The horn of Africa’s self-declared state of Somaliland may get its first foreign university by mid-2013, if plans by a private university in Kenya to open a branch campus there come to fruition.
The rapidly expanding though relatively new Mount Kenya University, headquartered in Thika in central Kenya, is planning to open a campus in the Somaliland capital Hargeisa.
Mount Kenya has been on an ambitious regional expansion trajectory barely 10 years after being founded, and has in the past year opened campuses in Kigali, Rwanda, and in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The university also has a virtual campus in Nairobi.
“Our goal is to take higher education to all those who need it in this region and beyond. Somaliland is part of our expansion programme,” said University Chair Simon Gicharu.
He said Somaliland – a stable region in turbulent Somalia – was an attractive investment destination, including in the field of higher education.
“This is one place where we think we can succeed greatly if we open a campus of Mount Kenya, because the administration there is receptive to investment ideas and the thirst for education is very high,” Gicharu added.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia after chaos erupted in the country 21 years ago, establishing its own thriving democracy and economy.
But it has faced major hurdles in getting official recognition from the African Union, the United Nations and regional governments, which fear that recognising Somaliland as an independent state could spur breakaways of various Somalia regions and breed chaos. Currently, Somaliland is internationally recognised only as an autonomous region.
Somaliland boasts of 14 tertiary institutions, many of them private and some offering degree courses.
A fairly liberal state that holds regular elections, Somaliland actively encourages the education of girls under a moderate version of Islam and in the absence of the hardline Islamists that hold sway in the rest of Somalia.
Mount Kenya University has been targeting areas that other Kenyan universities have shied away from, and recently opened a campus in the remote northern Kenyan town of Lodwar in Turkana, where there is a strong presence of South Sudanese refugees.
Simon Gicharu said the campus targeted both the pastoralist community and the hundreds of refugees and aid workers operating from Kakuma refugee camp.
Experts said the bold move into Somaliland was due to stiff competition in the East Africa region, mainly from Ugandan universities.
“The Ugandan universities continue to be the most aggressive and attractive to students and parents throughout the region due, among other factors, to low fees,” said Dr Patrick Mbataru of Kenyatta University.
“The room for expansion in East Africa is getting even more squeezed and universities must look further afield if they wish to grow,” he told University World News.
Ugandan institutions such as Kampala International University and the universities of Busoga, Makerere and Kampala have emerged as regional expansion giants, establishing campuses across the entire region and partnering with local colleges.
They have particularly taken advantage of the high cost of postgraduate studies to offer masters and PhD courses at affordable prices, attracting thousands of students who had abandoned hopes of pursuing their dreams because of the high fees charged by many institutions.
With the region now “flooded” with post-secondary institutions, Mabatau said the new frontiers for expansion had become the new state of South Sudan, the stable Somalian states of Somaliland and Puntland – and Somalia itself, if it emerges from turmoil.
University World News
Sunday, January 06, 2013
By: Maina Waruru
Right ho! Goes the rallying cry of the cattle herders in the Wild West as they bark orders to embark on their normal chores and daily duties.
Right ho! We say to fellow Somalilanders for it’s a new chapter in a new period in the local governance sector for national development.
It is our aspirations which should reflect upon our lives such that we should always remind ourselves what the best ways in store for us are indeed supposed to be.
We have to steer away from all turbulent currents in order to get our vessels home in one piece.
Our esteemed readers may wonder some aloud, as to why we emphasize repeatedly the need for peace and stability maintenance. Such noble causes need the steady and sober minds to assert it at all costs and opportunities.
No development or prosperity can ever be achieved under circumstances that are not conducive in the first place.
Whereas we should pull together concerted efforts to put our factors of production into good use, we rather opt for retrogressive ways.
The culture of tribal oriented and clannish mentality is something well known to all as devilish. No positive steps can ever be achieved if such innuendoes are injected into the mainstream social fabrics.
The parliament and the Guuurti should take care not enter the wrong chapters of history. They shouldn’t give raw deals to their subjects.
We have perpetually asked them to be at the forefront of national cohesion, harmonious inter-communal living, development oriented projects and all aspects that are a plus as far as lifting up of the socio-economical and socio-political standards of the populace is concerned.
By the way, are our people really aware of the painstaking efforts our foes out there take to and jump on every tiny opportunity available to undermine SL with hopes of blocking sovereignty all together? Do our readers know how many dogs of war are out there in our foes’ payrolls soldiering on through the powers of pen to diminish our integrity just as they hire assassins?
On the contrary, how much moral or material support do we inject to pep up our aspirations and/or counter such offensives?
We should support the government at all costs for it is incumbent upon us to do so. No country or nation achieves aspirations without the unconditional and selfless support of her populace.
Our readers may not know that enemies of this country are at pains to come to terms to the fact that SL and Somalia are to have talks.
This is because they know what the talks entail all about. Our people should be rest assured that when the real talks begin it will be to call the spade by its rightful name.
We were bound with no holy communion before just as we aren’t now. This is what all our enemies should be reminded without living in inept wishful thinking.
The state needs the socio-eco-political support from its subjects so as to reach its ideals.
This is what we have been reiterating to the chagrin of many.
We surely elected our President and we should rally around him, come rain come sunshine.
Perhaps the hardest talks for the southerners are how to deal with Puntland and Jubaland.
Thanks their own funeral.
Ours is to keep peace and stability in search of prosperity.
The Newly Elected Mayor of Hargeisa Hon Eng. Yusuf Warsame Said has of today officially assumed office after his predecessor Hon Eng. Hussein Mohamed Jicir handed him the Key to the city of Hargeisa in a ceremony which was presided by the Interior Minister Hon Mohamed Nur Arrale(Duur)and was held at the civil services commission headquarters.
The Outgoing Mayor of Hargeisa Hon Eng. Hussein Mohamed Jicir during the handing over ceremony touched on the many accomplishments he and his team had managed to achieve in the past ten years in office.
“Me and my team had in the past five years had made every effort in our disposal to uplift the face of the capital city not to mention the construction of more than 58 new tarmac roads in almost every ward of the city of Hargeisa”,said the outgoing Mayor Eng. Hussein Mohamed Jicir.
The New Mayor of Hargeisa Hon Eng. Yusuf Warsame Said thanked the outgoing Mayor and his team for their hard work and impeccable service that they had rendered the people and the city of Hargeisa in the past 10 years.
“I am ready for the hard work ahead of me and i know it is not an easy task which lies ahead of us, but me and my team shall introduce massive changes to the crumbling infrastructure of our urban centre and I urge the good people of Hargeisa to work with us because with their cooperation, I believe we can achieve much”, Said Eng. Warsame.
The Minister of Interior Hon Mohamed Nur Arrale (Dur) during the ceremony said, much is expected from the incoming mayor and his team by the people of Hargeisa and his ministry are ready to work hand in hand with the newly elected Mayor and his team.
We all thank God for allowing us to be here again in this new year of 2013, in a time that we recall what we have achieved last year. On behalf of the Wagosha clan of Jubba land in Southern Somalia, I am greeting you and congratulating you on the new year of 2013, bearing in mind that our country has a long way to go to end the prolonged civil war. A lot have been achieved last year nationally, like the creation of the new Somali government after 22 year of civil war and chaos in our beloved country. I would like to congratulate President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, his Prime Minister Abdi Shirdon Farah, the entire cabinet, and the parliamentarians for their tireless efforts to help the country out of the current mess.
After that our country faces many challenges, politically, economically and security wise. All these challenges can be dealt with the unity of Somali people, leaving behind their differences and holding sincere talks, with the participation of genuine representatives of the concerned groups. Somalia and International community
It has been a very crucial victory for Somalia to reappear in the international stage as a formal and official government legally elected by Somali people. The President has shown his mature manner in dealing with the international community, specially the regional neighboring countries. I believe all his visits abroad since coming to power were important to the country and to the people of Somalia.
The international community on their side, despite carrying the burden of helping a country, that is beginning everything from the scratch, yet they are expected to recognize and respect the sovereignty of our country, which is a full member of the UN.
Somalia is part of a wider problem that exists in the Horn of Africa and the international community needs to get more effective at conflict prevention, better coordination by the international community as a whole. Some may think that the issue of Somalia is the hardest ever in this world, but always the approach of the international community was not well evaluated or not well coordinated, because of listening views of one side and ignoring the others. Social Services
Somalia has been without a strong central government since 1991, and its not going to be an easy task to fulfill everything in one day. We know the country needs services like education, health, security and other important things.
We must expect many disappointments, and many unpleasant surprises, but we may be sure that the task which we have freely accepted is one not beyond the compass and the strength of the Somali people, who showed bravery and generosity during the 22 years of ordeal and endless fighting.
Early in 1992, After his visit to Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia, the British Foreign Affairs Secretary had to say these words, given the extent of the destruction our country is facing until today
“One million people have died in those 20 years, out of an average population of nine million. More people are dependent on food aid – literally kept from starvation – than the entire population of Edinburgh, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Liverpool put together. If you are born in Somalia today you can hope to live to the age of 48, roughly the same average life expectancy of people in Britain in 1880. Large areas of the country are controlled by extremists and militants. Most people live without access to justice and human rights, and Somalia has become a haven for the some of the worst criminality and terrorism in the world. Piracy has flourished and innocent British holidaymakers have been seized in neighboring countries and surrounding waters, including Kenya and the Seychelles”.
I believe that we must expect many disappointments, and many unpleasant surprises, but we may be sure that the task which we have freely accepted is one not beyond the compass and the strength of the Somali people, who showed bravery and generosity during the 22 years of ordeal and endless fighting in their country.
Regional states, Jubbaland crisis
According to the constitution, Somalia has to adopt a new political system based on federal states within the Somali Republic. To my understanding in some cases few people have misunderstood the kind of federal system the constitution calls. For example for the case of Jubbaland, people from Ethiopian region of Zone Five and others from Kenya’s North Eastern Province have gathered in Kismayo to set upo a regional administration based on clan. Its obvious that these people are violating the country’s constitution, because they are officially foreigners who are meddling Somalia’s internal affairs.
Ahmed Madobe, Mohamed Abdi Gandi, Kenya’s state minister for defense Mohamed Yusuf Haji, his son Nuradin, and other Somali Kenyan politicians have made up a clan project supported by other warlords from Puntland to invade Jubbaland and exterminate the real inhabitants of the region. As President Hassan Sheikh of Somalia earlier said that all conflicts in Jubbaland were created by outsiders, this project is not different from previous wars that destroyed the lives and the property of Jubbaland indigenous people.
The aim of the Ogadeni clan mongers is to take over by forces the entire Jubbaland area, while Puntland warlords have revenge motives against Marehan and also a repeat conspiracy of massacring other communities in the region, including the Wagosha majority.
Kenyan government is being used to pursue clan interests, while the international community funded the Nairobi military operations in a bid to eliminate Al Shabab militants. With the instructions of Kenyan Ogadeni officials, Kenya Defence Forces helped only Ogadenis to capture Kismayo, deliberately neglecting Marehan clan militants in Gedo region. Its clear that the Marehan militants are under Kenyan military sanction, because there is fear that if they move ahed and liberate all areas in Gedo region, they will also come to Kismayo, something that will annoy the Kenyan Ogadeni politicians and the entire Ogadeni clan.
In this case there is no any genuine operation against Al –Shabab in southern Somalia, and instead there is one clan being helped by a foreign country against other clans in the region.
Opposing to the stand of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Jubbaland crisis, which is to adopt a bottom up approach of reconciliation, Kenyan Ogadeni politicians launched an operation to deport Somalis from Nairobi, and this operation caused looting of Somali property and other damages.
The Wagosha clan has been calling for genuine reconciliation and talks, but that does not seem possible at the moment, because of the obstacles set up by the invaders from Ethiopia’s Zone Five Region and those from Kenya’s North East Province and Puntland.
We managed to hold talks with many Somali clans, who fully understood our case, and in support of Wagosha people to have the absolute rights of their land, prominent Hawiye clan elder Mohamed Hassan Had accused foreigners from Ethiopia and Kenya’s North East Province of being obstacle to the peace of Jubbaland. http://rajonews.com/2013/01/02/dhagayso-nabadoon-xaad-kismaayo-wax-qasaya-dad-ka-yimid-kilinka-shanaad-iyo-nfd/ Self defence call to Wagosha people
In 1991, when the Wagosha clan faced the worst genocide ever in the Somali history, carried out by an alliance of Darod clans, the Wagosha clan organized themselves in different forms. More than twenty years now these efforts have resulted public awareness among the Wagosha wherever they are, and everyone is ready toi die for his land. The world listened to the lies of the criminals, and even helped in creating false history against our people with the aim of destroying completely our future and our rights.
Thanks to the situation on the ground that facilitated our people to arm themselves with only one and genuine reason of self defence and liberation.
We will not only fight to save our people, but to save the Horn of Africa Region and the world.Region and the world.
As the former British premier Churchill said during the world war two.“This is no war of domination or imperial aggrandizement or material gain; no war to shut any country out of its sunlight and means of progress. It is a war, viewed in its inherent quality, to establish, on impregnable rocks, the rights of the individual, and it is a war to establish and revive the stature of man. We are sure that these liberties will be in hands which will not abuse them, which will use them for no class or party interests, which will cherish and guard them, and we look forward to the day, surely and confidently we look forward to the day, when our liberties and rights will be restored to us, and when we shall be able to share them with the peoples to whom such blessings are unknown”. (Winston Churchill).
We know that the invaders considers themselves as heroes of or born to be fighters, but I tell my people no aggressor has the right to be respected at all.
Stalin the Soviet leader during the war said “Of course not! History shows that there are no invincible armies and never have been. Napoleon’s army was considered invincible, but it was beaten successively by the armies of Russia, England and Germany. Kaiser Wilhelm’s German army in the period of the First Imperialist War was also considered invincible, but it was beaten several times by Russian and Anglo-French troops, and was finally smashed by the Anglo-French forces.”
In every war, the enemy uses tactics like dividing people or wooing them with money and other valueless materials, so we have to bear in mind to wage a ruthless fight against all dis-organizers, deserters, panic-mongers, rumor-mongers, spies, enemy followers and anyone who is undermining the blessed and the legitimate struggle of the Wagosha people.
In this kind of struggle we should not forget to adopt all forms of combating the enemy, lime fomenting guerrilla warfare everywhere, to blow up bridges, roads, damage telephone, all sorts of communications.
For the complete destruction of the invaders!
Death to the invaders!
Long live our glorious Motherland, her liberty and her independence!
Under the banner of Liberation or death
Victory To Wagosha!
Engineer Yarow Sharif Aden
Leader of Wagosha people
The chaos surrounding the recently concluded local council elections and the administration’s track record over the last two and half years, have proved one thing, although Somaliland has a democratically elected President in Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud “Silaanyo” it does not have a strong leader.
President Silaanyo could not have reached this exulted position without talent and drive, but one thing is clear, he is and will always be bureaucrat, a follower but not a leader. There is also the question of his age and infirmity.
Some Somaliland analysts have stated that President Silaanyo has come to the presidency too late and too old. They argue that if he had reached this position early in his career things may be different. Maybe and maybe not.
Somalilanders know each other very well. We know who we are. We know are abilities and our limitations. We know our lions and our hyenas.
Somalilanders have always known that President Silaanyo was never in the mould of dynamos like the late Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, nor the countless heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in freeing the country from the defunct union.
Don’t get me wrong, President Silaanyo has many fine attributes. He is first and foremost a decent person, always was and always will be. But he is not a leader. He is not someone who engenders either respect or fear, and that is a fatal flaw in a politician.
Does anyone imagine that President Silaanyo could have managed with the late Egal did and disarm the community militia? Survive an internal conflict? Cajole, threaten and pacify countless armed men? Build consensus through dialogue and discussion? Create institutions? No, I don’t think so.
Some would argue that they are differing Presidents for differing times. This argument has some weight. At the time of the late President Egal’s tenure, Somaliland was a devastated place. It needed a strong leader to survive and thrive. And now the country requires a different leader to navigate the different political climate in the region.
But, how can one explain the descent to chaos, corruption and foreign policy failure that has taken place under the administration of President Silaanyo?
President Silaanyo inherited a nation with deeply laid down foundations for democracy, progress, inclusion and tolerance. Yet, under his administration at this both our internal and external policies are in a mess. Not only has this administration manage to botch a fairly routine low level elections, external forces are running rings around us in terms of international exposure.
Not even the much maligned administration of former President Dahir Riyale Kahin had reached such a nadir. After all, he kept the peace, strengthened the nation, moved forward the democratic process and gracefully relinquished power.
It all comes down the fibre of the man or woman holding the position. If you are not the decider, the final decision maker, then countless non-entities will make the decision on your behalf and plunge the nation into chaos.
And this is exactly what is happening in the in administration of President Silaanyo. Out of touch, infirmed, elderly, he is merely a figure head.
The father of the nation has fallen asleep at the helm, and the children are steering the ship of state. But, rest assured, this too shall pass. As with all things, good times, bad times and tough times all shall pass.
There are two years left on President Silaanyo’s mandate, let us hope that, Insha’Allah, Somaliland will reach the 2015 presidential vote intact, strong, united and progressive.
The explosion at the Dagahaley refugee camp in Dadaab occurred on Friday evening at a popular restaurant, normally frequented by locals.
“The seven victims sustained multiple shrapnel wounds from the grenade blast in different parts of their bodies and were rushed to hospital where they are still admitted and receiving treatment,” the Red Cross said in a statement.
The Dadaab refugee camp complex, the world’s biggest, lies about 100km from the border with Somalia.
“We lost two people and others have been injured,” Philip Tuimur, the regional police chief, said. Another police source said the grenade was thrown from a moving vehicle.
Shabab violence
Dadaab has sheltered Somalians fleeing violence and drought for more than 20 years, and their numbers currently stand at nearly half a million.
Attacks have increased within Kenya since Nairobi sent army soldiers into southern Sudan to fight Somalia’s al-Qaeda-linked Shabab fighters in late 2011.
Similar attacks and cross-border raids in the region have been blamed on the fighters or their Kenyan supporters, who have vowed revenge.
The Shabab still control large parts of southern Somalia, despite African Union troops, allied Somali forces and Ethiopian soldiers having wrested control of several key towns.
Kenyan troops, now integrated into the African Union force, seized the Shabab bastion of Kismayo, a key southern Somali port, in September.
That led to warnings of retaliation from both the Islamist insurgents and their Kenyan supporters.
But the Shabab have denied involvement in previous similar bombings.
Displaced Somalis
Violence in Kenya, ranging from attacks blamed on Islamists, inter-communal clashes and a police crackdown on a coastal separatist movement, have raised concerns over security ahead of elections due in March 2013.
Five years ago, elections descended into deadly post-poll killings that shattered Kenya’s image as a beacon of regional stability.
In Somalia in 2011, famine caused by extreme drought exacerbated by conflict claimed tens of thousands of lives and affected more than four million people, according to the United Nations.
Over a million Somalis are displaced inside the country, while over a million are refugees in neighbouring nations, according to UN figures.
President Guelleh of Djibouti calls for release of prisoners held by Eritrea. The President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, in his New Year address to the Nation has called once again for the release of the prisoners of war seized by Eritrea during Eritrea incursions into Djibouti when Eritrea attacked Djibouti in June 2008.
In his message, the President said it was fitting that Djiboutians should remember and honour those martyrs who had died in the service of their country. He said that especially the country should remember those still detained in Eritrean prisons. “We pray that they will be returned to us in 2013”, he said, and added that “we will spare no effort to see this come true, and that we will be able to reach a speedy and favourable end” to the conflict over Ras Dumera.” Djibouti has repeatedly called for the release of the prisoners of war still suffering in the prisons of Eritrea, a call ignored by the Government of Eritrea. Nor has there been any progress in resolving this since the end of the fighting, despite the efforts of the Emir of Qatar to mediate between the two countries.
The President mentioned that 2012 had seen the completion of a number of projects, including the port of Doraleh, and of others now in process among them the new port of Tadjoura, a memorandum of understanding with Ethiopia for a cross-border supply of drinking water and seawater desalination plant agreed with the European Union. He also reminded his listeners that 2013 was an election year for the House of People’s Representatives, and for the first time this will involve proportional representation. He called upon his listeners to be responsible, sincere and increase their participation in publicaffairs. –MFA
The Somaliland local elections have been a far cry from the success that was reported in much of the media. As expected some of the Political Parties which lost out in the race were unhappy with the proceedings and the likes of Xaqsoor have accused the ruling Kulmiye Party, which won a majority, of vote rigging and influencing the National Election Commission. Their grievance was brushed off by senior Kulmiye officials as just a sour grape reaction but the Somaliland Election Commission’s acknowledgement of their key shortcomings during the election process has made their case stronger. The Election Commission of Somaliland this week conceded that electoral fraud could have taken place as it would have been difficult for them to work out whom and how many times they voted because of a lack of voter registration. More painfully for the families and public, the Commission omitted to speak about those who died or were injured in the violence that followed the election results which could easily be attributed to their incompetence.
The Somaliland local elections and the incompetence of its supposedly independent and able Election Commission could have been overlooked, albeit undemocratic and illegal, if there was a fair political settlement. There is no hiding from the fact that as a nation Somaliland is built on tribe. Many people, especially ardent Somaliland politicians, try to hide this but they are fooling no one. Somaliland has been a collection of tribal interests since 1884 when the British landed in Saylac. Tribalism is a cancer that Somalia as a whole is unable to control, manage and sideline for the greater good of long term security, peace and development.
To support the views of critics who say that Kulmiye is now a Party of one tribe over others is wrong as there is no evidence for this. It is also irresponsible to even suggest that they are playing tribal politics to divide the people. Yet it is hard to not understand the worries of the public who have taken tribe as an insurance policy against a State that is unable to meet and provide for their needs. The prevalent message in all of Somali tribalism is strength in numbers which would provide each group with the power to demand a better political, social and economical settlement for themselves and their regions. This is not uncommon in developing nations whose society is structured in such a way like Somalia but what is unacceptable is the possible consequence of inter-tribal violence where interests collide.
Aside from internal division and global national shame, inter-tribal fighting exposes the weakness of government and the overriding power of tribe over nation. It stabs the heart of what past African leaders like Kwame Nkrumah wanted to present as unity behind a cause and a belief in one equal people. The last Kenyan elections which heralded in a coalition government after weeks of deadly violence is a recent reminder of what can happen when large tribes dispute election results and this can easily be Saylac soon if the Kulmiye government does not act quickly and continue to monitor the situation.
Saylac was once a famous city of trade and culture. This week it became the centre of a violent dispute between the two largest tribal groups that have lived in the region in unity for centuries, the Gadabuursi and Isse clans. The main issue was that the first group who had more elected councillors wanted to choose a Gadabuursi mayor but the Isse family, who also lay claim to the land, were against this. By virtue of electoral majority they were outnumbered and ought to have accepted the Gadabuursi mayoral candidate as the legitimate leader but what ought to have been settled through a simple counting exercise almost led to inter-tribal war. Worryingly for the Kulmiye Party many of the Gadabuursi claimed that the fact that the Isse lost was not accepted by key figures in the central government who wanted an Isse mayor. More damagingly, some in this same group also believed that the President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh who himself is Isse, directly was intervening by promising to supply weapons and political support to his family in Saylac against a war with their neighbours, the Gadabuursi, right under the governments nose. Although there is no evidence of either, the rumour is enough to spark disaster in a small territory where hostilities are already unbearable and courts totally mistrusted for the same reasons the two people are fighting. This indeed is the ugliest face of tribalism and like cancer it can cripple the little peace the self-declared independent state of Somaliland enjoys today.
What should kulmiye do?
The quick reaction of the Kulmiye government which saw key figures such as Musa Bihi, the chairman of the Party and Saylici, the Vice President, dispatched to the region is to be applauded. It proved to the region that a Hargeisa centred government cared and that the threat of a Djibouti backed war in the region was never going to materialise. Any delay in the government’s reaction could have made the Gadabuursi people feel threatened, isolated and alone in fighting a foreign backed war in their own back yard. This of course would have been disastrous for the perceived sovereignty of Somaliland and its government’s ability to defend its citizens. More damagingly for Kulmiye, a wrong move could have resurfaced the Awdal State debate which would have questioned Somaliland’s right over the Awdal territory which predominantly belongs to the Gadabuursi tribe but is shared with many others.
For now the Kulmiye intervention in Saylac and their part in the negotiations and reconciliation process has helped to bring an end to the dispute. The rightful mayor has been installed and the local Councillors have been sworn in as they were elected. But tribe, instead of being just an identification mechanism for people as ordained by God in the Islamic religion, can easily again turn into the tool of dominance, oppression and injustice in Somalia where two groups disagree. This is a dangerous state to exist in for people and a real deterrent for investors and national development.
Nationalism has yet to replace tribalism in Somalia and this is no different in the self declared independent state of Somaliland. The elusive dream of nationalism eclipsing tribal loyalties is not yet worth hoping for in the near future as it will not happen but at least in peaceful Somaliland, its affects must be limited as much as possible to ensure peace, security and development. A simple first step in every other election to come should be to register every voter and provide them with a voting and Identity card which can be electronically discontinued once they have voted. Electoral fraud laws should be enforced religiously and all culprits penalised and then named and shamed publicly regardless of their position in society. Peace, security and a sense of togetherness are more important than any of them. Secondly, a full investigation into the National Election Commissions actions in these local elections by an independent body which is able to take action against them is needed to restore faith in the institution for the future.
In the long term a comprehensive education of tribe and its uses under Islamic law ought to be taught from primary schools all the way up to the government officials. Discrimination laws must be formulated to eradicate tribal favouritism in public and private sector jobs. More daringly the key political Party’s must be encouraged to field different tribal candidates in different tribal areas and not capitalise on the divisions themselves. The voters may not be as tribally minded as they are presented to be and may vote for a person from a different region who can best address their needs if given the opportunity.
The Somali people as a whole are new to Liberal western style democracy which is mainly based on simple numbers. Even developed nations know that this system is not always equitable but democracy is not perfect. In the current tribal driven democracy of Somalia and the self declared independent state of Somaliland, equity will demand that safeguards be built in to election results to secure and safeguard the rights of smaller tribes when it comes to resource allocation, employment and public services.
The Kulmiye government has acted swiftly to avert an enormous potential disaster in Saylac but their citizens cannot always be one election away from catastrophe. Somali Local governments are naturally tribal but city leaders ought to know that in an age of globalisation the key to city survival and prosperity is community cohesion, better infrastructure, an educated population and good living conditions for present and future residents. Division and self-destruction inspired by tribe and ignorance will bring none of these.
Dahabshiil, which is Somali for ‘the gold melter’, is a ‘rags to riches’ story of an African entrepreneur who lost everything during the Somali civil war.
With nothing but a strong network of contacts, he set about rebuilding the company which two decades later is now the largest African-owned money transfer business in the world. Dahabshiil was founded by Mohamed Said Duale more than forty years ago. He opened his first shop in Burao, the regional capital of Togdheer province in North-West Somalia, now known as Somaliland. He started off by selling imported goods from Gulf states on behalf of Somali migrant workers and transferring the proceeds back to their families.
The business collapsed as civil war broke out across Somalia, forcing more than a million Somalis to flee and seek refuge all over the world. With limited resources, Duale used his experience to set up a new remittance venture, enabling Somali refugees to send money and goods to displaced family members.
Over the next two and half decades, Mr. Duale, with the support of his staff and his son, Abdirashid Duale, who worked in the shop while also attending school, expanded the business to become the leading money transfer company in the Horn of Africa and beyond. Dahabshiil now operates in many African countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya , and Ethiopia. It serves migrant communities all over the world and is fully compliant with international regulations.
Dahabshiil made banking history when in 2009 it launched the first ever debit card in the Somali territories. It also opened the Dahabshil Bank in Djibouti which is operational in some parts of the Somali territories as well
Abdirashid Duale, the current CEO of Dahabshiil, has worked for the company since his school days, helping his father develop what was a small family business into a global firm operating in more than 150 countries. He has committed his company to increasing financial inclusion in developing countries, and has been an integral part of the economic development in the Horn region.
The company is involved in community regeneration projects. It invests five percent of its profits each year into such activities, including the development of schools, hospitals, agriculture, sanitation and infrastructure. This amounts to millions of dollars annually.
The company’s humanitarian efforts during recurrent food crisis have included partnership with leading aid agencies in the delivery of a ‘cash for food’ programme, involving money transfers to beneficiaries for the purchase of food in local markets.
With headquarters in the Somali territories, the United Kingdom, and Dubai, Dahabshiil provides services to some of the world’s leading humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations and international NGOs.
Dahabshiil is also currently spearheading initiatives consisting of partnerships with development organisations in an effort to establish sustainable financial products to meet the needs of poor communities.
Abdirashid Duale has established a reputation as an expert in the remittance industry, and has vast experience in all areas of money transfer operations. He has gained a reputation as a regular keynote speaker at international and regional conferences, including those organised by The School of Oriental and African Studies, International Fund for Agricultural Development, The London School of Economics, Oxford University, the African Development Bank and the British Houses of Parliament. He speaks about remittances, telecommunications and development issues.
Abdirashid Duale has won several awards. This year he was independently selected out of nearly 700 candidates as one of the top 50 most influential people in Africa by the respected publication, The Africa Report. In addition to this he was recently awarded Top Manager of the Year by the International Association of Money Transfer Networks in recognition of the outstanding services that the firm offers its clients. He has also received the UK’s Mayor of Tower Hamlets award for excellence in the community, which recognises what it describes as the “outstanding contribution” Dahabshiil has made to the local, national, and international Somali community over the last forty years.
The story of Dahabshiil, which started off as one small shop, is an inspiration to many people, especially Africans. It has overcome many challenges in a difficult part of the world, and proves that hard work, commitment, professionalism, and resilience can yield large dividends.
Decades have gone by and Somali’s have seen many presidents promise to restore the countries pride and beauty it once had, they have come and gone: no change has been made. The only hopeful’s we see is Somaliland but again, the recognition they desperately need isn’t coming any time soon. Somali’s sometimes ask themselves, ‘’how did we get this low?’’
I’m writing this article to inform you on one of the main problems that got Somali’s ‘’this low’’. Unless they understand this problem, identify & defeat it, they will never be able to leave this current mess the enemy has created for them.
You are probably wondering ‘’who is this enemy?’’ and some wouldn’t be surprised when I say this, but many might. The enemy to put it quite simply is, ETHIOPIA. This first started when Siad Barre and his army clashed with Ethiopia in the war of Ogaden 1977. And how have they ruined Somalia? Dividing us and arming us against one another. The British and Italian colonists did this very efficiently during colonization, but the Ethiopians continued this till the bloody pulp. Some Somali’s believe Ethiopia, Britain and Italy are and was the friends, but not all friends are truthful, like Nelson Mandela himself said ‘’Today’s friend can be Tomorrows enemy.’’
Smart people would usually ask when questioning a murder ‘’who will benefit from this?’’ so let’s switch it around and put this in Somalia’s case. Who will benefit or is interested in the everlasting obliteration of Somalia? Many would say U.S.A or UK, mainly the western powers, but not in this case.
Meles Zenawi, one of the greatest strategists of the 21st Century. A rebel leader at 27, he toppled the Ethiopian regime at that time. Ethiopia’s main enemy for a while, but Meles knew the potential powerhouse of East Africa was Somalia to his East. He would effectively turn the Somali’s against each other by arming each clan rebellion group to fight against each other, and once one was winning, he would reduce the arms for that group and increase weapons for this enemy, do you see where I am going with this? Sheikh Sharif, former President of Somalia suffered horribly at the hands of Meles Zenawi who consistently armed rebellions in Somalia to continue the destruction they had been causing.
When Siad Barre had the people of Somalia turning against him and creating Clan based rebel groups, such as the S.N.M (Somali National Movement), U.S.C (United Somali Congress), SSDF (Somali Salvation Democratic Front), S.P.M (Somali Patriotic Movement) and S.D.F (Somali Democratic Front) did you ever stop and think who were supplying them with weapons to rebel? Well if you did I believe I have the answer, if you look closely when they were ready to strike back against the Red Berets (Faqqash Army) they had regrouped in Ethiopia and consumed weapons in Ethiopia. So there you go, Ethiopia & Meles Zenawi
were happily giving weapons to the Somali rebel groups practically saying ‘’there you go, go out and there and ruin Somalia for me’’ and that’s exactly what they did.
The enemy simply wants to divide the Somali people and destruct them, the sooner the Somali’s realise, the better. It is never too late for the Somali’s to unite and decide their future together, not Ethiopia or any Western power. Another factor in the destruction of Somalia is the international jihadists who were kicked out of Iraq and Afghanistan and are trying to settle in Somalia. These people are changing the mindset of Somali’s and we have already seen the influences they have caused in Somalia and Puntland. Car suicide bombings and killing of men who do not follow orders of other men and then blaming it on the religion is NOT what Somali’s do or use to do. They are a cancer who brainwashing the Somali youth and spreading there unrealistic ideology, trying to kill of Somalia.
Ethiopia wants the complete collapse of Somalia and the evidence is there. They want Somalia to be split into small states; you can see Somaliland and Puntland can’t you? While Ethiopia is claiming to help the TFG and help Somalia, they also recognise the separatist region of Somaliland. Ethiopia even recognises Somaliland’s passport. You see the problem there? Ethiopia was once in talks with Somaliland over the use of port Berbera, whilst it was running away from Djibouti port because of the raised taxation and fees on Ethiopian products being passed through Djiboutian ports. Remember that both Djiboutians and Somalilanders are Somali’s; do you see the division there?
Once Somali’s wake up, the better. The sacred land of Somalia was fought for by the likes of Sayyid Abdille Hassan who led the Dervish Somali’s. Somali’s have weakened themselves to the Ethiopians who have forever wanted Somali’s to be at their knees. I’ve said this in many of my other articles but Tribalism and Tribes need to be discarded from the Somali culture. Tribalism is really disruptive and has no interest of the Somali people. If you didn’t know, clan systems were actually set up for the Nomads and have no place in the urban setting of Somalia.
If this shambles continues, Somalia will soon be run by the UN and the people will be so weak to stand up for themselves, Ethiopians and Kenyans will be forced to take control of areas. The Ethiopian population is increasing more than ever and it is predicted that by 2025, Ethiopia will have 125 million people. It’s vital that Ethiopia has as much as water as it can and if Somalia continues to crumble like this, they will look to the Juba and Shebelle rivers and no Somali man will say a thing about that because they simply cannot do anything about it. It’s a sad and devastating reality Somali’s will all face if this continue so it is pivotal that Somali’s wake up as soon as possible.
