HARGEISA, 19 January 2010 (Somalilandpress) – A new trend of modern Somali weddings is getting bolder every passing day in the Muslim dominated Northeastern Province of Kenya, replacing the old forms of traditional ceremonies that are now getting extinct.
Among the new Somali generations, marriage culminates into an expensive wedding day often characterized by a complete ceremonial mantra. Economic analysts here argue that Somali weddings are among the most expensive in the world.
The ambitious new generations are now discarding their old traditions — the way of their grandparents — moving into a full-fledged, Western-styled ceremonies that has made marrying so expensive, discouraging many of the youths who are surviving on the edge due to ravaging poverty.
Some decades ago, Somali weddings were symbolic of communal unity, where families of both the bride and the groom had distinct cultural roles to play. The once prevalent tradition is now hard to come by as modern civilization takes deeply entrenched roots in most parts of Africa.
“What we are seeing these days are a total diversion from our traditional practice; we can describe it as just mere escapism,” argues aged Ahmed Abdille, a Somali traditionalist. “And if the current trend of lifestyle is anything to go by, our rich tradition is getting extinct.”
Old vs. New
Many self-proclaimed traditionalists recall what they describe as a rich cultural set up that has enabled marriage among the youth to be a very cheap and simple practice during the good old days.
Resting on a mixture of Somali cultural and prevalent Islamic tradition, old Somalis say marriage customs have been adored in their time as it offered a chance of marriage for both the poor and the rich.
“Somali traditional wedding ceremonies were seen as a major communal activity where two families or even clans were emerging to make some form of unity, unlike these days when it has become to serve only two individuals,” adds Mr. Abdille.
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Traditional wedding ceremonies were elaborate, involving feasting and singing poems that lasted for few days. Apart from turning the youths from childhood to adulthood, the rituals carried a clear message of bonding families to share both problems and profits.
“For instance, weddings were conducted only when it was rainy season, even the poor youths could be assisted by families and relatives to enable them marry,” notes a Somali traditionalist.
Newlyweds follow a series of wedding customs, and attention was paid to social-cultural milieu of the large Muslim community.
“There were many communal rituals to be performed right from the nikah (tying of knot) to Gelbis (going home). All these rituals were symbolic, carrying clear messages meant for the newlyweds,” observes Abdille.
“If you want to follow the good old weddings, it starts from the first meeting of the in-laws to exchanging customary gifts, as well as rituals to be followed leading up to the eve and on the wedding day,” says Hassan Salat, who recalls his wedding day some three decades ago.
Much of the ceremony’s paraphernalia that was practiced during those days were passed on down along the way, but now the trend is far from normal.
A traditionalist here says that ravages of ill-presumed modernization completely wiped their good old culture, scathing the Somali’s community well-to-do customs.
“All these put the Somali community on the frontline of global civilization, which for us is totally unaccepted,” says Abdille.
But apart from simplicity, youths argue that it takes a lot of effort and planning for the traditional ceremonies, which may explain why they have to choose to do away with old customs. Here some traditionalists agree.
“I believe myself; traditional weddings were hard to categorize on religious basis, but I can argue that they were much better than the modern styles when it comes to its conformity to Islam,” comments Farah Adan.
Now, modern wedding ceremonies with lavish colorful celebrations became the choice for many newlyweds. It became a concern for listless old Somalis, who are helplessly watching the extinction of a complete way of life.
“It is more about passing on a legacy, but it is continuity in the future is very unrealistic,” observes a traditionalist.
Modern self-styled wedding ceremonies serve to keep the old Somali customs at a distance. Civilization has evolved over the past three decades with the cropping up of a modern society.
“Many young Somalis have done away with old customs, such as wedding reception, changing to elegant and much expensive ceremonies,” says Mohamed Hirsi one of the youths.
Now, the extent of exposure to other cultures, especially to Western countries is enormous, but the youth have a case to argue.
They say modern weddings are much shorter and do not involve all the rituals of the traditional ceremony.
“Nowadays, weddings are much expensive and sophisticated, especially with the new technology: Invitations are done through SMS, e-mail, and preprinted invitation cards; this makes planning much easier than the old styles,” says newly married Mohamed Jamaa.
In classical Western and Hindu styles, ceremonies are organized in ballrooms and big halls where entry is vetted — a sharp contrast to previous ways where uninvited guest could attend at wish.
“Every activity of the wedding is organized and done by professionals from the furniture in the house, decorations at the venue, and to rolling cameras for recording every bit of the event. No traditional regalia used, and there is no waste of time,” observes Jamaa.
But religious leaders are critical of the emergency of the new civilization in marriage and wedding routines, which they say is bent on discouraging African traditions.
They depreciate young people who are getting stronger by the day to nurture new practices.
“Both our Somali and Islamic traditions are very much rich. There is no need to imitate other cultures; it is indeed shameful,” says Sheikh Abdiwahab Sheikh Osman, a member of Wajir town’s Council of Imams and Preachers.
“Some of these things are shameful; you can imagine people gathering to dance, men and women alike. It is against our African tradition as well as Islam,” he adds.
But the new transformations, whether good or bad, is here to stay, as long as many youths continue to embrace.
“We don’t think we will go back to old customs; what we can work on is only to shape the current styles so that it conforms to Islamic traditions,” says Halima Abdi a youthful girl.
London, 17 January 2010 (Somalilandpress)Your article “Violence, fear and confusion: Welcome to the Horn of Africa” (World News) implied Somalia was at peace before Ethiopia’s intervention in 2006. Assumptions used to criticise Ethiopia in relation to the instability are unfounded and fallacious. Lack of peace and stability in Somalia date from the overthrow of Siad Barre in 1991.
The instability in Somalia is the result of lack of a state structure and responsible government since that time. Ethiopia has assisted the political forces in Somalia to find a solution, and from the outset Ethiopia has called upon the international community to help. The two transitional governments of Somalia are the result of a protracted political dialogue and it is ridiculous to conclude that these governments are the making of Ethiopia. Furthermore, it is an insult to the Somalis who have been engaged in these negotiations.
The intervention of Ethiopia in Somalia was not, as claimed, initiated by the US. Ethiopia acted in response to a threat to its national security. The Islamic Courts Union (ICU) declared a jihad against Ethiopia and promised that its acolytes intended to establish a caliphate government in Addis Ababa. The ICU had assassinated officials in Ethiopian border towns, terrorised civilians and destroyed public and private property. The attempt to relate the border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea to the instability in Somalia is misleading.
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Ethiopia’s concern at what is happening in Somalia is genuine as the two countries share a 1,300km border. The interventions of Eritrea, which has no common border with Somalia, are dangerous and opportunistic.
Berhanu Kebede
Ambassador
Ethiopian Embassy
London SW7
Mogadishu, 17 January 2010 (Somalilandpress) – Countries bordering Somalia are planning to coordinate a major assault against positions held by al- Shabaab militia in Somalia, using ethnic Somali military officers being trained in their respective boundaries.
Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti who share the border with Somalia are all training military personnel on behalf of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia, which though boxed-in by militias, enjoys international recognition.
Under the United Nations laws, TFG can request another UN member to train military officers on its behalf.
Independent intelligence reports suggest the assault could start “in the next few months” but will depend on the assessment of the preparedness of the recruits now being trained by the trio. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is expected to offer logistical and moral support to the assault but will not directly participate.
“Our role will continue to be that of purely peacekeeping,” said Gaffel Nkolokosa, the public information officer of the mission in a telephone interview.
Responding positively
AMISOM’s spokesman Major Barigye Ba-Huko told journalists that Somalis are responding positively to the training by the peacekeepers that is intended to counter attacks by al-Shabaab.
AMISOM is, however, helping train Somalia military officers and even new recruits only within Somalia, its officials told the media.
Reports suggest that Kenya is training 3,000 army recruits on behalf of the TFG, Ethiopia 1,500 and Djibouti 3,000. These numbers were however not confirmed independently with the TFG government.
Although respective countries maintain that those being trained were proposed by the Somalia government, reports suggest that the trainees are ethnic Somalis drawn from the participating countries including Somalia itself.
Because of the geographical position of Somalia, ethnic Somalis are to be found in Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti whose borders form an arch around the troubled country with one of the longest coastlines in the world.
Statistics drawn from several sources indicate that ethnic Somalis number around 15-17 million and are principally concentrated in Somalia itself at 9 million.
Others are to be found in Ethiopia (4.6 million), Yemen (a little under 1 million), Kenya (about half a million), Djibouti (350,000), and an unknown but large number live in parts of the Middle East, North America and Europe.
Intelligence reports suggest that as a result of this planned assault, al-Shabaab has also been strengthening its numbers by establishing a single command rather than its previous organization that comprised several militia groups, each with its own political head.
The militia group has also acquired freshly painted tanks that is has been parading in areas of Mogadishu where it controls.
Reports also suggested that al-Shabaab is planning to stage dedicated suicide bombing attacks in countries that are involved in the training of the government forces, but it was not clear if this will happen before or after the assault is launched.
The planned assault has been spearheaded by both the government and AMISOM and will be a major test for the Africa Union on whether it will succeed in taking over territory from the radical Islamists associated with Al Qaeda.
Previous attempts to restabilise Somali have been thwarted by the higher fire power possessed by the militias and clan differences that have led to the proliferation of militias.
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As a consequence, the country is awash with small arms at the hands of non-state actors which security experts say are major catalyst for instability.
Success in reclaiming the country would require strength in numbers and military hardware on the part of the TFG army which should disarm insurgents in areas it takes over from the militia.
The exercise would also require an adequate pool of officers trained in community policing, who will them take over the liberated areas and establish law and order.
The United States is footing a huge chunk of the bill for training the TFG forces with the other finances coming from donors like the European Union. US last year admitted that it is supporting the Somalia government in money and equipment.
Michael Ranneberger, the ambassador of the US for Kenya has said this support will continue in 2010
But according to Ramtane Lamamra, the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, the support that Somalia is receiving from the international community is not adequate.
“The International community must step up its efforts to save Somalia from further ruin in 2010,” he said. “The interests of the rest of the world would be at stake unless al-Shabaab and Yemeni terrorists are tackled.”
The underlying reason for the planned assault is the growing concern that the Somalia issue has become a global problem with the profile of the country’s capacity to become a terrorist training and hiding ground increasing every day.
“The situation [in Somalia] is getting out of hand and it is going to affect everybody in this region, not only Somalia,” said Wafula Wamunyinyi, Deputy African Union Representative to Somalia.
The assault is also linked to the planned increase in the number of AMISOM troops because liberated areas will require peacekeepers to take over.
Last week, the AU extended the mandate of AMISOM beyond January 28 for one year. Reports not confirmed by AMISOM officials by the time of going to press indicated that the number of troops will be increased from the current 5,200 soon.
The AU Peace and Security Department also in mid-December approved plans to train more peacekeepers on maritime security and air defence capabilities to better protect war-ravaged Somalia.
“There exist operational limitations to the performance of AMISOM in the areas of maritime and air defence capabilities,” said the AU in a statement..
Restabilising Somalia has been a challenge for the region and is now emerging as a global focal point especially because of growing instability in neighbouring Yemen, both of which are in the Arabian Peninsula and which have insurgents driven by similar ideologies.
Conciliation Resources
A group known as Conciliation Resources which works on peace building and conflict resolution initiatives recommended that international action would be more effective if the world responded to the war in Somalia as an elite and clan-based conflict over power, territory and resources; a regional struggle for supremacy between Ethiopia and Eritrea and a jihadist insurgency.
“Stable areas of governance in Somalia such as Somaliland and Puntland show that Somalis can achieve durable political structures when these are built on genuine reconciliation,” the group said.
It said international mediators have been slow to recognize the significance of Islam and of engaging with religious leaders in Somalia.
Somalia’s TFG’s mandate expires in October 2011, by which time a new government will be put in place through elections.
It remains to be seem if those elections will be held in a peaceful, stable Somalia with a central government.
SANAA, 17 January 2010 (Somalilandpress) – The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) received 77,802 new arrivals from the Horn of Africa in 2009, a 55 percent increase over 2008 and the first time Somalis were not the majority nationality, the agency’s external relations officer Rocco Nuri told IRIN in Sanaa on 16 January.
The biggest change over 2008, he said, was that the number of Ethiopians making the perilous boat journey across the Gulf of Aden more than doubled to 44,814, while 32,988 Somalis reached Yemen’s shores.
“There are various push factors behind the increasing number of Ethiopians, such as conflict, famine, drought and lack of job opportunities,” Nuri said.
He added that the global financial crisis and subsequent rise in commodity prices “also played a role in pushing more people to leave their countries in search of better opportunities”.
Over 700,000 immigrants
There are more than 700,000 African immigrants in Yemen, the majority of whom are Somalis, deputy foreign minister Ali Muthan told a symposium in Sanaa on 12 January at the launch of a new initiative entitled ‘Supporting Yemeni Government and Civil Society to Meet Migration Challenges’.
He said that “out of the total number of African immigrants in Yemen, only 200,000 have refugee status”.
“The government has made tireless efforts to reduce the influx of Africans into its territory through contributing to enhancing stability and security in Somaliland,” Muthan said.
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According to UNHCR, all Somalis arriving in Yemen are granted prima facie refugee status while non-Somalis wanting to claim asylum are required to apply at a UNHCR office.
Hazardous journey
For those escaping war, violence and persecution, the hazardous journey to East African ports and then across the Gulf of Aden in the hands of ruthless people smugglers only adds to their suffering, according to UNHCR officials.
“They walk sometimes for days or travel in risky conditions prior to reaching one of the main departure points in Somalia and Djibouti. Once a deal with smugglers is made, they are put on over-packed, rickety boats and are likely to be subjected to psychological and physical violence at the hands of smugglers, as well as being left with no water and food for days under a blistering sun,” Nuri told IRIN.
He added that smugglers often beat passengers to prevent them from moving and putting their small boats at risk of capsizing. Sometimes people were forced to jump overboard. “When a boat capsizes, many drown and the likelihood of finding the missing alive is very low,” he said.
According to UNHCR, at least 309 people drowned or did not survive the trip in 2009. However, this was less than half the 590 that died in 2008.
WASHINGTON (Somalilandpress) — The leader of Somaliland’s main opposition Kulmiye Party, Mr Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud ‘Silanyo’ affirmed that Somaliland would be committed to contribute to the peace, stability and democratisation of its own region if elected, Somalilandpress reports.
He made the remark at a meeting held at the office of National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington, DC, with Mr Princeton N. Lyman, the former Council on Foreign Relations, who is also a member of American Academy of Diplomacy and the Aspen Institute.
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Panel members and other attendees at the meeting included Amb. David H. Shinn, the former US Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mark Billera, USAID Regional Coordinator for Africa, Dave Peterson, Senior Director of NED in Africa, members of US State department including Mathew Walsh, intellectuals and aid agencies.
Mr Silanyo gave a brief overview of the country’s history, current politics and challenges it faces. He also assured them if his Party wins the April-election they were committed to education and training, diplomacy and stability, economic development, democracy and good governance.
Mr Silanyo was accompanied by his foreign Secretary, Dr Mohamed Abdullahi Omar, who stated in a speech to the NED that Kulmiye’ foreign policy will actively seek to raise to a higher level existing ties with countries around the globe – neighbours and abroad. He added Somaliland under Kulmiye would constructively engage in its own region and at the same time would contribute significantly to global issues and concerns.
After completing their speeches, the two leaders faced a number of questions from US officials on democracy, relationship with neighbouring countries, the Party’s policies, education and the economy.
The visit to the headquarter of National Endowment for Democracy came as a surprise to many Somalilanders at a time when government sources were suggesting Mr Silanyo was deported from the United States.
On Thursday [14th Jan.] Mr Silanyo and Dr Mohamed met with US Congressman Donald Payne and number of other officials from the US State Department. The government led by President Rayale insist that Donald Payne is strongly opposed to Somaliland independence, however to Kulmiye party and many Somalilanders, it’s rather a reflection of Somaliland’s failed foreign policy under president Rayale.
Somaliland, which restored its statehood in 1991 is not internationally recognized but has formed a hybrid system of governance under the Constitution of Somaliland, combining traditional and western institutions. It maintains its own government, institutions, police, military and three political parties as well as a parliament.
The Presidential elections are expected to be held in April and over one million of the republic’s three million are eligible to vote for UDUB , UCID or Kulmiye party.
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The pictures below are from Kulmiye’s conference in London on Saturday [18th January], photos courtesy of QaranNews. The conference was organised by Kulmiye London branch led by Kayse Hidig as well as Kulmiye Cardiff branch chairman Mr Abdi Ba’aw. The delegation welcome Kulmiye chairman Mr Ibrahim Hussein.
A video we thought would be worth sharing with your visitors, we are as clueless as you properly be after watching this. The video is said to be originated from “National Defense University” and its part of its annual “war games”.
Can this be a possible scenario? Are they already practicing to see what it would look like if Somaliland is recognized?
This is no way it’s going to be recognized by June or this year but it seems even Washington institutions such as the National Defense University are now looking at the possible future scenario in this region.
Whether it’s just a video or greater plan by Washington, one thing is certain it will not ease the minds of Pro-Somali union camp. I’m sure they will start making calls now to the National Defense University, but as usual they will tell us “oh its nothing” but they will be busy with the phone without our presence.
For Somalilanders, its just clear to us the world is taking more notice of Somaliland and exploring their possible possibilities even in war games.
You decide it for yourself.
Update: The first video has been blocked from youtube by the owners, it seems like they do not want anyone to see such video, too late!
CABINDA, Angola (Somalilandpress) — Ivory Coast became the first team to reach the African Nations Cup quarter-finals after beating Ghana 3-1 with 10 men in Group B on Friday.
A Didier Drogba header in the last minute finished off the Black Stars after Gervinho put the Ivorians ahead in the first half and Siaka Tiene added another midway through the second.
The win put Ivory Coast, held 0-0 by Burkina Faso in their opening game, top of the group with four points from two matches. Burkina Faso are second with one point and Ghana, playing their first game in the three-team group, are third.
Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue was sent off in the 56th minute but Ghana failed to take advantage although they got a consolation goal with a stoppage-time penalty by substitute Asamoah Gyan.
Ghana must now beat Burkina Faso in Luanda on Tuesday to progress.
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The group is a three-team affair after Togo withdrew from the competition following last week’s deadly gun attack on the bus taking their delegation to the northern enclave of Cabinda.
After throwing away a hatful of chances against Burkina Faso, Vahid Halilhodzic’s side proved far more efficient against Ghana at Cabinda’s Chiazi National Stadium.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, who only joined the Ghana team on Wednesday after bad weather delayed his departure from London, was left on the bench as four members of last October’s under-20 World Cup-winning squad started the game.
Bakary Kone, who wasted several chances against Burkina Faso, was replaced on the right wing by Salomon Kalou in Ivory Coast’s starting line-up.
DROGBA HEADER
In a clash pitting two teams who have qualified for this year’s World Cup, the Elephants dominated the early stages.
Midfielder Didier Zokora shot from 30 metres but keeper Richard Kingson tipped the ball away.
In the 23rd minute Yaya Toure found Kalou with a defence-splitting pass down the right flank and the Chelsea forward fed Gervinho with the perfect cross for him to tap in.
Ghana went close to an equaliser when keeper Boubacar Barry was forced to stretch to deny Kwadwo Asamoah.
Coach Milovan Rajevac brought Essien on at halftime for Moussa Narry and striker Gyan replaced Dede Ayew.
Ghana’s hopes were boosted when Eboue was shown a straight red card for a nasty tackle on Opoku Agyemang.
Mathew Amoah’s volley then smashed the foot of Barry’s post as the Black Stars piled on the pressure.
Tiene though made it 2-0 in the 67th minute with a stunning free kick that went straight into the top left corner.
Drogba put the result beyond doubt in the last minute when he headed home an Abdul Kader Keita cross.
Gyan converted a consolation penalty for Ghana three minutes into stoppage time.
Minnesota, 15 January 2010 (Somalilandpress) – I recently visited Minneapolis, MN the promise land for Somalis in North America. Though this was not my first trip there, it was my longest stay, and lasted about four weeks. I went there for a project and had a delightful time, even though I was mainly working and didn’t have time for much play. It’s true when they say find something you love doing and if you can manage to earn a living out of it, it’ll be like playing every day of your life. That was the case for me, regardless that I was working almost everyday, I had a blast doing it. What made it even more enjoyable for me was the fact that the project involved interacting with Somalis.
I have always heard many stories about MNPLS and its people. MN is a very liberal state in more ways than one. It has one of the most generous social systems in the country and before the economy went south, it was considered a wealthy state with a very healthy surplus.
Somalis in the greater MN had seen that and ceased the moment. They are doing very well for themselves and will make any Somali person who is an outsider, very proud. Somalis in MNPLS are very vibrant, and ambitious unlike any other Somalis I’ve seen or heard anywhere else in the Diaspora.
They have so many different businesses, you name it, and Somalis own it. They even have their own malls 4 or 5 to name a few and sell everything you can imagine. Most of the Somalis have heard about this or probably seen it, therefore I will not bore you with the details, especially since this story isn’t about the business aspects of Somali Minnesotans.
I wanted to write this article about the social engagements that I’ve observed in MNPLS, mainly, about the interactions between the opposite sex and the institution of marriage. There is a phenomena happening in Minnesota and its called “single hood”. Most people you meet, young or old are somewhat single, single mother, single father, single grandmother or grandfather etc. I realize that this has become a trend that most Somalis in the Diaspora are experiencing, but I believe it’s more in style in Minnesota than anywhere else. Don’t get me wrong, I am not implying that divorce is somehow shameful, but when you see a couple in their sixties calling it quits, it’s heartbreaking.
I even had two of my closest friends that ended their matrimony while I was there. These were couples whom I really thought had past the bench of breaking up. They were my hope that it’s possible to find Mr. Right. When I saw them together, I used to say to myself, there are people out there who are made for one another. You usually hear that if marriages past the 7 years mark, chances are they’ll make it. Well these two couples had crossed that line a long time ago. In fact, I thought that they were almost home to the point that they would grow old together and God willing, will welcome their grandchildren in to the world together. They had that combination of old fashion relationship meets Mora rate touch. They were just right for each other, so I thought. That’s why it was a complete shock when I heard the news of their break up. I guess you can say that part of my dreams have died as well. I said to myself, well there is no such thing as two people being made for one another. It’s all a myth, a rumor. Everlasting love doesn’t exist and the sooner you get that through your thick scull, the better it is for you. But then as I keep doing my work, I keep on meeting people of all sorts. Somali people of all ages that got their lives together. Good looking and hard working folks that are well educated and have good heads on their shoulders. I thought wow, I must have forgotten how beautiful and lively my people were and so I was inspired all over again.
However, this (Hiyikac) didn’t last too long. The very evening that I had the pleasure of hanging out with several ladies made it all come crushing down again. I was invited to a small dinner party with all women, which MNPLS is very famous for. Somali women in MNPLS are known to enjoy each others company all by themselves. There must have been about 11 beautiful Somali women there. They looked like absolute jewels, stunning. It wasn’t long before we were able to discuss our lives including our love lives and even though I had the assumption that some of these ladies would probably be divorcees, I hadn’t expected that most of them were single moms. When I asked what’s happening and why these many beautiful sisters are single when they are in Minnesota where there are so many prospects, the answer was that it has become much easier to part than to stay together. It doesn’t matter whether children are involved or not. They said that most Somali men just don’t want the responsibilities that come with marriage anymore. They want to have their cake and eat it too so to speak.
Most of them complain about a serious of infidelities and that their husbands cheated while they themselves were doing most things right. Meaning, they were earning a living, working side by side with their husbands, as well as being the wife and being responsible for the kids and the rest of the household. They were trying to juggle so many things. However, they were rewarded with cheating or the husbands just got bored and left. Some had early mid life crises and some thought it would be more fun to just be single again. Some of the ladies told me that their ex husbands don’t even pay child support and when they tried to pursue them legally, they quit their jobs. When I asked how the husbands are living if they quit their jobs, I was told that in Minnesota, it’s easy to find women who are also divorced, have their own homes, cars and they can just move in with. I was stunned. I mean, I knew and heard cases like these before, but to hear these many all at once was frightening and quite honestly disheartening.
I asked the few ladies that were single and have never been married, if these reasons are why they didn’t take that leap of faith. Their answer was that it’s harder to find a mate in Minnesota, if you are a single woman. (Gabadh) because guys find them to be complicated and high maintenance so to speak. Most Somali men, whether single or divorced, would much rather prefer single mothers or a woman who’ll put up most of the expenses herself. This way, they can leave their responsibilities behind and don’t have to be a father figure for the children of the other woman. They said a lot of guys believe that they are God’s gift to women and they don’t have to do or be anything else. “You’ve got me baby, what more do you want”? God forbid if you ever want to be pursued like a lady, you’ll need a lot of luck in Minnesota. One of the single girls said to me, she has given up on the whole scenario of ever finding a decent guy who is honest and doesn’t play games. My hopes of that are diminishing more and more each day, she says. At this point she said, I’ve convinced myself that perhaps I am better off being by myself, at least I have my dignity.
I heard so many stories that night and as well sporadically while I was in MNPLS. One Evening, I was supposed to meet a friend for coffee. She was running late and didn’t call me either. When I called her she didn’t answer the phone. When she finally called me she told me that she was on the phone with another friend of hers who had been crying her heart out. I asked if she was going to be okay and my friend said, well her husband left her. I eventually learned that this woman who is one of the most beautiful and successful Somali woman in Minnesota got married 2 years earlier to a man who was divorced and has several children. This was her first marriage and his second. She was more educated and much more sophisticated than he was, but she fell madly in love with him. He was handsome and a very charming guy and even though she had a lot of reservations about his package and lack of accomplishments, she couldn’t resist. He was the sweetest guy and they had a lot of fun together.
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He brought so much light out of her that she didn’t even know she had. Before he came along, she had given up on Somali men. They had a lavish wedding paid by her of course, and he moved in to her house. She bought him a new car and he agreed to find his calling in life with her help. She even set up a room for him and his friends to chew chat. Every weekend she put on a Dirac and Uunsi, and looked beautiful for him. She made tea and set up the mood for him and his friends to enjoy them selves while chewing Chat which he probably bought with her money. She gave him everything he wanted. She put up with him while he was trying finding his so call “calling” in life.
But then one day he disappeared completely. He was no where to be found. She called his friends and none of them knew where he was. No one had any idea what happened to him or where he could have gone to. She had no choice but to contact the police and to file a missing persons report. She was worried sick and didn’t know what to do. After a few days the police contacted her and told her that her husband’s vehicle was in Virginia and was driven by none other then the man that owns it, her husband. She would later find out that he left her for another woman. Just like that, no signs at all and no warning. There were no indications of any sort that he was leaving her. There were no problems. She didn’t see it coming at all. How sad is that?
I can’t imagine the hurt and the humiliation she must have felt. The damage he must have cost her. Why any human being would treat and use another human being like that is beyond my comprehension. What would anyone gain from this kind of behavior? I get the fact that people fall in and out of love, but one can just walk away clean by letting the other person know it’s finished.
I have heard dozens of stories like this just the short period that I was there. I was told that there was a new trend that men would marry women and ask them to help them open up businesses, such us stores, home healthcares or even import and export businesses overseas. The women then would get in to a (Hagbad) maybe even sell their gold and hand over everything to their husbands and that would be the last time they’ll see them. Next thing they know is that he is somewhere else and married to someone else. I am thinking, is this what Somali men have become? There is a name for this behavior in America, Its called a Con Artist. It’s a crime that people actually go to jail for.
Few days ago I was talking to a relative of mine and we were talking about life in general. She asked me what my new year’s resolutions were. Maybe getting married she said? My answer was that each day that goes by convinces me that it probably isn’t all that worth any more. How can I ever trust a man when all I hear are stories like these? She asked me if I had met someone in MNPLS and while I’ll take the 5th answering that, lets just say I came back more lost than ever. She heard all of these horror stories that are coming out of Minnesota and other places in the Diaspora and she had to tell me one more story. She told me about this friend of hers that went to visit MNPLS and met a charismatic heart drop. He gave her the time of her life and when she returned to her city, it was the end of it. She didn’t hear from him anymore. We women have to have a meaning for everything. She thought they were in love and that her prince finally came along. When he didn’t return her calls and didn’t hear from him, she called some people who knew him in order to find out if he was okay. That’s when he finally called and said, “listen baby don’t call around asking about me. “Just take a chill pill.” I’ll call you when I can. As if that wasn’t humiliating enough for her, she asked him if he was going to come and visit her. His answer was ‘just send me the ticket and tell me to get here.” The poor thing was in love I guess. There is a famous Somali proverb that says, “Doqonta usha agteeda la dhac, hadday garanwayndona iyada la dhac” I figure, it’ll make more sense in Somali than if it was translated in English. She got the message and that was the end of it. Another one wounded.
To be fair, I don’t thing this behavior is only Somali men’s fault. I believe us Somali sisters have to share some of the blame. First, it was our mothers that spoiled these men rotten while they were growing up. They never allowed them to take any responsibility for their actions as little boys. We, the sisters had to do everything for them as if they were kings. Cooking, cleaning, taking the plates they eat out off from them. We even used to wash their under pants. We cooked and they eat before us. Sometimes we had to wait for their left overs before we were able to eat. We were responsible for them in every aspect of their lives. The only thing different in Somalia was the fact that they were allowed more opportunities than us and so they had to work outside. That was the only thing different. (Somalia was Astura) for most of Somali men. Majority of the young men in the Diaspora are being raised by single mothers and that has its problems as we know it. Their fathers are busy sitting at (Fadhi ku Dirrir Caffe) Discussing politics and being Mr. marrying man.
My hopes and dreams for the New Year are!
After all of this I am still optimistic that life has unexpected miracles and that Allah will give my Somali brothers the strength to look deep in to their hearts and realize that we’re not the enemy. They need not to use us, confuse us and then break our little hearts, for we are their mothers, sisters, daughters and their other half’s. They need to respect us and to treat us like human beings. They must recognize that this journey called life is very short and that no one gets away with their deeds.
For Somali Sisters!
I hope to God that you’ll understand that taking another woman’s husband will never be the answer to your pursuit for happiness. What goes around comes around and there are consequences for every action in life. We don’t need to put up with such behavior and conducts by men. To them, every woman is the best when they’re with her. You really are nothing more special than the others before you. Sometimes our integrity is the only thing worth holding on to.
There is this song sang by Sahra Ahmed that goes!
Hubsiino ayaa la yidhi, halbaa lagu doorsadaa.
Wax aanad hayn, adoo ka hadhaa habboon.
Habaar qabe ha noqon, hanfada oo sida haadka lala.
Habluhu waa walaalahaa, haweenku sida hooyadaa.
Horaadka ku jaqsiisay oo, iyaga hagar lagama galo,
kalgacayl hubuq laguma rido, dadka ruuxii kuu hamradana,
aasee hagaaga jecel, iyaga waa lagu hirtaa
haye baa qalbiga u daawo ah.
New York, 15 Jan 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Representatives of African Union, Arab League Urge No-fly Zone, Anti-piracy Actions; Stress Importance of Djibouti Process
The crisis in Somalia was no longer local or even regional, but a global one that could no longer be ignored, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the Secretary-General’s top representative in that country, said today in a briefing to the Security Council.
Mr. Ould-Abdallah, Special Representative of the of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), said the county’s Transitional Federal Government had made significant progress, despite repeated armed assaults by externally funded extremists attempting to overthrow it.
Citing the Government’s accomplishments, he said they included establishing its authority in Mogadishu, the capital; drawing up a budget; recruiting and training security forces; and keeping its political legitimacy over violent and extremist groups. The Government had remained open to all Somalis who were ready for dialogue and reconciliation, he said, adding that Somalia was moving from failed State to fragile State.
The international community should overcome two main challenges, he said, describing the first as the absence of concrete commitment and determined international policy. Continued hesitation and lack of effective action had weakened the Government and encouraged the extremists, who included many foreigners whose ultimate objective was to maintain a permanent state of anarchy or to establish a militant State. Their ambitions went well beyond Mogadishu and Somalia, and posed a real threat to neighbouring countries, the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) region and even distant lands.
He said the second challenge was the delay in translating international support into the necessary material assistance. Over the last 10 to 15 years, the international community had spent more than $8 billion in various forms of assistance, dealing primarily with the symptoms of the crisis, while the Government lacked the resources to fund even the most basic requirements, such as paying salaries. By contrast, its opponents and allied extremists received unlimited and unchecked financial support.
“Therefore, we cannot afford to keep managing the status quo while waiting for the perfect conditions,” he emphasized, proposing that the international community depart from the past practice of applying uncoordinated efforts and individual diplomatic initiatives in favour of supporting a common policy objective in the context of the Djibouti Peace Agreement. The Council should send a strong and clear signal to the extremists by strengthening the Government in a practical manner, he said, calling on the international community to provide more vigorous moral, diplomatic and financial assistance. “Assistance delayed is assistance denied.”
It had become imperative to work more closely with IGAD, the African Union, the League of Arab States and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, he continued. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) deserved, as an emergency matter, support through troop allowances increased to the international level, the timely disbursement of those allowances, and payment for lethal equipment.
The Council should also vigorously address the role of the spoilers, he said. A clear and effective message, backed by concrete action, would demonstrate that those who funded the extremists -– “creating misery for innocent civilians, violating international law, including through recruitment of child soldiers and threatening peace and stability of the region” -– would no longer enjoy impunity. “The protection of civilians is an obligation long ignored in Somalia,” he noted.
He said those recommendations would be implemented more effectively once the United Nations family working on Somalia operated in an integrated and harmonized manner. There was a need to accelerate the move by the Organization and the international community to Mogadishu. “To help the Somalis, especially the victims, we have to be with them,” he stressed. Failure to intervene actively to restore stability was already threatening the effectiveness of the international community, in addition to costing vast amounts of resources. Failure to act decisively could only lead to a dramatic increase in that cost.
Ramtane Lamamra, Commissioner for Peace and Security of the Africa Union Commission, also briefed the Council on behalf of the regional body, noting that 2009 had been a particularly difficult year for Somalia. It had also been a different one in the sense that many of the country’s complex problems were now being addressed. The enemies of peace and reconciliation had stepped up their actions in their determination to undo the results of the Djibouti process and to make Somalia a regional trouble spot and support point for piracy and terrorism.
The links between Somalia’s Al-Shabaab movement and international jihadism had been confirmed, as had its relations with Al-Qaida and the influx of foreign fighters into the country, he said. That had led to a surge in terrorist acts. One of the effects was a perception that the situation in Somalia was structurally precarious, but the past year had seen genuine momentum in terms of the rebirth of the State and the expansion of the Government.
He went on to note that while AMISOM had lost twice as many people in 2009 as it had over the total previous period of its existence, it had been reinforced in numbers, capacity and experience. On 8 January, the African Union Peace and Security Council had extended the Mission’s mandate for 12 months, and it was to be hoped that the United Nations Security Council would follow suit.
The Council should also impose a no-fly zone as well as control of Somalia’s seaports to deny insurgents the use of its air and maritime space. The African Union Peace and Security Council had expressed its concern about the piracy and kidnapping-for-ransom which fuelled extremism and had reiterated its request that its United Nations counterpart take the necessary measures to integrate AMISOM into a peacekeeping operation of the world body.
He said Somalia and the international community had now made sufficient gains upon which to base a daring strategic vision of Somalia as being no longer a threat to its own people, the region and the world by the end of the transitional period in October 2011. Humanitarian assistance, quick-impact projects and development activities that would create jobs should contribute to those efforts.
Yahya Mahmassani, Permanent Observer for the League of Arab States, described the situation in Somalia as the main challenge to peace and security in the Horn of Africa, emphasizing that the country’s security and humanitarian crisis had worsened to become one of the worst ever known to the continent. Inaction by the international community had contributed to a further worsening.
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A political solution must be based on national consensus achieved through the Djibouti process, he said. AMISOM sought to preserve that framework and, as such, required full support. All political parties must be included in the dialogue. The Arab League called on States and regional groups to take part in the Mission and to help complete its deployment, including through the provision of financial and logistical support. The renewal of its mandate by the Council was absolutely necessary to protect Somalia’s legitimate institutions.
He urged the international community to meet the challenge of humanitarian assistance immediately through closer cooperation among humanitarian agencies. The deteriorating security situation contributed to the “security disorder” along the coastline, as demonstrated by rising piracy. While the international community should be mindful of the need to end piracy, the situation also called for the Council to “take necessary measures” to tackle its root causes, including the absence of strong State institutions.
Elmi Ahmed Duale ( Somalia) stressed the importance of security, without which meaningful progress in economic development, employment, peace and stability would be difficult to achieve. It was to be hoped that UNPOS could be established within, rather than outside, the country. Security could be attained by rebuilding sufficiently the Somali national security forces, including the army, police and coast guard, in addition to justice and correction units. At the same time, there was a need to strengthen all aspects of AMISOM and to make it part of a larger United Nations effort. The Mission should be made an integral part of a peacekeeping force whose deployment should happen sooner rather than later.
Attributing Somalia’s inadequate progress in improving security to a lack of resources, he pointed out that the Government had received only a small portion of confirmed pledges made in Brussels last April. As such, he appealed urgently to States to release their pledged contributions. An improved security situation was also the way to improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
On piracy, he said it was merely “a symptom of the security situation”. Similarly, the key to improving the human rights situation lay in improving security; wherever there was conflict in the world, violations of human rights were bound to be found. The Transitional Federal Government was committed to the observance of human rights, and the Cabinet had endorsed the Convention of the Rights of the Child, with ratification to follow soon.
The Government was also committed to reconciliation, an area in which more needed to be done despite some progress, he said. The Government would continue to reach out to all elements, but would uphold its obligation to repel and resist armed violence. Its strategy for 2010 would focus on reconciliation and outreach, security, the international conference on recovery and reconstruction, and effective cooperation with neighbouring States.
He said the Transitional Federal Government considered that the Secretary-General’s three-phase incremental approach might prove inadequate, given the dire humanitarian situation. It might have been useful had it been implemented earlier. What was needed was not a light United Nations footprint but a heavy one, he stressed. The Transitional Federal Government supported the Secretary-General’s request that the Council renew the UNPOS mandate for 2010-2011, and that it renew AMISOM’s mandate for a further 12 months.
The meeting began at 3:06 p.m. and ended at 3:56 p.m.
Background
Council members had before them this afternoon the Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Somalia (document S/2009/684), which provides an update of major developments in the country since 2 October. It also assesses the political, human rights and humanitarian situation, as well as progress in implementing the three-phased incremental approach to obtaining increased United Nations assistance, as set out in the Secretary-General’s April 2009 report. It also covers the operational activities of the United Nations and the international community’s counter-piracy efforts.
In the report, the Secretary-General says that despite the challenging environment and “incessant attacks”, Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government is making progress in critical areas and implementation of the Djibouti Peace Agreement generally remains on track. Because of the precariousness of the situation, including violent attempts to overthrow the Government, a targeted and coordinated effort between the Government and the international community is required in 2010. He encourages the Government to maintain its commitment to reconciliation and calls upon all armed Somali groups outside the peace process to renounce violence and join in reconciliation efforts.
Urging national and international support for the peace process, the Secretary-General says the Government must acquire further capacity and demonstrate greater commitment to consolidating its authority, building up security institutions, restoring the economy and delivering basic services. While it had adopted a budget and improved measures for enhancing domestic revenues, it remained largely dependent on external assistance. For that reason, he appeals to the donor community to release their pledged contributions, only a miniscule percentage of which has been received to date.
He also expresses deep concern about a significant decline in humanitarian funding, noting that the consolidated appeals process seeks $700 million for humanitarian needs in 2010, a 17 per cent drop from 2009, to meet the urgent needs of 3.6 million people. With civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict, he reminds all combatants to respect humanitarian and human rights law, and advocates assistance to help Somalia end impunity and establish institutions for promoting and protecting human rights.
Turning to implementation of the three-phase approach to boosting the United Nations presence, the Secretary-General says planning for a “light footprint” continues although it is subject to delays due to insecurity in Mogadishu, the capital. The logistical support package for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has prioritized enhanced security measures following the suicide attack on the Mission’s headquarters in September 2009.
The report notes that, as of November, critical humanitarian and other United Nations programmes continued in most parts of Somalia, with 775 national and 57 international staff deployed in-country, including those in the Puntland and Somaliland regions. During the reporting period, senior staff from the United Nations Political Office in Somalia (UNPOS), the UN Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA), the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the Department of Safety and Security (DSS) as well as funds, agencies and programmes of the Organization made 17 visits in the interest of policymaking and planning for support to both AMISOM and the Transitional Federal Government.
According to the report, the Secretary-General recommends a continuation of the current strategy to protect Government and AMISOM troops, as well as civilians, from explosive remnants of war and other such munitions. He also invites the Council to renew for another two years the authorization of UNPOS as well as that of AMISOM, which ends in January 2010, subject to the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council. He pays tribute to the Mission and calls for greater international support for it.
HARGEISA, (SomalilandPress) 14 January 2010 – Until the most recent school semester, every textbook at Sheikh Nur Primary School was shared by at least four students. But thanks to a new supply, students can now follow their lessons in their very own textbooks.
UNICEF – with funding from the Government of Japan – is supporting over 180,000 school-age children and 3,000 teachers around Somalia. During the current school year, UNICEF will be providing textbooks and school supplies – including blackboards, chalk, pens, pencils and exercise books, as well as registers, maps, and recreational supplies.
Sheikh Nur School is one of 790 schools that benefited from this recent distribution Of supplies.
Hodan, 10, is one of the 1,700 students enrolled in the school, which is located in one of the poorest neighbourhoods of Hargeisa: “I want to become a doctor when I grow up because my mother wants me to help people. I know that I have to study hard to succeed in my dream,” she said.
‘Once a country of warlords’
UNICEF is currently the sole provider of textbooks and school materials for primary schools in Somalia, and is training teachers and community education committees, and supporting incentives for teachers to help keep schools open.
UNICEF’s goal is to help communities reduce dropout rates and increase new enrolment. In some schools, there are only one or two textbooks for the entire school. “Strengthening our support to education is important to ensure that parents keep sending their children to school, especially those families that are struggling to meet their basic needs,” said Safia Jibril, Education Specialist for UNICEF Somalia.
Almost half of the population of the country, or about 3.6 million people, are now facing a humanitarian crisis caused by ongoing conflict, prolonged drought and high food prices. The timely provision of essential supplies is pivotal to ensure better access for Somali children and women to quality services.
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In December, at a ceremony to hand over the donated supplies, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Japanese Embassy in Kenya, Seiji Okada said, “Although Japan was once a country of warlords, now it has become a developed country thanks to our education and good schooling system. We are very glad to support your school to ensure that you receive good education, and to prepare you to lead the future of your society.”
A vital lifeline
With funding from the Government of Japan, UNICEF also supported Maternal and Child Health Clinics (MCHs) and Health Posts around Somalia, providing around 1.2 million people this year with free supplies of essential medicines and vaccines.
At Sheikh Nur MCH in Hargeisa, regular vaccinations, growth monitoring, as well as primary health care services are provided daily to people like Khadra Ali, a mother of three whose husband has been having trouble finding work. She comes for vaccinations and prescriptions.
“I now make sure to vaccinate my younger child, after my older son got measles, because I didn’t bring him for vaccination on time,” she said.
As quality health services are extremely limited in the country, these primary health care facilities are a vital lifeline to vulnerable children and women.
