Incredible Journey of Somali Human Right Activist Waris Dirie – The Movie

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August 10, 2009

HARGEISA, 10 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Waris which actually means Desert Flower, By the way I have Somali colleagues who I work with, to my surprise they couldn’t translate the meaning of her name but thanks to the internet world I finally found out that Waris means a flower that can bloom even in the roughest climate.

Who is Waris?

Let me tell you a little real story I learned about Waris Dirie, she was born in 1965 in the region of Gallcaio, Near the Ethiopian border at a Somali desert. At the tender age of five, she underwent the inhuman procedure of genital mutilation. This horrible tradition is still practiced worldwide today, both by Muslims and Christians. According to estimations of the United Nations, more than 8 000 girls become victims of this cruel crime every day.

At the age of 13 Waris fled from a forced marriage to a man, who could have been her grandfather in age. After an adventurous escape she arrived in London and worked there as a housemaid and at McDonald’s.

Messenger of Peace!

Waris was appointed UNFPA Special Ambassador for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on 18 September 1997. As Special Ambassador, Ms. Dirie has toured African countries speaking out against the practice and lending support to UNFPA and national programmes that seek to eradicate FGM. As a young girl in Somalia she survived the traditional form of FGM that kills hundreds of women every year.

After achieving international success as a fashion model, she decided to tell the public of her ordeal and to dedicate her life to ending the practice and improving the status of women. Ms. Dirie’s work is part of an international advocacy campaign to stimulate awareness of and support for human rights, gender equality and reproductive choice, especially for women in developing countries.

The Movie

A Recently a movie is made which tells the story Waris Drire journey from Somalian Desert to the biggest catwalks of the world. The movie is going to be released on 08.10.2009.

Filming Locations: UK, Germany, Austria 2009
Genre: Drama
Running time: 120 minutes
Distributor: Rialto Film AG
Trailer : Desert Flower 2009

Desert Flower is a shocking story that compassion and disbelief causes. Ethiopian Super Model Liya Kebede, who plays the leading role, Liya is a credible actress for the story of Waries. It is supported by the lively presentation by Marilyn Sally Hawkins.

The Story is actually goes as follows:

At 18 years, the Somalierin Waris Dirie (Liya Kebede) in a London fast-food restaurant by star photographer Terry Donaldson discovered. Within a short time it becomes a sought-after top model in the international fashion world. Despite the luxury and success of the young woman to earth and always remembers to its African roots.

As a child Dirie grew up in the simplest situations in the African desert. At the age of three she was the brutal tradition of female circumcision to the victims, what their life has changed severely. With 13 years before she escapes a forced marriage to Mogadishu, where they are the family of the mother is protected. This gives her a job in the Somali Embassy in London. Some years later it is in danger of deportation to her homeland. Dirie appeared in, lives on the street and accidentally learns the living artist Marilyn (Sally Hawkins) know. With its help she succeed in starting a new life.

In an interview with Marie Claire describes her difficult childhood, and makes the subject
of circumcision to the public.

Well readers , Waris Dirie decides to end her life as a model and dedicate her life to fighting this archaic ritual. What can we do to help her achive her goal? What can we do to Eliminat Female Genital Mutilation? I will leave this to you guys! Leave your comments and discuss about it and support Waris Dirie.

Biniam Negessu
lebini@gmail.com

Iran should release protesters

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August 10, 2009

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HARGEISA, 10 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) — This is not about who won the Presidential election which took place in Iran on 12 June 2009. Probably, it was President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who won the election but by a smaller margin. Even though, the election itself was conducted with a great deal of sophistication and organization the way the votes were counted and the way results were announced have caused a great deal of concern and tribulation. Once the victory of the incumbent Ahmadinejad had been announced, there was an out pour of people who took to the streets in the capital Tehran and in other cities.

As the fallout has progressed, from some quarters within Iran, there are even calls to imprison and try the Iranian opposition leader and former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi who lost the election. The imprisonment and trial of Mr Mousavi would only damage further the standing of Iran. It could also widen the gulf created within its society.

The greatness of any nation is not the potency of its weapons but how it treats its own people. In Iran the way peaceful protesters were beaten up and imprisoned has undoubtedly tarnished the standing of the Islamic Republic. Not to mention, the ongoing trials of imprisoned protesters would not help settle things but stir up trouble for Iran in the long grass. If convicted, it is most likely that many of those on trial would be executed.

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The world is concerned what is happening in Iran. The Iranian government should not fight its own people but try to win the battle of ideas created in the aftermath of the elections. The Islamic Republic of Iran should heal and not by its actions widen the rift created by the mishandled elections. It should seek reconciliation within its people. It should not lay blame on other nations.

It is human nature to seek change. It is very natural a wide section of the Iranian people to seek change. There is nothing wrong with that. It was to that effective that brought President Ahmadinejad himself to power.

As citizens of this world what happens anywhere concerns us all. What is happening in Iran too concerns the world. Iran should release the majority of protesters on trial before the holy month of Ramadan which is expected to start from 21 August 2009.

Written by Abdullahi Dool
Writer and former Diplomat of Somalia
Hornheritage@aol.com

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

Workshop On Youth Leadership Held in Hargeisa

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August 10, 2009

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HARGEISA, 10 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) –- Somaliland youth across the country have been learning ways to empower themselves and develop new leadership skills this week in a one-day workshop as a part of an initiative headed by CK Consultancy Group.

The training was organised by Kaltum Osman from CK Consultancy Group, based in the UK and Somaliland Culture & Sport association (SOCSA). After visiting the centre Kaltum had identified what would be beneficial to the youth and what training they would need while she is visiting Somaliland.

The workshop was held at the SOCSA center last week, hundreds of young boys and girls attended all aiming to gain different skills and ways to tackle different types of challenges. Part of the center’s objective was to provide a leadership platform from which to learn and grow and strengthen the community with their leadership skills. They also emphasised ways of developing ties and interacting with Somaliland youth from abroad.

The training focused on identifying the meaning of a leader, leadership and management, requirements of the Somaliland youth to become leaders all of these by giving examples of the past great leaders in the world. The trainees understood the meaning of a true leader and what he/she will need to become a one.

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Speaking to Somalilandpress, Kaltum said “young people are the leaders and future of Somaliland, they need to be empowered and equipped with life long skills, they also need to be given the chance to participate and have voice in management, development and decision making”.

“I was privileged to have this golden opportunity to work with young Somalilanders, who were amazing to work with, and I look forward to work with many more in the future” she added.

CK Consultancy Group provides, social development trainings, workshops, research (qualitative and quantitative), and project evaluations.

Kaltum Osman is Social Anthropology, as a social development research consultant, she is experienced in strategic development training, Youth leadership, mentoring and empowerment.

Source: Somalilandpress.com

Somalilanders Around the Globe: Vote for Change

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August 9, 2009

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HARGEISA, 10 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) – It seems that we (Somalilanders) are naïve, trusting, blindly peace loving people and tend to see the world in terms of black and white, but at some point we have to realize that too narrow of view point can be self-defeating. We need to regroup, assess our priorities and decide what is worth devoting our time and energy to and what can and must be ignored, at least for the time being. What is worth devoting our time and energy to, is building our country and the future our children. What we have to ignore is finger-pointing at each other and creating division among us at this crucial time and a turning point of our political life.

Riyaale expelled the Interpeace and threw out the voter’s registrations because he doesn’t want free, fair and observed election process by international bodies. He knows that there is no ways he could be re-elected. Thus, he wants to rig the outcome of the election. So, open your eyes and ears Somalilanders of what is going on around you. In desperation, he may seek support from none Somalilanders and give birth certificates to them. Keep a watchful eye on that. Dalka aad leh, dantaada weeye inuu hagaago.

Riyaale has no programs or mandate on what changes he is going to make and why he should be re-elected. He only wants the perks and the privileges of power, but he is not qualified for the job of the head of state. Case in point, if you go to the three National parties websites to make comparisons between our politicians qualifications, you will find lists of highly educated people in both Kulmiye and UCID parties. But go to UDUB and their website does not exist. That says a lot about the qualifications and competence of the ruling party.

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Mr. Riyaale is a liability and distraction to our democratic process, to our existence, to our economic progress, and the quest for our recognition. He had dissipated our time, money, and efforts. What hasn’t been done in the seven years he has been in power is not likely to be done in the next five years. Don’t believe anything he has to say. Vote for change.

Realistically, let us ask ourselves, what has he done so far and why he deserves your vote? The answer is nothing! After seven years in power, Hargeisa is still like a ghost town, no electricity, no water, no proper roads, no health care, no jobs creation and so forth. There is sense of anger, disenchantment and despair. Like the dictator before him, our young men and women (the future of our country) are leaving the country in dangerous stowaway because they do not see a future in their own country.

Their dead bodies are surfacing on the shores of other countries while Riyaale’s children are traveling on first class airlines and attending the best schools that money can buy abroad. He works for himself and accumulates wealth, building luxurious homes and stashing public money overseas for himself. He makes public money his own and uses as he pleases for such as back door dealings, buying loyalty and votes to hold on to power.

Take charge Somalilanders. Send a message to Riyaale and to those shadowy power behind his grip on the presidency. They know who they are. We are not going to put up with them anymore. Show them the door. Vote for change.

For this election, like the previous election and voting events he will use the public money to bribe you for him to be elected. Take the money and give him the finger because it is illegal to buy votes. It is time for him to go. Show him the door and vote for change.

Codkaagu uu ku ciilin. Dalka aad leh, dantaada weeye inuu hagaago. Riyaale ma doonayno, dib u soo nogon maayo. Ku dadaal inaad siiso codkaaga ciddii dankaa leh.

Amina Ahmed Hassan
gurhan02@yahoo.com
Calgary, Alberta

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

Welcome to Guangzhou China

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August 9, 2009

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Trip to Guangzhou: Mahad Turbashaash

Several years , I was living still live in Oslo which is called the center of the Norway. I didn’t know anything about the place I would visit called Guangzhou. So I didn’t know the many advantages of Guangzhou. On the map published in the western world, the city is named Kanton.

I heard that it was a place crowed with factories and full of atmosphere, and the dishes were very special. When I arrived at the Baiyun Airport, my imaginary Guangzhou was approved: an new airport, an old and low and modern building, world famous airplanes on the ground, . When the airplane I got on from Beijing to Guangzhou stopped on the ground, I had to get off the airplane, in an old manner, stepping down through .

Turbashaash2

Mahad Turbashaash

The pleasant thing is that it was a sunny day, and a clerk from Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office came to the dragging way waiting for me, and expressed a warmly welcome to me. My feeling was getting better on the way from the airport to the downtown. I found that Guangzhou has as many high buildings as Dubai does. They are exactly as good as those in Dubai. Now I have been living in Guangzhou for 9 days , and I have been being very glad all the time. Soon, I learned that Guangzhou is a metropolis full of energies, with a great number of historical ancient remains, old city district co-existing with modern and full of traditional tone, modern public basic facilities, parks, museums, musical halls, modern sports buildings, exhibition halls, luxurious hotels, etc. Guangzhou has a general basic facilities and a modernization industry.

Obviously, these achievements have been made all in the last 20 years. Yet, it still keeps fast developing day by day. Cranes seen everywhere in the central districts is telling that. The ancient Guangzhou is disappearing continuously. Today’s Guangzhou is a modern metropolis.. In one word, Guangzhou will be a proud city of China. Guangzhou people like to present with foreigners. I have been asked many times to be taken photos with the citizens in the streets.

Turbashaash

Guangzhou people are working hard, the whole city full of an atmosphere action. All the people know that they are better than before, and they also know that they will absolutely have a hope for a much better future than today. In Guangzhou, people not only work happily but also enjoy their lives as much as they like. Guangzhou is still a city full of creation. I will feel very happy to come back again in- Guangzhou. I once had a badge painted with “I love Oslo”. If anyone in Guangzhou who makes a badge painted “I love Guangzhou”, I will certainly buy it and keep it on my chest.. I met many successful Somali Businessmen In Guangzho , and they dong very well indeed . They are entrepreneur dealing with sectrectarial services and Communication. These are not businessmen who check into swanky hotels and negotiate in oversized conference rooms or over banquet tables.

They sample the merchandise and bargain with the vendors while counting the banknotes. the main trade partners are Kenya , Somalia , Somaliland , Uganda, and Djaputi. Every two months, they ships 50 containers from China, not only from the Guangzhou area, but from all over the country. We feel the prices here are quite acceptable.” They collect includes everything you need to get you business running , they also help you to fine new product , so you don’t need to came to china . Planning a trip to China is an exciting adventure in itself There are a lot of different things to think about before you go, and some things that you have to do before you even set foot in the airport. Obs. If you need more information about china please feel free contact us. we will provide you a lot of information . Where is located In Guangzhou? Guangzhou, located at the north of the Pearl River delta, is an important trading center as well as a busy port and the capital city of the province of Guandong .

The city has an area of over 16,000 square kilometers and a population of 6.7 million. The climate of Guangzhou is sub-tropical. The average year-round temperature is 22C. August is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 28C. January is the coldest month, with an average of 13C. The rainy season falls between April and August.

Average annual rainfall is 1,720 mm. Like Athens of Greece and Rome of Italy, Guangzhou also has a history of more than 2,800 years. There are a lot of interesting legends concerning its past. One of the beautiful stories which gives the city its name Goat Town says that five gods riding on five goats brought the first grain to the city. So, it is also known as the City of Five Goats. Besides tales and stories, here and there stand monuments of the city’s democratic and revolutionary past. The monument to the Anti British struggle at San Yuan Li is in remembrance of the 1841 uprising against a British invading force. The Huang Hua Gang Park keeps alive the spirit of the 72 martyrs killed in an 1911 uprising against the Manchu dynasty. The National Peasant Movement Institute is the former cadre-training school founded and run by Mao Zedong and Zhou En Lai in 1925-1926.

The Guangzhou Memorial Garden is in memory of those who lost their lives during the Communist Uprising in 1927. Guangzhou is also one of the most important centers of foreign commerce in South China. The Chinese Export Commodities Fair has been held twice a year in the city since 1957.

It is also a cultural center. There are several universities, the Zhongshan University, the South China University of Technology, the Ji-nan University and so on. There are also higher educational establishments. The city is renowned for its arts and crafts, namely the Guang Dong embroidery, ivory-carving and ceramics. Guangzhou is a beautiful city with an ever-green scenery and flowers blooming all the year round. The city boasts many tourist attractions, among which highlights are White Cloud Hill Scenic Spot. Yuexiu Park, Guangzhou Zoo, Six Banyan Temple and Flowery Pagoda, Dr. Sun Yatsen Memorial Hall, etc. In the Suburbs, there are such scenic spot on Conghua Hot Springs, Xiqiao Hill Scenic spot, Seven Star Crags, and Foshan City. Lots of tourists to Guangzhou like to cover one or two of them for out-of-city pleasure. “Eating in Guangzhou” has become a popular saying both at home and abroad. Guangzhou ranks first in the number of restaurants and tea-houses in the country.

Cantonese cuisine is good in color, fragrance, taste and presentation. In addition, the delicate Cantonese pastry is also well-known for its wide range of varieties, delicious flavor and beautiful color. Cantonese cuisine is among the most famous four in the country. As for hotel accommodations, there are Garden Hotel, China Hotel, White Swan Hotel, Dongfang Hotel, Nanhu Hotel, the Overseas Mansion, the Overseas Chinese Mansion, the Overseas Hotel and others.

By Mahad

Email turbashaash@hotmail.com

Cell phone 004792083324 / 004795422206

A Letter To Somalilanders In Diaspora

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August 9, 2009

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We have as Somalilanders in the Diaspora not out of absolute choice have supported our country through difficult times with our finances, suggestions, proposals and prayers. We did so out of our empathy to a nation so greater such as ours. We will continue in that support because we are people who understand the importance of voting and in collective consensus about a party that we want to be govern by it with full view of the facts.

Today I urge you children of Somaliland in the Diaspora to continue in your remarkable journey of support with respect to financing of our electoral commission because it needs our funding to complete its democratic task of delivering free and fair elections, and I strongly believe that adequate funding in all probability brings proper results that takes place in Somaliland.

We have a duty under God to ensure that we serve our people and country in our respective places across the globe.

In that respect we can have an enviable position on matters of national identity and pride. We will understand unambiguously our position in the world.

Long live Somaliland

A Note from zealot Somalilander in South Africa

Saeed Furaa

E-mail: somalilandjournalist@gmail.com

The Jailings and Spurious Charges Against Journalists in Somaliland

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August 9, 2009

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“Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault. It must speak, and speak immediately, while the echoes of wonder, the claims of triumph and the signs of horror are still in the air.” Henry A Grunwald

Recently on a cold morning walking in university of Pretoria’s campus to attend a public interest lecture about human rights violation with reference to Charles Taylor who is currently facing charges of genocide and several other charges, I found myself shedding tears at many lives lost in Africa an elsewhere in the world.

I unconsciously shed tears because of my deep affection for law and social order that develops and advances the quality of human lives in Somaliland and Africa.

The methodical jailings and spurious charges against journalist in Somaliland convey to the world our unpreparedness to begin contemplative debates about national consciousness and diplomacy. It clearly sends a message that we are narrow-minded society whereas we are not, the current Somaliland system is unitelligent and dull. If we are to be liberated from ourselves and chain of bad governance like the current one, we must allow our society to have journalists who can write and publish discourse which is both critical and affirming of our current structures of governance.

Law Reform Commission was recently founded and members thereof recently visited South Africa on a discourse and comparative mission which I can attest was successful. It was successful because we need a law reform commission which will to a great extent assist in advancement of civilised society. We need laws to regulate social order and trade, locally and internationaly.

Law reform is a great project of national importance but we must continue to negotiate our way forward in the forays of international involvement through the media.

Long Live Somaliland.

Sincerely Saeed Furaa

Freelance Journalist

South Africa

Somaliland Upcoming Elections And The Strategy Of The Spoiler Opposition

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August 9, 2009

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HARGEISA, 9 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Egal-Riyaalle ticket depicted the SNL-USP coalition which led the Somaliland independence and the eventual union with Somalia, thus forming the Somali Republic. The tribal balance embodied in this combination, glued Somaliland together even after the state failure. The limitation of the practicing political parties to three, by the non-inclusive emergency constitution, was based on the traditional entities SNL, USP and the NUF.

Udub( central pillar party) represents the Somali national league(SNL), Kulmiye is a literal translation of National United Front(NUF) and is a continuation of that entity in its political orientation and die hard tribal following. “Ucid”, means supportive relative and/or a cushion to fall back on. Functionally the party fits that role of auxiliary pressure group.

The missing link in the political party spectrum is the United Somali Party (USP), representing the south eastern and western flanks of Somaliland. The endeavors of the tribal based political affiliations bent on paralyzing the flanks must be confronted with the revitalization of that party as an instrument of stabilization, perhaps, under the Somali denomination (Daljir). In its absence, there will be no fair play in the political arena of Somaliland.

The unholy alliance between the spoiler opposition and foreign intrigue, for that matter, is not only scary but a destructive scheme purporting to undo our national fabric of traditional connectivity and a conduct of syndicated tribes collectivity. Under no circumstance, can stipulations in the non- inclusive constitution, create legal loopholes leading to demographic dictatorship and ethnic exclusivity as upheld by the spoiler opposition. The traditional tribal equality and inter-tribal customary protocol (Xeer) had consolidated the parameters of the Somali society and its unwavering pastoral democracy.

By choosing Riyaalle as his de jure and de facto successor, the founding father President Mohamed I. Egal (Allah bless his soul) had manifested a tenuous spirit of fair play in power sharing and tribal equilibrium. His wise vision has proven to be a success story of healing and housekeeping mutuality. The hue and cry of abrasive absurdity vis-a-vis Egal-Riyaalle-fatigue, fomented by the spoiler opposition, with all its content of aggressive belligerence and naked phobia would lead not to a healthy conduit of Somaliland statehood. On the contrary, it will disturb the qualitative culture of egalitarian nature unique to the Huwan family. And would negatively impact on the tempo of Somaliland still going strong.

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Additionally, if the spiteful “Tola-Ayey” gets its way, that would mean cleansing non-clan presence in the power house of Somaliland. At this juncture, Riyaalle would go hibernating together with the pool of other high caliber roosters waiting in the wings, like Xaabsade Qaybe iyo qaar kaloo badan(and many others). These hard-beaten veterans know-not the foolhardy of failure, nor the futility of lamentation. They are forward looking visionary leaders , who unflinchingly face fate and fear no consequences. In a phlegmatic mood, they keep smiling and bid their time. In the process however, the Presidency, Guurti and House speakers and all political parties would be exclusive institutions. Not to mention, the clan predominance across the national board. It’s this lopsided structural equation that the founding father was sensitively alert.

The blatant designation of non-clans as Faqash and Hangash by some hierarchical leadership, is very troubling. It is not only political arrogance, metaphorically, but it’s a pointed signal of discriminatory phobia. The trend of the upcoming elections is conducted in a purge-like pattern by the chauvinistic spoiler opposition. The alleged fatigue syndrome of Egal- Riyaalle era, drummed up by the opposition, is a tactical approach to an embryonic coup tentatively in the press.

Here goes again, the divisive agenda which the timely intervention of the founding father backed by the wisdom of the Huwan tribes had foiled. The ideals of the spoiler opposition were misleading from the start and, never represented inclusiveness of the totality of Somaliland. It was always elusively one-sided and assertively power maniac.

Hopefully, Udub(the ruling party), with its interwoven membership of diversified origin: qualitatively, and quantitatively motivated for the common cause, will win the day and will vindicate the legacy of the founding father. United we stand. Divided we fall

Mohamed M. Khawi
President
Somaliland natives association
Somalilandnativesassn@gmail.com

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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

Somaliland: Journalists Charged

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August 9, 2009

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HARGEISA, 9 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Somaliland court has sentenced three journalists Six months jail and fined Six Million Somaliland shillings today.

The case has been going on since last few weeks where the three journalists were accused of misinforming the public and contributing to the clan conflict in Elbardale.

The court said that Ahmed Suleiman Dhuhul, Mohamed Osman Mire and Muse Inji have been found guilty and will be jailed six months each. They will also pay Six Million Somaliland shillings as a fine.

More to the news will be coming soon ………..

Somalilandpress.com

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