Political parties are the backbone of democratic system that represents certain views and ensures future political platform of a country. Nowadays in Somaliland there is epidemic for too many parties either established or upper coming parties. I believe too many parties would cause unnecessary setbacks and can damage the image of our beloved country.

We should not compete over which party is in the flavor of the month or which party has the load mouth but we should consolidate our political parties into few with variety of diverse opinions in each party. Somaliland has a lot of challenges and need to focus for positive improvement and create economic opportunities, job creation, basic health care for all citizen, quality education, public infrastructure and accountability of the government sectors. These are the areas we should focus not names of these numerous political parties. People should focus the real need for the country and how the country benefit young people in more productive way like attracting foreign companies to invest or creating small factories that employ native young people and send homemade merchandise to neighbor countries. We should recognize that young people or working age of our countries as resource that need to be tap and used appropriately and turn our country into an exporting country.

I also believe only two to three political parties is in the best for our country, because too many parties would only create too many frictions and controversies. If you look developed countries only few parties exist where citizens with no political affiliation consider themselves as independent voter.

I ask my fellow Somaliland citizen to think positive and look deeper in this emerging issues and say enough, too many political with no vision rather than noisy groups who are just thinking about their ego would only immerse destructive propaganda in order to get recognition.

May God Help Us

Ahmed A. Ahmed

Somaliland Citizen

By Liban Haji Rabbi

Borama (somalilandpress): IOM is handed  certificates  to over 20  graduators  who graduated from Amoud University hence have already had  experiences by having been inducted  a seven months field practices in their specializations..

This program IOM is allocated for the young generation to be proficient, skillful.

 The ceremony is participated by officials from IOM, General Director of Ministry of Planning Vice Chairman of Awdal, Mayor of Borama, Head of Amoud University, parents, trained pupils, journalists and so on.

IOM Officer was appreciated to the partakers who participated with ceremony and said “I ‘am very pleased to hand these certificated over to 20 pupils that graduated from Amoud University”.

“IOM is provided this project to control immigrations, how the young generations should find a jobs in the country”.

 He also said “tonight we appointed  50% of the 10 pupils who concluded the induction have got permanent jobs, I’m expecting  for the other  pupils that they will get permanent jobs.

So that, this project is essential and worthwhile, we will allot to make it permanent, to night we will award certificates to the pupils that concluded induction course that named internship, I’m also appreciated to other agencies that are government agency and LNGOs who also handed this certificates to over pupils “.

 Chairman of Amoud University  Prof. Saleban  Ahmed Guleid expressed to thanked to IOM and said “it’s essential to employee those students that graduated from the universities”, Chairman of Amoud University also stated to the government that there are two obligations upon both the campus and state, the obligations for the University is to equip  the students with  knowledge that they  would be trained for proficient, while the obligations of the state is to employ or create jobs for the graduates”.

The   Chairman of Amound University also urged the state to give priority on employment to students that graduated from the local universities.

On the other, some of the students that graduated from Amoud University appreciated to IOM and said “IOM is open eyed for us”, therefore, they highlighted on gaining experience from the agencies that operates in the country, while they have being working in the field of induction, they also said “today we are well motivated to get jobs within our country, instead of going to other countries

(Emigrating), IOM is requested to continue the support  for the next patch students if Alle allows.

Mayor of Borama  Saleban Hasan  Hadi, indicated  that  they will upgrade  the Municipality  management system and procedures, Mayor of Borama appreciated  to IOM Agency,  he said “before Borama Municipality was a place that recruits employs without proper skills”,   but today, Borama Municipality is a place that recruits employs with proper skills, I’m very happy for that and we employed  two out of the 20 graduators, Mayor of Borama also promised that  he will employee any persons that have proficient .”

Vice Chairman of Awdal  Abdi Nur Sugal, appreciated  to IOM  and stated that this induction proficient is very important for  the graduators and he said “we already understood  significant of this proficient,  also he urged to other agencies to provide the graduators like this induction proficient. “

Director General of Ministry of Planning, A/Rashid Ahmed Sumal said, “I’m highly praised the important of this induction proficient which we already seen it’s essential significant and it’s job creating, motivation for employment ,also he pointed out that the state will plan like this  induction proficient for the whole graduators.”

It has being highlighted this is first induction proficient that taught in the universities which have being trained for the graduators to gain experience and proficient skills.

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Recently H.E President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud (Silanyo) named a committee conciliating the wrangles among top party echelon blamed for stalling the third ruling party convention which is already long overdue. The committee which is made up of ten members has recently demonstrated their resolve in deploying all means in the disposal in a bid to find a solution to the current internal party conflict.

The conciliating committee in their quest to find a solution to the complex problem that has engulfed the ruling party in recent times began by trying to understand the root causes and to get an insight into the matter by listen to the grievances of the individuals from both opposing sides so they resorted to what we call Shuttle “diplomacy” by acting as an intermediary between the two sides in the dispute of whom before the intervention of the conciliating committee had little or without any direct contact whatsoever. After separately consorting with both parties they succeeded in bring the warring sides to sit face to face in the same table for the first time with both sides presenting their grumbles on the table in the presence of other side.

Therefore the conciliating committee bearing in mind the importance of maintain the unity of the party and for the holding of the party’s third general convention in due time. The committee after listening to the grievances of all parties concerned and in the interest of all party’s concerned they came up with the following recommendations:-

1.  The mandate of organizing the third party convention solely lies with the existing party executive committee  tasked  organizing the convention and that committee shall be answerable to the steering  committee
2. In accordance with the party constitution and regulation the Steering  committee shall excesses the privilege  of having the say in choosing the four new delegates who shall be included in the executive committee tasked with organizing the third party convention
3. If the need be arise for amending  the current party constitution then the steering  committee shall be responsible in preparing the amending the constitution of which they shall hand over the executive  committee which will in turn present the amended constitution at the party convention.
4. Bearing in mind the importance of safeguarding and maintaining the party’s unity ,the conciliating committee has recommended that the current Chairman ,the four deputies and the secretary general shall keep their post and their position won’t be eligible for contention during the  party’s convention.
5. The current Finance Minister Hon Abdi Aziz Mohamed Samaale will be a member of the executive committee.
6. The new executive committee shall jointly be named by the party’s Steering committee after consulting with H.E President A.M. Mahmoud.
7. The recently incorporated delegates who formerly aligned to Dalsan, Damal and Umadda are required to present their representatives to the party in order to take part in the upcoming convention.
8. In keeping with party’s rules and regulations all delegates coming from the various regions will be chosen by their respective regional party officials and those at national level.
9. The central committee delegates shall be elected during thew party’s convention as clearly stated in article #8.
10. The party Conciliating committee shall oversee the implementation of all rules and regulations during the duration of the convention.

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Cheering residents of the western city of Kala-bady lined the streets of the city to welcome a high level Delegation led by the first lady Amina Sheik Mohamed Jirde and her entourage of several cabinet ministers and other top government officials.

The first lady Madam Amina Weris and her entourage were welcomed by jubilant residents of all ages old and young alike who had come out in sheer force to welcome them, she later took part in a ground breaking ceremony in which she laid the foundation stone to the new Hospital and the first in the region and which will be built with funds which have been donated by the Djiboutian Madam Khadra Mahmoud Hayd.

Madam Amina Weris speaking after she laid the foundation Stone at the sight where the new hospital will be built said , “On behalf of the people of Kala-Baydh and Somaliland as a whole thanked the Djiboutian First Lady Madam Khadra Mahmoud Hayd for her generosity and H.E Ismael Omer Gulleh President of Djibouti.

The First lady was flanked by the Minister of Education and Higher learning Madam Zam Zam Abdi Aden , the Director of Humanitarian Coordination office Ms. Amina Mahmoud Diriye and the former Minister of Fisheries Hon Abdillahi Jama Osman “Geelljire” just to mention a few.

Ayan Mohamed, a shy, 25 year old Somali woman, will have surgery in Brisbane on Friday to repair horrific damage caused by a gunshot wound to the face. Photo: Amy Remeikis

Surgery to reconstruct a Somali war victim’s face has gone well and doctors expect her to remain in a Queensland hospital for another week.

Ayaan Mohamed’s face was disfigured when she was shot as an infant in Somalia’s brutal civil war.

Years after the horrific injury, she was granted a chance to have “a face like everyone else” when the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane offered to rebuild her face.

The 25-year-old flew to the Sunshine State capital earlier this month, with the help of two local Rotary clubs, which helped fund-raise and secure her visa.

Ms Mohamed underwent the long-awaited facial reconstruction surgery on Saturday.

The procedure went for 11 hours and required a team of 20, including surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses.

Wesley Hospital surgeon Dr John Arvier and Dr David Chin said the surgery went exactly as planned.

The two doctors said in a statement late on Saturday they were grateful for the messages of support from Australians and those in Somaliland.

“Ms Mohamed is expected to be in the Wesley Hospital for about a week and then will continue to be monitored as an outpatient,” the statement read.

Wesley Hospital is part of Uniting Care Health, which is covering the hospital costs.

This week Dr Arvier told reporters the operation would require tissue from the side of her face, skin from her forearm and a synthetic implant to cover a hole between her eye socket and jaw.

Former Somaliland first lady Edna Adan Ismail said Ms Mohamed was looking forward to having a face like everyone else.

Ms Mohamed was initially denied a medical visa last year but, following a petition from 40,000 people, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison approved a second visa.

AAP

Count Down to Irro’s subsequent Victories and Lessons for New Post-Colonial School Generation Politicians: From Senior Police Officer’s First Son to Speaker, Party Chairman and Presidential Candidacy

By Dr. Abdiwahab A. Iidaan

Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, the Speaker of Somaliland’s House of Representatives, and the Leader of Waddani Political Party as well as Presidential Candidate has vivid history of victories, one after another that an ambitious Somali person can learn something from. Well, someone might ask, why jump to this conclusion just at the start of this article, but let me say, without diving in to the success points of this man, his attainment of current credentials and titles from fragile contexts can make someone belonging to exemplary life. These victories which will be detailed hereunder do not only reveal Irro’s traits and character as an ambitious, hardworking, brave, confident and at all times fortunate, but serve a role model for those pursuing to win hearts of their opponents to say the least, for those who wish to involve in politics without sinking to tribalism, for those who desire to swim through the ocean-waves of the Somali clan-based politics without getting wet with the dirt of nepotism, favoritism and violence, for those who want to balance gaining support from diverse communities without losing their strongholds and lastly but not the least, for the new middle-aged generation who will substitute the old, colonial school leadership. Mr. Irro, is in fact an example of calm, sharp, diplomatic leader with vision and high level of confidence, a lot of what our future post-war generation leadership needs.

Brief Background

Mr. Irro was born in Hargeisa Group Hospital in 1953 as the son of a senior police officer, Mr. Mohamed Abdillahi Egal (Irro Weyne, the grey-haired) from whom he gained many of the disciplined life as his father was described as very straight-forward and last-minute speaker. Irro has studied elementary and intermediate studies in Hargeisa, Berbera and Burao, the center of Somaliland as his father was transferred time after another. His secondary education was at the prestigious Sheikh Secondary School which harbored only those with high scores from the elementary schools. During his childhood, he lived in Buuhoodle, Burao, Oodweyne, Berbera and Hargeisa and that has provided him a wide social network and context knowledge. In fact, most of the friendship networks penetrating party and clan-lines that he enjoys today are from his classes. For one glance, former mayors of Hargeisa Mr. Ji’ir and of Berbera Mr. Abdalle have been classmates of Irro in Berbera and Hargeisa. No doubt, the amount of support he gained from his childhood friends is unmeasurable. The first lesson here is, get acquainted knowledge of your people and country and leave legacy of your behavior to your friends. This is obviously helpful as you can see today a lot of politicians deprived of friends. During Sheikh Secondary School, Mr. Irro has tested the grip of leadership as he has become a member of the House Committee (vice-chairman) that represents students and manages their affairs. The lesson here is to take in charge of small responsibilities before endeavoring major ones.

After his completion of secondary education gaining the highest grade ever (kaalinta koowaad) from 7.7.77 final exam in Sheikh school, he joined SIDAM and studied Accounting as the first degree and Master Degree (MBA) from American University while working at the same time at the Settlement Development Agency (Dan-wadaagaha) in different parts of Somalia. From 1981 he started working in the foreign service of the Somali Democratic Republic. After a lot of disappointing and discouraging times where he was blocked from opportunities to work in foreign embassies by the leadership of the Foreign Affairs Ministry he was finally allowed to serve in the Somali Embassy as the first consular in Moscow which covered all over Soviet Union states, one of the two super powers at the time. In 1991 he resumed as the acting ambassador in the Soviet Union. During this period, he has supported tens of thousands of the Somali people who have fled from the civil war. According to some estimates, he has issued more than 20 000 visas for Somali people, while also helping those stranded in other parts of Eastern Europe. He also arranged plenty scholarships for the Somali people from all corners of Somalia, while supporting the living costs of many. It is estimated that more than 65 000 of those refugees in Europe and North America have passed Moscow with his assistance. Another very important support he facilitated at his personal capacity to the Somali people was the transfer of money through official bank accounts as there were no any transfer companies at the time. Not to mention here that he was serving his people completely on voluntary basis without salary or running costs at a time the Soviet Union has entirely collapsed. In fact, many of those who have voluntarily supported him throughout his political career from the 1990s until today are from diverse clans and throughout the world and those whom he helped at their difficult times. The third lesson here is to support all people regardless of their identity when holding public office. This can be a good lesson for those who believe the office they occupy is the share of their clan.

After serving Somali people since 1996, he moved to Finland to join his family who moved there some years before him, while he remained in Moscow to support the Somali people. Right after he was in Finland, he joined the Somaliland Finnish Associated where he selflessly worked with his close friend Eng. Faysal Ali Farah whom they become brothers. For the first time, Somaliland Finnish Community has received projects from the Finnish government ahead of other immigrant organizations. For the first time, a Somali NGO in Finland has received grants from the Finnish Foreign Ministry to support Somaliland or Somalia. The first Finnish-Fact Finding mission to Somaliland was carried out in 1999 followed by a plenty of projects that continue until today.

Stirred up by the wide destruction, human suffering and vulnerability of Somaliland people who have just recovered from a self-inflicted civil war and at the same time inspired by the great hope of the Somaliland people Mr. Irro has jointly formed the UCID political party with Eng. Faysal Ali Warabe. At the same time, Faysal was the chairman of Somaliland Finnish Association and Irro the vice-chairman for 3 consecutive terms. The trust founded by their amicable, friendship and sincere concern for the plight of their people was the foundation of their cooperation. Without much preparation in terms of funds, Faysal and Irro have finally returned to Somaliland and shared the same house for some years. UCID political party was the first opposition party formally formed in Somaliland after the ruling UDUB party while the other politicians simply opposed the democratization process because they did not see it benefiting their main aim which was to put down Egal (AHN) by any means. UCID also wholeheartedly supported the Referendum which put the foundation for the multi-party system, a process which many politicians have opposed and saw favoring Egal (AHN). In fact, Irro was at the center of UCID party together with Faysal almost managing the day-to-day business of the party.

The Beacon of Success

In 2005, Irro ran for the parliamentary election in Sahil region, winning the King-of-Votes position (boqorka codka) in Sahil not only within his party but in the whole region. He won with almost one-fourth (25%) of his parties’ votes. This victory together with the backing of UCID party and specially his friend Faysal Ali Warabe and other party comrades, he pursued to the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. This was difficult to even think about such position as UCID had only 17% of the House seats but the power calculation and the grit for his ambition has helped his determination. The calculated power ended to the fact that UDUB and Kulmiye could never share the leadership of the House and none-could get majority except UCID’s support. Strategically, the chairmanship (Shir-guddoonka) of the House which was seen as indivisible and thus spurring win-lose perceived outcome was broadened in order to accommodate the other party. On this basis, UCID approached UDUB and asked to share the chairmanship (Shir-guddoonka), being confident in getting the only needed 8 votes from opposition parties, UDUB offered the second vice-chairman of the House but UCID immediately approached Kulmiye who was desperate to get opposition House in order to pressure UDUB party through the majority House of Representatives. Finally, Kulmiye agreed to take the first and second vice-chairman positions. Against the full opposition of the ruling government, with its political, economic and clan-manipulation power, Irro was elected as the Speaker of Somaliland’s House of Representatives.

Soon after this, the real picture of Mr. Irro has come to the political arena of Somaliland. Some people characterize Irro’s political behavior as “rat-biting”style—mixture of calm and silent but strongly strategic and focusing to major gains than daily politics. Irro has kept acting with the end in mind, action than speaking, and thinking than talking while his colleagues especially Samale was critically engaged in expression of his opposition to the Riyale government. The main power which UDUB government was concerned was about the power associated to the Speaker of the elected House as independent organ of Somaliland state who had access to international community, neighboring countries, and international organizations and companies which cross-checked their dealings with the parliament. In fact, Irro had created broader diplomatic ties than the government ranging from international inter-parliamentary networks and other parliaments in different parts of the world including Europe, Africa and Asia. One tangible result of Irro’s achievements is the complete replacement and reconstruction of both Houses of Parliament buildings (Guurti and G. Wakiilada). In addition, Irro has emerged as an over-arching leader who sometimes mediates the opposition and the government (while he himself was an opposition). As a result, Rayale and his close advisors have realized the strength of opposition parliament and tried to replace him by firstly changing the bylaws of the House with absolute-majority (42) votes as they realized the difficulty of getting two-third (56) votes to directly replace him. As soon as the government started such campaign, Irro and his allies which were mainly from Kulmiye (because even some UCID members have worked against him at some point) have put together an impeachment as a deterrent which has exacerbated the situation and resulted instant defeat of Riyale’s government and eventual loss of public confidence. One can refer to US Wikileaks documents about this saga and Irro’s creative engagement with the international community as well as his involvement in the final six-points resolution.

Same History Again                                                    

(“History repeats itself”, by Ibnu Khaldun, Muslim Historian)

To be continued…… (ha sugiwaayin qaybaha dambe)

Dr. Abdiwahab Cabdillahi Iidaan

By Goth Mohamed Goth

A Five day international training on “Introduction to Peace building and Peace Support Operations for civilian Personnel” was concluded yesterday hosted by the university of Hargeisa and Scuola Superiore Santa ‘Anna which is based in Italy.

The director of the institute of Peace and Conflict Studies Prof. Aden Haji Ali thanked all those who took part in the training program and especially the Scuola Superiore Santa ‘Anna team led by Dr. Andrew and the Chancellor of the University of Hargeisa Prof. Gaas and all the staff who made this program a success.

Prof. Aden Haji Ali speaking during the closing function said, “The Introduction to Peace building and Peace Support Operations For civilian Personnel” training program and the training programme had drawn participants from the civil societies, government and international NGO’s and had originally attracted more than 45 participants although only 35 participant undertook more than participants who came from six countries and different  backgrounds to discuss the role of civilians in peace keeping missions

IPCS director said, “The participants had during the duration of the training covered various topics among them different role of civilians in peace keeping missions, UN structure , Gender Sensitivity ,Security, human rights, peace building , Awareness of the different typologies of field operation ,Gender aspects of peace, human rights education, introduction to ROL and transitional justice, UN System and how the organizations works, POC as it relates to peace keeping in the context of operational concept just to mention a few in the package.

Above I.P.C.S Director Prof. Aden Haji Ali

Dr. A. H.  Gaas thanked the participants for putting up with five days of training of regular courses of learning peace building and to maintain peace and also most important of all to learn all those things which are necessary to maintain and govern peace and that it really gave him pleasure to see Hargeisa University collaborating with Scuola Superiore Santa ‘Anna which is based in Italy and that he hoped it will be the start of series of collaboration shall continue into the future and also all those who took part and supported the program.

The Chancellor  of   Hargeisa University Dr. A. H.  Gaas pictured above 

The Chancellor speaking on behalf of Hargeisa University said, “We are happy to have with us here   Miss Laura one of the participants of the training programme and who also happens to be a Student of Scuola Superiore Santa ‘Anna and that he hoped Laura would be a good ambassador for future exchange programs.

Mr. Omer Jama who spoke on behalf of the participants said, “I and my collogues are today happy to have participated in the peace building program and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the administration of Hargeisa University for taking the trouble in organizing program and all those who facilitated the program both local and international for the knowledge sharing and for the training , I and collogues who came from Somalia and Puntland and other countries had the opportunity to meet and familiarize and most of all to exchange our views on the matter and we all had gained knowledge .

Ms. Laura of Scuola Superiore Santa ‘Anna

Ms. Laura said speaking on behalf of Scuola Superiore Santa ‘Anna University and my comrade Prof. Andrea who has already returned to Italy, “I would like to personally the dean of the institute of peace and conflict resolution Prof. Aden, Dr. Gaas and Hamze for organizing this event which I am sure it will be the first of series of collaboration between the Scuola Superiore Santa ‘Anna University and IPCS, University of Hargeisa that being said I would like on my part to thank all of you as members of peaceful community and for the hospitality extended to me during my stay which made me feel at home and it was an honor to be among you as a European and also a woman ,although  I am upset to be leaving so soon when I was beginning to adopt with the life here but I hope this will not be my last visit and I am sure if God willing that we shall have the opportunity to meet again in the future, once again I say thank you.

The Secretary General of Guurti, Hon Abdillahi speaking at the closing ceremony he began by elaborating on the history of peace building in our society even before the common law was introduced to our country   have negotiated inter-clan disputes and kept the peace as you are aware of we have tradition that no Somali meeting ends until a consensus has been achievedUNDP representative  Mr. Garvey

UNDP representative a Mr. Garvey speaking at the function said, “I am glad to be sitting in Hargeisa learning peace; it’s very nice to be in a place which has experienced peace and also has knowledge of it and when we look at the importance of the issue you’re are learning in this course such human rights and gender the you will see the importance of the cross cutting issues that kind off cut through almost everything we all do and it’s not only in the peace keeping front or peace building and to understand how this issue are so important across the board is good, UNDP provides help by providing the expertize  need by the institute but again I believe you the people of Somaliland have more to offer to the world in terms of peace building because you ‘re the ones who have lived through it.

Minister of National Planning Dr. Saad Ali Shire Addressing the Participants

Minister of National Planning Dr. Saad Ali Shire who is also a member of the Hargeisa University board speaking at the ceremony began by saying, “ I feel honored and privileged to part of the closing ceremony of an international training happening here at the University of Hargeisa ,in Hargeisa and in Somaliland particularly when the training is about peace and how appropriate  here in Somaliland we regularly face on first hand basis the challenges of building peace , finding peace and maintaining peace.

Peace can be very elusive it’s not easy to find it, it’s not easy to build it and it’s not easy to maintain it but you can also learning to keep it and it’s never eternal and this is an area which whereby I believe we can share valuable experience with the rest of the world and for me it’s a dream come true, this University was started some 50 years ago although it already sounds long time ago. We had a dream of creating not just a University which not only produces undergraduates but a one also which is a research center, intellectual hub and international vocal point and that’s what exactly we are witnessing today and I hope this will not be the last training of its kind but the first one of many to follow and I hope that partnership with Scuola Superiore Santa ‘Anna will flourish and I also hope that we shall in the near future share students and staff and not only programs.

Lastly the National Planning Minister concluded his speech by saying, “I would like to thank  on behalf of the University of Hargeisa Board all those individuals and organizations who extended their support and contributed towards this training programme most notably the institute of peace and conflict studies  Santa’ Anna, University of Hargeisa, Foreign Affairs Ministry and UNDP which off course supports this Institute and I would like to congratulated the participants who took part in the  training and completed the course , I hope you would apply what you have learned in this course so that we can strengthen our peace ,thank .

SomalilandPress.com

The Signing Ceremony at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral

By Goth Mohamed Goth

Minister of Energy and Minerals Hon Hussein Abdi Dualeh has signed a deal with Chinese firm GUANGZHOU DONGSONG ENERGY CO LTD that will pave way for the exploration, mapping and extraction of coal.

Hon Hussein Abdi Dualeh speaking during the signing function which took place in his offices speaking moments after he had put his signature he contractual agreement said, “The visiting representative of GUANGZHOU DONGSONG ENERGY CO LTD and the government of Somaliland have signed this deal which will now pave way for the exploration of minerals and the extraction of coal in the country in the near future.

Mr. Mao Jie who is the Vice President of the GUANGZHOU DONGSONG ENERGY CO LTD, a company which has an operating funds worth more than $1 Billion signed the deal on behalf of the energy company said thanked the government and the people of Somaliland of whom he said stand to benefit from this deal he said the company will built an electricity generating factory in the country which will be powered by coal. 

Vice President of the GUANGZHOU DONGSONG ENERGY Mr. Mao Jie speaking during the signing ceremony invited the Somaliland Minister of Energy and Mineral Hon Hussein Abdi Dualeh to come and a visit with all expenses covered by Chinese company.

GUANGZHOU DONGSONG representatives had spent a good part of last week visiting various places in the country Somaliland will now be the fifth country Chinese company four African countries conducting oil and mineral exploration.

Hon Hussien Abdi Dualeh revealed to the media that the recently concluded 20^th African Mining conference Indaba ,S.A and of which Somaliland will now henceforth be a member had helped in influencing the Chinese deal now that Somaliland mineral potentials has been mapped.

“Our country has undergone for democratically held electoral changes and as I said we have no conflict of any kind, basically we are a beacon of peace and stability in the horn of Africa and we are interested in bring up our mining sector at a speed in which we did with our Hydrocarbons sector,” Somaliland Minister of Energy and Mineral resources who was among the 17 Minister s from Africa told participants gathered ministerial forum at the 20^th African Mining Conference s Indaba, South Africa.

SomalilandPress.Com

By: Eng. Hussein Adan Igeh |Hussein Deyr|Hargeysa, Republic of Somaliland|

The choice of the electorate is sometimes a crucial cause for many aspects. It defines the future and destiny of the country, as it determines the parameters of success and failure of its citizens. After nearly 8 years of confusion, corruption, mismanagement, and intentional obstruction of the rule of law and the national constitution, on June 26 2010, the Somaliland electorate have decided and determined on their country’s future. At a time whenthe need for change was highly inevitable, HE Mr. Ahmed M. Mohamud (Silaanyo) became the second President of Somaliland Republic, freely and fairly elected by the people of Somaliland. He was elected at a time when Somaliland was heading into the wrong direction and seemed the people of Somaliland were leaving behind a period full of hope and expectations and entering an environment of fear and uncertainty.

The winning of the presidential elections by President Ahmed Silaanyo and his Party (Kulmiye) was therefore a win for democratic values, nation spirit and solidarity. It was a win for strength of character, ability to take moral responsibility, resilience and re-emergence of hope. In fact, it was a great win for all peace & development loving Somalilanders. The people of Somaliland had given the President a full mandate, the political capital and legislative means to serve the nation and the national interest in the first place, to do things better and to act and operate according to the rule of law and country’s constitution.

The government of President Ahmed Silaanyo has inherited one of the most unfavourable socio-economical and political situations in our country. The scale of the mistakes and negligence of the former government was all too apparent. The former administration left behind a bankrupt country and a nation in limbo. The economy and public sector was about to fall apart, no government department was functioning as it should’ve been. The public morale was very low and the confidence in government was at its lowest point ever.

When President Ahmed Silaanyo came to power, from day one he understood clearly unless he makes the necessary changes in the many areas where the Somaliland’s citizens were dissatisfied, it would be very difficult to regain the public confidence. One of the key priorities of the newly elected President was to win back the people’s confidence, trust and belief in the political system, in government as well as in the democratic system and social justice. HeputtogetheraCabinet ofall talents and exceptional abilities with strategic visions and a clear policy agenda. He came up with new policy initiatives, a new government with new priorities based upon an effective, responsive and transparent Cabinet.

He started to combat and reverse the corruption and mismanagement that set in during former administration. He introduced many innovative ways of getting involving the mainstream of the society into development, politics and achieving of social objectives. The government of President Ahmed Silaanyo has come with a collective and effective strategy based on unyielding vision and mission, inspiration and ambition, justice and decisiveness, teamwork and transparency, honesty and sense of social responsibility, focusing mainly on general public interest rather than specific kith and kin or special inner circle groups. Driven by a sense of patriotism and following the courage of his convictions, President Ahmed Silaanyo leads the country into the right direction. In a relatively very short time, the President has translated his electoral promises into concrete and visible results.

Conclusion:

President Ahmed Silaanyo has both the motive and opportunity to look back with satisfaction into the performance and the results realized by his government during the past 3½ years. Somaliland citizens should understand the unfavourable circumstance in which this government started when they took the office, where they have come from and where they are now. We need also to see and recognize the undeniable progress in different fields and the substantial achievement this government has made so far.

The President of Republic of Somaliland is a leader with a Mission and Mandate who gave a clear voice to a nation that the outside world has little heard of their voices. He is the President of the People, by the People and for the People.

As the citizens of the Republic of Somaliland, we should be very proud of the good name and reputation of our country as the Beacon of Peace, Stability, Democracy and Development in the Horn of African Region. We need to strengthen the key elements that work for the social fabric and public interest and bring the citizens together, putting emphasis on our shared values, history and common destiny that enables us to pull together as a nation. We must also prevent and combat everything that divides and breaks up our nation. We should be aware of the fact that our country’s future is as bright as we make it. This is the fundamental reason why we ought to fight for what we believe in!

May ALLAH (SXWT) protect the true and genuine patriot!

By: |Eng. Hussein Adan Igeh |Hussein Deyr|Hargeysa, Republic of Somaliland|