AP named the private security company involved in training the troops as Saracen International, a Uganda-based firm headed by a South African former special forces soldier called Bill Pelser. In a November statement the Puntland government said Saracen had been hired to establish its “marine forces”, while documents from the Somali presidency this year suggested the company had been hired to train the presidential guard in Mogadishu.
But in a phone interview, Pelser told the Guardian claims of his company’s involvement were “bullshit”, and said he would take legal action against the media. “I have already given a statement to the UN security council on this. None of my assets are involved in Somalia. It must be another company called Saracen,” he said. -story here.
Pelser denied being involved in the training program in Puntland or the one for the presidential guard in Mogadishu, saying he merely made introductions for another company called Saracen Lebanon. Lebanese authorities have no record of a company called Saracen. Pelser did not respond to requests for contact information for Saracen Lebanon.
This story just came across my radar, so I am still trying to piece together what’s what. Although unlike the main stream media, I will give Mr. Pelser the benefit of the doubt and trust that his company is not involved. He says that there is another company called Saracen Lebanon that is training this militia for anti-piracy operations.
It also seem this militia is being privately funded by a donor from the middle east. This donor is also providing ‘120 new pickup trucks and six small aircraft for patrolling the coast’. That’s impressive, and I would be very curious as to who this mystery donor is and what kind of aircraft they are willing to provide? If anyone has details, please feel free to expand in the comments.
The folks that Puntland hired for keeping everything straight are interesting as well. Pierre Prosper was one of them, and this guy is like a legal super star for everything Africa. He was hired by the Bush Administration to deal with the various war crimes issues in Africa. I am sure he knows what company is being used too. Check out the link to his profile at the law firm he works at, and you will get an idea of what he is all about. Like I said, if anyone has anything to add, feel free to correct the record or add to this post so we can get the story straight. –Matt
Edit: 12/4/2010- This is interesting. The president of Puntland was recently questioned by reporters about this anti-piracy force, and he says they will do what they have to do to raise this army and get them trained. So he is not denying or backing down.
(a portion of this article posted below)
Somalia: Puntland pres meets Kuwait emir, defends anti-piracy force
3 Dec 3, 2010
……Anti-piracy force
Puntland’s leader said that the government of Puntland “will not seek approval” from anyone when it comes to security matters.
“For nearly two years, we have requested the international community to help us establish anti-piracy troops and to construct monitoring stations along Puntland’s coast to fight pirates…but we received no answer,” the president said.
He indicated that there are “questions” about Puntland’s agreement with Saracen International, a South Africa-based maritime security company that inked a deal to train anti-piracy troops in Puntland last month.
“What is important is that Puntland improves its security. Without sufficient security, there can be no investment because investment depends on security and stability,” Puntland’s leader said.
He noted that the anti-piracy troops, which are to number 1,050 soldiers when training completes, will still need equipment and telecommunications gear in order to commence the fight against Somali pirates who threaten the world’s shipping lanes.
President Farole said that only African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM) are allowed to bring weapons to Somalia under U.N. regulations, adding: “We will continue to seek equipment and other support for our anti-piracy troops when training completes.”
He indicated that the Puntland-Saracen agreement is “in the spirit of the Istanbul Declaration, which encourages public-private partnerships” for Somalia.
Link to story here.
US concerned by Somali private military
1,000-man militia being trained in north Somalia
Somalia: Puntland signed an agreement with Sarecen Company to train its Marine Forces
US concerned by Somali private military
By MATTHEW LEEThursday, December 2, 2010
The Obama administration raised concerns Thursday about a private military force aimed at combatting piracy in northern Somalia’s semiautonomous Puntland region.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the U.S. has been aware of the operation, but is not involved in any way. He said the U.S. has unanswered questions about the backing and purpose of the project, which has begun training an armed force of up to 1,050 men in Puntland.
“We are aware that Puntland authorities have contracted with a private security company to assist them with counter-piracy in the region,” Crowley told reporters. “We were not consulted about this program. We are not funding it. We are concerned about the lack of transparency regarding its funding, objectives and scope.”
Crowley said the U.S. is seeking more information about the force, which officials in the region say is being trained by a private security firm called Saracen International.
(more…)