By M.A. Egge

The Speaker of the Somaliland Senate Hon. Suleiman Mohamud Adan, congratulated the Somaliland community on the celebration of Somaliland Independence Day on May 18, and urged them to celebrate in peace.

He asked the community to appreciate the day and at the same time celebrate Somaliland’s Independence Day on 18 May markedly.

He urged the members of the council to participate in the national day of May 18, which is a big day for the people of Somaliland, and is celebrated in the regions and districts of the country.

While congratulating the community on the commemoration of National Day on May 18 he said, “May 18 is the National Day. In addition to participating in the National Day, we are congratulating the nation that the National Day should be properly celebrated and we are asking the public to appreciate it.

“The observation of the day should also be profound in upcountry”.

Somaliland Chief Justice Adam Haji Ali Ahmed who was flanked by the Minister of Religion and Endowment Sh. Mohamed Haji Aadan Elmi and Advisor to the Supreme Court Chairman Dayib Muhammed Noor received 44 cartons of books from the Head of the Hiil-Qur’an Book Repair Center Jamal Yusuf Mohamed.

They received the officials of the Hiil-Qur’an Library in the CJ’s chambers and were briefed on the activities of the Hiil-Qur’an and its role in the maintenance of the Holy Qur’an.

Part of Hiil-Qur’an activities since its inception have been effective in raising public awareness and the repairing of religious books, starage and at the same time running a library.

They were handed over books in various fields of religious studies, including the interpretation of the Qur’an, the Traditions of the Messenger of God, theology and other associated fields.

Hon. Sh. Mohamed Haji Adan Elmi expressed the importance of this library to the community, and his happiness that the main books in the court’s library are Islamic Sharia.

The CJ said that this library will be modern and will meet the reading needs of judges and other workers who are doing research and referring to them.

The chairman thanked the Hiil-Qur’an Library for the books they donated to the Judiciary Library, and underlined that these books will be a reference for the library’s readers.

15 MPs from the British parties have prepared a substantive motion urging the UK government to seriously engage with Somaliland with the aim of officially recognizing it.
The Somaliland news agency, SOLNA, monitored MP Tim Loughton, who is leading the UK cross-party MPs fronting for Somaliland recognition movement, gave details about the outline of the motion and the importance of the British government in strengthening its relationship with Somaliland.
MP Tim Loughton said that Somaliland is a beacon of peace and democracy in a crisis prone region, “and its nation has concrete aspirations that deserve acknowledging”.
He was categorical that Britain, as the former colonial master of the country ought to take a key lead in the matter, given that the UK, the US and the EU need a stable ally in the volatile region.
He added that there need is even more pressing given that there is a memorandum of understanding that Somaliland has entered into with Ethiopia, in which it leases a military base from the sea, and he noted that the agreement stipulates that Ethiopia officially recognizes Somaliland.
MP Tim Loughton argued that Somaliland is important to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, where there is tension where the Houthis are targeting commercial ships.

He disclosed that the 15 MPs in a forum that is bringing the motion for the recognition of Somaliland, which consists of all British parties, want the UK government to get involved in the issue of Somaliland and give it full recognition.
“Britain and our allies, including the United States, should seriously approach Somaliland and give it full and official recognition,” said Mr. Tim Loughton.
He also stressed that the agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia will benefit African countries from many economic benefits.
The MP said that many towns in England are home to many people from Somaliland who are interested in having their country recognized.
MP Tim Loughton was one of the members of the UK Parliament, who recently visited Somaliland.

By M.A. Egge

The President of the Republic of Somaliland H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi held a farewell meeting on Tuesday with the Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations Amb. Catriona Laing who is being replaced by Mr. James Swan.

Mr. Swan who occupied the same post before, has been appointed once more in an acting capacity.

The President thanked Amb Laing for the time they worked together and the important activities undertaken between the United Nations and the Republic of Somaliland during the time she was in charge.

Amb. Catriona Laing thanked the president for the good way his government worked with him during his tenure and the responsible way they worked together.

The President was flanked at the meeting by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who is the Acting Minister, Hon. Rooda Jama Ilmi.

The outgoing official was accompanied by various UN staff officials including Nikolai Rogosaroff, the head of the Hargeisa office, Katherine Brooks, Ahmed Qalinle, Mustafe Khayre and Dahir Mohamed.

Meanwhile, sources add that the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed James Swan as the Acting Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

According to a statement from the United Nations released on Tuesday night, Mr. Swan will serve as the Special Representative for a temporary period following the departure of Catriona Laing of the United Kingdom.

The Secretary-General reportedly expressed gratitude for her dedicated service in UNSOM and Somalia during a challenging time.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Somaliland, Eng Ali Abdillahi Dahir, has underpinned the need, importance and national significance of the Bank Real Estate Mortgage Act.

The banking chief emphasized the importance of the legal need in the financial sector of the Mortgage Act as he elaborately briefed the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives on the dispensation of the law whose Bill is before the parliament.

Mortgage is a legal agreement by which any bank or financial institutions such as building or saving and credit cooperative societies etc lends money at interest in exchange for retaining the title deeds of the debtor’s property, with the condition that the conveyance of title becomes void upon the payment of the debt impressed upon the committee that the law is there to catalyze marketing, trade, economic growth and general investments in the country.

The Central Bank formulated the Bill of the Mortgage Act, forwarded it to the cabinet where it was endorsed and is now before the parliament.

The bank chief executive told the media after briefing the parliamentary committee, “We have come to the House of Representatives to discuss the banking guarantees Mortgage Act whose Bill is in front of the House of Representatives, and to explain the importance of the Act to the nation and the growth of business in general”.

He continued, “It is a law created by the Central Bank whose Bill has been passed by the Council of Ministers and now is in front of the Parliament; this Act is very important for us as a nation, society and financial institutions. We are facilitating business and investment where the citizen who owns real estate can take an investment loan from the banks, and if the money is not duly repaid, the banks can auction the real estate of the person who took the loan”.

He noted that the Mortgage Act is long overdue and has been awaited for a long time.

By M.A. Egge

The President His Excellency Musa Bihi Abdi, has over the week unveiled new facilities and equipment brought to the Somaliland National Fire Brigade, which will greatly contribute to the fire fighting activities they have for the community.

He congratulated the services rendered by the department of fire brigade and their command, praising the efficient system implemented by the commander of the army and how he was diligent and resourceful in achieving results.

The commander of the fire brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, welcomed the president to the fire station, whereby President of Somaliland received a salute from the fire brigade units that were on duty at the station.

He inspected the various sections of the fire brigade headquarters, observing the staffers as they went about their emergency duties.

He cut the ribbons of new materials and facilities that have been added to the fire brigade.

Brigadier General Ahmed Mohamed conducted the Head of State to a tour of the facility, giving briefs and elaborations.

The national police chief, Major General Mohamed Adan Saqadi (Daba-gale) who spoke there, welcomed the progress made by the fire brigade over time and urged them to continue their efforts.

The Ministers of Interior Affairs, Hon. Mohamed Kahin Ahmed and Animal Husbandry, Hon. Saeed Sulub Mohamed, also appreciated the new equipment brought to the fire brigade, greatly praising the leadership of the fire department.

The governor of Marodi-jeh region, Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Aalin (Tiimbaro), the Hargeisa deputy mayor Mr. Khadar Ahmed Omar and the advisor to the President, Mr. Ali Mohamed Waran-Adde, who spoke in succession, described the fire brigade services as a great success with the sector having acquired modern tools that make it easier to carry out their duties.

On the other hand, the fire brigade of the Republic of Somaliland, celebrated the 10th anniversary of its foundation, and it is one of the institutions of this nation that during their existence greatly benefited the community, life and money. Many people have been saved by the community.

By M.A. Egge

The Minister of Interior who is the Chairman of the National Committee for the National Day Commemoration on May 18, Hon. Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, chaired a crucial and broad meeting on strengthening and maintaining public security across the country.

During Tuesday meeting, focus was on the imperativeness of upholding, maintaining and sustaining peaceful stability and general security of the country and reviewing the final touches of the preparations of the commemoration of the 33^rd  anniversary of the 18^th May celebrations which will be observed on Saturday.

He instructed all armed services of all security arms to be vigilant, just as the same appeal has been extended to the members of the public at large.

The chief army commander Major General Nouh Ismael Tani reiterated and vouched for the readiness of his troops in defence of the nation and safeguarding of its security.

The same sentiments were echoed by his police colleague Major General Mohamed Adan Saqadi who further called upon the sectional commanders to step-up their vigilance.

Minister of Religion and Endowments Sheikh Mohamed Haji Adan, Minister of Education and Science Dr. Buhaane, the Commander of the Correctional Force Major General Ahmed Awale Yusuf and the Deputy Mayor of Hargeisa on their part proposed and suggested on the measures to strengthen security during the National Day celebrations on May 18.

The Deutsche Welle media in Germany has highlighted the efforts of the Republic of Somaliland in the last 30 years in its aspirations to move from de-facto to de-jure state and the justified international recognition it so rightly deserves.

In a report prepared and aired the Deutsche Welle radio station, the commentator said that underpinned that Somaliland is a peaceful country that has been struggling for a long time to gain diplomatic recognition from the world.

Jama Muse Jsamac, a political and cultural analyst interviewed said that Somaliland was an independent country that gained independence from Britain on June 26, 1960 and was the 12th African country to gain independence before Somalia became independent.

Mr. Jama Musa said that the union of Somaliland and Somalia was intended for the five Somali states to unite, a greater Somalia dream, but that dream had failed and that after the bitter struggle and destruction of the Siad Barre regime in Somaliland, the people of Somaliland decided to return to and re-assert their 1960 independence in a declaration on May 18^th 1991.

Mr. Jama said that Somaliland has met the requirements of an independent nation, and noted that five presidents have changed democratically.

He also stated that the Republic of Somaliland is based on the aspirations, will and selfless efforts of its people who have supported their government without the world contributed anything tangible to it.

He also argued that Somaliland now has relations with many countries in the world and has political representatives in many countries.

He said that 70 percent of Somaliland’s youth have become wise in Somaliland and do not accept and refuse anything to do with Somalia.

On the other hand, an Ethiopian journalist who recently visited Somaliland said that there is peace, business, and a functioning government in Somaliland.

The journalist also said that the people of Hargeisa are vibrant, business-oriented and content with their nation.

Fortunately for us in KULMIYE we are going to polls and would compete against adversaries we prevailed upon before, he adds

The President of the Republic of Somaliland H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi who is also the flag-bearer of the ruling KULMIYE party gunning to retain his seat in the forthcoming elections, attended over the week the executive council meeting at the party’s headquarters in Hargeisa.

The Head of State was welcomed by the chairman of KULMIYE party, who is also the minister of interior, Hon. Mohamed Kahin Ahmed with all party stalwarts present, opened the meeting.

They were informed by the chair about the activities of the party and how they are engaged in preparing for the elections.

The meeting of the executive committee of the KULMIYE party focused on various issues including the acceleration and preparations for the elections, the MoU agreement between the Republic of Somaliland and Ethiopia which is going on well and the general security situation in the country.

The participants gave suggestions and views based on knowledge and experience, which can contribute to the party’s efforts to win the country’s government for the third time in a row.

The chairman of the technical committee of the charged with the task of formalizing the agreement between the Republic of Somaliland and Ethiopia, Mr. Bashe Awil informed the members of the committee about the progress of the national tasks assigned to them, and underlined the fact that the agreement is close to success, and both concerned countries are working to implement the envisioned agreement.

The President briefed the members of the executive committee on the agreement, and noted that the government has prepared a transparent agreement that will at last benefit the nation from what it has been striving for in its major aspirations for thirty-plus years.

While speaking to the members of the press at the end of the meeting, the Head of State H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi made the assurances that the points, advices and suggestions and proposals put forth by the participants during the party executive council meeting will be considered and applied as per need.

He said, “Our meeting regarding the preparations for the elections had discussions on many practical ideas for the benefit of the party and the nation in the preparation of the elections, and the decisions have been collected for implementation”.

He noted that said that what was at stake in the general elections were both the retention of the Presidency and at the same time the national officialdom of the party hence emphasized the utmost need of bolstering the party that has been at the helm for the past 14 years in a stretch.

He said that the people and the nation are going to the polls with everyone free to exercise their freedom of political rights and vote in their preferences.

The President cautioned against the politics of polarization that could cause unwarranted rife incidents hence urged for sanity and wisdom to prevail during the electioneering period. He warned against volatility and uncouth actions that may undermine the elections which may set back security stability that prevalent.

He pointed out that the KULMIYE political party is unrivalled and is the only one political party that can boast of past formidable and impeccable records as concerns the struggles of the nation and development streak.

“The people will vote and everyone will vote for the person they want, but they ought to be united such the elections should not bring us unnecessary conflicts”,

In expressing his confidence of retaining the seat, the President continued, “We are going to the elections as KUMIYE party. Fortunately, the aspirants who have been nominated are a team that we have competed against each other before and we know each other very well. We may have been wary if the aspirants were new”.

The other two aspiring candidates of WADDANI’s Abdirahman Irro and UCID’s Feisal Ali Warabe competed with the incumbent president during the last presidential elections.