Monday, December 28, 2009

Former Minister Says He And Somaliland’s Government Habitually Lied To The Public

Former Minister Says He And Somaliland's Government Habitually Lied To The Public

London, UK, December 26, 2009 (SL Times) – The former minister of industry, Muhammad Suleiman Weyne said to a gathering of Somalilanders in Bristol, UK, that when they laid a cornerstone for a new cement factory in Berbera they were play acting, and that they were deliberately misleading the public and had no intention of building such a factory. He described it as all part of the lies that they were telling the public for the last twenty years.

When someone says they lied before, it always raises the question well, if he lied before, is he lying now too, or is he telling the truth. But from circumstantial evidence, there is good reason to believe that Muhammad Suleiman Weyne was indeed lying when he was a minister, as many people suspected, and is telling the truth now, which is a damning indictment of President Dahir Rayale and his government.

To make the situation worse, Muhammad Suleiman Weyne's did not make his confessions because his conscience bothered him or anything like that but in order to ingratiate himself with UCID party. Obviously, it is in UCID's interest to distance itself from such a self-confessed and unrepentant liar. This episode confirms the corruption and deep cynicism that pervades the highest levels of Somaliland's government and provides good reason for why Somalilanders are correct in not accepting at face-value the claims and pronouncements of President Dahir Rayale Kahin and his ministers.

Somaliland Times

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Enough is Enough-Dahir Rayale

Enough is Enough-Dahir Rayale


The people of Awdal have been patient for a long time and is time to rise and fight against injustices, humiliations and the intolerable and constant demeaning. The Awdal people are hard-working, honest and sophisticated people who has always think twice before taking actions. They are unlike the other Somali nomads who act on emotions and impulses. However, it is obvious that ignorant, illiterate Dahir Rayle and his hunch men did miscalculations and tested the people's patience to the zero limit.
 
Firstly, all agencies and important administrative institutions are removed from Awdal and that created a  large unemployment. Today, in Borama alone, tens of thousands of well-educated young people are in the streets. These young men and women worked hard and completed their studies in different fields. They are often jailed when they protest or ask for better conditions. The business people have to wait everything from Berbera when there are other possible routes.
 
Secondly, members of the people's elite were very recently slaughtered in cold blood and Dhair Rayale could not dare to even send condolences to his people. The butchers are still being covered by their own people and Rayale works as though nothing has happened. What an immoral and stupid mentality for a so-called president of a nation.
 
Thirdly, Rayale has exchanged Samaroon land for a passport. This last incident shows how cheap this man and his wife are. The Djibouti president has studied them carefully and  blackmailed accordingly. He found them that they needed two important issues: (1) A bank account where they can hide their rip-off money (2) Passport for insecure family. Every Somaliland woman and man knows that Zeila and surroundings was not an Issa land. It is a Samaroon land in history and in today. The Issa administration in Djibouti had long dreams of finding backyard for their hot Island of Djibouti. Many different tactical projects and plans were presented by Djibouti to the existed Somali governments but were all rejected. Today, Rayale and his greedy and insane wife are trying to sell Samaroon lands piece by piece. They don't care about the future of their people's children. They think only about the future of their children.
 
Final advice to you and your henchmen(Awdal governors)  in Awdal. Many African dictators, who were stronger than you, were chased away. where is Mengistu and where is Siyad Barre?. Come back your to sense before it is too late. the rip-off money did not help those dictators and so it wont help your family. 

Abdikarim A. Osman

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Somaliland leaders still smell the British Rule

Somaliland leaders still smell the British Rule, therefore Mr Donal
Payne, they will not sit with other Somalis
By Mohamed A. Mirreh


In an attempt to alleviate the ongoing tragedy in Somalia, Mr. Donald
M. Payne of the United States Congress invited the TFG of Somalia,
Puntland administration and Somaliland administration to a meeting in
Washington on 25th June, 2009. Initially all the three entities
accepted the invitation but only the TFG and Puntland representatives
have attended the meeting, while the Somaliland´s "foreign minister"
being ill-advised by foreign whistle-blowers did not show up in the
meeting, claiming that "Somaliland is an independent country which has
nothing to do with other Somalis".

Following this and during the congressional hearings in Washington DC,
Hon Donald Payne, Chairman of Committee for African Affairs at US
Congress had, bearing in mind that the so-called Somaliland is not sui
generis and its people are not different from other Somalis, stated
the following: If they [Somaliland people] want to be isolated, they
can be assured that I will do all I can to isolate them.

This statement by the congressman, which certainly did not cut ice
with the secessionists, has apparently prompted an outcry among those
who are desperate for secession, to the extent that in an article: to
Awdalnews.com, Hon Donald Payne was likened to a warlord and a
terrorist of Somalia.

In another letter: which has appeared in WardheerNews and other Somali
websites, addressed to Hon Donald Payne, Mr Mohamed Baranbaro, the
author of the letter tried to convince the congressman and his
associates that "Somaliland" deserves an international recognition. If
anything this type of letter is a downright insult to the intelligence
of any learned congressman, like Hon Donald Payne. There is a paucity
of truthfulness in the said letter and its content is basically a
rehash of the secessionist's stereotype and ludicrous claims for a
much sought international recognition.

These types of acts clearly reflect how the "leaders" of one clan in
North-west Somalia want to mislead the international community and get
an international recognition for a pretend state called, Somaliland.
Institutions like the US congress and all other international forum
are privy to the fact that the concept of "Somaliland" is the
invention of some disgruntled "politicians" of one clan among the five
clans in northern Somalia (former British Somaliland), who acting upon
tribal dominance and taking the advantage of the collapse of the
Somali state, unilaterally declared in May 1991, a secession of the
area from Somalia and adopted a former colonial name of Somaliland.

For the last 18 years the secessionists and some hired foreign agents
have been relentlessly campaigning for Somaliland´s recognition and
these often present flimsy justifications as pre-requisite for
recognition. Among these justifications are that Somaliland is
democratic, peaceful and both presidential and parliamentarian
elections were conducted or that all the clans in the former British
Somaliland are identified with the secession. All these,
justifications which are similar to the hackneyed collection of claims
stated by Mohamed Baranbaro do not hold water and a point-by-point
rebuttal to these claims are given below:

Somaliland was an independent nation with internationally delineated
boundaries and was recognized by 34 nations including 5 permanent
members.
This is a lie and I challenge anyone who can produce a single country,
let alone 34 countries or the 5 permanent members of the UN, which
ever recognised Somaliland as an independent state. It is irrational
that any government would have recognised a transient administration
as an independent state, that was only to exist for 4 days (26 June -1
July 1960) and then to disappear for good after joining an
administration from the South to form the unity government of the
Somali Republic. Mr Baranbaro is day-dreaming if he thinks that his
claim is available in the archives of the UN or in the records of the
34 countries, mentioned in his letter.

Somaliland existed before Somalia was granted independence. Once
Somalia achieved independence, Somaliland then initiated a Union with
Somalia for a greater "Somali Republic". There had never been a state
called Somaliland unless one erroneously believes that the then
British Somaliland Protectorate was a separate state and was not an
occupied part of the Somali home by the British colonisers. Also, the
union was not initiated by the North, but it was an aspiration of all
Somalis.

This Union was never legally formed thus never bound Somaliland to perpetuity.
Contrary to this claim and unless Mr Baranbaro is speaking through his
hat, one clan has no solid legal basis to abrogate the act of union
(Atto di Unione) formed and signed by the governments of North and
South in 1960.

Somaliland never relinquished her right to restore her independence at
any point. Somaliland restored her independence in 1991 after 30 years
of the disastrous policies that saw the aerial bombardment of cities,
the massacre of over 50,000 innocent people and the systemic
humiliation of the people of Somaliland.

The writer of this claim, like all the proponents of secession
believes that his clan had solely inherited from the British, all the
territories of the former British Somaliland Protectorate and by
virtue of this, his clan alone decides in an on-and-off mode, when and
how the north-west of Somalia  can be part of Somalia. Again, Mr
Mohamed Baranbaro as usual heaps all the blames to the unity itself or
the South but conveniently ignores that the politicians, both from
North and South were to be blamed. The secessionist´s claim that 50
000 of their people were killed by the former Somali president, Siyad
Bare who was from the South, is exceedingly over the top and even if
this and other fabricated stories were true, these would not justify
for an international recognition to Somaliland, as the said regime
which had army officers both from North and South of Somalia, also
carried out killings in the South and central parts of Somalia. One
must also recall that the people of Sool, Sanag and Cayn of North
Somalia were massacred by their thousands during the Darwish
movements' in1900 – 1921. These massacres were committed by the
British colonisers with the collaboration of Somalis and Ethiopia.
This historical fact is not an invented one, but it is documented and
can be found in the world libraries. From these library records, Mr
Baranbaro can find out who were these Somalis who collaborated with
the British colonisers.

The Somaliland public voted overwhelmingly- on more than one occasion
- to rescind the union. This decision is neither reversible nor open
to negotiation.
This is again a wishful thinking to contemplate that all clans in the
north-west regions of Somalia are behind the secession. The fact that
Somaliland militia occupies in the unionist Sool region and its
capital Lasanod which they invaded in October, 2007 speaks for itself.

Somaliland's case is unique in that the recognition of Somaliland will
not set precedent or infringe upon African Union protocol or
convention. There are no other formerly independent and recognized
nations seeking to exit union or reclaim independence.
There is nothing uniqueness in the secessionist´s cause and simply
put, if Somalia is divisible so is the so-called Somaliland. World
bodies like the UN, AU and all other international organisations know
that if this clan-entity is recognised this will let the genie out of
the bottle, therefore the unity of Somalia is sacred and untouchable.

Somaliland fulfils all requirements for statehood; a) the nation has a
permanent population, b) had been independent once before, c) has a
clearly defined territory.
The secessionists always highlight their fond for the legacy of
British rule and its attributes, like a defined territory, based on
arbitrary boundary and drawn by the British. One has to know that such
boundary was illegal in the first place, and became obsolete once the
internationally recognised boundary of Somalia was in place and, if an
arbitrary boundary was to be counted one has to remember that the
Turks, Egyptians and even the Omanis ruled some parts of the Somali
home and as a result had drawn their respective arbitrary boundaries.
One wonders why unlike other regions of Somalia and of all those
powers who occupied Somalia, the British legacy in Hargeisa is
olfactory and aural – Was there very special bond between the British
colonisers and those who still evocatively remember the British rule?

Mohamed A. Mirreh
Email: mmirreh@hotmail.com

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Somaliland Government Uses WFP Food Aid as a Political Tool

Somaliland Government Uses WFP Food Aid as a Political Tool

26 June 2009 | News
 Hargeisa, Somaliland (Somaliland Globe)The Somaliland government is
using food aid provided by WFP to shape the outcome of the upcoming
presidential election planned for 27 September, sources close to the
presidential palace told The Somaliland Globe.

The government is distributing the food aid in selected urban and
rural areas, in which the ruling party, United Peoples' Democratic
Party known by its Somali acronym UDUB, was losing the strong support
it used to enjoy, in order to woo back the electorate to vote for
UDUB.

The failed rainy season led to a drought situation in the inland
pastoral zones of Somaliland, affecting particularly those who do not
receive remittances from abroad and are dependent solely for their
livelihoods either on livestock or rain-fed agriculture.

The opposition parties are crying foul that the government should not
be distributing food but should "let independent aid agencies feed
people" and the government, in turn, is demonising the opposition as a
bunch of troublemakers, hurling as many accusations as possible, in
hopes that some or all of them will stick, even if they're patently
contradictory.

In a propoganda war like this, the government has always the upper
hand because the opposition parties are deprived of free access to
state TV and radio.

Kulmiye party officials are expected to issue a press statement of
some sort tomorrow.


 Newsdesk

Somaliland Globe

Somaliland: If the Bardaale hostility not distinguished within th...

It's absolutely an orchestrated political flaw, that the Government
couldn't honour the Gurti Jurisdiction ruling on the Disputed Bardaale
land issue between the fighting two clans of Gabiley and Borama. With
president Riyale refusing to sign the International Donors proposed
Elections code of conduct to free and fare elections, his failure also
to use his executive order to enforce the judgement issued by the
Gurti sub-committee on National security over this issue, which has
been ruled for the Gabileh Clan, plus the issue of Ga'an Libax
District, Hargeisa, where, a land dispute is about to detonate between
a member of parliament and some residents of that District, where some
two-hundred of the Police is said to have been dispatched to guard it,
while foreced construction is being erected. All those events, pour
into one issue of security distabilation by the highest authority of
the state, the end product of which is to rule out election and to set
a
 false endangered National Security , to justify an imaginative
extension of Mandate for President, which is not impossible but highly
dangerous to by-pass the degree of fatalities at Mogadishio, because
of anger and Dismay if it's attmpted!!

Mr. Riyale though, aware of the repercussions, seem to be opting for
unbelievably, a game he shall never win. Becuse of his Eight years of
Distructive Polices and nothing done for the People of Somaliland or
the re-construction of the county as Prsident, it's impossible for him
to be given another apportunity to further Distructions. When it comes
to leadership and delegation of Authority, he proved to be incompetant
on the witness of his Vice President at an interview, recently aired
at Hargeisa Cable T/V station, where his excilleny, Sheikh Ahmed
yussuf Yassin, confessed to a corruption that marred every Gov't
Institution at it's highest ranks,which he discribed irreversible and
uncontrollable. This alone is a proof of his failure as head of an
state to be denied  a second term for National Interests.

In the last couple of Months , people at home have been watching a
mass exodus of UDUB  Party ex-supporters, joining other opposition
Parties, Kulmiye in Particular. The president's last visit to the
Eastern Regions , Particularly Burao and it's Districts and Sahel
Region had darkened his hopes for another hat-trick Play to stick to
power!! It's as bright as a sun, in the Middle of the day, this
Administration has done alot of damage at every level of governance,
be it Education, Developement, Finance, Public Service, Information ,
Culture, Health and National pride and deserve not only to be booted
to be subjected to law and made accountable to  several crimes
committed in the name of the law!!

In conclusion, Somaliland is two steps away from anarchy, if the fumes
generating from Bardaale not distinguished within 24 hrs, expect a
hell fire that may engulf the Region, where other external forces will
be lured to join!! It's solely in the Gov't hands to avert this gloomy
 picture
simply by exercising the rule of law and executing, the 5th ruling on
the same President Clan and in-laws. World elites should follow this
issue very closely and should witness this aggression there after.

Dr. Ali A. Mohamed


--
Posted By Samotalis to SAMOTALIS at 7/11/2009 03:25:00 PM

A different Letter to Donald Payne

by Ali H Abdulla
Monday, July 13, 2009

To: Congressman Donald Payne, Chairman

Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health

2310 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, District of Columbia 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman,

Congressman Donald Payne, Chairman  Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health

________________________________

The Somali people everywhere in this world would like to thank you for
your efforts to bring the Somali people together so that they can
extricate themselves from the prolonged sufferings they have endured
for nearly two decades.

The Somali people would also like to congratulate your country on the
recent election of Barack Obama to the white house. Somalis are
delighted that their African American brothers, with the help of their
other fellow Americans, have finally managed to overcome centuries of
injustice and marginalization. Let us hope that the election of
President Obama serves to bring the American people closer than ever
and contribute to a truly integrated society that is well equipped to
tackle the numerous challenges that our world faces today, such as
global warming, the economic meltdown and the numerous conflicts
raging on in many parts of the world.

The United States is a country that brings together people from all
around the globe. African Americans, Asian Americans, Mexican
Americans and White Americans live in harmony, and have managed to
overcome their differences to create the most powerful nation on
earth. Your people have managed to overcome their fears and
prejudices, and they have succeeded in sending a black man to the
white house for the first time in their history, an achievement that
would have been unthinkable in the recent past. This is the result of
patience, perseverance and hope. The dream of Martin Luther King has
finally been realized. Your glorious achievements show that dreams do
come true. As Somalis, we hope that our dream of uniting the Somali
people peacefully will also come true.

The Somali people are one people. They are the most homogeneous people
in Africa and perhaps in the world. They speak the same language,
adhere to the same religion, are endowed with same color, and enjoy
the same physical features. They live in a country that is not bigger
than Texas. Yet, they suffer from disunity and internal conflict.

The nomadic nature of the Somalis have imposed on them over the
centuries a clan structure that has been exploited by the European
colonialists in the 19thcentury to divide them into five areas of
influence against their will. Most Somalis have fought against that
and lost thousands in the process.

After two of the five parts got rid of the colonialists in 1960 and
established a democratic government known as the Republic of Somalia,
the Somali people started the process of nation building.
Unfortunately,Somalia was not immune to the numerous coup d'etats that
afflicted the African continent, and fell prey to the cold war
influences of the time. A military junta took over in 1969 that was
initially welcomed by most Somalis who were tired of the corruptions
of the then democratically elected civilian government.  As hindsight,
it seems that Somalis were hasty in their judgment to support the
junta at the time, just as some fellow Somalis are hasty in their
desire to complete the work started by the colonialists in the19th
century; i.e. to divide Somalia into clan fiefdoms once again.

The division of the Somalis into several countries had contributed a
lot to the current mess in Somalia. When the military junta tried to
re-unite some of the Somali people by force in 1977, the defeated
national army became weakened and started to lose its grip on the
country. Years of latent dissent surfaced, and the ugly clan influence
reared its head again to further weaken the central government that
eventually resorted to heavy-handed tactics in order to suppress
legitimate grievances in many parts of the country.

After losing the national army that held the country together, Somalia
started to disintegrate into clan fiefdoms. Some clans have been more
successful than others in creating good governance in their areas of
influence. Others have fallen prey to warlords, criminal gangs and
religious fundamentalists, and were not given the chance to establish
successful local administrations.

Somaliland is one of the clan fiefdoms that have been successful in
overcoming their sub-clan differences, although all is not well there
also. Religious fundamentalists have sleeper cells in many parts of
Somaliland, and clan rivalry can erupt any time, if disgruntled
politicians choose to play that ugly card when it suits their
self-interests. As I write this letter to you, two clans are at
loggerheads over disputed land not far from the capital of Somaliland,
Hargeisa. Farther East, Somaliland forces illegally occupy a city
whose inhabitants are vehemently opposed to the desire of some groups
in Somaliland to break away from the SomaliRepublic. Opposing forces
are assembling around the city to evict these forces, a process that
can only contribute to the current mess in Somalia.

As a country that unites many ethnic groups, I believe that your
country can play a major role in resolving the intractable problems in
Somalia. Instead of supplying weapons to those fighting each other,
the US can start engaging the different groups in Somalia as an honest
broker. The Somali problem has been left to regional countries for
many years.  Many of these countries have no desire to see a stable
Somalia that they perceive as a threat to their national interests.
Ethiopia and Kenya occupy Somali territories given to them by colonial
powers. They should not be allowed to exploit the current situation in
Somalia to advance their strategic interests at the expense of the
Somali people.

Drought, Poverty, rampant un-employment and scarce resources also
contribute to the instability ofSomalia. Food aid delivered by NGOs
cannot solve these difficult problems. The World Community needs to
pursue innovative strategies to help Somalia overcome these difficult
challenges. Regions that are committed to peace, democracy and the
Federal system in Somalia need to be rewarded for their efforts.

Finally, I would like to convey to you the gratitude of the Somali
people for your gallant efforts to help them overcome their seemingly
endless misery. We all hope that you will follow the example of your
people who dreamt, hoped, persevered and finally overcame difficult
challenges. Please do not give up onSomalia and continue your efforts
to help them overcome their differences. Instead of isolating any
group, we hope that you will engage all groups and bring them around
to the common goal of uniting their country and people in a Federal
system that is characterized by justice, democracy and respect for
human rights.

Sincerely yours,

________________________________
Ali H Abdulla

A concerned Somali

aliegeh@gmail.com

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Pakistan PM Awards a Gold Medal to

Pakistan PM Awards a Gold Medal to Somali Student  


Hiiraan Online
Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Sayid Usuf Raza Gailani awarded a gold medal to a Somali student. The student, named Mr. Yoonis Hasan Hussein (Alifow), was awarded the medal for graduating with highest GPA (4 out of 4) and becoming the first in a class of 90 students graduating with Master of Science in Economics (MSc Economics) at the Collage of Economic Studies at the International Islamic University of Islamabad (IIUI).

The awarding ceremony was well organized and took place at the convention hall of the university.

It is not the first time Mr. Yoonis is awarded a gold medal for academic achievement. In 2008, he received a gold medal from Sahrad University of Science and Information Technology Peshwar (SUIT) by graduating the first in his class for Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).

At today's ceremony, 2267 students received degrees. Six of those receiving the degrees received PhDs. Prime Minister Raza Gailani awarded gold medals to the 34 students who graduated at the top of their classes.

IIUI University is the third largest university in Pakistan according to the President of the university Dr. Anwar Sidiqi. The university was established in 1985. Students from several countries including Somalia, Yemen, Indonesia, Malaysia, Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, Bosnia and Ghana study at the university.


Monday, July 13, 2009

A Call to Jihad, Answered in America

 
 

Sent to you by Ahmed via Google Reader:

 
 

via NYT > Somalia by By ANDREA ELLIOTT on 11/07/09

The F.B.I. is looking into a group of Somali-Americans who are the focus of what may be the most significant domestic terrorism investigation since Sept. 11.

 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Somalia: Finding a Solution

Somalia: Finding a Solution

' Ahmed ' Said '
We spend so much of our time debating about the politics of Somalia, and sometimes it can seem like mere drudgery. We rarely think of coming up with something new that can help us learn anything about our past mistakes as Somalis in order to solve the crisis of our country. For this in mind, coming up with a fresh start is the activity that changes our minds into exciting resources and activities that help us grow and do things better. The aim of this article is just that, to help us do things better, particularly in how we approach to the problem of our country. This isn't just about keeping anyone or any clan happy – we'll address the issue of whether ´clan´ is all about working for the country or against the country. What we're interested in is any action and any activities which can make a difference to our lives: anything that opens up opportunities for peace, helps us feel pride as Somalis or makes our daily lives a place of solidarity and unity for the general interests of the public. I hope that you find this article helpful in learning to change your day-to-day political ideas and opinions into an experience of realized opportunity. 

The primary purpose of this article is to allow you to use your current and past experiences of the crisis of Somalia as a basis for further understanding of what the problem of Somalia is really all about. 

The aims of this article, therefore, are: 

to enable you to reflect upon your past experiences of the issue, as a Somali citizen, in order to learn something in your experiences, something that can contribute to restoring peace to Somalia ; 

to support you in improving your avoidance to clan-related menaces, and exploring how this impacts on particular aspects of your personality as a member of the Somali people; 

to enable you to critically evaluate clan-based bias in relation to your own good judgement, and other, topic contexts, and to review your own personal and professional knowledge of the topic. 

Practically, the objectives of this article are: 

to develop and enhance your knowledge about clan-based ignorance and your learning skills to combat such ignorance; 

to prepare you to engage with honesty inquiry in relation to your topic-related practice. 

An essential resource for this article is you, and the knowledge, understanding and skills that you already have. This article is designed to utilize your existing experience as a platform from which you will move off on a new and different personal development track. When we talk of experience, we don't want to limit this to past experience. Rather, we include the experience, stories and images that all of us, Somalis, witness all of the time as far as the situation of Somalia is concerned. Such experience can include a very broad range of areas in the political landscape of Somalia. 



Finding the stem of the problem of Somalia can be useful in a variety of ways, and finding the stem of the problem is important to start quite simply, which is why it is essential for every Somali to be given the opportunity to identify the source of the problem rather than a few politicians trying to solve the puzzle by themselves. However, finding the stem of the problem is not meant to be a piece of artwork, just a way of every Somali citizen to clarify his or her thinking about this complicated subject. Did you learn anything new about the problem of Somalia? About the skills you bring to solving it? About how you organize yourself for the task? About how it might be done better next time? About any common problems you encounter? 

Don't fret if you cannot think of anything yet. We will come back to this later in the article and see if it is useful in helping your thinking about a variety of alternatives to sorting out the crisis of Somalia 

So, one crucial outcome of every Somali citizen thinking about the solution is the opportunities it presents for problem-solving power, including recognizing the previous experience we have gained as Somalis to reach the current level of skill with which we do the job. Whether we realize it or not, we can learn something from whatever we do. We on the course team see it as our role to help each other identify new ways to kill the problem. 

It is indisputable that every Somali has gained enough experience that war is very destructive, that the more the war goes on, the more the country falls into a dark hole of anarchy. On the other hand, the more the Somali people avoid clan affiliations, the better because without clan groups and identities, there will be no fuel to keep the war lamp burning. 

If every Somali citizen uses his or her good judgement, there will be no bias in favor of or against any clan, because clan-based ignorance is a disease that keeps us from seeing the big picture, which is the fact that we're one people with one language, one religion, one culture and one country. The clan thing is really an obstacle to peace. 

If you have experience of how to solve the problem, never hesitate to share it because experience matters, and if you find yourself in the process of solving the problem, the more experience you get from your peace searching is also a good thing that matters. Finally, evolving every Somali citizen in solving the problem is honorable, because when many brains are thinking about finding a solution, the solution itself comes around unexpectedly... 

Ahmed Said

shactiro@hotmail.com
Somalia: Sheikh Sharif´s Failure is a Matter of Erroneous Perceptions
Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis
Many readers reacted in diverse ways to my recent article – criticism of Sheikh Sharif´s policies. Some argued that the new TFG president has not had until now enough time to act.
Somalia in Perilous Impasse, as Sheikh Sharif Embodies Ignorance, Impotency, and Indecision
Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis
Few can accuse me for unfriendly attitude toward the former ARS leader who is the current TFG president. I was among the first to report his election in Asmara, and to support him as Somalia´s best chance for pacification, reunification and rehabilitation.

Somaliland opposition wants Riyale out....



Somaliland opposition 'ready for election' but wants Riyale out

HARGEISA, Somalia Mar 17 (Gargaar) - The leading opposition party in Somaliland has again demanded a caretaker government to rule the region during a two-month transitional period.

Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, the presidential candidate for the Kulmiye opposition party, addressed a crowd Monday at the opening of a youth office in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland.

Ahmed Silanyo, Somaliland opposition leader
"Some people are saying that Kulmiye  party is against the election. But Kulmiye is ready for the election this hour, Kulmiye is ready on May 31, but April 6 is the deadline for [Dahir] Riyale's government," Mr. Silanyo declared, adding: "The dispute is who will rule the country [Somaliland] until the election date."

The chairman of the ruling UDUB party, Mr. Jama Yasin Farah, told a party gathering in the city of Burao that the Kulmiye party's demands are "unfortunate."

"The people will only accept the constitutional process and I urge Kulmiye [party] to accept the decision reached by the Somaliland election commission," Mr Farah said, while referring to the commission's controversial move to delay the presidential election from March 29 to May 31.

Meanwhile, Somaliland's upper house of parliament, the House of Guurti, voted today to extend its ordinary session by an additional month to help mediate among the political parties.

The political crisis in Somaliland started in April 2008, when President Riyale's constitutional five-year mandate ended. The House of Guurti voted to give the Riyale administration an additional year in office, in a move condemned by the opposition as illegal.

The dispute was later resolved and a new election date was set for March 29, 2009, when Mr. Riyale and Mr. Silanyo were expected to face-off in a presidential race similar to 2003, when Silanyo lost by less than 90 votes.

But the election commission's unilateral decision to delay the election until May 31 has deepened the political dispute, with the Kulmiye party demanding that the two houses of parliament appoint a caretaker government that can lead Somaliland until the election. Possibilty of agreeing this date was close, when with Riyale's instruction and with all his unlimited means and pressure, including alleged vote-buying, the Upper House suddenly extended Riyale's term to 29 October 2009, while election date was set on 29 September 2009. The logic of this deliberate agitation of the opposition amounts to lack of respect of the public will and low sense of responsibility.

With that unwarranted delay, the Western governments lead by Britain and Norway expressed their utter rejection of this undemocratic unilateral delay by the administration and called upon the President to come back to negotiation table and seek consensus. They expressed that they will suspend all cooperation unless this political crisis are solved by negotiated agreement between all concerned.   
 

Friday, April 17, 2009

Somaliland clan elder arrested after attending opposition rally



Somaliland clan elder arrested after attending opposition rally
15 Apr 15, 2009 - 10:04:09 AM 

HARGEISA, Somalia Apr 15 (Garowe Online) - A clan elder was arrested Tuesday in Somalia's breakaway republic of Somaliland after he attended an opposition rally the day earlier, Radio Garowe reports.

Saleban Boqor Saleban Hassan was detained by Somaliland police in Hargeisa, with witnesses saying he demanded the police to show him a warrant.

He was standing in front of Hotel Imperial in Hargeisa when police units arrested him without a warrant, witnesses said.

Crowds gathered around as the traditional elder was ushered into a police vehicle and transported to police headquarters in Hargeisa.

On Monday, Mr. Saleban addressed hundreds of people who came out in support of Kulmiye opposition party leader Ahmed Silanyo's refusal to recognize the term extension of Somaliland President Dahir Riyale.

He loudly criticized two government officials – Finance Minister Awil Ali Du'ale and Public Works Minister Said Sulub – whom he accused of "inciting old clan hostilities."

Mr. Silanyo, Somaliland's opposition leader, has demanded that President Riyale leave office after failing to hold presidential elections on time.

Somaliland's upper house of parliament, the House of Guurti, voted to give Mr. Riyale's administration a six-month extension in addition to a one-year extension Riyale received in 2008, angering opposition parties Kulmiye and UCID.

"I thank you for coming out to express your opposition to Riyale's term extension," Mr. Silanyo told supporters, as police units blocked off roads near the Kulmiye party headquarters in Hargeisa.

He openly accused the Riyale government of "robbing the public" and "destroying the democracy" in Somaliland.

"We have the constitutional right to stage peaceful protests. We do not fire bullets, we do not throw stones, but they [police] fired bullets at us," Silanyo said, while referring to Kulmiye's first public demonstration in Hargeisa last week that ended abruptly after Somaliland security forces fired into the crowd.

Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognized internationally. The separatist republic is currently locked in its most testing political crisis.

Source: Garowe Online



Somalia: Somaliland 'bans' opposition demonstrations


Somalia: Somaliland 'bans' opposition demonstrations
15 Apr 15, 2009 - 6:33:18 PM 

HARGEISA, Somalia Apr 15 (Garowe Online) - Authorities in Somalia's separatist republic of Somaliland have declared that they have banned public demonstrations until election time, Radio Garowe reports.

Mr. Abdullahi Ismail "Irro," the Somaliland minister for internal affairs, told local press that opposition parties Kulmiye and UCID have violated the constitution and other applicable laws.

He specifically accused Kulmiye, the leading opposition party, of holding public demonstrations that are a "threat to security." He warned the opposition to wait until election time to hold public demonstrations.

Somaliland's interior minister said the government "will no longer accept" Kulmiye to hold demonstrations outside party headquarters.

Kulmiye party officials have accused the Somaliland government of "sending agents" to raise trouble at the opposition's public rallies to reject Somaliland President Dahir Riyale's six-month term extension.

At the most recent rally, held on Monday in Hargeisa, an unknown man fired a bullet but no one was hurt. Kulmiye party officials claim he sent by the Riyale administration to incite insecurity.

Meanwhile, a clan elder arrested by Somaliland police yesterday is still in jail.

Somaliland is a self-declared republic located in northwestern Somalia but has not been recognized internationally.

RELATED:
READSomaliland clan elder arrested after attending opposition rally

Source: Garowe Online



SRSG condemns continuing piracy scourge


United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS)

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE 013/2009

SRSG condemns continuing piracy scourge

Nairobi, 14 April 2009: The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has called piracy an "international scourge" which is damaging to ordinary Somalis, the region and the world.

"I strongly believe that concrete efforts, such as the international maritime presence off the Somali coast, should be increased to help marginalize and suppress piracy," said Mr Ould-Abdallah.

"Without the maritime presence, the pandemic would have been far worse. Those contributing to the international presence are doing an excellent job, but they have a huge area to cover. The recent self defensive actions by the Governments of the US and France are sending a strong message to the pirates and, more importantly, to their backers who are exploiting the poverty and desperation of their young, unemployed compatriots."

The SRSG said that today some 300 hostages and 17 vessels are being held by a small group who are only interested in maximizing their illegal profits. Therefore a military solution, while essential, should be complemented by credible development activity.

"To ensure stability in Somalia and the region, as well as the freedom of navigation, the financial backers of the pirates should be identified quickly and held accountable," said Mr Ould-Abdallah.

————————————————————————————————————For more information please contact: Susannah Price or Donna Cusumano,

Public Information Officers, UN Political Office for Somalia (Nairobi, Kenya)Tel: +254 20 762 1192/1625 or +254 733902020/737400133 Please visit: www.UN-Somalia.org


View article...


Official: Britain Furious Over Election Delay in Somaliland

Somaliland Canadian Congress blogspot.com

Somaliland Canadian Congress
Official: Britain Furious Over Election Delay in Somaliland

London, 16 April 2009 (Somaliland Today)- The British government has expressed strong disappointment over delay of presidential elections in Somaliland following the approval by the House of Elders for a further six-month extension to Rayale's term of office.


The strongman of Somaliland, Dahir Rayale Kahin, met Britain's Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, on 6 March during which the Foreign Secretary was "firm in his desire to see trouble free elections in Somaliland". That was before Rayale's presidential term expired on 6 April, 2009.

In addition to this high level engagement, Britain's ambassador to Ethiopia, Norman Ling, was also shuttling back and forth between Addis Ababa and Hargeisa "to raise our [Britain's] concerns" relating to the postponement of presidential elections.

In reply to a letter by Jamal Madar and other signatories, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said the signatories' concerns had been duly noted and added that, "delays to the elections can only have a negative impact on the perceived credentials of Somaliland by the international community and Somalilanders alike". A similar petition-letter by Jamal Madar and his colleagues has been circulated to members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons and "will be accepted as a written evidence to the Committee".

During his visit to the UK, Rayale told Miliband "he would willingly step down if he were to lose in the elections and that he and his party would seek to work constructively with the new president for the great interests of Somaliland".

The Foreign Secretary urged Rayale that "it is essential that the election process is carried out effectively and democratically and that all parties work together to make the election a success".

However, unbeknownst to Miliband is that soon after his arrival at Hargeisa Airport on return from the UK visit, Rayale ruled out any concessions to work with the opposition parties and refused to apologise to the Somaliland people for the government's repeated failure to hold the presidential elections at least three times for the past year alone.

"A government can only be replaced by a government," said Rayale

"Rayale seems to be suffering from a severe case of historical amnesia. His five-year term mandate had expired in April 2008. Neither he nor his government has a mandate to govern the country," said Mohammed Yonis Awale, former chairman of KULMIYE-UK. "The presidential term extensions in which he indulges are an affront to the democratic system and should be utterly and completely rejected".

KULMIYE categorically rejected the House of Elders approval for a further six-month extension to the presidential term, which it says has no constitutional basis.

Rayale saw the rejection as a kick in the teeth. He miscalculated that KULMIYE will initially reject the term extension but will not dare to use mass protests as a political tool– something that Rayale and his government hate so much.

On 6 April, KULMIYE supporters staged peaceful march in Hargeisa but police fired live bullets to disperse them. In the ensuing confusion, several policemen unleashed a hail of bullets against the leader of KULMIYE, Ahmed Mohamoud Silanyo, but supporters shielded him from the bullets. Fortunately, only two people were slightly hurt and Silanyo escaped shaken but unscathed.

"This is an attempt on the life of the chairman of the party [KULMIYE] and will not be taken lightly", said Keise Hassan Egeh, General Secretary of KULMIYE.

Britain continues to invest a lot of time and effort in convincing Rayale and his henchmen to hold the presidential election but the prospect of Somaliland's strongman working constructively with the opposition parties does not appear to be on the cards until now.

Somaliland Today

Newsdesk


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Somaliland: Ismail H Nuur, the most corrupt mayor in Somaliland


Ismail H Nuur, the most corrupt mayor in Somaliland

via Medeshi 

Medeshi April 17, 2009
Ismail .H .Nuur, the most corrupt mayor in Somaliland
Ismail H. Nuur has been reported to be the most corrupt mayor n Somaliland as written in Qaran news
http://www.qarannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4359&Itemid=62

The mayor who has very little educational background has attained his post as a result of clan lobbying and nepotism and has since then been very close to president Riyale to maintain his position. He has been the yes man of the president for Sanaag and was even seen in a photo with with Riyaale in Berbera during the recent protest against the minister of education of Somaliland Hassan Gadhweyne by the students of H.Afqalooc secondary school in Erigavo.
(Photo: the latest two storey bulding of the mayor)
This man has accumulated much money through corruption, nepotism and money laundering by using his post as the mayor of Erigavo. The photo shown above is among his latest buildings in this poverty ridden capital of Sannag region. I wonder how long the people of Somaliland will tolerate this corrupt and illiterate mayor
Read more about the corruption allegations (in Somali): http://www.qarannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4307&Itemid=62
Eventually click on this link to read the allegations in a new window:
Written by medeshi
via Medeshi


Somaliliand: Demonstrations Held In Hargeysa and Berbera

Hargeysa/Berbera (SomalilandGlobe) The main opposition party in Somaliland, Kulmiye, has held large scare demonstrations in the capital city of Somaliland, Hargeysa, and the seaport of Berbera yesterday, 13th April. 

According to the opposition leader, the aim of the demonstrations was to announce and protest the government's extension of term and to restate their position that they do not recognise President Rayale as the President of Somaliland after 06th April 2009. 

The house of Guurti of Somaliland has extended the term of office of President Rayale two weeks ago, which was coming to an end on the 06th April 2009.  The opposition parties rejected the extension and vowed not to recognize the government.  The Rayale government insists that the extension was legitimate, since elections could not take place in time. 

According to Police officials the demonstrations ended peacefully except for an incident in Hargeysa where a young man with a pistol was arrested.



Government Action Affront to Somaliland’s Democratic Ideals

 Government Action Affront to Somaliland's Democratic Ideals

On April 6th, 2009, Government Security Forces opened fire on the Chairman and some members of KULMIYE party who were peacefully marching towards the Chairman's home. Although Ahmed Silaanyo's statements addressed to the president Riyaale during Silaanyo's speech to supporters at SNM celebrations, can be interpreted as challenging the Government (Riyaale, Car soo bax meaning: Riyaale, I dare you to come out), there is nothing to indicate that any interference of the situation by the Security Forces was needed, let alone opening fire on KULMIYE chairman and supporters.

In most any Democratic society, the Government would have been forced immediately to take full responsibility and order an independent investigation/inquiry into the incident.

This incident was followed by the closing of  two KULMIYE party offices in next few days. On April 11 Security Forces stormed the Kulmiye Headquarters in Burco, the second capital of  Somaliland and the native town of Ahmed Siilaanyo's and his party's stronghold.

On Sunday April 12th, the Deputy Minister of Defence Ahmed Mohamed Filanwaa, as reported by Hadhwanaagnews, stated in press conference that the Government has prepared the Army prosecutor to prepare a case for legal action against The Chairman of unregistered Qaran Party, Dr. Mohamed Abdi Gaboose.

The KULMIYE and UCID parties have been, lately, loudly voicing concerns that the Government is instigating them and creating pretext to using the State Security Apparatus against the opposition parties.

It appears that the Government is proving them RIGHT.

As a truly patriotic Somalilander and political junky living abroad who has decided so far not to take sides in Somaliland's internal political conflicts, I strongly protest the deplorable action taken by a Government whose legality is questioned by a large segment of the people of Somaliland.

For the record, I supported the extension of the Government term by the GUURTI for the sake of  having a government in place rather "Power Vacuum". I have authored several articles and poetry in support of the Government when the opposition appeared wrong and came with unreasonable unfair attempts to unseat the Government.

I believe that the "power vaccuum" the opposition parties have been calling for is not in the interest of the People and the Country at this crucial time in hour history. By the some token I wrote poetry and articles opposing "Power Sharing Agreement" for it would, in my opinion,  create more problems than it would solve in Somaliland's unique situation.

The GUURTI, the Parliament, the intellectuals and the people of  Somaliland must stand up and put pressure on the Government to restrain itself from using the State Power against the most important pillars of Democracy, the opposition parties.

Democracy is an artificial and very delicate system. It is the bright side of  Democracy-Dictator continuum based on very potent power dynamic. It is not a system to be taken for granted. So it needs a careful watch not only by the system of the check and balances but by the society as a whole.

Even in the Western world where were are told that democracy stands on stronger foundations with many institutions and traditions developed over many centuries to safeguard it, the battle to keep democracy in place is the daily chore of the media, independent judiciary,  opposition parties, community organizations, trade unions and religious groups and the general populace as well.

The following poem by a German Pastor (Martin Niemoller) which you find, these days,  hanging on the walls of every Trade Union or Social Democratic party office in the Western world,  illustrates what is likely to happen when a country's institutions, its elite and general public fail to stand for Justice and defend Democracy.

When the Nazis came for the communists ………………………..
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
Then they locked up the social democrats
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
Then they came for the trade unionists
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
There was no one left to speak out for me

The above poem may be paraphrased to suit the events that plunged Somali Republic in Absolute dictatorship in 1970 and after, as fellows:

When Siyaad's henchmen men came to arrest the parliamentarians
I remained silent,
I was not a parliamentarian

Then they locked up the honest officers (Caynaanshe, Gabayare and Dheel)
I remained silent,
I was not an honest officer

Then they came for the teachers and poets,
I remained silent,
I was neither a teacher nor a poet

When they killed Caynaanshe, Gabayre and Dheel (men from other clans)
I did not flinch,
I was not their clans or sub-clans

When they blasphemed the Quran and executed the Wadaadis
I remained silent
I was not a Wadaad nor a Muumin

I knew I was next (somehow)

But something called SNM came out of no where and saved me!

Let's, all stand up, to save  Somaliland's Democratic Ideals

Ahmed M. Adam (Doob-baje)

qotonshe@yahoo.com


Source:  Somalilandpress




Somaliland: Police Storms Offices of Opposition Party In Burao


Somaliland: Police Storms Offices of Opposition Party In Burao

11 April 2009 | News

BURAO (Somaliland Globe) — The Somaliland police have stormed the offices of KULMIYE, the main opposition party in Somaliland today.  As the police raided the office a number of journalists from the independent media have been gathered there for a press conference organized the by the party.

As the Police commandos stormed the office, the supporters and leaders of KULMIYE ordered them to leave the building.  The police refused and fired shots into the air.  The KULMIYE  supporters and leaders responded by hitting and stoning the police.  A lengthy and nasty fist fight between the police and the supporters ensued where base ball bats were used.  At the end the Police left the building.  It is not known how many people were injured in the fight.

The Rayale administration has been cracking down on the opposition supporters and leaders lately, since the opposition has withdrawn its recognition of the current administration.  On April 6, the leader of the opposition party, Mr Silanyo, who was the longest serving chairman of SNM the guerrilla organization that liberated Somaliland from Siyad Barre's rule, was shot at by the Police after peaceful demonstrations and march in the capital city.

The police and military spokesmen refused to speak about the incident when we asked for information about the police raid today.  KULMIYE party on its side confirmed that their office was attacked today, adding that the government was trying to start a war and destabilize Somaliland.

At the press conference, the party reaffirmed its position rejecting the Guurti's extension for Rayale tenure in office by six months. Party officials said they are always supportive of the peace, but said they are within their rights to organize peaceful demonstrations.

The party also reported similar harassment from the police few days ago by their staff at Hargeisa and Berbera district offices.




Somaliland: Police Chiefs of Togdher and Gabiley Sacked


Somaliland: Police Chiefs of Togdher and Gabiley Sacked

11 April 2009 | News

BURAO (Somaliland Globe) — The Police Chiefs of Togdher and Gabiley states have been sacked by the Minister of Interior of Somaliland. It is not confirmed yet why these officials have been sacked but it is believed that the government is worried about demonstrations the opposition parties are planning throughout the country and thus reorganizing the Police and military.

The Police chief of Togdheer is accused of not having stopped a high profile demonstration that took place in Burao, the capital of Togdher state, on the 6th of April the day Mr Rayale's term of office expired.  On that same day, opposition supporters have held another peaceful demonstration in Hargeisa, the capital, where the Police fired live ammunition at the peaceful demonstrations. 

The opposition parties of Somaliland do not recognize the present administration in Somaliland and have called for continuous and ongoing demonstrations country wide.  The government has responded sacking Police and military officials and intimidating opposition supporters and leaders.


Thursday, April 9, 2009

KULMIYE STATEMENT

KULMIYE STATEMENT ON THE CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION IN SOMALILAND
Dr. Mohamed A. Omar
We, KULMIYE, the main opposition party in Somaliland, are concerned about the current political situation in Somaliland and make the following statement. We condemn the government´s crack down on hundreds of our supporters who marched peacefully in Hargeisa yesterday to protest Mr

The Dissolution of Somaliland–Part V

The Dissolution of Somaliland–Part V Why Secede, if North Somalis Can Lead the Entire Somali Nation?
Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis
In four earlier articles entitled "The Dissolution of Somaliland – Part I North Somalis to Convert Rage to Acts Against Tyrant Riyaale" (http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/97313), "The Dissolution of Somaliland–Part II.