HARGEISA, 12 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Somaliland police used tear gas for the first time in the history to disperse protests that began today infront of the Parliament house in Hargeisa.
One person died on the spot when the police fired at the crowd gathered around the MPs who were trying to go into the parliament house. The Parliament was closed by the government last week after the MPs fought during a controversal motion which aimed at the government’s impeachment.
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
The demonstrations are now spreading to the wider areas of the city specially in the downtown where the police are using life bullets against the demonstrators.
The protestors are burning tires and blocking the streets with stones, trees and other materials. There are reports indicating one police vehicle has been burned down by the demonstrators.
(Somaliland)-We are all ashamed about what is going on the land of my fathers, Somaliland. We are all ashamed how Rayaleh and his entourage are dealing with the people. We call him Rayaleh because he doesn’t deserve any more to be called “President”.
There is one thing that humain beings should protect out of desperation, which is honor and justice. Honor is the core value of Somaliland people. It is to preserve their honor, justice and the dignity of their people that the SNM warriors defeated the dictatorial regime of siad barreh and it is again with honor that the SNM put down their weapons.
We all learned today that Rayaleh never had this God given quality that we Somaliland people enjoy and it is a universal reality that the lack of honor lead to disrespect, rayaleh is disrespectful toward the people who elected him as their legitimate President; he is a parasite to the Somaliland’s constitution and its people.
What happened last Tuesday inside the parliament was a game that a five year old child can easily understand and it is a proof about the lack of politics and creativity of the rayaleh regime. The stupid MP with the gun was a way to let the police take over and close the parliament. And then we have the child minded ministry of interior (cirro) talking like his audience was a maternity school kids. He started blaming the parliament and the council for exercising their constitution given rights to impeach rayaleh, what a shame!
Then he tries to scare the population about losing peace and stability if they support and listen to the parliament council complain to the people who elected them. But he don’t know that the Somaliland people (because at that time he was working for barreh security services) have the reputation to ignite fire as well as to make peace out of ash just to live with honor and freedom.
And beyond that we have rayaleh who is afraid, hiding his head like an ostrich hopping that this will not bring the people’s attention. He doesn’t have the courage, the honor or the charisma to step up like a President, play politics and talk to the people that elected him. He don’t say a word, he is afraid or not sure if he say something this will turn bad.
He suddenly feels like a stranger in Hargeisa, he doesn’t know anymore what to do, he is listening the mercenaries around him who keep lying to him about what is going behind the wire, he keep rushing his head and accepting whatever they say the will do to keep him in place. When he fells demoralized some of them want even pay some people on the street and ask them to claim that they come from Kulmiyeh party (just like what happened in Wajaleh) then they show him the movie and tell him “you see Mr. President people still like you” and then he start smiling.
But he forgot one thing, honor and justice that is what Somaliland people stand for. Those men and woman who are ready to lose everything but their rights and that is what will happen in the coming days. It is time for you to take hike Mr. rayaleh because you don’t deserve the Somaliland people.
A coward president without honor doesn’t deserve my people.
HARGEISA, 10 September 2009 (SomalilandPress) – The number of street children in Hargeisa, capital of Somaliland, is on the rise as more Ethiopian children cross the border in search of a better life.
The immigrant children are adding to the burden of local street children, most of whom have been forced on to the streets by drought and insecurity within Somaliland and further south, in Somalia.
“You can see old women accompanying about 20 children, of different ages, crossing the border into Somaliland from Ethiopia. These women may be their grandmothers, aunts or mothers,” Khadar Nour, chairman of the Hargeisa Child Protection Network (HCPN), told IRIN.
(Photo: Knives recovered from street children in Hargeisa on display at the town’s police station)
“The children, who are mainly from the Oromo [region of Ethiopia], beg in the streets of Hargeisa with their mothers,” Nour said. Some work as shoe shiners, sending their earnings to relatives in Ethiopia.
Hargeisa is also a popular transit point for those seeking to travel further. “About 100 to 200 immigrant children cross the border from Ethiopia into Somaliland [annually] on their way to [the self-declared autonomous region of] Puntland, or to Yemen,” he said.
Poverty and family break-ups have also fuelled the rise in numbers. There are about 3,000 children, most of them boys between five and 18, living on Hargeisa’s streets.
Crime threat
With the rising numbers, officials are concerned about an upsurge in crime. “They [the street children] are becoming a threat to the town’s stability,” said Nour.
“When they grow up, they still find themselves living in difficult conditions; it is for this reason that they grab mobile phones.”
Consequently, a number of the children are now in conflict with the law. In August, Nour said, a 16-year-old was sentenced to death in a Berbera regional court after being found guilty of murder.
“The grown-up street children have become the new gangsters,” Mohamed Ismail Hirsi, Hargeisa’s Central Police Station commander, told IRIN.
“In the last 72 hours, we have arrested more than 30 street children who have committed crimes such as stealing mobile phones in different parts of the town.”
(Photo: young boy makes a living polishing shoes on the streets of Hargeisa, Somaliland (file photo): Immigrant children are working in Hargeisa to support their families )
In the past two years, some 5,000 knives and other weapons, which are commonly used in robberies, have been recovered from the street children, prompting calls for more focused interventions.
“People say good words in workshops, but few interventions for street children have been [implemented],” said Nour of HCPN, which recently started providing food and education support for the children.
Once arrested, the children are charged as adults because a 2008 juvenile justice law has yet to be implemented.
Glue sniffing
The children living rough are turning to drugs. “I use glue because when first I came to the streets I saw my friends sniffing it,” Ahmed Omar, 12, told IRIN. “Whenever I use it, I am able to survive a difficult situation.”
The lack of a family support system also means more children may end up on the streets, as Abdi-Qani Ahmed’s experience illustrates. “When my mother and father divorced, there was no one left to take care of me,” Ahmed, 11, said. “I used to get my food from restaurants in Hargeisa where I fed on leftovers.”
During Ramadan, however, few if any restaurants are open. “I have to wait to see if someone gives me something to eat or not,” he said.
Living on the streets puts the children at risk of abuse from other street children as well as strangers. For protection, the children often seek refuge outside the police station at night.
HARGEISA, 10 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – A delegation led by the United Nation’s envoy to Somalia arrived Somaliland today. Ahmedou Ould-Abdalla with senior political and humanitarian officers were welcomed at Hargeisa airport by the Minister of foreign affairs and other Somaliland officials.
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
The trip which was not officially announced is believed to the current situation in Somaliland. During his stay, the UN envoy will meet with the government, opposition parties, parliament and Guurti members as well as others. Sources told Somalilandpress that the envoy will try to mediate between the government and opposition.
Thais is the first trip of Ahmedou to Somaliland since he was appointed as the UN especial envoy to Somalia and Somaliland.
The visit comes when the political crisis in the country is its highest where no solutions can be seen to the deteriorating political situation in Somaliland.
Somali Week Festival 2009
Friday 23 October – to Saturday, 31st October 2009
Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG
Kayd Somali artist and culture in partnership with REDSEA-ONLINE.COM, a range of national, international and local community organisations is pleased to present the Somali Week Festival as part of Black History Month. The Festival events will take place at Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG from 23rd to 31st October 2009.
Somali Week offers the best of Somali culture both old and new, through an eclectic mix of events including, poetry, literature and music. This year’s Somali Week Festival will focus on Censorship.
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
The SWF is an established festival within the Somali community in London, nationally and internationally. It celebrates and explores the uniqueness of Somali art and culture. The festival will showcase this year mix of poetry, prose literature, Plays and music which will be presented by artists, while also allowing ample time for discussions between artists, professional guests and audiences. SWF will present and celebrate Somali arts and culture by featuring international and UK-based artists of the highest calibre in a vibrant programme of events.
SWF 2009 will explore the theme of arts censorship and creative freedom of expression throughout the extensive programme of events, whilst the festival’s programming aims to celebrate artists’ creativity, it will also discuss the important role that art can play within society.
We are proudly expecting a range of guests including renowned Somali and non-Somali artists, academics and commentators: Ahmed Saleebaan Bide, Abdilahi Hirsi “ Baarleex”, Amina Abdilahi, Kinsi Haaji Aden, Maryan Mursal, Hudayd. Kuluc, Dararamle, Hon. Kerry McCarthy, MP, (TBC), Gaadaco, Abdi Bahdoon, Prince Abdi, Aar Maanta, Shuki shacni, Ali Hassan Adan “Ali Banfaz“, Hussein Hersi Adib “Buun Hirsi“, Jama Musse Jama, Warsan Osman, Kaltuun Bacado, Anab Ismail, Abdilah hajI, Ahmed Abdilahi awale, Beeldage, Abdiftaah yare, Mustaphe TITI, Xassan Abdi Madar, Abdirahman Yusuf Arten , Warsan Shire, Mahamoud “Jango“, Faysal Anbalash, Ismail Aw-adan, Mahamed Jamac Kayd, Nimco Deggan, Nimco yasin , Ali Seenyo, Yusuf Dheere, Abdilahi Osman shafey, Said Ali Shire, Abdirahman Mahamed Abtidoon, Omar Haaji Bile, Mahamed Baashe, Abdikariim Raas, Martin Orwin, Aisha Luul, Mahamoud Shiekh Dalmar, Suad Armiye, Abdiaziz Ali Ibrahim “hildhibaan, Abdilahi Awed Iggeh, Rashiid Sheikh Abdilahi “Gadhwayne”, Mahamed Hassan “Alto” , abdilahi Awed Iggeh, and many more
The international aspect of the festival is an important part of our continued development and partnership work with artists and organisations in Somali speaking territories. Join us at the exceptional festival in order to celebrate and explore the uniqueness of Somali art and culture. For more information about the Festival’s Programme visit; www. kayd.org or call 07903712949. More information about the program or/and stall please email to festival manager ayan_mahamoud@kayd.org
HARGEISA, 10 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Ngonge A. is writing to Somalilandpress about his experience in Somaliland and will be talking about his funny yet true experience during his stay in the country – discover Somaliland from the experience of a person on his first ever trip home.
Read the First Part HERE
As the airplane started descending over the empty plains of Somaliland, I had a strange feeling that I have been there before. That arid land, those shoots of green scattered all over the place and those hills the size of mountains! I have seen it all before, it all seemed familiar to me! Now I know that I was born in the place and left it as an infant but I could not possibly remember things from that far back, could I?
The plane landed in Egal International Airport ( the name is comical to be honest) and it took us less than ten minutes to disembark. My feet were finally on Somali soil (Somaliland to be specific). This airport was no different to the one in Djibouti! Vast grey concrete extended as far as the eye could see, old damaged planes were piled in some corner, fire engines and ambulances were parked on another and a few planes were scattered all over the place. The only difference was that unlike Djibouti, they did not have any fighter jets lying about or American helicopters flying around. If Djibouti’s airport can call itself international then Egal’s lovely hut must also call itself the same.
I followed the crowd as we walked from the plane to the arrivals lounge ( or should I call it corridor?). A few policemen and airport workers asked us to form a line and go to a window with our passports and money. There were only two windows there. We first had to go to the one on the left hand side and pay them thirty dollars that they converted into Somaliland currency and shoved back to us then we had to give them our passports that they in turn passed to the man sitting on their left and ordered us to go to the second window (on our right). We lined up by the second window (all the while noticing the policemen, porters and various hangers on staring at us), we found that we were now facing the guy who just received our passports from the currency people on his right! He asked us to pay thirty dollars which he said was the entry fee but, of course, refused to accept the Somaliland currency that we got from his colleagues barely a minute earlier. “NO SHILLING! Dollars, dollars” he shouted.
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
I was tired, exhausted and very irritated. I argued with him for a few seconds but once I noticed that the policemen, porters and hangers on were all joining in and trying to explain the rules to me and how this magnificent airport was built via the money those arriving in the country pay, I decided to give in and pay. After all, this was all new to me and I was as lost as a thong in a fat woman’s bottom!
Having passed the immigration section and was now ready to go pick up my bags, the policemen, porters and hangers on saw their chance to bounce on me and stake their claim. They already knew my name (from paying close attention to my conversation with the immigration buffoon). Now they were pulling me left, right, round, back and forth. They were offering to find my bags for me, to arrange me a taxi and to drive me to any place in H town. Their hospitality was endless yet it made me feel like a three legged goat surrounded by a pack of hyenas! I took a deep breath, let them babble on for a while and, I admit, mischievously built their hopes up before shutting them all up and declaring that I was more than able to carry my own bags and needed no help whatsoever. The majority of them looked me straight in the face and knew that they were not likely to even get a used tissue out of me. They gave up and walked away to harass their next victim. But a couple of them were made of sterner stuff and followed me around as I found my bag and dragged it behind me outside the airport.
Once outside, I stood aside and looked around me for any familiar faces. That is when the professional beggars appeared. I did not need to hear them promise to pray for me or even ask me to give them anything. One look at their faces told me what to expect. Just as I was trying to find my feet and the words to rebuff them, I noticed that one of them was happily smiling at me and walking toward me with outstretched arms! This was a cocky beggar, I thought to myself. He is acting very familiar and sticking those arms out with confidence (salaan wax ka badan walee inaanuu iga helin)! Something suddenly clicked in my head and the familiar beggar seemed even more familiar! I saw that face somewhere. I had a quick scan and noticed that he was well dressed and his shoes were shiny and polished. This beggar knows how to look after himself. If I do give him any money I was sure that he would bankrupt me!
He spoke! He called me by my name! He was not a beggar at all but he had the worst sense of timing EVER. I will skip over the other details and just say that he drove me to the hotel that was going to be my place of residence for the next seven days.
As I sat in the car and looked around me I realized that this city was the epitome of organized disarray! We drove past beautifully built villas that neighbored huts and aqal Somalis and I truly did not know who to feel sorry for; the villa owner that spent thousands on his fancy building or his neighbor that lived in a house built of cloth! We passed brand new and beautiful four wheel drive cars racing past donkey carts. We saw nicely dressed people with shiny watches and designer sunglasses walking next to naked children in tattered clothes. There was a clear and very defined social order and my trusted tourist guide seemed to be moving in the higher echelons (as if the two mobile phones he was carrying were not evidence enough).
We got to the hotel and I went to sleep. My guide left me but promised to return later. After four hours of deep and relaxing sleep, I woke up to a phone call from him asking me if I was Ok. I told him that I was fine and fully awake. He asked me to come downstairs to the restaurant attached to the hotel. I cautiously went down and looked at the passers by as I went but nobody paid me any attention (though I could clearly see that they were checking me out from the sides of their faces). I went to the outdoors restaurant to find my tourist guide sitting on a table with some of Hargeisa’s finest young men. They came across as intelligent, witty and very eloquent (in both Somali and English). It was the best introduction to H town any new tourist could ever wish for.
It is very obvious that there is some unwritten rule that prevents beggars from entering some restaurants and hotels (even outdoor ones like the one we were in). However, this rule only applies to humans. Somaliland, you see, has a variety of beggars. First there are the flies. These ones welcome you the minute you set foot in H town and stay with you for the rest of your holiday ( I swear that a couple of them even stayed with me all the way to Burco, I recognised their pink wings). Secondly, there are the cats. These are trained animals and would miaw at your feet until you throw them something. But should you make the mistake of throwing anything their way you suddenly find yourself surrounded by every cat in Hargeisa and the crescendo of their cries would drive the calmest of men insane. Barbara has the extra burden of its daring birds landing on your table and attempting to steal any morsels they can get their feet and beaks on….
HARGEISA, 10 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – In a September 9 ceremony held at the United Nations on the eve of a meeting of the international Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, the United States signed the New York Declaration, in which it committed to promulgate internationally recognized best management practices for protection of ships against piracy attacks.
The maritime industry, including that of the United States, was instrumental in creating and implementing these best practices, having adopted and documented self-protection measures against piracy as part of its compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. The United States’ formal signature indicates its commitment to implementing measures that it has already encouraged and followed.
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
Cyprus, Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom joined the United States in signing the Declaration.
Panama, the Bahamas, Liberia and the Marshall Islands, four of the leading ship-registry states, originally announced and adopted the New York Declaration during the Contact Group’s previous meeting on May 29, 2009 (www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/05/124107.htm). Now, nine nations have committed to put in place effective measures that make it far more difficult for their flagged vessels to be seized by pirates. Examples of the best practices, developed and implemented by all of the major international shipping industry organizations, include increasing lookouts, ensuring that ladders are raised, and readying fire pumps to repel boarders.
The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia will meet on September 10, 2009, at the United Nations. During the plenary, the United States will urge all other Contact Group participants to join in signing the New York Declaration.
The United States participates actively in the Contact Group, requires its merchant fleet to adopt and document these self-protection measures, chairs the Contact Group’s Working Group on Strengthening Shipping Self-Awareness and Other Capabilities, engages in criminally prosecuting suspected pirates, conducts naval patrols off the Horn of Africa, and provides support to NATO and European Union counter-piracy operations in those areas.
To learn more about the United States’ and international community’s response to piracy off the coast of Somalia, visit www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/fs/128540.htm.
Hargeisa (SomalilandPress)-So, there was a scuffle at the Somaliland parliament recently as a result of a motion to impeach the incumbent president. The motion was not debated, but according to a parliamentary legal adviser, the motion is legal and debatable.
Some media, such as the BBC News described it as a “punch-up”, whilst the less sensationalist media, such as VOA, Reuters, and many otherwise correctly described the event as a minor scuffle.
Having said that, as a Somalilander it brings me no joy to witness such scenes. Although in democracy a health debate is paramount, Somalilanders have always prided themselves on their low key approach.
We use to watch with amusement the antics of other parliaments; after all even in the mother of all parliaments, Westminster , tempers have been known to get high. In one particular incident, Lord Heseltine, then just a plain MP, actually used the ceremonial mace as a weapon, allegedly. So, this is nothing new, but, it was not expected of Somaliland .
Nevertheless, the decision of the National Elections Commission to postpone the Presidential election slated for September, 27the, 2009, a unanimous decision, and all three parties have members on the commission, was bound to have such an effect.
Therefore, it is time for all Somalilanders to regain their composure, regroup and return to the winning formula of dialogue, discussion and consensus. There is a need for cooler heads to prevail; it is time for real leadership, a time for Somaliland ’s political leaders to keep their heads whilst those around them seem to be losing it.
It is inevitable that Somaliland ’s enemies will use these regrettable recent events to try and undermine the nation, but, they are our enemies and we don’t expect anything less from them.
I am more concerned of our friends. It is time to reassure them that Somaliland is not and will never follow the path of other basket cases in the region. It is time to show some maturity and resolve these issues.
One final word, regarding the action of the Somaliland Police Force during the recent scuffle at the Parliament, The Somaliland Police Force is responsible for the security of the Parliament complex. The police conducted themselves, once again, with valour and honour, and in no way breached their role as the custodians of law and order.
HARGEISA, 08 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Somaliland politicians began punching each other in parliament after officials announced a motion to impeach the president could be debated.
A BBC reporter in parliament says some MPs began muttering, then shouting and it quickly descended into a fist-fight as the politicians exchanged punches.
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
Eyewitnesses said one MP drew a gun, but no shots were fired.
Analysts say relations between the political parties have been acrimonious since the delay of presidential polls.
Opposition provoked
The BBC’s Ahmed Said Egeh in the Somaliland capital, Hargeisa, says police had to enter the chamber on Tuesday morning to restore order.
The election was supposed to be held on 27 September but it was postponed because of a new voters’ registration list – the first one to be compiled since Somaliland was formed in 1991.
There were complaints about irregularities in its composition, so the vote was delayed by the electoral authorities.
However, Somaliland’s two opposition parties are adamant that the election should go ahead using the list.
President Dahir Riyale Kahin’s government has suggested the vote go ahead at a later date without a voters’ registration list – which has provoked the opposition to start impeach proceedings.
Somaliland, which is not recognised internationally, has formed its own hybrid system of governance consisting of a lower house of elected representatives, and an upper house which incorporated the elders of tribal clans.
HARGEISA, 08 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – The Constitution of the Somaliland guarantees citizens protection from the government from loss of property or liberty without due process of law.
Somaliland tax payers are being ripped off in the billions by incompetent and deceptive politicians in cahoots with deceptive private contractors. In this ongoing saga of corruption and abuse of taxpayers.We know that far more than 14 billion tax payer dollars have been lost to mis-management and corruption by private interests in Somaliland.
The politicians win, the profiteers win, and the tax payers lose by being forced to pay for yet another non-solution to a costly Somaliland problem, yet one more time. It must stop. But, it can only be stopped by voters who take it upon themselves to vote for challengers against incumbents, repeatedly, election after election, until the challengers themselves recognize their is nothing to be gained by accepting the campaign bribes and blackmail of wealthy special interests.
Somaliland has a future. Somalilander’s have a future. In many ways, it will not look like our past. What is happening right now is a revolution, a political, economic, and cultural revolution. There is no choice about it.So, what are we to do? Keep expressing dissent by marching and protesting in the streets? Keep signing petitions on the Internet? Keep demanding impeachment of Riyaale? Keep reading and writing angry diatribes on progressive websites? Keep voting for mainstream politicians from the three major parties, hoping for a new political ?.
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
Such activities release anger, but are largely placebo self-medications, unlikely to provide the permanent solutions our nation needs. Protests serve more as entertainment for the nation than a force to tear down the rotten system. Scale is a problem. Maybe if half million angry Somaliland sat down peacefully in the streets all around the Goverment, defying police action for many days, just maybe the system would crack. Protests must have a revolutionary character. They must induce fear into the hearts of smug and delusional power elites – like Cawil & Riyaale. The real needs are structural reforms that combat the major societal delusions that are driving Somaliland downhill. We must attack the root causes of problems rather than provide temporary relief or cover-up of symptoms. Delusional patriotism is tougher to remedy. To revitalize Somaliland democacy we must have a national dialogue
I don’t mean by this and that we should sit down right now and have a conversation, between people and Goverment. I mean it more literally: Are we, as a nation, still capable of talking with one another about the issues that confront us? Or have shouting, extreme polarization, pitched political battle, and unshakeable mistrust in the motives of anyone who disagrees with us sabotaged our capacity for reasoned discourse? I don’t think we’re that far gone, at least, not yet. But we’re certainly on dangerous ground. Anyone who cares about the dialogue of democracy ought to be very concerned right now.
We all need, to recognize our own fallibility, to understand that our own particular perspective on a problem need not be the only one. In fact, it’s helpful always to keep in mind that we might be wrong. “The spirit of liberty is the spirit that is not too sure it is right.” When people of opposing viewpoints are willing to give one another the benefit of the doubt– or at least to treat one another with respect– then resolving differences becomes much easier.At the same time, it helps to keep an eye on the proper target: resolving differences and reconciling views, rather than winning at all costs. Our system was not set up to further a particular set of policy goals, it was designed to provide a way for Somalilands to come together to decide what those goals ought to be and how to reach them. That means learning how to search for compromises in which everyone is at least a partial winner, and understanding from the start that political differences may be stark, but this does not make them irreconcilable.
For the goal, after all, is to serve the national interest and focus on the common good, asking ourselves not what’s good for any one of us, but what’s good for the country. When we do this, it becomes possible to focus on a rival’s ideas, not his motivations or personal shortcomings. And that, in turn, makes it possible to have a genuine conversation in which opponents search for commonalities, and in particular talk about the concerns they share.
At its best, creative dialogue is the very heart of a democratic system. It increases mutual understanding, establishes respect among adversaries, stimulates fresh thinking and new perspectives, and builds the consensus for which Somaliland so desperately earn. It is not beyond our capabilities to have that kind of dialogue, but as a society, we have to make it clear that we want it, and hold to account those who get in its way. Our obligation is to strengthen those forces in our society that promote a reasoned dialogue, and to discourage the forces that make it more difficult.
Yes indeed let us fight corruption at our footsteps and also at the power abuse. Unless we do this our attempts to reduce our chronic corruption will just lead to nothing. The impoverished majority in most African countries are denied their constitutional rights.
Amiin D. Caynaanshe
Columbus oh / Usa
___________________________________________________________________________________ Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial
