Hargeisa, 22 Jul 2009 (Somalilandpress) — Somaliland’s biggest donors have warned the country explicitly or implicitly that aid assistance for the election may be cut or ended unless there is a satisfactory outcome to the post-election crisis including the replacement of at least two members of the National Electoral Commission (NEC).
The UK, the biggest donor, Sweden, the second biggest donor, and number of other Western nations are currently in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, to deliberate whether or not to release the funding for the Presidential election scheduledfor 27 September.
The donors came under pressure after President Rayale failed to remove NEC chairman, Mr Jama Mohamoud, and his deputy, Mr Ali Bikalo, who had been accused of corruption and believe to be “inept and incompetent” for the job.
The British ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr Norman Ling, a Norwigian delegation and Swedish Ambassador to Kenya, Ms Anna Brandt are expected to travel to the Somaliland capital, Hargeisa today to deliver their decision to President Rayale, leaders of the opposition parties and the Speakers of the two Houses of Parliament.
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
Many suspect President Rayale of stirring up political crisis and unrests in the young democratic state after failing to fulfill election premises for the third time. Recent tribal conflicts in the West and the arrest of independent journalists may have also left donors furious and alienated.
Now, the donors are reluctant to give, having in the past made mistakes of funding African states that never deliver the promises.
Donors expressed the importance of ensuring their money is put to good use and that Western taxpayers have right to know where their money is spent. The dilemma for donors is that cuts in aid certainly first hit those they’re intended to help: democratization in Somaliland and possibly stability.
When they meet later today, the donors will demand the removal of the two commissioners; who they feel can not be trusted with their money but most analysts believe President Rayale, would properly refuse and insist his government will fund 80 percent of the election.
More Somalilanders are getting frustrated with the current regime and the continues Presidential term extensions.
Ever suspected shortages of namesake for the new born Somali babies in Diaspora? Will you call your little son and daughter Ugaso and Guled respectively? In extreme cases, how about other exotic and super-religious brands like Abu Mansur or Turk for that matter? It all depends.
But let me first recall close personal encounter of an eye-opening incident decade ago. It was typical hot summer evening (a welcome relief from the bone-chilling Canadian winter) and an occasional rendezvous of sort among close acquaints was well underway in the room. A young Orient-Canadian mother sat across the table. Hazel held her playful enfant in her lap while affectionately entertaining with motherly instinct. Asked about the gender and name of the baby, she said he was a boyand then added that he goes by the name of Ugaso – his father’s best choice of Somali namesake. Something was amiss about the sound in relation with its gender identity context. Still suspecting faulty accent on the part of her impeccable English mother tongue, I insisted on few more times to get it right without success.
Next, I prompted up the question to Khader, a Somali father from Togdher, who was also present in the room. He tried to elude the subject at once, but as I pressed further on he confirmed with awkward, low voice of the fact. It turned out that toddler’s namesake was Khader’s proud grandmother and personal hero. Asked why not choose Ugas for a male gender case instead of Ugaso, he cited lack of awareness of any subtle grammatical or gender issue differences between the two versions.
He got plenty of reasons for the missing cultural link and mix-up: Khader spent most of his life in the Diaspora — first in Mid-east and later in the West. Such unfortunate situation is by no means unique among young generation. The post-conflict generations (and even pre-war group in some cases) are increasingly facing a host of serious challenges including religious, social and cultural identity pitfalls. All Khader intended was to pay tribute of sort to the sweet childhood memories of grandma.
Speaking of iconic grandmother, most of us have some fond memories of caring grandmothers’ unconditional love, noble upbringing and generosities in one form or another. They deserve utmost respect and praise from us in any way we can. There is no better way to pay tribute than honoring their namesakes through our beloved offspring.
This reminds my own extraordinaire grandmother, Khadaro Elabe, whom I spent with the best parts of somber childhood years. Though I’m told that I was dyslexic with shaky upright steps in the first few years, she used to call me Talaabo Way or gigantic stepsin defiance the other people’s negative opinion pertinent to my conditions. More importantly, I remember running back and forth from her tiny hut often with a fistful of precious household supply of sugar (getting candies or chocolate was unattainable dream back then.) Unlike my practical mother who had little tolerance for handing out such rare household commodity with lame excuses, Khadaro remained cherished source of sweets of corner semi-store for the grandchildren. And for that simple reason and more I have decided early on to commemorate her name through my future daughters. But I have no daughters so far and the name of my seven years old son is Samatar in honor of my grandfather on maternal side.
There is no better way to pay their heroic sacrifices than the above cited approach, but what is equally important is doing in the right way in terms of originality, linguistic and cultural context. To the young generation in the Diaspora, this concept seems little understood topic and they are not necessarily at fault. Older generations are not setting better example either.
Evidently, Somali character has shown time and again notorious inconsistence on few critical fronts such as patriotism, social justice, xenophile propensity (affinity with strangers and worst enemy among) and personal loyalty. Troubles of the namesakes are not exception. If you have doubts of what I mean, look no further than the so-called oral tribal lineage to find some glaring discrepancy. By tracing back ancestral names, one might come across unpredictable, alternating Arabic and Indigenous names for every few generations. Besides, what do you make of grown men with well known names and CVs styling themselves with Abu Turk and Abu Oteiba overnight in the name of religious false pretense?
Latest episode reminds one more entertaining yet critical radio clips from the BBC Somali service of golden era –way back before Yousuf Garad & Co and the alleged mob-journalism ethics overran the Bush House. There used to be program entitled “What’s in a Name “whereby duo artists (Abdulkadir Yamyam and Dhegjer) mocked and rightly so about culturally tasteless namesakes of urban-born youngsters. Parents were predominantly from poor, nomadic background who later immigrated to the cities in search of better opportunity during post-independence bubble. They subsequently constituted the bulk of up-start elite class and civil servants of a young nation.
These folk who should know better when it comes to cultural menu came up will kinds of laughable stuff as a namesake for the babies. According to the mock, Aspirin, Xiis iyo Xoorkii Jacaylka were among the new trend. Compare that with traditional Somali names like Bahdon, Jilaal or Roble in terms of substance and scope. Still, my favorites of the all-time remain some beastly but extremely colorful ones like Bahal, Beileh, Dhidar et.al from the gem of ancient Awdal tradition and beyond.
Despite the gloomy picture, there is still good news in that some traditional Somali are making comeback in Diaspora scenes and of course due to some bare minimum of cultural necessities. In close-knit ethnic urban enclaves, it is not uncommon to overheard dozens of Libans or Samatars for boys and Simans and Idils among young girls, to mention few. The only trouble with it is an ever decreasing pool or spectrum of desirable choices, and especially for families with multiple kids.
On the whole, you may still wonder about the level of urgency of the said issue within the community in general. Further, in light of other socio-economic, spiritual and cultural degeneration that our society suffers, one could be forgiven if he has given little thought about any notion of secondary interest topic like namesake of its new members. It sounds last thing that people could be concerned with now. But that is not necessarily the case for obvious reasons including (1) the significant attached onto it in terms of linguistic, religious or cultural factors. (2) It is a primary source of identity for a person, and long before the influence of linguistic, ethnicity and other socio-cultural elements overtake (3) Personal namesake qualifies the most precious and lasting gift that any caring parent passes to the progeny and therefore it deserves the utmost care whenever choosing one for a baby. (4) Diaspora community is increasingly facing cultural conundrum due to domineering and sophisticated adoptive cultures that pushes, regardless of whether state sanctioned policy or not, toward complete assimilation in the near future.
[ad#Google Adsense (250×250)]
As for severity of the matter, I’m not too sure but there are ominous signs of trouble on the horizon that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Young folks (foreign born or raised) will not get the comfort of close-knit community and relatives within next generation or so. No aging relatives, godfathers, midwives and handy religious or traditional figure willing to toss up free advice at the birth will be around like before. Sooner or later, they will be left to fend off themselves. Planning ahead by learning whatever tips and techniques available seem the best coping strategy.
Tips are often common logic depending on the scope or identity awareness of the prospective parents and among other things (a) to plan ahead before the occasion and before the stress of maternity room good move. (b) To know and choose category that fits your test is another trick. Names can be divided into traditional, religious, creative, exotic and so on, but traditional and religious ones (not super-charged religious types) are preferable. (c) If you are in favor of religious one, be careful about the choice. Despite all the equality and human rights mantras, still systemic barriers of Islamo-phobia, xenophobia and racism problems that affect employment opportunity, living standards, campus admissions, etc. of kids are well alive in the West. You don’t want to call your child Al-Zewahiri, Abu Nidal etc. (d) To consult with family members, friends, acquaints and even neighbors with the same origin whenever possible is good idea (e) Stick with the simple ones in terms of spelling and pronunciation is one more technique and that is where traditional names come in handy. (f) Seek the help of religious or traditional authority of nearest Somali community center and if they do not offer any, suggest being included it in their resources.
Hargeisa, 21 July 2009 (somalilandpress)-Historically, there were numerous diverse groups who controlled Somalia—from the European colonialists to the dictatorial regime of Siyad Barre to the warlords—some of which were more brutal and murderous than others. However, these diverse groups had never committed the heinous crimes that Al-Shabab committed during their short period in Somalia. This is not to assert that the previous groups were not criminals, far from it. It is, however, to assert that the ways in which Al-Shabab implements its brutal and cruel tactics to terrorize the populace is unprecedented.
Al-Shabab’s most striking aspect of terrorizing, comparing with its previous counterparts, is that the group utilizes erroneously and hijacked our superb and superior religion, Islam. They misinterpreted the Holly Quran as well as the Hadiths, the sayings of the Prophet (PBUH), in order to achieve their selfish motives. They claim to be the only Muslims in the region while every other person is kafir, meaning unbeliever. Anyone who does not belong to their terror group or opposes their terrorist ideology is unbeliever and, as such, is subject to be humiliated, if not killed, tortured, beheaded or amputated. In order to terrorize the population beyond belief, they borrow new horrendous tactics from afar, either Afghanistan or Iraq, which are alien and shocking to our people: suicide bombings, public beheadings, public amputations, molestation, force marriage, and more. In addition, they brainwash our young boys daily to the extent that they made them a human bomb. They erroneously inform these young men that blowing themselves up for the sake of Islam (which not true) is one of the surest ways to enter paradise. These young men, having no formal education or religious education, believe these lies and kill tens of innocent people every day. These lies and brainwashing tactics are not taking place only in our country but numerous other places including Europe, America, and many parts of Africa as well as Arabia. We, as parents, struggled to safe our children from killing others or get hurt and we tried so hard to ensure that they will acquire a higher education. However, these terrorists took our children away from us. We should stand for our children and prevent them from being used as a means to selfish ends.
Al-Shabab brainwashed our beautiful and innocent young girls to marry an older men from either Afghanistan or Arab countries in order to support the “jihad,” as reported repeatedly. In numerous occasions when these courageous young girls refused to marry these ugly and old men, they were raped in order to terrorize other girls. These girls have only two choices: either to marry these old foreign men, whom they do not even understand their language, or prepare to be raped by these terrorists. Therefore, the only option that the girl has is to marry these men in order to safe herself from rape and humiliation. Some girls were brave enough to refuse such an inhumane and degrading act but they were labeled as adulators and were stoned to death after Al-Shabab raped them. These young girls were taken away from their parents against their approval and forced to be wedded to these terrorists. Night after night these girls were raped. These girls range from 12 to 22 and I prey to Allah every prayer to free their little innocent souls from these terrorists. [ad#Google Adsense (300×250)]
Every person, regardless his/her status, age, gender or position, who raises any concerns or dares to ask questions, let alone criticize them, is either tortured, beheaded or killed. The brave ones who attempted to resist these barbaric and horrendous killings are labeled as unbelievers in order to justify his/her death sentence. Moreover, there were countless people whom their hands/legs were amputated simply because they were against Al-Shabab’s injustices. These people were not thieves as Al-Shabab claimed. Rather, as numerous witnesses affirmed, they were innocent people who either refused to join Al-Shabab or who raise concerns about Al-Shabab’s brutal and ugliness. To add insult to injury, all of the tortures, amputations as well as beheadings take place in public in order to terrorize the populace. The people who are called to watch the banishment range from 5 year-old to 80 year-old, all of whom are innocent and powerless.
Al-Shabab attacked, killed, tortured and terrorized the most peaceful Muslim group in our country, Sufism. Sufists do not involve politics or governing issues. They devote their time and energy the worship of the Al-Mighty God, Allah (SW). Some of us might disagree with some aspects of their belief, but we all know that they were and still are peaceful group. However, after Al-Shabab failed to recruit their young men or win their sympathy, they started to terrorize them. The Sufists, however, defended itself though their worship is disrupted. The reason that Al-Shabab attacked these peaceful Sufists is this: Sufifsts refuse to murder and terrorize their fellow defenseless Muslims and Al-Shabab did not approve such a humane and peaceful approach, because Al-Shabab is blood thirsty.
The previous groups who controlled our country, Somali, did not commit such a heinous crime. They did not commit suicide acts in public places; they did not behead, amputate or torture people publicly; they did not force young girls to marry foreign men; they did not rape children. Al-Shabab terrorist groups are merciless killers. They are part of Al-Qaeda terrorist groups who killed and kill innocent people around the world. They are the ones who hijacked our religion and claim to be the defenders of Islam. Islam does not allow us to kill innocent people, regardless of their religion or believe as long as they are not harming Muslims. Furthermore, Islam forbids the killing of fellow Muslims. Al-Shabab rejects all of these religious verdicts and start killing innocent Muslims, let alone non-Muslims. Therefore, it is safe to assert that Al-Shabab is against the teaching of our religion. I am not in a position to say that Al-Shabab members are not Muslims. It is up to Allah to judge whether they are Muslims or not, though countless Sheikhs (Muslim scholars argue persuasively that they are not Muslims). Whatever the case, Al-Shabab’s reign of terror should be stopped.
Woman feared she would be stoned after giving birth to an illegitimate child in Britain
By Robert Verkaik, Home Affairs Editor
A Saudi Arabian princess who had an illegitimate child with a British man has secretly been granted asylum in this country after she claimed she would face the death penalty if she were forced to return home. The young woman, who has been granted anonymity by the courts, won her claim for refugee status after telling a judge that her adulterous affair made her liable to death by stoning. Her case is one of a small number of claims for asylum brought by citizens of Saudi Arabia which are not openly acknowledged by either government. British diplomats believe that to do so would in effect be to highlight the persecution of women in Saudi Arabia, which would be viewed as open criticism of the House of Saud and lead to embarrassing publicity for both governments.
The woman, who comes from a very wealthy Saudi family, says she met her English boyfriend – who is not a Muslim – during a visit to London. They struck up a relationship.
She became pregnant the following year and worried that her elderly husband – a member of the Royal Family of Saudi Arabia – had become suspicious of her behaviour, she persuaded him to let her visit the UK again to give birth in secret. She feared for her life if she returned to Saudi Arabia.
She persuaded the court that if she returned to the Gulf state she and her child would be subject to capital punishment under Sharia law – specifically flogging and stoning to death. She was also worried about the possibility of an honour killing.
Since she fled Saudi Arabia, her family and her husband’s family have broken off contact with her.
The woman has been granted permanent leave to remain in the UK after the Immigration and Asylum tribunal allowed her appeal.
The Home Office yesterday declined to discuss the case. A spokesman for the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London said that he would call back but subsequently became unavailable.
Relations between the UK and Saudi Arabia have been strained in recent years and were brought to a head in 2006 when Tony Blair intervened to end a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) inquiry into alleged kickbacks paid in a multibillion military aircraft deal between the two states.
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
The Saudi royal family was deeply concerned about the idea that the investigators might try o open up their Swiss bank accounts, it was alleged at the time.
This led the Saudis to threaten to restrict the sharing of intelligence relating to terror activity if the prosecution went ahead. They also threatened to pull out of other highly-lucrative arms deals.
Last year, the House of Lords ruled that the SFO’s decision to drop the corruption investigation into the £43bn Saudi arms deal with BAE Systems was unlawful.
In a hard-hitting ruling, two High Court judges described the SFO’s decision as “an outrage”.
One of them, Lord Justice Moses, said the SFO and the Government had given into “blatant threats” that Saudi intelligence co-operation would end unless the probe into corruption was halted.
“No one, whether within this country or outside, is entitled to interfere with the course of our justice,” he said. “It is the failure of government and the defendant to bear that essential principle in mind that justifies the intervention of this court.”
The Middle East state has been shrouded in controversy over oppressive policies against women and homosexuals. Secrecy surrounds much of the Saudi legal system, but in a recent report on the use of the death penalty in the kingdom, the human rights group Amnesty International highlighted its extensive use against men and women.
Adulterers face public stonings and floggings and, in the most serious cases, beheadings and hangings.
The high numbers of executions in Saudi Arabia in 2007 continued into 2008. There were at least 102 executions of men and women last year – at an average rate of two every week. Amnesty is aware of at least 136 individuals currently awaiting execution.
Last week, Saudi Arabia’s religious police were blamed for the death of two sisters who were murdered in what was deemed an “honour killing” by their brother, after the sisters were arrested for allegedly mixing with men to whom they were not related.
The Society for Defending Women’s Rights in Saudi Arabia said that the religious police had arrested the two sisters, aged 19 and 21, thus putting their lives in danger.
Their brother shot them dead in front of their father when they left a women’s shelter in Riyadh on 5 July, according to Saudi news reports.
In 2007, in a case that shocked Saudis, a woman from Qatif was sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in prison after being gang-raped. She offended cultural expectations because she was unaccompanied when she got into a car with a former boyfriend.
The man had agreed to hand back a photograph of the woman who was about to marry another man, but as they drove along a street they were stopped and seized by seven men who raped them both. The woman was originally sentenced to 90 lashes but the sentence was increased when she appealed. Eventually, after an international outcry, she was pardoned.
In 2007, King Abdullah II of Saudi Arabia was jeered during a state visit to Britain as dozens of demonstrators turned out to protest at his country’s human rights record.
Hargeisa, 21 July 2009 (Somalilandpress) – The year is 1988. At the height of the brutal assault by forces of the former Somali dictator Gen. Mohammad Siad Barre against the people of Somaliland, MiG fighters bomb civilian targets and thousands of bodies of dead and wounded litter the streets of major cities. Panicked survivors flee in droves. And, for a two-year old little girl, life will never be the same. Not even decades after the war ends.
Just one stray bullet disfigures her face and alters the course of her life. A small amount of money – so trivial to you, so very significant to her – could reconstruct not only her broken face, but also her wounded dignity.
Dear Reader: Could you spare a buck? Do you have some loose change?
Her name is Ayaan Osman Mohammad. In 1988 as her family fled Burao, the second largest city of Somaliland, tragedy struck. One stray bullet shattered her face near her nose and tore a big hole through her right cheek. The bullet exposed her teeth and left Ayaan’s face horribly disfigured. The devastation of Ayaan’s trauma on her family is beyond belief; equally sad is the inadequacy of the medical treatment available.
That Ayaan survived at all is thanks to international aid organizations working in neighboring Ethiopia, but they could do little for her.
Like a Ghost from Somaliland’s Past
Today, Somaliland people enjoy freedom and peace as the terror of the 80s fades from memory. But, for Ayaan, the brutal war is not yet over. Ayaan is not free. Not yet. Because the bullet removes a large area of her cheek and half of her nose, Ayaan must always hide her face in shame.
Somalilanders celebrate their nation’s independence every year on May 18th. Flag-waving citizens pour into the streets and crowds cheer both in the country and abroad. But Ayaan stays at home, ashamed to participate, like an unwelcome ghost from the nation’s past.
Just like any other proud Somaliland citizen, she perhaps dances to the tunes of the celebrations that the generous wind blows towards her house. She peeks through drapes on her window to witness the parades and the jubilant citizens dancing on the streets of Somaliland.
On one hand, she feels ecstatic that finally her nation is free from the tyranny of the 80’s. On the other hand, she perhaps whispers to herself, “I too was part of the struggle and severely wounded when I was a toddler… yet I am the one who is not yet free, living with the scars of the war. Living in shame as if I have disgraced myself… and hiding my face to avoid people staring at me like I am a monster. Oh my country people, have you forgotten about me? I too want to celebrate with you.”
“Help me to heal the wounds of the war and set me free like you so I could live with dignity and not struggle simply to eat and drink is all I ask. Luckily, so many of you are out there and the fact is: one dollar donation from each person is all I need,” she may add.
Just One Dollar
An estimated one million Somalis are scattered all over Europe, Asia, and North America. About half a million of these expatriates hail from Somaliland. Now, the fact is: if only each of us donates one dollar – Ayaan could be free from the trauma and the scars of the war.
Dear reader because of Ayaan’s plight we are appealing to you: could you spare a buck? Of course, the more you donate the better; but beyond a shadow of a doubt if each of us donates a buck, more than Ayaan’s medical expenses will be collected, enough money to help even other victims. She will have the facial reconstruction surgery that she so urgently needs.
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
Of course, it is not only Somalilanders and Somalis who could assist Ayaan. The fact is friends of Ayaan from different nationalities have already donated over 900 Pounds as I write this paper. Anyone could chip in to help cover the expense of Ayaan’s facial surgery and help to alleviate her suffering.
Ayaan’s facial surgery fundraising is spearheaded by honorable Edna Adan Ismail – the former Somaliland Foreign Minister. In the following video clip, Ms. Edna appeals to all of us to help Ayaan. Here is the clip: www.helpayaan.org (Ms. Edna is also the founder of the only maternity hospital in Somaliland: Edna Hospital. www.ednahospital.org )
How could you help?
Surely, you could help Ayaan by contributing some donations but more important taking the lead – that is, spearheading the fundraising campaign in your family, neighbors, among your colleagues and friends, and local business communities will for sure expedite the fundraising process. You should also distribute printed copies of this article with Ayaan’s picture or e-mail them to anybody you know as to show him/her what Ayaan goes through daily. If you and I could forward jokes to our friends and acquaintances, so could we send this article to the folks in our e-mail list.
What is more wonderful than viewing the pictures of Ayaan’s face fully reconstructed? Equally, wonderful is the fact that you raised some of the money. You stood by Ayaan; you held her hand when she needed you the most; and you didn’t turn your back on her suffering. Every time you devoured your favorite dish, you remembered that Ayaan doesn’t have the privilege to enjoy her meal because of her injury and you could have done something about it.
To receive a tax deduction receipt for your donation, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/helpayaan/
You could simply use your credit card to donate.
You could also send donations through registered Somali money transfer agencies such as, Dahabashiil and Qaran Express. Two accounts are set up on behalf of Ayaan’s facial surgery fundraisings: Dhabashiil account is: HRGD14292; and Qaran Express is: 1380.
Finally, the incredible determination that it took us to rebuild our country could be applied to reconstruct Ayaan’s face. We cannot permit the brutal war of the 80’s holding Ayaan hostage while we stroll freely in the streets of our country. Let freedom ring for Ayaan; let her be free, once and for all.
Dear reader, please don’t just skim through this article and walk away from Ayaan’s plight; be brave and do something, not tomorrow, not the day after, but now. She cannot wait for another twenty years for surgery. Remember: none of us are immune to the tragedy that hit Ayaan. What happened to her could happen to any of us – at any minute, anywhere in the world.
New York, Jul 21 2009 (Somalilandpress) — United Nations, New York, 20 July 2009 Somali militants raided two United Nations compounds today, stealing equipment and vehicles and forcing the world body to close down one of its operations in the violence-wracked country.
[ad#Google Adsense (250×250)]
Al Shabaab militiamen looted UN facilities in the towns of Baidoa and Wajid, UN spokesperson Marie Okabe told reporters in New York, adding that the UN Office in Somalia deeply regrets having to relocate staff and temporarily suspend its operations in Baidoa.
Ms. Okabe said that the UN will continue working in Wajid, where the minimum security measures remain intact, and it is optimistic that a reassessment of safety conditions on the ground will allow critical humanitarian work to resume in Baidoa and elsewhere in Somalia.
The looting occurred as the top UN envoy to Somalia warned that extremist rebel groups are threatening to overthrow its legitimately recognized Government, while calling on the international community to intervene.
A rapist was arrested after his 89-year-old victim scratched his face for DNA in a trick she learned from watching CSI, a British court has heard.
Bouncer Mauro Lopes, 31, was yesterday jailed for nine years for raping the woman twice inside her home in Leeds, north England, on March 14.
The court heard Lopes, who weighs 127kg, tricked his way into his frail victim’s home after posing as a policeman.
But during the horrifying ordeal that followed, the woman had the presence of mind to take a swipe at his face.
“I have been watching CSI so I scratched his face so you could get DNA from my fingernails,” the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court.
[ad#Google Adsense (200×200)]
Her quick thinking allowed police to arrest Lopes just two days later after matching his DNA to a 2005 drink-driving arrest.
The court heard Lopes, an Angolan who was granted asylum in Britain seven years ago, had just found out his girlfriend was cheating on him.
In sentencing, Judge Peter Collier QC described Lopes’s crime as “vile and extreme”.
“He is a 31-year-old man with all his faculties and his desires,” he said.
Hargeisa, 21 July 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Somaliland, two journalists working for Radio Horyaal were arrested on 13 July, for allegedly inciting clan violence, and local independent Horn Cable TV (HCTV) has been banned. The International Press Institute (IPI) is concerned that this signals a media crackdown in the autonomous region of Somalia, in the run-up to presidential elections in September.
On 13 July, Radio Horyaal’s director and news editor, Mohamed Osman Mire and Ahmed Suleyman Dhuhul, were arrested at the radio station in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. The journalists have been refused bail, and are currently being held at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). They are expected to appear in court on 21 July.
The arresting officers reportedly did not have a warrant, and the men have not been charged with any crime – which makes their detention illegal under the Somaliland press law, according to Media Rights Somaliland (MeRiS) director Mukhtar Hassan.
Two days after the arrests, independent broadcaster HCTV was banned in a judgement by Sheik Hussein Warfa Sigad, reversing a decision taken the day before by the Harseiga Regional Court. IPI sources in Hargeisa report that, as of last night, HCTV continued to broadcast despite the ban.
On 14 July, Somaliland’s attorney-general asked that HCTV be shut down for “inciting violence” and “spreading false information.” The request was denied in the first instance and approved on appeal.
Suspicions abound that the arrests and ban are politically motivated. Mukhtar Hassan told IPI: “Many people, including opposition parties, are saying this is a sign that the government would like to suppress independent media before the September elections.”
“The arrests of Radio Horyaal’s director and news editor and the ban on Horn Cable TV are a blatant attempt by the Somaliland authorities to consolidate control of their public image in the weeks prior to the election,” said IPI Director David Dadge.
“The government of Somaliland must immediately release Mohamed Osman Mire and Ahmed Suleyman Dhuhul and lift the ban on HCTV. When the media reports news it is fulfilling its public interest duty, even if the news is embarrassing for the president and the government.”
The arrest of Radio Horyaal’s journalists and the ban on HCTV came after the broadcasters covered incidents relating to clan violence on the border between the Gabiley and Awdal provinces in west Somaliland.
On 10 July, 25 elders from Gabiley were invited by President Dahir Rayale Kahin to the presidential palace to discuss an ongoing dispute between clans in Gabiley and Awdal – where the president’s home is. The elders were reportedly unhappy that a June ruling made by the Guurti (upper house), giving their clan certain land rights, had not yet been implemented by the President.
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
The session reportedly ended in dispute, and inter-clan violence broke out again the next day.
Police arrested Mire and Dhuhul because Radio Horyaal’s coverage of the meeting allegedly misrepresented events and incited the violence, the police chief commander told Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) representatives on 14 July. But SOLJA’s Ahmed Mohamed Omar told IPI that Radio Horyaal had reported only that there “was no positive conclusion” to the meeting.
The attorney general, in turn, accused HCTV of having incited further bloodshed through its 11 July programming, which showed footage of that day’s violence between clan members.
Meanwhile, President Rayale’s office last Wednesday circulated a statement urging caution when reporting on the clan conflict. The statement accused some media of inciting violence and said that the sources behind media reporting on the conflict may be investigated.
Somaliland is a breakaway territory of Somalia, on the coast of the Gulf of Aden. It declared independence after the overthrow of Somali dictator Siad Barre in 1991 but its independence is recognized by neither Somalia nor the international community.
Somalia remains a notoriously dangerous place for journalists. According to IPI’s Death Watch, 18 journalists have been killed in the country since 2005. Several have been kidnapped or imprisoned. Among the journalists still being held are Canadian freelance reporter Amanda Lindhout and Australian freelance photojournalist Nigel Brennan, who were taken hostage in August 2008.
On 15 July, security guards in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region within Somalia, reportedly beat up Aweys Sheikh Nur, a reporter with Netherlands-based Horseed Media. According to sources, the guards attacked Nur with the butts of their AK-47 rifles after he took pictures inside a courtroom in the port city of Bosaso.
On 14 July, two French security agents reportedly posing as journalists were kidnapped from their Mogadishu hotel. Although IPI condemns the kidnapping, it is concerned at the reports that the men were pretending to be journalists.
“While the two hostages should be released immediately, it is unfortunate that they chose to pose as journalists. In a country where the lives of journalists are routinely at risk, actions such as this undermine the credibility of the profession and expose reporters to unnecessary risk,” said IPI Director David Dadge.
Hargeisa, 21 July 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Somaliland succeeded to hold together by the observance of tribal balance. Huwan entity was a melting pot representing the Somali nation as a whole and was a symbol of inspiration and national empowerment. While other Somali territories’ caved-in to imperialistic bullying and misdirection, Somaliland stayed stead fast on the Somali traditional course.
The SNL- USP coalition that spearheaded the independence reflects the true tribal balance that can work for Somaliland statehood and brotherhood. Egal-Riyaale ticket represents the continuation of this balance. That is why, despite all odds Somaliland is still going strong.
The upcoming presidential election is characterized by kilkenny cat fighting stigma, namely:
1. Negatively pugnacious tactics of public opinion mobilization as if fighting an alien monster or Dracula.
2. “TOLA-AYEY” threats and warnings galore.
3. Bad mouthing and accusations are below the belt.
4. Muscle flexing ultimatums snipe left and right. Such super tribe posturing could be counter productive.
5. The hot chair fever is a common ailment at all fronts and is a “must win” venture. Ousting the incumbent under tribal duress would end up in retaliatory eventuality.
6. While the upcoming election is Presidential and Presidential only, the bottomless mudslinging spree makes no exceptions and encompasses the totality of state leadership.
7. When ethics and decorum are stripped from election campaigns and their outcome, anarchy is let loose to take charge.
8. It is easy to talk and act irresponsibly, but going overboard could lead to disastrous consequences. The fashionable TOLA-AYEY syndrome, could turn ugly at the end of the day.
9. The “hot chair” fits one person and one person only, but Somaliland can cater for all, irrespective of who is who. National integrity and stability is sacred.
10. “TOLA-AYEY” went too far in disturbing the public odium. It might, by design or default disrupt the peace, stability, and social tranquility: the trump card qualities that Somaliland cannot lose.
For the record, two of the franchised political parties clubbed together, to deny the Dhulbahante, with all its tribal and humanitarian weight, the traditional quota of the Speaker of the House. Consequently, the Dhulbahante today is an auxiliary of “Ucid” . Ironically, while “Ucid” is a denomination with no tangible parameters, yet it is constitutionally public politician number one, public attorney number one, and public speaker number one. Superseding, in the process, the tribes and the traditional leaders, the national elite and, indeed all those who matter in public opinion making of Somaliland. Because of these diminishing factors, with no rhyme or rhythm, the bulk of Dhulbahante and Warsangeli tribes rebelled. Others might follow suit if victimized, in the same manner, by the laughable legal loopholes in the non-inclusive constitution. The constitution was a temporary filling, originally envisaged as an emergency prerogative of the Founding Father, President Mohamed I Egal upon his election by unanimous tribal consensus in Borama, to reconstruct Somaliland, of his dream, along state like structural institutions.
[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]
The absurd audacity of tribal affiliations masqueraded as political parties to endeavor disfranchising the tribal pillars of Somaliland like the Dhulbahante, who cleansed Somaliland from colonization and Christianity roots in their Darwishade(crusade) against the British, is myopic maangaabnimo( will-o’-wisp)!! It was their gallantry and unwavering tenacity in keeping the impetus of the war for two decades that earned the metaphor “Somalis are the Irish men of Africa.”
Chronological brief
The British were in Somaliland for seventy years, broken down as follows:
• Towards the end of the 19th century, the British signed protection treaties with all Somaliland tribes except with Dhulbahante. The corner stone of these treaties was that the British cannot and would not transfer Somali territory to any foreign power, and that they would protect the territorial integrity and brotherhood of the Somali people.
• At the beginning of the 20th century, the Dhulbahante were fighting the British in darwishade (crusade) wars for twenty one years. Result: the Christian missionaries abandoned their presence in Dhaymoole settlement in the Guban area of the Berbera District. Furthermore, Somaliland was recognized as a protectorate rather then a colony like Aden.
• From 1920-1945 a limbo period in which the British were recovering from world war 1 damages and focusing on the 2nd world war. Ina Igare a Kenyan Somali from H.Y belonging was the interim proxy for the British Empire.
• 1945-1952 the Dhulbahante were an autonomous entity under Court Akil administration. The British presence was confined to a District Comissioner who executed the decisions of the Court Akil, composed of all Dhulbahante leadership.
• In early 40’s Haji Omer Amay, a Dhulbahante tribal leader of high standing, was assassinated in Burao by H.Y tribe elements. Burao was at the time a district for Dolb, H.Y, H.T, Essa Musa.
• The British offered the Dolb tribe the Ber village, twenty eight miles southward, to be their district in lieu of Burao. Incidentally, Garad Jama Garad Ali was crowned in Ber village which was Dolb grazing territory at the time.
By tribal intrigue the British were convinced to seat the Dolb. District in Nugal area. That is how the Dolb were pushed back 160 miles southward to Las-Anod.
• In 1950 Sir Gerald Reece was appointed as the Governor of Somaliland. He introduced the local authority status, leading to eventual independence. This option legalized the inclusion of the Dolb into the protection bandwagon.
• In 1955 the Hawd Reserved Area were transferred to Ethiopia. National uprising ensued, and in the process the National United Front (N.U.F) was instituted to fight for the cause.
• The N.U.F fought on the platform that “part of the Commonwealth was transferred to a foreign power”. This was seen as a betrayal of the Somali cause, since the term of Commonwealth could give legitimacy to the British action.
Most Somali Landers withdrew support from the N.U.F, under Michael Mariano, and in fluxed into the Somali National League (S.N.L) under the leadership of M.I.Egal, a wealthy business man from the great tribe of Habr Awal.
• In 1959, the British expressed preparedness to concede independence and closer association with Somalia, if Somaliland so desired.
• In early 1960 the SNL and the United Somali Party(U.S.P) formed the coalition that lead the independence and unconditional union with the south forming the Somali Republic.
This coalition was based on equal footing. The ministerial portfolio was divided in equal equation. That is how Somaliland came into being as an independent nation of equal destiny through thick and thin. Equality breads brotherhood and statehood.
In this defining moment Somaliland must be real.
We came a long way and can’t risk taking time by its tail and upsetting the balance. The traditional practice of tribal balance works. No questions asked!!
Mohamed Khawi
President
Somaliland natives Association
Somalilandnativesassn@gmail.com
________________________________________________________________________________________________ Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial
Garowe, 20 Jul 2009 (Somalilandpress) — A Chinese cyclist has been forced to put the brakes on a 12-year world tour, after officials in Somalia deported him for not having the right documents.
Lee Yue Zhong, who says he has visited 114 countries since setting off on his tour in 1997, arrived in the semi-autonomous Puntland region last week.
But he had no visa and Somali police arrested him before deporting him to neighbouring Djibouti.
The cyclist said he was disappointed with the decision.
He said he had travelled from Somaliland to the Puntland capital Garowe, where he was arrested.
[ad#Google Adsense (200×200)]
“It took me two weeks from Hargeisa to here and it was part of my long trip to tour continents worldwide, but they really disappointed me,” the AFP news agency quoted him as saying.
Local police commissioner Abdirahman Haji Abshir said Mr Zhong, who is in his mid-fifties, could not continue through Somalia “for security reasons”.
Somalia has been without an effective central government since 1991 and has been riven by fighting between Islamist insurgents and government troops.
Somaliland has declared itself independent while Puntland has semi-autonomous status. Both areas run their own own affairs.
