material to various warehouse locations throughout Iraq. SKA also provided helicopter support operations for inserting the security teams in managing the election process and it was stated by many involved in the first free election held in Iraq in 2005 that “there would never have been an election in Iraq without the support of SKA.
SKA have also provided special mission requirements for all aspects of projects including cash in transit services, Medivac missions, VIP charters, humanitarian missions and countless support missions for the various reconstruction and NGO type projects.
Crop Spraying Operations
In 2006 SKA were contracted by the Multi National Corps Iraq and the Ministry of Agriculture to carry out a critical mission for the crop spraying of the date palms in Iraq.
SKA stood up a major operation in less than 14 days and completed the most successful crop spraying operation in the history of Iraq covering over 140,000 hectares of the most dangerous areas of the country operating with 14 different aircraft including fixed wing and rotary.
Website here.
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Somalia: Nation Hands Over Mogadishu Airport to Foreign Company
27 December 2010
Mogadishu — The transitional federal government of Somalia has signed a pact with SKA Air and Logistics to manage Mogadishu international airport services, SKA official said.
Shabelle has leant that SKA Air and Logistics has 10 year Mogadishu international airport management agreement with TFG.
“SKA Company is investing in the future growth and success of Mogadishu airport by implementing many changes; or improving those that are functional but require upgrading” David Thomkins, Logistics manager said.
Mr. Thomkins made this announcement after team from SKA met with officials from all 5 airline companies that operate in Somalia at December 12. The meeting took place at Mogadishu airport.
Under the agreement, SKA Air and Logistics will be submitting the recommended tariff changes for final approval the transitional government. The tariffs will be imposed by SKA on a variety of ground handling service currently not available to airline operators utilizing MIA, these tariffs are in keeping with other international airports in Africa and Middle East many of which you (Somalia) are paying as operators into these airports.
David Thomkins, KSA’s Logistics manager didn’t give more details about when, who from the government signed the pact and where the agreement had happened.
No statements about the agreement were immediately available from Somali government.
Story here.
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SKA Air & Logistics to manage Aden-Adde International airport
30 December 2010
Aviation and logistics service provider SKA Air & Logistics (SKA) has signed a contract to manage operations at Aden-Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia.
The ten year contract has been signed between Somalia’s transitional government and SKA, however no financial details were disclosed.
It agreement will include management of terminals, security, screening, passenger security.SKA company manager said we have not formally taken over at this stage but in few weeks time we will be taking over management of the airport.
SKA is also in the running for a contract to manage Mogadishu sea port, according to middle-east-online.com.SKA also operates airports in Iraq and Afghanistan and has operations in the United Arab Emirates in Kuwait and elsewhere in Africa.
Story here.
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Somalia: SKA Air And Logistics Denies It Takes Over Mogadishu Airport
28 December 2010
Mogadishu — One day after Shabelle Media Network had broadcasted that Mogadishu International airport had been taken over by a foreign company, SKA Air and Logistics rebuffed it had confiscated the management of the airport for 10 year airport management agreement with Somali transitional federal government of Somalia.
Yusuf Sheikh Ali, the spokesman of SKS air operations in Somalia has told Shabelle the company had a contract with Somali government led by Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
He said under the agreement, SKA, Dubai based company, is investing in the future growth and success of Mogadishu airport by implementing many changes; or improving those that are functional but require upgrading.
“Somali government has the responsibility and will control all the activities in the airport” Ali noted.
Mr. Ali told Shabelle they import modern devices to rebuild and re-establish the overall infrastructure by upgrading the grace of the airport by making it working like other international airports in the world.
These statements come as Shabelle has leant that SKA Air and Logistics has 10 year Mogadishu international airport management agreement with TFG.
The government has not yet commented about the agreement.
Story here.
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Somalia: SKA Imports Equipments to Develop Mogadishu Airport Services
17 January 2011
Dubai based SKA air and logistics, which has ten year Mogadishu airport management agreement with the transitional federal government of Somalia, on Monday displayed new and modern equipments intended to develop the services of Adan Adde international air port in the Somalia capital, Mogadishu.
These new tools and equipments which SKA private company brought in the country particularly Mogadishu’s Adan Adde airport are said to intended to serve for people departing from the airport and those who are landing in. Also the tools will be used carrying heavy cargoes.
David T. SKA’s acting head of Somalia, told Shabelle Media Network that those new and modern equipments are the part aimed at working inside the airport, spelling out some of world nations haven’t such new and modern equipments.
Mr. David T. added that a ship loaded with new equipments and tools owned by SKA is in port in Oman, pointing out that the sip will dock at Mogadishu international seaport in the days to come.
On December 27, Shabelle Media Network has learnt a document it obtained telling that SKA Air and Logistics has a 10-year airport management agreement with the Somali government.
However, under the agreement, SKA Air and Logistics will submit the recommended tariff changes for final approval by the transitional government. The tariffs will be imposed by SKA on a variety of ground handling services currently not available to airline operators utilizing MIA. The tariffs are in keeping with other international airports in Africa and the Middle East.
SKA Air & Logistics is a provider of aviation services and logistics and was set up in 2003. It is motto is “Doing difficult jobs in difficult places”
The teams that currently make up SKA have been operating in Iraq since 2003 and are now expanding its operations in Kuwait, the UAE, Afghanistan and the African continent.
Story here.
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Sunday 26 December 2010
You may possibly have heard that activities of the seaport in Mogadishu were obstructed by Mohamed Jaamac Furux, a former warlord and a member of Somalia’s current parliament. Why did this happen?
On September 4, Keydmedia uncovered that Mogadishu seaport and airport revenues will be handed over to a firm named SKA run by US mercenaries.The information was provided by Somali government officials at the presidential place under condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.The information states that the then manager of the port Hassan Macalin was to be replaced by Sayid Cali from SKA.In a press release issued on 11 September 2010, former Somali Prime Minister DR Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke said that Hassan Macalin had been removed and a new manager, Sayid Cali had been put in charge.Since his nomination, the new manager has been busy with investigating and collecting port documents as he will be working with a foreign firm.Some of the documents revealed that, a number of former warlords receive money from the port revenue, a revelation that prompted him to order a halt to the money.The information also showed that Mohamed Jaamac Furux,a former warlord who once controlled the port,Cabdi Jiinow Calasow,a former manager of the port,Cumar Maxamed Maxamud better known as Cumar Finish,a former warlord,Salad Cali Jeelle ,a former deputy defense minister ,Maxamed Cumar Xabeeb (Maxamed Dheere),a former warlord and a former governor of Banadir region, received $15000 each on monthly basis .Sayid Cali also dismissed 64 people who took salaries from the port without doing a known job.Why was the money halted now?the information indicates that halt is an important part of sweeping changes ahead of expected takeover by SKA which is run by US mercenaries over the beginning of the new year.The move angered people who received thousands of dollars from the seaport who picked up Mr. Furux to be their spokesman and condemn the port management actions using tribal references and other ways to incite people.Last week militia forces led by Furux obstructed activities of the port but were rebuffed by port administration ,but Mr. Furux eventually decided to use the media to make his case public.He argued that the port revenue is equitably shared and that single dominates port management making calls for equitable share of the money.Clearly, he was not fighting for the rights of the Somali people but for his personal gains (the money he received from the port). Axmed Cali Kaahiye, the vice manager of the port told reporters that Mr. had no right to talk about corruption in the airport.
SKA activities so far
Informed sources confirmed to keydmedia that SKA activities in Mogadishu have been on the rise since last month with the establishment of new bases for the company along Jaziira coast where the African union forces control.SKA cars encrypted with words SKA were also seen at the airport but similar cars have not yet been seen at the seaport, however, the firm is expected to take over the port and the seaport in the months to come.Somali government reactionOn the 16 of December, 2010, council of ministers met to discuss issues including Furux’s activities and vowed fierce response to anyone who obstructs port activities.What do Somalis get in return?There is currently no visible benefit for Somalis from this contract, but many believe that SKA will loot Somalia’s marine resources.
Story here.