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Somaliland: Brits Can Go Home and Stay Home

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By. Prof. Abdisalam Yassin Mohamed.

The British people are known for their politeness. Therefore, we (i.e. my humble soul and my fellow citizen Somaliland) would like to politely tell them, in their language, to go home and stay home.

All of a sudden, the British government has made an announcement advising its citizens to leave Somaliland since it is no longer safe for them to stay there. This is the first time this advice to British citizens to immediately leave Somaliland is given by the British government. Therefore, the British authorities must have obtained undeniable intelligence that a highly dangerous terrorist plot is imminent to happen.

The terrorist plot happened a day later after the British government made the announcement. But it did not happen anywhere in Somaliland. It happened in Somalia, particularly in Mogadishu and right in front of the Prime Minister’s office. We condemn any kind of terrorism any where in the world. And we also understand the early warning systems developed by Western governments to forewarn against terrorist acts before they happen and destroy precious life and property.

However, since they do employ huge resources, both in the form of manpower and money, their early warning systems must be foolproof and must not undermine the abilities, the integrity, and the reputation of other nations.

It seems to me that Western nations, such as Britain, the US, and France, will always use the proverbial “double standards” when it comes to events, particularly terrorist events, that happen around the world. If a terrorist event happens, for example, in Britain, the US, or France, these countries do not raise alarm bells telling anyone to leave either London, New York, or Paris, let alone their entire countries. However, on the basis of an intelligence report, whether accurate or inaccurate, they tell their citizen to leave the so-called developing countries and stay away from them until further notice.

This Western policy does not only express “double standards”, it also expresses arrogance and disdain for anything or anyone not Western. The suspicion and disrespect burgeons if the person or the country is non-Western and Muslim, too. Indeed, it becomes an inherent fear of the “other”, who looks different and behaves different.

The other, who not so long ago was a slave or a colonial subject perceived simply either as a nigger, a darkie, or a savage whose burden has fallen upon the West to civilize him. In spite of the abolition of slavery, colonialism, and the declarations of freedom and universal human rights, the West’s political and economic domination, cultural supremacy, and hidden racism linger on. Hence, they use either their excessive fighting power or effective systems of retreat as the condition warrants.

Coming back to the British terrorist alert against Somaliland, I would like to put few questions to the British government. Of course, I do not anticipate the mighty British government to respond to the questions of my humble soul, but it is important to ask them if only for the record.

Your predicted terrorist act happened in Somalia and not in Somaliland, can you tell us how you mixed up the two? Has Britain forgotten that Somaliland as a country that shows its identity by insisting to maintain the English word “land’ as part of its name, keeping alive its separateness as a country (i.e. the former British Somaliland Protectorate), is different from Somalia (i.e. the former UN Trusteeship)? Does Britain wish to revive the failed union that took place between the two in 1960? Is Britain paving the way for the revival of “Greater Somalia” that its late Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin, crafted in 1945? Is Britain a friend or a foe of Somaliland? And lastly, fear or no fear, what exactly does Britain want from Somaliland?

 

 

 

Ethiopia: Where Do We Go (or not go) From Here

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On the road to democracy unity?

For some time now, I have been heralding Ethiopia’s irreversible march from dictatorship to democracy. In April 2011, I wrote a commentary entitled, “The Bridge on the Road(map) to Democracy”. I suggested,

We can conceive of the transition from dictatorship to democracy as a metaphorical journey on the road to progress, freedom and human enlightenment (democracy) or a regression to tyranny, subjugation and bondage (dictatorship). Societies and nations move along this road in either direction. Dictatorships can be transformed into democracies and vice versa. But the transition takes place on a bridge that connects the road from dictatorship to democracy. It is on this bridge that the destinies of nations and societies, great and small, are made and unmade. If the transition on the bridge is orderly, purposeful and skillfully managed, then democracy could become a reality. If it is chaotic, contentious and combative, there will be no crossing the bridge, only pedaling backwards to dictatorship. My concern is what could happen on the bridge linking dictatorship to democracy in Ethiopia when that time comes to pass.

In June 2012, I wrote a commentary entitled, “Ethiopia: On the Road to Constitutional Democracy”.  I argued with supporting historical evidence that “Most societies that have sought to make a transition from tyranny and dictatorship to democracy have faced challenging and complex roadblocks.” Focusing on the practical lessons of the “Arab Spring”, I proposed a constitutional pre-dialogue and offered some suggestions:

The search for a democratic constitution and the goal of a constitutional democracy in Ethiopia will be a circuitous, arduous and challenging task. But it can be done… To overcome conflict and effect a peaceful transition, competing factions must work together, which requires the development of consensus on core values. Public civic education on a new constitution must be provided in the transitional period.  Ethiopian political parties, organizations, leaders, scholars, human rights advocates and others should undertake a systematic program of public education and mobilization for democratization and transition to a genuine constitutional democracy. To have a successful transition from dictatorship to constitutional democracy, Ethiopians need to practice the arts of civil discourse and negotiations….”

They are pedaling backwards on the low road of dictatorship, but are we marching forward on the highway to democracy?

It is easy for some people to speak truth to power, or the powers that be. Without great difficulty, they can preach to abusers of power why they are wrong, what they are doing wrong, why they should right their wrong and do right by those they have wronged. But it is not so easy to speak truth to  powers that could be, particularly when one does not know who “they” are. Instead of speaking truth to the powers that could be, I will simply ask: They are pedaling backwards on the low road of dictatorship, but are we marching forward on the highway to democracy?  Where do we go (or not go) from here?

Ordinarily, this question would be put to Ethiopia’s “opposition leaders”. For some time now, I have been wondering who those leaders are and are not. In my commentary last September entitled, “Ethiopia’s Opposition at the Dawn of Democracy?”, I asked out loud (but never got answer), “Who is the Ethiopian ‘opposition’?”  I confessed my bewilderment then as I do now:  “There is certainly not a monolithic opposition in the form of a well-organized party. There is no strong and functional coalition of political parties that could effectively challenge both the power and ideology of the ruling party. There is not an opposition in the form of an organized vanguard of intellectuals.  There is not an opposition composed of an aggregation of civil society institutions including unions and religious institutions, rights advocates and dissident groups. There is not an opposition in the form of popular mass based political or social movements. There is not…”

Stated differently, is the “opposition that amorphous aggregation of weak, divided, squabbling, factionalized and fragmented parties and groups that are constantly at each other’s throats? The grumbling aggregation of human rights advocates, civic society organizers, journalists and other media professionals and academics? The groups committed to armed struggle and toppling the dictatorship by force the opposition? Anyone who thinks or self-proclaims s/he is the opposition?” All or none of the above?

I am willing to bet my bottom dollar that the disciples of the late Meles Zenawi would have no problems explaining where they are going from here. They would state with certainty, “Come hell or high water, we’ll pedal backwards lockstep in Meles’ ‘eternally glorious’ footsteps to the end of the rainbow singing Kumbaya to grab the pot of gold he has left for us under the Grand Renaissance Dam. We will fly high in the sky on the wings of a 10, 12, 15 percent annual economic growth and keep flying higher and higher…”  I say it is still better to have a road map to La-La Land than sitting idly by twiddling one’s thumbs about the motherland.

Is the question to be or not be in the opposition? What does it mean to be in the “opposition”? What must one do to be in the “opposition”? Is heaping insults, bellyaching, gnashing teeth and criticizing those abusing power the distinctive mark of being in the opposition? Is frothing at the mouth with words of anger and frustration proof of being the opposition? How about opposing the abusers of power for the sake of opposing them and proclaiming moral victory?  Is opposing the abusers of power without a vision plan, a plan of action or a strategic plan really opposition?

I have often said that Meles believed he “knew the opposition better than the opposition knew itself.”  Meles literally laughed at his opposition.  He considered the leaders of his opposition to be his intellectual inferiors. He believed he could outwit, outthink, outsmart, outplay, outfox and outmaneuver them all, save none, any day of the week. He believed them to be dysfunctional, shiftless and inconsequential; he never believed they could pose a challenge to his power. In his speeches and public comments, he ridiculed, scorned and sneered at them. He treated his opposition like wayward children who needed constant supervision, discipline and well-timed spanking to keep them in line. Truth be told, during his two decades in power, Meles was able to outwit, outthink, outsmart, outplay, outfox and outmaneuver, and neutralize his opposition at will. Meles’ disciples today trumpet their determination to walk in his footsteps and do exactly the same thing.

Where is the “opposition” now?

Perhaps it is premature to pose the question, “Where do we go from here?” to Ethiopia’s “opposition”.  It may be more appropriate to ask where the “opposition” is (is not) now. From my vantage point, the “opposition” is in a state of resignation, stagnation, negation, frustration and alienation. I see the “opposition” watching with hypnotic fascination the abusers of power chasing after their tails. The “opposition” seems anchorless, agenda less, aimless, directionless, dreamless and feckless. The “opposition”, it seems to me, is in a state of slumber, in crises and in a state of paralysis.

Time was when the “opposition” got together, stood together, put heads together, worked together, campaigned together, negotiated together, compromised together, met the enemy together and even went to jail together. Flashback 2005! The “opposition” set aside ethnic, religious, linguistic, ideological and other differences and came together to pursue a dream of freedom and democracy. That dream bound the opposition and strengthened the bonds of their brotherhood and sisterhood. The “opposition” mobilized together against factionalism and internal conflicts and closed ranks against those who sought to divide and split it. By doing so, the opposition thumped the ruling party in the polls.

In the past seven years, the dream of democracy and freedom among the “opposition” seems to have slowly faded away and the strength of its champions sapped away in mutual distrust and recrimination. Dialogue in the “opposition” has been replaced with monologue and deafening silence; action with inaction; cooperation with obstruction; coalition with partisanship; unity with division; amity with enmity and civility with intolerance.

The “opposition” wants change and rid Ethiopia of tyranny and dictatorship.  But as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent. … We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”  The Ethiopian “opposition” needs to stand up erect and make demands with steely  ackbone and stiff upper lip.

There are many ways to stand up and show some backbone. To speak up for human rights and against government wrongs is to stand up. To demand that wrongs be righted is to stand up. To open up one’s eyes and unplug one’s ears in the face of evil is standing up. To simply say “No!” even under one’s breath is standing up. Speaking truth to power is standing up.  Dr. King said, “A just law is a manmade code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.” Standing up against an unjust law is standing up for justice.

In January 2011, I wrote a weekly column entitled, “After the Fall of African Dictatorships” and posed three questions: “What happens to Africa after the mud walls of dictatorship come tumbling down and the palaces of illusion behind those walls vanish? Will Africa be like Humpty Dumpty (a proverbial egg) who “had a great fall” and could not be put back together by “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men”? What happens to the dictators?”

The mud walls of dictatorship in Ethiopia have been exhibiting ever expanding cracks since the death of the arch architect of dictatorship Meles Zenawi sometime last summer. The irony of history is that the question is no longer whether Ethiopia will be like Humpty Dumpty as the “king” and “king’s men” have toiled to make her for two decades. The tables are turned. Despite a wall of impregnable secrecy, the “king’s men and their horses” are in a state of disarray and dissolution. They lost their vision when they lost their visionary. The old saying goes, “in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.” Well, the king is no more; and the “king’s men and horses” are lost in the wilderness of their own wickedness, intrigue and deception.

The “fierce urgency of now” is upon Ethiopia’s opposition leaders to roll out their plans and visions of democracy. Now is the time for Ethiopia’s human rights advocates to bring forth their vision of a society governed by the rule of law. Now is the time for Ethiopia’s civil society leaders to build networks to connect individuals and communities across ethnic, religious, linguistic, gender and regional lines. Now is the time for Ethiopia’s intellectuals to put forth practical solutions to facilitate the transition from dictatorship to democracy.  Now is the time for all freedom loving Ethiopians to come forward and declare and pledge their allegiance to a democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Now is the time to unchain ourselves from the burdens of the past. Now is the time to abandon the politics of identity and ethnicity and come together in unity for the sake of all of Ethiopia’s children. Now is the time to organize and mobilize for national unity. Now is the time for truth and reconciliation. Now is the time to assert our human dignity against tyrannical barbarity.

Now is not the time to for division, accusation and recrimination. Now is not the time for finger pointing, bellyaching and teeth gnashing. Now is not the time to remain silent. Now is not the time to turn a blind eye. Now is not the time to turn a deaf ear.

Where should we go from here?  

I will try to answer my own question in brief form for now. The opposition should get on the highway that leads to democratic governance. The opposition should roll out its action plan for a democratic, post-dictatorship Ethiopia. The principal lesson to be learned from the experiences of the past seven years is that the opposition’s role is not simply to “oppose, oppose and oppose” for the sake of opposing. The opposition’s role and duty goes well beyond simply proclaiming opposition to the abusers of power. The opposition’s role goes to the heart of the future democratic evolution and governance of the country. In that role, the opposition must  relentlessly demand accountability and transparency of those absuing power. The fact that the abusers of power will pretend to ignore demands of accountability and transparency is of no consequence. The question is not if they will be held to account but when. The opposition should always question and challenge the actions and omissions of those abusing their powers in a principled and honest manner. The opposition must analyze, criticize, dice and slice the policies, ideas and programs of those in power and offer better, different and stronger alternatives. It is not sufficient for the opposition to publicize the failures and  of the ruling party and make broad claims that they can do better.

For starters, the opposition should make crystal clear its position on accountability and transparency  to the people. For instance, what concrete ideas does the opposition have about ending, or at least effectively controlling, endemic corruption in Ethiopia.  In an exhaustive 448-page report, the World Bank recently concluded that the Ethiopian state is among the handful of the most corrupt in the world. I cannot say for sure how many opposition leaders or anyone in the opposition has taken the time to study this exquisitely detailed study of corruption in Ethiopia; but anyone who has read the report will have no illusions about the metastasizing terminal cancer of corruption in the Ethiopia body politics. The opposition should issue a white paper on what it would do to deal with the problem of corruption in Ethiopia.

 Speaking truth to the powers that could be

I know that what I have written here will offend some and anger others. Still many could find it refreshing and provocatively audacious. Some critics will wag their tongues and froth at the mouth claiming that I am attacking the “opposition” sitting atop my usual high horse. They will claim that I am weakening and undermining the “opposition” preaching from my soapbox. Others will say I am overdramatizing the situation in the “opposition”.  Still others will claim I am not giving enough credit or am discrediting those in the “opposition” who have been in the trenches far longer than I have been involved in human rights advocacy. They will say I am doing to the opposition what the power abusers have done to them. They will say I don’t understand because I have been sitting comfortably in my academic armchair and have not been on the front lines suffering the slings and arrows of an outrageous dictatorship.  Be that as it may!

Though I acknowledge such claims could be convenient diversions, there are two essetnial questions all of us who consider ourselves to be  in the “opposition” can no longer ignore and must be held to answer: They are pedaling backwards on the low road of dictatorship, are we marching forward on the highway to democracy? Is the “opposition” better off today than it was in 2005?

Professor Alemayehu G. Mariam teaches political science at California State University, San Bernardino and is a practicing defense lawyer.

Previous commentaries by the author are available at:

http://open.salon.com/blog/almariam/

www.huffingtonpost.com/alemayehu-g-mariam/

Amharic translations of recent commentaries by the author may be found at:

http://www.ecadforum.com/Amharic/archives/category/al-mariam-amharic

http://ethioforum.org/?cat=24

 

Somaliland: After the Famine

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By Murugi Murekio, MEDAIR

“In 2011, there was a lot of famine, a lot of diseases,” begins Medair care group Community Promoter Aisha Mohammed.  “In the Kosaar Health Centre there were a lot of malnourished children.”

The United Nations (U.N.) declared famine in the Horn of Africa in July 2011. Four months later, in November, Khadar Ibrahim delivered daughter Oba Ismail.

“Five months after delivering my daughter in the hospital, she contracted pneumonia. I took her to the hospital and she was treated,” begins Khadar.

In April 2012, the FSNAU classified the nutrition situation of the displaced population (IDP) in Burao as very critical. Six-month-old Oba was among the affected.

“Oba was not breastfeeding well. She had difficulties latching onto my breast. I had to express the milk from my breast into a cup and feed her from it,” says Khadar.

Then Oba contracted diarrhoea–a huge blow to her already weakened body.

As part of their weekly routine, Medair care group Community promoter Aisha Mohammed and volunteer Cibaado Dhinbiil visited families, among them Khadar’s in Kosaar IDP camp.

The care group model uses community volunteers to deliver health, nutrition, and hygiene messages to their communities. Volunteers screen children for malnutrition and make follow-up visits to children enrolled in the Medair nutrition programmes.

“After assessment, we gave Khadar some oral rehydration solution to give Oba for the diarrhoea,” says volunteer Cibaado Dhinbiil.

Three days later they returned for a follow-up visit. Oba was much worse.

“They advised me to take Oba to the Kosaar Health Centre for treatment and malnutrition screening,” says Khadar. “At the health centre Oba was diagnosed as severely malnourished with persistent diarrhoea. She was referred to the Burao Hospital Stabilisation Centre (SC), (which Medair supports).”

Oba remained at the SC for two months before being referred back to the Medair outpatient therapeutic programme (OTP) at the Kosaar Health Centre. After three months of ongoing treatment for severe acute malnutrition, Oba is currently receiving treatment for her moderate acute malnutrition.

Thanks to Care group promoters and volunteers, mothers like Khadar in 15 locations across Burao and its surroundings are receiving life-saving health, nutrition, and hygiene messages.

According to Care group Promoter Aisha, she and her team of 15 volunteers visit pregnant women and monitor them until they go into labour, deliver in hospital, and bring their baby home.

“Each of the 15 volunteers supports 15 households. Together we support a total 225 households in this camp,” she says.

Using an illustrated book provided by Medair, the volunteers “educate pregnant women and mothers about the importance of antenatal clinics, immunisation, and nutrition during pregnancy,” Aisha says.

The health and nutrition messages in the book are mainly illustrations, as most of the volunteers and their neighbours are illiterate.

Volunteers are selected by the community and trained by Medair in key health, nutrition, and hygiene messages.

They are also able to screen children and pregnant and breastfeeding women for malnutrition and refer them to Medair-supported nutrition programmes. The volunteers are a support network within the community, passing on valuable knowledge in a culturally appropriate way to their peers.

“It is so encouraging to hear stories like Khadar’s. This is what the care group is about: neighbours looking out for each other. It proves that saving lives starts in the community, by the community,” says Medair Health Project Manager, Fabienne Ray.

Six months on, Oba is gregarious, happy, and healthy.

“My child was very sick. The Medair volunteers came and advised me what to do. This programme saved her life,” says a smiling Khadar while cuddling Oba in her arms.

Though one in five children under age five years of age in Burao still experiences some form of malnutrition, Medair has seen an improvement in the overall nutritional status of children and pregnant and lactating women, notes Medair Health and Nutrition Advisor Natalie Page.

“The general nutrition situation has improved in Medair programming areas due to favourable October – December rains, but families must still continue to recover from the difficulties experienced earlier this year,” concludes Natalie.

 

Medair’s work in Somalia/Somaliland is supported by Swiss Solidarity, the E.C. Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, the United States Agency for International Development, Woord en Daad, Help a Child, EO Metterdaad, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and private donations from Medair supporters.

This feature was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organisation.

 

Photo Captions

Photo: Community Promoter Aisha Mohammed educating Khadar Ibrahim, an 18-year-old mother of three, in Koosar, Burao. This is part of Medair Somalia/Somaliland Care Group, a community-based model that delivers health, nutrition, and hygiene messages at household level and targets caregivers of children under five years and women of childbearing age. © Medair/Murugi Murekio.

Somaliland’s Foreign Policy: Fearless, Forward-thinking and Far-reaching

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

 

At a time of rising hostility, animosity and jealousy towards the existence of our nation aimed earnestly at destabilization and destruction of our home country, a government with guts, determination and daring instinct is vital for defending the dignity and sovereignty of its people. As we are aware, our country is surrounded by geographically precarious, volatile and hate-breeding environment. In this ever-changing and unpredictable geo-political issues as well as global economic, security and diplomatic challenges, a solid and well thought foreign policy is vital for a young and yet unrecognised country, like Somaliland Republic. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has underlined that our country has not only been successful in maintaining its record as a bastion of peace and stability in a volatile region, but has also been a reliable partner to the international community in the prevention of spill over from the instability in the Horn of Africa. 

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Somaliland Republic, Dr. Mohamed Abdillahi Omar has clarified and convinced to the world that our country’s rules and governance are based upon and derived from the ideals that are believed in and lived by our people; which are peace, stability and democracy. It was noteworthy to see the brilliant way and most convenient approach in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland Republic has acted and operated in relation to the security relevant issues and developments of the recent weeks whereby the UK and USA governments have revised travel advice for the Somaliland Republic.

 

Somaliland’s foreign policy emphasises the importance and the added-value of the Somaliland Republic for the international community and especially for the neighbouring countries in the region regarding safety and security relevant issues in one hand. On the other hand, this policy highlights Somaliland’s democratic achievements and experiences that will serve as an example and provide useful lessons for all other African countries to learn and would certainly serve as a model in enhancing stability, democracy and development in the Horn of Africa.

 

Somaliland’s transnational foreign policy is based upon self-confidence, the trust in their own abilities and skills. This policy is guided by a new modern and profound knowledge on international diplomatic affairs. Unlike its predecessor, this policy remains involved to all major diplomatic fronts without any compromise upon the sovereignty and integrity of Somaliland Republic. Constructive approaches, broad public consultation, breaking through the diplomatic barriers, reshaping the aloof and cautious policy and what formerly was regarded as a diplomatic taboo are the face-defining that make the Somaliland’s foreign policy so unique and special.

 

Conclusion:

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Somaliland Republic Dr. Mohamed Abdillahi Omar has beyond every doubt demonstrated throughout his diplomatic skills and sustained achievements a belief in a constructive policy of engagement in international issues for peace, democracy and security relevant issues. Through his exemplary actions and profound diplomatic vision, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has put an end to all the pessimistic voices and false impression circulated by Somaliland’s enemies, inside and outside the country.

 

The present Somaliland Foreign Policy is absolutely well equipped for the changes, needs, obstacles & geo-political challenges facing Somaliland’s people today in the Horn of African Region and beyond.

In a very short time, the Government of President Ahmed Silaanyo’s Foreign Policy has transformed our country from a completely withdrawn and lonely country into a globally respected partner for peace, stability and democracy.

 

Yes indeed, the majority of Somaliland people and the rest of the world are commonly united and agree to acknowledge and appreciate the commendable foreign policy of the Republic of Somaliland which is Fearless, Forward-thinking and Far-reaching policy.

 

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

 

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

Somaliland: Siilaanyo should Tackle Cameron; Tickle, Trick or Treat

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Throughout their history, the people of Togdheer Region of Somaliland have been known for their tricks and tickling language.  The Prime minster of Great Britain, The Right Honorable David Cameron seems to be a bit reluctant in the case of Somaliland and its long over-due recognition as a Sovereign State, separate from the Sick-bed Patient Somalia.

Now, that Silanyo is going to meet The Right Honorable Prime minister, in London, he should unleash Tickling Diplomacy, tackle him, or treat him with one of those famous Foxy Tricks.

A story is in order to illustrate the point.

The Power of Tickling Language

One day in the summer of 1975, during the reign of Dictator Idi Amin Dada, Uncle Abduljibaar Muuse-Dheere and I, happened to have finished our business in the Ugandan capital of Kampala at about 5:00pm and wanting to go back home to Soroti in Eastern Uganda.

We were not driving and we did not want to be bussing from one city to another throughout the night. We decided to take the 7-seat Peugeot Matatu (Bush taxi) from Kampala to Jinja, stay in Jinja for the night. Then take another taxi, next day from Jinja to Tororo, then to Mbale and from there to Soroti.

At that time, ordinary Ugandans were still awash with cash from Idi Amin?s African Economic War  aka Project Blundering Wealthy Uganda Asians. Demand for any service or product exceeded the supply and it was almost impossible to find an Intercity Peugeot Taxi in Kampala after 5:00 pm.

When we came to the taxi park, we realized that there is no any taxi and there is over hundred people who have formed queue lines by tribe.  Worse, we were not foreigners who did not belong to any local tribe, nor did we speak any of the Ugandan native languages.

As we stood there pondering what to do, Uncle Abduljabar shouted: Hurrah!, here comes Abdi Bihi, and we will certainly be the first to board any Matatu that comes in.  When I saw Abdi Bihi, I thought, Uncle Abduljabar must lost his mind for Abdi Bihi happened to be a short slender guy  of less 100 lbs, dressed in  brown shirt and a Somali lungi (Ma?awis) hanging on his loins lifted mid-thigh high, the way a Somali herder lifts it when on the tracks of his lost camels.

From the way he carried himself, I knew that Abdi Bihi?s mind is still in the bushes around Burao. I Guessed right away that Abdi Bihi does not speak Swahili, English or any native Ugandan language, but he possess the kind of bravery and innate problem solving capabilities common to the people of Burao.

At that moment, one Matatu pulled in. Over 20 people from driver?s tribe lined up behind it. But Abdi Bihi, bold and brazen, went straight to the driver’s door, pulled away the driver to a distance of 20 feet tickling him all the way long. Seemingly never ever touched or tickled that way, the driver fell in thunderous spasmodic laughter.

When the ticking finally stopped and the driver regained his consciousness/composure, Bihi  instructed him with hand motion to let us into the taxi. We were the first two of the 6 lucky passengers (4 from driver?s tribe).

The Somali people, in general, have been historically known to be bold and brave problem solvers, with some of their skills often attributed to the wild animals they are associated with, which may be relatively more numerous or more or less tamed/befriended in the region of the country they come from.

During Somaliland?s 20 years as a sovereign state, separate from Somalia, we never have had a problem with a British Prime Minister, due to the political ingenuity of our past presidents and their four-legged friends. Abdirahman Tuure sought wise counsel from Waraabe Qowdhama. Egal went to Wagar or Golis Mountain when faced with a tough decision, while Riyaale was rumored to pay night visits to Shar-laga-Nadi Mountain near Borama to get the Twig of Transformation.

The recent success of Somalia?s President Hassan Gurguurte with the British Prime can hardly be explained with anything other than the powerful and blinding effects of Buulo-burde spell.

So it time for Silaanyo to try tickling language, or the famous foxy tricks on the Right Honorable David Cameron which may surprisingly undo Hassan Gurguurta´s Buulo Burde spell.

Ahmed M. Adam (Doobbaje)

E-mail: Ahmedm.adam@yahoo.com

Only the elected President of Somaliland H.E Ahmed Mohamed Mahmud Silanyo has the official mandate to represent the people at international Negotiations

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To: His Excellent the RT Hon William Hague

 

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

 

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

 

King Charles Street

 

London

 

SW1A 2AH

 

Telephone: 020 7008 1500

 

Generic Email format: firstname.surname@fco.gsi.gov.uk

 

Twitter: @WilliamJHague

 

SUBJECT: Only the elected President of Somaliland H.E Ahmed Mohamed Mahmud Silanyo has the official mandate to represent the people at international Negotiations

 

Dear Minister

 

We, the undersigned, the pro-democratic movement in Somaliland, comprising human rights and civil society organizations, operating under several non-governmental national level umbrellas and networks wish to express our gratitude to the people and government of the United Kingdom for their lions share in support towards developing our country’s education, health, security, livelihoods and democratization process for the last 20 years.

 

Your excellency, as you are aware the democratization process that has ensued in Somaliland over the years has not only facilitated the availability of a government led by an elected head of state but has become a good example of democratic principles within Africa and the Islamic world.

 

The elected presidents have further enable the country to secure its boarders, ensure the safety of its citizens but has also enable the active participation of somaliland in international efforts to eliminate terrorism and piracy in the Horn region. This has been accomplished with the assistance and partnership with neighbouring governments of Djibouti, Ethiopia and Yemen as well as with various international governments and organizations.

 

The enactment by parliament of various bills that has legalized the government’s involvement in stabilizing the Horn of Africa region is testimony to the commitment of the 4.5 million Somalilanders towards sustaining peace, security as well as the democratic principles.

 

To this effect, Honourable Minister, the Somaliland Civil Society groups wish to inform that only the elected President of Somaliland H.E Ahmed Mohamed Mahmud Silanyo has the official mandate to represent the people at international Negotiations.

 

In view of this fact we wish to inform that the people of Somaliland are against the on-going trend where an unelected president of the neighbouring Somalia is undertaking negotiations and speaking on their behalf.

 

Minister, Somaliland though unrecognized internationally is a sovereign nation that pulled out of its fateful union with Somalia, a union it entered after your government granted independence on 26th June 1960.

 

On the other hand the Somaliland Civil Society groups is saddened by the recent travel ban and poor security alert for Somaliland issued by your ministry which we believe is not factual considering the evidence on the ground.

 

Despite its negative impact internationally, the alert is an extra vigilance wake up call for our government as related to its protection of expatriates, citizens and deterrence against terrorists.

 

Your Excellency, we urge the international community and more specifically the United Kingdom to continue their support to our country and accord it the respect and dignity it deserves.

 

Finally, we wish to inform the world that the people of Somaliland have full confidence in their elected president H.E Ahmed Mohamed Mahmud Silanyo and his administration.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

Mr Suleiman Ismail Bulale

 

Spokesperson

 

Horn Africa Human Rights Watch Committee

 

CC: Hon Ban Ki Moon,

 

UN General Secretary,

 

New York

 

CC: Mr John Kerry

 

Secretary of state, US State Department,

 

Washington DC

Somaliland: Stop potentially perilous misunderstanding

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It is a fact that we have weathered many a storm in our national politics, security and social fabrics for the past two decades or so.
It is also a fact that quite unbecoming, potentially perilous and fractiously dangerous misunderstandings is in the aura of our political environs once again.
Going by what is daily seen in our public media, the situation needs to be controlled forthwith.
It is, of course, our hope, wish and liking that minds, words and actions of good tidings that are guided with wisdom, will and should prevail.
This should not be a mere wishful thinking, but in essence, damage control must be made immediately.
It needs no reminding that this column perpetually reiterates that the land, people and nation of Somaliland have their aspirations already charted out.
These aspirations which inadvently concerns about what all our lives and those of our posterity entails, hence are of course, something that MUST/NOT be jolted, swayed or curtailed at any cost. To do so would be obliterate the whole future of a people.
We call upon the whole officialdom to bring back sanity and reassurance to public issues swiftly.
All arms of the state should be diligent and true to their duties.
No person has a right to pep up political temperatures by injecting words tailored to wash down the drains all that we have fought, suffered and persevered for painstakingly.
Let the ugly trends in our media stop forthwith.
It is perturbing that the traditional leaders and the Guurti members are sitting by the sidelines as people are treated virulent words in the electronic media both in print and audio/visual.
We have a government in place and its officials should be more responsible such that unbinding leaks should not be flashed around.
Similarly the opposition groups should be constructive in their critics and not worsen the situation even more.
As for the recent unprecedented mass transfers of regional chiefs, we support the President, for that is what governance entails all about.
The changes will help increase transparency; instill diligence and uproot tribalism in the public sector.
The precise acts and senses of responsibility within all echelons of officialdom would thus increase for the better.
We hope that all will join hands and suppress any seen and unseen forces of darkness.
Let us support the government to achieve our goals.

By M A EGGE

Somaliland:President Silanyo and his Entourage arrive in the UK

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The plane carrying Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud (Silanyo and his delegation today arrived at the Heathrow Airport, UK.

President Silanyo and his delegation flew from the Nairobi the Kenyan capital were he had met with American Government representatives earlier this week and was welcomed by thousands of somalilanders living in London, UK government officials and Somaliland Government officials.

The Somaliland leader speaking to the cheering crowds who had gathered at the Heathrow to welcome him said,”our commitment safeguarding peace and security in the horn of Africa, both government and people of Somaliland stand shoulder in shoulder in countering any domestic threat or foreign, this can be seen in our impeccable record in fighting both piracy and terrorism”, said President Silanyo.

President Silanyo is expected to meet with high level British officials to discuss the upcoming talks between Somaliland and Somalia which are due to be held in the coming May and also to find ways to get rid of any potential risks which may eminent from Somaliland or neighboring countries.

Notable among Somaliland officials who were waiting to receive the President and delegation at Heathrow international airport were the Attorney General of Somaliland Hon Hassan Ahmed Aden, Somaliland Ambassador Hon Kayser Abdillahi Mohamed, the chairman of Somaliland Diaspora Agency in the UK Dr. Abdurrahman Ubahle and the Somaliland deputy Ambassador Hon Dahir Tukale.

Those accompanying President Silanyo on his visit were, the first lady Amina Jirde, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdillahi Mohamed Omer, Minister of national Planning Dr. Sacad Ali Shire and the director of Somaliland National Television Mr. Khadar Ali Gaas among others.

Goth M Goth

Somalilandpress.com

Somaliland: Ethiopian Border Guards have Shot and Injured 2 Somaliland Custom Agents

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Ethiopian Border Guards have shot and injured two Somaliland policemen based in the border town of Wajaale who had earlier today unsuspectingly strayed into the Ethiopian side of the border.

It has been reported that the Ethiopians borders guards fired upon the two Somaliland policemen after they mistook a car they were driving to be of would smugglers contraband goods into that country.

The injured policemen and a third who was riding in the same vehicle but escaped unhurt were seconded to the Wajaale customs office were on a routine patrol tracking would be smugglers, when themselves were mistakenly thought be smugglers by the Ethiopians borders guards who are known for their zero tolerance for anyone who deals in trafficking contraband goods into that country.

One of the injured policemen Mr. Hussein Dahir sustained  injures below his Knee while the other Mr. Abdirashid Mohamed Mahmoud had a bullet lodged into his thigh area.

The Vehicle which the injured policemen were travelling in was impounded by the Ethiopian border guards but the after consulting with Somaliland authorities the injured policemen were released and they are currently undergoing medical treatment at Gabeliy general hospital.

The incident at the Wajaale border is the first of its kind and the matter is currently under investigation.

Goth M Goth
Somalilandpress.com

Somaliland:Yemeni Owned Fishing Trawler Sinks off Somaliland Western Coast

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A Yemeni owned fishing trawler has sunk off the western coast of Somaliland a fortnight ago.

Rear Admiral Ahmed Aw Osman who is in charge of Somaliland marine forces confirmed the sinking of the Yemeni owned fishing trawler a fortnight ago near the western port of Maydh on Wednesday at about 5:30 pm.

Somaliland marines rescued the all 5 man crew on board the trawler after they received the distress call made by the Yemenis which came at a critical time.

The commander of Somaliland marine forces ,said” If the crew of the sunken trawler had sent the distress call earlier something would have been done to safe the vessel and the two motor boats on board ,he also lauded the marines who took part in the rescue mission for their diligence in executing their duties.

Goth M Goth
Somalilandpress