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Somalilanders Around the Globe: Vote for Change

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HARGEISA, 10 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) – It seems that we (Somalilanders) are naïve, trusting, blindly peace loving people and tend to see the world in terms of black and white, but at some point we have to realize that too narrow of view point can be self-defeating. We need to regroup, assess our priorities and decide what is worth devoting our time and energy to and what can and must be ignored, at least for the time being. What is worth devoting our time and energy to, is building our country and the future our children. What we have to ignore is finger-pointing at each other and creating division among us at this crucial time and a turning point of our political life.

Riyaale expelled the Interpeace and threw out the voter’s registrations because he doesn’t want free, fair and observed election process by international bodies. He knows that there is no ways he could be re-elected. Thus, he wants to rig the outcome of the election. So, open your eyes and ears Somalilanders of what is going on around you. In desperation, he may seek support from none Somalilanders and give birth certificates to them. Keep a watchful eye on that. Dalka aad leh, dantaada weeye inuu hagaago.

Riyaale has no programs or mandate on what changes he is going to make and why he should be re-elected. He only wants the perks and the privileges of power, but he is not qualified for the job of the head of state. Case in point, if you go to the three National parties websites to make comparisons between our politicians qualifications, you will find lists of highly educated people in both Kulmiye and UCID parties. But go to UDUB and their website does not exist. That says a lot about the qualifications and competence of the ruling party.

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Mr. Riyaale is a liability and distraction to our democratic process, to our existence, to our economic progress, and the quest for our recognition. He had dissipated our time, money, and efforts. What hasn’t been done in the seven years he has been in power is not likely to be done in the next five years. Don’t believe anything he has to say. Vote for change.

Realistically, let us ask ourselves, what has he done so far and why he deserves your vote? The answer is nothing! After seven years in power, Hargeisa is still like a ghost town, no electricity, no water, no proper roads, no health care, no jobs creation and so forth. There is sense of anger, disenchantment and despair. Like the dictator before him, our young men and women (the future of our country) are leaving the country in dangerous stowaway because they do not see a future in their own country.

Their dead bodies are surfacing on the shores of other countries while Riyaale’s children are traveling on first class airlines and attending the best schools that money can buy abroad. He works for himself and accumulates wealth, building luxurious homes and stashing public money overseas for himself. He makes public money his own and uses as he pleases for such as back door dealings, buying loyalty and votes to hold on to power.

Take charge Somalilanders. Send a message to Riyaale and to those shadowy power behind his grip on the presidency. They know who they are. We are not going to put up with them anymore. Show them the door. Vote for change.

For this election, like the previous election and voting events he will use the public money to bribe you for him to be elected. Take the money and give him the finger because it is illegal to buy votes. It is time for him to go. Show him the door and vote for change.

Codkaagu uu ku ciilin. Dalka aad leh, dantaada weeye inuu hagaago. Riyaale ma doonayno, dib u soo nogon maayo. Ku dadaal inaad siiso codkaaga ciddii dankaa leh.

Amina Ahmed Hassan
gurhan02@yahoo.com
Calgary, Alberta

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Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial

Welcome to Guangzhou China

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Trip to Guangzhou: Mahad Turbashaash

Several years , I was living still live in Oslo which is called the center of the Norway. I didn’t know anything about the place I would visit called Guangzhou. So I didn’t know the many advantages of Guangzhou. On the map published in the western world, the city is named Kanton.

I heard that it was a place crowed with factories and full of atmosphere, and the dishes were very special. When I arrived at the Baiyun Airport, my imaginary Guangzhou was approved: an new airport, an old and low and modern building, world famous airplanes on the ground, . When the airplane I got on from Beijing to Guangzhou stopped on the ground, I had to get off the airplane, in an old manner, stepping down through .

Turbashaash2

                                                                     Mahad Turbashaash

The pleasant thing is that it was a sunny day, and a clerk from Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office came to the dragging way waiting for me, and expressed a warmly welcome to me. My feeling was getting better on the way from the airport to the downtown. I found that Guangzhou has as many high buildings as Dubai does. They are exactly as good as those in Dubai. Now I have been living in Guangzhou for 9 days , and I have been being very glad all the time. Soon, I learned that Guangzhou is a metropolis full of energies, with a great number of historical ancient remains, old city district co-existing with modern and full of traditional tone, modern public basic facilities, parks, museums, musical halls, modern sports buildings, exhibition halls, luxurious hotels, etc. Guangzhou has a general basic facilities and a modernization industry.

Obviously, these achievements have been made all in the last 20 years. Yet, it still keeps fast developing day by day. Cranes seen everywhere in the central districts is telling that. The ancient Guangzhou is disappearing continuously. Today’s Guangzhou is a modern metropolis.. In one word, Guangzhou will be a proud city of China. Guangzhou people like to present with foreigners. I have been asked many times to be taken photos with the citizens in the streets.

Turbashaash

Guangzhou people are working hard, the whole city full of an atmosphere action. All the people know that they are better than before, and they also know that they will absolutely have a hope for a much better future than today. In Guangzhou, people not only work happily but also enjoy their lives as much as they like. Guangzhou is still a city full of creation. I will feel very happy to come back again in- Guangzhou. I once had a badge painted with “I love Oslo”. If anyone in Guangzhou who makes a badge painted “I love Guangzhou”, I will certainly buy it and keep it on my chest.. I met many successful Somali Businessmen In Guangzho , and they dong very well indeed . They are entrepreneur dealing with sectrectarial services and Communication. These are not businessmen who check into swanky hotels and negotiate in oversized conference rooms or over banquet tables.

They sample the merchandise and bargain with the vendors while counting the banknotes. the main trade partners are Kenya , Somalia , Somaliland , Uganda, and Djaputi. Every two months, they ships 50 containers from China, not only from the Guangzhou area, but from all over the country. We feel the prices here are quite acceptable.” They collect includes everything you need to get you business running , they also help you to fine new product , so you don’t need to came to china . Planning a trip to China is an exciting adventure in itself There are a lot of different things to think about before you go, and some things that you have to do before you even set foot in the airport. Obs. If you need more information about china please feel free contact us. we will provide you a lot of information . Where is located In Guangzhou? Guangzhou, located at the north of the Pearl River delta, is an important trading center as well as a busy port and the capital city of the province of Guandong .

The city has an area of over 16,000 square kilometers and a population of 6.7 million. The climate of Guangzhou is sub-tropical. The average year-round temperature is 22C. August is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 28C. January is the coldest month, with an average of 13C. The rainy season falls between April and August.

Average annual rainfall is 1,720 mm. Like Athens of Greece and Rome of Italy, Guangzhou also has a history of more than 2,800 years. There are a lot of interesting legends concerning its past. One of the beautiful stories which gives the city its name Goat Town says that five gods riding on five goats brought the first grain to the city. So, it is also known as the City of Five Goats. Besides tales and stories, here and there stand monuments of the city’s democratic and revolutionary past. The monument to the Anti British struggle at San Yuan Li is in remembrance of the 1841 uprising against a British invading force. The Huang Hua Gang Park keeps alive the spirit of the 72 martyrs killed in an 1911 uprising against the Manchu dynasty. The National Peasant Movement Institute is the former cadre-training school founded and run by Mao Zedong and Zhou En Lai in 1925-1926.

The Guangzhou Memorial Garden is in memory of those who lost their lives during the Communist Uprising in 1927. Guangzhou is also one of the most important centers of foreign commerce in South China. The Chinese Export Commodities Fair has been held twice a year in the city since 1957.

It is also a cultural center. There are several universities, the Zhongshan University, the South China University of Technology, the Ji-nan University and so on. There are also higher educational establishments. The city is renowned for its arts and crafts, namely the Guang Dong embroidery, ivory-carving and ceramics. Guangzhou is a beautiful city with an ever-green scenery and flowers blooming all the year round. The city boasts many tourist attractions, among which highlights are White Cloud Hill Scenic Spot. Yuexiu Park, Guangzhou Zoo, Six Banyan Temple and Flowery Pagoda, Dr. Sun Yatsen Memorial Hall, etc. In the Suburbs, there are such scenic spot on Conghua Hot Springs, Xiqiao Hill Scenic spot, Seven Star Crags, and Foshan City. Lots of tourists to Guangzhou like to cover one or two of them for out-of-city pleasure. “Eating in Guangzhou” has become a popular saying both at home and abroad. Guangzhou ranks first in the number of restaurants and tea-houses in the country.

Cantonese cuisine is good in color, fragrance, taste and presentation. In addition, the delicate Cantonese pastry is also well-known for its wide range of varieties, delicious flavor and beautiful color. Cantonese cuisine is among the most famous four in the country. As for hotel accommodations, there are Garden Hotel, China Hotel, White Swan Hotel, Dongfang Hotel, Nanhu Hotel, the Overseas Mansion, the Overseas Chinese Mansion, the Overseas Hotel and others.

 

By Mahad

Email turbashaash@hotmail.com

Cell phone 004792083324 / 004795422206

A Letter To Somalilanders In Diaspora

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We have as Somalilanders in the Diaspora not out of absolute choice have supported our country through difficult times with our finances, suggestions, proposals and prayers. We did so out of our empathy to a nation so greater such as ours. We will continue in that support because we are people who understand the importance of voting and in collective consensus about a party that we want to be govern by it with full view of the facts.
 
Today I urge you children of Somaliland in the Diaspora to continue in your remarkable journey of support with respect to financing of our electoral commission because it needs our funding to complete its democratic task of delivering free and fair elections, and I strongly believe that adequate funding in all probability brings proper results that takes place in Somaliland.
 
We have a duty under God to ensure that we serve our people and country in our respective places across the globe.
 
In that respect we can have an enviable position on matters of national identity and pride. We will understand unambiguously our position in the world.
 
Long live Somaliland
 
A Note from zealot Somalilander in South Africa
 
Saeed Furaa
 
E-mail: somalilandjournalist@gmail.com

The Jailings and Spurious Charges Against Journalists in Somaliland

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 “Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault. It must speak, and speak immediately, while the echoes of wonder, the claims of triumph and the signs of horror are still in the air.” Henry A Grunwald

Recently on a cold morning walking in university of Pretoria’s campus to attend a public interest lecture about human rights violation with reference to Charles Taylor who is currently facing charges of genocide and several other charges, I found myself shedding tears at many lives lost in Africa an elsewhere in the world.

I unconsciously shed tears because of my deep affection for law and social order that develops and advances the quality of human lives in Somaliland and Africa.

The methodical jailings and spurious charges against journalist in Somaliland convey to the world our unpreparedness to begin contemplative debates about national consciousness and diplomacy. It clearly sends a message that we are narrow-minded society whereas we are not, the current Somaliland system is unitelligent and dull. If we are to be liberated from ourselves and chain of bad governance like the current one, we must allow our society to have journalists who can write and publish discourse which is both critical and affirming of our current structures of governance.

Law Reform Commission was recently founded and members thereof recently visited South Africa on a discourse and comparative mission which I can attest was successful. It was successful because we need a law reform commission which will to a great extent assist in advancement of civilised society. We need laws to regulate social order and trade, locally and internationaly.

Law reform is a great project of national importance but we must continue to negotiate our way forward in the forays of international involvement through the media.

Long Live Somaliland.

Sincerely Saeed Furaa

Freelance Journalist

South Africa

Somaliland Upcoming Elections And The Strategy Of The Spoiler Opposition

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HARGEISA, 9 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Egal-Riyaalle ticket depicted the SNL-USP coalition which led the Somaliland independence and the eventual union with Somalia, thus forming the Somali Republic. The tribal balance embodied in this combination, glued Somaliland together even after the state failure. The limitation of the practicing political parties to three, by the non-inclusive emergency constitution, was based on the traditional entities SNL, USP and the NUF.

Udub( central pillar party) represents the Somali national league(SNL), Kulmiye is a literal translation of National United Front(NUF) and is a continuation of that entity in its political orientation and die hard tribal following. “Ucid”, means supportive relative and/or a cushion to fall back on. Functionally the party fits that role of auxiliary pressure group.

The missing link in the political party spectrum is the United Somali Party (USP), representing the south eastern and western flanks of Somaliland. The endeavors of the tribal based political affiliations bent on paralyzing the flanks must be confronted with the revitalization of that party as an instrument of stabilization, perhaps, under the Somali denomination (Daljir). In its absence, there will be no fair play in the political arena of Somaliland.

The unholy alliance between the spoiler opposition and foreign intrigue, for that matter, is not only scary but a destructive scheme purporting to undo our national fabric of traditional connectivity and a conduct of syndicated tribes collectivity. Under no circumstance, can stipulations in the non- inclusive constitution, create legal loopholes leading to demographic dictatorship and ethnic exclusivity as upheld by the spoiler opposition. The traditional tribal equality and inter-tribal customary protocol (Xeer) had consolidated the parameters of the Somali society and its unwavering pastoral democracy.

By choosing Riyaalle as his de jure and de facto successor, the founding father President Mohamed I. Egal (Allah bless his soul) had manifested a tenuous spirit of fair play in power sharing and tribal equilibrium. His wise vision has proven to be a success story of healing and housekeeping mutuality. The hue and cry of abrasive absurdity vis-a-vis Egal-Riyaalle-fatigue, fomented by the spoiler opposition, with all its content of aggressive belligerence and naked phobia would lead not to a healthy conduit of Somaliland statehood. On the contrary, it will disturb the qualitative culture of egalitarian nature unique to the Huwan family. And would negatively impact on the tempo of Somaliland still going strong.

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Additionally, if the spiteful “Tola-Ayey” gets its way, that would mean cleansing non-clan presence in the power house of Somaliland. At this juncture, Riyaalle would go hibernating together with the pool of other high caliber roosters waiting in the wings, like Xaabsade Qaybe iyo qaar kaloo badan(and many others). These hard-beaten veterans know-not the foolhardy of failure, nor the futility of lamentation. They are forward looking visionary leaders , who unflinchingly face fate and fear no consequences. In a phlegmatic mood, they keep smiling and bid their time. In the process however, the Presidency, Guurti and House speakers and all political parties would be exclusive institutions. Not to mention, the clan predominance across the national board. It’s this lopsided structural equation that the founding father was sensitively alert.

The blatant designation of non-clans as Faqash and Hangash by some hierarchical leadership, is very troubling. It is not only political arrogance, metaphorically, but it’s a pointed signal of discriminatory phobia. The trend of the upcoming elections is conducted in a purge-like pattern by the chauvinistic spoiler opposition. The alleged fatigue syndrome of Egal- Riyaalle era, drummed up by the opposition, is a tactical approach to an embryonic coup tentatively in the press.

Here goes again, the divisive agenda which the timely intervention of the founding father backed by the wisdom of the Huwan tribes had foiled. The ideals of the spoiler opposition were misleading from the start and, never represented inclusiveness of the totality of Somaliland. It was always elusively one-sided and assertively power maniac.

Hopefully, Udub(the ruling party), with its interwoven membership of diversified origin: qualitatively, and quantitatively motivated for the common cause, will win the day and will vindicate the legacy of the founding father. United we stand. Divided we fall

Mohamed M. Khawi
President
Somaliland natives association
Somalilandnativesassn@gmail.com

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Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial

Somaliland: Journalists Charged

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HARGEISA, 9 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Somaliland court has sentenced three journalists Six months jail and fined Six Million Somaliland shillings today.

The case has been going on since last few weeks where the three journalists were accused of misinforming the public and contributing to the clan conflict in Elbardale.

The court said that Ahmed Suleiman Dhuhul, Mohamed Osman Mire and Muse Inji have been found guilty and will be jailed six months each. They will also pay Six Million Somaliland shillings as a fine.

More to the news will be coming soon ………..


Somalilandpress.com

Democratic Vs Peace in Somaliland

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Somalilandpress- It has been 18 years ago when Somaliland initiated peace and political stability in the country. Established government operating under unrecognized state, which was not an option but was fact, started to revive state institutions to delivery public service. Founding political landscape and formation of state apparatus were not properly structured toward long-term goals and even not paralleded recognision seeking efforts. Citizens had no capacity to comprehend model of government which reflected on individual benefit rather than national interest, and they often anticipated immediate recognition and prosperty so that most government hidden agendas were legitimate in eyes of ordinary citizens, those who accepted constitution which is tailored to prolonged elite in office. Despite all these, people determined to protect peace, meaning that as long as political tolerant and peaceful mean of resolution are intact, they are pleased and can overcome any arising issues.       
 
Ironically, people realized that peace is under threat in course of democratic process which can nether produce head of state nor protect existing peace in country. Then, nation’s destination is in a shadow and speculation of country collapse in horizon since some people started to feel panic that election would bring crises rather than recognision. The question immediately jumps to one’s mine is weather traditional way of peace mechanism can be a option in order to prevent violent conflict and power struggle or state destruction, the answer remained unconventional and ambiguity. Others have valid argument to oppose democratic process in the county saying that enough is enough as suffered a lot, last two years of election which pause development, including daispora investment, tourism and foreign aid flows to country because all types of investors and similar projects are in hold position watch and see positions.

Though people unanimously agreed parliamentary in 2005 could be considered as ‘fair election’ but democratic elected members ended up with their term in touring abroad, ceremonial speech – they not only neglect their constituency demand for better service but they also refused go back to villager, districts and regions to stay sit-in dusty towns to highlight the plight of the poor. To presidential election, despite its suspicious of fraud, produced current leader, Dahir Rayale who has been administering the country based on identity politics; his will was or is the constitution and there is no distinction line between his pocket and nations treasure – he come across more like an ordinary man who usually manage his private home not act as head of republic.

 Democratic era has been characterized by vagrant and fragile state, leave alone development, but devastated vast amount of country’s asset, thus, contributing to poverty, political canvas, adversely affecting on minds of thousands of Somalilanders, as to weaken rationality and mutual interest but rather create harter, political bias and party dogmantism, lack of constitionalism and social fabric and deterioting of public sector and bad governance, and eroding traditional nation building system. The crises of today peace is perhaps best embodied by recent incident in Ceel-bardale – land dispute between Gabiley and Borama – that  could not be resolved by both traditional ways and government though blame rested squarely with president’s delayed actions. Various groups rescued and are united to end this incident only by lack of focus or approach to employ, and, this is symptom of dysfunctional of traditional conflict resolution mechanism and lack of substitute.

In many ways clan approach has become a victim of its own success. Public anger and frustration will be witnessed if grand clan conference is raised, at same time; clan is basic political unit, security, social welfare and so on. It is always seen on TV screens of other media certain clans shifting from one party to another by naming their clan. This means that almost individual choices are in rare when it comes to voting but rather clan views dominate in Somaliland political landscape. So, the question is why people perceive clan conference as sharp contrast to successful democratic process. 

  
Be as it may, but it is suffice to mention that democracy has not get balanced ingredient formula to generate peaceful means of power transfer so that  it always necessary requirement to develop an appropriate democracy which respects nation’s inherited of political, socio-cultural, religion and historical settings otherwise it would can lead country to full scale disaster and fragmentation . Yet, in Somaliland, negative side of election is feasible unless traditional mechanism restored as back up or adopted as last resort to survive the nation from collapse. 

Mohamed A. Warsame
Hargeisa, Somaliland
Email: iamwarsame@yahoo.com
Tell: 4150677

Tribute to Ali Marshal

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Marxuum Cali MaarshaalSomalilandpress- I was in Addis-Ababa Airport heading to Hargeisa, Somaliland, when I was told that Ali Gualid has passed away due to car accident between Berbera and Hargeisa road.  Even though, the death is waiting for all of us and no one can not escape from it, there is a Somali proverb that says, “The death is ok with Camel Boy and someone you don’t know”.

I have known Ali Gualid for a long time which we were in California, USA.  Ali Gualid was a Certified Public Account (CPA), Banker, Broadcaster, Activist and well-educator Somali Lander. Ali always puts the interest of his country and his people before anything else with passion, grace and conviction.

Ali Gualid sudden death is not alone to his family but it touches all Somali Landers inside our country and in Diaspora. I am extremely lucky to participate his funeral which I have not seen the magnitude which all Somali Landers has given their respect with this great man.

Ali Gualid was composed with multiple talents: he was a visionary, man of principal, Certified Public Accountant, great thinker, activist and a man with a profound sense of history. He instructed to the proposition that the history of the past must be a path to the future, that the mistakes of the past should not be repeated again, but rather learned from it and move the country forward not backward and that Somaliland had no option but to reclaim its independence, that democracy is the right ingredient for the country’s social and economic development, and that democracy is the country’s flag-ship to international recognition

Ali Gualid was a man of vision; he was the first man who opened the Waberi Radio in San Jose, California which he named, the voice of Somali People. Ali was a podcaster and he always brings on his Radio many issues that were very useful to our people. Ali never afraid of telling the truth to everyone including the Somaliland elected officials. He was always very articulate on his Articles and even on his Radio Podcasting air time.

Ali Gualid has every thing that an individual will dream of, a decent job with high pay, living in the United States of America, especially the best state which is San Jose, California, but he chosen rather to make useful and help his country and his people for his knowledge and expertise without looking back a bit his own interest but rather his countries ’interest.

For the first meeting of SOPRI in Los-Angeles, Ali Gualid has helped the late founder of the Somaliland Policy and Reconstruction Institute (SOPRI). He was a keynote speaker of that meeting and presented a great paper that he laid out effectively the road-map of Somaliland and how to achieve a quick recognition with a clear vision and to promote international recognition for Somaliland.

It is very difficult to put a scale on Ali’s contribution in the quest for development of democracy and Somaliland recognition, but there is no doubt in my mind that he assisted and ignited the recognition cause and effort, which was not active before his effort.  Ali was always so busy not to leave the job solely to the government but that the Diaspora educators should be actively involved too and, as Ali had demonstrated, they could give back something to their country of origin not the country that someone took their residency or citizenship.
Ali was a dreamer, a visionary, loyal to his country, his party and a doer. And so we all Asked Allah to forgive him and enter his paradise. Ali has played a major role for supporting his party agendas and his country progress. The level of his involvement was evident by the amount of time he spent in the preparatory work. During the last presidential elections, those of us in the Diaspora remained in regular contact and he was always very keen when it comes on fair elections and fair voting registrations. Recently, Ali was appointed by his Party to the Chairman of the up-coming Presidential elections on the Western Regions of Somaliland and he was the right person for that job. Now he is gone, the Party and the country will have a vacuum that needs to be resumed.
May Allah put his soul rest and peace and wash with cold water and enter his paradise.
Dr. Mohamed Osman Nur
Hargeisa, Somaliland.

WHERE THERE IS NO DONOR

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Somalilandpress- From militia disarmament, through reconciliations, building a national army, government institutions, to holding free and fair election for presidency, parliamentarian and local councils, Somaliland did all these in the absence of external donors. One thing that is attributable to this success was, unlike many African countries, the protection of its traditional democratic values and process from the domination of western liberal democracy. During the colonial period, Britain wasn’t only refused to rule directly but British children were not allowed  to be born in Somaliland as well.
 
The principles of democracy and democratic values are neither novel nor alien but rather
Indigenous to the African nations in general and Somaliland in particular.  Indeed, the desire for representation, inclusion, and participation in public affairs—essential elements of democracy—are universal to all humans; the difference rests in the methods of attaining these goals. To what extent a society “democratizes” is incontestably dependent on its sociocultural milieu, whether it is African, European, American, Asian, or even Islamic societies.
 
In Somaliland’s history, no election was more problematic than the upcoming presidential election which, after many delays, is to be held on September this year. This is due to the degree of donor involvement and their mindset. As a precondition for funding, donors demanded certain requirement to be fulfilled. These requirements are based on their definition of democracy and completely ignored the type of democracy already in place. Intentionally or unintentionally, it seems that Western democracy benchmarks are being used to evaluate ours. It is quite auspicious to ask: what do the Donors desire for Somaliland?  Democracy! What type of democracy and for whose benefit?
 
To some extend, Somaliland’s failure for international recognition was a bless in disguise. In its two decades of existence, unknown to the outside world, it prospered economically, politically and socially. I feel that there is a strong link between the involvement of donors in our internal affairs and the wind of political uncertainty blowing. Much of Somalia’s trouble, for instance, is external rather than internal. Should anyone asked me the after-before-donor  Somaliland, I’d surely choose before-donor Somaliland where life was easy and simple.
 
 
Ugbaad
Hargeisa, Somaliland
ugbaadahmed@rocketmail.com

Will there be new US Actions in the Horn?

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Aug 06 (SomalilandPress)-The US Secretary of State is making Her first Official visit to Africa and initial observations are that Mrs. Clinton is doing remarkably well in this capacity.

Her First stop was in Kenya and this was where two major concerns of the Obama Administration were being addressed. We all remember back in January 2008 when the country convulsed in an orgy of Violence after a controversial Presidential Election. The Country has a Coalition Government but has yet to bring those responsible for the killings to Justice.

Currently Kenya has a crucial role to play in US Policy towards the Horn of Africa. The Port of Mombasa is the location where the Somali Pirates are brought to when they are captured on the high seas. Its Proximity to Somalia also makes it a key point of interest to Counterterrorism Specialists here in the US. There are some people who believe that Somalia could become to Kenya like what Afganistan is to Pakistan.

The Other Point of Interest is Somalia. The US has had an interesting History in Somalia since the end of the Cold War. Allies after the Ogaden War of the late 1970s and then US Troops in the Country during the early 1990s which led to 18 Elite US Soldiers being killed in a Firefight and now concerns over Piracy and Islamic Extremism are the highlights of US Concern.

The US Secretary of State made two crucial statements regarding US Interests in Somalia. First of all is the Fact that the US will again be providing an Arms Shipment to Mogadishu. Earlier this year the Obama Administration provided 40 tons of Ammunition to the Transitional National Government as it attempts to keep an Islamist Militia from gaining power. Sadly the US has not taken any position regarding Somaliland except for that it is concerned over the recent discarding of election rolls. Elections in Somaliland are scheduled to occur on September 27th.

And Once again the US had strong criticism for Eritrea and its reported involvement in Somalia. For several years the US has claimed that Eritrea was supporting the Islamist Insurgents in Somalia. The Situation in Somalia is not the only place where relations between Asmara and Washington have become sour. Tensions between Eritrea and both Djibouti and Ethiopia are still simmering at this time. However the US has threatened to retaliate against Eritrea for its Policies in Somalia.

Before some people get giddy over the idea of Air Strikes there has to be some time for Economic Sanctions to work. There are ample areas of concern regarding Human Rights in Eritrea as well so there could be some action taken in the near future in the Horn of Africa. But some people may not think the action taken is tough enough.

The Author Publishes Confused Eagle on the Internet and Comments on US Policy in Africa.

Confused Eagle can be found at morganrights.tripod.com

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