HARGEISA, 3 February 2010 (Somalilandpress) – Ms. Fatima Sudi, Somaliland’s minister of Family Affairs and Social Development said the human trafficking in Somaliland has increased in recent months. In a press conference, the minister said the voluntary migration among young men & women has significantly decreased, but human trafficking is taking its place. Ms. Sudi pleaded with those who are involved to take action to stop it.
“This is something new to us but widely known in the war torn places. It is called human trafficking,” she said.
Ms. Sudi said the Ministry have been involved in finding solutions to end the illegal migration among the youth which they managed to get some positive achievements. She mentioned that human trafficking is now taking the role which is more dangerous and most of the people do not know about it.
“We thank [the] UN & NGOs who help us on finding solutions for the human trafficking. We extend special thanks to the government of Japan who funded IOM to assist us on the problem,” the minister said. “There are people who are experts on carrying out human trafficking activities. They trick people, they tell them there is a better place where they can go and get a better life, but at the end those tricked will be helpless and end up working as slaves.”
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To illustrate the situation in southern Somalia, Ms. Sudi relayed the story of some children who were taken outside the country and later used as human spare parts in other countries. Nothing similar happened in Somaliland but this is the beginning of such actions in the country.
Prevention Activities
The minister said that the government started some activities to cope with the problem.
“There will be a massive awareness campaign in the regions of Awdal, Hargeisa, Sahil, Togdheer and Baligubadle,” she said.
Ms. Sudi said big signboards will be placed in these areas so people can better understand the danger of human trafficking. The minister asked the media outlets to carry out this message of awareness since this problem is new to this society.
MOGADISHU (Somalilandpress)-Nigeria’s minister for foreign affairs has angrily responded to a question asked by his counterparts from Uganda and Ethiopia at the AU summit regarding the deployment of troops in Somalia previously pledged by his country and when that was likely to happen.
The minister said there is no peace to keep in Somalia and that any claims by some countries that they are going to restore peace and security in Somalia are insincere. The Nigerian minister of foreign affairs said they were not going to deploy their troops in Somalia.
Mr. Ojo Maduekwe played down the situation in Somalia which he said has the potential for a lot of danger. The minister denied there is any peace worth keeping in Somalia.
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“Where is the peace that they are talking about? The fighting is still ongoing and we do not see any peace that we can send our forces to keep. Some of our military officers have gone to Mogadishu and failed to see a single place that was peaceful. We do not therefore know of this peace that is being spoken of that needs to be kept,” Maduekwe told to Ugandan and Ethiopian minsters on the sideline of African Union summit in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
Nigeria pledged to deploy their troops in Somalia on the 13th African Union’s Heads of States meeting. It has sent senior military officers to Somalia towards the end of last year to observe the situation.
The Nigerian officers underplayed deploying troops in Somalia. The statement by the Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister comes at a time Somalia’s government appealed assistance in the form of arms, soldiers and cash saying that could be used for restoring peace to the warn town country.
Cambridge, 3 February 2010 (Somalilandpress) – A group of twenty-five scholars, diplomats, lawyers, military officers, shipping industry officials, and other experts on maritime piracy and Somalia from nine nations who convened at the Harvard Kennedy School in December 2009 have recommended that one of the ways of exerting control over and reducing the threat from pirates is to recognize Somaliland.
“If African states and the AU can be persuaded to recognize the now independent but otherwise unacknowledged polity of Somaliland, doing so will strengthen the incentives for Puntland, which aspires to greater autonomy, and parts or all of the remainder of Somalia to make similar progress in terms of political institution building.
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Recognition of Somaliland will thus assist in strengthening accountability and governance in regions that are now pirate infected. Indeed, if Puntland knew that international engagement were possible, following on a full recognition of Somaliland, a powerful incentive would exist for Puntland to exert control over and reduce the threat from pirates on its soil,” the experts said
Click below for the full text of the group’s recommendations for combating maritime piracy off the Somalia coasts:
HARGEISA, 3 February 2010 (Somalilandpress) – 2010, without doubt, is one of the most crucial year for Somaliland and its people. It is a year of hope and dreams and a year to take the deserved opportunity to reflect upon a near decade of peace and political and social stability as well as growth. It is also the year that all of this could be lost if the Somaliland’s infant democracy is not protected from key internal and external threats.
The external threats are difficult to address as they come in the form of threats of terrorist acts at the hands of the lunatic, murderous, thugs who claim to represent Islam in Somalia and who go by the name of Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam. However, there is a more deadly and equally disastrous threat closer to home as the Somaliland elections near.
Both of the opposition parties in Somaliland have been working their way around the globe raising awareness of the many key social issues Somaliland faces and has faced under the current UDUB administration lead by President Dahir Kahin Rayale.
At their conferences in Bristol, UK, held a week apart, both UCID and Kulmiye representatives informed the public audience that Somaliland was facing constitutional crisis as it was been lead by a leader without a legitimate political mandate. They also informed the public that UDUB and its leader had subjected the citizens of the nation to neglect and Human Rights violations through the abuse of the privileges of political office.
Faisal Ali Warabe expressed his disgust at what he saw as abuse of political office and the lack of progress after all these years of UDUB rule. The Kulmiye deputy chairman argued that, unlike the late president Egal who Rayale was brought in to replace, President Rayale is an untrustworthy, cold hearted leader who is out of touch with public opinion and the needs of the public at home.
Both of the opposition parties also made it clear that President Dahir Rayale was deeply unpopular and was delaying the elections because he realises that he will lose the election with a massive landslide. The public were finally going to show their anger and frustration with his mismanagement and poor leadership. However, the opposition parties inevitably disagreed on who should replace him and his “deeply unpopular” political party.
Both the opposition parties, to a hail of claps and audience enthusiasm fuelled by a nationalistic song, brought forward a case for why they would be best to replace UDUB and President Rayale. As if using the services of the same speech writer and enlisting the services of similar Think Tanks, they both promised better free education and healthcare for all, better roads, better protection of individual human rights and better governance. Both promised to be the government that Somaliland yearns for to take it forward to recognition and greater national and international success.
Although not an UDUB supporter, one was not impressed by the opposition party’s policies and ideas. Where to some they sounded radical and new, most of their policy pledges were just that and no more as everything promised by both parties were unlikely to be delivered by any Somaliland administration at present or in the near future as a result of a lack of funding, expertise and international recognition. What struck one most was the naivety of the opposition’s leadership who were under the honest impression that if President Rayale is beaten at the general election than Somaliland’s key social and political issues will be automatically resolved. As if, he was the centre of all their policies, undermining President Rayale’s government monopolised both of the opposition Party’s major conferences in the UK. This was a very poor political tactic as the touring executive members of the opposition Parties were made up of some of President Rayale’s former UDUB colleagues who abandoned him for the opposition just before what they perceive to be an election he and his UDUB party will lose. Like rats deserting a sinking ship in the middle of the night, these former UDUB members buried any real chance of taking the opposition seriously as on the one hand both political Parties are working tirelessly to distance themselves from UDUB and its leader whilst at the same time offering political refuge to the careers of failed former UDUB party dissidents.
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What were made crystal clear from the Somaliland opposition Parties main European conferences are that not only are all their aims similar but that there is absolutely no way one could ideologically differentiate between them. Are they Socialists? Liberals? Conservatives? Do they know what these are? Do they care? Have they considered whether their goals are also the goals of the current government? I doubt it very much. What I suspect is that these politicians are fighting over the purse strings of the people of Somaliland and have very little Political convictions or direction. Even worst, it is arguable to suggest for some of the members of the opposition’s delegation, ego, recognition and career advancement are the root of their desire for power. Far from convincing their audiences in the UK that they are the best Political Party to represent Somaliland and take it forward after the next general election, what the opposition Parties illustrated was why they were only fit for opposition government.
The Rayale administration has many flaws and many mistakes had been made by key members within the governing group during their time in office. However, what cannot be faulted is President Rayale’s success in maintaining law and order, peace and the respect he commands abroad as an agreeable, approachable national leader. The character of a nation’s leader is fundamental to its every aspiration as the leader is the international symbol of the nation and whereas President Rayale is patient, approachable, internationally well liked and agreeable, his counterparts in the opposition camp have proven themselves to be anything but any of these. Silanyo is hot tempered, impulsive and heavily relies on his “father of the nation” delusion as a result of been a key member of the SNM in the war against Siad Barre. Whilst no one is denying that he did play a part in Somaliland’s defence against the rogue army of Siad Barre, the fact is so did many others who are quietly getting on with their lives without forcing the general public to be grateful for their efforts.
Silanyo worryingly demonstrates some dictatorial characteristics as the majority of his argument for political office is based on his misguided belief that because he was a key member of the SNM in their struggle against Siad Barre, he should be a leader of Somaliland as a right and a reward. Unlike Silanyo, Faisal Ali Warabe is charming, warm and truly nationalistic but the key hurdle he faces is his relatively younger age, his lack of political experience and a UCID party membership that is relatively weak and not well established when compared to the other opposition Parties. And oh, of course, a member or two who openly admit to lying to the public when they were members of the UDUB governments executive before joining UCID for whatever reason they claim.
The voting public in Somaliland should not, like the opposition Parties would wish, turn the upcoming general election, whenever it may be called, into a referendum on President Rayale. The fact is that there is very little choice between all the main political Parties and most of the idle promises made by the opposition will not materialise due to lack of funding, expertise and national recognition. Whilst change is good, a change for the better is much more beneficial in the long term and this is what is needed most desperately in Somaliland. By simply changing governments and installing a different leader nothing will change. However, if there was to be a change of government style as oppose to government than perhaps there would be greater chance for change and progress. As a result of a lack of ideological divide between the main political Parties, there is a need for national unity and strategy for development and this will only occur if there is a coalition government made up of all the political talents in Somaliland regardless of which Party they may represent.
Coalition government is ideal in that it will bring international support, aid and even make the case for independence stronger to the wider international community. More importantly, the formation of a coalition government will inspire confidence in the political process globally as it will show that the politicians are mature enough to put petty Party politics aside for the pursuit of the greater good of their electorates.
As much as one wishes for it, I doubt a unity government will materialise because this would require the politicians to work in the PUBLIC interest and realise that Somaliland is bigger than any individual or government. The people’s needs are real and what is at stake is more than just a general election but the future direction of nearly four million people. The Opposition Parties have made a case for better government time and time again but with a similar message and the same weak leadership as last time they lost the election to the current administration lead by President Rayale, it is doubtful they will offer any real alternative to President Rayale and his UDUB government.
Liban Obsiye.
libanbakaa@hotmail.com
___________________________________________________________________________________________ Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial
MOGADISHU (Somalilandpress)-The president of the Transitional FederalGovernment of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmad, has accused theinternational community of failing to play their role towards Somalia,adding that his country was in dire need of their support. Speaking at the African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital, AddisAbaba, The president has asked the world for political support, troopsand weapons, which he said will be used to fight against Islamicgroups fighting his government and western countries policies.. ‘’ We ask for more troops to join the African Union PeacekeepingMission those are doing a very good task’’ he said in his speech. He waved the international community to show their commitment ofpacifying Somalia, as well as restoring law and order. He has also outlined that his government is in what he termed as”preparation of liberation”, which is about a war against the armedrebel groups. “The Transitional Government is ready to liberate its country. We arefighting against terrorists who invaded our country and its our dutyto fight them” said Sheikh Ahmad, said on the sideline of the AfricanUnion leaders. He did not mention on the civilians suffering [because of the war] andways to help them, but he said that Somalis are in need of peace, lawand order, adding that all these depend on implementing the interestof the transitional government.
The president has also said that the era of talks has ended, byaccusing Al-Shabab of trying to take the control of the East Africanregion, adding that the military power which Al-Shabab hassubstantiated that. He urged neighbouring countries to extend full support to his government. The prop up call by Sharif came as the rebels dug trenches near thepresidential palace, posing threats to his weak government. Residentsare critic to the government for failing quick security measures andlong-drawn-out failed promises on the security. SomalilandpressMogadishu-Somalia
HARGEISA, 2 February 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Mohamed Olhaye Nour, 60, last cultivated his farm in Abuda, 24km southwest of Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa, more than two decades ago.
“Before the war, our life was good; we did not worry about making ends meet,” he said. “In an average year, our crop production was about 40-50 `jawan’ (one `jawan’ = 100kg sack of maize and sorghum mixed together).
“We kept 15-20 `jawan’ in reserve. We used the remainder in different ways, such as for bread, ‘African cake’ [maize meal] eaten with milk, or sorghum with milk.”
Nour, who has two wives and 17 children, stopped cultivating his land because it “is full of mines”. Two people who ventured onto the land got injured – one losing both arms. Nour has also lost 36 livestock to the mines.
Most of the unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Abuda was planted during the 1977-78 war between Somalia and Ethiopia, according to local residents. Some is from the 1981-91 war between the Somali National Movement and the Somali National Army.
According to Nour, many residents of Abuda were agro-pastoralists before these wars. Most fled to Ethiopia when clashes first broke out. When they returned in 1991, they found their farmland had been mined. Now they mostly survive as livestock keepers.
Experts in the self-declared republic say more than 250,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance, including anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, are buried in Somaliland.
UXO is scattered across northwestern Somalia, from Elayo to Loyada and from Bihen to Gestir.
Demining
Over the years, farmers wrote many letters to the Somaliland government requesting that the Abuda area be demined, Nour said. In 2009, the UK-based organization HALO Trust started demining farmland in this area.
Hargeisa, according to HALO, was heavily mined around military bases, refugee camps, private houses and the airport. The war between Ethiopia and Somalia also left behind large amounts of unexploded ordnance.
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Some UXO has, unfortunately, been harvested from mines for illegal reuse. This is particularly the case with anti-tank mines and explosive ordnance. Another problem is that most mines in Somaliland are plastic-bodied, making them difficult to locate using conventional demining equipment, according to HALO.
“We started demining operations in this area [Abuda] in early November 2009 after we received complaints from residents,” said Hassan Kosar, operations officer for HALO in Hargeisa. “We hope to finish in early May 2010, if we have adequate manpower capacity.”
Two other mine clearance institutions now exist in Somaliland – the Mine Action Center and the National Demining Agency.
HALO is currently supporting the National Demining Agency to expand mine-clearing operations, because the Somaliland government’s budget for demining institutions is limited.
“This is the first time a local institution is going to engage in mine clearance operations in Somaliland after HALO Trust trains 40 deminers for us,” said Mohamed Were, operations officer for the Somaliland National Demining Agency. “[But] our problem is lack of funds.”
At least eight hectares owned by 95 families in the Abuda area were mined, as well as several hectares further to the north.
“I have not cultivated my farm since 1988 but now that demining is going on, I hope the clearing of our farms will be completed before the rains come,” Nour told IRIN.
ADDIS ABABA, 2 February 2009 (Somalilandpress) – The 34th Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the IGAD Council of Ministers was held in Addis Ababa on January 30, 2010. The Council was chaired by H.E. Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the current Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers.
Present at the Council meeting were H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti; H.E. Moses Wetang’ula, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Ali Ahmed Jama, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia; H.E. Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation of the Republic of Uganda and H.E. Dr. Tekeda Alemu, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia H.E. Hassan E. El Talib, Ambassador of Sudan to Djibouti and Representative to IGAD.
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The Council was briefed by H.E Ali Ahmed Jama, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the TFG of Somalia, Eng. Mahboub Maalim Executive Secretary of IGAD, Hon. Kipruto arap Kirwa, the IGAD Facilitator for the Somalia Peace and National Reconciliation and Mr. Lissane Yohannes, IGAD Special Envoy to the Assessment and Evaluation Commission of the CPA.
H.E Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission of the AU, H.E Ahmadou Ould Abdalla, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations to Somalia, H.E Stefano Pontecorvo, Director (Adjoint), Sub-Sahran Africa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, representing the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF) and H.E Ahmed Salah-Eldin Noah Ambassador of the League of Arab states to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to AU and UNECA made statements at the opening of the meeting of the Council.
After deliberating at length on the situation in Somalia, the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), the situation in Yemen and institutional matters of the IGAD Secretariat, Council adopted the following communiqué.
On Somalia
Council,
1. Takes Note of the briefs on the current political and security situation in Somalia as presented by the Foreign Minister of the TFG and the IGAD Facilitator for the Somalia Peace and National reconciliation as well as the statements made by the Chairperson of the IPF and the Representative of the League of Arab States.
2. Takes note also of the Communiqué issued on 17 December 2009 by the International Contact Group on Somalia at the conclusion of its meeting in Jeddah and the communiqué issued by the AU Peace and security Council on 11 January 2010 both of which affirmed the unswerving support to the TFG for its tireless effort to bring about national reconciliation in Somalia and reiterated that the Djibouti process remains the sole basis for international effort on Somalia.
3. Commends the continued endeavour of the TFG to work for the peace and national reconciliation of Somalia despite enormous challenges and reiterates its unswerving support as the former forges ahead to achieve the targets set for the transition period and in this connection; calls upon the international community to redouble its efforts by providing the TFG the financial, material and technical assistance necessary to rebuild the state institutions.
4. Appeals to the international community and in particular to the member states of the IPF to recognise the efforts made by the TFG to develop a realistic national budget for 2010 and its commitment to raise some of the finance from domestic sources and to provide budgetary support which is critical in terms of stabilisation of the country and reviving of the state institutions. In this connection, Council decides to send a Ministerial delegation to selected partner countries and organisations to solicit their assistance.
5. Underlines the need by the top leadership of the TFI’s to work in unison and avoid recriminations in the interest of devoting their full time and energy to rebuilding the state institutions and carrying out other tasks as envisaged in the Transitional Federal Charter.
6. Welcomes the adoption by the UN Security council of Resolution 1907 (2009) on 23rd December 2009 which imposes sanctions on Eritrea, namely an arms embargo and travel restriction and a freeze on the assets of its political and military leaders for providing political, financial and logistical support to armed groups engaged in undermining peace and reconciliation in Somalia and also as a punitive measure against Eritrea’s acts of aggression and occupation of the territory Djibouti.
7. Acknowledges with appreciation the role played by all member states of the African Union, the AU Commission and in particular the member states of the Peace and Security Council for the steadfast support they rendered to IGAD that eventually led to the adoption of Resolution 1907 (2009). In this connection, Council commends the Ambassadors of IGAD member states at the United Nations and in particular the Ambassador of Uganda for the coordination role that he played representing Uganda as a member of the UN Security Council.
8. Affirms the commitment of member states of IGAD to work closely together with the UN Security council and the Sanctions Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1907 (2009) and take all actions necessary to ensure that the sanction measures are implemented fully. In this connection, Council calls upon all member states of the UN to vigorously pursue the resolution and take appropriate measures as stipulated therein with a view to achieving its objective which is the attainment of peace, security and stability in Somalia and the Sub region at large.
9. Calls upon the Sanctions Committee to designate, as a matter of urgency, the concerned Eritrean military and political leaders to enable an effective sanctions regime to be implemented. It further calls on the Security Council to take prompt action as per earlier requests of IGAD and AU on the imposition a no-fly zone and blockade on specific ports of Somalia to prevent the entry of foreign elements and logistical supplies to the terrorist groups of Al-Shabab and Hizbul Islam.
10. Reiterates its serious concern over the acts of terrorism by Al-Shabab and Hizbul Islam that continue to target officials and armed forces of the TFG, AMISOM Peace Keeping troops and the civilian population in general; and notes in particular that the terrorist groups have recently expanded their acts of terrorism to the relatively stable regions of Somaliland and Puntland. In this regard, Council calls upon the authorities in Somaliland and Puntland to coordinate their response and also work closely with the TFG to overcome the common threat that they are facing from the Al-Shabab and Hizbul Islam.
11. Urges the TFG and Ahlu Sunnah Wal-Jama to continue their dialogue with a view to creating a united front against the extremist and terrorist groups. In this connection Council notes with encouragement the recent resistance and victories scored by the Ahlu-Sunnah Wal-Jama against the Al-Shabab and Hizbul Islam militia in the Gulgudud and Hiran regions.
12. Underlines the need for close coordination between the TFG, AMISOM and the IGAD member states on the one hand and the international partners involved in providing security assistance to Somalia on the other hand so that the objective of attaining peace in Somalia is achieved within the shortest time possible. Council further emphasises the urgent need to put in place a unified command and control structure and ensure that the Somalia security forces are well equipped.
On the situation in the Republic of Yemen
13. Expresses serious concern over the security and political developments that would have a grave consequence to the peace and stability of Yemen as well as the neighbouring countries including all IGAD Member States; and affirms its solidarity and support to the Government of Yemen while encouraging the latter’s efforts to resolve the problem with opposition groups through dialogue.
14. Calls upon the forthcoming AU Summit to send a clear message of support to the Government of Yemen and warn against any interference by foreign forces aimed at undermining the unity and stability of the Republic of Yemen.
On the Sudan
15. Takes note of the report of the Special Envoy of IGAD to the AEC on the status of the implementation of the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
16. Expresses its concern regarding the progress in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and urges the two parties to commit themselves to the spirit and intent of the Agreement.
17. Reiterates its support to the efforts being exerted by the two parties to deal with outstanding issues in the implementation of the CPA and urges them to move swiftly towards the full implementation of the Agreement and encourages the parties to continue the dialogue.
18. Welcomes the acceptance of the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on Abyei by both parties and the spirit manifested following the decisions by the Ngonk Dinka and Messeriya as well as the ongoing demarcation of the Abyei border as per the ruling of the Court and urges the committee to complete the demarcation as soon as possible.
19. Welcomes also the on-going efforts by both parties to prepare and conduct a free and fair election during the month of April 2010.
20. Welcomes further the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Government of United State of America, Rtd. General Scott Gration in facilitating the ongoing tripartite mechanism on outstanding issues and recognizes the Points of Agreements tabled to the two parties as possible solutions to the impasse on various issues including the census results.
21. Urges the parties to exert more efforts to overcome the delays in the demarcation of the North-South border, redeployment of forces and disbandment of militias, the integration of “joint/integrated units” and the impasses on the census results.
22. Directs the IGAD Secretariat to come up with programs and seminars to inculcate the culture of peace in the Sudan.
23. Decides to dispatch a high level Ministerial delegation to the Sudan within the month of February 2010 to discuss with the signatories of the CPA for the full and speedy implementation of the CPA and resolve the outstanding issues.
On Institutional Matters of IGAD
24. Takes note of the brief presented by the Executive Secretary on the progress made in the development of an IGAD Peace and security Strategy, the Minimum Integration Plan and the organizational restructuring.
25. Appreciates the progress made so far and encourages the Executive Secretary to complete, in close collaboration with the Committee of Ambassadors, the tasks as entrusted to the Secretariat by the Council of Ministers.
ADDIS ABABA (Somalilandpress) — The Namibia Foreign Minister, Mr. Marco Mukoso Hausiku stated in an interview with Geeska Afrika, that African Union members are awaiting a report on Somaliland and other political issues in the Horn of Africa.
Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, before the gathering of AU Foreign ministers, Mr. Mukoso Hausika, confirmed to members of the Somaliland media, that the African Union is awaiting the final report on the situation in the Horn of Africa relating to the political conflicts between Eritrea and Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia and the case of Somaliland continued campaign for international recognition.
Responding to a question from the Somaliland media regarding the international recognition of their country, Mr. Mukoso Hausika stated “It is not prudent for Namibia to commit itself to a position without receiving the forth coming report on Somaliland . But, we will judge the issue on its merits and take into consideration the conclusion of the report.”
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Mr. Mukoso Haukisa continued “Namibia is willing to explore co-operation with all the people of Africa and the world. We would like to see more mutual co-operation between African nations, in terms of the exchange of ideas, knowledge and all manner of assistance.”
Mr. Marco Mukoso Haukisa has been Namibian Foreign minister for the past seven years.
The Republic of Namibia formerly known as South West Africa gained its independence from South Africa in 1991 under the leadership of Sam Nujoma.
The Republic of Namibia is a multi-party democracy and a member of the Commonwealth.
ADDIS ABABA, (Somalilandpress) — Reporters from Somaliland have been invited to the African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital who have been discussing a range of issues from security and conflict to development.
A total of four reporters from both government and independent media houses joined the 14th ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union which opened on Sunday built around the theme of ‘information and communication technologies’ in Addis Ababa.
Mohamed Hussein Jama of Geeska Afrika (independent), Abdiweli Farah Jambir, Ogaal news (independent), Abdullahi Ali Sudi, Somaliland National Television ‘TV Qaran’ (government) and Moha Farah Jirde from TV Qaran joined the the 53-member body’s annual meeting with another 528 journalists from around Africa and abroad.
Moha is also the president of Journalists for African Renaissance (JAR), an African Union agency founded by members from Somaliland, Kenya, Botswana, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, with the help of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, a non-profit German political foundation.
The often flamboyant reporter and regular presenter in the state-owned Qaran TV, Moha Farah, who played an important role in convincing African heads of state to invite journalists from Somaliland to the conference thanked the Ethiopian government for their hospitality on behave of all African journalists. Ms Moha also thanked the AU leaders for “allowing the media free access.” She praised Ethiopia’s positive attitude towards free press and urged the international press to refrain from misleading the public via falsely depicted information about Ethiopia’s press freedom.
She has over the years built up a considerable stable of contacts in Addis Ababa, which she says is home to thousands of diplomats, intellectuals and politicians. She emphasised the need for reporters from Somaliland in such gatherings by African leaders, who invited reporters from other continents.
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During the summit, Somaliland reporters met with various leaders from Africa including the leaders of Zambia, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Botswana, Namibia and Ethiopia as well as the current Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-moon.
Ban Ki-moon joined the African summit at a time when the Senegalese head of state, Abdoulaye Wade was proposing relocating the people of Haiti to Africa based on their African roots and for carrying the “flame of liberation and freedom for the black people.”
Ban Ki-moon on his part thanked the AU leaders for their support for Haiti and briefly touched on their African links.
The earthquake which struck Haiti on 12 January has killed an estimated 170,000 and made over a million people homeless. The emergency relief has attracted an international response including a number of Christian charities in the United States, where at least ten of them have been accused of illegally smuggling out Haiti children out off the country.
This is the first time press from Somaliland have been invited to an African Union summit.
In a related development, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, the Libyan leader is said to have been angered by a number of African head of states who secretly discussed the issue of Somaliland recognition with him. According to Geeska Afrika, Col. Qaddafi told the African leaders he was opposed to dividing Somalia, who he said was a “small state and a member of the African Union and Arab League” and that “the world is changing into 7 or 10 countries”, and Africa is trending in the opposite direction. He argued if Somaliland is recognized, others in Africa will follow such as regions in Sudan (referring to South Sudan) and Congo.
According to an early interview by Geeska Afrika, AU leaders are awaiting a report on Somaliland to be brought in front of the Assembly according to the Namibian Foreign Minister, Mr. Marco Mukoso Hausiku.
Col. El-Qaddafi was both surprised and angered by his sudden replacement by President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi and many political analysts believe El-Qaddafi never really believed in the so called “African United States” but was his way of denying the self-determination of people like Somaliland.
Somaliland journalists were invited as ‘Somaliland journalists’ and not as ‘Somalia’s’, they rubbed shoulders with the political elites of Africa and beyond bringing home another milestone in Somaliland’s self-determination as the journalists are the gateway to information.
[nggallery id=11] Somalilandpress, 2 February 2010
The past eight months I’ve spent in Somaliland have been amongst the most exciting, memorable and humbling of my life. Immersing oneself in the customs and local aspects of such a great culture can prove difficult even for those whose blood it is native to.
I was new and naïve in my previous articles but will not apologise to those who found my continued criticisms of our country difficult to swallow. I will, however, apologise to those who somehow perceived my genuine excitement/bewilderment and discovery of my family’s rich history and roots in Somaliland as outright bragging. Being a member of the Diaspora and genuinely feeling let-down by the level of our accomplishments in comparison to members of other nations who migrated en masse; I was happy to see my people doing so well for themselves here at home. As ‘Somalilanders’, I can still say that, we have a lot to accomplish both inside and outside of our borders. The truth hurts but it is only the truth and real reflection that can vindicate us of our shortcomings.
Not much has changed in the eight months I’ve been here that is easily visible. While I have left and returned three times in that period many of the same feelings and experiences I initially had remain true. I still feel proud that we are not a lawless nation, and that we have a government that caters to a certain degree for its citizens; but there is a lot more that needs to be done.
Before drifting off into politics I’ll explain what I’ve been up to in the past eight months. I’ve learnt a great deal about our culture and gained a lot as well as lost a great deal. I had to bury my uncle Ali Marshaal who was a true lion and patriot of Somaliland as well as experience the hardships of setting up business legitimately in a country where the rule of law is often left to the hands of dishonest and money hungry government employees. I’ve been privileged enough to take part in events where Faisal Ali Warrabe was speaking and have never heard so many quotable Somali punch lines come from one man. While I do not think the time for his party has arrived, this man has definitely been given the ‘gift of the gab.’
I have also had the experience of falling victim to the Somaliland Gem’s Scam in which low quality grade imported from other countries such as India and neighbouring African countries (genuine materials that are not suitable for any form of jewellery production beyond cabochons, etc [essentially the leftovers]) are used to ‘salt’ mines and sold on at above 1000% to susceptible and naïve travellers from abroad who dream of making easy millions. I learned my lesson with a smile like the time I purchased a laptop bag full of Argos catalogues off of Irishman (instead of the two laptops I paid for) and moved on.
While there are genuine gems here and real deposits I would sincerely advise those interested in this trade to take precaution and not be fooled by the apparent lustre of the low-grade gems presented to them by the highly intelligent and heartless men who happily perpetrate this fraud. The old adage of ‘if it seems too good to be true then it probably is’ is a lesson I had to learn a second time around. Doh!
The most meaningful experience I have had while here is that I had the chance to become one with my people. I take the bus and prefer to walk even when offered a ride so I can immerse myself in the culture completely. I no longer get harassed by others for being an ‘outsider’ and have been accepted as ‘one of us’ or ‘inankeena’. I try my best to exemplify ‘when in Rome do as the Romans do’ and avoid standing out like a sore thumb. There are a few things I still do that may seem odd; such as having three pet dogs (Arsene, Gunner and Walcott!) and chiding children for throwing rocks at wild animals, but for the most part I am one with my countrymen.
My neighbourhood initially thought we were crazy for keeping pets until I told them that I used them to protect me from the wild goats! That left them confused just long enough for me to avoid their passing harsh judgement and stop cursing me, and I have made up for it by leaving my shorts sitting idle in my closet and avoiding the temptation to wear them like food during Ramadan.
I feel like I now understand what it means to be a Somalilander and can relate to the dreams and aspirations of the local population. We all want the same basic necessities in life and it’s a simple matter of fate that has placed the equally capable in various personal situations and standards of living. Having read old documents belonging to my parents from the early SNM period written by SNM heroes I can only marvel at the fact that what those brave people worked towards accomplishing is partially here for me to witness today. When we are in a position where equal opportunities are available for everyone, and all can pursue endeavours they choose freely; will be the day I will agree that the job of the SNM is fully completed.
I still live and breathe and eat Somaliland and I recently sent a nasty response to my embassy in Kenya after they emailed me a warning about being in ‘Somalia’. I told them to get their facts straight and that Hargeisa is in Somaliland and not Somalia! I also told them I’ve been hiking with my Caucasian friends to the middle of nowhere without security and that they are just as safe here as I am. I also told them that I had expected Canadians to be better at geography than Americans and that they should go take a hike themselves! I’m sure they felt insulted by the tone of my letter but they now know that I was equally insulted by their confusing Somaliland with Somalia.
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Now, gone are the days I worried about recognition and I am now only concerned with the improvement and development of our infrastructure so that the local population can benefit directly. While we will eventually require recognition so that all of our citizens are free to travel and pursue their dreams internationally, I am of the opinion that seeking recognition hastily and without considering the consequences and repercussions will lead to outright exploitation.
Like the old movie field of dreams (and the story of Dubai) I believe in the ‘If You Build It; They Will Come’ philosophy. We no longer need the outside world to give us everything like when they brought us electricity and airplanes. If we can pull together on a greater level, and with good government oversight; we can start to build a stronger nation in isolation and the world will be forced to recognise our accomplishment. Until we have good governance, yes, we will depend heavily on the generosity of the Diaspora and their increasing intellectual capacity to get things done.
My forecast is that this dependence will decrease dramatically as the output of our many universities supplying us with a brilliant and ambitious future generation muscles its way into both the private and public sectors. A good example of where our current organisational level and transparency stands is that the bridge in Hargeisa is yet to be completed and has fallen greatly beyond schedule due to either financial mismanagement or outright incompetence. If we can’t build one bridge then how can we build our nation? Yes there are many other bridges that have been built privately but this one is in a strategic location (around the corner from the President’s house). Equally concerning is that the government won’t reveal how much money they made off of the sale of prime government owned land that was sold to the private sector (India Line) or where the money has gone.
Forgetting the government for a moment, it’s only after the ‘I’m new’ feeling wears off you start to see things here that wouldn’t have made themselves apparent unless you had a long time to observe and reflect on them. When you see things going utterly wrong you can only point fingers for a while before asking yourself what you have brought to the table. I began to realize this and appreciate thoroughly that I am more fortunate than some and have made it my personal obligation and priority to help those in genuine need and to share whatever I have of benefit to whoever seeks it. This not only makes me feel more in touch with my people but also makes me more human.
The people of Somaliland are amongst the most ingenious and creative when given the chance, and the vibrant cities are buzzing with the activity of an entire nation rebuilding itself after enduring forty-odd years of suffering then neglect. The markets are also buzzing and commerce is steadily increasing and we are moving from being mere consumers to exporters and manufacturers. A lot of our produce is exported to neighbouring Ethiopia and you would be happy to find that many of the items consumed in Somaliland are manufactured in Somaliland itself. We also benefit heavily from a landlocked Ethiopia relying on our port to import their goods. Many a wise businessmen have begun to import goods solely for the purpose of re-exporting them to Ethiopia. [Oh you wise businessmen! Maybe one of you can invest in a recycling plant so we can stop burning valuable recyclable plastic and paper in our dry creeks?]
Anyhow, yesterday, Silaanyo made a triumphant return to Somaliland to the cheers of the hundreds of thousands who showed up to welcome the SNM Hero. I’m sure that even the president’s inner circle found it both comical and ironic that he should be ‘banned’ from Somaliland by an administration headed by a former NSS agent. The recent news from the former Udub spokesman indicating that the previous election result was a sham only goes to highlight what most are already aware of; the current administration does not have the interest of this country at heart and that it is only the will and determination of the Somaliland people to live in peace and avoid conflict that has kept our country together. I remembering being annoyed that I had to pay an ‘Eastern Tax’ at the ministries when I was well aware that not a penny would reach our eastern states and that they would still be left in neglect and essentially left to fend for themselves. Maybe the next government will be able to use this tax appropriately?
The current government is not all bad though, and I am not an enemy of Udub, or a partisan but a patriot. I would be happy to vote Udub in another four years if they revert to the ideals of our country’s founder the late Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal. There have been some notable accomplishments from members of the Udub government including the recent news arriving from China regarding the rebuilding and expansion of Hargeisa Airport and it testifies to the fact that the Aviation Minister as an individual is a highly competent man who has and will continue to fulfil the obligations of his post.
The recent addition of a new Director General at the Ministry of Commerce has also been immensely beneficial as the ministry is now perhaps the only one fully employed for the hours of operation stated and the previous pay as you go method of getting things done has been thrown out the window. No longer are bribes accepted at that ministry, however, anyone who would like to donate office supplies and equipment are welcome to do just that. This ultimately benefits the business community by empowering and enhancing the abilities of the Ministry of Commerce to do their job more effectively. I raise both my hands to both of these patriots (and all credit is due to others I may have missed.)
The last subject I would like to touch on is the fact that Somaliland has been a safe-haven for many people fleeing their country either due to conflict, persecution or famine. I commend Somaliland for being able to give and share from what little they have but at the same time feel used to the point where I have no choice but to thumb my nose at the Neo-Faqash movement. I find it surprising that the same ones who actively deny and undermine Somaliland are also the same ones waiting in lines at Somaliland owned Dahabshiil to send their relatives money while they live in peace in, um, Somaliland!
The endless finger pointing and bitterness that has brought their country to an endless cycle of civil war has also lead to them falsely accusing Somaliland of being a fantasy state or nation. I find it doubly ironic that it is this fantasy state that they urge their relatives to move to in order to escape persecution while at the same time cheering the complete rubbish and hate filled nonsense spewed by Mohammed ‘Peanut-Brain’ Shamsudinn Maglomitis and terrorist organisations such as the NSUM who have nothing better to do with their lives than hate the great nation of Somaliland. My message to you is that we will continue to take the high road and pray that at some point you remember the late Michael Jackson’s words and start talking to the man in the mirror. We will not take responsibility for your personal situation and will only engage you in dialogue when you are willing to accept the hard cold fact that Somaliland exists and is here to stay. No longer will I pay attention to the members of the Neo-Faqash movement (Somaliland deniers) and they can busy themselves by barking at each other and debating whether their fantasy government in Nairobi actually exists.
But let’s forget those petty enemies for a moment. We have bigger enemies present who are actively working to prevent the bright future that is in store for this nation; enemies such as greed, selfishness, incompetency, complacency and overt laziness. In closing I would like to call all of my fellow Somalilanders to arms. Not the arms that project bullets but the arms that project peace, change and prosperity. I urge all Somalilanders who have never been home to skip that vacation and come and see your country for the first time. I ask those who visit to go back thinking of ways to improve their country so that they can ultimately return to and settle in it permanently. I urge all that are in Somaliland to be patient while at the same time working towards the betterment of our nation. I call on all nations and the AU in particular to accept us now rather than later and to not hold back our eventual recognition. I call on the Neo-Faqash movement to give up its laughable and futile campaign to discredit and undermine Somaliland. I call on our current government to pull itself up by the bootstraps (boots, get it?) and remember that they are inheritors of a struggle that cost a great deal in blood and lives. I call on all my fellow Somalilanders to at least make the chewing of qat a once in a while social activity and not a full time occupation. I call on all the youth currently studying in Somaliland to take their studies seriously and to be patient as the opportunities will eventually arise, and for those abroad to pick their subjects and professions with Somaliland in mind. I call on all of those entrusted with finances from generous donors to know that they will be held accountable for how they spend every penny whether in this life or another and to act responsibly. I ask all those who encounter the orphans of the war and SNM fighters who have fallen to mental illness to not be afraid to give from what they are able to when they see them and specifically call on the government to do more for them. I call on all who are eligible to vote to go out and vote and to vote in the interests of Somaliland as a nation and to put their personal financial gains and tribal ties aside. I ask all Somalilanders worldwide to remember that what makes us Somalilanders is what we give to our country, and not what we take and will end with the words of the late JFK; “ask not what your country can do for you, but ask for what you can do for your country.”
I thank you all for joining me on this journey and series and would like to dedicate this final instalment to the Madax Yar family of Dhahran, KSA.
