A Complete History Of *Somaliland: Read it

 

- In the eyes of the world, 1991 was the year that the Somali Democratic Republic ceased to exist. The government fell and the state collapsed. Brutal civil war and famine seized the population. Hundreds of thousands of refugees fled the country. A decade of bloodshed, chaos and human suffering ensued, threatening that Somalia would enter the 21st century as a "black hole"[1] of despair.

1991 was also the year that Somaliland was reborn. Legitimate government was restored and statehood reclaimed, ushering in a period of healing, reconciliation, and growth. A decade of bloodshed, chaos and human suffering came to an end. Hundreds of thousands of refugees returned home. Somaliland looks forward to the 21st century with confidence and hope. Nearly a decade has passed since Somaliland embarked upon the path to recovery. The road has not been easy. In 1991, the long civil war had left the country physically devastated and socially scarred. Tens of thousands of people had been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced, their homes reduced to rubble, their property looted or destroyed, and their land sown with mines.

 

Read More:
http://waayeelnews.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/self-portrait-of-somaliland-rebuilding.html

Somaliland: oil first, recognition later

 

- It’s not a country recognised by anyone other than its own government, but that doesn’t seem to phase three oil companies scaling up exploration in Somaliland. UK-listed Genel Energy and Ophir Energy, and Australia-listed Jacka Resources, are starting to explore for oil in earnest in the breakaway state, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991. “We are embarking on the largest and most significant exploration this country has seen since it became independent 21 years ago,” oil minister Hussein Abdi Dualeh told beyondbrics from an oil conference in South Africa, hopeful the first drilling will start in 2014 following seismic surveys this year. “They are starting in a major way – it’s going to be a massive year.”

 

The three explorers cover seven blocks between them and Dualeh insists they have nothing to fear from old claims on some of the blocks issued under the former Mogadishu administration before it collapsed. “The old companies from way back when Somalia was together have long gone. These contracts don’t last forever, they are long expired. I’m not worried they’ll have problems – I have no idea who had what,” says Dualeh. “We have had full control of the territory for 21 years.

 

Read more:

http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2012/10/30/somaliland-oil-first-recognition-later/#axzz2Arap9fdx

Somaliland to drill for oil by 2014

 

- Somaliland’s mining and energy minister, Hussein Abdi Dualeh has claimed that the internationally unrecognised state could see companies drilling for oil within its borders by 2014. At an African oil conference, Hussein said, “Last year we were seen as a frontier because nothing was happening. But now the biggest exploration activities in 21 years are about to start.”

 

As well as not being internationally recognised, Somaliland is a state routinely associated with lawlessness and piracy. The East African region however, is becoming something of a hotbed of oil and gas activity, with nearby Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique all reporting discoveries.

 

Dualeh echoed the growing optimism that industry attention has brought to the region: “In the oil business we don’t care about politics, but about geology. Wherever the geology is good, we’re here.”

S/land Convention in Los Angeles 2005 Part 1/4

Progressio joins international election observer mission in Somaliland

 

- Progressio are joinging UCL's Development Planning Unit and Somaliland Focus to lead the international observation mission to Somaliland’s district and council elections scheduled for 28 November 2012. It is hoped that these elections will contribute to the ongoing building of a stable system of democracy in the Horn of Africa.

 

The three organisations have been invited by Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) to act as coordinators of the international observation mission to the district and council elections in the internationally-unrecognised Republic of Somaliland. Voting has been set for 28 November 2012.

A pre-election assessment of the conditions for the local elections took place earlier this year.

 

The mission’s leaders will arrive in Hargeisa in early November, with the full team to be in place a fortnight before polling day. The mission will follow up with a post-poll interim report to the NEC and donors, with the final report to follow in early 2013.

Sheeko: Xamaamdii La Deristay Xukuumada

 

- Xamaamad ayaa xaruuntii xukuumadda buul ka samaysatay. Buulkii ayay beedkii dhigatay oo ku dilaacisay. Iyada oo ku faraxsan dhashii yaryard ee u dilaacday, ayay u qadhaab tagtaa. Wixii qadhaab ee ay soo hehso ayay halkaa ku siisaa. Waxaanay isla heshay cuno,  nabagelyo, iyo kalsooni; ilayn xaruuntii xukuumadda ayay la deristaye. Hasa yeeshee, waxaan la filayn ayaa ku dhacay xamaamddii. Iyada oo ka maqan dhasheedii oo u foof tagtay, ayaa waxa buulkii galay mas. Maskii dhashii oo dhan ayuu ka cunay. Markii ay ku soo noqotay buulkeedii iyadaoo qadhaab u sidda dhasheedii ayay midna weyday. Waxay aragtay baalashii yaryaraa ee ka dhacay markii masku mid mid u liqayay. Halkii ayay baroor ka qabsatay. Markii ay baroor kala gooyn weyday, ayaa xamaamad kale u timi si ay u dejiso. Waxay ku tidhi, “Inaad u baroorato dhashii aad weyday waa daw, hasa yeeshee, iska samir oo iska deg. Waxanaad ogaataa, dhal hore oo xamaamna sidaas ayaa mas u cunay; mid kale wuu cuni doonaa.”

“Waa runtaa,” ayay ku tidhi xamaamaddii dhasha laga cunay, “waxan se kuu sheegayaa in aanan dhashii mas iga cunay oo keliya ka murugaysnayn; ee aan ka murugaysanahy oo kale in lagu cuno dhashaydii xaruuntii xukuumadda ee dilka iyo dulmiga laga magansanayay!!!”

 

W/q: Prof. Cabdi-salaam Yaasiin

Bustling livestock trade boosts Somaliland's economy

 

"These sheep and goats are like petroleum for us," Ahmed Ali Nuur, governor of Gabiley, in Somaliland, told dpa''. Presse-Agentur

 

- Trading sheep, goats and camels is such big business in Somaliland that villagers describe livestock as the "barrels of oil" that drive the economy of the breakaway republic in the Horn of Africa. Thanks to recent security gains in central and southern Somalia, livestock revenues are increasingly seen as a financial boon that could help the rest of the country back on its feet after two decades of conflict.

"These sheep and goats are like petroleum for us," Ahmed Ali Nuur, governor of Gabiley, in Somaliland, told dpa. "Saudi Arabia sells barrels of oil to the world. We make our money selling livestock to Saudi Arabia." Somaliland, which is seeking full sovereignty, declared independence after the overthrow of Somali president Siad Barre in 1991. It has been more peaceful than other parts of Somalia, where African Union forces, Islamist militants and warlords are fighting for control.

Turkish energy giant eyes Somaliland with $1billion

 

- Turkey-based, London-listed Genel Energy continues with its aggressive growth with a fuel search license in Somaliland, a self-declared country. This comes after the company’s large investments in the Kurdistan Regional Government, another autonomy.

 

Genel Energy, an Ankara-based oil firm with vast investments in northern Iraq, announced yesterday that it has obtained an exploration license for Somaliland, the self-declared East African country not formally recognized by the international community.

 

“Because of its similarities with the geographical structure of the Arab peninsula, it is strongly predicted that Somaliland, a region Genel Energy prioritizes for its investment program, has important oil and coal assets,” Genel said in a press release on Oct. 29.

 

The company solidified its presence in northern Iraq with the acquisitions of the Bina Bawi and Miran fields this year.

 

$1 billion in cash

“Civil Aviation-Ka Cid Aqoonteeda Lehi Ma Joogto Wasaaradda Duulista Kamana Talin Karaan..

 

- Abiib Xadi Jaamac oo ah Khabiir aqoon durugsan u leh Qawaaniinta iyo Shuruucda Caalamiga ah ee lagu maamulo hawadda iyo Madaaradda dunida, isla markaana mudo ku dhaw 40 sano ka shaqaynayey arimahaas ayaa Madaxwaynaha Somaliland Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud (Siilaanyo) kula taliyey in talooyin laga waydiiyo Muwaadiniinta Cilmigaas bartey ee aqoonta u leh oo uu ka mid yahay. Khabiirkan ayaa waxa uu sidaas ku sheegay mar uu Xalay Xarunta Wargeyska Haatuf Waraysi khaas ah ku siiyey, kaas oo ku soo bandhigay inuu Civil Aviation-ka mudadii laga bilaabay gayiga Soomaalida ilaa imika uu ku shaqeeyo, kaas oo tilmaamay inaanay suurta gal ka noqonkarin dalka Somaliland in Hay’addaasi ay noqdaan Hay’add ka Madaxbanaan Dawladda.

 

Abiib Xadi Jaamac ayaa waxa uu ka dhawaajiyey inuu Madaarka Hargeysa ku arkay nin Kenyati ah oo aan aqoon u lahayn Cilmiga Sivil Aviation-ka, Sheegayna inaanay Wasaaradda Duulista iyo Hawada Joogin rag aqoon u leh Cilmigaas, kaas oo ku dooday inuu door ka ciyaaro in Da’yarta Somaliland loo diro dalalka dibada si Cilmiga lagu maamulo Hawada loo soo baro. Ugu horayna isaga oo Abiib arimahaas ka hadlaya, waxa uu hadalkiisa ku bilaabay “Waxaan ka mid ahay aqoon yahanadii Civil Aviation-ka min awalkii ilaa imika ka shaqayn jiray, waxaan ogahay inaanay Civil Aviation-ku noqon karaynin Hay’ad gaar loo leeyahay (Private Agency).

Theresa May strips British passport from Muslim care worker who refused to join MI5

 

- A British citizen whose family believe he is being tortured by American secret agents has suddenly had all his rights as a UK national removed by the Home Secretary.

 

Mahdi Hashi – who MI5 once tried to recruit as a spy – has been deprived of his British passport, denied access to consular assistance and may never return to Britain. He is thought to be being held in an African prison.

 

Mohamed and Kaltun Hashi, the parents of the 23-year-old care worker from Camden, North London, became concerned for his safety after being tipped off that in the summer he had been taken to a prison in the African state of Djibouti while visiting neighbouring Somalia. The information was passed on by another prisoner who said Mr Hashi claimed he had been ‘mistreated’ and was being interrogated by men working for America. .

 

Read more:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2224155/Theresa-May-strips-British-passport-Muslim-care-worker-refused-join-MI5-African-prison.html

Xildhibaan Sangal Oo Xukuumada Ku Eedeeyay In Ay minjo Xaabinayso Axsaabta Mucaaridka

 

''cuqaasha gobolkana waxaanu uga digaynaa inaanay ku dhex milmin axsaabta iyo kaambaynka doorashada..''. Xildhibaan Sangal

 

- Xildhibaan Ibraahim Axmed Xasan ''Sangal'' oo ka mid ah mudanayaasha golaha deegaanka degmada Gabiley, kana mid ah masuuliyiinta xisbiga UCID ayaa xukuumada Madaxweyne Axmed Maxamed Siilaanyo ku eedeeyay in faraglin ay ku hayso taageerayaashooda, isla markaana uga digay in xukuumadu faraglintaasi ka joojiso qabsoomida doorashada deegaanka.

 

Xildhibaan Ibraahin Sangal waxa kale oo uu uga digay Madaxdhaqameedyada gobolka Gabiley inay siyaasada iyo axsaabta ay ku dhex milmaan, uguna baaqay inay faraha kala naxaan murashaxiinta u taagan doorashada golaha deegaanka degmada Gabiley. Xildhibaan Sangal waxa uu sidaasi ku sheegay mar uu shalay nagu soo booqday xarunta Haatuf, isla markaana ka waramay arrimahaasi, ayaa ugu horayna waxa uu yidhi;

Somaliland: The Kenyan Syndrome

 

''The following is a chapter from a book titled “Somaliland: The legacy of Non-Recognition” that I am currently writing. The daily indignities which Somalis suffer almost uniquely in Kenya have impelled me to preempt the book’s publication by offering this chapter for early release. It chronicles the untold misery the Kenyans inflict on the Somalis in their country on ordinary basis''. Ahmed I. Hassan

 The Kenyan perspective on Somalia and Somaliland is this: it is economics, stupid! A saying goes, “A disaster for some could be a benefit for others”. Most Somalilanders believe that what has been the bane for Somalis has been a boon for Kenyans.

 
With Somalia a thoroughly failed state and Somaliland as yet unrecognized nation, everyone who has anything to do Somaliland and Somalia has made Nairobi one’s base of operations. Almost all embassies in Nairobi are additionally their countries’ nonresident embassies in Somalia and Somaliland. Diplomats, who should have been stationed in Mogadishu or in Hargeisa, live in and work from Nairobi.

Read more:
http://www.redsea-online.com/other/documents/Ahmed_I_Hassan-TheKenyanSyndrome.pdf

Among Israelis, Romney Appears The Favorite

 

- Israelis view the American presidential election much the way they tend to view most issues: What does it mean for Israel?

 

And by a wide margin, Israelis seem to believe that Republican candidate Mitt Romney would be more attentive to Israel's interests than President Obama.

 

The Peace Index Poll, commissioned by Tel Aviv University and the Israel Democracy Institute, found that Romney was favored 2-to-1 by Israelis back in August.

 

Such pro-Romney sentiment is rare outside the U.S. A recent BBC poll of 21 countries found Obama favored in 20, with Romney taking only Pakistan.

 

Israel was not included in that survey, though, and Israelis are long used to being a prominent — if not the dominant — foreign policy topic in U.S. presidential campaigns.

Xildhibaano ka tirsan Aqalka Odeyaasha Ingiriiska Oo Ka Garaabay Qadiyada Somaliland

 

''Furitaanka xafiiska UK ee Hargyesa, waxaan u aragnaa mid isku soo dhoweynaya labada dal ee Uk iyo Somaliland''. Golaha Xil.

 

- Xildhibaano ka tirsan Aqalka Odeyaasha Ingiriiska ayaa cadeeyey in furitaanka xafiiska UK ee Hargeysa muujinayso talaabo loo qaaday sidii Somaliland madaxbanaani u heli lahayd. Aqalka Odeyaasha Ingiriiska oo shalay dood ka yeeshay talaabooyinka xukuumadda Ingiriisku u qaaday sidii loo yareyn budhcad badeedka, isla markaana loo xasilin lahaa dalalka jaarka ee Geeska Afrika iyo Carabta, ayaa xildhibaanda Baroness Nicholson oo ka tirsan aqalka Odeyaasha Ingiriisku sheegtay,

 

“Talaabooyinka xukuumada Ingiriisku u qaaday inay hogaamiso taageerada beesha caalamku ka geysanayso Soomaaliya iyo dib-u-soo-celinta xukuumad ay yeelato waan soo dhoweynaynaa. Sidoo kale furitaanka xafiiska UK ee Hargyesa, waxaan u arkaa mid soo dhoweyn leh, isla markaana ah talaabo loo qaaday aqoonsi buuxa sidii wadan. Sidoo kale, xildhibaan Richard luce, ayaa sheegay inaanay shacabka Somaliland doonayn midnimo dambe oo dhex marta Somaliya, waxaanu tallo u soo jeediyay madaxda Somaliland oo waxa uu yidhi; 

Archive: GENOCIDE OF THE ISAAQ IN SOMALIA

 

''Somalia is comprised of four main tribes. Throughout the reign of Ziad Bare the Isaaq tribe has been suppressed and segregated from Somalia. In 1988 Bare gave orders to annihilate the tribe, and his army began to bomb their cities and murder tribe members''. CGA

 

Background:- In 1960 Somalia declared independence as a union between provinces which until then had been colonies of Britain and Italy. In 1969 a military coup was led by the Chief of Staff Siad Barre. Barre abolished Somali democracy and led an Islamic communist regime in close partnership with the USSR, which sold him weapons to use against internal and external enemies. In 1977 Somalia declared war against Ethiopia in an attempt to conquer the Ogaden Desert where Somali nomads from the Ogaden clan (to which Barre’s mother belonged) lived.

 

Somalia was defeated. The defeat led to a massive economic crisis and one million refugees from the Ogaden Desert fled to Somali territory, mostly to northern Somalia where the Isaaq tribe dwelt. The relative stability of the Barre regime was undermined. In 1979, after two difficult years of crisis, Barre turned to the West and turned his back on the USSR which had supported him until then. The Barre regime began to crumble: members of his party began to plot against him, members of his tribe and other tribes which had been subject to discrimination began to oppose his regime, the opposition parties (from other tribes) established military forces, and a civil war began.

Uncovering Somaliland’s Troubled Past, October 2012: Forensic Anthropology & Human Rights

 

- Somaliland was a part of the former Republic of Somalia. For 21 years until his fall, the regime of Mohammed Siad Barre carried out massacres against the people of Somaliland. About 60,000 civilians were killed, thousands were victims of enforced disappearance, and 500,000 individuals were displaced before the declaration of independence, in 1991. Since its independence, Somaliland has managed to secure the political stability, economic and social development needed to investigate the atrocities committed in the past, through a War Crimes Investigation Commission of 6 members. The forensic field school in Hargeisa will help to determine the universe of missing people through a systematic approach, ante mortem data collection and research of mass and clandestine graves.

 

In this 4-weeks long field school, the participants will attend virtual and in situ workshops on the culture, society, religion and post-conflict issues of Somaliland. The field school will assist in training the staff of the War Crimes Investigation Commission of Somaliland in forensic investigation of human rights violations.

 

Read more;

http://cja.org/downloads/Somaliland_EPAF_FS2013_brochure.pdf

Join the Somaliland Field School: Deadline is November 15!

 

Field School: Unearthing Evidence of Siyad Barre-era War Crimes in Somaliland

 

- This week the Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team (EPAF - epafperu.org), in partnership with the government of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, completed the first phase of an international forensic training program in Hargeisa, Somaliland. The Center for Justice and Accountability (CJA - cja.org) is a proud sponsor of this program, which will help determine the universe of missing people through a systematic approach, ante mortem data collection and research of mass and clandestine graves.

 

EPAF is accepting applications until November 15, 2012 to join the second phase of this project, which will run from February 5 to March 3, 2013.

 

Applicants from all disciplines are welcome: Participation in the field school represents a fundamental experience for anybody interested in post-conflict studies, peace studies, human rights, forensics, transitional justice, memory, gender, or any related subject.

Girls hope to change the world at spooky bake sale

 

- Girls for Change is selling spooky desserts at a Halloween Bake Sale on Sunday, October 28 in front of Anderson’s Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave. in downtown Naperville from noon to 4PM. Proceeds will extend across the globe to empower women in developing countries and the community is invited to help. Girls for Change is a non-profit organization started by a small group of Naperville North High School girls working to empower women in developing countries. Through microloans and education, the aim is to help women change their lives for the better. Members seek to make women the source of the change our world so badly needs. The group believes in the power of hope. Proceeds from the Bake Sale will benefit organizations such as Global Giving and Kiva that give women microloans or educational opportunities in impoverished countries.

 

The girls’ outreach mirrors efforts by much larger international agencies. Among the donations made thus far are: funds for vocational training for 100 women in Pakistan; a contribution to a maternity hospital in Somaliland to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates; monies for a global fund to advance women’s issues worldwide; and micro-financing for some women-run businesses. Girls for Change follows a mission to empower females in countries where they are otherwise oppressed. The participating students are convinced that that is the best hope for alleviating poverty.

 

For more information visit www.girlsforchange.net.

Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale Waxa Uu Galo Nin-kii Garanayaa Garan!

 

- Cid kasta oo danaynaysa ama inuun u lexe-jecla qabta qaranka Somaliland iyo horumarkiisa waxa ay u ahayd maalin aan la iloobi karin oo farxadeed, markii Md. Madaxwayne Axmed Siilaanyo uu u magacaabay muj, Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale inuu noqdo wasiirka wasaarada war-faafinta ee JSL!

 

Sababtu, wax kale ma ahayn ee waxa uu dadku xog-ogaal dhaw u ahaa laba arimood oo aad iskugu baahnaa, isna la'aa intii ay jirtay Somaliland oo u muuqday, aakhirataankii inay haatan isku yimaadeen oo ay is-heleen! Lbadaasi arimood oo kala ahaa;

 

1; Wasaarada warfaafinta, oo baahi daran u qabtay cid labadeeda lugood ee dhiiqada/dhiidhida galay ee ay ka nuuxsan wayday uga miciina oo aayar, kolba mid ka saara oo tabteeda iyo tayodeedaba leh!

 

2; Iyo xirfada, dal-jacaylka, daacadnimada, hawl-karnimada, aqoonta iyo waayo aragnimada karkaarada iyo gabiyadaba jabsatay ee uu Mujaahid Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale soo kasbaday intii uu dul-joogay ifkan.

Somaliland: Graves Tell No Tales

 

- Many years of holocaust denial has came to an end as “ERAF”; announced the result of their findings. “ERAF” is made up of a group of forensic experts; they carried out fossil analysis for the last couple of months. They searched dozens of mass graves in Hargeisa, Berbera and Burco.

 

They collected fossil samples. The results show children, women and elderly who were tied to together and shot discriminately. The news came as piece of good news to mothers who’s their loved ones disappeared and never turned up again. I have visited several families and quoted eyewitness accounts as the news got into the airwaves.

 

According to Somaliland genocide commission “nobody was safe” from a deliberate government campaign of terror. The government turned into killing machine. They say they have the names of 180,000 people killed or missing, they intends to give the UN Human Rights Council a dossier for investigation.

 

SHC has gathered testimony from Somalilanders who says husbands, sons and daughters have been forcibly abducted by government or pro-government forces.

Hees Wadani Ah '' Calanka-S/land''! Ya-salaam!

Xajaaj Iyo Ninkii Reer Miyiga Ahaa: Sheeko

 

- Xajaaj Bin yuusuf Ath-Thaqafi waa nin taariikhda Islaamka caan ku ah. Noloshiisa wuxu ku bilaabay macalin Quraan. Waaxaanuu caan baxay markii uu ka mid noqday maamulkii reer Bini Ummaya. Waxa can ka dhigay isaga oo noqday: taliya ciidan oo hogaan adag oo habaysan leh, naxariis la’aan, dad dilnimo, iyo dulmi. Inkasta oo dhincayo wanaagsan lahaa, sida Quraanka oo uu amaray in xarkada lagu qoro, hadana magaciisu wuxu la macana noqday dil iyo dulmi.

Sheekooyinkiisa, oo aan dhowr idiin soo tebindoono, waxa ka mid ah in uu isaga oo xajka ku socoda la kulmay nin reer miyi ah oo isna xajaya oo ku dhawaaqaya, “labayka laahum labayk.” Askartiisii qaar ka mid ah ayuu u yeedhay oo ku yidhi, “Markuu ninkaa reer miyiga ahi talbiyadda dhaymaysto, soo kaxeeya oo ii keena.” Markuu ninkii reer miyiga ahaa talbiyaddii dhameeyay, ayay askarti soo kaxaysay oo u keentay Xajaaj.

Sheekadan ayaa dhexmartay Xajaaj iyo ninkii reer miyiga ahaa. Xajaaj: Xageed ka timid? Ninkii: Meel dheer. Xajaaj: Meesha dheeri waa xagee? Ninkii: Waa Ciraaq. Xajaaj: Ciraaq ka xagee? Ninkii: Magaaladii Xajaaj. Xajaaj: Bal Xajaaj ka waran? Ninkii: Waa Fircoonkii reer Binii Israa’iil oo kale. Waa dilaa carruurta laaya; dumarkana dhiba. Xajaaj: Imika xagee ku suganyahay? Ninkii: Xajkii ayuu qabtay. Xajaaj: Yuu Xukunkii kaga sii tegay?

Kenya to open Embassies in Somaliland and ...

 

- Kenya is planning to open embassies in at least six Africa countries in an effort to deepen economic diplomacy on continent.

 

Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi on Wednesday told the Nation that the government was planning new diplomatic missions in Ghana, Algeria, Morocco and Angola.

 

An embassy in Senegal will serve as a key entry point for Kenyan commerce into Francophone West Africa while a mission will also be established specifically for the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

 

At the same time, the Kenyan embassy to Somalia, currently based in Nairobi, will be moved to Mogadishu while a separate mission will be sent to Hergeisa in Somaliland.

A look inside Somaliland’s vital money transfer system

 

- Years ago, as a student working a summer job in Moscow, I came to the stark realization that I didn’t have enough money in my account to move into my summer digs. With no small amount of embarrassment, I called home to my parents and asked if they would send cash to help me cover my security deposit and initial rent payment until I received my first paycheck. Sure enough, the next day I found cash waiting for me in my bank account.

 

I forgot this entire experience until I travelled to Hargeisa, a city in Somaliland that might be appropriately called the remittance capital of the world. Of course, Somalilanders don’t receive money transfers just to cover a month’s rent until the next paycheck comes in. For many families, money transfers are the next paycheck.

 

Somalis in Minneapolis, London, Nairobi, Dubai, and all over the world send money to their relatives, friends and their broader kin in Somaliland, and in Somalia, to cover everything from basic needs like food and shelter to investments in small businesses.

Somalia and Somaliland: The Way Forward

 

- Arguably the most difficult problem facing the new government in Somalia will be the unity of the Somali Republic. The Republic of Somaliland (northwest Somalia) declared its independence in 1991 and a significant majority of Somalilanders now support independent statehood. The Republic of Somaliland has yet to gain international recognition, however, and the vast majority of southern Somalis oppose Somaliland’s independence.

 

I am not for or against Somaliland gaining independence, but I definitely support the self determination of the people of Somaliland who had a lasting peace and development for the last 21 years. I’m not from Somaliland, nor is my family, but my people in Somalia and indeed Horn of Africans have so much to learn from Somaliland and its democratic progress.

 

In June of this year, the president of Somalia’s former Transitional Federal Government, popularly known as TFG, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Somaliland’s president Ahmed Silanyo held their formal talks in Dubai, UAE, the first since Somaliland broke away more than two decades ago.

On Harmonizing Somaliland’s Three Legal Systems: Necessary or a Red Herring?

 

- I was sitting at dinner with a potential client in May of 2008. ”We need to harmonize the three legal systems. You know, we have here in Somaliland the traditional system, the shariah system, and the courts. Each of which does their own thing and this is a problem for us.” I had been in Hargeisa only a couple of days when I first heard this lecture. I heard a similar version of the same lecture less than a month ago.

 

I didn’t really buy it in 2008 and I definitely didn’t buy in last month. But that is less important than the other question: why didn’t I buy it?. The short answer is that there are many reasons, including: there are bigger problems to tackle first and most countries have to deal with multiple sources of law. The real crux of my opinion is this: no legal system will be fully matured until it has developed a set of rules and criteria for dealing with conflicts of laws. So it does not matter one lick if those various legal systems are in tension with one another or are completely aligned, or exist somewhere in the middle of those extremes.

 

The state of the legal systems themselves is not the preeminent question. What matters more than the state of the legal systems themselves is how we deal with the legal systems. What are the rules for navigating the system? I have written a bit about this on our blog and I have written quite a bit about it for clients.

Gaariye in Atlanta Part 1 of 11: Afka & Suugaanta

Somaliland - the place that combines hightech, on the edge financing solutions, and millenia old traditions

 

- Somaliland is a place full of contradictions. In a good way. It is a place made up of clans. It is not a recognised country (the other two bits are Somalia and Puntland), but it has its own administration, its own immigration, police force, army and currency. It seems to work. The clan structure is complicated, yet the rules are very clear. For more on this I recommend "Getting Somalia Wrong" by Mary Harper.

It could be seen as a start-up country, with plans still being implemented, amended and implemented again. During this process, the Somalis are extremely polite and welcoming. And aware. There are hardly any cars, yet when three cars and two donkey carts meet in a round-about, there will be traffic jam. Right hand steered cars on the right hand side. It is like Nairobi before the roads were widened, or the city in London before it banned cars. Not fully adjusted to modern day transport.

 

Yet, last year, 1.6 billion MUSD was transferred in a Dahabshiil, a money transfer set up with Somaliland as its hub. 1.6 billion MUSD, and most likely yet in its infancy as a business. It is one of a few.

Somaliland democracy is seriously ill

 

'' For the time being, I would suggest to the president and parliament to amend electoral laws so that it would suit the aforementioned suggestion..''. Prof, Abdi

 

- A once ruling party should be number two or three when in opposition. Then, how come such a party lacks resilience and not being able to regroup and recover from a defeat blow to sustain its existence, let alone to be second or third party in terms of popularity. This is beyond comprehension of anyone who is not fully aware of underlying causes. Something must be wrong in the first place. One might ask himself if Somaliland political parties are basically “one time use” platforms for attaining power.

Dissolution of Former ruling party, Udub, which is the eldest of all the parties, is wake up call for all of us. Somaliland democracy is seriously ill, in the sense that political parties themselves are not healthy enough to survive after losing power. The main reason, in my view, is that leaders of a political party do share nothing except the aim to grab power for personal gain, let alone rank and file members who give their loyalty to political figures of different parties just for being X tribe or Y tribe.

Somaliland: TOR FOR DOMESTIC ELECTION OBSERVATON CONSULTANT

 

1. Introduction:

 

The Somaliland Non-state Actors (SONSAF) is a forum that brings together 63 umbrella civil society actors. The stakeholders include Somaliland non-state actors which consist of diverse sectors. SONSAF also works with a number of organizations including the national Electoral Commission (NEC), APD, Progressio, the committee for registration of political associations and approval of political parties (RAC).

 

SONSAF has been working in the democratization area for some time; it has undertaken research studies concerning electoral areas including a recent study on the obstacles that might hamper the forthcoming local council election. SONSAF is now seeking a highly experienced consultant to assist them in domestic election observation.

 

2. Description of assignment for the consultant:

 

Read more:

http://www.saferworld.org.uk/downloads/Vacancies/TOR_ELECTION_consultant-2012.pdf

Wax Ku Qaado Waanadan; Prof, C/Salam Yasin

 

- Habiinkii “Laylatul Israa”, markii uu Rusulkeenu, Sala Laahu Calayhi Wa Salam, samada u dheelmaday isaga oo uu Malak Jibriil, Calayhi Salaam, la socdo, waxa la tusay dad wixii aduunkii ay ka shaqaysteen abaalkeedii la mariyay ka dib markii ay dhinteen.

 

Sida culimo ay ka mid yihiin Al-Bayhiqi iyo Ibn Jariir inoo soo gudbiyeen, aragtiyahaa Rasuulka, Sala Laahu Calayhi Wa Salam, la tusay ee uu inoosoo tebiyay, ujeedadeedu waxa weeye inaynu wax ku qaadano. Waa waano Ilaahay, Subxaanahu Wa Tacaalaa, ka timi oo uu inoo keenay Rasuulkii runta iyo raxmaddu (SLCWS). Bal Ilaahay haynagu anfaco eh, aan tusaalooyinkaa qaar ka soo qaadno.

Wuxu arkay dad dhagxan waawayn madaxa laga saarayo oo dhulka ku dhacaya. Hadana soo kacaya; hadana dhagaxii la saarayo; hadana dhulka ku dhacaya. Falkaasna lagu celcelinayo. Rasuulki (SLCWS) Jibriil ayuu weydiiyay oo ku yidhi, “Waa maxay dadkani?” Jibriil wuxu ku yidhi, “Waa dadkii aan tukan jirin; ee aan salaad foodda dhigin.”

Djibouti: Mineral, Metal and Fuel Resources

 

Welcome to Djibouti

 

Djibouti, with a total population of 774,389 as of July 2012, is located in Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia. The country mostly has a desert type of climate and covers a total area of 23,200 km².

 

Djibouti was formed in 1977 by the combination of the French territory of the Afars and the Issas. The country serves as a chief transshipment area that allows the entry and exit of goods from the east African highlands. The country is also a significant refueling center and most port activities revolve around the import and export of goods from Ethiopia.

 

The country’s per capita consumption saw a decline between 1999 and 2006 because of the civil war, increasing population and global recession. In 2011, the country’s GDP was $2.26 billion. With only limited amount of natural resources, Djibouti depends more on international aid to balance its economic status and develop more revenue generating projects.

Gold hero Mo Farah and his brother ''Read/watch

 

''Olympic star's first ever joint interview with twin Hassan''

OLYMPIC hero Mo Farah is larking about with identical twin brother Hassan — and the way they behave no one would think they have lived apart for 21 years. They giggle at the same jokes, prod and poke each other — and even mimic Mo’s signature Mobot pose together.

Hassan slaps Mo’s shaven head while the Team GB champ teases his brother about his weight. Their bond is obvious and heartwarming but it is also slightly surprising because the twins were separated aged eight. They started life together in Mogadishu, Somalia — but in 1991 Mo was brought to England by his father to escape a brutal civil war and Hassan stayed with mum Aisha.

Mo is a national treasure, after winning two gold medals at London 2012 in the 5,000m and the 10,000m. Hassan enjoys a far more modest life. He works as a car mechanic in the town of Hargeisa in northern Somalia (Somaliland), where he lives with his wife and five children.

 

Read more:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4599298/Mo-Bro.html

Commercialisation of education has turned it from the Universities in Somaliland into a Business

 

Executive Summary and Recommendations

 

The main purpose I have penned this article pertaining to the Universities in Somaliland is that I have been moved by in the wake of seeing hundreds of university graduates churned out day in day out by the multitude universities in the country, which their quality is highly questionable at the best, and that they are understandably established nothing short of commercial purpose. The bogus universities are capitalising on the desperate need for universities by the students shown enthusiasm about pursuing their higher education with these universities.

 

The universities are seemingly untrammelled by the rules and the regulations of the government, and that there is inability on the part of incumbent dispensation to streamline and regulate the upsurge of the universities euphemism for commercial entities.

 

The educational institutions specifically the universities are staunchly mushrooming in recent years throughout Somaliland. In the capital city of Somaliland, Hargeisa, alone there are large number of private universities chiefly run by the citizens of the country; the authorities of these universities are hell bent on how to commercialise the higher education system in the country by making capital out of the blissful ignorance coupled with the wants for universities, and colleges by the country’s freshly Secondary school graduates, who diametrically keen on pursuing their higher studies with these bogus universities.

Ethiopia surprises itself with peaceful transition after Meles

 

- When Ethiopia's leader of 21 years Meles Zenawi died in August, citizens were on edge with memories of violent transfers of power.

 

"A lot of people expected conflict after his death was announced," says a top young civil servant about Prime Minister Meles's secrecy-shrouded death. His mother asked him to remain at home to stay safe as "the head of government had died, and this was Africa– and particularly Ethiopia, which has no history of peaceful transitions."

 

Yet the appointment of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn by parliament last month was conducted without arms, marking a democratic milestone and relative stability for a key partner of the West in the volatile Horn of Africa.

 

"[T]he country only has history of about 20 years of democracy," says a senior ruling party and government official, privately. And for the past month, "at this critical time without the highest government post, everything was peaceful."

Khubaradii Baadhaysay Xabaalo-wadareedka Oo Cadeeyay In La Xasuuqay Dadka

- Guddiga dabagalka xasuuqii shacbiga reer Somaliland uu u gaystay taliskii Siyaad Barre ee dalka ka amar ku taaglayn jiray, ayaa shalay soo bandhigay lafaha dad farabadan oo la xasuuqay, isla markaana ku aasnaa xabaal wadareedyo ku yaala badhka, oo taliskaasi xasuuqay 1984-kii, waxaanay sheegeen in tirada dadka xabaal wadareedkaasi ku aasnaa ay tiradoodu tahay dadka lafahahoodii ay soo saareen 38 qof oo goob kaliya lagu wada laayay.

 

Gudoomiyaha guddiga dabagalka xasuuqa Khadar Axmed Like oo shalay saxaafada uga waramay Hotelka Adamis in Hotel ee magaalada Hargeysa, ayaa sheegay in lafaha dadkaasi ay ka soo saareen xabaal wadareeda Badhka ee duleedka koonfureed ee magaalada Hargeysa lagu laayay 1984kii, isla markaana khubarada hawshan baadhitaanka ka shaqaynaysa macluumaadka dadkaasi la xasuuqay ay soo saareen qalfoofka dadkaasi, isla markaana ay khabiiradu cadeeyeen in dadkaasi la xasuuqay, waxaanu Khadar Axmed Like intaa ku daray, in khubaradan cadaanka ahi ay tababar siinayaan arday Jaamiciiyiin ah oo Somaliland ah, kuwaas oo uu sheegay in mustaqbalka ay hawshan dabooli doonaan, maadaama ay baranayaan macluumaadka baadhitaanka xasuuqyadii shacbiga reer Somaliland rajiimkii Siyaad Barre u gaystay.

Ilkley trekker sets out on African expedition '' For Edna-Hospital

 

- A long-distance trekker has embarked on his latest charitable expedition – to walk 2,000 miles through Africa.

 

Ilkley’s Christopher Stanfield is on the road bound for Somaliland in a new fundraising venture in aid of the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in Hargeisa.

 

Mr Stanfield set off from Cairo last month on a trek that will take him through vast barren desert and across both land and sea.

 

He is accompanied by a friend, who is filming the journey, and a camel (above) given to them by a local man, which he named Falcor, after the luck dragon charac-ter in film The Never-ending Story.

Somalia: The Bad Old Days Return

 

- The government is trying to play down reports of their soldiers looting and killing civilians in Kismayu. While most of the army soldiers have undergone months of training, their NCOs and officers are not experienced. The Kenyan troops, by comparison, are very professional and disciplined. One cause of the problems with civilians is an effort to find and arrest al Shabaab members who have stayed behind pretending to be civilians.

Normally al Shabaab gunmen do not wear uniforms but do tend to adopt an identifiable style of civilian dress that can be easily changed. For over two weeks now military age men in Kismayu have been questioned and residents asked to report any suspected al Shabaab members. Over 300 suspects have been arrested so far. A similar operation has been underway in Mogadishu, with similar results.

Meanwhile, there is another source of violence in Kismayu and that is disagreements between pro-Kenyan and pro-government militias about who would control what once Kismayu was captured. Kenyan military commanders thought they had worked out a power sharing deal, but apparently some of the clan militia leaders changed their plans and now want more.

Gorfaynta Deel-layda Iyo Abwaan ''GAARIYE

Xuska Maalinta Mujaahidiinta: Mujaahid Cabdiraxmaan Cabdiqaadir‏

 

- Goob aan si qurux badan loo agaasimin,wasiirada dawladu aaney ka muuqan,mucaaridku aaney u holan tagisteeda, ayaa lagu  qabtey magaalada Hargeysa xuska maalinta Shuhadada dalka Soomaaliland.Waxaa madashaa ka hadley hal-door badan oo tilmaamey qiimaha ay leedahay maalintaasi,waxaa la xusay  mujaahidiintii geeriyooday (IHUN), waxaa laga hadley in wax loo qabto  dadka dhibaateysan ee dalka u soo halgamey.Waa weedh soo noqnoqota gu’walba waydayna fal raaca.

 Mujaahid Xildhibaan Axmed Diiriye (Nacnac) oo arintaa ka hadlaya ayaa yidhi: “Walaalayaal mujaahidiinta raali ahaada waa la idiin maqan yahay waa itaalka dawlada marba kii jilicsan ayaa kolba la gargaarayaa waad wada jilicsan tihiin qofkii sii liita ayaa horta la gargaarayaa .Waxaanu leenahay Maxamadoow(Ina Kaahin)ragga ka sii nool baynu nahay mujaahidiintii, haddaan la qorin taariikhda  sannad walba halkaa uun baynu,  Mikiroonkuun baynu qabsan, waa la la qoraa taariikhdooda oo haddii Iskuulada lagu dhigan waayo halkaa dhaafi mayso..Shalay Gaarriye(IHUN) ayaa dhintay waynakii u baroordiiqnay dee haddana caruurtiisii cidlay taalaa..dee markaa haddii aynaan caruurtiisa ka warhayn ..dee is nothing.. waxba maynu kordhin .dee markaa aynu ka warhayno”

Sanad-guuradda 26-aad ee Maalinta Shuhadada SNM Oo Hargaysa Laga Xusay

 

- Guddoomiye Ku xigeenka koowaad ee Xisbiga KULMIYE ayaa ugu baaqay xukuumadda Somaliland inay ka soo qeyb gasho munaasibadaha lagu xusayo halgankii dib u xoraynta dalka loo soo maray. Maxamed Kaahin waxa uu sidaasi ku sheegay xaflad lagu xusayay sanad-guuraddii 26-aad ee ka soo wareegtay maalinta shuhadada SMN oo maanta lagu qabtay xarunta Ha’yada shaqaalaha dawladda ee magaalada Hargeysa.

 

Guddoomiye Ku xigeenka koowaad ee KULMIYE Md. Maxamed Kaahin Axmed oo ka mid ahaa Hoggaankii garabkii Milatari ee SNM “Waxaanan u ducaynayaa intii ka shahiiday mujaahidiinta oo aynu leenahay ILAAHEY naxariistii jano ha ka waraabiyo, waa shuhado xaq darro ka soo dagaalantay , maalintan waxa aynu iskugu soo min guurinay in la xuso dhamaan shuhadadii SNM.”

 

“Inkasta oo aanay maalin wada dhimanin ee ay maalmo kala jaad ah wada dhinteen, maalinta waxa loo qaatay waxa ka mid ahaa dadkii maalintaa shahiiday Maxamed Xaashi Lixle oo ah ragii ugu qiimaha dheeraa ugu taariikhda dheeraa ugu halganka adkaa ee gudaha ka soo bilaabay ayaa ka mid ahaa ragii shahiiday,”ayuu yidhi Maxamed Kaahin.

Somaliland: Somaliland journalists under fire

HARGEISA, 17 October 2012 (IRIN) - Journalists in the republic of Somaliland are increasingly being harassed and arrested by security forces there, say officials. “More than 60 journalists were arrested in the first six months of 2012 compared to less than 20 journalists in the last six months of 2011,” Mohamed-Rashid Muhumed Farah, secretary general of the Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA), told IRIN.

“For example, a national TV reporter has been harassed. [There have been] midnight attacks on media offices and residences by the newly established rapid reaction unit of the police. Torturing of journalists in the police stations [is] now taking place.”

The concern is shared by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). “Somaliland had an unprecedented number of detentions of journalists this year. In the first half of the year, we've seen over 50 journalists arbitrarily arrested and detained briefly by authorities. The fact that these detentions occur without warrants or often any reason demonstrates how the ruling party misuses its position to silence critical voices,” said Tom Rhodes, CPJ's East Africa consultant.

Somalia’s New Prime Minister & Bretton Woods institutions – History Highlights

 

- SOMALI REPUBLIC was a pastoral economy based on ‘exchange’ between nomadic herdsmen and small agriculturalists. Nomadic pastoralists account for 50% of the population. In the mid 1970’s, resettlement programs led to the development of a sizeable sector of commercial pastoralism. Livestock contributed to 80% of the export earnings until 1983, and despite the recurrent droughts still Somali Republic remained virtually self-sufficient in food security.

 

Somali government reassured agriculture and livestock developments, as it was a national economy backbone. The public, mainly, consumed the local products and the republic started exporting livestock and meat to abroad. The international community, including world bank and International Monitory Fund – IMF, confirmed that Somali possess enough food reserve.

 

Unfortunately, Somali Republic applied loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (Bretton Woods Institutions) in order to accelerate its development programs. The debts produced positive results at the initial stage, however, devastation started after the Bretton Woods Institutions dictated policies to Somali government, if not, tight schedule of loan repayment, which was pardon on the republic.

Horn of Africa to benefit from $38m European Commission boost

 

- An estimated one million people in Ethiopia and Somalia are expected to benefit from the $38 million increase in aid from the European Commission, officials said.

 

According to a press statement, the money from the Commission's Emergency Aid Reserve (EAR), will mainly be used in the provision of humanitarian assistance and to help build the resilience of the vulnerable communities from future disasters.

 

Though the Horn of Africa region has seen an improvement in food security, more than two million people in Somalia depend on food aid.

 

The number of those in need of food aid in Ethiopia has increased by 16 per cent and the recent flooding in the country affected more than 100,000 people.

Far From Home: Somali Bantu...

 

''Somali Bantu experience (such as parents’ lack of literacy, and mental-health issues stemming from exposure to violence, being uprooted, and then living in camps for years)''. Elizabeth

 

- Bantu tribal people were brought to Somalia from other African countries as slaves in the nineteenth century. After emancipation, with few options for formal employment, this minority group adopted a subsistence lifestyle, settling in remote river valleys without schools or access to healthcare. The group, which constituted at least 5 percent (and by some estimates, much more) of Somalia’s population, didn’t have even one representative in the national government. When the civil war began in 1991, Somali Bantu communities were defenseless as armed groups from both sides of the conflict started coming to their communities, raping, pillaging, and killing under the pretense that the villagers had helped the other side.

 

Tens of thousands of Somali Bantus ended up in refugee camps in Kenya. Returning to Somalia, where they suffered from discrimination and where outbreaks of violence persisted (and still do), was not a good option. By the time the United States agreed to accept 13,000 Somali Bantu refugees for resettlement, most of them had been living in the camps for more than a decade.

Sheegashada Fulinta 70% Balanqaadyadeedii Ee Xukuumada Siilaanyo Waa Iska-faan!

 

- Xukuumada Madaxweyne Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud Siilaanyo oo muddo laba sanadood iyo shan bilood ah talada dalka hogaaminayay oo dhawaan qiimayn ay ku sameeyeen muddadaasi waxyaalaha qabsoomay, kuna sheegeen in xukuumadu qabatay 70% waxyaalihii ay ku balanqaaday xilligii ololihii doorashada Madaxtooyada, oo shacbigu qiimaynta xukuumada ay ku tilmaameen mid xaqiiqada ka fog oo la buun-buuniyay, isla markaana ay dadka odorosa siyaasadu iyo qiimaynta maamuladu ay ku sheegeen mid xukuumadu iskugu bogtay oo kaaf iyo kala dheeri isku ah, marka la eego baylahda ka taagan waxyaalo badan oo xukuumada Kulmiye ay balanqaaday, balse ilaa hada ah kuwo aanay jirin wax ka fulay.

 

Xukuumadu qiimaynteeda 70% ay ku tar sheegatay kumay faahfaahinin waxyaalaha qabsoomay ee ka fulay balanqaadyadii xisbiga Kulmiye barnaamijkiisa lagu qoray, sidoo kale may sheegin waxyaalaha baaqday ee aanay fari ka qodnayn ee ku jiray barnaamjikii Kulmiye, oo ah kuwo wali taagan, balse looga baahnaa xukuumadu inay cadayso sababta ay u fuli waayeen arrimaha waaweyn ee bulshadu tabayso ee ka rumoobi waayay balanqaadyadii barnaamijka kulmiye.

UK's Cameron signs Scotland referendum deal

 

- Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron signed a deal Monday with the leader of Scotland's separatist administration on a referendum that could break up the United Kingdom.

 

Officials from London and Edinburgh have been meeting for weeks to hammer out details of a vote on Scottish independence. Sticking points included the date and the wording of the question.

 

Cameron met Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond in Edinburgh to approve the deal, calling for a referendum before the end of 2014.

 

The prime minister is expected later to praise Scotland's two governments for coming together to deliver a "legal, fair and decisive" referendum that now puts the decision on a separate Scotland or a United Kingdom in the people's hands.