Rep of Somaliland ranked first in all the Horn of Africa Nations Freedom House Report 2024.

A report issued Freedom House Report 2024 was ranked 43/100, ranked 7^th in the Muslim World.

1st in the Horn of Africa, 2nd in IGAD, 2nd in Arab world, 7th in the Muslim world And that’s for 20 years straight.

n the latest Freedom House report, Somaliland experienced a decline, losing one point from the previous year (44 to 43). We should be striving for progress rather than settling for our current state.

That’s what we tell ourselves and our government in the right forums However, it is worth mentioning that Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Norway have also seen a similar decrease of one point in 2024.

The anarchists who took up arms against the democratically elected government in 2023 have caused us no damage.

The expansion of Taiwan’s military scholarship program to Somaliland signifies a concrete step toward bolstering the latter’s defense capabilities while deepening bilateral relations. Taiwan’s commitment to regional security and partnership with the Republic of Somaliland is underscored by this announcement, building upon the program’s initiation in 2023.

The expanded program offers high school graduates from Somaliland the opportunity to undertake four-year academic military studies in Taiwan, covering specialized fields such as War College Courses, Command and Staff Courses, and Navy Academy programs. This training will be provided by Taiwan’s prestigious National Defense University (NDU), known for its excellence in military education and research.

Ambassador Lou, Taiwan’s Representative in Somaliland, emphasized the importance of capacity building and knowledge transfer in the field of security and national defense. “Through this program, Somaliland will move toward peace, stability, and prosperity,” remarked Ambassador Lou. “Taiwan remains committed to supporting Somaliland and exploring further opportunities for regional security cooperation.”

Ambassador Lou also highlighted a notable development within the program, stating, “It is thrilling to see 2 female military officers awarded for Taiwan Military Scholarship to study Master English Program on International Security this year. As the African proverb says, ‘If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.’ We expect there will be more and more female awardees to study in Taiwan.”

NDU’s curriculum incorporates the latest advancements in modern military command and control (C2), emphasizing networked warfare and information dominance. This approach prioritizes empowering lower-level commanders to make crucial decisions based on real-time information, leading to faster and more adaptable responses on the ground. Additionally, advanced communication and sensor technology provide commanders with a comprehensive picture of the battlefield, enabling informed strategic planning and execution. Seamless information sharing between commanders, units, and intelligence agencies fosters collaboration and coordinated operations.

Ambassador Lou, Taiwan’s Representative in Somaliland, emphasized the program’s potential for long-term progress. He highlighted the inclusion of two female military officers pursuing Master’s degrees in International Security this year, expressing optimism for increasing female representation in future cohorts.

Beyond defense, Taiwan and Somaliland collaborate across various sectors, including economic development, healthcare, and technology transfer. Cultural exchanges and educational partnerships further solidify understanding and mutual respect between the two nations.

Somaliland has previously sought military and security training from regional partners like Ethiopia and Djibouti, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing defense capabilities through international cooperation. Taiwan’s program offers valuable expertise in modern warfare and defense strategies, with potential for knowledge transfer and collaborative efforts in defense technology development.

However, amidst this cooperation, the unresolved airspace dispute between Somalia and Somaliland looms large. Somalia’s disruptive actions, including conflicting directives to pilots and jeopardizing air travel safety, highlight the urgent need for effective airspace management solutions. It remains uncertain if Somaliland has sought Taiwan’s assistance in managing its airspace, especially in light of Somalia’s efforts to disrupt the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between Somaliland and Ethiopia.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) with support from Danida carried out a labor market assessment (LMA) in Somaliland conducted in September 2023, intending to provide a comprehensive understanding of the region’s labor and market dynamics, focusing specifically on key economic centers including Berbera, Burao, Borama, Hargeisa, Ainabo, and Wajaale.

The primary objective of the assessment is to gain detailed knowledge about employment trends in the region, key sectors for growth and identify gaps in the job market. Additionally, the assessment seeks to determine market needs by examining the demand for various skills and occupations. By analyzing the existing labor market, the assessment aims to identify potential areas for expanding labor opportunities and promoting economic growth. It also aims to create an updated profile of in demand skills, ensuring alignment between the available workforce and job market requirements. Furthermore, the assessment focuses on identifying and addressing barriers that hinder access to decent and productive employment in Somaliland, particularly for migrants and refugees. The findings of the assessment can inform targeted interventions for stakeholders to overcome employment challenges faced by migrants and refugees and enhance their access to livelihood opportunities.

The Labor Market Assessment will play a vital role in strengthening the DRC’s programmatic strategic goals in Somaliland by providing a comprehensive understanding of local labor market dynamics. The assessment aimed to achieve several objectives:

1. Understand the economic landscape in Somaliland, gaining insights into the different sectors and financial landscape. Identify high-demand sectors, skills and competencies as well as areas with skill gaps within the local labor market. This information will guide the design of training programs and skill development initiatives to improve employability and bridge existing skill gaps.
2. Identify livelihood opportunities for migrants and refugees within the local labor market by examining sectors and industries for existing job prospects and areas of potential growth. This understanding will inform effective strategies to integrate migrants and refugees into available employment opportunities.

To achieve these goals, the LMA actively engages with stakeholders in Burao, Berbera, Borama, Odweyne, Hargeisa, and Wajaale in Somaliland. This inclusive approach involves close collaboration with local communities, employers, government agencies, local NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders, especially migrants and refugee population groups. By involving these stakeholders, the assessment ensures that their perspectives and experiences are considered, providing a comprehensive understanding of the labor market dynamics. Engaging with employers and government agencies allows valuable insights into employment trends, market needs, and potential opportunities. The involvement of relevant stakeholders also enables a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by migrants and refugees in their pursuit of employment and livelihood opportunities, as well as their integration into the broader job market.

Data collection for the assessment relied on a combination of primary and secondary sources. Primary data was collected through surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with stakeholders, including local communities, employers, government agencies, and organizations. Secondary data was gathered from existing sources such as government reports and publications from other organizations.

labour-market-analysis-somaliland

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told MPs that he is going to discuss moves with Lord Cameron about a potential important ally in tackling the Houthi terrorists.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will hold top level meetings in a bid to tackle Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. He told MPs that he will discuss the status of a potential ally in Africa with Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron.

The minister was tackled in the Commons about the former British protectorate of Somaliland which has been operating as a successful independent country for 33 years but is currently unrecognised because neighbouring Somalia claims sovereignty over it.

However, a number of MPs including former Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and former Attorney General Sir Michael Ellis have been pressing for recognition of a country which, unlike Somalia, is a stable democracy with a good human rights record and wants to be allies with Britain.

Sir Michael pressed the issue this week in the Commons when Shapps was giving an MPs an update on the Red Sea crisis.

He said: “Has the Defence Secretary considered engaging with the currently unrecognised country of Somaliland? I visited it recently, as the Register of Members’ Financial Interests will show. As it has a border with the gulf of Aden, its port at Berbera might be useful to His Majesty’s Government.”

The Defence Secretary’s response has offered a little bit more hope to Somaliland.

He told Sir Michael: “I know that my right honourable and learned Friend is a big fan of Somaliland. I have visited it myself in the past, and I know that in a difficult environment, they do a very good job — administratively and otherwise — of trying to run their Government. I will take his comments away and confer with the Foreign Secretary.”

Previously, Express.co.uk has revealed that in discussions with Sir Gavin, Lord Cameron said he was “sympathetic” to recognition.

The door for international moves by the UK and US has been opened by Ethiopia in effect recognising Somaliland via a memorandum of understanding so it can have access to its major port.

The issue has infuriated Somalia, but critics point out that while Somaliland is stable and relatively successful, Somalia is currently a failed state and a haven for piracy.

Saynab Mohamed Ahmed, 50, had been a businesswoman for 30 years in Hargeisa selling fresh vegetables and produce at a roadside table, but she is now sitting at home due to the impact of insecurity affecting goods and sales.

With no income she is now faced with food shortage and lack of proper shelter after being evicted from her two-room house on 20 January for defaulting on the $100 rent.

She and her family of 10 people squeeze inside a small hut owned by their relatives. Her eldest son earns their living but can only get them a meal a day.

“My son goes to the market. We eat whatever she can get once a day. He sells thrift clothes, some days he makes some money and sometime nothing,” Saynab said.

She is among hundreds of small businesspeople put out of work as the Lasanod to Hargeisa road has been abandoned by travellers due to uncertainty over the security. Since last year the supply of fresh produce from Somalia’s southern breadbasket regions has been unable to reach and availability of food produced locally in Somaliland is both limited and expensive.

She had debts of $400, including money she owes for supplies she bought locally that customers wouldn’t buy due to the high process.

“I closed down my business when I couldn’t get any income. I couldn’t get loans to continue and everything got expensive. The business ran down as inflation rates were rising and now I sit at home,” she said.

She used to make $300 a month from her shop, enough to pay rent and for education for her children.

After the school learnt of her misfortunes in business, they allowed four of her children to continue with their education, while her relatives pay fees for two children. She is happy to have kept all her children in school.

Hinda Adan Awil, 23, had a mobile cart selling vegetables that she had to close due to the lack of produce coming in because of the closure of road transport from the south.

She took up cleaning jobs so that she could continue supporting her five siblings and diabetic father.

“I earn $80 a month. I can’t fully cover the rent and children’s school fees. But we are still living, we use whatever I can get,” she said. Two of her siblings’ fees cost $18 and their single room house rent is $50.

In 2022, Hinda lost the stall she ran in the destructive Waheen market fire that caused huge damage. Her stall there was valued at $500. The mobile cart was her next endeavour but insecurity has defeated her again.

“Although I would like to resume my business, it is not possible, we just depend on God,” she said.

The head of Idan market association, Abdifatah Ahmed Muhumed, representing vegetable traders, 2,400 vegetable traders, said some had been buying expensive produce from Ethiopia.

He complained that the fire, the recent insecurity and its consequences, and rising prices had led to disruption of many small businesses. He said they had been trying to reach out to the government about the cuts in supply of fresh produce to Somaliland.

The Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yassin Haji Mohamoud Hiir ‘Faratoon’, Wednesday, made a wide reshuffle to the composition of the House subcommittees.

The changes as published on the official website and social media platforms of the HoR cover all the committees leaving very few members to continue roles in their previous committees.

It is mandatory to shift committee memberships once their yearly tenure expires. This time around, the reshuffle comes more than seventeen months overdue due to circumstances mostly beyond the control of the House impacting on the proper dispensation of their responsibilities.

The Speakers’ committees’ nominations appeared as below:

1. The Standing Committee

1. Abdikareem Adan Omar ‘Dhiirane’
2. Abdullahi Musa Abdi Awale
3. Jimale Ahmed Yonis
4. Mohamoud Hayir Duale
5. Yussuf Farah Warsame
6. Mohamoud Farah Jama
7. Mukhtar Ibrahim Habashi
8. Sheikh Ahmed Dayib ‘Ku-Addeeye’
9. Suleiman Nur Warsame ‘Food’
10. Mubarik Hussein Mohamed ‘Heeldhere’
11. Abokor Farah Warsame
12. Abdirahman Yussuf Mohamed ‘Badheedhe’
13. Hassan Dhuhul Laabsaalah

2. Economy, Finance and Trade

1. Hussein Ismail Jama
2. Abokor Saeed Ali
3. Ahmed Abdu Musa
4. Mohamed Khadar Dahir
5. Ibrahim Ali Jama
6. Gulaid Mohamed Warsame
7. Mustafa Ahmed Abdullahi
8. Khadar Ali Hassan (Hakim)
9. Ali Hussein Nur ‘Beegsi’

3. Internal Affairs, Defense and Security

1. Abdullahi Sheikh Mohamed Ahmed’
2. Ahmed Mohamed Hurre ‘Barkhad’
3. Ahmed Musa Jama
4. Fuad Ahmed Derie
5. Ahmed Mohamoiud Abdullahi ‘Fanah’
6. Saeed Jama Hassan ‘Adde’
7. Adan Osman Harbi

4. Sharia, Constitution and Family Affairs

1. Barkhad Jama Hersi ‘Battun’
2. Ali Jama Arrale ‘Qaran’
3. Salah Mohamed Derie
4. Hussein Adan Abdi
5. Mohamed Hussein Maydhane
6. Qassem Adan Suleiman
7. Saeed Mohamed Ismail ‘Sokeeye’

5. Social Affairs

1. Amina Elmi Farid
2. Ahmed Abdikareem Duale ‘Walhad’
3. Ahmed Jama Salah
4. Hersi Abdullahi Hersi
5. Ibrahim Mohamed Jama ‘Guun’
6. Abdullahi Mohamed Adan
7. Abdullahi Yussuf Ahmed

6. Public Works, Technology, Housing and Transportation

1. Jama Adan Derie
2. Eng. Ahmed Abdi Ibrahim (Timojili’)
3. Eng. Hassan Ahmed Elmi ‘Keyse’
4. Eng. Suleiman Ahmed Arab
5. Amin Suleiman Jama Rooble
6. Suleiman Derie Barre
7. Mohamed Abib Yussuf

7. External Affairs, International Cooperation, Planning & Investment

1. Mohamed Hassan Saeed
2. Jama Abokor Dubbe
3. Mohamed Osman Mohamed ‘Limo’
4. Mukhtar Hassan Maydhane
5. Mubarak Musa Ismail
6. Omar Jama Farah

8. Justice, Legislative Affairs & Human RightsJamal Ali Adan ‘Jah’

1. Jamal Ali Adan ‘Jah’
2. Abdikareem Mohamed Muhumad
3. Abdikareenm Adan Ali Dubad
4. Ahmed Yussuf Nur ‘Gurruje’
5. Faisal Yussuf Jama Hashi
6. Mohamed Jama Ismail ‘Koodbuur’
7. Bileh Abdi Duale

9. Natural Resources and Environment

1. Suleiman Mohamed Farah ‘Gooh’
2. Abdikareem Me’ad Isaq
3. Yahye Abdullahi Amin
4. Ahmed Hassan Ali ‘Assowe’
5. Mohamoud salah Abdi
6. Abdikareem Hugur Abdi
7. Bashir Hussein Hersi

10. Public Accounts

1. Mohamed Jama Liban
2. Mohamed Hussein Jama ‘Rambo’
3. Abdirashid Abdullahi Musa
4. Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud ‘Kaare’
5. Ahmed-Yassin Mohamed Hassan
6. Jama Ahmed Ogleh ‘Anno’
7. Hassan Omar Hassan ‘Ogaal’
8. Nuraddin Ahmed Dayib

The new committees are expected to draw in a few lax ends that have of recent been the subject of public discontent.

External Affairs subcommittee, especially, will make a positive impact if it, for instance, follows up on and supports the recent Minister of Planning decree relating to the strengthening and uprade of development partners input and their employment practices in country offices.

During a Commons Chamber debate on the situation in the Red Sea, Sir Michael Ellis MP asked the Secretary of State for Defence Hon. Grant Shapps whether he considered engaging with Somaliland.

In response, the Secretary of State said:

“I know that my right hon. and learned Friend is a big fan of Somaliland. I have visited it myself in the past, and I know that in a difficult environment, they do a very good job—administratively and otherwise —of trying to run their Government. I will take his comments away and confer with the Foreign Secretary.”

The president of Somaliland has accused Somalia’s government of being complicit in the death of an aviation expert from the self-declared republic.

Abdinasir Dahable, an employee of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, was found dead on 18 February.

Forensic examinations confirmed signs of torture on the body, which was discovered in his home in Somalia’s capital city, Mogadishu.

Speaking at Mr Dahable’s funeral, after his body was transported to his birthplace, the city of Gabiley, President Muse Bihi Abdi expressed an urgent need for transparency and justice.

He accused Somalia’s government of “assassinating” Mr Dahable and asked for clarity on the circumstances surrounding the death of the expert.

Somalia’s government has not responded to BBC News Somali’s request for comment, but it previously said an investigation into Mr Dahable’s murder was ongoing and that six suspects had been detained.

President Bihi’s accusation heightens already existing tensions over the ongoing dispute between Somaliland and Somalia over the control of airspace.

Somaliland, a former British protectorate, seceded from Somalia in 1991 but is not internationally recognised as an independent state.