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Somaliland: Protecting Foreign Workers

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HARGEISA, 16 March 2010 (Somalilandpress) – After reading a hastily written “article” entitled, “Somaliland: Dream job turns into a nightmare” published on the so-called The Star Online, few unanswered questions linger. If Somaliland is as lawless as the article portrayed it, why thousands of foreign workers are there? Did the author of the article in question fail to distinguish Somaliland from Somalia?

Yes indeed. The Star Online article states, “The lure of a high-paying job took telecommunications consultant Hor Chee Fei to Somalia, one of the world’s most dangerous places.” Is that so?

Perhaps, the telecom consultant encountered the same scams that people come across in China, U.S., Europe and elsewhere. And Somaliland is not immune to scams.

But few things don’t add up: why the telecom consultant failed to name the CEO or the telecom firm that allegedly chased the worker all the way to Hargeisa’s airport runway? Nor did he provide the contacts of the firm. Something smells rotten.

The worker not only failed to provide the names of the people who have turned his dream job into a nightmare, but he also failed to go to the nearest police station and report the alleged crime.

The Star Online article states, “Hor and five other Malaysians managed to avoid detection by blending in with a crowd of Chinese tourists.”

Well the question is: if there are foreign tourists in Somaliland, then it could not be a lawless country.

Also, what the worker perhaps is not telling you is: that his team members either disputed the contract or they could not deliver the services they promised. Now because things didn’t go as rosy as planned, labeling Somaliland as a lawless land is one way of avenging for their misfortune. Every story has two versions, doesn’t it?

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The least the telecom consultant could have done was contact the hundreds of other Malaysians workers in Hargiesa and seek help. In fact, other firms such as, Chinese construction companies have signed contracts with Somaliland government to rebuild Hargeisa’s airport and roads, and currently there hundreds of Chinese as well as Malaysians working in Somaliland. Some even have opened dentist clinics. Read more:
http://www.qarannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7527&Itemid=59

More important, why the airport security forces remained oblivious of the telecom worker chased around by the telecom firm’s owner inside the airport? Is this logical at all? Hargeisa’s airport has one of the most secured systems I have ever come across. The authority is so paranoid that nothing evades its eyes. Yet the telecom worker claims some gangs chased him inside the runway.

Unprofessional articles written by news outlets which break the ethics of good journalism are unfortunately what many people who seek jobs in Somaliland read. It is these articles that would reshape their perception towards Somaliland and influence their decisions to take their skills to there.

If there is no such system in place already, upon their arrivals all foreign nationals should receive the contacts of the security forces, immigration, human rights groups, and Foreign Minister of Somaliland, as well as U.N. agencies. Additionally, it is the government’s responsibility to monitor the well-being of International workers and take all the appropriate actions to protect them.

Dalmar Kaahin
dalmar_k@yahoo.com

__________________________________________________________________________
Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial

An Open Letter to the Arab League

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HARGEISA, 16 March 2010 (Somalilandpress) – I write this letter as a Somaliland citizen that values the ancient, cultural, religious, kinship, commercial and geographic ties that bind the peoples of Somaliland and Arabia. However, I must, in all honesty, clarify that I speak for no one except myself, although I believe that many Somalilanders do share the perspective outlined in this missive.

Recently there have been reports, in both the Somaliland and international press, that Israel is prepared to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign nation. These reports have occasioned the predicable response from the TFG of Sheikh Sharif that Somaliland is part of Somalia and cannot be recognised by any country. It is ironic, to say the least, that an illegitimate and unelected government that is imprisoned in a few blocks of its own capital and which can only survive in this prison under the protection of some 4,000 foreign soldiers (which are not drawn from any Arab League member) has the temerity to tell real governments that are in full control of their territories, what they can and cannot do. However, this is the surreal fantasy that passes for a government in Somalia today.

What is sad is that the pathetic mendacity of the TFG was parroted by the Arab League in their accompanying statement which accused Israel of plotting to divide an Arab country. This is palpable nonsense since the people of Somaliland began the recovery of their sovereignty in April 1981 when they established the Somali National Movement (SNM) as the vehicle for their liberation from the oppression of the Siyad Barre dictatorship. The recovery of Somaliland’s sovereignty was finally realised in 1991 when the forces of the dictatorship were defeated and evicted from Somaliland, after a bitter, decade-long war of liberation in which Somaliland’s people were subjected to mass extermination, ethnic cleansing and a calculated and brutal savagery that has been documented by many human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Thus, the Arab League’s cavalier dismissal of Somaliland’s long struggle for liberation, not to mention its unique achievement of reconciliation, peace, representative government and reconstruction with virtually no outside help, is but another manifestation of Arab hostility and enmity towards us.

We Somalilanders remember that many of the weapons and munitions used by the Siyad Barre dictatorship to massacre innocent men, women and children was gifted to him by members of the Arab League, not to mention much of the funding that was used to prop up the regime and enrich its rulers. We also remember that while many other countries with which the people of Somaliland have no historic ties of kinship or culture or faith, e.g. such as Ethiopia, Canada, USA, Holland, Sweden, Norway and the UK, provided sanctuary and safe haven to the women, children and men that had managed to escape the scourge of the dictatorship with their lives and little else. Yet, the governments of the Arab League members were only too happy to cooperate with the enemy dictatorship to harass, imprison and repatriate to them many innocent Somalilanders who’s sole crime was to send financial support to their families and kinsmen which had been made refugees in Ethiopia and elsewhere by the said dictatorship.

Upon achievement of our liberation and recovery of our sovereignty in 1991, the Arab League embarked upon a sustained campaign to obstruct and thwart at every turn not only the success, but indeed the very existence, of Somaliland as an independent nation. This is despite the fact that when Somaliland first achieved its independence from Britain on 26 June 1960, several Arab countries, including Egypt, were among the 35 nations that recognised the Republic of Somaliland. Indeed, it is an irony worth mentioning here that Somaliland’s independence leader and first Prime Minister, the late Mohammed Ibrahim Egal was a personal friend and political ally of Gamal Abdul Nasser of Egypt, yet the current Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, saw fit to characterise Egal’s death as “…the collapse of the wall that divides Somalia…”. This callous ignorance signifies the depths to which Arab understanding of Somaliland’s history and politics has sunk.

Somaliland was the first Somali colonial territory to achieve independence in 1960, and it was the principal proponent and champion of the dream of a pan-Somali state that would unite all Somali peoples in HOA, i.e. the irredentist dream of Greater Somalia. Infected with the same virus of anti-colonial nationalism that propelled Syria and Egypt to their hasty union, Somaliland rushed into union with ex-Italian Somalia as the first step towards realisation of the Greater Somalia dream. It is another irony of history that those who now base their opposition to Somaliland’s recognition on the grounds that this ‘dismembers Somalia’, are ignorant of the fact that it was Somaliland which gave birth to the concept of Greater Somalia and indeed sacrificed its statehood for this dream. Our political maturation and acceptance of the immutable law of politics, that true unity and freedom flow from the application of reason and adult reflection, and not from youthful and oblivious fervour, has been hard won and tempered in blood and steel, and we will never surrender it. Just as Syria recovered its sovereignty after its over-hasty union, so have we.

Concomitant with this overt Arab hostility to Somaliland’s legitimate rights has been the growing appreciation and support of our case throughout Africa and the Western world. Our country’s singular achievements in reconciliation, peace, stability and a functioning representative democracy in stark contrast to the mayhem in Somalia, the autocratic political structures of many of our neighbours and the political instability plaguing established democracies such as Kenya, has earned the respect and goodwill of many nations and their citizens. When we review the Arab World’s hostility to Somaliland and its cause over the last two decades, we have to ask what lies behind this undisguised antipathy. What crime have the people of Somaliland committed against the Arabs to earn such sustained enmity and disdain? In fact, the answer is simple and the crime can be neither mitigated nor undone, but simply accepted as irredeemable and irreversible. Somaliland’s crime is simply to exist, and we make no apologies for it, nor do we wish to ‘correct’ it.

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While the decisions of the Arab League are formally arrived at by consensus at formal meetings of Ministers and Heads of State, in reality the leadership of the Arab World is vested in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, usually acting in concert. In the case of Somaliland, Egypt has taken the lead in determining the position of the Arabs, and thus the policy of the League. This is because Egypt has a particular interest in the Horn of Africa region (HOA) because of its negotiations with Ethiopia regarding the sharing of the waters of the Nile. Egypt has determined that its interests are best served by a united Somalia hostile to Ethiopia and friendly to Egypt which it can use as an effective bargaining chip with which to ‘induce’ the required measure of cooperation from Ethiopia. An independent, sovereign Somaliland that is friendly with Ethiopia (as indeed Somaliland now is) is considered by Egypt as antithetical to its interests in HOA. Thus, in pursuit of its own national interest, Egypt has sold to its fellow League members a false bill of goods regarding Somaliland and the merits, justice and historical precedent of its quest for recognition. History is the one true enemy of falsehood, and Egypt’s selfish and short sighted misrepresentation of Somaliland and the wishes of its people is no exception, as there are now emerging signs that the Arab World is waking up to the truth.

A key indicator of this awakening is Saudi Arabia’s recent decision to rescind the decade old ban on livestock imports from Somaliland. This is a transformational move with respect to relations between the two countries, since over 90% of Somaliland’s foreign currency earnings come from the livestock export trade. This is evidenced by the fact that some 800,000 heads of livestock were exported from Somaliland to Saudi Arabia during the last Haj, resulting in a dramatic improvement in Somaliland’s economy. In addition, other GCC countries (including the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar) are establishing informal trade, cultural and assistance relations with Somaliland and these ties are growing and expanding by the day. Yemen has recently indicated its desire to establish diplomatic relations with Somaliland while developing close security and anti-terror collaboration. The fact is that the world is waking up to the reality of Somaliland and it is beginning to accept that we are here to stay. The world is also beginning to wake up to the truth that Somaliland has been impressing upon it for well over a decade, namely that the only route to finding a solution for the crisis that continues to bedevil Somalia goes through Hargeisa.

We are ready to assist our brothers in Somalia find a just and workable solution to the crisis of the collapse of the state in their country. But our assistance can only be given if we are not party to the anarchy and mayhem, but are separate and distant from it. Only a stable, peaceful and independent Somaliland can help Somalia find its way back from the abyss of anarchy and state collapse into which it has descended. However, this will require a complete review of the genesis of Somali nationalism and an acceptance that the irredentist dream of Greater Somalia has turned into a nightmare. Re-establishment of the state in Somalia will perforce mean a new social contract between the people of Somalia, and, by extension, between the Somali peoples of the HOA. This inevitably means that the irredentist nationalisms of the Somali peoples in Ethiopia and Kenya also need to be reviewed in a new light. Instead of seeking separation from these countries, these Somali peoples need to secure their full, national rights within these countries, including regional autonomy, self determination and social development.

This vision of a peaceful, stable, democratic HOA in which all the Somali people achieve their full rights and self determination does not suit the self-interested, hegemonic designs of Egypt, which seeks through conflict and manipulation that which it can secure through wisdom, fraternity and negotiation. Until the Arab League ceases to let its policy on Somaliland and Somalia be held hostage to the misguided and monopolistic Nile policy of Egypt, until the Arab League decides to let its regional and geo-political interests determine its policy towards Somaliland and Somalia, the people of Somaliland will continue to see little or no convergence of interests between them and their Arab neighbours and kinfolk. It is an axiom of history, not to mention faith that “ye shall reap as ye shall sow”. The Arab League has sowed the disdain and enmity of the people of Somaliland for over three decades (including the period of the war against the Siyad Barre dictatorship); can it now be surprised if the harvest is the disdain and hostility of Somaliland’s people, especially its youth?

In conclusion, let’s return to Israel’s reported willingness to recognise Somaliland. Firstly, let us be clear, Somaliland is a sovereign nation and, as such, it can establish relations with any country that it wishes. Somaliland is seeking international recognition from the community of nations, and it is in our interests to reciprocate every hand extended to us in friendship and mutual respect. Secondly, certain members of the Arab League have full diplomatic relations with Israel, e.g. Egypt and Jordan, while others maintain informal ties and/or trade offices with them, e.g. Morocco and Tunisia. Thus, the knee-jerk reaction of the Arab League to the news reports is not only unwarranted, but in fact misses the point.

The point is not whether Israel is willing to recognise Somaliland, but why the Arab League remains hostile to exercise of the people of that country of their legitimate right to self determination and so recover the sovereignty they unwisely surrendered in 1960? Somaliland will not sacrifice its interests for any third party, but those that seek our respect and friendship must show us the same respect and friendship. Despite the history of hostility outlined above, Somaliland’s hand remains extended in friendship to our Arab brethren, the question continues remains, however, as to whether the Arab League will take it in the same spirit of fraternity.

Written by:
Ahmed M.I. Egal

SOMALILAND:Russian navy hands over alleged pirates to Somaliland.

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(SomalilandPress)-The Russian navy operating off Somalia has turned over seven suspected pirates to the breakaway state of Somaliland, where they will stand trial, officials said Sunday.

“The suspects were apprehended by a Russian navy ship and turned over to our coastguards in the His district of Sanag region late Saturday,” local coastguard commander Mohamed Yusuf Otor told reporters.

Otor said the Russians captured the alleged pirates around two weeks ago in the Gulf of Aden.
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“Once the investigation is over they will be brought to court where they will be tried,” local police official Abdulahi Rage told AFP by phone from Somaliland’s main port of Berbera.

Russia has been taking part in international anti-piracy efforts in the Indian Ocean since September 2008.
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Source:MSN

Yemen sends delegation to Somaliland to open diplomatic office

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HARGEISA (Somalilandpress) — The Republic of Yemen has sent four-member delegation consisting of diplomats and investors to Somaliland on Sunday ahead of the opening of diplomatic office by Yemen in Hargeisa.

According to sources close to the government, the office will serve mainly to carry out consular functions for Yemeni citizens. It will also work toward fostering trade and improving diplomatic contacts between Hargeisa and Sana’a.

The decision to open office in Hargeisa came after the two states recognized growing economic and political cooperation between the two red-sea nations.

Yemen provided no timeline but the office is expected to be opened some time this week.

Reports also added that Yemen was concerned about Islamists movements in Somalia, after al-Shabab group pledged it would send fighters to help an al-Qaeda affiliate in the country.

Yemen’s foreign minister, Abu Bakr al-Qirbi said his country would not tolerate threats and foreign fighters on it’s soil and it is believed now Yemen is going on the offensive by supporting Somaliland.

Yemen is also facing economic and social burdens due to the unrest in parts of the country and the continuous exodus of illegal migrants from the Horn of Africa, who are said to be more than 800,000 refugees. More than 60 per cent are believed to be from Somalia, a country that has been mired in conflict since 1991.
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Yemen and Somaliland have historical and economical ties since 1840 when southern part of Yemen (Aden) was annexed by the British and shortly after, Somaliland became British protectorate. The British established trade with Somaliland mainly to supply mutton to it’s Aden garrison.

This contact initiated Somaliland livestock trade which made it’s way to Yemeni cities and later on the lucrative business attracted Yemeni traders and continued well after the British had left. The Yemenis along with Somali traders later opened other key markets for Somaliland livestock including Saudi Arabia.

Yemen will become the first Arab nation to have diplomatic office in Somaliland. No one knows how other Arab League members such as Egypt and Djibouti would react to the Yemeni move.

Egypt and Djibouti are strongly opposed to Somaliland recognition fearing fearing economic insecurities – Egypt feels it will loose control of the Nile while Djibouti fears the port of Berbera will replace it’s port. However, unconfirmed reports suggest that Djibouti is due to open an office that has an embassy status in Hargeisa after Yemen.

Somalilandpress, 15th March 2010

Somaliland's Recognition, Arab League, Somali Regime—Toothless Chihuahua

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You would often encounter on the streets a spindly Chihuahua hissing and huffing to intimidate a German Sheppard with oversized paws or a vicious Pit Bull. Also, you may wonder why on earth a tiny Chihuahua would provoke dogs that are twice or three times of its size. The problem is: Chihuahuas think they are big dogs trapped in small dogs’ bodies. But when push comes to shove, Chihuahuas’ form of defense includes escape and camouflage.

Similarly, just as toothless little Chihuahuas have the courage to provoke big dogs, so too hopeless Somali leaders—or temporary officials (TOs)—have the guts to warn powerful countries willing to recognize Somaliland about a possible retribution against them. That is, despite being traumatized, crippled, and disoriented, Somali leaders convince themselves that they have the power to stop Somaliland’s recognition. But their hypothetical authority over the democratic republic of Somaliland has everything to do with the inescapable, overwhelming fear they face every day.

A case in point: speaking from a safe house somewhere in Mogadishu as to dodge an Al-Shabab silver bullet inscribed with his name, of course, the so-called Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Abdiwahid Elmi Omar audaciously enough, protests against the possibility of Israel forging a diplomatic relationship with Somaliland. See the article: “Iran, Israel’s Naval Bases, Somaliland’s Recognition: Port Berbera—Bargaining Chip”
http://www.qarannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7391&Itemid=65

Keeping one eye on the reporters who interview him and the other one on Al-Shabab assassinators lurking around the corners, Mr. Omar states, “Any country that recognizes Somaliland we see as one that wants to divide Somalia and we will hold them accountable.”

Despite Mr. Omar’s—another clueless, hysterical, TO—remarks, he never ventures into the streets, few blocks from his bunker, of Mogadishu much less oppose Somaliland’s quest for independence. So what is eating him?

Traditionally, regimes after regime—fourteen of them—Somali officials (or TOs) spend more resources and energy on opposing Somaliland’s independence than stabilizing Somalia. That is, millions of donated money is wasted on clandestine operations against Somaliland.

Of all the fourteen failed Somali regimes, with as many vicious warlords as there are silly goats in Somalia, none have missed the opportunity to entertain themselves by pretending to have an imaginary authority over Somaliland. The Somali leaders, however, hardly offend anyone in Somaliland because these temporary, half-baked, oblivious officials vanish into thin air faster than they utter empty statements containing a fictional authority over Somaliland.

Whispering absurd remarks to the Media is a tradition for Somalia’s leaders who often switch allegiances from tribal warlords to religious warmongers and vice versa. In other words, yesterday’s savage warlord is today’s devoted Sheikh (a Muslim scholar). (They can fool people once, but not all the time.) Under a false pretense of defending Islam, Somalia’s warring tribes adopted new Arabic names such as, Al-Shabab, Hizbul Islam, Raas Kaambooni forces, Anoole forces/Al-Furqaan forces, and Ahlu Sunna wal Jama’a, just to name few.

Yet another example: the former Somali Foreign Minister Ismail Mohammed Hurre who hails from Somaliland took the stage to belly dance for his boss Col. Abudullahi Yussuf, the former Ethiopia’s stooge parachuted into Mogadishu, also known as: the butcher of Mogadishu for his barbaric atrocities against civilians. During Col. Yussuf’s horrendous savagery from 2004 to 2008, Mr. Hurre oblivious of the heaps of bodies pilling up in Mogadishu, sharpened his daggers for another city—one that is famous for serenity of peace and tranquility. Mr. Hurre said, “Once peace is consolidated in Southern Somalia and the reconstruction process begins, Somaliland people will move in their thousands to Mogadishu and Hargeisa will become a ghost town.” Since then, Mr. Hurre and his regime disappeared—never mind turning Hargeisa into a ghost town, just like Mogadishu.

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Also, under the current Somali President Sheikh Sharif (or the besieged Mayor of Mogadishu), yet another former Somali Foreign Minster, Mr. Mohammed Abdullah Omar—an inept opportunist TO who also hails from Somaliland—picks the torch from where his predecessors abandoned it. He echoes a familiar but overused imaginary authority over Somaliland. He states, “Somaliland is ready to have a talk with Somalia.” He also writes a letter to the U.N. stating that aid agencies should deal with Somalia, not with Somaliland. Again, Mr. Omar too is nowhere to be found. Read: “Somaliland Individuals Perform Exotic Belly Dances”.
http://somalilandpress.com/4899/somaliland-individuals-perform-exotic-belly-dances/

Now, just as the earlier Somaliland officials (or TOs) disappeared, so too Abdiwahid Elmi Omar will vanish into thin air. They come and go like cheap cigars, don’t they? Blunder after blunder, you would think they all graduated from the same institute of utter idiocy. Some even seek refuge in Somaliland. http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/109651

Meanwhile, in their latest annual meeting (or traditional bickering), the Arab League members also chastise Israel for hinting to establish a diplomatic relationship with Somaliland. They warn Israel against recognizing Somaliland. Frankly though, the Arab leaders’ remarks towards Somaliland’s sovereignty are meaningless just as their crocodile tears for Palestine’s carnage are worthless.

But what other leaders who visit Somaliland and witness its progress say about it has more value than the empty warnings from the Arab leaders in Asia. For instance, the Kenyan Deputy Speaker, Farah Ma’alim visited Somaliland in December 2009. After touring the country, in a speech to Somaliland Parliamentarians, Mr. Ma’alim stated, “Somalia is not in a position to oppose Somaliland’s recognition.”

The truth is: while Al-Shabab holds hostage the so-called U.N. backed Somali regime, the regime itself—of course with the help of the International community—holds Somaliland captive. But the Somali regime and Al-Shabab have a common enemy. The current Somali leaders and Al-Shabab suicide bombers agree on only one thing: opposing Somaliland’s recognition by any means necessary—diplomatically or violently.

Clearly, while Al-Shabab launches suicide bombings against Somaliland, evidently Somali leaders undertake a diplomatic crusade against Somaliland’s recognition. After all, the Somali warmongers and Al-Shabab suicide bombers are on the same mission: stop Somaliland’s recognition, even if it takes annihilating its people from the face of the earth or keeping them isolated for centuries.

On the other hand, the Arab countries keep Somaliland isolated while they pour millions of dollars into Somalia. They are also arming Somalia as to tip the balance in the region where Somaliland would be vulnerable to any major offences launched against its territory by Somalia in the near future.

A more viable solution to Somalia’s crises would be to assist Somaliland develop a sustainable economy, and then pressure it to mediate Somalia’s warring factions. Isolation towards Somaliland remains a counter-productive strategy: investing heavily into Somaliland’s devastated economy—after years of Arab sanctions—is far more logical than keeping it at bay because once its economy intertwines with that of Arab countries, Somaliland would think twice before pursuing independence or inviting Israel to port Berbera. But undoubtedly competing foreign ideologies in Somalia are uninterested in rational solutions to Somalia’s turmoil. Reinventing the wheel, however, is more logical than stabilizing Somalia.

Instead of Iran and Israel competing for Berbera, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf should have secured the port for their navies. But the longer the Arab states isolate Somaliland, the sooner Somaliland seeks a relationship with Israel.

Currently, Somaliland has very little to lose if it forges a relationship with Israeli. After all, Somaliland is isolated and poor. Thanks to the Arab regimes. That is, Somaliland will neither kowtow to Arab countries’ demands of committing itself to another gunshot marriage with Somalia, nor will Somaliland relinquish its efforts to stand as a sovereignty state. It is here to stay.

Whether it is wealthy Arab leaders or distraught Somali “officials’ ” in Al-Shabab’s hit list, none could oppose the will of Somaliland people: their wishes to become a sovereignty state is nonnegotiable and irreversible. Sadly, through the eyes of the Arab rulers respecting the wishes of the populace remain a foreign concept.

As for the Somali leaders—or temporary officials (TOs)—visibility beyond the thick smokes pouring out of Mogadishu’s burning buildings posse an insurmountable challenge, much less oppose Somaliland’s independence. Just like Chihuahuas, the traumatized Somali “officials’ ” bark is louder than their bite. And if that is what it takes to sooth their pain, then so be it. We empathize with them.

Dalmar Kaahin
dalmar_k@yahoo.com

__________________________________________________________________________
Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial

SOMALILAND: Women's rights activist, Fatima speaks to Somalilandpress

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HARGEISA, (Somalilandpress) — Fatima Saeed is a women’s rights activist and a humanitarian worker who is currently based in Hargeisa, the capital city of Somaliland. She has lived and worked in the United Kingdom since childhood, where she had played a major part in advocating for the black women’s rights in the country.

During her stay in Somaliland, Mrs. Fatima took part of the peace and democracy process in the country and played critical role in the empowerment of Somaliland women for better and brighter future.

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For the first time, Fatima spoke to Somalilandpress about the issues women in Somaliland face as well as their achievements and the future prospects.

Mrs. Fatima believes that although a lot have been achieved in the last 19 years, there is still a lot more to be done.

It is also worth noting, for the first time, women managed to secure two seats at the parliament and are holding a number of ministerial positions in the government. She called on the government to protect women and also to take a leading role in advancing women’s rights rather than relaying on NGO’s and other institutions.

Listen to Fatima: [audio:fatima.mp3]

Somalilandpress, 15 March 2010

SOMALILAND: New Video Song by Fuad Omar

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(SomalilandPress)-SomalilandPress was able to find the video for the song that everyone is talking about by Fuad Omar “Somaliland”. We thank the owner of the video “SomalilandOttawa”, this video is from the May 18th 2009 Somaliland party that was held in Ottawa, Canada.

International Women’s Day Celebrated in Somaliland

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HARGEISA, 14 March 2010 (Somalilandpress) – As in every year on March 8th—International Women’s Day—the Academy supported Moonlight Girls Association, a Borama-based non-governmental girls’ organisation, to organise and facilitate a commemorative event for this global celebration at Rays Hotel of Borama, the capital city of Somaliland’s Awdal region.

The event, which has been gaining national significance thanks to the contribution of local initiatives, was well-organised much to the delight of all in attendance. Bands of beautiful girls draped in the national flag opened the celebration with a remarkable rendition of Somaliland’s national anthem.

Awdal’s regional and district authorities including the mayor of the city, Mr. Abriahman Shideh Bileh were among the dignitaries attending the event. Also in attendance were: Interpeace’s regional focal point for gender mainstreaming, Mrs. Nuria Abdi; respected women leaders in the community; women representatives of the three political parties; and, students from Borame’s Amoud and ELLO American Universities.

Speaking at the event, the mayor of Borame Mr. Abdirahman Shideh said “Today we are celebrating women, the backbone of our society.” Excited, the mayor reinforced his point by asserting the famous adage “Behind every great man, there is a great woman.”

Moonlight’s chairwoman followed the mayor’s speech with a presentation of that illustrated the organisation’s activities and challenges faced in particular on women’s advocacy.

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The event was concluded with a debate in which a panel of women—one from the Diaspora, two university graduates and one presently attending university—discussed why young girls are less likely to enrol in school than their young male counterparts. The panel stimulated an active and heated debate on the social, economic and cultural challenges that the young girls in this country face in either enrolling in schools or further pursuing their education.

Borame was not the only Somaliland city celebrating this important day. The Ministry of Family Affairs and Social Welfare (MFA&SW) collaborated with NEGAAD and SONYO, women and youth umbrellas respectively, in hosting an event at Hargeisa’s “Garden of Liberty”. High ranking officials from the government including the Minister of Youth and Sports were among the delegates attending this event.

Celebrations, however, did not stop there, as Hargeisa’s Ambassador Hotel was the site of further commemorative event also hosted by the MFA&SW. The highly anticipated event brought together authorities from the government and leaders of opposition parties as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

International Women’s Day is celebrated around the globe since 1977

Contributed by:
Adnan Abdi Hassan
Hargeisa, Somaliland

2010 Fiscal Year: A Time To Remember The Late CA, Ali Gulaid

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HARGEISA, 15 March 2010 (Somalilandpress) – It was a sunny morning; I went to Crown Hotel in the west side of Hargeisa. I had, in that place, an appointment with Ali Gulaid (may Allah bless him).

It was now fifteen minutes before the appointment time. I sat in one of the huts in the hotel and asked a waiter walking there in my sight to get a cup of lipton tea and a small bottle of water for me. As I was sitting for a while, I saw a well-dressed, tall and slim man with a cow-boy-like hat, a black paper file and an eye glass. He was now stepping towards me. Because, he did not see me before, I stood up with an open face and a smiling to show him that I am the one with whom he had the appointment.

We shook the hands gently. As we greeted each other and were about to sit down, three men came us and greeted Ali. They had a joke with him. One of the men told Ali that he heard Ali’s father to joke a something, which Ali and the men all laughed at. The man added that Ali’s father was very social and compassionate.

After the men left us, we kept on our conversation. I at first briefed him on my education and how I am going to shape my academic future. I handed over the outline and contents of my research paper to him. He took his eye glass which at that time lied on the table and had a glance at it. He focused on the technicality and the coherence of the paper. He rejoiced saying to me ‘this is the standard of writing a final year paper’. Ali did not expect that students in the local universities could write such a proper, well-mannered paper. (By this I do not mean that my paper was perfect but on the contrary, it was a common paper that is written by any ordinary pupil)

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Getting down to the gist of my article, I could today say that my remembrance of Ali Gulaid results from the fiscal time of 2010 in which the central government still did not submit its budget to the parliament for approval. Ali Gulaid (may Allah bless him) used to portray a scientific analysis and critique about the Rayale’s administration financial plans. One of the notable remarks, he used to demonstrate was the failure of the government to come up with responsive and workable national budget through which it can develop the nation and respond to the socio-economic needs of Somaliland. To quote Ali’s last 2009 Budget Critique: The revenue of any budget is an educated guess based upon projections of the current, past and of course the future economic conditions. When the revenue to be received is estimated, the expenditure is decided upon the needs. In this stage of determining the expenditure to be incurred, prioritization of the existing needs is an important factor. This professional and conventional practice does not appear in minister Awil’s proposal.

It is obvious from this 2009 government budget that there are misstatements and intended errors. It is not only this year but every year there are many errors and deceptions in the budget. For example, the people with disabilities and orphans of SNM veterans are allocated for an impossible amount which is not given to them. The allocations for the presidential palace utility expenses and the industry society trainings are counterfeit (see below for more description) Therefore, I will hereby analyzing the Rayale’s Administration Budget Proposal to the parliament. What critique could be made against it? It is reflecting from the national socio-economic needs? It is correct, complete, consistent and accurate?

Let us eventually ask my precious readers, who is to fill the gap, and keep the constructive criticism on in order to awake our unorganized government? Is it suitable to leave this indispensable practice alone and forget about telling those who are in charge of handling our interests about our needs? Are there not heroes who are committed to take that responsibility over his/her shoulders?

I am sure that there uncountable number of intellectuals and heroes like Ali who have the same feelings and patriotism. I believe that heroes never die. By this I do mean, the state of heroism lasts for ever.

Written by:
Saeed Mohamed Ahmed
Youth activist,
saeedalimizy@hotmail.com
Hargeisa, Somaliland

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Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial

East Africa is next hot oil zone

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NAIROBI,  (Somalilandpress) — East Africa is emerging as the next oil boom following a big strike in Uganda’s Lake Albert Basin. Other oil and natural gas reserves have been found in Tanzania and Mozambique and exploration is under way in Ethiopia and even war-torn Somalia.

The region, until recently largely ignored by the energy industry, is “the last real high-potential area in the world that hasn’t been fully explored,” says Richard Schmitt, chief executive officer of Dubai’s Black Marlin Energy, which is prospecting in East Africa.

The discovery at Lake Albert, in the center of Africa between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is estimated to contain the equivalent of several billion barrels of oil. It is likely to be the biggest onshore field found south of the Sahara Desert in two decades.

Tullow Oil, the British exploration company backed by a $1.4 billion loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland, says its Ngassa field in Uganda may be the biggest find in the Lake Albert Basin to date with up to 600 million barrels.

Tullow has discovered reserves equivalent to around 2 billion barrels of oil in Uganda in the last four years. Most of the initial finds in East Africa were made by independent wildcatters like Tullow and another British firm, Heritage Oil, run by former mercenary Tony Buckingham.

Now the majors are moving in. Heritage recently sold its 50 percent share in two Lake Albert Basin fields to Eni of Italy for $1.5 billion.

Eni said the two blocks have the potential to produce 1 billion barrels and is fighting it out with Tullow for control of the reserves on the Ugandan side of Lake Albert.

The Italian company is busy expanding in sub-Saharan Africa and has interests in Angola, Nigeria, Gabon, Mozambique and the Republic of Congo.

The Ugandan government is negotiating with several majors with the financial clout to handle the enormous investment required to develop these emerging fields.

Front-runners reportedly include China’s state-run CNOOC, Total of France and Exxon Mobil of the United States.

Andarko Petroleum Corp. of Texas says it has hit a giant natural gas field off the coast of Mozambique, a former Portuguese colony that became independent in 1975. Norway’s Statoil is drilling in Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin.

Since the 2006 find at Lake Albert, one of the Great Lakes of Africa strung out along the Great Rift Valley, there have been at least 15 confirmed major strikes in the region.

The Indian Ocean island of Madagascar contains “enormous reserves,” according to Tiziana Luzzi-Arbouille of IHS Global Insight consultancy of London.

“What happened in Uganda made it easier for smaller companies to raise funding,” said Tewodros Ashenafi, head of Southwest Energy, an Ethiopian company exploring in the Ogaden Basin in the east of the country.

This is a vast 135,000-square-mile territory in landlocked Ethiopia that is believed to contain sizable reserves of oil. It is estimated to hold 4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas as well.
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Malaysia’s Petronas, which recently acquired major blocks in Iraq, signed an exploration agreement with Addis Ababa in August 2007.

The main problem for the oil industry is that the Ogaden, like many parts of Africa, is a conflict zone, as it has been pretty much since the Cold War in the 1970s. This is one reason why exploration has been so tardy.

Separatist rebels of the Ogaden National Liberation Front have warned oil companies to keep away and in April 2007 attacked a Chinese exploration group, killing 74 people.

Petronas is also exploring in the Gambella Basin of western Ethiopia.

Somalia has been torn by wars between feuding militias and clans since dictator Siad Barre was toppled in 1991 but it is also considered to hold considerable oil reserves.

A 1993 study by Petroconsultants of Geneva concluded that Somalia has two of the most potentially interesting hydrocarbon-yielding basins in the entire region — one in the central Mudugh region, the other in the Gulf of Aden.

That was one of 10 such basins across Somalia, southeast Ethiopia and northeast Kenya.

More recent analyses indicate that Somalia could have reserves of up to 10 billion barrels.

But exploration remains an extremely hazardous undertaking. And it’s likely to become more so as the country becomes a major focus for U.S. counter-terrorism operations against al-Qaida and its affiliates who are dug in there.

Source: UPI, 14th March 2010