The machinations of the various parties have not slowed down the fighting, however, with pro-government militia Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa (ASWJ) battling al-Shabaab for control of areas in Central Somalia. In what you may detect is a familiar theme, ASWJ has been weakened by internal divisions, but al-Shabaab has so far been unable to exploit the quarrels and take new ground.

On the piracy front, the foreign security team arrested for bringing in $3.6 million in ransoms for two ships was due to appear in court in Mogadishu on Thursday. The team's lawyer was looking to get all six bailed, providing an aircraft and the money in Somalia's central bank as security. Details have yet to emerge from the appearance.

Reports the money is still in the bank has not stopped the release of the two ships it was destined for. The MV Yuan Xiang was released last week, while the second vessel the money was reportedly heading too, the MV Suez, gained freedom on Saturday.

Somalia Report is probing to find out if the money was quietly released from the bank, or if the owners/insurers simply took a punt on paying more money in the hope of getting their cash back from the Somali government.

That's it from us. Have a great weekend, and thank you for continued loyalty to Somalia Report. We hope you find reading our website as rewarding as it is creating it.

Regards,

The Editor.