HARGEISA, 15 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – The Somaliland parliament resumes its normal sessions today with the presence of 70 MPs. Today’s session which was chaired by the parliament speaker, Mr. Abdirahman Irro was attended by a large number of Somaliland traditional leaders who have been mediating between the two sides.
The parliament said they have only two days left for their extra-ordinary session. The speaker said they will vote if they should go for a month holiday or make an extension to their session. After the voting, 36 members voted in favour of the extension while 32 others voted for the holiday. The speaker did not vote.
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The speaker then informed the MPs that the traditional leaders asked the parliament to halt their sessions for two days in order to finalize the mediation process which the MPs agreed.
In his opening speech, the parliament speaker condemned the government of not letting the press cover their sessions. He said the press should be allowed to attend the parliament sessions as they have to right to exercise their freedom and serve the nation.
The press was then allowed to go inside and cover the news from the parliament.
Hargeisa, Somaliland (SomalilandPress) – The leaders of Somaliland’s opposition parties visited those who were injured during the recent protests at Hargeisa hospital today.
The Opposition leaders, Mr. Siilaanyo and Eng. Faisal spent several hours with the injured civilians and their families. They said most of them are wounded because of gunshots. They also provided some financial assistance to the patients.
The visit which came after three days when the incident happened is believed to be one of the opposition’s cards to gain the people’s support during the expected elections. In a brief press conference during the visit, the leaders called the government of releasing those who were arrested during the protest.
Government officials did not visit those who were injured during the violent demonstrations on Saturday. The oppositioin leaders said it is against the Somaliland’s constitution to arrest people because of demonstration as they were supporting democracy in the country.
AFTER almost two decades as a failed state torn by civil war, perhaps the world should begin to admit that Somalia – as currently constructed – is beyond repair.
Some of the country, however, can meet at least a basic standard of governance. The northernmost region, Somaliland, situated at the opening to the Red Sea and home to roughly 3.5 million of Somalia’s ten million people, is more or less autonomous and stable.
But this stability fuels fears that Somaliland’s people will activate the declaration of independence they adopted in 1991.
At the end of September, Somaliland will hold its third presidential election. Unlike many developing countries, it will welcome foreign observers to oversee the elections, though, unfortunately, most Western countries and agencies will stay away, lest their presence be seen as legitimising Somaliland’s de facto government.
But Somaliland’s strategic position near the world’s major oil-transport routes, now plagued by piracy, and chaos in the country’s south, means that independence should no longer be dismissed out of hand.
Indeed, following a fact-finding mission in 2007, a consensus is emerging within the European Union that an African Union (AU) country should be the first to recognise Somaliland’s independence.
A 2005 report by Patrick Mazimhaka, a former AU deputy chairman pointed out that the union in 1960 between Somaliland and Somalia, following the withdrawal of the colonial powers (Britain and Italy), was never formally ratified.
Ethiopia is the obvious candidate to spearhead recognition, given its worries about jihadi unrest within Somalia. Moreover, landlocked Ethiopia uses Somaliland’s port of Berbera extensively. Yet Ethiopia may hesitate, owing to its fears that formally recognising Somaliland’s independence could undermine Somalia’s fragile, western-backed transitional federal government (TFG). But, as Somalia’s new president, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, is a former head of the Islamic Courts, Ethiopia may choose the status quo in Somaliland over the dream of stabilising Somalia.
The key regional obstacle to recognition is Saudi Arabia, which not only objects to the secular, democratic model promoted by Somaliland, but is also a strong ally of Somalia, which is a member of the Arab League (despite not being Arab) and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. Saudi Arabia supports the TFG financially and politically. Saudi pressure on Somaliland has ranged from banning livestock imports to threatening to reject the Somaliland passports of Hajj pilgrims.
When Somaliland’s people vote at the end of the month, they will not be deciding explicitly on secession, but their steady effort at state building does amplify their claims to independence. So it is high time for diplomats and statesmen to provide some guidelines as to when and in what circumstances secession is likely to be acceptable.
Does any self-selected group anywhere have the right to declare independence? If so, the richest parts of any country could decide to go it alone, thus impoverishing their fellow citizens. Even if greed is ruled out as an acceptable motive, in favour of traditional ethno-cultural nationalism, a profusion of tiny tribal states might make the world far more unstable.
Thus clear principles are needed, as neither self-determination nor the inviolability of national borders can be treated as sacrosanct in every case.
So let me attempt to outline some basic principles: no outside forces should either encourage or discourage secession, and the barriers for recognising secession should be set high. Secession is in itself neither good nor bad: like divorce, it may make people more or less content.
A declaration of independence should be recognised only if a clear majority (well over 50 per cent-plus-one of the voters) have freely chosen it.
The new state must guarantee that any minorities it drags along – say, Russians in the Baltic states, or Serbs in Kosovo – will be decently treated. Secessionists should have a reasonable claim to being a national group that, preferably, enjoyed stable self-government in the past on the territory they claim. Nations need not be ethnically based; few are entirely. But most nations are unified by language, a shared history of oppression, or some other force of history.
On this, admittedly subjective, measure, Somaliland qualifies as a nation. It was briefly independent (for five days) in 1960 after the British withdrawal, before throwing in its lot with the formerly Italian south, a decision its people have regretted ever since. In this brief period, 35 countries, including Egypt, Israel, and the five permanent members of the Security Council, recognised Somaliland diplomatically.
Given the interests of all the world’s great powers in stabilising the Horn of Africa, there does seem to be movement toward accepting Somaliland’s claims and it could be a force for stability and good governance in an otherwise hopeless region.
HARGEISA, 14 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – At least two helicopters belong to foreign troops attacked a convoy near Roobow village in southern Somalia. The convoy which was believed to consist of Alshabaab leaders has became under attack. At least two vehicles were destroyed and a number of persons were killed.
Witness said the attackers were French commandos but the French government said they don’t want to talk about the issue now.
It is not clear who are the victims but rumors say one of the Alshabaab leaders might be among the dead.
HARGEISA, 14 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Somaliland American Council (SAC) is dismayed by the excessive use of power by Rayale’s government and condemning the actions of President Dahir Rayale’s government that resulted for the death of 3 innocent and unarmed people who were simple exercising their right to demonstrate. SAC also strongly condemns Rayale government for closing down the people’s house (the parliament). There are three reported deaths of innocent people today and dozens of injured people. The police fired live bullets on unarmed citizens who were demonstrating in front of the Somaliland parliament to show their support to the members and the leadership of the parliament. This is a direct violation of the Somaliland constitution, international human rights, and the young democratic process in Somaliland. The government action is precipitated when the parliament debated a motion to impeach President Rayale for failing to hold elections in Somaliland.
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The Somaliland government has been in office for 7 years and failed to hold elections so far; the government was elected to office for 5 years, at the end of its term in office, President Rayale failed to hold elections, then members of Guurti have extended the term of the government for 12 months once and 6 months the second time to hold elections; the election has not taken place yet, and the second 6months extension will expire at the end of October 2009. The reports from Somaliland last week indicated that President Rayale is planning to sent a 3rd request for extension to the Lower House of Guurti very soon.
The people are exercising their right to protest by demonstrating against the actions of the government to close down the parliament and its failure to hold the elections after being in office for 7 years. SAC calls on the Somaliland government to exercise restraint and respect the rights of its people. SAC calls on the people to strongly defend their rights peacefully and do not accept the dictatorial actions of the Rayale government. The people has suffered tremendously and paid dearly with over 100,000 lives lost (under Siad Barre’s regime ) to gain these rights and they are prepared to die to protect their rights again.
The Somaliland parliament is doing the right thing to pressure the government to hold elections immediately and to give he people the right to choose their leaders. SAC calls on the members of Guurti to do the same; by standing with the people and protecting democracy in Somaliland. SAC calls on the “Guurti” to refuse to give 3rd extension to President Rayale – after his letter of request for 3rd extension is received in few weeks. Rayale’s government has indeed damaged the hard-won reputation of Somaliland and its people. SAC calls on Rayale to resign and give the people the right to elect their president.
Rashid Nur
Somaliland American Council
www.somalilandamerican.com
contact@somalilandamerican.com
Phone: 703-334-7508
HARGEISA, 14 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – African Union soldiers shot dead 11 camels in the Somali capital on Saturday night, mistaking the galloping animals for an insurgent attack, residents said. Al Shabaab rebels sometimes use passing civilians and vehicles to give them cover before attacks, police said, and the peacekeepers from AMISOM mission thought they were behind the camels which ran past the entrance to Mogadishu’s airport.
“We thought Islamists and AMISOM were fighting last night, but this morning we just saw 11 dead camels,” resident Farah Aden told Reuters. “Each camel had at least 10 bullet wounds — the whole area was covered with blood.”
We admit there was a mistake and we’ve spoken to the owners,” said Barigye Ba-hoku, spokesman for the AU troops who face nearly daily attacks from hardline Islamist rebels.
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“It was our new forces and they were not aware of the camels’ movements. They say they were attacked, and so opened fire,” he told Reuters.
Violence has killed more than 18,000 Somalis since the start of 2007 and displaced another 1.5 million. Insurgents who want to impose their own harsh version of sharia law have been battling the country’s Western-backed governments and AU forces. (Reporting by Abdi Sheikh; Editing by David Clarke and Louise Ireland).
HARGEISA, 14 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Ururka Somaliland Forum waxuu ugu horreyn tacsi u dirayaa dhamaan eheladii intii ku geeriyootey iska hor imaadkii foosha xumaa ee shalay ka dhacay Magaalada Hargeisa. Wuxuu ururku Illaahey uga baryayaa dadkii ku dhaawacmay in uu caafimaad degdeg ah siiyo.
Ururka Somaliland Forum waxa uu cambaarayn u soo jeediyaa Xukuumada Somaliland oo iyadu masuul ka ahayd xidhitaanka Golaha Wakiiladda taasoo sababtay iska horimaadkii ay ku nafwaayeen kuna dhaawacmeen muwaadiniinta shicibka ah ee aan waxba galabsan, sidoo kale waxaanu cambaaraynaynaa Ciidamada Boliska ee rasaasta hoos ugu dhigay lana beegsaday dadweynaha, iyada oo isla markaasna aanu canbaaraynayno Xubnaha Dadweynaha ka tirsan ee boobay Hantidida Dadweynaha, isla markaasna gubay Gaadiidka Qaranka.
Wuxuu Ururku aad uga xun yahay cagajiidka Masuuliyiinta Mucaaridka iyo Dawladu ay ka cago jiidayaan inay wada hadal iyo nabadgelyo ku dhameeyaan muranka siyaasadeed ee dalka maanta ka jira, waxa aanu usoo jeedinaynaa in si bilaa shuruud ah ay Xisbiyada Siyaasadu wadahadal ula galaan Xukuumadda, oo ay si degdeg ah fadhi uga yeeshaan xaalada dalka manta marayo
Ugu danbayn wuxuu ururka Somaliland Forum ugu baaqayaa shacabka Somaliland inay marwalba ku dedaalaan inay bananaanbaxyadoodu nabad ku qabsadaan, ayna ilaaliyaan nabad gelyada, kala danbaynta iyo nidaamka guud ee Qaranka Somaliland, anagoo Xukuumadana ugu baaqayna inay faraha kala baxdo Golyaasha Sharci Dejinta kana codsanayna in ay si degdeg ah ay ciidamada uga dulqaado Golaha Wakiiladda.
Gobanimo bilaash maaha
Ururka Somaliland Forum
———— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— Somaliland Forum is a nonpartisan and an independent organization that brings together Somaliland citizens in the Diaspora. The Forum helps Somaliland Communities and friends around the globe to work together and contribute to the socioeconomic and political development of the Republic of Somaliland. For more information about the Somaliland Forum please visit www.somalilandforum .com
Somaliland Forum Executive Committee:
Chairman: Ali Abdillahi Dahir (Somaliland)
chair@somalilandfor um.com
Vice-Chair:
Osman Hashi Awed (Canada)
vice@somalilandforu m.com
Secretary:
Kaysar Mohamed Abdillahi (UK)
secretary@somalilan dforum.com
Treasurer:
Ayan Osman Jibril (Somaliland)
treasurer@somalilan dforum.com
Member-at-Large:
Ali Ibrahim Handule (U.A.E.)
xubin@somalilandfor um.com
Hargeysa—(SomalilandPress) the latest scuffle of the Somaliland parliament and the violent demonstrations with rampaging rioters may make the peaceful republic like the strife-ridden southern Somalia.
Like this violence may cause that some Somali militants to take this violence and start new waves of violence and turn Somaliland into a horror state.
With this violence goes on within a week alone, Somaliland is considered one of the most peaceful countries in the east Africa, which had no stable government since warlords overthrew the country’s long-time dictator in 1991. Experts have said crimes may rake in up to Somaliland soon if no solution comes.
“There are growing indications that Somaliland … may become new southern Somalia and may give haven for extremist organizations” that could further destabilize the republic, Somali expert Anab Noh tells Somalilandpress.
He did not elaborate, but called for international efforts to help stamp out the threat.
The eyes of the world are on Somaliland these days as extremist groups are taking advantage of the currently brawl of the MPs and the violent demonstration, to devastate the livelihoods of this quiet republic.
When the Somaliland parliament MPs scuffled, the Alshabaab extremists became ambitious for destroying Somaliland like southern Somalia.
“The answer is neither insurgency nor the Somaliland people to determine their future,” Anab added.
Somaliland has enjoyed relative peace compared with other parts of Somalia since the Horn of Africa nation plunged into anarchy in 1991. But persistent delays to presidential elections have worried rights groups and angered opposition politicians.
A poll set for July was put back to September 27. But the electoral commission postponed the election again this week due to worries about whether a vote could be held in the current political climate amid disputes over new electoral lists.
The motion to impeach President Dahir Riyale Kahin was presented on Saturday and the legal advisor to the lower house told lawmakers on Tuesday the move was legal — sparking an angry response from ruling party politicians.
Somaliland is governed by an opposition-led house of representatives elected by the people and an upper house made up of clan elders. The House of Elders has twice extended President Kahin’s mandate and it is now due to expire on October 29.
The polls are seen as a test for the former British protectorate, which has been clamouring for international recognition since declaring independence after dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown.
By: prof. Clarke Cooper
Email: clarke.danniel@googlemail.com
Johannesburg, South Africa
HARGEISA, 13 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – We watch on the news and read newspapers about the political crisis going on in different parts of the world. In 2007-2009 there are so many political crises in the world; we can see Honduras, Barma, Thailand and Afghanistan. In some parts of Africa political crisis were tainted in to civil wars, From Somalia to Afghanistan, from Iraq to Sudan sons were bleeding and bullets now replace the rain.
But take a minute or may be even ten to think about it. People caught in crisis are just ordinary people who have an identity, real lives, dreams, hopes, fears and desires. They want the same things that you want in life. They want to live peacefully and prosper.
Closer to my home, the people of Somaliland are no different. The small child is crying with hunger. Thousands of young Somali Landers are drowned in the seas with little hope in life. Years of neglect and poor leadership, water is precious than the gold. Social infrastructions are dead and functionless. Public health clinics have no medicines and fail to meet the needs of growing people. With out life supporting needs thousands of children spent their coolest nights at the big towns in Somaliland.
For a decade and half Somaliland is an oasis of peace and tranquility in the horn of Africa and moving increasingly towards consolidating democracy. Somaliland has done amazingly well in managing electoral process. Peaceful, free and fair elections were held to convince the international community of Somaliland’s bonafides as an independent state. Today, time is tough and political temperature in Somaliland reached a precarious echelon. The concept of freedom, democracy and rule of law was misunderstood by most of our politicians.
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Somali Landers are not normally enthusiastic the actions of National Electoral Commission. Reflecting the postponement of Somaliland presidential elections many people suggesting to change the election commission, unless there is a change some members of the commission, peace in Somaliland my also in jeopardy. If we are thinking clearly, we are widely blamed NEC for this political crisis.
As a Somali Landers inside and outside we have to look for what is going on our country today. Lack of constitutional interpretations is one of the major causes of this recent political calamity. Though the constitution is formulated after wide public discussions and is the highest law of the country, its using remains flimsy.
Today Somaliland is in the road of danger and the question is about power. The UDUB party is preparing for its third term in office but the euphoria has now giving way to worries about the dominance of the opposition parties. It is some thing needs to be worried that the government take the law of the country in their own hands and make interpretation of their own to fit their political interest. It is clear as the day that the regime is creating more problems and puts as back in the hands of war and chaos. “Stop not thinking Mr. Riyale”.
Where are Somaliland intellectuals, where are Somaliland Sultans & Aqils, Where are the Somaliland young educators and where are men and women who devoted their blood for the existence of this country- the parliament house was under siege again by the government.
In conclusion, we will not accept this kind of dictatorship. We paid very high price to get back our government and we will not parley our peace, stability and our freedom of existence to any one or other group. It is the time to end political argument. It is the time to close the eyes the foreign interventions. You Somali Landers tighten your belts, it is you and I, lets build the nation.
Long live Somaliland for ever.
Written by Farhan Abdi Suleiman (oday)
Hargeisa, Somaliland
Farhan Abdi Suleiman is a social worker, fresh graduate at University of Hargeisa and also youth activist. He can be contacted at: oday1999@yahoo.com
_______________________________________________________________________________________ Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial
HARGEISA, 13 September 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Ngonge A. is writing to Somalilandpress about his experience in Somaliland and will be talking about his funny yet true experience during his stay in the country – discover Somaliland from the experience of a person on his first ever trip home.
To read the part one CLICK HERE
To read the part Two CLICK HERE
In the evening of the first day, myself, my tourist guide and a couple of newly made friends visited one of H town’s happening spots (Summer Time Restaurant). The pictures are attached above. I discovered there that the rumour about Somalis hating to have their photos taken was a blatant lie. The minute they saw the huge lens on my camera they all fell over themselves pleading with us to film them (even though they knew there was no chance of ever seeing the photos).
This happy waiter was actually directing us and asking us to film him bringing the food, the drink and giving us the bill. He also asked for more photos the second time we visited the place.
There were also a group of guys who, for some unexplainable reason were very eager for us to take pictures of them as they hoisted their mobile phones up in the air.
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That night, after having our food and walking out of the restaurant I realised how dark the city can get at night! There were not many streetlights around and people were actually strolling about in the dark!
They carried no torches and had no lights but they could still see where they were all going! I blindly stuck close to my tourist guide and kept him in constant conversation in case I lost him in that oppressive darkness. Furthermore, and because of the sandy, messed up nature of the roads, I was worried that I may step on a snake as I lifted my feet and put them down again. Of course, to my tourist guide, I appeared as cool as ever and he did not suspect a thing. I jokingly asked him if there were any snakes in the city. He told me he has not seen any in years. I jokingly asked again and he jokingly told me there were none. We carried on walking and my eyes started to acclimatise.
At first, the only way I could tell that a person had walked past us was by using my sense of smell. A whiff of manly sweat, a rush of female perfume, a trace of uunsi, a gush of petrol fumes or a hint of glue told me that a human had just glided past. Some cats ran past but I didn’t smell them. The mosquitoes buzzed around my ears but I couldn’t see them. This darkness was very tiring and I longed for a place with a bit of light. At this point, I have to confess that it was not always dark. Every once in a while a car would drive past and shower us in glorious light but then we would go back to even more darkness.
Only when we got to the shops did I feel I was in a real city! I walked into a couple of malls, a bookshop and even had a look at nuune’s favourite hang out. Unlike Somali shops in the West, the actual workers here were polite, courteous and very helpful. The image of Somalis that was ingrained in my mind for years began to fade away and I was enjoying this newfound respect for H town’s finest.
I am going to digress now and share with you a theory I am developing. It is to do with the contrast between the Somalis on the inside and those on the outside. Though the two share many characteristics, and though I only had a mere week to reach this conclusion of mine, I believe the Somalis on the outside to be ruder, rougher and more ignorant than those on the inside. Having met a couple of my fellow westerners there, I could not help noticing that they thought they knew it all and seriously believed the gruff, irresponsible and backward attitude they employed was actually the done thing! This is where my theory comes into play. You see; I believe that most of these outsiders have left home either as children or in their early teens. What was fashionable and accepted at the time (and that age) was to be rude, to play with words, to act tough and to shout as loud as you could in order to be heard. That fake nostalgia, those memorable days and the ideas of how it is to be a Somali stayed with them ever since. Now they return home with such an attitude and people either think them mad, get taken in by their theatrical acts or merely snigger behind their backs. Of course, all this may only apply to those from Somaliland and our southern brothers may turn out to be as hopeless as their kin on the outside (I doubt it but I shall withhold judgment for now).
On that first night, we went to Hargeisa University where an evening of poetry and prose was being held. The place was packed to the rafters with students, poetry lovers and many bored people that just enjoy the feel of being in the middle of a large crowd. The hall where the event was taking place was full and we could not push our way in. I discovered two things that night. One, the people of Hargeisa would travel for miles for a bit of entertainment. Two, that city has very pretty girls. The third discovery was not my own, it was foisted upon me. It turns out that my tourist guide knew them all (those HE did not know, knew him).
The University looked nice and had many faculties. But it also had that dreadful sand that can be found in every corner of Hargeisa! Now, it was not the sand that I objected to. It was actually nice brown sand. I disliked the idea of what may be slithering on that sand. It was night after all and most cold blooded creatures love to come out at night when unsuspecting tourists happen to be tabbing their feet against the sand in frustration and worry. Luckily, nothing came out of the sand that night.
The next day, after having my lunch (I slept right through breakfast and the morning) and spending some time talking to the hotel crew in the restaurant, my tourist guide arrived and proudly declared that I was going back to school! We were going to Hargeisa University (again) but, this time, we were attending a lecture. I took my camera with me and followed him to the car. We drove to the university and as we got out of the car, we were spotted by a traffic policeman. He hurried to us and demanded that we take photos of him. Just like he would direct traffic, he directed us on how to take the photos and what angles to film him in! There was no traffic whatsoever yet he still pretended to be dealing with a real heavy load and kept on blowing his whistle (until my tourist guide lied to him and said that this camera recorded sound). After dealing with this cheerful policeman, we went to the library and checked out the various books they held there. We later went to the IT section where we took photos of some picture frames of various graduates. After half an hour of milling about and chatting to different people it was time to attend the lecture.
I entered a classroom with lovely little tables and chairs. The tables were full of scratches and words like any that you would find in schools all over the world. There was a picture of a heart with the word IMAN on it. The words were faded and old, they made me wonder what this girl would look like now and how many children (or even grandchildren) would she have! Before I could get carried away with my daydreams the lecturer started talking to the room and asking them to help him fix the overhead projector. I started paying attention and felt embarrassed about intruding on this serious lecture (it was a real course with the certificates issued by an American University). These students have spent months attending this course and I suddenly appeared from nowhere and had the temerity to sit amongst them and act as if I understood what was going on (which I did). I found the lecture very interesting and was fascinated by the way peace building, conflict resolution and damaged societies were dealt with. The lecturer was very entertaining and his anecdotes were real good. I also discovered that some of the students in that room were some of the elite of Hargeisa Society (minsters, members of the gurti, etc). Some were not young men at all. But I suppose I will have to agree to that banner I saw and say that the road to success is always under construction.
As the lecture was reaching its middle part and the American professor was in his element, we were all distracted by the crackling sound of radio! We all looked back to see an old man walk into the room and stand there staring at his phone and listening to the blaring sound of BBC Somali! He paid us no attention at all and carried on listening for a full minute. Someone made a sound (I am not sure if they spoke to him directly) and that seemed to shake him out of his reverie. He grunted with a smile and walked out of the room! I am still dying to find out why he came into the room in the first place.
