Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Bihi Yonis and Minster of Interior Hon Ali Mohamed Waran Cade were among Special invited guests consisting of Ministers, High Commissioners and Ambassador and friends who had gathered at the British Ambassador residence to celebrate the Queens 88th birthday party yesterday evening. The Queen was born on 21 April 1926 at the home of her mother’s parents in Mayfair.
However, her birthday is also celebrated officially each year in June at the Trooping the Colour service – which this year will take place on 14 June.
An Invitation for the queen’s birthday party was extended to the two Cabinet Ministers by the British High Commissioner in Addis Ababa through Somaliland representative to Ethiopia Mr. Aden Nuuh Duleh.
The two cabinet ministers who are currently in Ethiopia have spent the whole of last week meeting high level Ethiopian Ministers to discuss ways to strengthen security and trade related issues.
The Somaliland officials also meet with African Politicians at the African Union headquarters to discuss current issues between the government and which role Somaliland should play in in achieving peace.
Hearing morning birds singing beautiful songs and hearing those melody sounds. The weather is so pleasant and cannot be compared to anywhere else in Africa, you don’t want to get out of your bed , the alarm is your enemy, suddenly you hear a voice in your head ”time to work” as the young and old get on with it. You drive the most contemporary car in the town, you are famous among your society and work for an INGO/UN, and they are the best salary payers in Somaliland. After 8 hours of work and an afternoon nap, your nightlife starts. You visit the most exclusive hotels with friends, co-workers discussing politics, pointing out the most recent famous individuals in town and you date the most beautiful girls (Somalis). Somali women are famous for their shyness and their beauty compared to rest of the African women. They say Somali are “mixed with Arab“with brown skin. You heard one of your colleague’s mentions your favorite band’s new gig at the Panorama hotel (famous for Somali shows) and you need just pay $10 to enter. After enjoying this until 2am you go back the same page and daily lifestyle, happy and without worries.
The next day, on your way to work you gets a phone call from your cousin in Europe telling you to come pick him from the airport. You happily fetch him and after work, you take him to the town. ??? After a while you begin to realize the dramatic change in your surroundings including your friends ,the stories and discussions changed in to the , latest fashion trends , bright lights of terraces and buildings , KFC , parks , clubs and other social lifestyle in the west; its fine your cousin is new let him talk since he miss back home. ???
The next morning while at work, your beloved mom gives you a quick phone call telling you that your cousin is getting married so you need to bring him home to meet the girl’s family. It makes you wonder how quickly he found a woman. Nevertheless you proceed and meet with the girl’s family, arranging the engagement, printing cards, reserving the Mansoor hotel for the venue (one of the exclusive hotels in hargeisa). The engagement preparations are done with the date set. This hectic work didn’t even give you time to check your face book page nor even the chance to congratulate your cousin.
You almost started getting motivated to be married too, you have everything it takes right? You have been in relationship for the past 3 years, your lady mentioned marriage several times but you always say ‘why hurry, we need to get to know each other’ while remembering your grandfather’s advice about women. By no means do what women anticipate you to do, it’s part of your culture, you are the one who decides the next step, the day she start talking about something you don’t agree with, you ignore her calls for a week. You like flirting on face book, you are not ready to engage yourself this time, you tell all the girls you meet that you not ready for relationship but friendship. When you eventually decide to give your girlfriend a call, her phone is locked, you repeat for 3 days but no answer, you check face book and Skype, both are offline. All her communication seems to suddenly have gone offline. You start wondering what is happening, you start getting anxious, as you are eager to tell her that her waiting is over. You get the idea of going to her friend to ask about, but after a short visit, her friend tells you that your girlfriend got married to a man from Europe 3 days ago.
Mr.BenedictArnood from the Cedar Tree Institute said, my friends of many years views, did not offend me, what offends me most was their beliefs that I had no right to my independent, moderate views, and that I should just shut up and leave the future coarse of the country to them alone. Because they know better. But free thinking and free speech is the heart and spirit of America. You have a choice, love it or leave it. I find myself pitted more against extreme – right wing views. They have that naïve and childish notion that moderates are wishy – washy, fence sitters, waiting to see which way the political wind blows. So that they can lean that way.Claiming that they have the only politically correct path. But free speech and free thinking is the heart, spirit, and soul of America. If they don’t like that kind of America. They have a choice. Love it or leave it. Dear reader, extremism is alive and exists on many fronts in Somaliland. But intolerance is not an option. Because we are old enough to know that Somalilanders are flying birds that have no respect for boundaries. Fences means nothing to those who can fly. It is our manner born to express openly, our feeling, and thinking, freely and without restrictions.Anybody who has no patience for free speech and free thinking, he is not entitled to run our political platform and career. Love it or leave it. James Jefferson reply to citizens of Washington in 1809 said, the difference of opinion should arise among men on politics, and on every avenue of human inquiry, and that should be freely expressed in a country where all our faculties are free, is to be expected. But those valuable privileges are much perverted when some jerks and special interest group politicians permitted to disturb the harmony of social intercourse, and to lessen the tolerance of opinion.
Dear reader,the recent crisis in Somaliland is not only involving the free speech; but the issue is more risky and more frightening than that. It is a fatal national crime against our institutions, Government Bodies,the judiciary – system, the rules and regulations of the whole State. A big crime against our entity, and Identity as a democratic State, is the stake.It is a foolish blunder and disaster, committed by some alien hungry for revenge and retaliation. Frederic Douglass, a leader of the Abolitionist Movement of Slavery in America said, I would rather unite with anybody to do right, and with nobody to do wrong. As a freelance writer, the pen of genius is to set his merit forth, like a guiding star on a stormy weather. Mr.NeilGaiman said, there is no one so blind as a leader who will not listen to his people. Because beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness, and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.
Because authenticity is the alignment of head, mouth, heart, thinking, saying, feeling, and doing the same thing consistently. This builds trust and followers love their leader. When you are finished changing; you are finished. It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent; but the most responsive to the change. When I seriously think deeply about the future prospects of this poor, helpless, and unlucky nation, called Somaliland. By reading the lizard – brain, and phony dim views of the political spearheads that our destiny is held in their dirty hands. I surrender myself to despair, give up life and that gleam of hope, for a better tomorrow. Our future prospects, aspiration, and dream; supposedly led by some personalities like Vanguard Nacnac, and the loose cannon,Mr.AliGurey. Watching them exchanging disgusting, dirty jokes while the whole World is watching them; both our foes and our friends. Hence then, my stomach grow sick and I blink my eyes as a sign of disbelief.I feel complete constriction in my throat, and lack of saliva abstracts me tongue – tied.
Mr.Nacna, Mr.Luther King said, injustices to someone in somewhere, is injustices to everyone in everywhere. Socrates said, experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do, with what happens to you.Mr.Nacnac, the mouth speaker of Mr.Silanyo, let me ask you; when did a man with a pen and paper, became a thief with a knife? Secondly, this case is in between our own canary in the Coal – Mine, and the advocatefor the silent majority, Mr.YusufAbdiGaboobe; and this heartless regime which is hungry for pain and blood .Mr.William Arthur said, the pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. When it is obvious that the goals can’t be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. Don’t go where the path may lead, go instead where there is a path and leave a trail. Mr.Nacnac, be aware of false knowledge, it is more dangerous than ignorance. If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail. Why you refer the case to a particular clan who has no a clue of what is going on in your corrupted political platform,and it’s ill – deeds.Americans says, fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Mr.Nacnac, if your mind is still pre – occupied with that old traditional tribal fashion of ReerQansax and ReerGalool. Please resign politics, go home, and relax. Somalilanders have no room for a tribal chief like you to represent them in their National Assembly, in this age and time.Mr.Nacnac, put the shoe on the right foot and call a spade, a spade.Please grow up and change your infectious, political literature. Bear in mind, that Somaliland is not an Isaaq land. You have to respect the other communities that we share this country. Because our ears are full of wax.You are a hypocrite, flatterer that licks before, and scratches behind. If you plant seeds of hatred among family and friends; it will grow to destroy both of us. I hate to see you as an Mp to my riding and polling-station.
Mr.AliGurey, what you were expecting from Nacnac after the massacre of those innocent, armless,helpless, teenagers who were fired with live – ammunition, while they were throwing stones? Do you want him to take the gun and shoot back those misled police force?
As a Somaliland political figure, who has a dream one day to be the president of Somaliland. Aren’t those victimised children, your kids? If you are talking sense, really, they are your kids.Are we a tribe with a flag and a national anthem; or are we a civilized democratic – State with rules and regulations? Mr.Ali, as a political leader of Somaliland, you are supposed to put water on the fire, not to kindle the old flame. Because an old flame is easily kindled.Mr.Ali, your vision is the promise of what you will be tomorrow. If you succeed, you will divide Hargeisa in to two camps. One camp will hold that black flag of Al Shabab terrorist Organization; while the other camp will hold that stained blue flag, with the stigma of rape and robbery. According to my perception, by putting water on the fire of that previous incident, is the only good thing Mr.Nacnac did, since he became an Mp of Somaliland. I hate you, and Mr.Nacnac, to be my future president. Both of you, please grow up and change your infectious political culture of dismay.
Dear reader, the human brain is a wonderful element. It starts working the moment you born, and never stops until you stand up to speak in public. Removing all doubts through your mouth. Fools think alike, and great minds run in the same channel.Somalilanders, our media and free press whom we have assigned them to be our own canary in the coal- mine, our advocate and mouth – piece; are always harassed and threatened by a constellation of bigots, like Mr.Nacnac, whoconstantly tickling our throats. Bugging the media and blackmailing them simply because they gave a light of unpleasant slash to the Black – Hair – Handkerchief (Ganbo) of the Mother – In – Law from Hell ( Tribalism ).That is why our genuine mouth – piece and advocate, the Hubal Newspaper and Hatuf are outlawed, banned, and put under surveillance. If we desert them and leave them alone. We will be hunted by the RBU and would be put behind – bars for no apparent reasons, one after the other. We must stand up all, and say No to this Marshall – Law of Mr.Silanyo and his arrogant regime.According to the perception of Mr.Silanyo’s Regime.Political pornography of Injustices, Nepotism, Tribalism, Egoism, Dictatorship, unhealthy political Sex of corruption, hoarding and robbing the national treasury, supressing the Media, shooting our future generation in a rootless fashion, indiscriminately; is the foundation – stone of their perception of democracy. He has the intention of practising the exercise – book of his Godfather, the late vampire. “ You are the sun; you are the moon.” That is why lately, the freedom and personal rights of Mr.YusufAbdiGaboobe is denied and restricted. Moreover, his news paper and the Hubalnews paperis banned for no apparent reason, but to supress the truth. Who knows what is next?I assume the imams of the Mosques like immamAdanSiro, and shrined places for worship will be the next target. Dear Somalilander, the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing and to be silent; serving as the film’s epilogue. Dear reader, there is a Somali saying or proverb that says. All animals feed their new – born – babies in the cradle with the exception of the white – crow. Instead of feeding it’s infants, the white – crow comes to it’s babies and spits on their eyes. Mr.Silanyo is a typical white – crow.
Dear Somalilander, the dawn of anticipation forms the most soothing pillow for a restless head. Marriage is an institution in which the woman gets her Master’s degree and the man loses his Bachelor’s degree. But most couples divorce because of their religious differences. The husband thinks that he is the master of all that under the roof, while the wife knows that she is. As marriage is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. Mr.Silanyo, when you charging somebody with a crime. You have to collect all evidence after the fact and before the fact. Then draw the conclusion. Then dump it in the trash – can or forward your case with authentic signiture to the Anthony – General. If you have a good case liable for a free trial against our advocate for the freedom of speech; why you don’t forward your case in the day – light through the appropriate channels? Instead of beating about the bush and blackmailing the judiciary – Department and intimidating the arms of the law. Mr.Silanyo, it is better to limp on the right road, than speeding up on the wrong one. A frightened child dreads fire. If you are easily burned, you should never go near the fire. Beer on whiskey, is mighty risky. Tomorrow we all fade like a leaf, but history will prevail. Many African dictators like you failed, because they lacked vision and purpose. Remember, when there is smoke, for sure there is a fire. There is a big gap in between you and the people that you are presiding. You have to break the ice. You are misled by flatterers that lick before, and scratch you behind. Stick to your flannels, until they stick to you.
Madam AminaWaris, by default you are a pre – selected option adopted by the whole nation as their first lady. We highly expect you to be the passion – fruit of the passion – flower. You must act as an emblem of love and passion; not a playful clown that scares and intimidates the public. Somalilanders value your honour much more, than resembling and acting as the late Mamma Khadija. Many voices are echoed to our ears. You are a lettered lady. please don’t let yourself down. Don’t let the power, and the pride to infect you with a colour – blind disease. The father is the head, but the mother is the heart. Please don’t mingle your clean hands with the African dirty politics that is smeared with a bad blood. You can act your official role freely, as a humanitarian role – model and the first lady of your country. I am not a chauvinist against women. But you have to respect our sacred shrines, culture, and traditions. If you cross the line, you must have the guts to stand the heat. Politics have a deadly weapon tongue. The father to his desk, and the mother to her dishes. You can’t have it both ways.Mr.Nelson Mandela said, a good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.
Our First Lady, I hate to say I told you, but I did.
he voice Somalis from Ogaden region of Ethiopia has finally been heard by the international community. The United States, the United Kingdom as well as the EU Parliament have in the recent past openly expressed their concerns over alleged humanitarian crisis in the African country.
The U. S House of Representatives has asked Ethiopia to provide human rights and humanitarian organizations with free access to its Somali region of Ogaden.
The U. S. said Ethiopia must make sure that funds available for assistance of its military and police forces are not used unless the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that Ethiopia’s government is implementing policies to protect basic human rights like freedom of expression, assembly and religion.
The U. S. Congress declared, “That Funds . shall not be made available unless the Secretary of State certifies . Ethiopia is implementing policies to protect judicial independence; freedom of expression, association, assembly, and religion; the right of political opposition parties, civil society organizations.”
The world power also asked Ethiopia to make sure that human rights and humanitarian organizations are provided free access to the Somali region of the country and journalists are allowed to operate without any harassment or interference.
Anna Gomes, the EU’s head of International Unit Party, pointed out that Ethiopia is one of the largest humanitarian and development aid receiver but it is using donations improperly and dishonestly.
Human Rights Groups like Amnesty International and Genocide Watch have been accusing Ethiopia Government of committing brutal crimes against humanity in Ogaden region.
MSD is Advocating for the World Immunization Week in Africa
This year, the African Vaccination Week will be celebrated from 22 to 27 April under the theme –“Vaccination – a shared responsibility”
NAIROBI, Kenya, April 24, 2014/ — MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) (http://http://www.merck.com) reiterates today its support to the World Immunization Week, an annual initiative launched by World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners to celebrate and promote immunization through acts of raising awareness, education and communication.
This year, the African Vaccination Week will be celebrated from 22 to 27 April under the theme –“Vaccination – a shared responsibility”. . It aims at highlighting the role and importance of everyone to fight against the vaccine-preventable diseases such as pertussis, measles, tetanus, diphtheria, influenza, rotavirus diarrhea, pneumonia, viral hepatitis and cancers associated with HPV (cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers). .
The efficacy of vaccines and their impact on public health are no longer questioned. They have contributed to the prevention of more than 25 circulating infectious diseases and have allowed avoiding a large number of long-term handicaps1. Likewise, the number of spared deaths each year is estimated at about 2 to 3 millions every year2 thanks to immunization. However, despite the progress in Africa, many challenges remain. The advantages of vaccination should be extended beyond children to include teenagers and adults, hence to provide protection against deadly diseases such as , meningitis, diarrhea or even cancers associated with HPV (cervical cancer and ano-genital cancers). In Africa, a woman dies every 8 hours because of cancer, deaths that we can avoid today thanks to early immunization3.
Vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus infections (human papillomavirus)
Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) are viruses that are quite common as they may infect skin and mucous membranes 4. Researchers distinguish more than 100 genotypes of papillomavirus, of which 40 may infect genitals and 13 are recognized as oncogenes 4.
HPV infection is one of the most common4 Sexually Transmitted Infections
(STI): at least half of sexually active individuals encounter HPV during their lifetime4. Any sexual contact is associated with a risk of infection4. Having a cutaneous and mucosal transmissive nature, HPV infection might occur despite condom use; hence vaccination proves to be important 4.
Today, there are two vaccines against HPV:the bivalent vaccine targeting the two main oncogenes HPV types (16 and 18) and a the quadrivalent vaccine targeting HPV type 6 &11 (responsible for 90% of the cases of genital warts (1)) and HPV type 16 and 18 which cause 70% of cervical cancers, 40% to 50% of vulva cancer, 70% of vagina cancers (2) and 95% of anus cancers (3).
The World Immunization Week is the perfect occasion to shed light on the tremendous progress achieved in terms of immunization and to draw attention to cancers induced by viral infections such as HPV infections (uterus and vulva cancers) which can be henceforth prevented rather than cured. Likewise, it is an opportunity to stress the importance of integrating such type of vaccines in our national public health programs.
“MSD is proud to support World Immunization Week in Africa, which provides an important opportunity to raise awareness about the public health impact of vaccination,” said Dr. Soren Bo Christiansen, President of MSD’s Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Vaccines are one of the greatest public health stories in history, and MSD has played its part in that story. For more than 50 years, our scientists have helped prevent now-rare diseases such as measles and mumps, as well as diseases never thought preventable such as shingles and cervical cancer. Our commitment to protecting human health by ensuring availability and accessibility of vaccines is vital to our mission as a company.”
With the participation of more than 180 countries, territories and regions around the globe, the World Immunization Week aims at issuing a reminder that vaccines help fight a large number of infectious diseases and calls for action to improve immunization coverage for all age individuals.
Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme).
MSD (http://http://www.merck.com), today (known as Merck in the United States and Canada) is a global health leader, committed to help the world live better. MSD is a commercial name of Merck & Co., Inc., the headquarters of which are located in Whitehouse Station, NJ, United States. Thanks to our medicines, vaccines, biological therapeutics, consumer and animal health products, we collaborate with our clients and work in more than 140 countries to provide innovative health solutions. Likewise, we prove our determination to improve access to health care thanks to policies, programs and partnerships of high caliber.
World Health Organization, UNICEF, World Bank. State of the world’s vaccines and immunization. 3rd edition. Geneva 2009. 2. World Health Organization. Immunization. Available at: http://www.who.int/gho/immunization/en/index.html – Accessed February 2013World Health Organization. The International Agency for Cancer Research. GLOBOCAN 2008 Fast Stats Factsheet – Summary of “Cancer incidence and mortality worldwide in 2008”. Available online on: http://globocan.iarc.fr/factsheets/cancers/cervix.asp
4. Eileen F. Dunne, Elizabeth R. Unger, Maya Sternberg, Geraldine McQuillan, David C. Swan, Sonya S. Patel, Lauri E. Markowitz. Prevalence of HPV infection among females in the United States, JAMA. 2007;297:813-819
(1) aStudy Design: Six placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized phase 2 and 3 clinical studiesb evaluated the efficacy of GARDASIL in girls and women 16 to 45 years of age and boys and men 16 to 26 years of age at enrollment. Efficacy was measured after 1 month postdose 3, with median duration of follow-up from 3 to 4 years. Subjects received vaccine or placebo on the day of enrollment, and 2 and 6 months thereafter. Subjects received all 3 doses within 1 year of enrollment, had no major deviations from the study protocol, and were enrolled regardless of baseline HPV status, but were counted only in the analysis of the type(s) for which they were naïve at enrollment and through 1 month postdose 3.
bThe first phase 2 study evaluated the HPV 16 component of GARDASIL (n=2,391 girls and women), and the second evaluated all 4 components of GARDASIL (n=551 girls and women). Three phase 3 studies, called FUTURE, evaluated GARDASIL in 5,442 (FUTURE I), 12,157 (FUTURE II), and 3,817 (FUTURE III) girls and women. A fourth phase 3 study evaluated GARDASIL in 4,055 boys and men
(2) ~40% to 50% of vulvar cancer cases2,3
~70% of vaginal cancer cases3
2. Hampl M et al. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;108(6):1361–1368. 3. Insinga RP et al. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008;17(7):1611–1622.
The country has of lately experienced an upsurge in traffic accidents in the first quarter of 2014 being the deadliest, and the trend will likely continue unless something is done quick to curtail the road scourge this revealed today during a press briefing by the country top law enforcement officer.
The Police Commandant went on to say , “Several factors cause the increasing road traffic accidents, including usage of Mobile phones while driving poor driving knowledge, poor roads, overloading passengers and goods, high speeds and lack of road signs,”
“About 648 road accidents occurred in first quarter of 2014 causing 20 deaths ,443 injuries 414 vehicles damaged , 40 herd of livestock lost and 26 buildings damaged respectively,” said Brig. Gen Abdulahi Fadal Iman, the Commander of Somaliland’s Police Force.
Brig. Gen Fadal added that traffic accidents are arguably the country’s largest cause of death, “In 2013 there were at least 2374 road accidents recorded, 130 deaths, more than 1433 persons injured and 1596 vehicles damaged
During the same year (2013), 516 herds of livestock were lost, 133 building structures damaged the police boss said as this comes in a time when the UN marks the road safety week.
Since 2008, Narayan Mahon has been taking photographs in the unrecognized states of Somaliland (a region of Somalia), Nagorno-Karabakh (a region of Azerbaijan), Transnistria (a region of Moldova), Northern Cyprus (a region of Cyprus), and Abkhazia (a region of Georgia), for a series called “Lands in Limbo.” Mahon, who is based in Madison, Wisconsin, is interested in what happens to these regions after they declare independence and their citizens, who often live in poverty, must redefine their cultural identity.
Of these de-facto states, Mahon says that Somaliland is the easiest to work in, largely because of how relatively effectively its government and society function. His photographs of Somaliland convey the isolation of the state, as well as the flavor of everyday life there. He told me, “In all of these places, people accept their position in the world: We are here, no one will recognize us, but we are just going to keep our heads down. Maybe one day it will happen; there’s an outlook of it being a long game that they are playing. They are convinced that they are right to break away. Waiting has hardened their belief of righteousness.”
Somaliland Journalist Association SOLJA will be REMIND to those who Editors, Reporters, Civil Society, Human right organizations, UN/INGO’s, Government Officialsand any other stakeholders of press freedom in Somaliland a WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 3 MAY 2014.
We are Pleased to inform you as aSomaliland Journalist Association SOLJA Every year, May 3rd is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
World Press Freedom Day in 2014 focuses on three inter-related themes:media’s importance in development; safety of journalists and the rule of law; and the sustainability and integrity of journalism.
3 May was proclaimed World Press Freedom Day the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991.
It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom – a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.
It is a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favor of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide.
It serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
Raising Points:
·Sensitize Member State on the importance of freedom of expression and the dangers that impunity for crimes against media professionals represents for freedom and democracy;
·Sensitize journalists, media owners and policy-makers on existing international instruments and conventions, as well as various existing practical guides on the safety of journalists;
·Sensitize news organizations, media owners, editors and journalists on the dangers confronting their staff, particularly those faced by local journalists;
·Encourage journalism education institutions in developing curricula, which include material relevant to the safety of journalists and impunity;
·Disseminate best practices on the safety of journalists and counteracting impunity.
In summary, World Press Freedom Day 2014 examines the interrelated issues of the role of media in development, the correlative of the need for the safety of journalists, and matters related to the development of journalism itself.
Please mark your calendars now, Also we encourage to your participation confirmation to us, suggestions and your comments.
Feel free to call event organizer Feisal Omar madder 063 4413361 or send an email if you have questions.
Chatham House, the London–based research institution, last week released a briefing by the head of its Africa Program, Jason Mosley. Entitled “Eritrea and Ethiopia: Beyond the Impasse,” it calls for a new perspective on the relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia and suggests providing the impetus for a new kind of engagement to bring about normalization of relations between the two countries. Chatham House’s effort, which involved the Institute in discussions with Ethiopian and Eritrean missions in London, deserves appreciation for bringing the issue back to the table for discussion. However, the briefing concentrates so hard on the issue of ways to improve relations that it ignores a significant number of important facts about the behavior of the Eritrean government, the causes of the conflict and the factors which have caused the subsequent stalemate.
The report quite rightly makes the point that any discussions should avoid a “narrow focus on the specifics of the border conflict”, but it also stresses the conflict in 1998-2000 broke out over a controversy of the administration of Badme town. This appears to deliberately omit the fact that the war started because of unprovoked aggression of the Eritrean government, as was specifically pointed out subsequently by the Eritrean-Ethiopian Claims Commission. This is important as it ignores the fact that Eritrea’s foreign policy both before and after the 1998-2000 war appears to have been based on aggression and destabilization. It has largely been based on militaristic behavior which assumes the only way to resolve problems is through war and conflict. This, it has to be said, has been characteristic of Eritrea’s foreign policy since 1993 and it is far from clear that there has been any change in attitude.
Secondly, the Chatham House report accuses Ethiopia of continuing to fail to comply with the EEBC’s border ruling. It largely ignores any reference to Ethiopia’s acceptance of the border ruling (in November 2004, not 2006) in the five-point peace plan. This was far more than a mere passing rhetorical commitment to implement the decisions. It was a list of specific points to implement the border ruling and the EEBC accepted it as such. Ethiopia’s position regarding the EEBC’s [ruling], as it has repeatedly stated, is clear and consistent. It has publicly and repeatedly stated that it has accepted the decision, despite having serious doubts about some aspects of it, and has called on the other party to hold dialogue on the details of demarcation as is a normal requirement in such cases, e.g. the case with the Bakasi border demarcation between Cameroon and Nigeria. It is customary practice that demarcation of borders demands the two parties to open a dialogue before the position of boundary pillars involving people living along the borders are finalized. Ethiopia accepted the ruling in full compliance with the Algiers Agreement. Eritrea refused to accept the call for dialogue and took a stance which later led to the dissolution of the EEBC. Similarly, it was Eritrea which was responsible for forcing out the UN Mission to Eritrea and Ethiopia in 2008 (UNMEE) and 9 so effectively nullifying the Algiers Agreements. UNMEE was, of course, a central element in the demarcation, being responsible for security during the process. Blame over the implementation of the EEBC ruling cannot be laid at Ethiopia’s door alone; and the report misrepresents Ethiopia’s position, largely repeating the views of Eritrea.
The report suggests that certain inducements should be made to bring about a functional relationship between the two countries, starting with the lifting of UN-imposed sanctions on Eritrea as a token of “good will”. In the first place this ignores why sanctions were imposed. They followed the provision of proof that Eritrea supported organizations affiliated to terrorist and extremist organizations in Somalia and was working to destabilize the region more generally than just Ethiopia, though this remains a major target of its activity. Similarly, sanctions were the result of Eritrea’s own deliberate attack on Djibouti in 2008 (for the second time) and its continual refusal to admit either its aggression or that there was a problem, or to respond to efforts to mediate. The report makes no mention of Qatar’s efforts in this direction, or of Eritrea’s negative response to this. Lifting sanctions without any change of behavior by Eritrea defeats the very purpose of their imposition, and would certainly be seen by Eritrea as an endorsement of the regime’s behavior.
The report suggests that Ethiopia believes Eritrea’s isolation is in its interest. This is hardly accurate. Eritrea’s continuous refusal to participate in normal diplomatic activity in the region may have a negative effect on the operations of the regional body, IGAD as Ethiopia is fully aware. It also inhibits the regional infrastructure development agenda to which Ethiopia has been committed for a number of years. Contrary to the claims of the report, Ethiopia is actively engaged in promoting regional integration, peace and stability. This arises from its development policies which the Government believes cannot be achieved in isolation and without the development of the region. It should be clear that Ethiopia has no interest in the isolation of Eritrea, as long as it stops being a negative force for the region’s peace and stability and brings an end to its sponsoring of anti-Ethiopian terrorist organizations, and despite the assertions of the report these do still continue. Ethiopia has made it clear repeatedly that it is prepared to talk about any and all aspects of normalization of relations with Eritrea, anywhere, any time. Ethiopia firmly believes that regional peace is a prerequisite to sustainable development of the sub-region – the olive branch has been repeatedly extended.
The Chatham House report focuses on suggestions for economic incentives to improve relations: making suggestions about possible port and hydro-power interdependency, regional integration, reopening of the border and improving cross-border relations among the people of the two countries. This ignores the point that one reason for Eritrean aggression in 1998 was concern over the economic imbalance which Eritrea saw as growing in Ethiopia’s favor. Today the economic situation of Eritrea is very much worse than before; and that of Ethiopia greatly improved. The disparity is now massive. The attempt to find new perspectives seems to have pushed the writer to gloss over the reality on the ground in Eritrea and the behavior of the regime. This implies a scenario in which the cart is being placed before the horse. The report, in fact, overlooks the fact that the economic incentives cannot really bring about any change while there is no fundamental change in the workings of the regime.
There has never been a shortage of mediation efforts to resolve the dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea. All of them have failed. The reason has been the categorical refusal of the Government of Eritrea to hold a dialogue with Ethiopia over the border issue and ways to normalize relations. If, as the report, claims, Eritrea remains nervous about Ethiopia’s policies towards it and the “threat” posed by its larger neighbors, then it would seem to be axiomatic that it should be prepared to open discussions about its concerns. It is Eritrea that has consistently refused to do so. The fundamental point is that any change in the relationship can only come from genuine acceptance on the side of Eritrea to abide by accepted norms of international relations and open talks. Ethiopia has made it clear it would welcome this.
This is not the place to discuss the report’s analysis that “the vision of the political and military elite around [President] Isaias in Eritrea is of a unifying national identity that supersedes ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity, thereby diminishing any tensions related to these identities.” It is, however, very difficult to agree with any such comment which ignores so much of the current reality on the ground, including the flow of refugees across the border at an estimated 4,000 people a month, mostly disenchanted youngsters. The report also ignores the specific and central role in policy played by President Isaias himself and the importance of his own certainties. There is no indication of any change in either. 10
It is worth reminding the author of the report that sympathy for Eritrea, and it is hard not to be sympathetic towards it today, should not [extend to] distorting or omitting relevant facts about its government or policies. It is worth remembering that advocacy for a “soft approach” towards Eritrea ignores the interests of the suffering peoples of Eritrea. This effort to give a face lift to Eritrea by ignoring fundamental facts and reasons behind its relationship with Ethiopia remains flawed.
Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation Mohamed B. Yonis and his counterpart the Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held a high profile meeting this week In Addis Abba.
Hon Mohamed Bihi Yonis said the arrangement was part of “wider commitments on security and defense between the two governments.
The two government officials vowed to strengthen the trade and investment development between the two countries. Mohamed B. Yonis remarked to preserve peace and security in Somaliland, while observing the consistent longtime alliance of the two nations.
On the other hand Somaliland Minister of Internal Affairs and National Security Hon Ali Mohamed Waran Cade discussed with the Ethiopian Minister of Federal Affairs Dr. Shiferaw Tekel Mariam ways to enable the two countries’ security forces to establish closer working ties by sharing skills between police forces.
By Goth Mohamed Goth
Hearing morning birds singing beautiful songs and hearing those melody sounds. The weather is so pleasant and cannot be compared to anywhere else in Africa, you don’t want to get out of your bed , the alarm is your enemy, suddenly you hear a voice in your head ”time to work” as the young and old get on with it. You drive the most contemporary car in the town, you are famous among your society and work for an INGO/UN, and they are the best salary payers in Somaliland. After 8 hours of work and an afternoon nap, your nightlife starts. You visit the most exclusive hotels with friends, co-workers discussing politics, pointing out the most recent famous individuals in town and you date the most beautiful girls (Somalis). Somali women are famous for their shyness and their beauty compared to rest of the African women. They say Somali are “mixed with Arab“with brown skin. You heard one of your colleague’s mentions your favorite band’s new gig at the Panorama hotel (famous for Somali shows) and you need just pay $10 to enter. After enjoying this until 2am you go back the same page and daily lifestyle, happy and without worries.
Chatham House, the London–based research institution, last week released a briefing by the head of its Africa Program, Jason Mosley. Entitled “Eritrea and Ethiopia: Beyond the Impasse,” it calls for a new perspective on the relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia and suggests providing the impetus for a new kind of engagement to bring about normalization of relations between the two countries. Chatham House’s effort, which involved the Institute in discussions with Ethiopian and Eritrean missions in London, deserves appreciation for bringing the issue back to the table for discussion. However, the briefing concentrates so hard on the issue of ways to improve relations that it ignores a significant number of important facts about the behavior of the Eritrean government, the causes of the conflict and the factors which have caused the subsequent stalemate.
By Goth Mohamed Goth