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UN envoy calls for establishing special security zone in Somali capital

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MOGADISHU, 23 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Faced with such phenomenon, the UN special envoy to Somalia, Ahmadou Ould Abdallah, has recommended the creation of a high security green zone in Mogadishu just like the one in Baghdad. It is aimed at repatriating all organizations who work on Somalia from Nairobi, Kenya.

However, the setting up of such mechanism is giving rise to problems.

Islamist insurgents continue to be very active. Fighting against government forces in southwest of the country killed at least 17 people on Monday.

On Sunday [20 September], Al-Shabab called for more suicide against AMISOM [African Union Mission in Somalia] just like the one that occurred on Thursday in Mogadishu killing 21 including 17 African Union soldiers.

Obstacles facing setting up of green security zone in Mogadishu is very limited.

While a good number of opposition parties were loudly calling for the return of Burundian soldiers in the African Union peace force – Amisom [African Union Mission in Somalia] – the day before yesterday, during the funereal service for 12 Burundian soldiers killed in Somalia yesterday, First Vice-President Yves Sahinguvu announced that the Burundian government can only withdraw its troops after the latter will have completed their mission. On behalf of the government, he said the soldiers’ death has not caused any discouragement.

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In a speech at the burial of the soldiers, the African Union (UA) representative to Somalia, Mr Nicolas Bwakira, suggested a review of the mandate of the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia (Amisom). According to him, the time has come to review Amisom’s mandate, meaning give the force the power to act when necessary because to this day, the Amisom forces have only had the right to defend themselves. He also suggested that the soldiers be given sufficient equipment to best undertake their mission.

It is finally worth recalling that the Amisom contingent is only composed of Burundian and Ugandan soldiers who add up to 5,000 men against the 8,000 anticipated at beginning of the mission in 2007 according to officials.

For two years, the Shebab and its allies such as Hezb al-Islam focused their war effort against Ethiopian troops. But after the Ethiopians pulled out of Somalia in January, the militias have made the African peacekeeping force AMISOM their target, accusing them of being the foreguard of a Christian crusade.

AMISOM has found itself drawn into the conflict, often exchanging heavy mortar fire with rebel militias targeting its bases from densely populated urban areas.

While the Shebab is believed to enjoy only limited support in the Somali population, the civilian casualties caused by AMISOM fire have all but dashed that force’s own hopes of building local credibility.

By Abdinasir Mohamed
Somalilandpress
Mogadishu, Somalia
Email: abdinasir4@gmail.com
Mogadishu-Somalia

Cleric says Somalis trained by Al-Shabab back in Australia

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MOGADISHU, 23 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – In an interview with Australian radio a religious scholar says young Somali-Australians who have gone to Somalia to fight with the terrorist group Al-Shabab have returned and are living in Australia. The terrorism raids in Melbourne last month focused attention on the issue of radicalization in the Somali community.

Islamic scholar Dr Hersi Hilole says Somali community leaders are worried about the situation and their children. National security correspondent Matt Brown reports.

[Brown] When the federal government added the Somali Islamist group Al-Shabab to its list of banned terrorist organizations last month, it cited a string of bombings in East Africa and alleged links to Al-Qa’idah. Usamah Bin-Ladin has even called on Muslims from around the world to join Al-Shabab’s fight against Somalia’s Western-backed government.

[Hilole] Al-Shabab is well known terrorist organization. Anyone who joins them can’t get out from them and whoever tries to get out from them will be killed.

[Brown] Somali-born Islamic scholar Hersi Hilole has been monitoring perceptions of Al-Shabab in the Australian Somali community. He says he has spoken to the parents of young men who have gone to fight in Somalia and who have come home to live in Australia.

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[Hilole] Some of the parents told me that some young people came back from Somalia.

[Brown] Dr Hilole says these parents don’t know what to do about their ongoing concerns about their own offspring.

[Hilole] Some of them are worried because they think if the government knows this they will be persecuted, maybe. And some others think well they may also still be associated with these extremist groups.

[Brown] So even their parents aren’t sure?

[Hilole] Yes, even their parents aren’t sure the future of these young people.

[Brown] Hersi Hilole first raised the alarm about the radicalization of young Somali Australians back in 2007 when he was head of the Somali Community Council of Australia.

[Hilole] Because these young people dropped from the school, they are not working, so these religious people or religious teachers encourage them to go to war, rather than spending their time here.

[Brown] There are even suspicions these preachers are actually facilitators who smooth the path to jihad.

[Hilole] Sometimes they encourage them and provide them money and some other facilities that helps them to travel from here and there and so on.

[Brown] The claims against the alleged Melbourne terror cell are yet to be tested in court, but the episode has focused attention on broader concern in the Somali community that a small number of young men, brought up in families fractured by conflict, have lost their way.

[Hilole] They are worried about their sons because these young people are free now. Parents, especially mothers, do not have any control on them. Australian law provides freedom [for] these young people.

[Brown] Federal Police agents have had background contacts with the community and ASIO [Australian Security Intelligence Organization] has a close eye on several mosques. But the government didn’t comment about concerns that young men who may still be allied to Al-Shabab have returned from Somalia to Australia.

By Abdinasir Mohamed
Somalilandpress
Mogadishu-Somalia

Somaliland Parliament Approves Impeachment Motion

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HARGEISA, 22 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Somaliland Parliament had finally managed to hold its session today at around noon after it was delayed because of lack of the required number of the MPs for the session.

Upon the opening of the session MPs discussed the latest motion which calls the government’s impeachment. The Parliament finally approved the motion and said they will discuss the issue during tomorrow’s session.

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More to the news will be available soon.

Role of the Media in Somaliland Elections – New report published

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HARGEISA, 22 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – A report examining the role of the media in the upcoming Somaliland elections in the light of lessons learned from Kenya, has been published in September 2009.

The report explores issues of media policy during post-election violence. We examine the case of Kenya, where 1,133 people were killed after the 2007 elections, to distill lessons for Somaliland’s upcoming elections. There are indications the elections in Somaliland will be highly contentious and that the media will have an important role in either exacerbating or alleviating political violence.

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The intended audience for this report is journalists and policymakers in Somaliland as well as concerned international observers. We also expect that the issues drawn out here will be relevant for other countries in the region that are grappling with upcoming elections that have the potential of being highly contentious.

Click Here to download the report: Role of the Media in Somaliland Elections-11_0

Somaliland: Guurti Postpone "Extension" Motion

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HARGEISA, 22 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – In today’s session, the House of Eleders of Somaliland discusses the issue of saving the nation and a possible extension for the current government.

The chairman of the house, Mr. Sulaiman Mohamoud Aden said in a long opening speech that the members of the house should discuss the current issues of Somaliland but should not fight over different opinions from different members. He said a clean and constructive debate is all what is needed but he warned against any insults, abuse and breaking the laws.

He called the Somaliland leaders not to badmouth the members of the house and they should adhere to the country’s bylaws as well as that of their own parties. Mr. Suleiman said a common agreement is needed among the parties before the Guurti announces a decision to save the nation from a possible chaos and destruction.

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The session was quiet today compared to the last one which some members fought over argument concerning the current crisis in the country. The press was also present as usual.

At the end of the session, the Guurti agreed to postpone the discussion of a possible extension for the current government. The members said they will start the discussion tomorrow.

On the other hand, the parliament fails to hold its today’s session due to lack of the number required for the session to start. Most of UDUB members did not show up at the house although they are seen in the compound. The Somalilandpress reporter at the parliament houses said he has seen the members loyal to the government available at the compound not attending the session.

The parliament was supposed to discuss a possible impeachment of the current government today. It seems that it is not happening today as the session did not take place as planned.

Somalilandpress will bring you more into the current Somaliland issues as it happens.

An Open Letter: Mr. President Stay the course with Fortitude

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HARGEISA, 20 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – A short while ago, I came across a recent open letter, by Mr. Bashir Goth, to your Excellency, urging you to resign. Mr. Goth is an accomplished journalist with a commendable and venerable record of being a stalwart proponent of Somaliland’s cause. His arguments in the letter were characteristically powerful and articulately presented. But I beg to disagree with his advice your to your Excellency.

Unlike Mr. Goth, I am not your cousin, though to me, that does not matter one way or another. Like Mr. Goth, I would also like to congratulate you for maintaining peace and stability in the country amid a dangerous neighborhood and at treacherous times. I would as well refrain from cataloging neither your successes nor your shortfalls. However, I can say with certainty that, in the least, you have been true to the medical doctor’s motto: Do No Harm.

For the record, I am not one of “your inner-circle … kitchen cabinet”; not even one in government, past or present. Usually, there is nothing wrong with kitchen cabinets – all leaders, good or bad, have them. The danger is when their leader allows them, by design or by default, to build “fortified walls around” him and then they proceed to tell him only what they think he wants to hear. Mr. Goth suggests that you might have succumbed to just a trap.

However, as one who, like Mr. Goth, had the “vantage point of being an outside observer”, and additionally, from my frequent and mostly extended visits to our homeland, the privilege of being a first hand witness of Somaliland’s political dynamics, I have learned that it is nearly impossible for anyone, even the President, despite the best efforts of architects of “fortified walls”, not “to see the cracks on the wall.”

For Somalilanders Khat and politics are their pastimes. They are too thunderous in expressing their opinions. Only the deaf and dumb could fail to hear them. The mushrooming press, especially the print section, could be counted on to sensationalize and exaggerate problems, both real and imagined. Moreover, they more often than not level a fair amount of breathtaking, farfetched, intriguing (and sometimes, admittedly, fair and accurate) allegations of every hue and type against those in power, their inner-circle entourages and occasionally even family members.

When crowds, whether rowdy or civil, gather outside the presidential palace, I do not see how anyone inside could not hear their utterances. At any rate, it is not a big palace and it is located at the capital’s main artery. And the two legislative houses, the Guurti and the parliament, many of whose members are known for their not entirely constructive criticisms and polite discretions when in disagreement, operate directly just across the street.

During the most recent presidential tour of some regions, I had the opportunity to attend one or two of your town-street meetings and rallies; not as a supporter or as a detractor, but as an ordinary and impartial citizen who was just curious to see his country’s democracy at work. It was easy to notice that these were not henchmen-orchestrated gatherings with only dotting supporters as your audience.

I observed with amazement and not without certain amusement, as some prominent members of the public not only openly and without mincing their words, chastised you for your policies, but also pointed fingers and named name at various members of your government (mostly those considered to be in your “inner-circle”) as fellow culprits. If, as Mr. Goth asserts, “all you hear and see is what happens in the four walls of your palace when all the reports and stories that reach your desk tell you that everything is fine and that people still glorify you” then these rallies must have been shocking and inexplicable aberrations to you. In real dictatorships, such aberrations would have called for some heads to roll.

Notwithstanding, my reluctance to either defend or accuse (for lack of hard evidence to justify either choice) “your kitchen cabinet”, it would seem to me as formidable feat if they have succeeded, as Mr. Goth fears, in plugging your ears.

Mr. Goth thinks that seven years is too long to be the holder of the nation’s highest office. I propose to differ. To start with, our constitution allows two elected presidential terms totaling ten years and you are short of that number. Besides, two force majeure events contributed to these seven years: First, the death of late President Egal, upon which the constitution obligated you, as the sitting vice president at the time, to assume the presidency; and, second, the postponement of the presidential elections scheduled at the end of your first term. Neither of these events occurred through a fault of yours.

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Assuming that you will win a second term when the elections eventually take place, you will have been legally in power for 12 or 13 years. What is the big deal about this? No provision of the constitution was violated.

If, on the other hand, you attempted to hold on to the presidency after the end of a potential second term, or failed to transfer power in the event that you had lost a second term in an election, that would be, God forbid, an entirely different matter. Let us hope, friend or foe alike, that you would not have the inanity to attempt committing such a horrendous folly.

At any rate, the leaders of the two opposition parties can not claim to have any better sense of proportion with regards to the appropriate tenure at the helm. Both parties’ chairmen held their top posts since their parties’ inceptions more than seven years ago and have abundantly shown unnerving tendencies to thwart any challenges from within their respective parties to their leadership; not exactly a reassuring democratic spirit.

Then, there is Mr. Goth’s point about the national treasury. I detect here an inadvertent insinuation that it is acceptable for the government leaders use the treasury as their personal piggy bank. I must concede that misuse of public funds is a universal and timeless scourge and, as distasteful as it is, Somaliland had and inevitably will have its share of this curse. Even if we can not totally eliminate this corruption, we should exert all efforts to at least reduce it. Certainly, we must not encourage it.

Now, changing our leaders at short and regular intervals solely to feed “hungry opposition leaders” sets a dangerous precedent that will lead us into an abyss. It would formalize and encourage corruption. Being or rather pleading to be “hungry” would be one of the prerequisites of being an aspiring national leader, perhaps the main qualification! He would need to be very hungry and much hungrier than other also hungry politicians to have the first and quickest shot at the presidency.

Even if we, against all sagacity, were to legitimize public sleaze and nosh “hungry leaders” with power, lest they incite “hungry public” to violence, we must in the least employ some common sense in managing the beast. We must require long intermissions between the nourishment of one hungry leader and the next. This is because it takes more food to fill an empty stomach than one already reasonably satisfied needing just dessert. This will, with a bit of luck, free some crumbs of the treasury to be used for what was its original purpose. As an added advantage, it will, due to the imposed long waiting period, discourage many politicians from easily deciding to go hungry and thereby resulting in less incitement of the hungry public.

I am convinced, however, that legitimization and regularization of plundering of national treasury and rewarding politicians with being hungry as their only qualifications were not the intentional embodiment of Mr. Goth’s advice.

On the other hand Mr. President, if anyone (and I trust Mr. Goth is no such one) is accusing you or members of your government with misapprobation of public funds, one must come forward with the necessary evidence. If proven, that would be sufficient grounds for your resignation or failing that, your impeachment. Infamy, not dignity, will be the essence of either outcome.

However, my main contentions with Mr. Goth’s advice are with the assumptions cited by him to support his counsel. Some of these suppositions are, in my humble opinion, unfounded and therefore Mr. Goth might have fallen a victim of unscrupulous doomsday mongers. And while I would go along with some of his other assumptions, I would not agree that your resignation, Mr. President, is the best remedy.

I have an issue with the characterization of Somaliland as “tribal house of cards” which is facing “imminent collapse”. Sure, Somaliland is a multi-tribal country and admittedly its politics is mired to an undesirably significant extent in tribal affiliations. True, some politicians “use the conventional explosive tools of tribalism, poverty and ignorance” to their political ends. Tribalism, both its good and bad facets, has been with us since time immemorial. We can not wish it away.

But after having – during my frequent and extended stays in the country ¬- a hard, extensive and critical look at its tribal dynamics, I am sufficiently convinced that Somaliland is mercifully past the time when serious and destructive tribal conflict can erupt to an extent that will threaten the existence of the country or its general peace and stability or even democratic devolopment. If “hungry politicians” are entertaining (without just cause – and selfish personal ambition is not a just cause) any illusion that “the hungry public can be easily incited to rise against” their current or a future government, they will be unpleasantly disappointed.

Many a comment have I heard on self-proclaimed leaders with foreign passports and families tucked away in safety and comfort in foreign lands, who do not possess any qualms about inciting unsuspecting brethren to violence to advance their political careers.
People know that if the worse comes to worst, these politicians will not waste a moment to exercise their personal exit strategies. They will turn their tails in no time to share their families’ safety and comfort abroad. People realize that they will be the ones left to face the music.

Those who are in doubt of this wide-spread public sentiment need not do more than just walk the streets of towns across the country and talk to cross-section of citizens of varying social status, clan allegiances or political preferences. One will find out that the electorate is, on whole, smarter than what many greed-blinded politicians are willing to give credit for.

No, Mr. Goth, with all due respect, your fear of the “imminent collapse of the impoverished, unrecognized and tribal house”, whether made of “cards” or granite has no credible basis. I even perceive a steady diminishment of tribalism in our national psychology.

Those who wish Somaliland ill have dreams to the contrary and they cite the current election crisis and recent unfamiliar government-parliament dispute as indicative. I would say to them: Hold your breath and do not celebrate just as yet. These are the inevitable pains of teething of our democracy. Worse things happen to more mature democracies with limitless resources. Somaliland will overcome this hump as it did many before it.

I am inclined to be more in agreement where the modus opparandi of the two main opposition leaders is concerned. One seems to me rather too advanced in age and too fragile in health to persevere in his quest of the presidency. Perhaps this is the source of his apparent impatience. Like everyone who is in haste, he often stumbles and not only in physical terms. A person of his of age, stature and past contributions to the nation would have been well advised to forgo politics, a course of action that would have deservedly assured him the mantle of a national statesman – an icon of sorts.

The other is notable to me as one who tends to shoot from the hip; as one who, in the traditions of Wild West, shoots first and asks questions later; at least in as far as his public utterances are concerned. This is, in my opinion, a cardinal liability to any politician, especially one aspiring to be president, for utterances and appearances are decisive for achieving such a goal.

As national leaders, both appear to be oblivious to the consequences of their public remarks. At times they have appealed to the darker instincts of their supporters to advance their agendas. In more developed countries, that would have been called sedition. Their positions on policies and public issues are not always consistent and occasionally contradictions emerge between the beginning and the end of the same single policy statement or the same single interview with a journalist.

Though it is their duty as opposition to monitor and bring the government to book if at fault, they tend to give little or no credence to what the qualifying “at fault” means. To them all and everything the government does is “at fault”. Unfortunately this is not a responsible attitude and rather a miscarriage of the indispensable roles and duties of opposition as practiced in democracies.

What, however, caused me unexpected disappointment and dismay, is both leaders’ habitual penchant to enlist the international community to their side whatever issue disagreements with the government crop up. Sometimes they are not beneath going as far as urging donors and sympathetic governments or organizations to withhold aid to Somaliland until a new government is formed, presumably under the leadership of the one or the other who is making the appeal at time. This, in my view, gets too close to treachery for comfort.

Whenever I hear this, the successive phony and puppet presidents who are installed in foreign capitals at regular intervals and then transplanted in Mogadishu come to mind. As if it were a divine call, they one after another placed (as continues the incumbent) more, perhaps all, importance and efforts at earning the good graces and acceptance of foreigners, rather than winning the minds and hearts of their own countrymen. The result was their countrymen consistently rejected them and none of them lasted long. It is not a major problem for the foreigners; they could always install a new president and there is no shortage of eager candidates. But the amazing thing is none of these presidents learned the obvious lessons from the experiences of his predecessors.

I am afraid that our two opposition leaders are likewise oblivious to these lessons.

The electorate is free to elect one or the other as president in the coming election. That is indisputably the electorate’s prerogative. What would be unfortunate, however, is if you, Mr. President, yield — by abdicating your duty to the nation — to their misguided pressures and unbecoming tactics only to gratify their egos and antics.

Mr. Goth quotes the saying, “Sometimes you have to let go to see if there was anything worth holding on to.” On the contrary, Somaliland is worthwhile holding on to, Mr. President. Furthermore, these are not times to engage in social and political experimentations; the kind of “do-this-and-see-how-it-plays-out actions whose consequences are not well considered. You assumed the presidency through legitimate and constitutional process. It is your duty to vacate it through the same legitimacy and constitutional process. If you tire of government, you can always choose retire on your own free will. In such an event, the constitution automatically comes into play through its succession provisions. Any other unconstitutional departure from your duties as President, especially where “hungry politicians” are involved, runs the risk of weakening the constitutional process and an important national institution namely: The Office of the Presidency.

In the meantime, continue to serve the country and uphold the constitution to the best of your ability as per your solemn oath. Remember this vow is registered with God, to Whom you will eventually face to answer for any deviation from (or betrayal of) it.

This in the least means good, accountable and transparent governance. It means an administration run by capable hands and minds as well as honest advisors. It means building and consolidating effective and independent national institutions. Leaders come and go, but institutions stay.

As a human being, you may err, but when and if you do, do not sweep it under the rug. Instead face up to it and rectify it. If the identification of an error comes from the opposition, thank them for bring it to your attention and rectify it nonetheless.

If you have no problems with above, STAY THE COURSE MR. PRESIDENT, until and unless the electorate tells you to go in the ballot box or the constitution bars you from staying.

Ahmed I. Hassan
ahmedihass@hotmail.com

Please Save the Nation

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HARGEISA, 20 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Conflict and dispute are part of life. There is no society, community or country which does not experience conflict at some time or another as part of daily interactions. Therefore it is not surprise that conflict arises when people are engaged in competition to meet goals which are perceived to be, or are in fact, incompatible. Whether a conflict becomes physically and emotionally damaging or leads to growth and productivity depends on how it is managed and resolved.

Having said that Somaliland is not an exception and it is part of our growing democracy and development that a dispute arises at any given period of time, but the one million question is: Do we need a conflict at this time which leads to destruction and instability or we need to learn conflict resolution measures? It is clear that our political deadlock and disputes must be resolved and agreement must be found or a compromise worked out. Somaliland is built on these two things-compromise and agreement-which are surely what all somalilanders are proud of and what distinguishes our country from many parts of Africa.

We know that conflicts do not simply erupt, rather they develop through various stages and in each of these stages certain factors contribute to the possiblity of conflict. It was the delay of the elections which is and was the real root of our dispute, this lead to the bigger dispute between the government and the election commission aside and the political parties which led to the expulsion of Interpeace from the country. The situation deteroriated when the memebers of our parlaiment unfortunately,took guns and pointed pistols on each others face. This barbaric and evil act of educated Mps in an elected house is something shameful to our country and to our people and it surely put things in another face. My point is not to tell what was right and what was wrong because now it is forgone conclusion and only a fool looks back and cries over spilt milk, while a wise man thinks for the future and what lies beyond it.

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Honourable president, leaders of opposition parties, the election commission and the two houses-elders and the parlaiment- you are a sample and the young generation surely will take the path you took. If you take a very dark path the young generation and those who will born will curse you and say bad things about you. On the other hand if you lead us towards understanding, compromise and forgiveness you will be thanked not only by the people but by the dignity of humanity and by the loved land-Somaliland. Should you therefore understand each other’s position accurately, and become willing to discuss your disputes, resolve the conflict regardless of your disagreements the nation will be saved otherwise it is clear that we are taking the wrong path. You must come to the negotiating table and try to reach mutually satisfying solutions which of course you can, but it is if your become Real Men, not Male but Men. This country doesn’t need another bloodshed war, evacaution and refugees. We are tired of wars, poverty, ignorance, Diseases and Backwardness. We have enough experience of fighting and disturbances, instability and disagreement. If you remember back 20 years ago, you could have stamped yourselves “GUILTY” for fighting against what you fought for, but I know that it is difficult for you to look back and read the history, because simply you don’t care what is happening.

We are a population of three and half million, therefore killing one innocent person means killing of those numbers, because I am sure that all of us will suffer from the pain of the mistakes of one person or many and we will be the victims. The somali proverb says ” Inta nabadi joogtaa ninba laba nin leegyahay” when there is peace, everyman is just as proud and as strong as two men, but when conflict and war happen-Allah may not bring it Insha Allah- each man becomes tinier than an ant, so weak and ill.
Let us understand each other for we are muslims and brothers and please let us Fear Allah because he told us that Killing and Conflict are the actions of shaytan-the devil.

Let me underline the techniques of conflict resolution which may be applicable to our situation, and mind you this is not from my bocket but it is internationally observed techniques which helped settle many problems worldwide.

1. The conflict must be clearly defined.
2. All concerned or affected must understand it.
3. Mediators must look for “win-win” where all parties to the conflict feel that they have gained something.
4.Mediators and the politicians must act at the right time before things get worse.
5.Finally, the results must be checked out and the agreement must be fully introduced and applied.

Last but not the least, We as civilians are so worried about our wrong actions and disputes and we are requesting that all politicians focus on shared needs and goals and let their differences and interests aside and reach a joint decision. Any one who have seen the drought and lack of water in the country,will not argue this time but he/she would begin saving the nation. Somaliland needs positive thinkers who can fulfill their mission and not selfish leaders who only see their interest and care nothing. To save our nation, medatiors must strive for a win-win negotiating strategy so that all parties can be satisfied with the outcome. My last words goes to politicians who are misleading the innocent civilians: Please respect our people, land and territory. We shall not accept from you any wrong doings rather we shall act jointly and tell who is wrong, and remember that Allah is watching you and you will be judged of your own doings and killing innocent people. Fear Allah and for his sake save the nation and let us not go back to the dark ages.

Ahmed Mohamoud Elmi (shawqi)
shawqi04@hotmail.com
Sana’a R.O.Y

Somaliland: Police Arrest Suspects in Lasanod

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HARGEISA, 19 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Two men were arrested in a mosque in Lasanod, the capital city of Sool region in Somaliland. Them men were wearing women’s clothes and praying in the women’s section in the main mosque in the town.

It is not known the reason why those men were hiding among women covering their bodies with Hijab. The police said the two men are being investigated by the security forces in the region.

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This is the firs of its kind in the region and it was the main issue among the population in Lasanod.

In the other hand, the region’s security forces have been put in high alert after letters were found in some streets of Lasanod warning the Somaliland government and showing support to Alshabab militia based in Somalia.

The police in Lasanod increased their operations against criminals as many people were robbed off their mobile phones during the evenings. Police confirms to Somalilandpress that a number of robbers were arrested in the city over the last few days.

Daallo D:3100 Makes Emergency Landing in Athens

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HARGEISA, 19 September 2009 (Somaliland press) – Daallo airline spokesman says a technical problem forced the pilot to make an emergency landing in Athens without any problem.

The company says passengers were taking to the hotels and they will resume their flights the following day.

Daallo said the airline was arranging for another aircraft so passengers could continue their trip to Djibouti on their way to Hargeisa and other destinations.

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It is  happening the kind of the problem but some local media reported that the plane has been crashed. which is totaly untrue.

Mr. Munir, the company’s manager says Flight D3100 had 80 passengers and crew and all passangers are in ethens now.

Daallo said the airline was arranging for another aircraft so passengers could continue their trip to Djibouti on their way to Hargeisa.

Somalilandpress

Somaliland President: Step Down Gracefully or Disgracefully

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HARGEISA, 19 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Almost a decade ago, in 2002 after President Ibrahim Mohammed Igal passed away, many political analysts predicted that no way will Somaliland honour its constitution and sworn the vice president Dahir Riyale Kahin in as the third president without bloodshed. Never! It was unthinkable for such a smooth transition to unfold, at least not in corrupted Africa and, of course, not in war-ravaged Somaliland.

He didn’t stand a chance against the contenders from the dominant tribe. For one thing, he hails from one of the smaller tribes. For another, his lack of education and leadership skills posed a formidable challenge for him. However, his painless transition to lead vulnerable and fragile Somaliland surprised the critics and shook the deep-seeded tribal doctrine that blurred our vision for centuries (even the educated elite are not immune to tribalism). A brief introduction to President Dahir Riyale Kahin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahir_Riyale_Kahin

Not only was the transition smooth, but also Mr. Kahin was elected in 2003. In other words, Mr. Kahin was the first Somaliland president who won free, fair, and transparent election, despite the election fiasco of 2003. See this article: “Somaliland: A Democratic State In East Africa, Or A Tinderbox Waiting To Explode?” http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2008/312/78.shtml

Because of his laconic speech, no one predicted that the silent President Dahir Riyale Kahin will become a small bone stuck in Somaliland’s throat seven years later. Now critics argue: by the ballet or the bullet Mr. Kahin will neither relinquish nor compromise power. But overwhelmingly, Somalilanders want change—a new robust government with a charismatic leader (one that isn’t born yet). So they demand: Mr. Kahin to either bow out gracefully or take a hike disgracefully.

History will judge Mr. Kahin from different angels and for different reasons. His legacy could either send Somaliland to an abyss, or lead it to recognition. Many of us who supported him initially—including me—are now chagrined by his dirty, manipulative, and selfish politics.

From a smooth transition to a painful eviction from office, Mr. Kahin perhaps asks himself: should I be a ruthless dictator who pulverizes Somaliland to dust, or a memorable leader who takes the high road at the height of Somaliland’s political crossroad? But is he as villain as portrayed?

Despite the unwavering opposition to Mr. Kahin’s regime few doubt some of his notable achievements. Neither the first Somaliland president Abdirahman Ahmed Ali (Tuur), nor its second one Ibrahim Mohammed Igal governed the country completely. Both presidents established the foundation of Somaliland. However, the internal security of the county and its armed forces were in shambles during Somaliland’s first and second president’s era. People carried guns on the streets at will. Tribal skirmishing was common.

On the other hand, today Mr. Kahin is in charge of the entire country with the exception of few remote small towns and villages. Additionally, from coast to coast, Somaliland is secure. Somaliland security and armed forces are some of the most disciplined forces in Africa. And despite Somaliland coast guards’ meagre budget, they have successfully repelled Somali pirates trespassing into Somaliland’s territorial waters.

To top it up, if Mr. Kahin doesn’t send Somaliland down the drain, he will be remembered as the president who humiliated Somaliland adversaries in the battle fields. Repeatedly, from 2004 to 2007 his forces launched aggressive and impressive pre-emptive strikes against both terrorists and invading Puntland militias. Somaliland adversaries were rounded up like wild horses.

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In fact, because Mr. Kahin continuously trained and equipped his forces, Puntland could not keep up with him. In essence, his military build-up coupled with his painstaking diplomacy towards Sool region’s conflict bankrupted Puntland administration. Similarly, in a conventional warfare, Somaliland forces could annihilate Alshabaab terrorists swiftly and devastatingly. Today, Mr. Kahin’s forces patrol far more territory than anyone ever imagined. These are the undeniable achievements of Mr. Kahin. But his opponents argue what he has accomplished is trivial compare to what the country has lost since he took office.

His downside is not limited to unabated human rights violation, corruption, and looting public funds. Read Somaliland regime: “Hostages to Peace” documentary by Human Rights Watch http://www.hrw.org/en/node/84296/section/9 Economically, the country went downhill during Mr. Kahin’s term. But is he alone in this flagrant self-enriching scheme?

Of course not! He may take all the blame, but some of the notorious gangs in his junta regime—the most loathed cliques—include the Minster of Finance Hussein Ali Duale (Awil)—the man behind the scene, the Interior Minster Abdillahi Ismail (Irro), the Public Works Minister Saeed Sulub, and some of the ruling party UDUB members. Some members even carry guns in the parliament and don’t hesitate to draw their weapons, if need be. At least one gun-totting MP—the UDUB gunman—didn’t conceal his intension to use it during a heated parliamentarian debate last month. Equally, Mr. Kahin’s inept vice president Mr. Ahmed Yusuf Yasin, a religious man by name but a scandalous politician by nature, is guilty of the current crises. Just like Mr. Kahin, Mr. Yasin hardly has any education never mind leadership skills. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Yusuf_Yasin

Mr. Kahin, once fairly a popular president, his public support vanished years ago. Hardly anyone else except his three zealot ministers and incompetent vice president defend the president. And their best line of defense is: anyone who criticizes Mr. Kahin has something against his tribe—a cheap shot indeed.

Shockingly, the opposition parties KULMIYE and UCID leaders, Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo and Mr. Faysal Ali Warabe are equally threat to Somaliland as much as the ruling party is a menace to society. In reality, their lack of unified front against UDUB party transformed Mr. Kahin from a comprising leader to an autocrat and risked Somaliland’s existence. Mr. Silanyo and Mr. Warabe demonstrated their infectiveness as an opposition leaders; one wonders about their performances as presidents.

And there isn’t a shred of evidence or indication whatsoever that if either Mr. Silanyo or Mr. Warabe takes office the country will be in better shape. To the contrary, in fact, many people fear if either of them wins election Somaliland forces may not maintain their strong grip on the country. Security may deteriorate. See brief introductions of Mr. Silanyo and Mr. Warabe: http://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somaliland_Leaders and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faysal_Ali_Warabe

Meanwhile, although most of the MPs are from the opposition parties, a number of MPs are on Mr. Kahin’s payroll and this explains why it is impossible to impeach him. During a recent interview with the BBC, Mr. Silanyo chastised Mr. Kahin for corrupting the MPs.

Also, Dr. Mohamed-Rashid Sheikh Hassan,UCID Vice President Candidate, sheds light on how the MPs that supposed to serve the interest of their country are now the subservient of Mr. Kahin. Dr. Hassan states, “Although the majority of the MPs as well as the joint chairmanship of the parliament belong to the opposition parties, Kulmiye and UCID, nevertheless often they have never been able to articulate meaningful proposals that reflect the policies of the parties they represent in the parliament nor the grand national interest. Whenever they take initiatives in that direction, in most cases, they fail largely due to the manipulation and the interference of the government through bribes and political threats.” http://somalilandpress.com/8424/besieging-the-parliament-and-the-assault-on-somaliland-democracy/

Additionally, few years ago when Mr. Kahin extended the Guurti’s (the House of Elders or the Upper Chamber) term to another four years, Somalilanders knew when Mr. Kahin is in crises many of the Guurti members will return some favours. Some have kept their promises. (If you scratch my back, I will scratch yours.)

The untold truth is: the same hypocrites that shed crocodile tears for Somaliland and how Mr. Kahin ruined it keep him on life support and accept bribes from him.

In short, Mr. Kahin’s chances of winning the upcoming election are next to nil. His greed simply ruined his political career. In fact, his UDUB party is doomed, much less win an election. That is, if Mr. Kahin does not step down peacefully, he will leave office disgracefully and so will his party UDUB.

Don’t get me wrong. It is within Mr. Kahin’s right to compete for the presidential election, but he cannot continue to hog power after September 27, 2009. Enough is enough!

Despite the ominous clouds hovering over Somaliland, the majority of its people are optimistic that their wisdom will prevail again. Repeatedly, the noble citizens of the North [Somaliland] have demonstrated their voracious appetite for achieving peace. It is the pride of Somaliland patriots that at the height of crises, everybody rushes to the negotiation tables—not to the battle fields. Truly, the people of Somaliland are natural-born pacifists. As history will attest, the current crises too will pass peacefully. And Somaliland—an extraordinary nation of mediators and peacemakers—will press ahead.

Dalmar Kaahin
dalmar_k@yahoo.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