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Somaliland:The Decision to Lift the Ban on Hubaal was against Norms-Prosecutor General

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By Goth Mohamed Goth

Somaliland Prosecutor General Mr. Hassan Ahmed Aden has categorically dismissed in the strongest terms a ruling by a Hargeisa District court to lifted a one and half year ban imposed on Hubaal , Somali language newspaper known for its criticism of the current government.

The Prosecutor General speaking to the press in his office said, “The prosecutor office was not aware of any lifting of the ban imposed on Hubaal and it was a norm for the state prosecution representing the national police in the case to be informed of any such development but that wasn’t the case however.

The circumstances of lifting the ban on Hubaal is somehow suspicious and unlawful, the presiding judge should have summoned all parties for before he makes his ruling again this was not the case because the state prosecution never had the chance to do so that’s why we filed an appeal against ruling of the Hargeisa district court with the court of appeal.
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Somaliland:CBE Awards Dahabshiil Ethiopia for Role on Promoting Foreign Exchange

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Dahabshiil was the only African Company so honored during the ceremony

Dahabshiil was the only African Company so honored during the ceremony

The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) honoured exporters and money transfer agents who promoted the bank’s portfolio in terms of earning huge foreign exchange here Thursday at Sheraton Addis. The award is aimed at recognizing them and strengthening the export sector. The Bank has been giving its services for the last 70 years uninterruptedly regardless of changes of government.

The exporters are those engaged in money transfer, coffee, leather, textile and mineral sectors. MIDROC Ethiopia, Western Union and Dehabshiil Money Transfer agents earned over 150 million USD while Belayneh Kindie, an exporter earned around 140 million USD receiving the highest awards and Certificates of Appreciation. CBE President Bekalu Zeleke said that the Bank was successful in expanding export trade, introducing local products for foreign market, making local products get recognition, and in building its capacity to be competitive in the international markets thanks to its investors’ continuous hard work. Bekalu also said that as export trade is essential to develop foreign currency and to create employment, CBE has been working on how to support and encourage customers to work on export trade. “We believe that our Bank has a problem on the export trade sector, even if our government has taken measures to boost export trade and recognize our investors efforts in their role to improve the growth of the national economy,” Bekalu said. “But it is undeniable that CBE is showing faster growth in the last few years. It has 9.4 million customers in its 909 branches in the country. The Bank’s total asset has reached over 250 billion Birr. Bereket Simon, Adviser to the Prime Minister with the Rank of
Minister and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the CBE, said that the government and its people have long been working hard to eradicate poverty and to make the country join the level of middle income countries through the implementation of various strategies.

Guush receives Award, standing in line are Minister for Industry, Ahmed Abetew, flanked by CBE President Bekalu Zeleke, and CBE Vice President, Mohamed Nouradin

Guush receives Award, standing in line are Minister for Industry, Ahmed Abetew, flanked by CBE President Bekalu Zeleke, and CBE Vice President, Mohamed Nouradin

The Minister said: “The country’s continuous registration of fast economic growth has been going on for the last seven years. To increase the pace of such growth to even higher levels the government’s role in leading the people is significant.” According to Bereket, due to the fall in the price of coffee in the global market in 2012/13 the country’s income was forced to decline. However, despite this the export trade of the 2013/14 year has shown a marked improvement. Compared with the previous year, coffee has shown an increase of 41.5 per cent, oil seeds 17.1 per cent, meat and meat products 12.6 per cent while fruits and vegetables have shown an increment of 8.7 per cent. Bereket said that government creates conducive environment for the export of manufactured products for local investors. Development partners and exporters should focus on working jointly by sustaining export trade to help the country sell its products and get more benefits from the sector. Country Representative to Dahabshiil Money Transfer Limited, AL.

Dahabshiil Country Manager Ali Guush

(Ali) Jama Guush said on his part said that Dahabshiil was the only African company working in Ethiopia, employing 5,000 people across 126 countries. It works with 17 banks in Ethiopia. Dahabshiil has more than 40 years experience in the provision of valuable lifeline in the Horn of Africa and it remains committed to its original values of trust, reliability, integrity and customer-focus. Dahabshiil plans to strengthen its position in the market and to further expand its network of agents throughout the world by building strong partnerships and adding new products and services to meet the growing expectations of its valued customers worldwide. Belayneh Kindie Importer – Exporter, the leading exporters of oilseeds and other cereals to different countries in the world especially to China started six years ago and has brought 60 million USD through CBE and 15 million USD through other banks. This success is a result of the hard and continuous efforts of its employees and managers in addition to the policy and strategy that are undertaken by the government.

The Bank was said to have made US$5.5bn out of foreign exchange earnings in 2014.

 

Imagining A Better Future: Sustainable Energy Around the World

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abaarso 1

Ahmed Mohamed Qaalib (Student)

Mustafe Mohamed Ibrahim (Student)

Hamze Faisal Abdi (Student)

Sarah Brinn Smith (Teacher)

Ubah Abdi Ali (Student)

 

Abaarso School of Science and Technology

 

High School History Class

By Sarah Brinn Smith

 

We are from the Abaarso School of Science and Technology, located outside of Hargeisa, Somaliland. We are four 12th grade students who have worked together with our History teacher to come up with an answer to this important question. Together, we have put into action the values of our school, integrity, tenacity and reasoning. Once every other week for the past four months, we have gotten together to brainstorm, discuss, and outline our thoughts into a cohesive argument.

 

One of the biggest difficulties facing today’s world is how to effectively and efficiently produce energy in the developing, modernizing and most populous countries in the world.  We believe the wide scale adoption of sustainable energy technology is one way to overcome this challenge. The way to achieve this goal is through the collaboration of the government and youth in school communities across the world. We’ve identified Africa and Asia as prime locations to start this revolution.

 

Energy is needed to sustain modern life. Computer technology, electricity and transportation, the lynchpins of mobility, all depend on energy. Today, the vast majority of energy production is reliant on fossil fuels. While this method has allowed our world population to reach unprecedented levels of development, it is not without problems. For instance, oil, the main source of energy in Somaliland, is of finite supply and, consequently, is increasingly scarce and expensive. Moreover, the burning of fossil fuels causes distress to our environment in the form of pollution. Oxygen, water and fertile soil, resources crucial to human health and survival, are negatively impacted by pollution.

 

Beyond fossil fuels, other sources of energy are readily available. These resources include solar heat, water and wind. Solar energy panels, wind turbines, hydropower electricity, bioenergy fuel, hydrogen fuel, and geothermal electricity are examples of energy technologies that harness the power of renewable sources from our Earth and sun. So-called “green” energy resources are more abundant, cheaper and cleaner than their fossil fuel counterparts. The use of such resources would clear up the issue of energy scarcity and the plague of pollution. Although these technologies already exist, unfortunately such modes of energy production are not as widely disseminated or utilized.

 

Just as our small group of five people has done over the past few months, our diverse world population must work together in order to achieve the goal of utilizing new energy technologies on a wider scale. We believe collaboration starts in the classroom. In school, we are socialized to interact with others and become members of our community. Just as education is needed to establish academic literacy in society, our community habits and attitudes are also formed in school.

 

This is why investment in sustainable energy should target the young generation. Governments and providers should vow to make sustainable energy an integral part of educational curriculum in primary and secondary schools across the world. Students will not only learn about solar energy or hydropower; Youths will witness the use of these technologies on the school campus and will play a role in maintaining and operating the equipment. Every day, students will build the habit of using and living with such technologies. This experience should allow future generations to make an easy transition to using sustainable energy technology in greater society.

 

The most populous and youthful societies are distributed across the developing countries of Africa and Asia. The challenges associated with using fossil fuels pose a serious problem for countries in this demographic, such as Somaliland, that are just beginning to develop the wide spread use of energy. For instance, in China, the most populous country in the world and one of the most rapidly developing, burning coal is the government-sponsored method of producing heat. In the city of Beijing, where our teacher has spent much of her life going to school and working, the sizeable population that has adopted the use of solar technology is completely at a loss during the winter months when the burning of coal creates a black haze that covers the entire city. This example illustrates that our societies must be incentivized to embrace sustainable technologies as the primary source of energy in order to be effective on a wide scale. It also points to the necessity of collaboration across different levels of society.

 

The youths of developing communities across the world will be the forbearers of the sustainable energy revolution. We, the youth, are the future leaders of tomorrow. As we are just beginning our journey down the road of energy production, our habits are not yet solidified and we are in a good position to champion these technologies and promote their greater use.

 

At Abaarso School, we have initiated this process. Located on the top of a mountain in the desert, Abaarso is in a prime position to employ solar and wind energy. In 2014, Abaarso School was the recipient of a $50,000 USD grant for being the runner-up in the Global High Schools Category for the Zayed Future Energy Prize. Among the energy-saving and renewable technologies the prize has allowed our school to establish, the use of solar water heaters has eliminated the reliance on fuels used to heat water for bathing and cooking. The grant also helped the school continue the process of constructing a wind turbine, which will decrease our reliance on our expensive fuel-burning generator. As part of the grant, volunteers from the ARC Initiative traveled to our school to install the new technologies and transfer their knowledge to the students and teachers about sustainable energy. At Abaarso, we hope to set an example this century as we call for the greater implementation of sustainable energy technologies in schools and communities throughout the world.

 

As we face the eminent burden of a fossil fuel shortage in the process of transforming and modernizing our societies, it is high time to heavily invest in sustainable energy technology. Collaboration of governments, energy architects and educational institutions for the youth is the key to successful implementation. In Africa, initiatives such as the Zayed Future Energy Prize, USAID’s Power Africa and the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund are supporting the dream of sustainable energy. It is the communities, such as our Abaarso School, that will make the implementation of sustainable energy a reality. As the future of Somaliland, our commitment to sustainable energy in our nation is our commitment to our continent and to our world.

Source: Global Ethics Network

 

Somaliland:Nation and Family – Do we really have so much to be proud of ?

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courtMany of us live and have raised families outside Somaliland for various reasons but especially since the civil war. A consequence of the war and of people fleeing the country is the difficulty in proving legal title to land and property ownership. Court cases over property disputes are I’m told now prevalent.

It seems that it is not only the peace and prosperity of Somaliland that has attracted the return of diaspora. They return to claim their land and inheritance especially at the prospect of riches from the increased value of that land. That piece of land or derelict building ignored for decades has now become a goldmine.

Greed takes over! The Somali tradition of pride, honour and justice amongst families gives way to dishonour, theft and lies. In the last year alone I have heard so many stories of families unable to move forward morally or financially because of disputes over money, land and property and now sadly I am experiencing the same amongst my siblings.

Another Somali tradition is one of ‘keeping the family secrets’. I believe that it is this mafia family style of ‘keeping family secrets’ that serves to perpetuate and feed the poison running through the heart of so many families. Should we not acknowledge our faults, stop living in the past and expose those in our family that wish to use ‘Somali honour’ as a shield to hide their dishonour and humiliation?

What mediation service is available for those Somalilanders who have limited knowledge of the old Somali traditions or where family elders with the old respected honourable traditions have since passed away?

My father was an honourable highly respected member of the community in Hargeisa and in the UK. Through hard work and integrity he raised the standard of living for members of his family in Somaliland including those who were nomads. With the support of ‘family’ (in the days when ‘family’ meant something), he built a life for his family in Somaliland and in the UK. He was passionate and extremely proud of his country and of his people. For him ‘family’ meant so much, Somaliland meant so much. Unfortunately he died young. He left a legacy and name to be proud of. His sons and daughters have now grown old having failed to uphold that legacy… Because of our stupid infighting, especially amongst his sons, we have failed him and ourselves…. Shame on all of us including the society that allows us to continue to use his name as a badge of honour when we deserve none.

Many of you are probably wondering why the narrator would chose to expose and bring shame on her family. I am weary of the bitterness and the suffering. I’m told it is a shame to talk about ones’ own family Ceeb? Is the shame in exposure or the deed itself?

We are a nation of proud people but when it comes to dealing with family stuff, inheritance, land grabbing etc. do we really have so much to be proud of? Isn’t that pride and misplaced honour preventing us from dealing with the ugly truth?

I hope this post will encourage a healthy debate on the subject to make way for changes in the way such issues are dealt with the focus being put on dignity rather than arrogant pride.

Djibouti, the Pomegranate of the Scale in East Africa

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sss1By: Mekki Elmograbi

Ismael Omer GullehPresidents of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh

The leadership of this small country has committed itself to wise and balanced policy in a surrounding full of conflicts. It has succeeded in employing the unique geographical location, where modern ports and investments – in stony and arid lands – are visibly taking shape and roots with bright future ahead.
The steelyard scale by definition is a balance in which an object to be weighed is suspended from the shorter arm of a beam and the weight determined by sliding counterpoise “the shape of pomegranate fruit” along a graduated scale on the longer beam until equilibrium is attained. The word is used in Arabic as “Romanat Al-Mizan” which means “the Pomegranate of the Scale” or in French “Le Pommeau de La Balance Romaine” to describe something that is small in size and weight but without which no equilibrium is attainable.
On our 5-day visit – me and two dozens of Ethiopian and Addis Ababa based journalists – to the Pomegranate of East Africa, I embarked on writing. Wait a minute! Why did I choose East Africa not the Horn of Africa? Whose coast extending from North to South, with Djibouti in the middle, but constitutes the most important due to its location in the crowded passage from the entire east and west of the world, beyond which are ten landlocked countries.

 

I had planned to write the series of my articles under “Djibouti the Bless of Geography and Gift of Balance”, but opted

Minsiter of Finance, Ilyas Moussa DawalehMinsiter of Finance, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh

for the above title after being impressed by things on our way to the Republican Palace to meet the leader of the Renaissance President Ismail Omar Guelleh after a meeting with the Minister for Finance Mr. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh.
Dawaleh noted that when the colonizers departed the country left only ten graduates in the country, one school and two doctors, adding that colonization did not care about educating and developing the people of Djibouti. He went on to tell the grievances of the past as well as a “gradual success” story up to the time of Mega Projects, which we seen for ourselves during our visit.
From a previous visit to Djibouti I knew there were only two or three cranes at the old port before the coming of Guelleh to power by whose arrival the old historical port was refurbished and developed to match international standards; in addition to the inauguration of extra terminals for containers and oil and also the greater free zone in the country. The Ports and Free Zones Authority in the Djiboutian government is currently engaged in the construction of four additional ports and a free zone, specially for exporting cattle and meats, meaning the eastern region of country,

sssssyclick to see full size of photo

which abounds in cattle and meats will reap the fruits of ports and the integrated free zone “Damerjog”, which will become the “sole guarantee” for East African exports.
On the fifth day of our visit, neither exhaustion nor the long journey – by sea and land from the dawn to the sunset – to Tajoura and mega projects there did not have any effect as the heart beats love for this modest and moderate nation of Djibouti.
At the new elegant hall of Studies Center, belonging to the Ministry of Foreign Mahmud Ali Yousif, spoke or more precisely discussed several issues with the visiting press delegation to his country in a fluent English for ten minutes, before listening to their questions. He spent twenty minutes responding to questions and more than half an hour in interviews to a number of TV channels and news agencies. He explained his countries affairs in strong right forward argument. The journalists were representing Ethiopian media or regional and international correspondents residing in Addis Ababa, for this reason I can claim that the questions covered all areas.
He underscored the importance of balance in an ocean vomiting crisis, stating: “shortly after the independence of Djibouti, the war broke out between Ethiopia and Somalia and shortly after internal Ethiopian war got fierce against Mengesto until the fall of his regime. By the time Ethiopia started to be stable, the regime in Somalia collapsed, and now the neighboring Yemen slipped into a new crisis”, Mahmud Yousif said,  “If there are any worth noting achievements in the region such as preventing and reigning in piracy, Djibouti has played a major role without its participation and contribution it would not have been possible for the entire region to overcome such a grave danger as well as other dangers of terrorism and conflicts, which are currently being curbed.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Ali YousifMinister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Ali Yousif

Yes, the Minister was absolutely true as the situation in the region is more gracious than he cited. Waves and gales have hit the region; especially interests in Djibouti had increased following the opening of Suez Canal late 19th century. Two years following its colonization of Egypt, Britain colonized the ports of Zilei, Barbara, Aden, by the time when France sent its ships toward the Gulf of Tajoura, ever since discussions of different forms have continued up to the moment. A European friend of mine once told me that “East Africa is rich in conflicts” rhyming with “rich in resources”.
Djibouti’s neighborhood has never been stable. After the Ethiopian Italian war, the region entered independence revolutions, conflict between East and West after the World War II. The nonstop civil wars in the region have been but “war by proxy” for international conflicts and ambitions. War in early eighties claimed one million lives only in Ethiopia, where then Derg regime used starving people as a weapon that, which sparked the civil war in 1992 that ended in victory by the revolutionaries and eventually culminated in stability in Ethiopia. As to Somalia, the regime of Siad Beri collapsed in 1991, which resolute in curving the country into Puntalnd in the center and Jubaland in the south, and a third independence movement led by Rahanweyn Resistance Army a fourth movement calling for autonomy in addition to the Republic of Somaliland, which steadily seeking secession from mother land.
Yemen had seen internal wars and war with Egypt, and has always driven by divisions into tribal lines and full of arms in the hands of tribes; which in turn has continued to fuel the conflict in the region, aggravated by the emergence and evanesce of piracy and the coming into existence of Al-Shabab movement. 
Djibouti has been a political laboratory for supplying remedies of stability.  Despite resistance to implementation here and there, the country has remained as steelyard to polarization and hijacking, and in safe hands of a wise leadership, whose balanced foreign policies yielded it a state of security and stability to render it a rising regional economic power. 
We concluded our session with Mahmoud Ali Yousif in a brief conversation in Arabic, language in which he is conversant and fluent, salutations to the spokespersons for the government for such balance.
To be continued    

 

Djibouti:Questions remain after the signing of the Framework Agreement

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oddhDjibouti, 12 January 2015

After more than 22 months of political crisis and multifaceted repression with multiple human rights violations constantly denounce the ODDH (illegal arrest and detention, kidnapping and torture, convictions and nationality withdrawals, travel bans and confiscation of passports opponents, human rights defenders, private citizens, …) and the rise of a state of lawlessness and trivializing be accentuated over time, to the detriment of the rules of justice and the constitution of our country that the power and the opposition coalition (USN) signed a framework agreement on December 30, 2014.

 

As we have already expressed the ODDH hope that this agreement will usher in a republic where the fundamental values ​​of human rights will be respected and will build the foundations of a true democracy and especially the strengthening of institutions. But unfortunately again u beyond a good-Home and enthusiasm eager to two (2) sides, the people and the Djiboutian civil society remain dumbfounded over this framework agreement, the content nor the content have not been published to date nor the opposition website or on that of the government.

 

The people who should be privileged to witness this process of dialogue to endorse the recommendations ensuring a better vision of national policy leading to a national pact and an institutional framework for reform of the constitution to serve democracy in Djibouti seems ruled out.

 

  •   Why the silence around this framework agreement?
  •   What guarantees the success of such an agreement?
  •   Why implement immediate issues to be initiated within one week (8 days) is still not relevant?

 

Moreover, the urgent call to “a peaceful democracy” advocated by the international community and the major powers by encouraging the opposition to accept an agreement should not lead us to the same results for over 37 years ie forcing the people one way or another to keep the same regime in power, even if it wants to change.

 

Besides almost two (2) weeks after the signing of the agreement among the immediate issues except the one concerning the integration of eight (8) members of the opposition in the National Assembly all other issues remain unresolved.

 

  •   No “restoration of the rights of those suspended, dismissed and those who suffered harm”;
  •   Harassment continues. Indeed, Areita, member of the party and Model exercising teacher education consultant based in Djibouti City constituency has been transferred to Mouddo in the Region of Obock in full school year;
  •   Those who were deprived of their rights movement after the power has confiscated their passports, still remain prisoners in their own country. Among them Farah Abdillahi Miguil, president of the ODDH – Adan Mohamed Abdou, vice president of ARD and one of eight members who have just joined the National Assembly – Master Djama Amareh Meidal, a lawyer practicing in Djibouti – Guirreh Meidal Guelleh, one of three leaders and sheiks USN (Union for National Hi), released August 25, 2014 after serving 18 months in prison. He is also a founding member of the MODEL, one of the parties affiliated to the opposition coalition USN – Hassan Igueh Ofleh,   a trader without political labeled them

 

In any case, everyone will see the door at noon but in all cases clogging and / or any consent precast policy that does not serve the interests of the people will not stand the test of time. And besides, the desire for freedom and justice remains strong wherever the rule of law is lacking.

 

The ODDH called power respecting the agreed Framework Agreement:

 

ü   By restoring their rights and duties to all victims of this political crisis that lasted more than 22 months,

ü   By stopping the harassment that can lead to situations of tension against members and supporters of the opposition,

ü   By implementing democratic reforms to lay the foundations for a genuine rule of law.

 

The ODDH recommended to power and opposition:

 

ü   A sincere dialogue to serve the cause of the nation and not the interests of each other,

ü   A transparent process where the stages will be regular press briefings,

ü   Negotiations in which there would be no winners or losers if not the people and democracy,

 

 

Acting for democracy, dignity and justice.

The President of the ODDH

Farah Abdillahi Miguil

Somaliland:Remembering the Late Ibrahim Koodbuur

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SNM Warriors.jpg22

Late Ibrahim Koodbuur is one of the highly remembered brave man history recorded in 20th century in view of the danger involved for the rescue mission to free Abdillahi Askar from extremely protected Jail guarded by heavily armed military units.

People are two categories namely those who make history and those who read history like common people. Ibrahim Koodbuur was one those who makes history in view of his bravery act which is rarely happened in history. Ibrahim display courage, face danger without fear and facing danger makes brave man braver .Martin Luther King, Jr., The black American civil rights activist who said I have a Dream speech on August 28, 1963 delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln memorial which is defined American civil rights movement has also made history.  Nelson Mandela who struggled to end Apartheid in South Africa also made history. Mohamed Hashi Lixle who engineered the well known Mandiira jail operation to free the prisoners of concise is also another personality who made history. With respect to my main subject issue, Somali Nation Movement(SNM) has produced hundreds of brave man and women, but the rescue operations engineered by Ibrahim Koodbuur was unique nature in the view of risk involved the rescue  operation from a jail in the heart of city surrendered by heavily armed military units. Furthermore, the city whereby mission operated was stationed by the headquarters of the largest military 26th division of Somali army. Military divisions consist of many brigades and each brigade consists of many battalions. The number of soldiers that makes battalions, brigades and battalions varies from country to country. But general it is understood that the number of military bridges ranges from 3,000 to 10,000.00. Therefore, one can a city stationed a number of bridges of above strength. Ibrahim Koodbuur and the small number of commandos with him put their lives on danger to challenge a military division of the above size. That is why we call this rescue operation as unique nature reason being the security danger involved the operation. One can compare that rescue operation to Entebbe Israeli rescue raid. Operation Entebbe was a hostage-rescue mission carried out by the Israeli defence forces at Entebbe in Uganda on July 4, 1976. A week earlier, on June 27, an air France plane with 248 passengers was hijacked by Palestinian units and flown to Entebbe, near Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Shortly after landing, all non-Jewish passengers were released. The operation took place at night, as Israeli transport planes carried 100 elite commandos over 2,500 miles (4,000 km) to Uganda for the rescue operation. The operation, which took a week of planning, lasted 90 minutes and 103 hostages were rescued. Five Israeli commandos were wounded and one, the commander, Lt. Colonel Yonatan Netanyahu, was killed. All the hijackers, three hostages and 45 Ugandan soldiers were killed and 11 Soviet-built MiG-17 of Uganda’s air force were destroyed. A fourth hostage was murdered by Ugandan army officers at a nearby hospital. That rescue named Operation Thunderbolt in memory of the leader who engineered the operation. Ibrahim Koodbuur  has engineered a rescue operation equivalent in terms of the risk involved to Entebbe raid.

 

Ibrahim was compensate, determined, confidence fearless at time he led the rescue operations and these qualities can be found in daring feats of heroism. Bravery is often associated with fearless acts of heroism, but this emotion also is a natural component of bravery and is a normal physiological reaction to perceived physical and emotional threats. Bravery involves learning to cope with and conquer your fears. By doing this, people discover their innate bravery, trust and delight in life. Many acts of bravery would never be committed if it weren’t for compassion and altruism. People who risk their lives doing rescue work in war zones are usually motivated by a compassionate desire to help others. Someone who jumps into the water to save someone drowning does so because he puts the welfare of the endangered person before his own. Confidence is fueled by a belief in your own abilities and the belief that you can be successful. This is an important characteristic of bravery because those who have high levels of confidence and self-esteem are more likely to take risks and plunge into activities. Commitment to a higher purpose or goal is a common characteristic of bravery. The fire-fighter who enters a burning building places in a potentially dangerous situation, but does so because he is committed to saving lives and is motivated by higher principles. Taken into consideration the act of bravery led by Ibrahim that involves the most dangerous risk, the memory of the late  Ibrahim Koodbuur is active in hearts in the minds for the people of Somali-land. In memory of bravery act, a district in Hargeisa has been named in remembrances of Ibrahim Koodbuur. I had an opportunity to meet Ibrahim in 1979 and I can categorize Ibrahim a person who Characterize the best qualities any person could poses such as  religious,honest,loyal,devoted,loving,kind,sincere,devoted, hero, brave . Ibrahim put his life in danger to rescue his brother Abdillahi Askar that he shares with him a just cause to free their country and that is why every one of us has a solid memory in their our hearts of minds. Courage and bravery leap to mind first when we think of heroism. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.Brave like Ibrahims always puts others first. Ironically, that kind of selflessness can often be strategic, because focusing on others’ needs often winds up helping you achieve your own goals.Ibrahim has the characteristics of hero which are detailed in the following:
Courage: Courage the first and the foremost quality of a hero is his courage. A hero always overcomes his fears and confronts any challenge head on. Even the faintest tinge of fear doesn’t linger in the heart of a hero.

Virtuosity: Virtuosity is the key aspect of a hero’s character. A hero is never foolishly audacious. He always is judicious and well skilled to cite and cease the opportunities, which present themselves on the way towards his destination. A hero is laden with all the essential faculties, which are instrumental to accomplish what he seeks.

Sacrifice: Sacrifice is a quality that stands unique from all the other virtues which makes a hero noble in his deeds. He or she is always quite willing to cast off the predilections and personal comforts whenever they become indispensable for a higher cause or for the welfare of others.

Determination: For a hero the word “Impossible” always decomposes to yield “I am possible.” A hero is unflinching in his or her determination and believes in his ability without the whiff of dubiety.

Focus: Being focused is also one of the most prominent qualities of a hero. It seems as if all the heroes that have walked on the surface of the earth have been born with definite motives. All their life they hardly lose focus of what they want to achieve or establish. For instance, it appears that Mahatma Gandhi was born with the sole purpose of driving the British forces out of then enslaved India and to preach the world the ideology of nonviolence.

Compassion: A true hero is always empathetic, benevolent and shows a great deal of compassion and tenderness to those ailing or in distress. He or she keeps aside thoughts those are oriented to the self and embraces an attitude that serves others.

Perseverance: This quality is what that makes the hero special. Even if they encounter failure on their way, they are determined to get over it and fight till they achieve success. They do not give up simply rather they are focused to withstand all the consequences that they may encounter in their path.

Dedication: The heroes are selflessly dedicated to their task and will thus focus their actions towards its achievement. They whole-heartedly dedicate themselves to the task, which is set, and work towards its completion.

Honesty: In all the endeavors that a hero takes up, honesty forms the base of all his efforts. This honesty earns him the respect of others and helps him leading his followers to the desired goal.

Loyalty: A hero is considered to possess fierce loyalties in the sense that he is faithful to whatever tasks they take up. His commitment to a particular cause leads him way beyond others citing an example for others to follow him.

Intrepidity:The heroes have a courage that is unshaken despite anything that comes in their path of their focused success. They are determined to fight challenges with resolute courageousness.

Conviction: Heroes have a strong conviction as they have strong beliefs regarding a particular situation. It is a set of unshakable thoughts or beliefs, which cannot be altered by any chance.

Fortitude: Fortitude can be defined as a habit that is involved in encountering a deed that is dangerous with a bright spirit that is adopted with passive courage.

Responsibility: Whatever be the type of responsibility entailed on them, they take it up with utmost sincerity and take it to its logical conclusion.

 

Wisdom: Wisdom is the most desired quality, which a leader must possess. Only a wise and astute person can do so. wisdom is always an attribute that all of them possess.

 

Above mentioned are some of the most fundamental qualities, which Ibrahim  possesses and these qualities identified him being exceptional in view that he puts his personal interest behind the shared interest and his own interest as a second priority and not the first and that is why Ibrahim rescue mission considered as exceptional unique nature. Ibrahim has born in small settlement located in the border line stuck between Somaliland and Ethiopia named Dabagorayaale. He has taken his elementary studies in Hargeisa, Intermediate school at sheikh education faculties and secondary school in Farah Oomaar whereby he finished in 1972. Thereafter, he joined the Somali national army as a officer Cadet, went Russia for military training and rounded up his military training in 1977.Upon returned back to home, Ibrahim was ranked as a second lieutenant, the first rank held on commissioning responsible for leading a number of troops both in training and on operation.This personal data related to him was provided to me by his nephew, Khadar Koodbuur ( A famous man in UK, Somaliland and Ethiopia . You will find in the Google another article title as “there is identical history or similarity between Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese leader who liberated Vietnam in 1975 and Mohamed Hashi Lixle” written by myself on December 17, 2013.

 

Thousands of men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice, so many live have been lost and so many changed forever by the wounds that they have suffered in their lives. If thousands of freedom fighters died for this country, we need to have thousands of Sympathizer. SNM fighting men and women sacrifice much to ensure that our great nation stays free. Patriotism is voluntary. It is a feeling of loyalty and allegiance that is the result of knowledge and belief. A patriot shows their patriotism through their actions, by their choice. Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory. A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. A hero or heroines are those who understand the responsibility that comes with his freedom. Hard times create heroes. It is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed. Heroes represent the best of ourselves, respecting that we are human beings. A hero or heroine is someone who is willing to help others in his or her best capacity. A hero is somebody who is selfless, who is generous in spirit, who just tries to give back as much as possible and help people. A hero to me is someone who saves people and who really deeply.

 

The western civilization celebrates hosting the Oscars, but our Oscars are those sacrificed their lives liberating this country.  Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first.  A hero is somebody who is selfless, who is generous in spirit, who just tries to give back as much as possible and help people. A hero to me is someone who saves people and who really deeply cares. A hero is born among a hundred, a wise man is found among a thousand, but an accomplished one might not be found even among a hundred thousand men.  The Martyrs day of 17th October is celebrated every year in most parts of Somaliland. The occasion is observed annually in memory of the fallen heroes and surviving veterans of the liberation struggle launched by SNM almost three decades ago. Few I could remember their names  other than Ibrahim Kodbuur are Mohamed Hashi Lixle,  Abdulqadir Kosdar, Adan shine, Mohamoud Haibdeh, Mohamed Mogeh Liiban, Ahmed Dagax, Adan Suleman, Harag-Waafi and many more Martyrs that I cannot remember their names at present. In conclusion, Late Ibrahim Koodbuur is one of the highly remembered brave man history recorded in 20th century in view of the danger involved for the rescue mission to free Abdillahi Askar from extremely protected Jail in the center of the city (Hargerisa) guarded by heavily armed military units. This type of rescue operation rarely happens any where in the world. The bravery act engineered by Ibrahim stay alive and dwelling in our hearts and minds permanently.

 

 

Ismail Ismail – Rabasoro55@hotmail.co.uk

 

Invatition to Join the Somaliland Reform Conference to be Held onthe 11th of January /15

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Join the Somaliland Reform Conference on

A Strong National Political Parties with the Equity of Representation and the Effectiveness of Public Participation

On behalf of the West London Somaliland Community, we are delighted to invite you to join and participate the West London Somaliland Community, which is about how to build a strong national political parties with the equity of representation and effectiveness of public participation on Sunday the 11th of January 2015 at West London Somaliland Community.

Address:   80 East Avenue, Hayes

Postcode: UB3 2HR

The main agenda of the conference is to discuss, if Somaliland is a democratic state with a free and fair election, and a multi-party system of governance, why the country lacks the enactment of national political parties. For the reason that political parties are more like tribal, individual or group owned political parties. After that inclusive discussion, we need to come up with ways to sustain peace and development within a democratic society.

We also need a process or outcomes of mutual conciliation around people’s competing political views and interests. A strong national political parties with the equity of representation, equity of political decision making influence, degree and effectiveness of public participation and the effectiveness of mutual political conciliation is one of the strategic aims of the Somaliland Reform Centre.

We look forward to greeting you at the conference. Your collaboration is greatly appreciated. Thanks in Advance.

 

West London Somaliland Community

Address: 80 East Avenue, Hayes

Postcode: UB3 2HR

 

24 hours to stand with Paris

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13802_notafraid_1_460x230Hundreds of thousands will march through the streets of Paris tomorrow to support the beautiful French values of equality, fraternity and liberty — and we can be there with them.

The entire world will be watching what happens as people take to the streets in response to the brutal murder of twelve people on Wednesday. Counter protests are planned, Europe’s far-right are mobilising throughout France, and two Muslim places of worship have already been attacked. This is just what the gunmen wanted: division and fear.

But tomorrow we can show them that citizens everywhere also support the values the journalists, staff and policeman died for. Click below to join, and Avaaz staff in Paris will carry all our names in the march:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/march_with_paris_loc/?bWiHveb&v=51065

On Sunday, marchers will be joined by French President Hollande, Germany’s Angela Merkel, the UK’s David Cameron, Spain’s Mariano Rajoy, and many others. But this isn’t just a moment for France or even just Europe. This is one of those moments when those of us who stand for tolerance and freedom of expression everywhere can raise our hands, our pens and our voices. Because the effects of violence like this ripples out, and threaten all of our freedoms.

Many of us found the cartoons in Charlie Hebdo offensive, racist and purposely inflammatory. Along with the Prophet Mohammed, they targeted immigrants, nuns, the pope, Jews and more. But free speech is easy to support until we’re asked to stand for the speech we don’t like. We can help define the message this attack sends to the world’s reporters, editors, and publishers. And to those who would like to see them silenced. 

We can’t all be in Paris on Sunday, but if we all sign our names in support, we will be able to show over one million people stand in solidarity with those in the streets, an important message of global unity at a time when it is so desperately needed. Click below to join in:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/march_with_paris_loc/?bWiHveb&v=51065

What happens after these attack will affect all of us. The world will be choosing between a crackdown and anger or unity in the face of fear. This is our chance to respond with a clear call for hope and cooperation, for liberty, equality and fraternity.

With sadness, but also so much hope and determination,

Emma, Nell, Mais, Ricken, Mélanie and the whole Avaaz team

Sources:

The Attack on Charlie Hebdo (The New Yorker)
http://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/attack-charlie-hebdo

Charlie Hebdo Editor Killed in Paris (TIME)
http://time.com/3657402/charlie-hebdo-stephane-charbonnier-paris-attack/

People Around the World Are Pouring Into the Streets to Support Charlie Hebdo After the Paris Massacre (Mother Jones)
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/01/je-suis-charlie-demonstrations-paris-massacre

No, we are NOT all Charlie (and that’s a problem) (openDemocracy)
https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/cas-mudde/no-we-are-not-all-charlie-and-that%E2%80%…

Somaliland:Pioneer SONYO Founder Appeals for Unity

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images1-150x150By Goth Mohamed Goth

Mr. Abdurrahman Mohamed Guun, one of the founders and former chairman of Somaliland National Youth Organization “SONYO Umbrella” has urged the two opposing sides to bury their hatchet and put their difference aside once and for all.

In a Press Statement released by Mr. Abdurrahman Mohamed Guun stated as follows:-

As one of the founding members of Somaliland National Youth Organization (SONYO Umbrella) which represents 50 youth organizations and 3 university student unions across all regions and which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2013, I would like to take this opportunity to call on my fellow members to reconcile their differences for the sake of upholding the good name of our beloved national institution and setting a good example for fellow youth.

The dispute which arose during the SONYO 7th GA Meeting needs to be solved in a decent and civilized manner through conciliatory means and compromises hence my call for reconciliation by all parties concerned.

Therefore, I would to call upon all parties to end the stalemate and embrace each other, bury their hatchets and settle all conflicts/arguments hence the need to open a new chapter whereby we can all work the way forward to sustain the organizational initiatives and provision of the services for the youth in need.

Please note that the institution is a national one crosscutting all geo-politics, thanks in advance.