Above Prof. Ahmed I Samater Addressing Somaliland Diaspora in Ottawa

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Ottawa-Prof. Ahmed I Samater has this week addressed Somaliland Diaspora living in the city of Ottawa, Canada where he was invited as a guest of honor in a one meeting whose theme was “Somaliland Sovereignty and the making of a successful future” intended to discuss and identifying the main challenges facing  the country quest for International Recognition and to find suitable avenues of pursuing recognition from the international community, 23 years after the country broke away from the rest of Somalia.

The deputy speaker of Somaliland National Assembly Hon Baashe Mohamed Farah who is currently in Ottawa, Canada briefed the diaspora on the current  situation in Somaliland and of the  strides made in the country

Prof Ahmed Samater speaking at the event said, “Tyranny, inequality and social injustices were the main reasons which prompted the disgruntlement of Somaliland citizens hence the decision to withdrawal and revoke the union on the basis of self – determination and regain independence.

The academician cum politician went on to say, “It’s now 23 years since the union with Somalia was dissolved but still Somaliland has not attained its rightful place in the among nations is due to Somaliland inability to persistently lobby for its recognition in the international arena is another challenge, therefore, to attain recognition depends on how Somaliland will deal with the matter in the right way and by selecting the right people for the task and how it will employ the right approaches through budget allocations of a least $10 Million for lobbying campaigns which will likely lead to international recognition.

Prof Ahmed Samater added, “Although Somaliland has fulfilled the criteria of statehood, there is more to be done in order to attain International recognition, there are many factors challenging its quest for recognition both locally and internationally and it’s this impediments we must deal with in the first place.

“To must make sure that the problems, challenges and threats presently facing the nation are identified and addressed such as the issue of equal representation of all clans living in Somaliland at all levels of government and to make sure that the mistakes of the past aren’t repeated we need to put the most suitable and sustainable solutions which are contemplated, presented and agreed upon all,” he said.

The politician addressing the forum also touched on the issue of unequal trade worth $450 Million that exist between Ethiopia and Somaliland of which neighboring Ethiopia exports $300 Million of the in   form of Khat which has being having adverse effects on the local economy because Khat chewing persons are said to use more than half of their domestic budgets on khat, but few perceived this as a waste of resources not to forget its impact on the health of Somaliland citizens.

Prof Ahmed I Samater later sang “CIDNA EERSAN MAAYEE” while paying tribute to the late King of Somali Music at the event.

Lastly Prof Ahmed Samater said, “It was so saddening to see Somaliland government reluctance in helping late Somali Musician Mohamed Suleyman Tubec seek medical treatment unlike SFG which willing stepped in to pay all his medical bills abroad but what’s so hurting it’s to see his burial taking place in Mogadishu contrary to his last wishes which were for him to be buried in his birth place in Sahil region.

 SomalilandPress.com

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Hargeisa-Somaliland First Lady Amina Sheik Mahmoud Jirde was among dozens of dignitaries attending a one day meeting meant to discuss and find ways of upgrading the standards of education in Salahley district, held at Hotel Star.

The First lady speaking at the one day event said, “I personally feel so honored to be among you here today because we the citizens of this country have much to learn from the people of Salahley who have in the past achieved much on their own through community initiated self-help projects government of President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud Silanyo is committed to initiating development projects across the country.

“Our future lies with the foundation which we lay for them today and one of those pillars is investing in early child education which may determine their future status and who knows some of them will be the future Presidents, ministers tomorrow that’s why we must invest in education and well-being,”Amina Weris said.

The Minister of Education and Higher Zam Zam Abdi Aden also speaking at the function said, “The Ministry of Education has in past done its best to elevate the education standards in Salahley and other regions in the country  although more is needed to be done we are trying our best.

Also speaking at the event was Mr. Ali Ibrahim Mohamed (Ali Sanyare) the former Minister of National Planning and who is the current chairman of the committee tasked with the construction of Hargeisa –Salahley Road lauded the efforts of the current Minister of Education Madam  Zam Zam Abdi Aden for her relentless efforts in elevating education standards in Salahley region and all over the country

SomalialndPress.Com

24 March 2014

Your Excellency, Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council, 
Your Excellencies, members of the Council, Ambassadors, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen 

 Addis Ababa – Thank you very much indeed for inviting me to address the Council today and thank you for the African Union’s continued support to peace and stability in Somalia.

It is a moment, I would say full of promise and progress but not without challenges. It is a time today, in which we are all turning plans into actions. I would certainly like to pay sincere tribute to the brave men and women of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Without them, we would not be where we are today. It is important to underline that under Ambassador Annadif’s resolute leadership, AMISOM continues to be the single most important contributor to the security of Somalia, and a vital partner for the Federal Government and the United Nations in peace-building, state-building and stabilisation.

Mr. Chairperson,

2014 is a crucial year for Somalia. It is a year which will be challenging on both the political and security fronts, but also a year where we need to see progress.

As we meet and as Ambassador Annadif has explained, AMISOM and the Somali National Army are achieving significant military gains. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2124 made possible the most significant and geographically extensive military advance since AMISOM began; operation “Eagle” is a direct and visible outcome with remarkable successes so far and major towns now extended under state authority. I salute the courage and professionalism of the African Union and Somali forces. I also recognise the invaluable support provided by key partners, in particular the United States of America, the European Union and its member states and Turkey.

I would like to underline that the UN is doing everything possible to support the renewed operations and I welcome the meetings which are now happening with UNSOA and the senior leadership in AMISOM to address what have been somehow standing issues. But I can underline that supplies of food, fuel, water are being delivered by the UN Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA) in all sectors. Casualty, medical evacuations in some considerable number are happening. I underline also and echo Ambassador’s Annadif appeal for military helicopters for the mission, for AMISOM, and again the UN and UNSOA stand ready with the budget for 12 helicopters if they were to be provided by member states. UNSOA and UNSOM have been supporting the training of Somali National Army troops and pre-deployment training of AMISOM forces. This includes training in human rights and humanitarian law, in accordance with the Secretary-General’s Human Rights Due Diligence Policy.

I think we should not forget the absolute ambition and complexity of the operation that AMISOM is undertaking. This is an operation that has started with a massive ‘Relief in Place’ as the new sectors are created and forces move. It now has six contingents, as Ambassador Annadif said, contributing on the military side and they are now undertaking difficult, demanding operations simultaneously in at least five different sectors. This is a scale and complexity of operation that would challenge many organisations and I think we should pay tribute both to the African Union success and also the UN/UNSOA success in supporting this operation so effectively to date. But more can be done and more improvement in communication and liaison between the organisations, I am sure will help resolve any outstanding issues.

Mr. Chairperson,

Military operations alone will not achieve sustainable peace and it is therefore vital that military operations are accompanied with stabilisation efforts. The Government of Somalia has already taken the lead on this and provided the framework for the stabilisation, including the establishment of interim local administrations. UNSOM has been working closely with AMISOM, IGAD and other partners to support this – and will be providing technical support and advice to the newly established interim local administrations. I have recently allocated $3 million from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund to be used for the immediate responses in this context.

AMISOM, UNSOM/UNSOA and the Federal Government need to continue to harmonise their work in order to deliver the greatest impact to the people of Somalia. In particular, it will be critical to coordinate our efforts during the operations to ensure human rights and humanitarian principles are upheld. In this regard, I look forward to the swift establishment of the Civilian Causality tracking mechanism, as well as the endorsement of the Protection of Civilians strategy.

Furthermore, on the political process, which again Ambassador Annadif has explained very clearly, the best hope for peace and stability in Somalia remains a united, secure and federal Somalia. This is achievable and I believe that Somalia can reach its goal of an agreed constitution, a nation-wide electoral process and improved security by 2016. In order to achieve this, the targets which the Federal Government has set out in its Vision 2016 framework should be our guiding framework as the international community. Progress on the creation of a federal Somalia has its challenges as we have seen recently in Baidoa where two rival camps advocating for a six- and three-region state respectively have yet to come to the negotiating table. I will continue to work closely with key partners, principally the African Union, IGAD and the European Union, to support a Federal Government-led process with respect to its commitment for the formation of a three-region state. I condemn the violence and killing yesterday in and outside Baidoa and I call for restraint and an urgent response by the Federal Government to lead the peacebuilding process.

In the south of Somalia, implementation of the Addis Ababa agreement of 28^th of August has been mixed. I strongly support IGAD’s role as guarantor of the agreement and IGAD’s special envoy Ambassador Affey’s initiative to accelerate full implementation of the technical, security and political elements.

Elsewhere and further to the north, I am also concerned by the military tensions between Puntland and Somaliland in the Sool and Sanaag regions. I call for maximum caution and avoidance of confrontation.

Mr. Chairperson,

I am pleased that AMISOM in conjunction with the Federal Government have increased their security operations in the city of Mogadishu and that the Government has developed a new security strategy for Mogadishu. We are, as Ambassador Annadif says, beginning to see the positive results of that.

Mr. Chairperson,

Finally, we need to keep in mind that the military offensive is sparking humanitarian needs, which need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Most of the humanitarian needs so far have been the result of population movements. Humanitarian access due to the volatile security situation remains a challenge. Humanitarian partners are working to determine urgent needs and how best to respond.

Mr. Chairperson,

The military gains should be followed by sustainable peace- and state- building results. I firmly believe this can be achieved and that both the UN and the African Union have a great role to play. Only together can we can help the Federal Government deliver to the Somalis what they most need: improved security, rule of law, education, health, jobs, economic development. Let us remember that Somalia is at a turning point of a long road. It needs now more than ever our collective efforts in order to move forward. Together, I am sure, by 2016, we will achieve much of which we now dream.

I thank you very much.

SomalilandPress-Hargeisa, 24 March 2014 – UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, has launched its first programme strategy and document for Somaliland. UN Women will intensify its engagement in Somaliland and work with government authorities, civil society organizations, UN sister agencies and other stakeholders towards facilitating space for Somali women and girls.

The three-year strategy (2014-2016) outlines UN Women’s priorities around four key areas: women’s political participation, women’s economic empowerment, ending violence against women and governance and national planning. In order to effectively implement this strategy, UN Women will open an office in Hargeisa consisting of national and international personnel, including programme, administrative and operational staff.

“Women are the backbone of the Somaliland economy and play a central role in peacebuilding. We welcome UN Women in Somaliland and are pleased to witness the launch of the three-year strategy for Somaliland. The Government of Somaliland is committed to providing any support UN Women may need and looks forward to a fruitful collaboration,” the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Mr. Mohamoud Ahmed Barre said at the launch event in Hargeisa.

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. In doing so, UN Member States took an historic step in accelerating the Organization’s goals on gender equality and the empowerment of women. UN Women has been actively operating in Somaliland since 2011, providing suitable technical and financial support and forging effective partnerships with national and regional women machineries and civil society organizations.

By increasing its engagement in Somaliland, UN Women recognizes a simple truth: equality for women and girls is not only a basic human right, it is also a social and economic imperative. Where women are educated and empowered, economies are more productive and strong. Where women are fully represented, societies are more peaceful and stable. Nonetheless, Somali women and girls suffer from violence and discrimination and are under-represented in decision-making processes. A lack of access to good medical services continues to constitute a serious problem, especially in rural areas.

“Gender equality and the empowerment of women are one of the United Nations’ top priorities in Somaliland — from working to end gender-based violence, to giving women a stronger voice in politics, to supporting women in strongly participating in the economic development and reduce maternal mortality rates,” said UN Women Regional Director Christine Musisi.

By increasing its presence in Somaliland, UN Women will leverage its role as interlocutor between civil society and the Government, increasing knowledge and capacities available for public institutions and stakeholders on gender-related issues. Technical resources will also be accessible to other UN agencies and development partners to catalyze democratic processes, complement and ensure the coherence of efforts on the ground, and the translation of commitments to gender equality into policies and actions at the national and regional level.

For more information:

• Paola Foschiatto, UN Women Programme Manager

Email: paola.foschiatto@unwomen.org

·         Pauline Magawi, UN Women Programme Officer

Email: pauline.magawi@unwomen.org