HARGEISA, 28 November 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Somaliland’s UCID party appointed Fadumo Ali Madar to be the party’s secretary of foreign affairs. UCID also appointed Zaynab Muhammad Omar as the chairman of the women’s section of UCID party’s London branch. The appointments were announced by the party in a press release dated on Nov 15, 2009.
Some of Somaliland’s women leaders have recently expressed disappointment with the lack of women in the upper echelons of the government and the three political parties. The biggest culprit in this regard is the ruling party which has instituted an unwritten, rigid, quota system that divides ministerial positions according to clans to the point that if a ministerial is vacated for some reason, it is filled with a male from the same sub-clan as the minister who vacated the position.
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This system has resulted in the virtual exclusion of women from top government jobs. President Dahir Rayale Kahin even objected to the only female nominee to the electoral commission and forced her to withdraw her candidacy whereby she was replaced by a male.
UCID’S nomination of two women leaders is a positive step in the direction of women assuming leadership positions in Somaliland’s politics.
UCID celebrated this week the eight anniversary since its establishment. The celebration took place at Hargeysa’s Imperial hotel, and was attended by political leaders, sultans, intellectuals and other distinguished guests. During the celebrations, UCID presented its development program for Somaliland for the next 10 years.
HARGEISA, 27 November 2009 (Somalilandpress) – As a naturalized citizen and IT specialist working with the US Department of Treasury at Martinsburg Computing Center in West Virginia, I have a reason to be thankful of where I am today.
Nearly 30 years ago, as a foreign student, I came to Upstate New York in search of education from a rural town in Somalia. Four years after obtaining a degree, I went back to my home country to re-unite with my extended family, contribute to my society, and settle in Mogadishu, the capital city. I remained there until January 1991, the beginning of a civil war.
One morning, I had to abruptly abandon my house after digging a hole in my front yard, burying few of my precious items. I had hoped to return soon and the war would quickly be over.
In search of a safe place, I headed south with my wife and two children, carrying one of the children on the top of my shoulders. After spending three harrowing days in a friend’s house with the fighting all over town, we decided to flee the city to a Southwest Somali town situated at the border crossing between Kenya and Somalia. We left our house and car to my uncle, who was determined to stay and protect his family and properties. It was sad to learn later, that a day after I left, my uncle was taken away by gunmen and was never seen again. He was presumably killed.
In this hot, sandy town, a relative offered us a shelter made of mud and tree branches. I stayed there until fighting broke out between local feuding clans. One day, an artillery shell hit the house and split it into two when members of the family were looking for cover. We all ran to different directions not knowing that we left behind the children, one of them an infant. People were running toward the border of Kenya against a hail of bullets coming from Kenyan soldiers. I could see half a dozen people falling on the ground shot and bleeding to death.
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That same day, I hired a truck transporting goats to Nairobi from a trader who promised me to take us there safely at the cost of four times more than the normal price. By this time, I was the head of 20 extended family members, including brothers, sisters, cousins and their children. Throughout the journey, the five male adults were placed at the back of the truck with the goats. The unpaved road was full of mud and bandits. For every town we passed, we walked miles around to avoid command posts. While walking in the bush, we were threatened by lions and surrounded by local tribesmen in the area with machetes who called the Kenyan police. We were detained in a mosquito infested jail and malaria almost killed my younger daughter. In the middle of the journey, my wife lost our unborn child and my sister gave birth prematurely to a baby girl.
It took us two weeks to reach Nairobi and after our arrival, we were allowed to stay as fleeing refugees. The future hope of peace was getting bleaker everyday and war was raging in every corner of Somalia. There was no place to stay and nowhere to return. The only option left was to seek safe sanctuary anywhere we could find.
I began to think over the future, hoping against hope that war will stop and clans and communities will reconcile and eventually bring to an end the life in the Diaspora. Three million people were displaced and half a million lost their lives; to this day, the war has never stopped. Twenty years later, some of my family members still suffer the trauma and the mental scars of the war.
Fortunately, with my immediate family, I was granted asylum in the Netherlands and after spending a year in a reception center and five years residing in the Dutch city of Groningen , the US government offered to resettle us in America through a diversity visa program that every year allows 100,000 families and individuals from different parts of the world to settle in the United States of America.
Now in a safe environment, I realize that I have also a responsibility towards my new adopted land. I have to be a productive citizen and be able to look after the well being of my family. As an IRS employee, currently residing in Ashburn – Virginia, (30 miles west of Washington, DC), I’m grateful to this country for having provided me an ample opportunity for good career, decent living, safe environment and the ability to send two of my children to college.
Every morning, on my way to work through the mountains of Shenandoah Valley in West Virginia, I ponder of my long journey from Africa to America.
Abdisalam m Garjex Ashburn – Virginia (USA) amabdulle@hotmail.com
New York, 26 November 2009 (Somalilandpress) – The Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement after confirming the release today of Canadian freelance reporter Amanda Lindhout and Australian photojournalist Nigel Brennan, both held in Somalia since August 2008:
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“We are relieved that the Amanda and Nigel are now free and that their ordeal has come to an end,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “Our thoughts are with them and their families.”
In his acceptance speech at CPJ’s International Press Freedom Awards dinner Tuesday night, Somali journalist Mustafa Haji Abdinur spoke about the enormous challenges of covering the conflict in Somalia.
HARGEISA, 25 November 2009 (Somalilandpress) – A consultative meeting forum hosted by the International Horn University funded by Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Finish Church Aid (FCA) was held at Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa. The forum brought together some Religious & Traditional leaders, Civil Society and Government Representatives.
The conference was intended to be forum to debate on constant issues touching the impact of the activities carried out by the Aid Workers as well as to build the confidence, respect and understanding between the Traditional leaders, Religious Community and International agencies for mutual benefit and identify areas of future collaboration to improve efficiency as well as enhance security in the areas of operation.
The forum was officially opened by the president of the International Horn University who mentioned that some of our people believe a wrong idea from International NGOs which is making westernization to the domestic Communities. Participants were from the religious and traditional leaders, civil society, government officials and representatives from the International NGOs working in Somaliland.
During the one-day session, it has been discussed about how the Aid Workers carry out their humanitarian actions while considering the cultural sensitivity of the local Somaliland communities. It has been highlighted the importance of respecting the cultural and religious believes of the local communities during different interventions from the international aid workers.
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Some of the religious and traditional leaders mentioned the sensitivity of the local population that the international NGOs are spreading Christianity and western ideologies among them. They said people see the NGOs as a tool to change people’s believes along with the limited humanitarian aid they provide. They said it is the NGOs to proof their stance by respecting the local cultures.
It has been highlighted the importance of engaging the local communities in the planning, implementation and intervention stages of the projects so that people it will enable people to fill the gaps and fulfill their basic needs. Some participants said the donor driven policy is not going to work at this stage.
Officials from the Somaliland government highlighted the importance of collaborating with the government in all the projects. They said it is important for the government to know who is doing what and where so that it will be easy for the government to provide the necessary support in terms of security, accessibility and others.
Representatives of the International NGOs said they are here to deliver the humanitarian needs and not to intervene people’s believes and cultures. They said being from different countries they sometimes don’t know about the local costumes and that can sometimes bring clash of cultures or cultural shock. They said they do their best to consult their local staffs and respect the community leaders when it comes to believes and cultures.
In this light, it has been suggested that the NGOs should employ cultural and religious consultants to avoid any violations against the social and cultural believes of the local people. It has been also mentioned that the NGOs should collaborate with the traditional and religious leaders when implements projects in any area of the country. That will make the local populations collaborate with the NGOs.
Some of the participants complemented that role of the NGOs in the development and emergency situations in Somaliland. They mentioned how Somaliland’s people survived with the assistance of the UN/INGOs during the mass displacement in 1988 until now where many development projects have been successfully implemented by the humanitarian workers.
During the session, it has also been discussed about the security. The traditional and religious leaders said it is their responsibility to protect the aid workers in the field. They mentioned that Islam prohibited harming those who are helping the needy and the Somalis are good at hosting the guests in all conditions.
At the end, the participants and the organizers of the conference agreed to hold more of this kind to enable people exchange ideas and discuss the issues concerning all.
The conference was a follow up of another one which took place earlier this year which has been discussed the role of the International Aid Workers in Somaliland.
MOGADISHU, 25 November 2009 (Somalilandpress) – The U.N.’s World Food Programme must immediately stop importing relief rations to Somalia, hardline rebels said on Wednesday, accusing the aid agency of devastating local agriculture.
Al Shabaab insurgents control most of the south of the drought-ravaged country, where fighting has worsened one of the world’s most acute humanitarian crises. Washington says the group is al Qaeda’s proxy in the Horn of Africa nation.
WFP is a major player in the international response to the emergency. Experts say 3.76 million people — or half the Somali population — now need aid, and that three-quarters of those are concentrated in central and southern regions. [ID:nLP151380]
But in a statement, al Shabaab’s Office for the Supervision of the Affairs of Foreign Agencies said imports by the U.N. organisation had become a barrier to Somalia’s self-sufficiency.
“It has been decided that WFP must immediately refrain from bringing food rations from outside Somalia and rather purchase food from Somali farmers and then that food will be distributed to the needy,” the statement said.
“The bringing of immense quantities of free food rations, specifically during the harvest season, has been devastating to the agriculture industry in Somalia and has greatly discouraged the Somali people from the agricultural trade.”
The rebels said all local businesspeople contracted by WFP must terminate those contracts before Jan. 1, 2010, and that WFP must empty its warehouses and food stocks by the same date.
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A WFP spokesman in neighbouring Kenya had no immediate comment. Experts say al Shabaab leaders have made tough statements before, then subsequently softened their stance.
Somalia has lacked an effective central government for 18 years. The Western-backed administration of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed is battling al Shabaab and other rebel groups, and controls little more than a few part of the capital Mogadishu.
Rival rebels also routinely fight for territory.
Residents said gunmen from another guerrilla group, Hizbul Islam, attacked al Shabaab forces near the southern port of Kismayu late on Tuesday and clashes were nearing its airport.
The two groups had run Kismayu in an uneasy alliance until the end of September, when al Shabaab drove Hizbul out of town. The insurgent groups still launch joint attacks, however, on government troops and African Union peacekeepers in Mogadishu.
Also on Tuesday, al Shabaab seized the village of Qoqani, near the Kenyan border, after Hizbul gunmen left it without firing a shot. Witnesses said the Hizbul Islam fighters regrouped at another village about 30 km (19 miles) from Qoqani.
HARGEISA, 24 November 2009 (Somalilandpress) – I was reading an article from the Geeska Africa this morning which says the Egyptian Ambassador to Somalia is coming to Somaliland carrying some $ 46,000 as an air to Somaliland, and will later proceed to the Pugland.
I would like to stress that if this guy is allowed to enter Somaliland “as Ambassador of Egypt to Somalia” that is what they getting at anyway.. This will be another black dot to the current Government and will subvert the Somaliland endeavour to a Statehood.
Egypt is our enemy in every aspect, and the reason is worldly known to everybody, and we shall not open any door for them until they change their attitude towards Somaliland and its destiny.
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There should be outcry if this gentleman comes to Hargeisa, and as usual the President and Abdillahi Dualeh meets him. It’s shooting yourself at the leg, and our people will not forget this.
I urge all Somalilanders to fight back and spearhead through media and show this Government that the people of Somaliland will not tolerate if this visit takes place.
I urge all Somaliland Patriots to spearhead in denying this visit.
___________________________________________________________________________________ Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial
HARGEISA, 23 November 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Two months ago in Nairobi Kenya, there lived a young college lecturer, who was very much bored with his job. He was a lecturer of one of the biggest commercial colleges in Nairobi. Even though he worked hard and efficiently every day, he prayed everyday that he gets another job, hopefully outside Kenya.
To his colleagues at work, he seemed like he really enjoyed his work and in fact some even assumed that he would stay and work in that college for many years to come. He was the only one who really knew the level of boredom he felt and he kept this secret perfectly, to himself.
What caused the boredom was the repetitive monotony of his life. He woke up everyday and did the same things, taught the same subjects at college, tackled the same old problems which he had been handling the past 4years.
This repetitive pattern was becoming too much for him and as time went by, even one closest friend began to notice his gloom, aloofness and don’t care attitude. He still kept the longing and desire to himself, he never explained to his best friend. His daily desire was to move on to a new surrounding or country, appreciate new cultures and handle bigger issues. In short, this guy had outgrown his job; he wanted new adventure.
One usually cold Nairobi morning as he was in class teaching, he was really enjoying himself because that particular class he was teaching was composed of students who were lively, active participants and also very intelligent. It is such classes that any experienced lecturer would really enjoy teaching and wouldn’t want to be interrupted in between the session.
It such classes that lecturer’s dread the sound of the door knocking and being called outside either by another lecturer or member of management for consultation. However sometime when the class is so interesting as the one he was teaching, the lecturer could even ignore the knock at the door; the students too would ignore the knock and hope that whoever was knocking would get tired and go away.
Unfortunately, on that particular day, the person who was knocking, did not get tired and neither gave up, instead whoever it was, became impatient when the door wasn’t opened; the knock became louder until it was unbearable. The lecturer was forced to open the door just make that loud knocking to stop once and for all.
The person knocking was a security officer coming to report to the lecturer that there a visitor waiting for him at the entrance and that it was very urgent.
“You are sure it cannot wait until the lecture ends?” the lecturer asked the security officer.
“No, she says it’s too urgent,” retorted the security.
After quick thinking, the lecturer decided he’d better go and see this visitor and sort this matter so that he could resume the lively lecture session. He turned back to the students and announced, “excuse me I hear that I have a very important visitor, am coming back after one minute.”
With that he left with the security officer for the entrance. He looked around and saw no familiar face, and then he turned angrily to the security officer who removed him from class, “where is the visitor? There is no one here I know!”
At that moment, a lady I had never seen before, who was sitting at one of the seats at the entrance stood up and asked the lecturer, “are you Mr. …….?”
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The lecturer responded with a surprised expression, “Yes, who are you?”
The lady gave her name then led the lecturer to a corner away from the security officer’s earshot; she then stated that she has been sent by a University in Hargeisa, Somaliland to him as a lecturer for that university. The lecturer was shocked.
“What! A lecturer where? In Somalia? Is this some kind of a joke or what? If its a joke please excuse me I don’t have time for jokes now, you have just disrupted my lecture,” said the lecturer dismissively as he turned to leave.
“I was given your name by a Kenyan who works there, then let me come at lunch time when you will be free and I promise to come with documents about the university. Meanwhile you can check the Internet on Somaliland,” said the lady with so much confidence.
The lecturer turned and left without uttering a word, he went straight to the class. He went on teaching until the end of the time allocated. Immediately he was free he went straight to his office computer and searched Internet, clicked Somaliland region, then Somaliland Universities.
To his shock, he learn’t that Somaliland completely different from Somalia is a peaceful region, with its own government, currency and more importantly it was very stable with many Kenyans and other foreigners working there.
For more information, the lecturer called on of his students who comes from Somalia to his Office asked her about information concerning the country. First of all, the student corrected that Somalia and Somaliland were very different and that she actually comes from Somaliland which is infact more peaceful than even Kenya.
“I have a cousin who is considering to work there, what can you advise me to tell him?” the lecturer lied, in order to get more details.
“Your cousin would be a fool to ignore such an opportunity. You know sir, Somaliland has got so much potential, business and educational infrastructure are all coming up very fast, there is so much potential in that country. There are also so many International Organizations working in that country; this means that the entire world knows the region is stable otherwise they wouldn’t establish their offices there,” said the student.
The lecturer became amazed at the information because he always prided himself as someone who understood regional and world matters more than other people, so it now surprised him that he has been totally ignorant concerning a neighbouring country like Somaliland.
The lecturer then decided to have an open mind concerning this issue of working in Somaliland, infact he eagerly awaited that mysterious lady to come back at lunch time. When the lady came, she was shocked to find the lecturer in a good mood and also ready to learn more about Somaliland and the university in question.
After having a good conversation with the lady, the lecturer was given 2 days to go and consult his family concerning the matter then call the lady with an answer; whether he has agreed to go to Somaliland or not. The family was scared at first but after getting information on how peaceful Somaliland is, they unanimously advised the lecturer to consider working there. This was how the lecturer finally became convinced to take up the job of university lecturer in Somaliland the rest as the Americans say, is history. The lecturer being mentioned in this story is Eston Kwach who is also the author of this story
For an individual who had never been on a plane before or personally interacted with people of Somali origin, it was not easy to understand how I was going to communicate with them because I didn’t understand even a single word of Somali language and I didn’t even know if they liked foreigners or not. I was also wondering if I would get the food am used to, if the weather in that country will be good to my health and whether the people in that country will be hostile to me or not? All these questions ran in my mind even as I took the morning flight Daallo Airlines from Nairobi for Hargeisa Somaliland.
In the plane, I was the only one from my race with other almost 25 passengers of Somali origin. I was at first tense because I thought that they would be hostile to me but they were all very friendly and I remember the man who was sitting next to me, was telling me a lot of information about Hargeisa, Somaliland and even the wider Somalia, there was also another passenger who showed me where the rest rooms are located. My heart could now rest easy because all my previous fears had been replaced by warmth and friendliness and I began to feel like I was at home.
The first stop was Mogadishu where the plane stopped for about 20 minutes before proceeding straight to Hargeisa, Somaliland. As we alighted from the plane at the Hargeisa airport, there were so many people waiting for their families and some were taxi operators waiting for customers. I didn’t even know where to go for customs and Immigration clearance and to make matters worse everyone was speaking Somali language which I couldn’t understand even a single word. Suddenly in my confusion, am man approached me asked, “Are you Kwach?” to which I answered “yes Iam.”
This man who I later learnt was the Head of Immigrations had been contacted by the University which was recruiting me, was very efficient and strict; he took me straight to his office at the Immigrations, told me to sit down and his secretary gave me a bottle of very cold Rani, which I greatly appreciated.
After sitting there for ten minutes during which the officer asked me for the passport, which he said will be processed later together with the work permit, he then took me to his car and drove to the university.
On the way he showed me all the major buildings, the offices of the different ministries, the Senate, Parliament and even the Presidential Palace. He also showed me some of the offices of various international organizations like UNICEF, WFP, and FAO among others. After about half an hour we arrived at the university, where another warm reception awaited me.
I started teaching about one week after my arrival and it has been one month and a few days now. I can now conclude that people back in Kenya are totally misinformed about Somaliland. Life is much easier, comfortable and infact am able to access all communication facilities like Nairobi, infact I can honestly say that I have access to much more information and communication facilities than I have ever had in Nairobi.
Hargeisa is a very vibrant city, with very many up coming enterprises, big shopping malls where someone can get the latest fabrics, top of the range fashion and garments from Asia and Europe. Also available are a wide range of latest electronics and computer accessories from Europe, Asia and USA.
The town is very lively and people are warm and friendly. The students are also very much attentive, obedient and hardworking with clear focus on achievement of their goals.
Written by Mr. Eston Kwach,
Lecturer and Dean Faculty of Journalism/Masscommunication
Pioneer University
Hargeisa, Somaliland
HARGEISA, 23 November 2009 (Somalilandpress) – I have just read the Press Release issued by Congressman Donald Payne entitled “Somalia: Abusive Behavior in Puntland” dated 21 November 2009, in which Congressman Payne roundly berates the government of Puntland for their treatment of ONLF prisoners in their custody.
This is the same Congressman Payne who, as Chairman of the Congressional Subcommittee on Africa, reacted with a fit of pique and an intemperate outburst threatening dire consequences in response to Somaliland’s legitimate decision not to testify before his Subcommittee as part of a panel including representatives from the TFG of Sheikh Sharif and the current Puntland administration. In the event, the TFG chose to send the Consul in Washington instead of the Foreign Minister, and Congressman had to make do with only Puntland sending a senior official, its President-Mr. Farole, to the hearings of his Subcommittee last June.
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Congressman Payne’s tone in the said Press Release merits some comment, since it clearly illustrates his outlook and perception in his handling of matters to do with Somalia and, dare one say, Africa in general. Mr. Payne states in the release that “…I called the President of Puntland to discuss my concerns [regarding the treatment of the ONLF prisoners] and strongly urged him to release them without delay.” Upon not getting his way, Payne concludes thus, “I strongly condemn this abusive and dictatorial behaviour and demand the immediate release of the prisoners…Failure to act quickly on this matter will have serious consequences.” [my emphasis]
Congressman Payne clearly believes that he has the right, the authority and the power to demand immediate, total and unquestioning compliance by Somali authorities to bend to his will. I make no comment regarding the matter of the ONLF prisoners in Puntland, since the focus of this missive is the unparalleled arrogance and effrontery of Mr. Payne. He is acting like a martinet of the colonial era, rather than a seasoned politician with experience of international politics and the nuanced etiquette of cross-cultural diplomacy. Indeed, one would expect that a seasoned African-American politician with experience of the civil rights era, would exhibit a more thoughtful approach in his dealings with African political leaders and peoples, than the neo-colonial ‘gun-boat diplomacy’ mentality evident in his above mentioned Press Release.
It is clear that Congressman Payne will get nowhere fast until he invests some time and effort in researching the history, cultures and politics of the peoples and regions his Subcommittee is charged to work with on behalf of the US Congress. It would also greatly help his effectiveness if he learns a modicum of manners and humility in dealing with the leaders of these regions and peoples.
HARGEISA, 22 November 2009 (Somalilandpress) — Somalia’s two decades-old civil war has left most of the Horn of Africa in shambles, but there are pockets of relative calm.
One such area is Somaliland, which has effectively become a separate state from the rest of Somalia although it is not officially recognised.
Somaliland is made up of almost 3.5 million people and its economy is dependent on agriculture, livestock and remittances from the many thousands who live abroad.
It is estimated that the region receives at least $700m in remittances a year.
Mohammed Adow reports from Hargeysa [Hargeisa] on the money transfers that have become big business.
Hargeisa, 22 November 2009 (Somalilandpress) – The government of Somaliland is committed and initiated national activities for the promotion and ensuring the rights of children, through the ministry of justice as the leading state agency for all child rights related issues.
The coordination and Monitoring of the children rights and child development responsive issues including the ratification and implementation of CRC in Somaliland will be the major part in the midst of the priority areas for its longer and short term strategies and action programs .
The ministry will work for the formulation of child specific development policies, guidelines, advocacy tools strategies and plans for implementation in district, regional and national levels, with its best expectation of , or with the help and assistance from the other government line ministries and related state agencies, district councils, regional authorities, Private Sector, NGOs, civil Society Groups, and other Development partners for the protection of our children against violations, abuses, negligence and other harmful traditional practices
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The Government of Somaliland is recognizing that children are vulnerable and require special protection, appropriate to the age, level of maturity and individual needs, thus, the ministry of justice have the responsibilities of over seeing to the general welfare and development of children and co-ordinate all essential services for children in the country,
So , have already started the process of ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Somaliland and established national task force of CRC, that will focus to the work by government and civil society organizations to enable progress for children in their survival, protection, participation and development.
With the view to promoting the rights of the children, the government of Somaliland is geared up and after the ratification of the CRC, the ministry will develop policies and programme backed by legislative frameworks that offer strategies for the protection, survival and development of our children
There are lot of Government line Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Non Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations, Religious Organizations and many others who are ready and willing to help to the child rights promotion and protection initiatives, so, the government of Somaliland with its strong believe of supporting the development of children on who the future of this nation depends. Thus will continue to work hard for the ratification of CRC and implementation of programs in collaboration with stakeholders, which directly address the children rights and their development
Thanks
Somaliland Minister Of Justice
AHMED HASSAN ALI (CASOOWE)
