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A third way for Somaliland and Somalia

By
Staff
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A loose union between Somaliland and Somalia is being put forward as this third option in solving a 22-year-old dispute

 

Negotiations between the governments of Somalia and the autonomous breakaway state of Somaliland are set to resume within the next month.

The question of Somaliland’s status as an independent country or as a region within Somalia has previously proven impossible to resolve. However, a softening of attitudes in Somaliland and the appointment of Fawzia Adan, a Somalilander sympathetic to the desire for independence, as Somalia’s Foreign Minister is creating hope that with time progress can be made.

The two governments are starting talks from very different positions. Whilst the government of Somalia wants to form a united republic with Somaliland, the Somaliland government has long rejected this. Instead the government in Hargeisa has been attempting to gain international recognition of its statehood ever since it declared its independence from Somalia in 1991.

These attempts have been unsuccessful and Somaliland has made little progress in achieving its goal. Although many countries accept that Somaliland fulfils legal criteria for statehood, none of them have recognised it. In Hargeisa the blame for this is placed at the door of their southern neighbours and the geopolitical interests of the international community.

There is a fear that recognising the independence of Somaliland will fuel conflict in the region. Al-Shabaab is committed to a united Somalia and, despite the recent success in pushing the group out of major towns and cities, it still poses a significant threat. Regular bombings and assassinations indicate that al-Shabaab is launching an insurgency against the newly established Mogadishu government. Recognition of Somaliland independence may worsen this situation.

Discussing international recognition is a national obsession in Somaliland. People believe that the country will only develop if it is afforded the status of an independent state. “Only if we have recognition can we get all the things like insurance companies and banks, which will encourage investment to come here and Somaliland is desperate for foreign investment” explains Mowlid Mohamoud Ibrahim, Somaliland’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Somaliland certainly is in desperate need of investment.  The country’s infrastructure is basic at best but mostly non-existent; youth unemployment is estimated to be over 60 percent and a fast growing population is exacerbating these problems.

But it is not just economic development that people believe will come from recognition. “Recognition will not only help Somalilanders, but the whole region. For example, piracy and al-Shabaab cannot be solved without working together [with Somalia] as equals,” continues the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. Although there is some truth in this, there is still the risk that recognition will destabilise the region. It will be necessary to balance these two positions if these talks are to bring progress.

Questioning whether a single-minded obsession with recognition is the right option for Somaliland is considered taboo, but it is a taboo which is beginning to be challenged. Abdifatah Tahir, a Hargeisa-based researcher on Somali politics explains: “Ultimately the possibility of getting Somaliland recognised by Somalia is highly unlikely.  Because of that Somaliland may reconsider its position. I think the talks are more to do with how to form a sort of union. People are sympathetic to that.”

This change in attitudes amongst many in Somaliland displays a realisation that a different approach is required. Somaliland cannot get recognition so is unable to develop, but the Mogadishu government’s plan for a complete reintegration of Somaliland into Somalia is unacceptable to the people. Instead, a third option is needed.

A loose union between the two states is being put forward as this third option. It would not involve a complete integration of the two states, but instead regional governments would administrate Somalia and Somaliland separately. Only on matters of joint interest, such as piracy and al-Shabaab, would the regional governments work together. It is hoped that this will be acceptable to staunch unionists in the south, whilst still giving Somaliland the legitimacy it needs to attract foreign investment.

Those in favour of independence argue that Somalia’s insecurity and undeveloped government make it incompatible with Somaliland. The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland takes this position. “Unity won’t work as there is no balance between Somaliland and Somalia.  They have nothing to give us in unification”, he explains.

However, the differences between the two may not be so great as to make a loose union unworkable. The newly formed government in Mogadishu is making significant progress in establishing formal governance in Somalia and an improving security situation is encouraging brave investors to look at the country.

Meanwhile Somaliland’s governance record has been tarnished in recent years.  The Parliament is increasingly seen as a rubber-stamping chamber, whilst the government of President Ahmed Silanyo has been accused of divisive nepotism favouring particular clans. The November 2012 local council elections were followed by reports of multiple voting and accusations of bias in the National Electoral Commission. This led to unrest in which over 20 people are believed to have been killed.

Questions are also being raised about just how committed to independence the Hargeisa government actually is. “I think the position of Somaliland is influenced by individual interests.  Someone wants to stay in power so doesn’t want to say that the past twenty years have not worked,” tells researcher Abdifatah Tahir. If the idea of a loose union with Somalia gains public acceptance, the official position of the Hargeisa government is likely to change.

A loose union between the two states may well be a workable solution and if stances continue to soften a more pragmatic approach to Somaliland’s future could be emerging. Yet it is highly unlikely that the upcoming negotiations will result in any agreement. Politicians on both sides are still mindful of the need to be seen to be sticking up for their people and this means not making any concessions.

It will take a great deal of time if the idea of a loose union is to gain widespread public support and until then little progress in resolving this 22-year-old dispute can be expected.

Jesper Carlsen Cullen is a freelance journalist based in Kenya. He recently returned from Hargeisa, Somaliland

Source: Commentator

 

 

The doomsday trio and the coming Armageddon for Somaliland

By
Staff
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I am always amazed at the number of opinion pieces that appear on Wardheernews (or as some call it Ogadennews) that are always critical of Somaliland, its government and people.  The people who write these pieces repeatedly accuse Somaliland of sowing the seeds of disunity of the former Somali ‘state’ through its withdrawal from the union, and the restoration its independence. Again, Somaliland is accused of committing all sorts of crimes under the sky against some large segment of its people in Sool and Awdal regions.  The accusations range from simple exclusions and occupation of ‘their territory’ to committing genocide and other crimes against them. Interestingly, the accusations are made repeatedly to the point of insanity by the same three people, Mohamed Farah Yabarag, Osman Hassan, and Ali Haji Abdulla who, it seems, take turns in Somaliland bashing. It is as if these three individuals fill a monthly quota of ill-disguised, clan oriented diatribes against the people and government of Somaliland.

The people of Sool and Awdal regions belong to Somaliland and the way the government of Somaliland treats them is not by any measure different from how it treats its other citizens. Citizens from Sool and Sanaag regions have been holding real positions of power in Somaliland from Speakers of the Parliament to Vice-Presidents in the past twenty two years of Somaliland’s independent existence.   In the current government of Somaliland, people from Sool and Awdal regions are represented by not less than a Vice-President, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Defense, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Minister of Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Reconstruction, Minister of Industries, Minister of Commerce,  Minister of Public Works and the State Minister for Peace in Eastern regions. People from these regions also hold positions of power in other governmental institutions. Moreover, the longest serving president in Somaliland’s existence, Mr. Dahir Riyaale Kahin, came from Awdal region. This is a very unique experience of Somaliland and its democratic system of governance.

The trio seems to forget that the people of Sool and Awdal regions participated in the peace and reconciliation conferences that resulted in the restoration of sovereignty and the independence of Somaliland in 1991. In fact, Borama town played a host to one of the biggest peace and reconciliation conferences in Somaliland in 1994.

Again, the trio seems to underestimate the will of the people of Somaliland and their decision that Hargeisa will never be ruled again from Mogadishu. They also forgot that Somaliland was reconstructed from the ground up after the brutal destruction of the military regime of Siad Barre, without much support to speak of from the so-called international community.

All that the trio writes about Somaliland comes from secondary sources, reinforced by their well-primed vivid imagination and/ or their hallucinations. The armchair ‘experts’ can predict from their mini Mayan calendar the coming demise of Somaliland. The prophesied Armageddon for Somaliland changes from one month to another according to the dreams of the trio.  The various forms it will  take include, from one time to another, the creation ‘Khaatumo State’ (territorial or terrestrial?); the resurgence of ‘Darwiishes’  in Sool region;  and a dodged election as the latest article from Yabarag predicts.

Clearly, the tirades against Somaliland by the trio will not even have a marginal impact on the situation in Somaliland. However, one might wonder what motivates the trio to tirelessly launch diatribes and propaganda against Somaliland. I do not claim to be endowed with the same vivid imaginations as them, but I can only assume that the trio, perhaps, benefited illegally from the past Somali state, and is dreaming of doing the same with a future utopian, strong centralized Somali state that will have control over all the territories of former Somali state, including Somaliland.

As things stand, it is the collective will and determination of the people of Somaliland to maintain their separate existence and independence. If and when that stand will change will be solely determined by the people of Somaliland, and will not be externally imposed by outside actors.

The noted professor from Awdal region, Abdi Ismail Samatar, recently realized how futile it is for the people of Somaliland to attempt to assume the highest reins of power in Mogadishu. The noted professor secured only the votes of the eight ‘representatives’ from Awdal region in the Somali parliament.  This should be a good lesson for anyone who unconditionally campaigns for the reunification of Somaliland with the former Italian colony in the South, and then tries to take advantage of it.

Finally, the trio should know that if Somaliland ‘bites the dust’, it will unfortunately bite the dust as well with the people of Awdal and Sool regions.  Following is a sample of a long list of articles against governments and people of Somaliland that the trio has been posting on various websites, but mainly on Wardheernews:

Osman Hassan:

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/Dec/Osman_Hassan/02_Mahiga_Somalia_Somaliland_and_the_clashes_in_Khatumo.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/Dec/Osman_Hassan/11_PM%20Saacids_Shameful_cover-up_of%20Somalilands_aggression.html

http://wardheernews.com/Khaatumo/May_25_2012_Mahigas_hypocritical_Statement_on_Somalilands_disturbances.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/Jan/Osman/23_Massacre_in_Las_Anod.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles%202012/Feb/29_talks_osman.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/Jan/Osman/07_Somalilands_threats_against_the_SSC_Conference.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/April/Osman_Hassan/22_An_Open_Letter_to_Sheikh_Shariif.html

http://wardheernews.com/Khaatumo/08_Open_letter_Henry_Bellingham.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles%202012/Jan/14_darwishland_osman.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_11/May/Osman_Hassan/08_Countdown_to_Somalilands_collapse.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/July/Osman_Hassan/26_Xagle_toosiyes_mission_to_destroy_Khatumo_state.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_11/Dec/Osman/07_Mahiga_must_go.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/June/Osman_Hassan/19_Somaliland_and_Puntland_Joint_attack_on_Khaatumo.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/June/Osman_Hassan/04_Odingas_invitation_to_Somalilands_leader.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/October/Osman/28_Las_Anod_more_than_Kismayo_deserves_the_Presidents_attention.html

http://www.wardheernews.com/Khaatumo/08_Open_letter_Henry_Bellingham.html

Ali H Abdulla:

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/Dec/Ali_Abdulla/07_Khatuma_state_of_Somalia.html

http://www.wardheernews.com/Articles_11/May/Ali_Abdulla/10_Students_in_Las_Anod_Stand_against_Injustice.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/November/Ali_Abdulla/14_Somalilands_current_aggression_in_Hudun_is_likely_to_escalate_into_Kalshale_II.html

http://www.wardheernews.com/Articles_12/Feb/Ali/23_standing_up_for_Somali_unity.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_11/Sept/Ali_Abdulla/26_Mahiga_another_UN_operative_who_may_have_fallen_in_love_with_Somaliland.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_2010/April/Ali_Abdulla/07_Sado_sings_for_Las_Anod.html

http://www.wardheernews.com/Articles_09/March/15_challenges_ali.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_11/Feb/Ali_Abdulla/10_Silanyos_Darfur_in_the_making.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/May/Ali_Abdullah/15_July_1st_the_day_we_celebrate_somali_unity.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_12/Jan/Ali_Abdulla/25_The_Khaatumo_concept.html

Mohamed Farah Yabarag:

http://www.wardheernews.com/Articles_11/May/Yabarag/22_Somaliland_Twenty_years_of_Relative_Peace_Stability_and_Wasted_Opportunities.html

http://www.wardheernews.com/Articles_11/April/Yabarag/05_The_Frailty_of_Somaliland_Democracy.html

http://www.wardheernews.com/Articles_11/March/Yabarag/24_Somaliland_politicians.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_2010/Nov/Yabarag/02_Re-inventing_the_Wheels_of_Somali_History.html

http://wardheernews.com/Articles_11/Dec/Yabarag/21_who_are_the_real_Tonton_Macoutes.html

http://harowo.com/18th-may-the-day-of-division-mistrust-and-isolation-by-mohamed-f-yabarag/

Hon. Minister Hussein Abdi Dualeh: Has devised an alternative approach to speed up the efforts of the Long-sought Recognition.

By
Staff
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The people of the Republic of Somaliland have been successfully occupied in rebuilding their destroyed country, consolidating its democracy process through free and fair elections for the fifth time, from the local government councils, the national parliament as well as for the presidency. The Republic of Somaliland has inimitably met all the international criteria and standards that were required to qualify as an independent, separate and sovereign country.

 

Somalilanders have shown to the outside world their perseverance, resilience, nation spirit, value, belief and exceptional quality with respect to dealing with and embrace of universal norms and values regarding democracy, peace and stability. Somaliland should have been long time ago recognised as a member of international community, at least it had deserved to be regarded as de facto independent nation. Unfortunately, the World Community have systematically neglected and ignored this nation. Time and again, the international community denied the rights for self-determination and the aspiration of Somaliland people.

 

Before the current Government of President Ahmed Silanyo came to power, Somaliland seemed to be an anonymous and out of sight country that no one missed or noticed of its presence at regional and international political and economic arenas. In line with his government’s forward thinking long-term policy agenda; based on reforming and redefining of Somaliland’s Socio-Economic and Foreign Affairs Policy, the President and his cabinet have unquestionably put back our country on the right track. At the present time, our country is more and more valued and respected as a regional and global partner for peace, stability and democracy.

 

2.     Smart, intellectual and committed Minister within the government of President Ahmed Silanyo.

 

With a great admiration, I had the opportunity to watch and witness the performance and presentations of Somaliland’s Minister of Energy, Mining & Water Resources during the Middle East Energy Forum in UAE/Dhabi. It was quite fascinating to see our Hon. Minister Hussein Abdi Dualehat the centre of a world-stage-conference in which the global energy issues was debated. In a very accurate, civilized and resourceful keynote speech he presented the Somaliland’s case properly and even more than ever before. With an elegant and breathtaking style the Minister emphasized the added value and necessity why the rest of the world should invest in and do business with the Republic of Somaliland. With the right tone and full of self confidence, he put forward the incredible natural resources in Somaliland which eventually, to a certain extent, can contribute to the regional and global economy.

 

Again we have there another smart, intellectual and committed minister within the government of President Ahmed Silanyo. When the President asked him to accept the position, he did not hesitate for a moment. Simply because he knew that his country and people needed him. He is someone who never aims for self-enrichment or personal gain, but driven by sense of civic duty to serve for his country and people. In his adopted country (USA) he had an admirable career and several managerial positions. He had a well-paid job, a very pleasant life; less pressure and frustration…. He left all behind and chose an ultimate challenge, fulfilling a ministerial responsibility for an impoverished and not yet recognized country.

 

3.     Dual-track strategy

The Minister has devised an alternative approach to speed up the long awaited recognition.This is a very clever approach and the right way to uplift the political and economic opportunity of our country. By raising the attention, awareness and interest of World Major Oil Companies and potential investors for the substantial natural resources in Somaliland and to get stuff out the ground in one hand. On the hand, the Minister encourages to maintain a warm contact, rapprochement and multifaceted cooperation (on economic, cultural and security relevant issues) with the Arab World; in particularly with the rich Gulf States. In a sense, this dual-track strategy can directly contribute to the mission for the much coveted recognition of Somaliland as well as delivering benefits for the economic prospects of our population.

 

The minister understood clearly that this strategy is the way forward and the basis for ensuring the people and the country of Somaliland for a potential investment and global economic involvement and that today’s government dual-strategy can be converted and translated into tomorrow’s durable economic and social developments for the benefit of its people. This will not only boost the civic participation to take more active role and make real contribution to nation-building programmes, but it will elevate the moral, belief and trust of Somaliland citizens in their ability as a nation and in their own government.

 

In his keynote speech at the Middle East Energy Forum/UAE/Abu Dhabi, with an unmistakable prominence the Minister highlighted the geo- economic-political significance of the Republic of Somaliland, thanks to its geographical location and maritime infrastructure, where the Minister has stated: “In light of its geographical position, long coastline and deep sea ports, Somaliland is strategically positioned to be one of East Africa’s major energy supply bases and play a key role in the regions energy future.”

 

In November 2012 he attended an “African Oil Conference in South Africa”, organized by Global Pacific & Partners. Ophir Energy Plc, Jacka Resources (Australia) and Genel Energy (headed by the former boss/ CEO of BP, Mr. Tony Hayward) are all agreed to start oil and gas exploration in Somaliland.

 

4.     Conclusion:

The Minister of Mining, Energy & Water Resources of Somaliland Republic Eng. Hussein Abdi Dualeh is so dynamic, committed and convinced for the Somaliland’s cause.Alph Within the Cabinet of President Ahmed Silanyo, he is one of the leading figures and driving force. In his ministry, (which previously was a tattered and deserted department) he implemented numerous reforms and innovations whereby the results are actually visible everywhere. Minister Hussein A. Dualeh is a member of a government that steadfastly is committed to fulfil its social responsibilities towards Somaliland citizens. This government is inspired by the trust and believes in their ability, collective sense of social responsibility, good governance, effort and transparency.

The Miniter’s performance and the way in which he has presented and put forward the Somaliland’s case, in both style and substance, were extremely interesting. He is on the right track to contribute to Somaliland’s long overdue plea for recognition.

 

May I take this opportunity to congratulate The Minister of Mining, Energy & Water Resources of the Republic of Somaliland Eng. Hussein Abdi Dualeh for his brilliant engagement, endeavour and determination in fulfilling his Ministerial duties. I utterly recognize the valuable and dignified tasks he is undertaking each and every day and his constant commitment and dedication to work for his country and people.

 

Wa Billaahi Tawfiiq

 

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

 

By |Architectural-Eng. Hussein Adan Igeh |Hussein Deyr |UK|

Shabelle journalist gunned down in Somalia

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Staff
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Nairobi, January 18, 2013–A veteran producer for the Shabelle Media Network was gunned down today in Mogadishu, the fifth Shabelle journalist killed in 13 months. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns this murder and calls on Somali authorities to not only investigate, but to follow up on the investigative task force on journalist murders that was promised by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud in November.

Unidentified assailants shot Shabelle producer Abdihared Osman Aden at around 7 a.m. today while he was walking to work in the Wadajir district of the capital, according to local journalists and news reports. The journalist, who was shot at least three times, died at a local hospital, the sources said.

Shabelle released a statement after the attack, calling Abdihared a veteran TV and radio producer and “outstanding colleague.”

At least four journalists working for Shabelle Media were killed by unidentified gunmen in 2012, three of them near their homes, according to CPJ research. Twelve journalists were killed in Somalia in 2012, all of them targeted murders, making the country the most dangerous in Africa for journalists, CPJ research shows.

In November, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud said he would be setting up a task force to investigate the cases of journalist murders in the country. News reports quoted the president as saying, “The era of impunity must stop immediately.” But the president has not yet followed through on his pledge to set up the task force, according to local journalists.

“President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoudmust make good on his promise to reverse the terrible record of impunity in Somalia, a process that can begin with the creation of the investigative task force he has outlined,” said CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes. “We send our deep condolences to Abdihared Osman Aden’s family and his colleagues at Shabelle Media Network.”

Somalia ranks second-worst on CPJ’s 2012 Impunity Index, which spotlights countries where journalists are murdered regularly and killers go free. None of the 12 Somali journalist murders last year were resolved, according to CPJ research.

·      For more data and analysis on Somalia, visit CPJ’s Somalia page here.

###

CPJ is a New York-based, independent, non-profit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.

Contact:

Mohamed Keita

Africa Advocacy Coordinator

Tel. +1.212.465.1004 ext. 117

Email: mkeita@cpj.org

 

Tom Rhodes

East Africa Consultant

Email: trhodes@cpj.org

Somaliland: Found In Translation

By
Staff
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Recently I was able to read some very intriguing and quirky news about Somaliland, and as is my fashion, I thought it would be good to pass that news along to my readers. The first of the stories is a brief visit that Somaliland government leaders have taken to enhance their relationship with the United Arab Emirates. The second story is news that one of Somaliland’s most notable poets has had the honor of his work being translated into English for greater accessibility. Let us now discuss these stories in turn.

Relationship Enhancement

Some time ago, this blog discussed the entrance of the United Arab Emirates into Somaliland’s affairs over shared concerns about piracy [1]. There was recently an update from Somaliland247 [2] on a recent visit by two of Somaliland’s ministers (including the minister of foreign affairs) to Dubai to enhance relations with the United Arab Emirates. Such behavior, of course, is fairly typical for most states to engage in shuttle diplomacy and periodic visits with regional allies, but as Somaliland is a nation which still struggles to find recognition from the world, and is correspondingly more isolated from global affairs, any foreign meeting with the intent of solidifying economic and bilateral political relations is news, especially as the meeting included representatives from both the public and private sector of the UAE, including maritime interests.

Somaliland, of course, sits on the southern edge of the Gulf of Aden, and is massively important territory involved closely in efforts against piracy from neighboring Puntland as well as the usefulness of developing the strategic port of Berbera. Any news that would indicate an increase in Somaliland’s international profile, especially as Somalia attempts to develop its own government and wrestle with the legitimacy of Somaliland’s desires for independence, is news of interest in a very vulnerable and dangerous part of the world. Hopefully there will be further reports of plans to further help Somaliland develop its potential as well as help overcome its isolation.

A Poet Like Me

Some readers of Edge Induced Cohesion will be aware of my interests in poetry and playwriting and in the way my own writings have dealt with romance as well as politics. Given these interests, it was rewarding to read a report that the Somaliland poet Maxamed Ibraahim Warsame Hadraawi will be awarded the prestigious Prince Claus Award in the Netherlands for his contribution to the field of poetry [3]. The Somali people as a whole have a notable gift of long epic poetry, and Hadraawi is widely recognized as the most significant living Somali poet with a wide variety of works dealing with nomadic Somali life, love and romance, and the problems of Somali politics.

Hadraawi’s life has been dramatic and full of incident. After achieving initial fame as a young poet writing romantic poems, his turn into political playwriting landed him a five-year jail sentence in the 1970′s. He then started (with some associates) a long chain poem called The Deeley which involved Somali poets in a massive political poetry duel (!) that divided the artistic community of Somalia into pro- and anti-government factions. His political activities took him to Ethiopia, where he continued writing political poetry, and he even spent five years in exile in London where he refused to seek asylum and settle there and where he wrote more poetry expressing his deep appreciation for nomadic culture and Somali life as a whole, despite his suffering. He returned to Somalia and engaged in a lengthy one-man peace march that inspired a great deal of support, and has remained active in writing against the addiction of Somali men to khat/qaat, the stimulant that has fueled a great deal of Somali piracy and added more misery to a pretty miserable section of the world. He now lives and teaches in his Somaliland hometown of Burao, where he inspires others to follow his example of principled and poetry.

Now that some of his poems have been translated into English, a wider audience can appreciate his works and his life. This sounds like a man I would like to eat with and talk with, given our shared semi-nomadic ways, our love of poetry and drama, and our unfortunate and passionate interests in peace and justice as well as education. His recognition as a master poet in a culture that especially values and appreciates poetry demonstrates the vitality of Somali culture even given its extreme suffering. Hopefully his work can continue to inspire his people and encourage them to greater deeds as well as moral conduct in overcoming drug addiction and despair.

[1] http://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress.com/2011/04/24/somaliland-update-the-united-arab-emerites-enter/

[2] http://somaliland247.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/somaliland-ministers-on-uae-relations-enhancement-visit/

[3] http://somaliland247.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/some-work-of-the-greatest-somali-poet-mahamed-ibrahim-warsame-hadraawi-translated-into-english/

 

Source:Edge Induced Cohesion

Time to put pen to paper

By
Staff
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 Liban Obsiye

The opening of the new printing factory in Hargeisa is a welcome relief for students, authors and those interested in diversifying the advertising of their business offerings. This is a sign of progress and an understanding of the key role publishing plays in education,
communication, entertainment and knowledge sharing. However, as a writer I know that more Somalis prefer to argue in coffee shops in the middle of the streets than to sit and read an article of any length.

The printing factory is a great and much needed endeavour. The presence of the key Ministers and the cutting of the ribbon by the president were, for once, required to welcome in a new age of enlightenment in the self-declared independent state of Somaliland.
Perhaps now grassroots local authors, playwrights and academics will be able to publish widely in their areas of interest in any language they wish. Even more importantly, Somalis can break the western knowledge monopoly and the encroaching Chinese one, by creating their own and disseminating it widely to their peers in their own mother tongue. There
is much to write about as Somalis are a people of poems, stories and endless debates. Aside from ideas, thoughts and the vast quantities of paper needed to publish them, the success of the printing factory would depend on external factors which if not in place, can shut it down before it is able to put a full stop in its first publishable sentence.

Where are the readers?

Very few people in Somalia read as most prefer to carry on their traditional oral culture. While it is great news and a testament to their incredible memories, Somalis cannot hope to share their poems, stories, history and words of wisdom by transferring it from their tongues into the ears of the next generation in an information age. The younger Somalis today prefer to listen to music on their Iphones and watch Western and Indian movies made in Hollywood and Bollywood. Cultural globalization is re-enforced by the dominance of these two major movie makers as well as international musicians and fashion designers that are making the Somali culture almost irrelevant among the youth. This is dangerous for a nation which wants to preserve its unique identity, history and culture. It may even lead to a backlash and a security nightmare led by radical religious groups which aim to plug the vast gap between what they see as westernization, their religion and the Somali culture.

Most Somali families living in Somalia and the Diaspora have cable TV which they find difficult to turn off and while some Somali channels have finally started to penetrate the market, they are unable to compete due to poor content, management and irregular programmes. The Somali public are sick of political talk shows, repeat news and Turkish soap operas, as well as unknown singers stealing classic songs from dead and living legends.

The best way to preserve the unique Somali culture, literature and heritage is to write about it and educate the young through the national curriculum. This would require scholars, entertainers and poets to write and debate through publications. Even if some ideas are weird or controversial and some interpretation adventurous, how are we to know the future generations may not find them useful and act on them? And why limit literacy to the classroom and the young? Why not initiate community based and led literacy projects and debates in every city and village?

Some Somali poems and stories date back to the nation’s early ancestors, even older than Shakespeare himself but while the latter is a global literary icon, studied in almost all languages, no Somali writer is ever mentioned even in the narrow fields of African and Colonial and post-colonial literature. Nigeria has Chinua Achebe, who will be his equivalent in Somalia? Whoever, they are needs to start putting their work on paper and publishing it.

A national literacy project is easy to establish and with better aid co-ordination, since every NGO seems to be doing something towards advancing education in Somalia, easy to finance and implement. However, before this dream can materialize the government must provide an incentive for the public to learn to read and communicate in writing. This is easily achieved through ensuring all government communication with the public is in writing and not just on the television or radio. If the government in Somalia and the self-declared independent state of Somaliland was to provide meaningful public services like free education, training and support for the vulnerable it may have been able to force applicants to apply via writing and encourage literacy this way. But this path is obviously closed for now. In the absence of this, the government should nudge the public through persuasion and the promise of a more fulfilling life if the public are able to learn to read and develop a reading habit. The proven message is that those who read get ahead. Further, they enjoy a better quality and a more meaningful life.

Publication is a natural next step for a nation of expressive people. The key impediment to progress and peace for the Somali people is a lack of dialogue about their very future which involves them. Key decisions are always made by unaccountable donors, in distant lands and enforced by those that have appointed themselves to lead them. Publications will tackle this by allowing likeminded people from all tribes to share ideas and unite behind an ideology as oppose to tribe which is currently the case. Many great ideas are either killed off locally or never have the chance to reach a national audience because of a lack of publication. Talk is truly cheap and easily forgotten. If authors published and were allowed to freely, their ideas can escape the confines of their cities and villages to gather support nationally and internationally. Who knows what changes they may inspire?

Publishing cannot exist independently of regulation and it must not be allowed to. Knowledge development, sharing, improvement and preservation are all important but individual rights to privacy must be balanced against this. A media law which protects copyrights, so as to incentivise authors to publish as well as protects key individual freedoms against the spreading of falsehood needs to be formulated to enable the success and quality of the publishing companies and what they produce. In the absence of sensible real policies of this nature, the publishing company would be wise to take the lead in this matter to protect its reputation, authors and advance the education of the local and national leaders of tomorrow.
Libanbakaa@hotmail.com

@LibanObsiye (Twitter).

 

Somali militants say they killed French hostage

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Staff
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MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Somalia’s most dangerous militant group said Thursday that it killed a French hostage that French military forces tried to rescue last weekend during a botched raid.

Al-Shabab said in a Twitter posting that the agent, Denis Allex, was killed Wednesday evening Somalia time.

French officials have said they believe Allex was killed the night of the raid and that claims by al-Shabab of an execution were simply propaganda. Allex, a French intelligence agent, was taken by the militants in July 2009 and had been held ever since.

A French raid Friday night and early Saturday failed to rescue him and resulted in the deaths of two French troops and 17 Somalis, French officials say.

The Islamist extremists said in an Internet posting on Wednesday that they had decided to kill Allex in retaliation for the weekend operation. The group has offered no proof that Allex was alive any time after the raid.

Adm. Edouard Guillaud, France’s military chief of staff, said Wednesday that there had been no indication since the night of the raid that Allex was still alive, and that French official believed he was already dead.

Transported by helicopters, the French commandos attacked the al-Shabab position early Saturday in an attempt to free Allex. France’s defense minister has said the government decided to stage the rescue a month ago, when Allex’s location seemed to have settled down “in a spot accessible by the sea.” U.S. military aircraft briefly entered Somali airspace to support the rescue operation, President Barack Obama said Sunday, but did not use weapons.

French officials said they killed 17 of the Islamist rebels. Al-Shabab said many villagers were killed.

Al-Shabab once controlled all of south-central Somali, including the capital, Mogadishu. African Union troops pushed al-Shabab out of the capital in 2011, but the Islamist rebels still control wide swaths of rural southern Somalia.

 

Source: AP

Somaliland: Sports Minister Receive Donation in form of sporting Gear

By
Staff
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The Minister of Sports,Youth and Tourism Hon AlI Said  Raygal has received sporting gear from a somalilander living abroad.

Hon Ali Said Raygal received in his office the sporting gear to be used in the upcoming youth football tournament from a Mr.Hashi Koosar Mahmoud, the gear which mainly comprised footballs and uniforms.

“This sporting gear will play an important role in the upcoming national youth football tournament and I urge all somalilanders living in the diaspora to follow suit and donate whatever they can for the advancement of youth activates in the country “,Said The Sports minister.

The national youth football tournament is expected to begin next month after been postponed for the third time in a row.

Goth M Goth

Somalilandpress.com

World sea piracy falls to five-year low in 2012

By
Staff
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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — World sea piracy fell to its lowest level in five years in 2012, thanks to a huge reduction in Somali piracy, an international maritime watchdog said Wednesday.

The International Maritime Bureau said 297 attacks were recorded worldwide last year, down sharply from 439 in 2011. A total of 28 vessels were hijacked, with 585 crew members taken hostage and six killed during 2012, according to data compiled by the London-based bureau’s piracyreporting center in Malaysia.

The bureau said only 75 attacks were reported off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, down from 237 cases in 2011. Somali pirates hijacked 14 ships, half the total in 2011.

The bureau praised international navies patrolling the African waters, saying their preemptive strikes and robust action against mother ships helped deter piracy. Security measures by ships, such as hiring armed guards, also helped ward off pirates, it said.

“The continued presence of the navies is vital to ensuring that Somali piracy remains low. This progress could be easily reversed if naval vessels were withdrawn from the area,” said the bureau’s director, Capt. Pottengal Mukundan.

The bureau said pirate mother ships and skiffs were reported in the Gulf of Oman, southern Red Sea and the Somali basin. As at end of last year, Somali pirates still held 104 hostages on eight ships and 23 more were detained on land.

The report said waters off east and west Africa remained dangerous. Piracy rose in the Gulf of Guinea with 58 incidents recorded last year, including 10 hijackings and 207 crew members taken hostage. It said pirates in this area were particularly violent, with guns reported in at least 37 of the attacks.

Nigeria accounted for 27 incidents last year, up from 10 in 2011. Togo saw an increase from five reports in 2011 to 15 in 2012, including four hijackings.

The Ivory Coast had just one incident in 2011 but five in 2012, including the first-ever hijacking of a tanker off its shores.

Four vessels were hijacked in Southeast Asia, including a Malaysian tanker that was recaptured in Vietnam in the last quarter of 2012.

Across the Indonesian archipelago, the bureau said there were 81 reports of petty theft, accounting for more than a quarter of global incidents in 2012.

 

Source: AP

U.S. to recognize Somali government, opening door to new aid

By
Staff
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States will on Thursday officially recognize the Somali government in Mogadishu, ending a hiatus of more than 20 years and opening the door to increased U.S. and international economic help for the violence-plagued African nation, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will announce the shift during a meeting with visiting Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose election last year marked the first vote of its kind since warlords toppled military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson told reporters.

“When the secretary meets with Hassan Sheikh tomorrow, she will exchange diplomatic notes with him and recognize the Somali government in Mogadishu for the first time in 20 years,” Carson told a news briefing.

The United States never formally severed diplomatic ties with Somalia, whose slide into anarchy was highlighted by the 1993 “Black Hawk Down” incident which saw militia fighters shoot down two U.S. military helicopters over Mogadishu.

In subsequent years, al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab insurgents seized control of large areas in the south and central parts of the country before Ethiopian, Kenyan and African peacekeeping (AMISOM) troops began a long, U.S.-supported counter offensive aimed at restoring order.

The formation of the new government led by Mohamud is the culmination of a regionally brokered, U.N.-backed effort to end close to two decades of fighting that has killed tens of thousands of people.

Carson said the U.S. decision to formally recognize the new government underscored the progress toward political stability that Somalia has made over the past year, including “breaking the back” of the al Shabaab insurgency.

“We are a long way from where we were on Oct 3, 1993 when Black Hawk Down occurred in Mogadishu,” Carson said.

“Significant progress has been made in stabilizing the country, in helping to break up and defeat al Shabaab. Much more needs to be done, but we think enormous progress has been made and we have been at the very center of this in our support for AMISOM.”

Continued security concerns in Somalia were highlighted over the weekend when French commandos failed to win the release of a French agent held by militants since 2009 during a helicopter raid in southern Somalia.

STEPS TOWARD MORE AID

Clinton does not intend to announce any specific new aid packages for Somalia, which already receives significant U.S. humanitarian assistance for drought, famine and refugee relief, one senior U.S. official said.

But formal U.S. recognition of the new government paves the way for new flows of assistance both from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other U.S. agencies as well as from international actors such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

“The fact that we recognize a government there will allow us to do things through USAID that we have not been able to do before. The fact that we recognize them as a legitimate government will allow the World Bank and the IMF to do things that they would not have been able to do before. This is major and it is significant,” the official said.

Mohamud and his team met with senior USAID officials as well as World Bank President Jim Yong Kim during their trip to Washington, U.S. officials said.

The senior U.S. official said the United States did not have any immediate plan to reopen an embassy in Mogadishu but indicated that this could also eventually follow Thursday’s announcement. U.S. policy on Somalia is currently handled by a special envoy based out of Nairobi.

Source:Reuters

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