Heavy fighting between the Somalia government forces and Al shabaab militants took place today in the district of Owidiinle in Bay and bakol region of southern Somalia.
Reports indicated that there were at least four dead combatants and unknown numbers of wounded which resulted from the skirmishes.
Unnamed government source point out that elements belonging to Al shabaab launched an ambush on their positions earlier this morning in which they managed to kill three Al Shabaab members.
Al Shabaab sources have also claimed that they have inflicted heavy losses on government forces.
In another new development, the administrator of Isha district in Baidoa region Mr. Aden Hussien Aden (Fargeeto) was killed and two of his son seriously injured when unknown assailants attacked by tossing a hand grenade into the house he was staying with his family.
There is resurgence in the pattern of new attacks in government held areas which were previously captured from Al Shabaab militants.
Four million pastoralists to benefit in the first five years
NAIROBI, Kenya, February 27, 2013/ — The African Development Bank (http://www.afdb.org) today signed a US $57.66-million loan agreement for the multinational Drought Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods Program (DRSLP) in the Horn of Africa (HoA) with the Government of Kenya, bringing to US $3.04 billion the Bank’s commitment in the country’s various sectors.
The program will be carried out in phases, with the first phase beginning in 2013 in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya. It will focus on about four million beneficiaries in the first five years.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, AfDB Regional Director for the East Africa Resource Centre (EARC) Gabriel Negatu explained that the entire program would cover eight countries in the Horn of Africa over the next 15 years, including Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, in addition to the three countries in the current phase.
“It is necessary to have all the countries in the program because if one country has better water, pasture and livestock services, the pastoralist will move there and this could lead to overgrazing, transmission of trans-boundary animal diseases and conflicts. The next phase is expected to start as soon as funds are available for the remaining countries. This could be as early as end of 2013,” Negatu said.
In Kenya, the project will cover the counties of Baringo, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana and West Pokot. It seeks to provide assistance to enhance drought resilience and improve sustainable livelihoods of the communities in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya. In this regard, the project will contribute to the development of water supply and development and rehabilitation of irrigation schemes; improvement of livestock infrastructure and their management; and strengthening of both human and institutional capacity to improve operational capabilities in the project area.
Phase one will look at improving management of natural resources, livestock market infrastructure and agro-pastoralists’ livelihoods. It will also include the enhancement of animal health system and regional cooperation for the management of trans-boundary natural resources.
The Horn of Africa (HoA) region is often affected by severe recurrent droughts and chronic food insecurity. In 2011, the region faced the worst drought in decades that decimated crops and livestock, and left over 12 million people, mainly the pastoralist communities, in total distress across the affected region.
Based on this analysis, during the African Union Summit in August 2011, the Bank reiterated its long-term commitment to provide support for a lasting solution to drought and to build resilience and improve sustainable livelihoods of the pastoral communities in the HoA region.
Somalia’s Al Qaeda-linked Shebab on Wednesday issued a stark warning to Kenyan voters ahead of next week’s general elections, threatening them with a “long, gruesome war”.
The Islamist group argued Kenya was safer when it ruled bordering southern Somalia but stopped short of saying who Kenyan voters should choose in the March 4 polls.
Kenyan troops, who have since become part of the 17,000-strong African Union force fighting the Shebab, invaded southern Somalia in October 2011 to attack the insurgents’ bases after a string of killings and kidnappings inside Kenya.
“If you put a government in place, then be willing to endure the consequences of your actions, for you will bear the full brunt of its follies,” the Shebab said in a statement.
Kenya holds presidential, parliamentary, gubernatorial, senatorial and local elections on March 4. None of the leading candidates have hinted they would pull troops out of Somalia.
“The changing political climate in your country may now hold the key to a better future, a future that involves less bloodshed,” they continued, warning they would “do whatever it takes to defend our lands from invasion.”
Since Kenya’s invasion attackers have set off bombs and hurled grenades in the capital Nairobi, while gunmen have killed both security officials and civilians along Kenya’s restive border with Somalia.
The attacks are regularly blamed on Shebab insurgents or their sympathisers, although the extremists do not specifically claim the killings.
“Remember, we are mujahedeen who celebrate the martyrdom of our loved ones; you are a public that laments the loss of your loved ones,” the Shebab added.
“We are men who have nothing to lose and everything to gain by fighting against you.”
The Shebab have lost a swathe of territory including several key towns in recent months as they retreat ahead of AU forces, Somali troops and Ethiopian soldiers.
Failure to Lead Parliament
the Parliament is supposed to be an advocate and an agent of the people to check on the government against abuse of power as outlined on section 6 of Article 53 of Somaliland Constitution which reads, “The House of Representatives shall have the power to summon the Government or its organs or agencies in order to question them about the fulfillment of their responsibilities”.
The reasons why President Siilaanyo’s abuse of Presidential powers is not checked by Parliament starts with the fact that the Chairman of The House of Representatives (Parliament), Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Cirro), consistently lines up with the president and blocks any attempts to check on the Government (President) or its organs or agencies.
Failure to investigate local elections
Take the case of the recent municipal elections where the outcome was rigged. After bloody demonstrations Cirro promised to assign a committee to investigate how the elections were handled. Unfortunately, this promise was shelved even after it was approved by 12 parliamentarians out of 14 that were present on December 22nd, 2012.
Mr. Cirro chose, deliberately, to ignore the will of the people and Parliament and reneged on his promise to conduct a thorough investigation of the elections and why, needlessly, innocent young men demonstrating against the election outcome were massacred.
I have challenged and asked friends of mine who support Wadani Party to give a good reason why they should support Mr. Cirro. Their answer was that Mr. Cirro is a gentleman and he gets along with everybody and that we do not need a confrontational leader. This is the basis and essence of their support. But that is exactly where the heart of the problem lies. Trying to get along with everybody and preferring to be silent and not upholding the constitution.
Preferring silence over making vociferous statements against corruption and rigged local elections is a perfect example of the characteristics of week leadership. The Chairman of the Parliament, failed miserably in the eyes of the people, to investigate the root cause and failure to hold fair and transparent local elections. He also failed to investigate why the security services shot live bullets at peaceful demonstrators.
Failure to ‘censor’ Ministry of Aviation
Another example of his dereliction of parliamentary duties is not conducting a thorough review of how the Ministry of Aviation, Mr. Hashi, allowed a private entity (NASHA) to levy a $10 fee on all departing passengers at our airports. That money was collected by above privately owned entity for more than a year without the approval of parliament. It is a violation of our constitution for any ministry or government agency to collect or levy income without the approbation and express approval of parliament. The Chairman failed to ‘censor’ the Minister of Aviation for this violation – A testament to Chairman Cirro’s poor judgment.
The people want to know why Mr. Abdirahman Cirro failed to enquire where and how that money which was illegally levied on departing passengers was spent. He also failed to enquire how that money can be retrieved and returned to the treasury.
Kingpin of transactional politics
There is no doubt that this failure to scrutinize government and its agencies made him impotent because ‘transactional politics’ is at the heart of all this corruption assigning himself to be the chief protector of the status quo. It can not be described as anything else but greased wheels at work to render parliament submissive to President Siilaanyo’s whims. He failed to use his parliamentary devises to check on the President and he resigned himself to be a rudderless leader helping the sinking and demise of Somaliland into the bottom of a dark ocean.
Time for a revolution
In conclusion Somaliland as I said before Parliament is supposed to be an advocate and an agent of the people to check on the government against abuse of power. The people of Somaliland must wake up, organize themselves and start a revolution to end the corruption and demand changes to governance. We must demand just governance and an end to the transactional politics between the Chairman of The House of Representatives and the President.
Saeed M. Timir
s_timir@yahoo.com
A Somalia court will give its ruling on Sunday on an appeal by a journalist against his jailing for one year for interviewing an alleged rape victim.
The judge at the court of appeals in Mogadishu on Wednesday said he needed more time to consider the case and pronounce his verdict.
Journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim and the 27-year-old woman were sentenced to one year in prison on charges including insulting a government body, making false accusations and seeking to profit from said allegations.
Rights activists, including US-based group Human Rights Watch (HRW), have alleged that the ruling was politically motivated, and urged the appeals court to acquit the two defendants.
Three other defendants were acquitted during the February 5 trial by a Benadir regional court.
At the trial, the judges did not permit the defence to present witnesses or evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case. Prior to being charged, the woman was interrogated for two days by the police without a lawyer present, HRW said.
Ibrahim, who has been under detention since January 10, began serving his sentence at Mogadishu Central Prison immediately after the trial. The woman is to begin her sentence after nursing her baby.
‘Sexual abuse’
The journalist’s arrest followed increasing media attention on reported sexual abuse by Somalia security forces. Earlier in January, Universal TV – a local television station – and Al Jazeera’s website separately published stories about allegations of rape in the city’s crowded camps for displaced people.
Ibrahim had not been involved with either story, does not work for either organisation, and had not published anything of his own investigation before he was detained.
“The outcome of this case is crucial for both the reporting of sexual violence and press freedom in Somalia,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “This case is a travesty, but it could still end with justice prevailing.”
The initial ruling by the local court raised concerns over sexual violence and press freedom in the country, which is ranked lower than Iran and China for press freedom in this year’s World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.
“The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.” Che Guevara
“Nothing is more precious than independence and liberty”. Ho Chi Minh
As I am writing this piece things are getting out of control in Djibouti. As the people of Djibouti were demonstrating against the rigging of the recent elections in which the opposition won. The dictator as dictators usually do unleashed his instruments of terror and torture on the peacefully demonstrating people. This is the beginning of the end of the peoples’ revolution ( Intifada). We are in solidarity with the people of Djibouti in their difficult times. We are saying keep the peaceful rallies or demonstrations you will eventually win. The struggle for democracy and freedom will survive. In Djibouti the two opposition leaders Dr.
Abdulrahman barkhad and Shiekh Abdulrahman Bashir were severely beaten, and in jail. The real struggle for the liberation of Djibouti has begun. Thousands of people were beaten by police and put in jail. Hell went lose in Djibouti on the 25th of February, 2011. Let us pray and support the freedom loving people of Djibouti.
The current on going global democratic process has started in Tunisia in mid-December 2010 and has already led to the overthrow of four long time dictators. The revolution ousted Mubarak, Zhine Al-Abidin Bin Ali, Qadaffi, Ali Saleh. There is ongoing bloody revolution in Syria, and dictator over there Bashar Al-Assad is still clinging to power
President Hassan Sheik Mahmoud has today received the credentials of five ambassadors’ all from the European Union countries at the Villa Somalia.
President Hassan told the new ambassador’s ,I am happy to see Somalia still has friends in the world and we are ready to work with all those from countries who have been supporting as during the past ,I hope you shall continue to work with us.
“I urge other countries to follow suit as this proves that Somalia is becoming a normal country,stated President Hassan.
The five new Ambassadors were introduced to the new Somali President by his foreign and international Relations minister and also the Deputy Prime Minister Madam Fozia Haji Aden and the Minister of State in charge of International Relations Dr. Mohamed Nur Gaal.
The Ambassadors names are as follows:
1. H.E Margit Hellwig-Bötte will be the Germany Ambassador to Somalia
2. H.E. Etienne De Poncins, Will be the new French Ambassador to Somalia
3. H.E Javier Herrera García-Canturri ,will be the new Spanish Ambassador to Somalia
4.H.E Bart Ouvry ,Will be the new Belgium Ambassador to Somalia
5. H.E Sofie Emmesberger will be the new finnish Ambassador to Somalia
President Hassan Sheik Mahmoud has today received the credentials of five ambassadors’ all from the European Union countries at the Villa Somalia.
President Hassan told the new ambassador’s ,I am happy to see Somalia still has friends in the world and we are ready to work with all those from countries who have been supporting as during the past ,I hope you shall continue to work with us.
“I urge other countries to follow suit as this proves that Somalia is becoming a normal country,stated President Hassan.
The five new Ambassadors were introduced to the new Somali President by his foreign and international Relations minister and also the Deputy Prime Minister Madam Fozia Haji Aden and the Minister of State in charge of International Relations Dr. Mohamed Nur Gaal.
The Ambassadors names are as follows:
1. H.E Margit Hellwig-Bötte will be the Germany Ambassador to Somalia
2. H.E. Etienne De Poncins, Will be the new French Ambassador to Somalia
3. H.E Javier Herrera García-Canturri ,will be the new Spanish Ambassador to Somalia
4.H.E Bart Ouvry ,Will be the new Belgium Ambassador to Somalia
5. H.E Sofie Emmesberger will be the new finnish Ambassador to Somalia
Mukhtar Mohamed Abby Given the business thriving in Somaliland each passing day saw the establishment of a light factory – of which in the recent pass a Paper Mill has been launched in the capital of Somaliland, Hargeisa, which is the first of its kind installed in the entire country. The inauguration ceremony saw the participation of a sea of humanity including the President of Somaliland, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud, Siilaanyo, and some high ranking officials of his dispensation – where he gave a speech on the occasion. The President stressed on how his administration is determined in helping and motivating the business community of Somaliland to invest in their country by offering a tax relaxation specifically for those willing to establish the much needed small scale industries. The set up of the factory has been applauded staunchly by the people of Somaliland as there has never been a Paper Mill of its sort throughout Somaliland – and that this plant would be a sign of commencement of industrialisation. This plant would meet the mounting demand for white sheets and notebooks, and would also be made available across the country in a bid to dispense with the sheets and notebooks imported from outside world. The owner of the newly established factory stated in his speech delivered on the occasion that he had carried out an extensive market research prior for launching the plant, and that it took for four years to complete; interestingly, the owner of the Paper Mill noted in his speech on the occasion in part: (Soomaalidu Indhaha ayey kafikiraan balse Ummaddaha kale waxay kafikiraan Maskaxda) meaning that Somalis think by eyes, whereas other nations think by mind. (Author’s translation). This amazing statement made by the factory owner plainly indicates how our traders are utterly uneducated about how to invest in the country, and the segment that desperately needs investment. And their ignorance led them to follow each others’ footsteps by copycatting others’ ideas and products – and this is the sole reason that our trading pattern is entirely in mess and lagged our country in terms of small scale industries. The former Commerce Minister of Riyale administration, Mr Mohamed Hashi Elmi mooted the idea of streamlining the fashion in which the country’s business community trade; he also suggested to the business people to have their own outfit established, specifically the owners of the light factories; through which their grievances are trashed out as well as their common interests are furthered by the same token. This clearly shows that Mr Mohamed Hashi Elmi was committed to the reorganisation of the country’s trading system. However, number of reasons can be cited as to why Somaliland business community failed to invest in the small scale industries: Firstly, eighty percent of the country’s traders trade the essential commodities and other goods thinking that it is the easiest way a great deal of profit could be generated within a short period, which is in fact a huge burden on the common man. Secondly, those monopolised the entire business of the country are largely ignorant about how to create the business as they trade almost identical commodities. Thirdly, the major traders of Somaliland are not ready to change their pattern of trade fearing they might incur a gigantic loss if they changed their pattern of trade, and are firm in maintaining the status quo. Fourthly, there is a paucity of measures on the part of the Siilaanyo administration to reform the country’s business system. It is noteworthy that there are deluge of businessmen who have set up beneficial light industries which produce variety of products – and these light industries churn out: Mattresses, household Furnitures, Beverages, Carry Bags, Detergent, Tuna Fish, Packaged Drinking Water, Dairy Milk, and Coca cola to mention a few. The Somaliland Beverage Industry which is the largest industry throughout Somaliland in which some 17 million US buck has been invested in by its proprietor – has been at the centre of world attention since its foundation. The International television channels have trained its eyes on the Coca Cola Industry, and this has led to discuss in their programmes dedicated for business. In fact, this prominent Industry showed the entire world that Somaliland is not part and parcel of the rogue State of Somalia, which had been ravaged by internecine warfare – and that it is relatively safer than any other country in the entire region; and investment could be made in it. The Co cola Industry had met the growing demand for the Coca Cola consumption which had initially been imported from outside world. The other light industries too had played pivotal role in meeting the consumer’s demands; in reality, the light industries in the country are contributing well to the country’s economic development, and at the same time alleviated the rampant unemployment prevailing in Somaliland to some extent. Somaliland at this stage cannot woo the International investors as it is not an internationally recognised country – and foreign direct investment known as FDI is, however, hypothetical for Somaliland, though it has the capacity as an independent State to enter into an agreement with the International Community given the stability and the democracy in which she enjoys presently since the democratisation process had begun for nearly a decade ago. Though the successive governments that Somaliland saw had done commendable tasks, yet they all failed to come up with a plain strategy with which to launch small scale industries by exploring avenues and means in which this tiny country can be invested in by its own business community or by that of the Asian countries – notably China, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea, which their economies are the fast growing economies in the world. And they do not bother about the political system that prevails in the Third World countries in which they feel like to invest in as they are unlike their counterparts in The West, who are hypocrites – and who at the same time coercively impose their values, ideologies and norms on the aforementioned countries, while they are about to invest in . Recommendations: To the Government • The current dispensation of President Ahmed Siilaanyo streamline the country ‘trading pattern and at the same time motivate the people involved in the small scale industries. • A plain strategy to industrialise the incipient country must be drawn up by the incumbent administration of President Ahmed Siilaanyo. • Accord tax relaxation to those willing to invest in the much needed small scale industries. • Levy heavy tax on the commodities being imported from outside world, which are identical to those produced in the country in order to encourage the products churned out by the local light industries in the country. • Government of President Ahmed Siilaanyo should woo the Asian investors who are showing their eyeteeth for investing the politically stable countries on the continent. • Government should help and facilitate the owners of the light industries of Somaliland in establishing their own association.
To the Merchants • Once and for all change their pattern of trading by moving away from importing essential commodities and focus on the establishment of small scale industries instead. • Avoid the habit of copycatting each others’ ideas or products, stead come up with innovative ideas and notions. • Explore other beneficial avenues to boost one’s business that have also advantageous to the country’s economic development. • Eschew the exploitation of the common man and the same time the products made in the country be made available at the affordable price. • Establish eco –friendly small scale industries which are not detrimental to the environment. • Adopt Corporate Social Responsibility known as ( CRS) – a process with the aim to embrace responsibility for th
e company’s actions and encourage a positive impact through its activities on the environment, customers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere who may also be considered as stakeholders. Mukhtar Mohamed Abby India, Karnataka State mukhtarabby@gmail.com
Ten recently elected Councilors have resigned from their post in lughaya and Saylac council both in Salal region due a resolve that came after elders from Issa community.
The 10 Councilors revealed the reason which prompted them to resign as being the inaction by the government to intervene and address their grievances which aroused from last year’s 28th of November local elections announced this during a press conference they held in the town of Haridad yesterday.
The councilors have in the past declined to acknowledge the new mayor Suleiman Eidle of Saylac who is from a minority clan namely the Gadabursi clan.
Efforts by the several cabinet ministers to reconcile both sides proved impossible after they refused to reach a compromise.
Here Are the names of those who quit their posts:-
1)-Geesh Aden Bille,Saylac.
2)- Aden Abdilaahi Boodhle, Saylac.
3)-Abdinaasir Jama Hosh, Saylac.
4)-Mahmoud Egal Wacays, Saylac.
5)-Ahmed Yassin Mohamed Barkhadle, Saylac.
6)- Ahmed Migil Ciil-tire, Saylac.
7)-Said Muse Giirre, Saylac.
8)- Hassan Mohamed Dhimbiil, Lughaya.
9)-Muumin Muse Duale oo ka tirsanaa, Lughaya.
10)-Ibrahim Jama Maydhane Lughaya.
Goth Mohamed Goth
Somalilandpress.com
