That Freedom Shall not Perish
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Agence France Presse, March 13, 2001
Ethiopian Airlines to start flights to Somaliland
The announcement on follows an appeal by the head of the region, Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, when he visited Addis Ababa in November, asking Ethiopian authorities to introduce flights to Hargeisa and the port city of Berbera.
Since the beginning of the war with Eritrea, Ethiopia has used the port of Djibouti and -- to a lesser extent -- Berbera for conducting external trade.
Somaliland remains unrecognised by the international community 10 years after it split from the rest of Somalia after the fall of president Mohammed Siad Barre in 1991.
The region's authorities continue to deny the legitimacy of the head of Somalia's national government of transition Abdoulkassim Salat Hassan -- elected in August.
The move also follows an agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland to open a subsidiary of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Hargeisa and an office of the Ethiopian national sea carrier in the self-proclaimed independent state.
The EAL flights will be twice weekly, the company announced.
Agence France Presse, March 13, 2001
UN's Somalia envoy fails in peace bid with breakaway Somaliland
Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, self-styled president of Somaliland, and some of his ministers met with Stephen for more than an hour in the territory's main city Hargeisa but insisted that that it is "not part of Somalia," the UN envoy told reporters after the talks.
A new peace process begun in Arta, in neighboring Djibouti, is backed by the international community and led last August to the formation of a national transition government and the election of a transition president, Abdoulkassim Salat Hassan.
Stephen, special envoy of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, said the Arta process "must be completed."
He said discussions would continue with Somaliland officials, but that the international community favored unity for the Horn of Africa country, which has not had a central government since the 1991 ouster of the dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
Stephen said Egal opposed the peace process and did not change his position, instead demanding recognition for Somaliland, which unilaterally declared independence from Somalia 10 years ago.
The Somaliland press has branded the UN envoy as persona non grata and President Egal early this month asked Annan to recall him.
Stephen said that some "misunderstandings have been cleared up and I am very happy to be here."
The special envoy will head for Djibouti and for Mogadishu, where he will meet President Salat and possibly faction leaders who will have returned to the Somali capital from Addis Ababa where they are trying to forge a united front towards the transition government.
The UN Security Council met on January 11 during which it backed the Arta process and urged further consultations to resolve 10 years of inter-clan warfare.
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 10 2001/ Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Egal allows David Stephen to come to Somaliland
On May 2000 a conference inspired by Djibouti dictator Ismail Omer Gelleh, the UN, Italian government and a number of Arab governments, was held in Arta, Djibouti, ostensibly to resolve the conflict in "Somalia". David Stephen was among the prominent architects of the Arta conference, which ended in August with the endorsement of Siyad Barre's minister for life Abdi-Qassim to become president of the former Somalia. This has been one of the rare cases when in the most recent arena the international community was fooled to bring personalities suspected of committing extensive war crimes against their own people, back to power. According to information obtained by this paper, David Stephen has been bribed by the Italian Ambassador to Mogadishu, Senior Scortino, in order to conduct a disinformation campaign in favour of the Italian government. However prominent Italian nationals working for aid agencies operating in the former Somalia are known to have rejected similar offers from officials of their own government.
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 10 2001/ Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somaliland heroine Amina Malko dies (1962-2001)
Amina Malko died after a long fight with cancer. Somalilanders all over the world mourned her death and paid tribute. She is remembered as a strongly dedicated advocate not only for the cause of Somaliland but also for the rights of immigrants and refugees in Canada. She was the spokeswoman for the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) where she was considered as a " role model with intense commitment to improve the conditions for immigrants and refugees".
Amina Malko also cared about the future of the free press in Somaliland. During her last days, she was involved in a fund-raising campaign to assist Jamhuuriyaand the Republican newspapers, the only two independent publications in Somaliland, overcome their financial distress. Amina is survived by a 19 years old daughter, Haifa.
Kent has cautiously warned international organizations, operating in Somaliland not to ignore the jurisdiction of the Arta faction over fiscal and legal matters in all over the former Somalia. The plan requiring employees of international organisations to pay income tax has been part of an over-all effort by the Somaliland government to raise money to compensate for over 10 million US Dollars in revenues expected to be lost during this fiscal year as result of the ban imposed on Somaliland livestock exports to Gulf countries. Since the ban began on last Sept, Somaliland Ministry of finance has taken measures to curb expenditure and rationalize financial management within government departments.
Meanwhile, UN secretary [General] Kofi Anan is expected to send a UN "Mission of peace building" to Mogadishu to help bolster the Arta faction which has so far failed to establish its authority outside the few blocks it controls in Mogadishu. The "UN peace mission", expected to establish a quasi-military, political and financial presence in Mogadishu will only recognize the authority and legitimacy of Abdi Qassim Salat's Arta faction, reports reaching Hargeisa have indicated.
The so-called UN peace-building mission is seen by many observers as a reinvention of the UNISOM intervention which ended disastrously in 1995. These observers believe that the new UN mission is more likely to raise the current tension in Mogadishu much higher rather than contributing to the restoration of peace. The mission is also seen with eyes of suspicion in peaceful areas in the former Somalia such as Somaliland, Puntland and Rehanwein settlements. In Somaliland, there is a deep worry that the new UN move, might slacken Somaliland's growing momentum toward democratization
Among the prominent speakers on the occasion were Edna Adan and Shukri Haji Ismail. Four women members of the were also present during the celebration at the University of Hargeisa. Apparently it was the first time that these women have physically met. They lived abroad for at least the last 15 years and it was explosively emotional scene to watch for those who never left home, when the four Diaspora women hugged each other for the first time. Qania Ismail Adan later gave a speech on behalf of the Forum. She spoke about the 's background but drove the audience to tears when she mentioned the death of Amino-Malko, the Chairperson of the , Amina passed away on March 2, 2001 in Canada.
Excerpts from speech given by Edna Adan on international women's day:
As a woman, I am proud to point out the responsible role the women of Somaliland have always taken, specially during the harsh years that our people were struggling to rid themselves of the troops of Mohamed Siyad Barre, and from his yoke of oppression. Have we already forgotten how our women took care of the young and the old, the weak and the strong, the sick and the healthy? Do we need to be reminded of how our women took care of the brave as well as caring for the occasional coward?
It was mostly women who took care of supplies, who took care of rations and who also took care of other precious logistics that needed to be guarded by individuals who are reliable and who are responsible. Women contributed their money and their jewellery for the cause of the nation, and many a man is alive today because when there were no bandages, luckily there was a woman who selflessly tore up her clothes to dress his wounds. Perhaps some men will come forward to tell us about how women carried them from the battlefront to the safety that gave them the chance to live and to heal in order to fight another day.
In the case of our own country, how can we overlook the national goal and dream that every Somalilander has had for the past ten years, which is the International recognition of Somaliland as a Sovereign State? Perhaps this is the cause that should bring us together and remind us that the joint efforts and contributions of all men and women of this country are needed now more than ever. This is a national cause that is as important as the armed liberation struggle of the last decade. To achieve this national goal, every man and every woman in Somaliland should be allowed to exercise his or her Democratic Rights in decision-making without bias, prejudice or discrimination as clearly stated in our constitution. Every man and every woman has a wealth of experience and energy to give and both should be allowed to share in decision making since the consequences of failure would affect us all. When we speak of decision-making, it does not imply that women take over the decision-making organs of the nation.
Every citizen is required to make a contribution, and it is unfair and unwise to assume that the one half of the population of Somaliland who are women are all useless morons who have nothing to contribute and therefore, cannot take part in any decision making. If this is the case, then how is it that while men are chewing away the resources of their families, women have now become the breadwinners in over 60% of the households?
This situation exists in towns as well as in the countryside because men are steadily ignoring their traditional responsibilities. What the women of Somaliland are strongly appealing for is that their Government also stand firm to defend the Rights of its women and include them in decision-making, whether at the grassroots level, in the civil service, in Governments, and up to every other level where responsible men and women of integrity should be chosen on their individual merit and not simply on the basis of their gender.
Col. Abdirizak Mulis was operation officer of Puntland's police force. Recently he was given an special assignment to combat human trafficking operations from Bosaso to Yemen. The situation in Bosaso has been reported tense after the killing.
Short list: London Beauty Salon for their beautiful cake designs.
Last year's winner was: Horn pictures. This year's prize: A fax machine donated by STC. Short list: The de-mining organizations for their continued contribution to the security of Somaliland's children and the return of land to productive use.
London Beauty Salon for their continued diversification of services from external catering, and hairdressing. The Horn Business Consultants who, with the assistance of MAPPS, have put together a new and much needed service to help Somaliland's business community to grow. Ministry of Water and Natural Resources, for their promotion of the Gem stone sector, and their initiative as the only ministry to participate in this Trade Fair
Winner: The winner is the Ministry of Water and Natural resources, this is not only a prize for the ministry but also all the Gem stone associations who have been so prominent at this trade fair.
Last year's winner was: Asli Mills. This year's prize: One return ticket to Dubai donated by Star Airlines. This was the most difficult prize to award and shows that the business community both at the top level and micro level are showing increased imagination.
Short list: Soap and Knitting products produced by some of the Women's groups present at the trade fair. Many of the cosmetic products produced by both Asli Mills and Safi Cosmetics, both of these companies have showed incredible drive and a high standard of professionalism and presentation. Danish Refugee Council's low cost construction materials, after food, construction materials are Somaliland's second largest import; the growth of this industry will do much to help the national economy. The fuel-efficient stoves, whose introduction has the possibility to reduce the consumption of charcoal massively and therefore, prevent the continued destruction of trees in Somaliland; TOWFIIQ women's organization from Togdheer, for their reintroduction of traditional weaving.
Winner: The winner was TOWFIIQ for their introduction of weaving products. This product has the potential of reducing cloth imports, production of high quality cloth and creating many jobs.
Last year's winner was: Hodan Wabere. This year's prize: A computer donated by BTEC. Short list: Danish Refugee Council, for the time and effort that they placed in the construction of their stand; NOW Women's organization for the construction and presentation of their Aqal.
Winner: NOW for all the time and effort that they have undertaken in preparation for this trade fair.
The Awarding committed would like to introduce a new prize for next year's show. This prize will open a new category and be given to the best traditional product.
And after the Arta conference culminated in August last year, as had been rightly predicted by most Somalilanders, with the proclamation of a unity and centralized government for the former Somalia, Stephen has gone publicly to vow bringing Somaliland to its knees within a short time.
Stephen has since antagonized most of people in the former Somalia that he has been claiming to save from themselves. His record of vicious lies about Somaliland and other peaceful areas in Somalia need not be searched in another place than in his reports to Kofi Annan. In fact in his most recent situational report to the Security Council on Somalia, Kofi Annan has shocked all Somalilanders when he falsely claimed that the killing of Col. Osman Farah Mohamed, commander of Somaliland's Presidential guards, by a disgruntled security guard in mid last year, was politically motivated. According to Annan's interpretation, the late officer was killed allegedly "for opposing the forcible deportation of Majerten leaders who wished to travel to Arta". This dreadful lie has of course been fabricated with the intention of prompting Col Osman Farah Mohamed's clan to take a violent retaliatory action. Therefore the recent resolution by the Somaliland House of Representatives, banning president Egal's Administration from making any contacts with Stephen, has come in the right direction.
This dignified step has actually interpreted the true feelings held by most Somalilanders. It will be a disgrace for all Somaliland if Stephen were allowed to set foot on Somaliland soil. We hope that president Egal should bear in mind that he would be committing treason if he permits Stephen to come to this Land.
The OAU has its led Sahel Sahara organization is making noises and causing discord in the OAU. Sudan and Djibouti are members of the Sahel Sahara organization. They are also members of the OAU. Members of the Sahel Sahara, along with other countries, are putting pressure on OAU. Egypt is one of these countries. It will soon be admitted as a full member to the organization at its meeting in Khartoum. Together with others, it is exerting pressure on the secretary-general of the OAU to give recognition to the Arta faction and to convince African states to do the same. No one has accorded it recognition yet as the decision to make Somalia's seat vacant in the OAU as a result of its becoming without government was given by the council of Ministers and this same organ must decide on accepting this faction. The secretary-general is being urged to write a letter to communicate this fact to each member state. Ethiopia, in this regard, is, in a reserved manner, making it clear events that are worrying it. Countries like Nigeria and South Africa have adopted a cautious approach concerning the issue and view Ethiopia's position with understanding.
Second, half of the Arta faction are followers of the Alisila fundamentalist group. The other half is composed of Siad Barre's generals and followers of his defunct regime. The manner in which the problems of Somalia is being solved is totally undemocratic. It is proceeding in the mainframe of the old Somalia. Instead of adopting a realistic solution, it is concentrating on force and a confrontational approach. This, therefore, has given rise to the fear that the region will be engulfed in turmoil. In this connection, if the Arta faction doesn't include or try to include peaceful areas in the peace process and destabilize these areas, it will eventually destabilize Ethiopia also. This is very dangerous to Ethiopia's security. If the [Arta] faction causes Somalia's problems to worsen, returns Somalia to instability, it will ruin the relative peace Ethiopia has gained.
The other point which can be raised in this respect is the errors observed in the approach employed by the Djibouti leadership. It favored those groups sharing similar interests with Djibouti and failed to take into account Ethiopia's national interests. These groups have connections with "Islamists". They don't care much for democratic solutions. The path which they usually take doesn't address Ethiopia's security concerns. Based on this consideration, Ethiopia wants the scope of the peace process to widen so that it is inclusive of others including the peaceful areas of Somalia and the Arta faction now ensconced in Mogadishu and to see a peaceful settlement of Somalia's problems. However, it cannot bury its head in the sand [if its] security is threatened. It may even be forced to take measures to avert such a problem.
Puntland and Somaliland have refused to give recognition to the national transitional government of Somalia which is the outcome of the Arta conference. They consider the president just as a representative of the Hawiya faction (tribe). Somaliland has declared that it will not participate in any government unless an independent one is formed in southern Somalia. Puntland also didn't participate in the Arta conference. It's got its own territory. There are major regional setups which include all clans though they didn't take part in the conference. Public opinion in Somaliland is against the Arta faction. In Puntland 90% of the population more or less is constituted of a certain sub-cland apart from Isse Mohamud, others don't have much support there. The leaders in the Sasah and the South-west have been divided. Those in Digl and Mirif, near Baidoa, also oppose the Arta faction. If the faction has any support, it is people around Hawiya who do so. There is even division among the Hawiya themselves. The president is claiming he represents Somalia as a government while holed up in the Ramadan Hotel. He doesn't control any other ground.
Djibouti has not given due consideration to Ethiopia's security needs. As a consequence of the character and stand of its leadership Djibouti was instrumental in creating the government in Mogadishu without taking into consideration Ethiopia's security as well as a lasting solution to the Somali conflict. The government, however, doesn't have the support of the Somali people as such.
Djibouti helps the new government in Mogadishu for the sake of its own interests. Together with the businessmen of Mogadishu, Djibouti, with the diplomatic encouragement of organizations like the Arab League, OIC and the Sahel Sahara organization, is calling upon the new government to be recognized.
Ethiopia and Djibouti had an excellent relationship until recently. However, things have changed and their relations have been strained.
Before the establishment of the transitional government, Ethiopia was, at times, forced to intervene militarily in Somalia. How do you view this?
This can be considered from two perspectives. When Ethiopia was at war with Eritrea, anti-Ethiopia elements supported by Aideed caused a security threat near its border with Somalia. But, they were crushed after a military intervention. The thinking and policy of the current government in Somalia, however, poses a big threat to Ethiopia though it lacks the basic capacity to do so.
We hear that apart from political and security interests, there are also economic interests which should impel good relationship between Ethiopia and Djibouti. This fact seems to be neglected by the leadership in Djibouti.
The two countries had a strong tie in terms of politics, security and economy. This is long-standing and it should be long lasting as well. But the current administration in Djibouti seems to have lost its way. There is no administration with coherent and well defined vision and agenda regarding security in the region. That should be the main concern for Ethiopia. Djibouti cannot afford to indulge itself in a row with Ethiopia. The current administration has, however, gotten off on the wrong foot. It follows the direction set by Arab countries. It has failed to give full credit and recognition to the security and economic benefits it gets from Ethiopia. When we examine the recent incident pertaining to the port, for example, that government looks like a tool for Arab countries.
Djibouti's policy is designed in consideration of the status of Somaliland. Considering the historical animosity with Isa tribes, an independent Somaliland will be inimical to Djibouti as it will became a strong state. The policy is a result of wrong considerations and assessments by the current government. Whether Djibouti is protected by France or helped by Arabs, it wouldn't fully satisfy its economic interests without having friendly relationship with Ethiopia.
From what we are looking, the Somali government doesn't seem to hold its breath for the prospect of establishing good relationship with Ethiopia.
That is right. They have lost their hope. They seem to be attracted by the prospect of getting financial aid from Arab countries and diplomatic recognition from different countries. They are waging an anti-Ethiopia campaign not because Ethiopia is hurting them. What Ethiopia is doing is to closely scrutinize and evaluate the situation. The campaign was started to entrench an anti-Ethiopian sentiment in the fabric of Somalis.
We are, at the moment, witnessing a very disturbing relationship between Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. There are some problems with Sudan as well. We also know what happened between Ethiopia and Kenya near Borena. Don't you think all these troubles put Ethiopia in a great danger? What is the solution?
Ethiopia should use its forces fully. Ethiopia has a military might. It knows its role in the region. Of course, the problems is its poverty. We haven't fully defeated Eritria because of our economic problems.
There are two choices here. The first is that Ethiopia should use its forces to safeguard its national security. But it can also solve problems peacefully and responsibly. The problem with kenya, for instance, can be solved with mutual understanding. There is no problem with the Kenyan government.
Ethiopia should clearly tell Djibouti that though it has a problem of port, it can't negotiate its national security. With Eritrea, the problem will be enduring. Although UN peacekeepers have started deploying, the problem will last long. On one hand, the Eritrean government doesn't want us to get aid from donors. It doesn't want the world to think that peace has finally reigned. On the other hand, it will try to wreak havoc to show to the Eritrean people that it hasn't lost the war. The relationship with Sudan is a good start. It should develop into the military, strategic, and economic front as well.
Tell us about the fate of Puntland amidst such a situation.
Puntland is very strong. It supports Ethiopia's position. There is a cause for worrying though. Puntland may follow a wrong road in fear of Djibouti. But so far it has not shown any sign of hatred to wards Ethiopia.
Britain and Italy, the two former colonizers, claim that they should have some say over Somalia. Do you support Ethiopia's position?
Definitely. The building block approach followed by IGAD is the brain-child of Ethiopia. Both the US and EU support this approach. Britain and Italy have also lent their support. The problem is that there is a new government and they are saying that it should be given a chance.
There has been considerable speculation in Somaliland about the date of the referendum and general elections, after a second
deadline was passed in February by the present administration. "Once the referendum is over, and the constitution is approved, then
the rest is a matter of routine," Egal said. General elections would then follow for local government, which would inaugurate the
multiparty system, Egal said. The government would authorise the registration of political organisations before political parties were
officially introduced. Egal told IRIN that Somaliland would "borrow from the Nigeria experience" in that any political organisation that
won a minimum of 20 percent of the vote in at least four of the six regions in the country would qualify as a legitimate political party.
"These will be the parties that will stand in the general elections for parliament towards the end of 2001. Then, in 2002, there will be
the presidential elections," he said in an interview with IRIN in Hargeysa.
In an interview in Hargeisa, he told IRIN that the Somaliland government had been forced to use all its resources to maintain the
public sector, and that development projects needed support by international agencies. Livestock is Somaliland's main foreign
exchange earner.
He said international recognition for Somaliland would help, but "we are not in a hurry". (For full interview, see IRIN interview with
Mohamed Said Mohamed "Gees")
The visit to Somalia by a team of veterinarians from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which took place last week is considered a step
forward in attempts to reopen the livestock market following a Rift Valley Fever ban imposed last September by the Gulf States.
A mission report by Paul Rossiter for the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said that given the fact that there had been no
reported cases of RVF outbreak anywhere in the Horn of Africa recently, the chance of "an animal infected with RVF virus entering
the human food chain in the abattoirs in Somalia must be practically insignificant at present." Rossiter, who accompanied the
mission, told IRIN that the trip was "extremely successful". "This is a step in the right direction to open up the markets," he added.
The aim of the visit was to look at the health situation of livestock and the condition of processed meat in Somalia. The team also
wanted to ascertain whether Somali livestock were free from RVF. The alleged presence of the disease has led to a
crippling ban on livestock imports from the Horn of Africa by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, imposed in September 2000.
The team visited Burao in the self-declared independent state of Somaliland, northwest Somalia; Galkayo in the self-declared
autonomous region of Puntland, northeast Somalia, and the capital, Mogadishu, where they inspected abattoirs. "The abattoirs in
Galkayo and Mogadishu are currently at a standard that could supply export meat if markets are available", said the report.
Andrea Tamagnini, Senior Deputy Residence Representative, UNDP, Somalia, said the mission "was one of many steps in efforts on
lifting the livestock ban and addressing the RVF issue". Promoting chilled meat was a way of coping with the livestock ban, and also
added value to the livestock, he told IRIN.
HARGEISA--Edna Adan Ismail has spent 40 years fighting for the rights of Somali women, and at the age of 60-something shows no signs of
giving up the struggle as she builds the first maternity hospital in the northwestern district of Somaliland.
"It's inhuman, condemned by Islam, painful, harmful to health and a human rights violation," Ismail said of a practice undergone by
some 95 percent of women in Somalia.
Ismail was born into a well-to-do family and in 1961 became the first woman from her country to qualify as a midwife in Britain and
the first in Somaliland -- which unilaterally broke away from rump Somalia in 1991 -- to gain a driver's licence.
She was once married to Somalia's former prime minister Mohamed Ibrahim Egal -- who now serves as president of the
self-declared Republic of Somaliland -- but divorced him to marry twice more.
Ismail has served as director of the Somali health ministry and has been to jail three times.
Having quit her post as representative of the World Health Organisation in Djibouti three years ago, she describes herself as retired
even as, decked out in elegant traditional garb, she coordinates the bustling activity at the building site that will soon become the
maternity hospital.
Ismail is also concerned about the negative effects female genital mutilation has on pregnancy in a country with the highest infant
mortality rate in the world.
In Somaliland, one child in eight dies before its first birthday, one in five before its fifth. Every year, almost 4,000 women die during
childbirth, Ismail said.
An office in the ward is given over to female genital mutilation where women will be able to have consultations and read pretty much
everything that has been written on the subject.
"My family hardly appreciates what I am doing," said Ismail, who is planning an international symposium on the practice.
She herself put up half of the 620,000 dollars invested in the ward. The rest came from international donations.
"Others take retirement by buying a yacht or travelling. I sold what I had, my jewels ... to build this hospital which will be a reference
for the Horn of Africa. ... My only revenue now comes from renting the family's house in Hargeisa to the European Union," she said.
About 40 young women are already taking a course in nursing in parts of the building that are finished. There is still work to be done
on the lobby, operating theatres, wards and laboratories, as well as the rooms in which Ismail herself will live.
"What we need is specialists. There is not a single gynaecologist-obsetrician in Somaliland (home to two million people) and we will
need an anaesthetist and a paediatrician," she explained.
Around the building, women work with spades and build bricks. "If men don't like it, we will also find male masons."
At one point Ismail introduced her "finance minister," a young woman who pays the demobilised factional fighters working on the
building site.
Ismail is a staunch supporter of an independent Somaliland. One of her remaining possessions is a videotape shot in May 1991 in a
Hargeisa ruined by the forces of Somali former president Mohamed Siad Barre, whose interior minister at the time, Abdulkassim
Salat Hassan, now serves as Somalia's transitional president.
Shukri is one of a growing band of Somaliland entrepreneurs seeking to add value to local products and market them to the world.
"Henna is so natural, its got anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties - people in Europe and America are just discovering these things
and it's great that The Body Shop has picked up our henna," she told IRIN. In 2000 the Asli Mills Company exported 6,700 kg of
henna. This year, it is aiming for 10,000 kg.
The four Somali henna-based products were launched in London (UK) to 49 markets worldwide. The Body Shop deal was facilitated
by Progressive Interventions, an Irish NGO specialising in marketing assistance and product promotion in developing economies.
It is people like Shukri - who combine local expertise and raw materials with finance from the Somali Diaspora - who may hold the
key to economic development in this desperately poor region of the Horn of Africa. After the ravages of the war waged by Mohamed
Siyad Barre's regime up to 1991, and later inter-clan fighting, Somaliland now enjoys peace and stability. But, ten years after
declaring independence, it has yet to get the international recognition it feels it deserves.
Now, the fragile economy of the region has been dealt another major blow. In October 2000 Gulf States banned livestock imports
from the Horn of Africa because of the first outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in Saudia Arabia and Yemen. Livestock is Somaliland's main
foreign exchange earner. Finance Minister Mohamed Gees has estimated that the present ban will cost Somaliland between US
$150-200 million per annum in lost foreign exchange receipts.
One of the effects of the ban has been to highlight the lack of diversification in the economy, and the need for the business
community to find new products and new markets. Many of these attempts were showcased for the first time 3-6 March at the
Somaliland Trade Fair. The event was organised by the local Chamber of Commerce and supported by the European Commission
(EC) and UNDP.
"It's about increasing awareness of locally available products and encouraging investment," Gerry McCarthy, Programme Director of
Progressive Interventions told IRIN. Nearly 100 businesses, many brand-new, set up shop in the wind-swept compound in the centre
of Hargeisa, determined to show the world that the Somaliland economy has a future. "Nobody knows about us and about the special
things we are making," a stallholder shouted. Small-scale gem dealers try to usher people closer to their stalls, and women wearing
traditional head scarves gaze shyly at foreign visitors as they run up brightly coloured clothing on knitting machines. Many want to
emulate Shukri's success and generate foreign interest in their products.
Although many of the products on display at the four-day fair have only local appeal, some have international potential. Amina Rodol
is a local business woman who worked in Saudi Arabia. She has put her life savings into a new range of beauty products using
frankincense gum - the ancient base for all perfumes. She makes the cream locally and chats with potential buyers at her stall.
Amina told IRIN she was confident that her exotic-smelling range of creams could be successfully marketed in wealthy countries. "I
want to make money, but its much more than that," she insisted. She told IRIN that thousands of poor people collect the
frankincense, which currently gets exported to the Gulf States in its raw form. "If we can turn it into local products, we will all
benefit," she said. Already, the Asli Mills company has proved that new markets translate into new jobs. It now provides work for at
least 400 pastoralist women who collect henna leaves to sell directly to the mill.
Somaliland gem stones have also attracted interest. Situated at the top of the Mozambique Belt - from which two-thirds of Africa's
gems are mined - Somaliland already supports 5,000 livelihoods in the sector. Emerald, ruby, sapphire, garnet and aquamarine are
all mined locally. But lack of mining techniques and poor gem-recognition skills have led to exploitation. A locally-mined stone was
recently bought in Hargeisa for US $2,000; yet, after it had been cut in Thailand, it was sold for US $250,000, Progressive
Interventions points out. The NGO has been providing Somaliland miners with training to enable them to mine more efficiently and
recognise the value of what they produce. "Inevitably, a lot of miners get cheated by unscrupulous dealers, but what is needed is a
local jewellery and stone-cutting business," Sarah Jones of Progressive Interventions told IRIN.
This pioneering trade fair is only the second to be held anywhere in Somalia since the fall of Barre a decade ago. It represents a
small but significant beginning. Most visitors managed to see all the exhibits within an hour. And all involved acknowledged that these
are still early days. "There is a lot of international interest, but buyers and investors want to see bigger quantities of goods and
materials before they consider investing," Alrizak Mohed, a local business educator told IRIN. "No million dollar deals were struck this
weekend - but maybe next year," he added.
In the meanwhile, reports contradicting Egal's statement to the EU diplomat have however emerged. At least by one account, President Egal told a British diplomat on last year that he will consider entering into a dialogue with leaders of the Arta faction to discuss "re-unification" or a "federal state in Somalia". The Republican has learned that the British diplomat is Phil Batson who visited Hargiasa on October last year. Batson who works in the East Africa desk in the "Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Office" held a long discussion during his last visit with Egal. Reliable sources told The Republican that Egal did most of the talking during which he never raised the question of recognition.
In a report to his superiors, Batson remarked that he felt surprised at Egal's lack of interest in the recognition issue. Our sister paper Jamhuuriyahas in its last Wednesday issue published a long feature article headed " Has Egal ever asked the British to recognise Somaliland?" On Wednesday evening the presidency issued a statement on the talks that Egal have had earlier during the day with EU officials. It has not been clear yet whether Jamhuuriyas story had prompted Egal to mention Somaliland's need to be granted international diplomatic recognition to the EU diplomats.
Despite the enormous destruction that Siyad Barre troops had inflicted on most of urban and rural centres in the country during the eighties, Somaliland has since its liberation 10 year ago been witnessing a rapid reconstruction effort and a steady economic growth without external help. The objective of the Somaliland Fair is to raise people's awareness about products and create marketing opportunities for producers. The grassroots level peace and reconciliation achieved, has had a positive impact on all aspects of life here. "The political and socio-economic progress that we have made in the last ten years have already surpassed what we have seen in 10 years under the post-independence civilian governments (1960-1969) and 20 years under southern dictatorship (1969-1991)", said a prominent businessman from Hargeisa who after losing all his wealth to Siyad Barre's soldiers in 1988 had to start from scratch again.
In May 1988, the rebels of the Somali National Movement (SNM) made two suicidal attacks on Buroa and Hargeisa. In retaliation, Barre's government forces razed both cities to the ground and killed tens of thousands of Civilians. British-made Hawker Hunter bomber Jet planes given by the United Arab Emirates to Siyad Barre were also used in the saturation aerial bombardment of the Civilian population. Barre's pilots were not trained on this type of aircraft, so White South African pilots were hired by the dictator. The slaughtering continued through out the second half of 1988 and until early 1989 when the SNM started bringing down Barre's fighters with the help of shoulder-launched heat-seeking SAM missiles.
In the meanwhile, Djibouti denied Thursday a statement that the London-based Arab daily Al-hayat had attributed to President Gelleh during a visit to Asmara, Eritirea, last week. The paper quoted Gelleh saying; "the pressure that we exerted on the Ethiopians paid off as they are now pulling their troops out of Somalia". An official statement released through the Djiboutian radio on Thursday said the President was misquoted by Al-Hayat.
Most of the income will come from government custom duties mainly on imports. Finance officials attributed the increase in estimated budget revenues this year to substantial improvements made to revenue collection and financial management system. The ministry is understood to have taken also austerity measures to make for the income it will lose due to the ban imposed on last September on Somaliland exports to Saudi Arabia.
The House is expected to pass the budget later this week. Among recipients of government budget funds this year will be a number of privately owned organizations such as Gandhi Library and Hargeisa TV. Over 100 million Shillings have also been allocated to the women organisation NOW. When asked why NOW has been chosen among the many other women organizations in the country to receive government fund, Gees replied that he was just following a practice that has been followed long before he became a minister. A representative from Hargeisa called Faysal Mohamed then asked the minister why the government didn't consider allocating some funds for Jamhuuriyanewspaper to which Gees responded "first, Jamhuuriyais an independent paper. Whether the government likes it or not, we have to admit that this is the country's only national paper. I once asked them jokingly whether they will accept government funds and they said no"
Ali Salad was transferred last year from the UNDP Office in Nairobi in the face of protests from Somaliland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs which charged that he was biased against Somaliland. However after an intervention on his behalf by David Stephen, the controversial UN Secretary General Representative in Somalia, Ali has been reinstated in his old job in the office of the UNDP Rep. for Somalia in Nairobi. The Somaliland House of Representatives has recently passed a legislation banning the Egal Administration from making any contacts with Stephen who is unpopular here due to, as many Somalilanders believe, his anti-Somaliland political views. Stephen has never set foot on Somaliland soil since the UN sponsored Arta conference installed a transitory government headed by Siyad Barre's cronies on August last year.
Another Salad brother with the name of Abdi works for IRIN, a news agency that is the mouthpiece of the UNDP. Since the Arta process was unleashed by end of 1999, IRIN has been propagating a lot of distorting or highly inaccurate information promoting in the beginning, the government of Djibouti, and later on, the Arta faction. Almost 90% of IRIN'S news coverage deals with the activities of Abdul Qassim Salad's faction.
Yusuf Garad the editor of the Somali service of the BBC is also a close relative of Qassim. The Somali Service is now the centre of many jokes in popular Somali circles for its lack of impartiality and integrity in reporting on events in the former Somalia. The BBC has been turned by Garad to a propaganda machine promoting the Arta faction. Last month, Garad stayed in Djibouti for 2 weeks. Since assuming his current position one year ago, the Editor of the Somali Service has spent more work-days in Djibouti than in the rest of all the former Somalia.
The council has been formed with the purpose of deepening reconciliation between the people of Buroa and consolidation of peace in the region of Togdheer and beyond, the statement said. The council will also work as a pressure group in order to advance the interests of the region. The statement also said the council will work with other communities in Somaliland with the objective of promoting inter-community collaboration in tackling all domestic issues confronting the people of Somaliland.
Congratulatory messages from Buroa natives living in other parts of Somaliland have kept arriving in the new council premises without interruption throughout the last few days. A number of traditional leaders from Hargeisa have also sent messages of support. However there has been no comment yet by the government. The Habar-je'lo and Habar younis are the two largest communities that inhabit Burao.
Despite the world's defiance to come to terms with Somaliland's proclamation of independence on May 18, 1991, we believe that Egal since assuming power in mid 1993 could have done much more to win friends for Somaliland among the international community of nations. The frequently contradictory messages conveyed by Egal to his foreign interlocutors on the question of Somaliland's independence, has in fact been responsible for weakening the cause of Somaliland's quest for international recognition.
Instead of seeking international recognition, Egal has on numerous occasions in the past expressed a desire to open talks with the so-called Transitional National Government of Somalia (the Arta faction) on "reunification" or the possibility of establishing a "federal state in Somalia". At least this is the impression that Egal made on a British diplomat who visited him in October last year.
In fact president Egal has no mandate to deviate in the slightest from the pro-independence position that the overwhelming majority of Somalilanders have been continuing to maintain though against tremendous odds. There is no doubt that Somaliland and Somalia will have to start talking with each other sometime in the future. But then it will be on the entirely different subject of the war crimes committed against the people of Somaliland by the regime of dictator Siyad Barre in which many members of the Arta faction, including Qassim Salad and Ali K Galaydh, had held senior positions. Southern politicians however are mistaken to believe that Egal will eventually be able to manage taking independent Somaliland in to the state of Somalia as he did on June 26, 1960. For Somalilanders have paid a very high price this time for successfully regaining their sovereignty.
The freedom being currently enjoyed in Somaliland cost its people the loss of tens of thousands of their sons and daughters and the total destruction of their towns and villages. So President Egal should better forget about his "villa Somalia" in Mogadishu and instead start concentrating on how to obtain a diplomatic recognition for Hargeisa.
Hargeisa -- The first phase of the government supported Electrification of Hargeysa City Project has been completed.
When completed the project will supply electricity to over 10,000 homes plus business establishments and small industries
and will create more than 200 jobs for the local community. The project is completely financed by the Somaliland
government through the Somaliland Electric Agency which spent over $100,000 U.S Dollars in the initial phase.
A Civic Education programme was held in Garowe from 3 - 15 February and received participation from Somalis from different regions and Djibouti. This was greatly affected by the Puntland administration's decision not to send participants to attend workshops in Somaliland. However, the Somaliland government, in a press release stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had requested the Police Immigration department of Somaliland not to ask for entry permission or visa for Somali nationals.
In Garowe, from 13 January to 14 February a teacher education course was held for teachers of Nugal Region to upgrade teachers and social workers up to Grade 8 level. Another course was held 17 to 24 February on training in leadership was held for Community Education Committee members to promote community ownership of schools.
In the southern and central regions, 107 primary school head teachers from the Baidoa district received training on the use of new education kits. Community leaders and authorities participated in the opening ceremonies.
The construction of the basketball playground in Jowhar by Farjano had been completed. Another basketball playground and football pitch was rehabilitated in Baidoa. (UNCT Somalia Monitor - 1-29 February 2000)
Livestock exports, the main source of income for Somalia, have suffered since the UAE and other countries in the Arabian peninsula
banned imports of Somali meat in 1998 following an announcement by the World Health Organization that Rift Valley fever had
broken out in neighboring Kenya.
Accompanied by representatives of the U.N. Development Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization as well as by members
of the interim government's livestock ministry, the UAE officials also visited slaughterhouses in Hargeisa, Berbera and Burao in the
breakaway republic of Somaliland as well as in the central town of Galcaio.
Abdulkadir Mohamud Nur Fatul, whose Som-Meat company still exports goats to Saudi Arabia, said he hoped this week's mission
would grant a clean bill of health to Somali meat exports so business can resume with the UAE.
The existence of Rift Valley fever in Somalia has been a contentious issue. For nearly a decade since former president Mohamed
Siad Barre was ouseted in January 1991, there was no central government in Somalia and thus no national health or veterinary
institutions to test for evidence of the animal disease.
Prior to the ban, Somalia exported hundreds of thousands of head of goats, sheep, cattle and camels to the UAE.
Somalia's second trade fair since the overthrow of Siad Barre a decade ago will be held in Hargeisa, capital of the self-declared state
of Somaliland, northwest Somalia, this coming weekend. "Its a very exciting development", Jerry McCarthy of Progressive
Interventions, an NGO promoting the trade fair, told IRIN.
"The aim of the fair is to stimulate economic diversification in a region overly reliant on traditional trade channels"' he added. The
event will serve as a showcase for Somaliland businesses and enterprises and potential buyers and investors have been invited.
"There's a lot happening economically in Somaliland and we want to present a different face to the world through this fair", McCarthy
said. Body Shop International has recently launched a new range of four Somali henna-based products. Enterprises dealing in
frankincense, the base for all perfumes, bee products, gem mining and micro-financing will be amongst those represented at the fair.
Livestock exports, the main source of income for Somalia, have suffered since the UAE and other countries in the Arabian peninsula
banned imports of Somali meat in 1998 following an announcement by the World Health Organization that Rift Valley fever had
broken out in neighboring Kenya.
Accompanied by representatives of the U.N. Development Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization as well as by members
of the interim government's livestock ministry, the UAE officials also visited slaughterhouses in Hargeisa, Berbera and Burao in the
breakaway republic of Somaliland as well as in the central town of Galcaio.
Abdulkadir Mohamud Nur Fatul, whose Som-Meat company still exports goats to Saudi Arabia, said he hoped this week's mission
would grant a clean bill of health to Somali meat exports so business can resume with the UAE.
The existence of Rift Valley fever in Somalia has been a contentious issue. For nearly a decade since former president Mohamed
Siad Barre was ouseted in January 1991, there was no central government in Somalia and thus no national health or veterinary
institutions to test for evidence of the animal disease.
Prior to the ban, Somalia exported hundreds of thousands of head of goats, sheep, cattle and camels to the UAE.
Security: The zone was calm this month. Two men, who had killed a man in Burao last month and
escaped to 'Puntland' were extradited by 'Puntland' authorities in the reporting period. They are now in
Burao prison awaiting trial.
In another event, 'Somaliland' coastal guards seized 15 boats and arrested 144 Yemeni fishermen on
board for illegal fishing in the self-declared Republic's territorial waters. The fishermen were later freed,
but had to leave behind their fish catch, estimated at more than 10,000 tonnes.
Political developments: The 'Somaliland' Foreign Minister, Mohamoud Salah 'Fagadhe' denied
press reports that the government had banned the head of the UN office for Somalia, David Stephen,
from 'Somaliland.' He said that 'Somaliland' had only requested the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan,
to remove Stephen. He told a press conference in his office that the Parliament council's suggestion
that the government withdraw its cooperation with Stephen was not a resolution compelling the
government to act, but a reflection of the Parliament's disatisfaction with the views and behaviour of
. Stephen towards 'Somaliland'.
The President of 'Somaliland,' Ibrahim Egal, told a joint session of the two houses of Parliament in
Hargeisa that 'Somaliland' will never again unite with Somalia. He said further that talks between him
and President Abdikassim Salad of the Transitional National Government (TNG), will only take place if
the latter renounces his claims to 'Somaliland.'
Egal also talked about his administration's plans for petroleum exploration with the support of
China, Romania, South Korea and Taiwan. His administration is establishing offices to register the
Somali National Movement (SNM) war veterans, he said.
The two-day joint session of Parliament was held following a request by the administration. It extended
the term of the interim national constitution for six months. This is the second time the period of the
interim national constitution has been extended since the third reconciliation meeting held in Hargeisa
1997. The latest extension started on January 17, 2001. The aim of this new period extension was to give
the administration a chance to hold a referendum on the constitution. Following this, the Parliament
approved an independent committee whose responsibility will be the registration of political parties to
be established in the country.
This month, President Egal, for the first time, publicly declared that he wants to be re-elected for
another term in office. He made this announcement in a speech to 'Somaliland' armed forces on the
seventh anniversary of their formation.
The Defense Minister, Omer Nimaleh, resigned from President Egal's cabinet this month. Mohamed
Osman Fadal, who was the Director of Somali Centre for Peace and Development (SCPD) in 'Somaliland',
joined the cabinet as the Minister of Planning and coordination of humanitarian assistance.
A mission led by the UNDP Somalia Representative, Dr Randolph Kent, who is also in charge of the
coordination of humanitarian assistance, and the FAO Representative for Somalia, Dr Daniel Gustafson,
visited Burao in the review period to assess the impact of the livestock export ban on Togdheer region,
the repatriation status of the refugees returning to the region, and the security situation. The mission
met with the regional governor and the Mayor of Burao, and informed them that the UN had made great
efforts to convince Arab countries that 'Somaliland' livestock was free from Rift Valley disease, but they
(Arab countries) resisted. During its presence in Burao, the mission visited a meat and leather factory
being constructed in Burao.
A Norwegian delegation led by . Hans Jacob, a senior diplomat of the Foreign Ministry for Peace
and Reconciliation of Africa, visited Hargeisa on a fact-finding mission.
The Swiss Ambassador to Kenya, Josef Bucher, also visited Hargeisa in the review period. Bucher
told a press conference that the aim of his mission was to renew ties established with 'Somaliland' a year
and a half ago. The Ambassador met with President Egal and other top officials.
Foreign Minister, Mahamoud Salah, visited Italy at the invitation of the Italian government. "The move
behind the invitation was that Italy wanted to get 'Somaliland', 'Puntland' and the Arta-formed
government (TNG) together to discuss the Somali cause and then participate in a meeting being
organised by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD),' the Minister said on his
return.
Economy: The cabinet council of 'Somaliland' this month endorsed the government budget for 2001
which amounts to 115,474,610,000 Somaliland Shillings - equivalent to US$ 37,000,000, a 4.5 per cent
increase over last year's budget. Sixty-nine per cent of the 2001 budget will go to the armed forces, the
central government staff, local municipalities and the port staff.
Newly printed fake Somali currency notes recently delivered to Mogadishu have severely affected the
eastern regions of 'Somaliland' (Togdheer, Sool and Sanaag), where the Somali shilling is still in use.
Several hundred businesspeople and moneychangers turned out in the streets of Burao and Erigavo in
protest. However, the exchange rate of the 'Somaliland' Shilling was stable this month at a rate of 5,000
to 1 USD.
Health and Nutrition: A two-day health and nutrition co-ordination meeting was conducted on
February 17th and 18th, 2001 to review the year 2000 health programme, and chart a course for the
future. The meeting bought together all international organisations working in the health sector in
'Somaliland'.
Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI): Immunisation campaigns on tetanus toxoid and measles
for children under five years of age were launched in Erigavo and Berbera towns of Sanaag and Sahil
regions. The campaigns were implemented in collaboration with the respective regional health offices.
Nutrition: In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Labour, UNICEF conducted training for
sixty teachers from 21 primary schools and three family life programme schools of Hargeisa on
micro-nutrients deficiencies. The purpose of the training was to educate the teachers on the importance
of nutrition, and the relationship between education and nutrition. The teachers will be used later as
key change agents to undertake nutrition education activities at their schools. The teachers will be able
to distribute iron/folic acid supplements to the school children.
In conjunction with EPI campaign in Erigavo town, mass distribution of iron/folic acid for pregnant
women was conducted. The purpose of this activity was to screen children and women affected by
anaemia and provide treatment and supplementation to the pregnant women.
Water and Environmental Sanitation: A pump and generator were installed at Laanqaciye borewell,
while the three dug wells with hand pumps of the Haahi Water Project were completed.
Education: An estimated 360 children will now attend school this year, following the completion of
three schools financed by UNICEF. The construction of Adarosh and Ali Aden community schools, as
well as the rehabilitation of Galooley Community school was completed in the review period.
The construction of two sports fields, Iftin basketball court and Gabilay football ground, was finalised
during this period. This is part of UNICEF's initiative to create recreational opportunities for the youth
and children in the zone.
For more information on UNICEF Somalia, you can access our website at the following address:
http://www.unicef.org/somalia/
Should you have further queries on the UNICEF Somalia Review contact:
Patrick Mwangi,
Assistant Communication Officer, UNICEF Somalia:
E-mail: pmwangi@unicef.org
Special thanks to UNICEF field staff and Communication Section colleagues in Programme
Communication, Information and Monitoring and Evaluation in Somalia who help compile input for the
UNICEF Somalia Review.
For more information on UNICEF, visit its website at http://www.unicef.org
The team will visit Hargeisa, in the self-declared independent state of Somaliland, northwest Somalia, Bosaso, in the self-declared
autonomous region of Puntland, northeast Somalia, and Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
"We are prepared to intervene at the highest level concerning this issue", the release quotes UNDP Senior Deputy Resident
Representative, Andrea Tamagnini as saying. According to Tamagnini, the livestock mission is one part of UNDP's efforts to "find out
what technically has to be done to facilitate the reopening of this market".
The Arab Gulf States imposed a ban on imports of livestock from Horn of Africa countries in September 2000 following an outbreak
of Rift Valley Fever in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Some 70 percent of Somalia's GDP depends on livestock production and trade. Since
the ban "serious concerns have developed for the food security and livelihood of poor households in northern and central Somalia,"
said the UNDP release.
TotalFinaElf has secured rights to conduct preliminary exploration work offshore southern Somalia. A spokesman told African Energy
the company signed a technical evaluation agreement in Mogadishu in late January with officials from the ministry of water and
mineral resources.
The agreement - valid for up to 12 months - allows the company to conduct 2D seismic work in the Jorre region off the southern
coast. TotalFinaElf said that work would commence shortly and that the agreement could "evolve towards a concession" should the
seismic studies prove fruitful.
Minister of water and mineral resources Hassan Abshir Farah said the company had agreed to open a liaison office in Mogadishu.
For Mogadishu's transitional government, which has said it is eager to attract foreign investment, the arrival of TotalFinaElf comes as
something of a blessing. Other companies such as Sweden's Lundin Oil, which has two onshore concessions, have been forced to
declare force majeure and are not treating their properties as a high priority. But TotalFinaElf maintains that its work offshore will be
free from interference. "We are an oil company so we don't want to get involved in any political aspect," the spokesman said.
Officials in the breakaway republic of Somaliland meanwhile have said that the deal with Mogadishu has no bearing in the north-west
where it claims the most prospective hydrocarbon targets are located.
TotalFinaElf has maintained a presence in Somaliland in recent years with the rehabilitation and operational management of the oil
terminal at Berbera port, as well as providing aviation fuel services at the airports in Berbera and the breakaway capital Hargeisa.
The French firm told African Energy that it had no immediate plans to pursue exploration in Somaliland. The Somaliland oil and water
ministry has said in the local press that no E&P companies have visited the country and that no negotiations are under way with any
companies to open up the upstream oil and gas sector.
The batch of trainees graduated on last Tuesday. The source added that all the group members were drawn from the Ayr Habr-Gidir subclan militiamen in Mogadishu and Bali-Doogle airport, about 90km southwest to Mogadishu. The leader of the Arta faction, Qassim Salad, also belongs to the Ayr of the Habar-Gidir sub-clan.
Two other batches of similar background were also given military training in Djibouti in the past 6 months. The training objective was to equip the participants with high military skills needed for conduction of special operations, the source added. Travellers reaching Somaliland from Djibouti in mid last week however said the training program was designed and implemented by a group of elite officers from the French army in Djibouti. There were no reliable sources to confirm this allegation.
Over the last 100 years, France has been maintaining an almost uninterrupted military presence in Djibouti. Despite gaining independence from France in 1977, Djibouti has ever since remained reliant on international aid, particularly from France, for its survival as a state. In April 1999, Ismail Omer Gelleh, a former corporal in the French colonial army, succeeded Hasan Guleed Abtidoon to become the second president of the port-city state.
In the meanwhile, the Afar apposition organisation FRUD declared last week its withdrawal from a cease-fire agreement reached with the government of Ismail Omer Gelleh last year. FRUD accused the Gelleh regime of failing to respect the terms of the agreement.
It's three weeks now since Djibouti's Afar-born prime minister, Barkhad Gurad Hamadu, has resigned his post due to ill health. So far, President Gelleh, an Issa Mamaasan, has not to nominated Gurad's replacement. According to reliable sources, . Gelleh has deliberately delayed the nomination of a prime minister (certainly to be an Afar according to the French sponsored yet unwritten Djibouti's Independence Convention) for the simple reason of sparking a power struggle among the Afar population of Djibouti so as to gain time. So far the Afars have avoided to scramble for the rubber stamp post of prime minister.
Shortly after arriving in Maansoor Hotel from Hargeisa airport, Bucher told editors of The Republican and Jamhuuriyathat he has come back to renew the relations that have been established since his last visit to Hargeisa one year and a half ago. Asked whether his government would consider enhancing its aid for Somaliland in the light of the successful Swiss program on ground, the ambassador responded by saying "The best known Swiss supported projects in Somaliland have been implemented by Swiss Group. And Ute Westphal is here to care of them. Since they have established a good reputation over the years up here, there is no reason why we shouldn't support them to continue their good job".
As he came down from the airport to Maansoor Hotel, the Swiss diplomat was sharply attentive to notice the changes that have occurred to urban Hargeisa since his last visit. "I thought I saw then more buildings which were half-finished. Now it seems more of those buildings have been completely reconstructed", [he said].
Since early 1995, numerous successful, projects have been directly implemented in Somaliland with Swiss assistance, mainly through Swiss-Group, an NGO from Switzerland, funded by a consortium of independent Swiss development organizations and the Swiss government. One of the most successful programs that Swiss-Group has funded and co-managed with a partner in Somaliland is SOOYAAL'S Hargeisa Vocational Training Centre. The VTC has been an important vehicle not only for the reintegration of over 2000 demobilized combatants into the civilian society but also for the over-all promotion of the cause of peace, disarmament and adoption of productive alternatives to military life. Swiss-Group has also been supporting projects which include credit Schemes for Women, Water programs, literacy education and Democracy.
The Swiss NGO is run by Ute Westphal, a German national. During their 2-day visit to Somaliland, the Swiss diplomats met with president Egal, the Deputy Speaker of Somaliland House of Representatives, Sommaliland Foreign Minister, Mahamoud Saleh Nur "Fagadhe" and other officials.
Dictionaries, English language courses and management books in particular are selling like hot cakes. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary priced at $5 is currently the bestseller in Hargeisa. The bookshop stocks the latest editions supplied by leading international publishers including Oxford University Press, Pearson Education, Macmillan and Cambridge University Press.
This latest UN corruption scandal in Nairobi brings to one's mind the cruel and immoral nature of this mammoth organization when it comes to dealing with people in the failed state of Somalia. During the seventies and eighties, the UN was responsible for running a large aid program in the former Somalia estimated at billions of US dollars in order to sustain the lives of hundred of thousands of artificial refugees, from eastern Ethiopia, on Somaliland soil. While this huge assistance was being given, UN officials have known that the influx of people from Ethiopia was actually instigated by dictator Siyad Bare who promised them a better livelihood through UNHCR support. After arming them to the teeth, Barre however used those "refugees" to terrorise the population or join his government's fight against the SNM rebels. The "refugees" did so in great numbers and of course this has considerably contributed to the prolongation of the war of resistance and the suffering of the civilian population in Somaliland. It has also eventually led to the uprooting or flight of 2.5 million Somalilanders from their homeland to escape Barre's genocide.
Disgustingly enough, the UN chose, then, not to tell the world about how international humanitarian aid was being utilized by a dictator pursuing ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses. Few courageous UN voices disclosing the truth about what was happening could have sav[ed] thousands of Somalilanders from death.
It is with great irony that the UN is once again found repeating its political cowardice in relation to Somaliland affairs. This time the UN is heinously trying to internationally portray the new Arta faction (made up mainly of the remnants of the defeated Siyad Bare regime) as a government representative of both the peoples of Somaliland and Somalia and hence well positioned to rule all the former Somalia.
We believe that dissatisfaction with the UN performance is not a feeling only confined to peoples living in this part of the world. There is worldwide frustration with the failure of UN leaders to rid the international organisation of inefficiency and corruptive practices. We therefore believe that the international community should give an urgent consideration to bringing drastic reforms to the UN body in order to eliminate the political, administrative and financial corruption found so rampant within its system. Recalling the fierce resistance shown by UN oligarchs in the past to previous attempts to reform the organisation, it will be necessary to entrust this task to an internationally selected body independent of the UN system. However, if the existing waste within the UN system were to be eliminated, there would be a need for the international community to stop its double standards as to what should be done in order to restore the over-all credibility of the organisation. In this connection, it is our opinion that the current concept emphasising the improvement of financial accountability alone, will get nowhere, unless coupled with equally serious measures aimed at cleaning and safeguarding the organisation of the politically-based corruption now practiced with impunity by many ranking UN officials.
The preparatory committee of the UDUB party consists of a dozen of cabinet ministers in addition to the director of the Civil Services Commission, one of Egal's closest cronies.
The nomination of the committee members was announced in a secret presidential decree, copy of which has been obtained by The Republican. Senior officials in the Administration were observed last week competing as to who spends the largest amount of funds for financing the president's campaign for re-election. The spending spree has infuriated most of Somalilanders whose livelihood has been seriously affected by the loss of family income-support as a result of the ban on Somaliland livestock exports to Saudi Arabia.
"Egal is shattering the vision of a Somaliland where citizens can decide who should lead their country through free and uncoerced elections" said a joint statement by the SNM and UBSL party. The two opposition organisations also pointed out that "it was unprecedented to see a transitory government to proclaim, while still in power, its own political party".
In the Meanwhile, reliable sources told The Republican that President Egal has stashed away several million dollars to be spent in the final stage of his re-election bid. The source added that Egal doesn't believe that direct elections can be held in Somaliland for selecting the next government. Egal was said to be interested in a "shir beeleed", meaning an Electoral College meeting whose attendants will be traditional clan Elders. The SNM and UBSL however appealed on Thursday to all Somaliland traditional leaders to refrain from siding with any of the political contenders.
Norway is a member of the UN Security Council and an influential member of the steering committee for donor countries working with IGAD on Somali affairs. Several thousand Somalilanders also live in Norway, a country that has been showing a considerable interest in the resolution of conflicts in third world countries.
Throughout the years since the creation of the Somali Republic, all successive Italian governments have followed a policy of granting huge lucrative contracts to Italian companies to do "development" work in Somalia (mostly in the South where the Italians had considerable cultural influence).
The Italian aid program for Somalia was estimated to cost several hundred million dollars per year. Around this Italian assistance however, grew an equally large corruption business that netted handsome incomes for many Italian politicians and businesspersons. Of course most of the projects were either never implemented or had drastically failed to benefit the Somali people.
The Muri Brothers construction company was one of the firms that the Italian government used to grant contracts to execute projects in Somalia. The current Italian ambassador to "Somalia", . Sciortino, is married to a daughter of Muri.
The Italian political establishment was opposed to the armed struggle waged by the SNM during the eighties against the dictatorial regime of Siyad Barre. The Italians supported Barre till the end because they felt that a SNM victory would threaten their interests in Mogadishu, mainly in the form of illegal income generated by the aid program and trafficking in arms. When Barre razed Hargiesa and Buroa to the ground in 1988, Italy was the only country in Western Europe that failed to condemn the genocide.
"Italy is definitely responsible for the tribal warefare and the genocide in Somalia," said Francesco Rutelli, a congressman for the Italian Green Party, in 1993. The Italian politicians never forgave the SNM for crushing Siyad Barre's Army and eventually causing the collapse of Barre's regime. The Italian political establishment also received the proclamation of Somaliland's independence in May 1991 with deep contempt.
Italian politicians believe that without Somaliland remaining part of a united Somalia, the former Italian colony to the south cannot be recovered from it present disintegration. Thus the hostility harboured by successive Italian governments toward Somaliland.
Italian officials fail to recognize that it was their selfishness and blind policies, which sparked the civil war between the Hawiye of Mogadishu. By trying to install Ali Mahdi as President of Somalia in early 1991, ambassador Mario Sico, Sciortino's predecessor, takes much of the blame for the bloody power struggle that ensued between rival armed groups in Mogadishu and elsewhere in the South.
The Italian role in igniting the in fighting that Somaliland had witnessed in 1992 and again in 1994-1996 cannot be discounted. The Republican has learned that Italian officials had successfully bribed Abdirahman Tur and other political figures from Somaliland now in the Arta faction's government to publicly disclaim their country's independence. According to a reliable source Italian diplomats have offered recently a prominent Somaliland political leader an amount of $10 million dollars in return for his acceptance of re-unification. The offer was however declined.
The anti-Somaliland stance of Italian officials continues unabated. Italian diplomats who visited Hargeisa last year had even issued thinly disguised threats to Somaliland leaders, warning them that if they do not accept participation in the Arta conference, Italy would take drastic actions against Somaliland. For a detailed background on the Italian interventionist and corruptive role in the former Somalia, see the article on page two.
In a speech before the Parliament last month, President Egal pledged to hold a popular referendum on the constitution by next March. The Hargeisa national conference held on Oct. 1996 --Feb. 1997, adopted the current constitution document.
A conference resolution stipulated that the constitution be approved in a public referendum within 3 years. The government of President Egal was mandated to carryout the referendum. It however failed to meet the first deadline, which had fallen due on Feb. 2000. As a result the Parliament allowed the Administration an extra time of one year for the conduction of the referendum. The Administration however failed again to meet the Feb. 2001 deadline.
Couleur e printed the Post-card. Dallo airlines has been contracted to distribute copies of the post-card in Hargeisa, Berbera and Borama as well as in Jeddah and Dubai. Karton said he needs distribution agents in North America and Western Europe. Somalilanders in the Diaspora are most likely to seize the opportunity.
Oblik Karton has also finished writing a book on Somaliland. The first edition is expected to appear in late March this year. The book, entitled "Somaliland-a promising country" provides a general profile on this country's background and the struggle of its people in the period of peace making and nation building.Pictures will also illustrate the text of the book. It will appear in both French and English. For those interested in the distribution of the Post-card, Oblik Karton can be reached through this E-mail address: Couleurloc@intnet.dj or P.O.Box 3500 Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti.
According to the returnees, the unpublicized residential bill was officially introduced in April 2000. It stipulates that the nationals of the Horn of Africa countries (exception - Sudan) together with many African countries south of the Sahara and some Latin American countries, totaling (93), plus handful of others (namely, Morocco & Thailand) are required to undergo a mandatory yearly (full) medical tests including HIV, Hepatitis, Chest X-rays etc , without distinction to age and duration of residency (i.e. those born & brought-up / resided 20 or more years), hence adding an insult to an injury. In fact, the actual validity of one's residence is even less than a year considering the toilsome (occasionally, humiliating) two weeks paper-chase and required period for the results, thus keeping the individual continuously preoccupied with the revalidation of all related documents. The new introduction will incur an average cost per head of the family of not less than $300 per year, with more in the pipeline.
The whole issue seem to be kept off-the-record sort of, as no official decree or publication was made. One fact is that the nationals of the Sudan were exempted only after a strong protest was made by their embassy. Similarly some professionals from other affected countries were also exempted on the basis of their social status. Although Kuwait does not recognize the Republic of Somaliland and other current administrations elsewhere in Somalia, yet the embassy of the former Gov't of Somalia still functions in a caretaker role and should have taken the necessary steps to safeguard the dignity and interests of the Somalis as a whole.
As if they have nothing else to do, the President and his entire cabinet members are now found devoting all their energies to setting up UDUB. Billions of Somaliland shillings in the form of tax payers money have so far been unashamedly spent on the scheme with more to follow to finance Egal's political campaign for re-election to a third term as president of Somaliland.
We believe that 'UDUB' is an immoral scheme, which betrays the mandate given by the Somaliland people to president Egal, requiring his government to fulfil the transformation of the country from the current clan-based democracy to a popular one based on multi-party political system. This behaviour vividly contrasts with the SNM's historic decision in 1993 to hand over power, after remaining only for two years in government, to whomever people select to lead the country. It is regrettable that Egal is still determined at the age of nearly 80 (he was in his thirties on independence eve on June 26, 1960) to stay clinging to power in a manner oblivious to wide popular demands calling for him to step down.
The immediate resort of Egal to usage of public funds for financing "UDUB" and his campaign for re-election is tantamount to political warfare at the domestic front. Instead of trying to turn the clock back to the time when Somaliland was ruled either through a corrupt civilian government or a totalitarian party, President Egal should leave political contest to the general population. But as all indications point to Egal's resolve to remain in power, it would perhaps make more sense if he resigns and accepts to run as an ordinary Somalilander for the job of President. It is however completely illegal and against all fairness for Egal to use the country's meagre resources to buy out votes through "UDUB" while at the same time claiming that he will seek re-election through the ballot box.
By turning to his old habit of adopting plans for stealing votes at times of election, Egal thinks that he will be able to prevail against popular dissatisfaction with his highly inept and corrupt rule. But we doubt if he would be able to get away with it this time.
Longreach Gold Oil Ltd advises that is has entered into a conditional
option agreement with a UK-based company in respect of onshore and
offshore oil concessions in Somaliland.
The concessions, comprising 7,000,000 acres, will be subject to
Production Sharing Agreements being concluded.
Provided the due diligence studies prove to be satisfactory,
Longreach will be able to acquire a 25% interest in the Production
Sharing Agreements.
Plans are in hand to drill two onshore wells by mid-year.
The Chairman, B Ganke is currently in the Middle East.
President Egal in a speech on Jan 27, 2001 before a joint session of Somaliland's two Houses of Parliament promised to hold the referendum in next March. The interim constitution document was enacted in Feb 1997 in a Somaliland National Conference held in Hargeisa. For the constitution to come fully into force it was stipulated that the document should be approved in a popular referendum. The original deadline expired in Feb last year following which the Parliament granted the Administration one more year for holding the mandatory referendum.
The SNM - UBSL communiqu, also expressed concern over President Egal's recent announcement during a speech on Feb 1, 2001 to members of the armed forces that he will seek re-election Egal told the military "I want you to elect me for another 5 year term". The SNM-UBSL statement questioned the motive behind President Egal's decision to solicit support from the armed forces for his re-election. This raises concern especially when four days earlier; Egal failed to inform the country's legislators from both Houses of his intentions to become candidate for president, the joint communiqu, said.
Apparently Fagadhe was responding to recent press reports attributed to the UN political office in Nairobi that claimed Stephen was banned from coming to Somaliland. The Foreign minister's full press statement is reproduced below:
It no longer comes as a surprise that the United Nations Political Office in Nairobi jumps to conclusions without checking the facts. Examples of this unusual culture in the otherwise responsible offices of the United Nations are all too evident in the reports submitted to the United Nations Secretariat by the political office and published by the admirable UN Secretary-General in good faith.
Take the last report to the Security Council, which accused the Somaliland Government of killing an army officer for opposing the deportation of certain persons who had wished to travel to the Arta conference in Djibouti. It was a pure figment of the imagination of . David Stephens, the Secretary-General's Representative in Nairobi. Yet he has done it again.
This time in a press release from his office reporting erroneously that the Government of the Republic of Somaliland had declared . David Stephens persona non grata. The ambiguous source of the information was ascribed to the press media. In point of fact, the Somaliland House of Representatives, having noted the diplomatic shortcomings of . David Stephens, advised the Government to refrain from cooperating with . David Stephens. It was a non-binding resolution expressing dissatisfaction with . David Stephen's attitude and behaviour towards Somaliland. The Somaliland Government in turn did not declare . David Stephen persona-non-grata but instead appealed to the Secretary-General to remove . David Stephens before he does more irreversible damage to Somalia, Somaliland and to the whole region of the Horn of Africa.
Hargeisa -- The Somaliland Minister for Public Works has opened road bridges between Hargeysa and Berbera that have been repaired. The Minister declared that all roads between Hargeysa and Berbera except one have been rebuilt, and are temporarily open for traffic. The Minister added that rehabilitation of bridges between Hargeysa and Dilla is continuing and the official opening of all such bridges will be in March 2001. A representative of the European Union will be invited to attend the ceremony, as the European Union paid the cost of such repairs.
The European Union paid $3million towards the cost of repairing bridges and the work is being done in several stages. The next stage covers the roads between Berbera and Burao and the final stage covers roads between Burao and Ainabo
The outcome of the Arta meeting was however rejected by most of Somali communities living in the failed state of Somalia. The Somali Service of the BBC, whose daily news broadcasts are followed by millions of Somalis living in the Horn of Africa as well as in the Diaspora, made an extensive coverage of the Djibouti - led initiative. However many Somali listeners especially those opposed to the Arta conference felt that their views were being suppressed by the BBC's Somali section, accusing the broadcasting service of running a propaganda campaign for the promotion of the Djibouti initiative. Most of the critics cited Yusuf Garad, head of the Somali service and a close relative of Abdiqassim Salad, as being responsible for the alleged pro-Arta BBC broadcasts.
Yusuf Garad was in Hargeisa last week on an official assignment. On Monday Jamhuriya & The Republican interviewed him.
Excerpts:
By one expert estimate, Somaliland has during the last 8 years been losing an average annual income of 20 million dollars in fish illegally caught in its waters by commercial fishing vessels belonging to EU countries alone. Widespread pollution caused by international navigation through Somaliland waterways and dumping of toxic waste along its coasts, has also led to the destruction of greater amounts of marine resources.
We hope the arrest last week of 15 boats owned by Yemen and Djibouti nationals for illegally fishing within Somaliland's territorial water will serve as a deterrence to the other pirate ships still active in the area. It is however necessary to install permanently workable mechanisms for the protection of our fishery resources and territorial waterways from blunder and environmental abuse. The Somaliland ministry of Fisheries, which only exists now in name, has to be revived to take on the formidable task of developing this country's huge marine resources for the benefit of the people.
On last Saturday President Egal addressed a joint session of Somaliland's two Houses of Parliament.
In a long speech that contained more rhetoric than substance, Egal talked about his government plans to improve the country's water resources. Egal also disclosed that his Administration has been in contact with oil exploration firms from Eastern Europe and South East Asia. The president said he was optimistic on the issue of recognition.
He also promised to hold referendum on Somaliland's interim constitution in next month. A large part of Egal's Saturday speech contained an attack on Ali Khalif Galaydh who recently said Somaliland was not an economically viable country.
The budget document of course didn't show any forecasts for income from taxation on livestock exports due to the existing ban imposed on the export of Somaliland animals to the Gulf.
The minister of finance Saeed M. Gees attributed the increase in the budget despite the ban to substantial improvements in revenue collection and better financial management methods introduced by the ministry.
About 69% of the budget allocations will go to the security forces and government employees, a total of 26,000 people.
The ministry has taken some austerity means, which saved billions of shillings in expenditure.The budget estimate is expected to be submitted to Parliament today.
Hargeisa -- The Somaliland Council of Ministers has approved a budget of Somaliland
Shillings 115,474,6100,000 for the fiscal year 2001. This amounts to approximately US$37 million. According to the Minister of Finance this budget is more than 4.5% over last year's one. He added that revenue accruing from export of animals to the Arab countries has not bbeen included in the budget.
Meanwhile, the Adna Aden Maternity Hospital is expected to become operational by early April this year.
Ms. Adna has however appealed to Somalilanders inside the country to help in raising an amount of USD 40,000 needed to complete remaining construction works at the project site. She said this amount of money must be raised ly. Hospital equipment and material are also expected to arrive from Britain soon.
Life International has been in Hargeisa for a number of years. The NGO is involved in training for auxiliary medical staff and health care operations. According to . Bozard the NGO has plans to provide assistance to the education system and at least to another Hospital in Somaliland.
The Egal Administration has been reluctant to carry out the referendum and instead exploited a provision in the constitution that allowed extension of the 3-year time-frame, and so in Feb 2000 the two Houses voted to increase the period for one more year expiring this month. President Egal has of course tried to justify the delay on financial constraints. The referendum needed one million dollars the president has been quoted saying. The public has been stunned to know that the President couldn't raise the one million throughout the last 4 years. But now that he did (and nobody knows how he got it) we hope that the constitution document will be really submitted for a nation-wide referendum in March as promised.
It is however necessary to make copies of the constitution document available to people in all regions. Many people have not yet read the draft constitution. The Ministry of Information has indeed tried to disseminate provisions of the constitution mainly through Radio Hargeisa. We however doubt if this endeavour has been successful due to the technical limitations of Radio Hargeisa whose transmission capacity doesn't cover most parts of the country. It is also important to give Somalilanders in the Diaspora the chance to make their opinion on the constitution.
The tens of thousands of this country's citizens scattered all over the world must take part in the referendum. The event should be seen as an opportunity for Somalilanders to reassert their support for the country's independence. It is therefore important to have credible international observers invited to Somaliland to give opinion on referendum results.
clan as an archenemy of democratic option of Somali unity.
Somali Irredentism practically proved itself as an irrational devotion to one clan hegemony and monopoly of power and resources for clannish elite who was in power, a matter that directly contradicts the common interests of a community, a people, or a nation. High sounding slogans on Somali unity, about the oneness of the Somali people under a dictatorial regime played no other role but consolidation of this particular clan over the others. And hence deepen the contradictions and conflicts. The consequences of which were disastrous and tragic in nature; civil war, influx of refugee, famine and finally total dissolution of the basic fabric of the nation and the disintegration of the country.
The adherents of Irredentism constitute today, more than any time in the past, real barrier to peace and reconciliation, and indeed any possible reunification of the ex-Somali Republic territories. Some important landmarks of obstacles created by such forces are enumerated here below:
( In January, 1991, following the collapse of the Syaad Barre regime, a tiny group of Hawiye politicians unilaterally declared . Ali Mahdi Mohamed president of Somalia, without even having least consultation with the S N M, the only political organisation that liberated the north. And which was already in full control in the north. They have also failed to accommodate the political organisations in the south wich took part in the overall struggle against Barre regime such as SSDF and the armed wing of the USC of General Farah Aydeed.
That irresponsible move led to a protracted civil war in the south, as it was a heavy blow and serious insult to the struggle and the sacrifices of the people of Somaliland against longstanding oppressive regime under the leadership of a southern dictator.
A number of direct and indirect consequences have been the outcome of these in famous actions:
(The entire regions of the south (with the exception of the northeast) have been stuck in a quagmire of inter-clan wars.
(Provocation of the public opinion in the north and thus created a favourable ground for immediate reaction, which convinced the people that the reconstitution of Somaliland was the only option open for them. It is important to notice here that the vast majority of the Issaq politicians and the leadership of SNM were not for secession, but for federal option, and were obliged to obey the people's choice.
(With Ali Mahdi's insistence in his claims as president of the whole of Somalia reiterating "the unity is sacred and unnegotiable", the peace and reconciliation option became more complicated and rather remote, if not impossible.
In the same year (1991) Hassan Guleed Aptidon then the president of Djibouti organised a mini-conference for a tiny group of (old guard) politicians to re-nominate . Ali Mahdi as president for Somalia. This action marked the first outside intervention to impose a readymade solution on Somalia, which led to an unprecedented inter-Hawye sub-clan armed conflict.
The third act of the political farce was played by another southern dictator, general Mohamed Farah Aydeed, who in 1993, had declared himself president for Somalia and formed his so called 'Broad Based Government' (Sal-balaadh). Which comprised of personalities from different regions and clans, but who had not been representatives of their constituencies but chosen by the General himself.
The impact of this unpopular arrangement was great and fatal, particularly, in Somaliland where a civil war was instigated by Ayded's collaborators who have made use of internal differences between clans in relation to power sharing issue, which were not properly handled by the Somaliland council of elders.
The task to identify a way out of the cul-de-sac is neither an easy one nor an issue that can satisfactorily be realised consensus on whatever conclusion one may have drawn. It is a matter of the political position that one stands on the issues involved. My entry point to the problem, therefore, reflects democratic view of future Somalia/Somalis, which embrace the idea that there is need, first and fore- most, to answer the following two cardinal questions:
In general terms, the Somali conflict can be defined as a conflict over resources and power amongst the most active, the most organised, and the militarily powerful political elite, but is also, a conflict between different clans, sub-clans and ethnic minority groups. It is in the same time a conflict between democratic minded section of the society and totalitarianism or Irredentism, which means a struggle between peace and war minded forces. It is on another level a conflict between society and nature.
These contending forces interplay in specific confrontation lines identified as areas of conflict which are:
a)First area of conflict: Contentions among political elite over resources and power, Second area of conflict: resource based inter-clan conflict, Third area of conflict: urban versus rural interests, Fourth area of conflict: conflict over the rights of women and minority groups, Fifth area of conflict: contradiction between traditional and modern socio-economic mode of productions and related value systems, sixth area of conflict: man versus nature (environmental crisis), seventh area of conflict: conflict over what form the Somali unity should take, eighth area of conflict: contradictory concepts between Irredentism and multi-ethnic, multi-religion concept of statehood in the Horn of Africa (rational approach in relation to resolving regional problems) etc.
An important opening [s]pace to the direction of resolving these multi-dimensional conflict, that ensures a way out of the crisis is to destroy the (pleasant) but mistaken set of beliefs and ideals of Irredentism, consciously and purposefully dismantle its ideological and practical basis. This will lead to emancipation of thought and hence mental and moral relieve and rehabilitation.
Such a courageous step should be marking the point of departure to progressive and integrated stand about the basic tenets of Irredentism, with a view to redefine Somali nationalism, in order to reform our stand towards the future. For instance what kind of society the Somali people want to give rise to, in other words, how would future Somalia/Somalis look like.
If a peaceful and democratic society is the final objective, to which supreme sacrifices were given, then let all kinds of guardianship from within and all attempts of imposition of "prestigious peace projects" from regional and international interest seeking states and organisations are rejected, once and for all. And genuine Somali peace process that [are] based on the people's initiatives, their material and mental contributions form a solid foundation on which outside partners who sincerely want to grant their input can positively contribute.
In this respect, African and Arab dictators, big and small, as individuals or in coalition, have, morally, nothing to contribute in building peace and reconciliation with democratic prospective, while destroying its very bases in their own home-range where conflicts of the same nature and magnitude, are heading to develop into armed conflict and thus social and political explosion will likely to follow . They better stop exporting totalitarian models of their own images, and politicised religious fanaticism to the Somali peninsula. This would have been the only contribution they can offer. "One can not provide something for others one himself lacks".
The process of restoration of peace and building state institutions in Somaliland has slowly but steadily been growing since 1991, with the exception of interruptions of politically motivated armed confrontations. Many observers inside and outside believe that Somaliland has much to contribute in relation to her rehabilitation and reconstruction experiences. Which without significant external assistance has achieved extra ordinary progress, that was highly appreciated by the friends of peace on the world scale.
Somaliland today is in the post recovery stage, with self-reliance oriented people's initiatives, free press, market economy, and a reasonable representative government. The lessons that can be learn[ed] from Somaliland's peace building process lies in the traditional African mechanism of conflict resolution; of Delegation(ergo), Council of elders (guurti), Conference (shir) Compensation (mag-dhaw), Oath (dhaar), Consensus (g'aan-wadareed)etc. On the basis of which the Somali customary law and Islamic tolerant teachings had for centuries been workable ground for reconciliation efforts.
Needless to underline, is the truth that Somaliland has to further consolidate her achievements and develop the positive aspects of the outcome of a decade of hard work, before peace and reconciliation are considered as irreversible. But, the fact remains, that, hitherto, Somaliland is in the forefront of the peace making process in the area. However, it is important to view the Somaliland option through the horizon of Somali and regional integration prospective, when and wherever democratic model of government emerges.
Crocodile tears over Somali unity: recent history of the post independence Somalia, has clearly demonstrated, the truth that not all talk about unity is talk for unity. Hundreds of millions of tears over the dead body you have killed, is waste of time and effort, it has nothing to do with the today's real issues. To address the current issues, one has to be able to conceive and characterise the nature and essence of the historical period Somali people and indeed, the African continent is traversing right now.
In general terms, scientists have sub-divided the contemporary African political history into two main periods; 1940s-1970s, and 1970s-1990s, and beyond:
The period 1940s -1970s, was the period of national liberation, independence, and the formation of nation state euphoria. This period characterised by rose view of the future and optimism in the success of the course of action, in other words, simplistic interpretation of the historical tasks Africa had to deal with overshadowed the difficult problems that were to be faced in the coming decades. The raised slogans expressed the political awareness of the African peoples at that time, fore instance, pan-African union, pan-Somali unity (Somali Irredentism) were seen as the only tasks Africa had to deal with;
The period 1970s - 1990s and beyond: this period was characterised by further enlightenment and maturity acquired by the African progressive intelligentsia, and indeed that of the humanity at large.
The issues of democracy, human rights, environmental conservation, and sustainable development are the current tasks confronting the Somali people and the African continent at large. The basis of any level of unity is largely agreed to be on the basis of democracy and respect to human rights.
It is on that background, that Somaliland people would argue: give me democratic understanding to the issues of our time, I will give my heart to you. And I would argue: give me an organic (committed, and organised inter-clan) Somali intelligentsia as the leading force of the democratic movement, I will give you the whole world. This is fundamental precondition and the central point of departure toward Somali unity, based on common interests for all parts.
But the Somaliland people would further argue: without such an understanding nobody is ready to sacrifice his achievements for the sake of unknown future under the sponsorship of reactionary " Hegelian" type of state, over and above the people and their interests on the ground.
With my best regards and appreciation to Professor I. M. Lewis of London School of Economics, and Dr.Bernhard Helander, of Uppsala University. For the vision and clarity they reflect the post Arta Somali peace process. And also to Dr. Mohamed Suleyman, director of The Institute for African Alternatives in London, whose institution's tireless researches contribute a lot to Africa's path of development.
"The prosecution has drafted charges, including confiscation of all marine products from the fishermen, who are all from Yemen and
Djibouti, and to punish the 151 fishermen," an official who requested anonymity told AFP here by telephone from the Somaliland
port city of Berbera.
He said 15 small boats used by the fishermen were detained for a few days after their capture by armed boats belonging to
Somaliland, which has not received international recognition since it declared itself independent from the rest of Somalia in May
1991.
Some fishermen from the Far East have been allowed to fish in Somaliland waters after obtaining licences from the authorities there.
Somalia's territorial waters have remained unguarded since the fall of the dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in January 1991.
Excerpt from report by Somaliland newspaper Jamhuuriyaweb site
on 25 January
The Abdiqasim Salad Hasan government set up in Arta [in Djibouti] is buying heavy weaponry and other military equipment from Ukraine.
Well-informed sources say that Gen Muhammad Nur Galal, a member of the Abdiqasim government, is currently in Ukraine to buy tanks, which had been ordered earlier. The number of tanks the Arta group [interim Somali government] wants to buy and their price tag are unknown. Reports added that the group is using the money it got from the Islamist organizations of Al-Islah and Al-Ittihad [Islamic groups] to purchase the tanks.
Recently Abdiqasim Salad Hasan appointed a committee to assess the number and types of arms possessed by Mogadishu militiamen and clans with a view to buying them from any willing buyers. However, the exercise bore no fruit...
The group intends to import the arms through Kismaayo port [southern Somalia], which is controlled by militiamen belonging to Abdiqasim,s clan.
Credit: Jamhuuriyaweb site, Hargeysa, 25 Jan 01
Abstract: Speaking on the purpose of the visit [presumably [Sayyid Atallah Bashir]] said that IGAD did not adopt the outcome of the Arta conference and had been urged by Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti to make a follow-up on the outcome of the conference. He said that the delegation was there in order to advice the leaders of IGAD countries. President [Muhammad Ibrahim Egal] responded: We are not a party to the Arta [Djibouti] conference and its outcome. We do not consider ourselves to be part of Somalia and we have said this before. We shall forever never be citizens of a country called Somalia.
Full Text:Excerpt from report by Somaliland newspaper Jamhuuriyaon 26 January
The president of Somaliland, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, yesterday held a meeting with a delegation from eastern Africa's IGAD [Inter- Governmental Authority on Development] and the EU in his office.
The delegation which was led by IGAD's executive secretary, Sayyid Atallah Bashir, briefed the president on the purpose of their journey, which was to ascertain views held on the Djibouti conference's which brought to power Abdiqasim's faction. The president and the delegation debated on the subject.
Presidential spokesman, Abdi Idris Dua'le held a press conference after the meeting and said that the president had informed the delegation that the outcome of the Arta conference did not concern Somaliland...
Speaking on the purpose of the visit [presumably Bashir] said that IGAD did not adopt the outcome of the Arta conference and had been urged by Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti to make a follow-up on the outcome of the conference. He said that the delegation was there in order to advice the leaders of IGAD countries. President Egal responded: We are not a party to the Arta [Djibouti] conference and its outcome. We do not consider ourselves to be part of Somalia and we have said this before. We shall forever never be citizens of a country called Somalia. In the past we Somaliland decided join the Somali Republic which constituted Greater Somalia - a scheme which failed and was opposed by the international community. This is a dream which is long dead and should not be revived"...
"It doesn't whether [Somaliland's] recognition would come after 10 years or more, as I said in my rejoinder to the Security Council. Commenting on Abdiqasim's faction he said: Attempts by some countries to seek recognition for Abdiqasim's faction even before it had achieved anything is wrong and misguided", he said.
He said it was self-destructive and self-deceiving for him to think that by giving important posts to people opposed to Somaliland they would create disorder in Somaliland. He blundered and he would have been more helpful to Somalia if he limited his choice to Somalia...
Excerpt from report by Somaliland newspaper Jamhuuriyaon 25 January
The Abdiqasim Salad Hasan faction [interim government] set up at the Arta Conference [Djibouti] has announced that it is buying heavy weapons and other military equipment from Ukraine, one of the republics of the old Soviet Union which disintegrated.
Informed sources say former army commander [in the Barre government and veteran of the 1977 Ogaden War] Gen Muhammad Nur Galal, who is the commander of the Arta militiamen, is currently abroad and is said to be in Ukraine to procure battle tanks that the Arta faction had ordered. The number and the prices of the battle tanks Galal plans to buy have not been ascertained, but the money was donated to the Abdiqasim faction by international Islamic groups, the Al-Islah and Al-Ittihad. The Abdiqasim faction is trying to build its military muscle...
Credit: Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, 25 Jan 01 p 1
Excerpt from report by Somaliland newspaper Jamhuuriyaweb site
on 23 January
The gunmen who abducted Abdirahman Du'ale Ali, member of the Arta group [interim Somali government] parliament, have threatened to take action against him if he does not settle the money he owes them within 24 hours.
Abdirahman Du'ale, a member of the Somaliland's Issa clan, was kidnapped from his residence in north Mogadishu on 18 January. The gunmen claimed that the MP misappropriated their money when he was minister of industries in the Ali Mahdi Muhammad government set up in 1991.
Speaking to Mogadishu journalists, Du'ale admitted owing the gunmen money, but blamed the Madi government for not settling his debt. He appealed to the government of Abdiqasim Salad Hasan to pay the gunmen to save his life...
Credit: Jamhuuriyaweb site, Hargeysa, 23 Jan 01
In a letter addressed to the UN Security Council dated 17 January, Egal rejected the UN Secretary-General's Report to the Security Council and suggested members of the Security Council should consider independent visits to Somaliland.
In a copy of the letter made available to IRIN, Egal said he did not oppose last year's peace talks held in Arta, Djibouti, which led to the election of the new interim Somali government, headed by President Abdiqassim Salad Hassan. He said it was "of uppermost interest to Somaliland that a successful reconciliation in Somalia be secured." But he complained that there was a UN attempt to "force" his participation which then "degenerated into a bitter feud with Somaliland."
Egal said he had agreed to enter into negotiations with "anyone who has legitimacy in Somalia", but later refused to talk with Abidqassim on the grounds "he claimed to be 'President of Somalia' which, in his view but not in our view, included the Republic of Somaliland." In the letter to the Security Council, Egal said "any discussions between the Republic of Somaliland and the 'Transitional National Government' on future relations can only proceed with prior, unconditional acceptance by the 'Transitional National Government' of the Republic of Somaliland." He dismissed what he called "the cult of political superiority toward Somaliland" prevalent in Mogadishu. Egal said Somaliland had not been economically, socially or politically "orphaned" by declaring separation from Somalia in 1991: "Somaliland's economic relations, and virtually all its cross-border trade, are with Ethiopia and not with Somalia."
"Somaliland Irredentism" has been widely criticized by foreign scholars on Somali affairs as a form of racism and chauvinism. This definition however was often challenged by a wide spectrum of Somali public opinion which saw it as a prejudiced over-statement. However to my knowledge, no Somalis have ever participated in any serious discourse or analysis on the matter.
It is therefore my conviction that this issue should be given much more serious discussion and debate particularly by Somalis. This is an imperative task if we were to gain a reliable understanding of the political history of former Somalia during such an important opoch that began in 1960 and culminated in the downfall of Siyad Barre's military dictatorship in Jan 1991. For any serious attempt to study this history without examining "Somali Irredentism" would be futile as we would fail to gain insight into how the Somali elite that endorsed Irredentism thought and how they related to the world.
Beyond any doubt, the failed state of Somalia bore within itself the very causes that finally led to its demise. From this perspective, the issue raised here deals directly with the question of the political consciousness of the elite that led the Somali state and who had been responsible for its failure. In fact the ruling elite was driven by a kind of a bigotry, national ideology based on the concept of "Greater Somalia" in contrast to a "Democratic Somalia". Millions of Somalis were made politically motivated along this burning ideological path which they tended to fallow to a disastrous end.
Irredentism as a form of Fascism:
"Irredentism", as national ideology means an extreme theoretical system, which politically favours strong central authority for a particular state, based on nation/nationality, or ethnic group. And which calls for unification of all territories inhabited by peoples of the same ethnic origin by means of violence.
Ethnic Extremism (Irredentism) as idealised political perception, under any pretext it may come and in any form it may take; nationalism, clanism, or religious fanaticism, has almost the same meaning and significance. In all these forms the central idea, is to have pure race in mind that has to have distinctive human physiognomy and qualities for self-assertion. Such an idea express itself as political leadership characterised by narrow-mindedness, slapdash voluntarism based on political opportunism.
It is true, that because of shortage of intellectual capabilities of its defenders, there has not been theoretical elaboration for Somali Irredentism as an identified political doctrine, as was the case for Nazism in Germany. Nevertheless, the ethnic oriented "nationalism" of the Somali ruling class has never been an abstract theory isolated from practice but functional policies expressed itself most clearly in the anti-people dictatorial policies practised at home, and anti-peace warmongering political system on the regional level.
On the national level, clanism was both Syaad Barre's power base and his enforced political ideology by his suppressive institutions. Excessive centralisation of powers and concentration of the key political and military positions in his fellow clan members were reflections of the mentality of parochialism of the leadership.
The inhuman, and outrageous ethnic cleansing committed against the Issaq people and the razing of their cities and towns to the ground, the destruction of water points of the North and Mudug regions, were only some examples of the degree of cruelty of the system which can fairly be compared with Nazism in Germany.
Nazism and Irredentism are not only two twin brothers in practical terms but also in their politico-economic orientation as both systems called for "National Socialism". Under such banner hideous crimes against humanity were committed by both ideologies.
On the regional level, the narrow nationalism of the hitherto Somali ruling parties has been a source of infatuation, disorder, violence, and inter-state regional wars, as contrast to stability, peaceful approach of solving disputes, and co-operation for economic development and regional integration.
Two devastating regional inter-state wars have been instigated by these policies in 1964 and 1977. Waged against Ethiopia, in both cases the Somali National Army was directly involved in the war battlefield. This is extremely important to notice, because the ONLF and SWLF, which were said to have been liberation fronts, were in fact nothing more than part and parcel of the Somali army's fighting force. And thus the whole business was inter-state wars and not war of liberation as had long been contended by the Somali officials.
Contrary to these allegations, the entire Somali speaking peoples in Ethiopia, kenya, and Djibouti were formally considered as citizens of the Somali Republic. Ironically however, while the peoples of these regions had been deceived, disoriented and victimised for the political ambitions of the Somali ruling class, the educated elite from these areas have been holding ministerial posts, become generals, ambassadors, and finally during Siyaad Barre's time, a decisive factor in the Somali decision making bodies, at the expense of those who saw themselves as the owners of the house. This has been a factor which has exacerbated the already unbalanced equation in the clan power sharing mechanism in the Somali Republic, and thus led to antagonistic contradictions between them, that has contributed to further aggravation of the contradictions within the ruling elite. Any objective and fair judgement for or against Somali Irredentism should not ignore the historical and regional dimensions and factors that led to its rise.
On the other side of the border, there was Ethiopia, a secluded village of feudalism an absolute monarchy based on four component parts of medieval system; the palace, the church, the feudal landlords, and the state bureaucracy. The ideological basis of the feudal system was ethnocentrism of the Amhara state elite (and not the Amhara people) which considered Ethiopia as the centre of the world that all other peoples ought to move around it.
It was on those grounds that Ethiopia viewed the Somali people within her internationally recognised borders as her possession. The same downgraded socio-economic and political position as other oppressed peoples of Ethiopia, whose rights have been deprived, including Amhara peasant population.
On the other hand, Somali Irredentism should not and must not be read in isolation from the European colonialism's portioning of the Somali people into five parts, each under foreign rule. In that historical context Ethiopia was not considered as a colonial power for a simple reason that she herself was a semi-colonial territory within the international division of labour of the world colonial system. This unjust act laid the foundation for an ethnic awareness of the Somali urbanised elite who further developed the pan- Somali political movements in the 1940s. The beginning of the modern Somali national movement witnessed a historical moment of world crystallisation and division into Fascism and Nazism in one camp and anti-Nazism, anti- war, and peace minded alliance on the other hand. The defeat of narrow nationalism in Europe gave rise to liberal and democratic awareness on the world scale that created favorable conditions for the African anti-colonial struggle. As a result many African liberation movements were part of the world-wide anti-Fascist democrat oriented camp.
Unfortunately however, the political forces spearheading the Somali anti-colonial movement had not been influenced enough by these ideals nor developed its own democratic world out look. The colonial educated civil servant and the small scale property owner businesses elite, who were of pastoral-nomadic origin of first and second generation, and without deep intellectual understanding of the world around them, had to react and take the initiative of agitation for Somali Nationalism, which was combination of clan and ethnic based socio-political consciousness.
The Somali State, which was formed on this basis, had to follow an undemocratic path of development. "Greater Somalia" slogans served as propaganda weapon intended to distract attention from the internal problems and to gather support for the elites adventurous regional wars.
The negative aspects of Somali Irredentism in relation to peace, reconciliation good governance and democratic values will be highlighted in the next issue of The Republican.The writer will also explain how Somali Irredentism always served one clan to exercise complete hegemony over all other clans. Finally, Jibril attempts to arrive at a conceptual approach on how best the Somali problem can be solved.
The two systems, Irredentism in Somalia and Feudalism in Ethiopia, though with different historical backgrounds and socio-economic and political basis, had commonalties as well as particularities. Our objective here, however, is to identify some common features they shared rather than the particularities. The following are some patterns that could be taken as sample representatives of these commonalties:
(Economic, social and political hegemony [of] one ethncity group or clan with exclusion against others.
(Outright rejection to recognise ethnical, cultural and political diversity of interests by ignoring objective and subjective contradiction within the societies.
(Tendency to resort [to] violence in solving conflicts, and through means of force.
The Ethiopian revolution of 1974, which aimed at overthrowing autocratic ancient regime and liberation of the oppressed peoples of Ethiopia from the yoke of feudalism, exposed the inhuman face of Syaad Barre regime. And further unveiled the false eyelashes of its socialist slogans.
As a result the forces of change and reform of Ethiopia which demanded cultural and political rights, not only for their fellow ethnic groups but for the entire peoples of the country including the rights for self-determination, has been eliminated. The Ethiopian people's struggle had to relapse and their centuries old sufferings had to be prolong[ed] another 17 years of agony.
This is a clear example of how the interaction and intermingling nature of national and regional ideological trends and events have with their inter-playing made a common destiny in the political patterns and social and economic mode of life:
reproduction of dictatorial systems which are bound to create internal and regional cyclical conflicts, enduring poverty and backwardness.
Somali Irredentism which was born with the emergence of SYL, in 1943, got
matured under the aegis of SRSP in 1976, and reached its declining moment in the 1977 war of aggression against Ethiopia, played a retrogressive role in the history of the Somali people and indeed that of the region of the Horn.
Irredentism of the present stage: Irredentism, embodied in the school of thought of opportunism and adventuresome poses a serious impediment and challenging obstacle to realising peace, reconciliation and progress, not only on Somali level but also on the regional level, and the challenge it provides apparently exist in the following areas and involving events:-
The animators of Irredentism, old and new, represent a trend of thought that generates conflicts, and constitutes an obstacle to peace, reconciliation, and peaceful settlement of disputes.
Irredentism as highly politicised ideological perception based on one clan hegemony, had in the past been the source and the root cause of the Somali civil war and its tragic consequences. It stands up today against amicable settlement of the Somali question.
On this regard, two conceptual approaches about how best the Somali problem can be resolved have since early 1990s been on the ground.
The first is based on building peace through genuine reconciliation by resorting to the rich traditional values of the societies with full mobilisation of people's material and moral contributions.
The concept bottom - up approach is true to this course of action taken by the peace and state building process in Somaliland, and to certain extent in Puntland too. The basis of this process, from the point of view of our experience, is that the people themselves are making their own history in the way they thought it best for their interest. They are doing this for the first time without dictation from a colonial power or patronage to political elite. And they wanted to make a history that is in line with their needs, demands, and their real interests in peace and democracy.
It is thus a new course of development for the Somali society, a course of action, where people's participation is the basis of the peace and nation building endeavours, that will paves the way to decentralisation, regional autonomy and to genuine democratic reforms.
The second approach, top-down approach represents centralist forces and their way of thinking in relation to the present day crisis who their only objective is not to solve problems but to make the "good olden days" of Syaad Barre return back and by so doing are trying to create their own world through immediate requisition of the central power.
For them recognition of the outside world is the sole legitimacy they have to acquire after which they will necessarily be able to capture the resources essentially through national and foreign aid.
For more then 30 years the corrupt state elite of Somalia used to collect generous foreign aid from both the West and the East as well as liquid money from the petro-dollar Arab states. A matter that gave them material potency for subjugation and suppression of the Somali people both North and South, under the infamous slogan 'unity is sacred'.
It was on the basis of this thinking that the Dibouti conference has taken place where another attempt was made to turn the wheel of history back to the days of the authoritarian state. The organisers of the conference ostentatiously raised the outdated slogans of the notorious Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party's banner of 'Greater Somalia' (Somalaaliyee toosoo toosa oo isku tiirsada ..).This slogans which used to sound nice in the 1960s and 1970s, but which were exhausted got severely debilitated by crimes committed against humanity. As manifested in the Jaziira massacre, the Hargeisa ethnic cleansing, state sponsored destruction of entire cities and towns of the north such as Buroa and Hargeisa.
The Arta project was not, therefore, for reconciliation and forgiveness, but apparently a project for recurrence of the root cause of the Somali crisis and reversion to the methods of dictation from a central authority. It was an attempt to reproduce the high handed dictatorial repressive regime overthrown by the Somali people.
Nonetheless, it must be an inanimate ridiculous project that has nothing to do with the realities on the ground. It rather looks like a 'project proposal' to the Arab petro-Dollar states who used in the past to make lavish support to Siyad Barre. Unfortunately Arab support [and] other external aid to Siyad Barre's regime had only contributed to the prolongation of the dictatorship and the killing of thousands of Somalis.
The organisers of the Arta Conference forgot a basic and fundamental issue, the issue of alternative system of government different from the previous totalitarian systems. They have also forgotten the fact that the foreign money alone can not solve the Somali conflict nor reconstruct a nation.
Adam Musse Jibril, is a peace, human rights, and environmental conservation activist.Member of ECOMAN (the Environmental Change Consensus building and Conflict Management in the Horn of Africa) research group, under the auspices of the Swiss Peace Foundation, The Institute for Conflict Resolution.
Hargeisa - Somaliland.
Tel. 00252-2-426175.
President Egal's government has failed to conduct the referendum on time. The Administration also has not announced its plans for organizing general elections to elect Somaliland's next government.
Observers believe that Egal has planned the political impasse to force legislators to give in by approving within the next few days some constitutional amendments that would allow him cling to power for another term.
Opposition groups vowed not to let that happen.
A group of ministers who went to Buroa last month to lobby support for a 3rd term for Egal, were bluntly told by a pannel consisting of community leaders and politicians that Egal should rather step down.
Last week, the President's men in Hargeisa launched an open campaign to win the support of Aqils (second to Sultans in Somaliland's traditional leadership hierarchy). Haji Abdi Warabe one of the most senior Aqils in Somaliland and a well known supporter of Egal lectured last Tuesday over 70 Aqils from western parts of Somaliland on the virtues of having an elder president, friendly and familiar with Aqils. "We are lucky to have such a president not a young one" Haji Abdi Said.
In Erigavo, Yusuf Essa Dualle (Tallabo) Somaliland's Assistant Minister of Water and Mineral resources held last Saturday a series of meetings with Aqils in the region. In a statement to Jamhuriya last week, Tallabo disclosed that President Egal is going to launch his own political party soon. The party is to be called UDUB, Tallabo said.
David Stephen was accused by the Somaliland government of sending highly inaccurate and misleading reports on the situation in Somaliland to UN Secretary general Kofi Annan. The Somaliland official said his government had no other alternative except to ban David Stephen from setting foot in Somaliland because of "his consistent misrepresentation of truth about the political realities in Somaliland".
Meanwhile, the Somaliland House of Representatives in a rare unanimous decision voted Monday to ban all Somaliland government officials from establishing any contacts with David Stephen whom they charged with conducting a sinister campaign of disinformation on Somaliland and distorting the legitimate aspirations of its people. The House called on the Somaliland Administration to inform the international community that since the Arta faction, headed by Qassim Salad, does not represent the people and government of Somaliland, the government of Somaliland will not be bound by any agreements concluded with that faction.
The legislators also urged the Somaliland Administration to strengthen relations with Ethiopia.
David Stephen is believed to have been the author of a report presented on Dec 19, 2000 to the Security
Council by UN Secretary General.
Arta faction's minister of Ports pleaded with Hotel owners to allow the guests move freely in and outside the hotel. The minister promised the hotel management that his government would settle the bills as soon as possible. Owners of the hotel however insisted to hold their hostages until all the bills were paid in cash.
Meanwhile Abdirahman Du'ale Ali from Zaila, Somaliland, was still held captive by a group of people to whom he owned some money. Abdirahman who was recruited in 1990 by Djibouti's secret security services to spy on the forces of the SNM, had joined a government set up by faction leader Ali Mahdi Mohammed in 1991. Last year, he became a member of the Arta faction.
Abdirahman Dualle has admitted owing money to the kidnappers but insisted that Ali Mahdi who also supports the Arta faction should pay the debt.
After defecting from Ali Mahdi, Dualle joined the faction led by late Mohammed Farah Eideed. But Dualle was understood to have run up numerous debts while serving both factions. He was seized on Monday.
To avoid a constitutional crisis, both Houses of Parliament approved a request submitted by President Egal's government to extend the legality of the interim constitution for a period of one year i.e. until Feb. 16, 2001. Obviously the Administration has again failed to discharge its responsibility to hold the referendum within the time frame prescribed in the last extension.
Also, the government has not been forthcoming on the issue of general elections, scheduled to occur before its term expires on Feb. 2002.
During the last 5 years, life in Somaliland has been marked with peace and tranquility of a nature and scope not even enjoyed by many countries in the world. Despite the unprecedented enormous challenges posed by the legacy of war devastation and genocide not to mention the deprivation resulting from denial of international recognition, the citizens of Somaliland have however shown a great determination in rebuilding their shattered lives without waiting for external help to arrive.
Egal's government has little to its credit in the shaping and making of the peoples success story in Somaliland. On the contrary, the Somaliland Administration has been viewed by most people as a burdening parasite bent on living off peoples sweat and resources without offering anything in return. Egal cannot certainly find a single convincing excuse to justify his indulgence in keeping the process of democratic transformation of this country under confinement.
We believe that by choosing to omit fulfilling the duties entrusted to him under the law, the Somaliland President has deliberately planned to bring the country once again into an unnecessary constitutional crisis with the intention of creating a situation wherein he would be able to prolong his remaining in power. But this orchestrated plan is certain to meet a strong challenge from most of Somalilanders who have already expressed, through various forums their opposition to President Egal's re-election.
In our opinion, the best way out of this impasse is for Egal to accept widespread popular demands calling for his stepping-down. We believe that Egal's resignation would help diffuse the growing tension within domestic politics. It would also pave the way for the installation of a broad-based interim government to carryout the referendum on the constitution and organise direct and national elections, all during next 12 months.
The successful adoption of this alternative will of course depend on whether the Parliament would make its approval to allow extension of the constitution's validity conditional on Egal's resignation.
Security: A clash between police and protestors in Borama resulted in the death of a 17-year old boy
and several injuries on both sides. The demonstration was held after the government deported two
foreigners.
An Imam from Hargeisa who had been abducted by armed men in an apparent revenge attack, was
rescued by 'Somaliland' security forces. During the rescue mission, one of the abductors was killed,
three were injured, while 19 were captured.
During the reporting period, a severe water shortage hit Las-Anod after saboteurs damaged the pipes
of the town's water system.
Political developments: The parliament of 'Somaliland' passed a resolution against the report recently
given to UN Security Council by the UN Secretary-General about Somalia. The resolution urged the
government to declare that 'Somaliland' will never accept the transitional national government elected in
Arta, Djibouti. The resolution further asked the government to declare the head of the UN Office for
Somalia, David Stephens, persona non grata in 'Somaliland.' The resolution was sent to the UN Security
Council, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the European Union (EU), the Intergovernmental
Agency on Development (IGAD), the Arab league and the Islamic Organisation.
In another development, 189 people including business people, politicians, intellectuals, religious
people and the Somali National Movement (SNM), called on 'Somaliland' President, Ibrahim Egal, to
step down. In a letter published in the local press, the group stated that Egal's policies were in conflict
with his stated commitment to the best interests of 'Somaliland.'
A new political party was launched in Hargeisa this month. The party, called the Forum for Salvation of
'Somaliland' is headed by . Fuad Aden Ade, who is from Sool region.
Economy: The Somaliland Shilling was this month stable at a rate of 4,350 to 1 USD.
Programme activity
Health and nutrition: A seven-day training course was conducted in Berbera, Sahil region, for 12
community health workers from the region. The training was held to upgrade their skills. A training
course was also held for the Regional Health Boards in Berbera. Seven health committees elected by the
community were trained to empower them to support health sector reform.
Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI): The third round of the expanded programme of
immunisation was launched in all districts of Sahil region. During the campaign, 10 teams were deployed
to immunise all the main villages in the region. Around 63,377 children under the age of five years were
immunised in the campaign.
Reproductive health and female genital mutilation (FGM): Several FGM sensitisation seminars were
held in the zone in the reporting period. The first was held in Hargeisa. It was attended by 170 people
drawn from government ministries, non-governmental organisations and members of the community.
Another FGM seminar was held in Burao for 25 Sheikhs from all the six regions in the zone. A third
training seminar on the medical, religious and social aspects of FGM was held in Hargeisa. It drew 30
participants who will form a core group that can train others in their respective districts.
Nutrition: UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Labour, conducted a three-day
training workshop on the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) for sixty eight
maternal and child health (MCH) clinic staff in Hargeisa, Borama, Buroa and Las Anod. The training
was aimed at updating frontline health staff on the latest developments in iron deficiency anaemia
interventions, as well as prepare them to carry out the iron deficiency anaemia and tetanus campaign
planned for all regions of the zone.
A seven-day control campaign for iron deficiency anaemia was conducted in the towns of Buroa,
Borama and Las Anod. The campaign teams' main activities were to screen anaemia among women of
childbearing age and young children, providing iron and folic acid supplementation to all pregnant
women and young children, treating anaemia, providing nutrition education on dietary control of IDA
and providing tetanus toxoid and measles vaccines.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Labour, National Women Organisation and Candle
Light for Health and Education NGO, UNICEF trained 710 parents in Hargeisa, Buroa, Borama and Las
Anod on the appropriate complementary infant/child feeding. The purpose of this activity was to
improve the infant/child feeding and caring practices at household level. The parents were trained on
infant/child feeding recipes based on locally available foods as well as caring for and feeding the child
during illness. Prior to this training, UNICEF conducted an assessment of the major gaps existing on
appropriate infant and child feeding practices.
Water and Environmental Sanitation: A water consultant, . E. Williams, arrived in Borama where he
has been contracted to study the existing water system. He will design, make specifications and draw
up a bill of quantities for the first phase of Borama Water Supply. Several monitoring trips were made to
Ainabo water project and Aw-Aden.
Education: UNICEF sponsored several HIV/AIDS awareness seminars in the zone. Thousands of
people participated in the awareness seminars which were held in the towns of Las Anod, Erigavo,
Borama, Hargeisa and Berbera.
In Borama and Hargeisa, the awareness seminars were conducted in stadiums. The seminars were
facilitated by UNICEF partners. Among the groups targeted were 150 truck drivers and khat
distributors.
A syndromic management workshop on HIV/AIDS for senior midwives and medical doctors was also
conducted. The main goal of the workshop was to offer advanced training to health care workers, as
part of an innovative approach in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) case management. The training
brought together 20 participants comprising senior midwives and medical doctors from main hospitals
and MCH clinics in the towns of Las Anod, Erigavo and Burao.
A seven- day workshop was held in Buroa and Borama on providing recreation to youth. The objective
was to train coaches in sports as well as organisational skills for sports tournaments. Forty coaches
participated in the workshop.
For more information on UNICEF Somalia, you can access our website at the following address:
http://www.unicef.org/somalia/
Should you have further queries on the UNICEF Somalia Review contact:
Patrick Mwangi,
Assistant Communication Officer, UNICEF Somalia:
E-mail: pmwangi@unicef.org
OR
The Friends of Edna Adan Hospital, a Minnesota-based, nonprofit support group, has for about a year been raising money and
shipping supplies to the fledgling hospital. Without the group's help, the hospital might not have been built.
Last fall, the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in the Republic of Somaliland began classes for its first group of 39 midwives. The
maternity hospital in Hargeisa - the territory's largest city - is scheduled to open to its first patients in February or March.
When that happens, it will be the only hospital of its kind in Somaliland, a region of 3 million people. Somaliland declared itself
independent of Somalia in 1991 but is not recognized as a nation by most countries of the world.
Edna Adan Ismail, 62, the wife of a former prime minister of Somalia and the first woman in her country with Western nursing
training, visited Minnesota last year to raise funds for a roof on the hospital, which was being built on a cleared garbage dump.
Her visit sparked an effort to support the struggling $800,000 project. Later, the Friends of Edna Adan Hospital was organized and
began sending everything from textbooks to toys to the hospital.
"It's hard for people to understand if they've never been to a Third World country," said Sandy Peterson, a Maple Grove woman on
the Friends of Edna Adan Hospital's board of directors. "What an undertaking ... It's amazing."
Uban Jama Abdi said she's amazed by how gracious the Minnesota group has been. Minnesota has the largest Somali population in
the United States.
"They don't even know us, but they see the papers and learn what (Ismail) is doing and they sympathize," Abdi said. "It's a very
great thing."
Zarara has a memorandum of understanding with the government of Somaliland, dated 1 June 2000 giving it the sole right for a
12-month period to evaluate the potential of four blocks and enter into production sharing agreements if the results are positive.
Zarara also has a 25% stake in the gas-producing Kandamis license in Turkey's Thrace basin, where the first production revenue
should be realised in mid-2002.
As part of the disposal of its non-core businesses, Zarara sold its commercial property portfolio to Iprop for R219.2m ( Dollars 29m),
though the transaction is currently the subject of a dispute. The group's financial services interests have been sold to its former
non-executive chairman, Mzi Khumalo, a high-profile South African empowerment businessman, for R6.8m.
Zarara, which is now based in Dubai but emerged from South Africa's Mawenzi Resources, has ceased its mineral resources,
telecommunications and technology operations, but retained its trading and logistics interests. The board of directors has been
restructured with former chief executive Shukri Yahya as chairman.
Officials from Somaliland, northwest Somalia, have left for training in Ethiopia. In line with a recently signed agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia, 10 officials from Somaliland's Ministry of Aviation and Air Transport used the newly issued Somaliland passport to travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 21 January for 15 days training, local Radio Hargeysa said. Training would focus on security at airports, and included men and women officials. The training programme for Somalilanders is in line with the agreement signed between Somaliland and Ethiopia to cooperate in economic, trade and other fields, Radio Hargeysa said.
The UN official, David Stephen, had "misrepresented the truth in Somaliland and the political realities in Somalia," Radio Hargeisa,
monitored here, reported .
It said the parliament, sitting in Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa, had on adopted a resolution banning Stephen from visiting
the region.
The radio did not specify what Stephen had done to provoke the ban.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared independence from the rest of Somalia five months after dictator Mohamed Siad
Barre was toppled in 1991. It has yet to win recognition from the international community.
The Somali service of the Salad government-dominated BBC service failed to report this demonstration. Yusuf Garad, a cousin of Abdi Qassim Salad, heads the Somali section of the BBC.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian government has accused Djibouti authorities of breaching a tariff agreement signed between the two countries in 1999 on Ethiopian imports through the Port of Djibouti.
The government of Ismail Omer Ghelle had with effect from Jan 15, 2001 increased Port tariffs due from goods destined for Ethiopia to between 150 and 300 per cent. President Ismail Omer Ghelle leased the Djibouti commercial harbour to Dubai Ports International on last year. According to the terms of the Ethiopian--Djibouti agreement, the two countries were obliged to consult each other prior to announcement of any hikes to port tariffs.
Ethiopian business communities were known to have complained against the unilaterally taken decision to increase the Port tariffs. Moreover, the chief of staff of the Ethiopian Army reiterated yesterday that his forces would not fail to heed any duty to defend the country against any aggression. The Ethiopian Chief of staff was reportedly speaking from Awasa, the site of the military command in southern Ethiopia, bordering the southern most parts of ex-Italian Somalia.
The demonstration was organized by key leaders of the Arta faction in Mogadishu to reinforce allegations by Ali Khalif Galaydh that Ethiopia was arming faction leader Muse Sudi Yalahow.
Ethiopia has denied the accusation.
The demonstrators which chanted anti-Ethiopian slogans were led by Abshir Nur Farah, a poet businessman who is a member of Al-Itihad, an armed group that claims to represent fundamentalist groups in the former Somalia and the Zone 5 of Ethiopia, which is mainly inhabited by ethnic Somalis.
Prominent Arta faction leaders like Sheikh Hassan Aways though present during the rally however, didn't speak. Armed men and women belonging to Al-Itihad stood guard around the stadium as Abshir Nur read some fiercely anti-Ethiopian Somali poems. Aweys heads Al-Itihad forces in Mogadishu. His troops had been responsible for the slaughtering of 18 Americans and at least 20 Pakistanis in Mogadishu in 1994.
The SNM and Ururka Badbaadinta Somaliland (UBS), a political organisation recently launched in Hargeisa and headed by Fu'aad Adan Ade, also condemned what they termed "the heavy handed repression of the demonstration" by the security forces.
The demonstration was believed to have been triggered by a government decision to deport two foreigners who arrived in Borama recently. The two foreigners, an American and a Dutch were reportedly members of a group that calls itself "Fredonia". It was understood that the Fredonians concluded a deal with one of the elders of the Gadabursi tribes named Suldan Ibrahim Jama Samatar to obtain land for their utopian dream of establishing a stateless society somewhere in the world.
In return for land space to have being provided by Suldan Ibrahim, the Fredonians would have constructed some roads and port infrastructure for the natives of Awdal.
Meanwhile leaders of the intellectual community in Borama have established, after reviewing documents presented by Vice-President Riyale, that the Fredonian project was actually a fake. The intellectuals however criticized the Somaliland Administration on the way it had handled the whole affair.
Vice-President Riyale went to Borama on Thursday Jan 11, 2001 to explain the government position with regard to the deportation of the two expatriates. Riyale is still in Borama and seems to have made a considerable success in clarifying the government position.
In the meanwhile, two Gadabursi men were kidnapped in Mogadishu last week by the Habar gidir Hawiye subclan. The two men participated in the Arta conference held last year in Djibouti.
"In 1992, the Security Council voted to create an international war crimes tribunal to punish those responsible for the murders, tortures and rapes in the former Yugoslavia. The Council's decision to create the first international war crimes tribunal since W.W.II further deepened its involvement in human rights. Since then, the Council has been steadily moving away from the cold war-era view that human rights are a country's internal affairs. This was a good step that helped the cause of human rights activities around the world.
But the Council's focus on former Yugoslavia was too narrow. For instance, the Council didn't pay attention to the systematic annihilation of thousands of innocent women, children and men in Somaliland in the 1980s. Today, Somaliland killing fields and mass graves are visible testimonials to the genocide unleashed against its people. These mass graves can be seen throughout the country, including Hargeisa, Burao, Erigavo, Gabiley, Arabsio, Ceel Afweyn etc.
In the mean time, the United Nations Security Council, instead of creating an international war crimes tribunal to try those responsible for the death of the thousands of innocent people in Somaliland is setting up a Quasi government in Somalia, headed by war criminals and thugs. The head of this so called government was for instance, Siyad Barre's interior minister during the infamous Gisera beach massacre. Many of the so-called ministers were also former ministers of that government.
The former regime's premeditated use of all the power and resources of the state for the elimination of the entire people of Somaliland is attributed by the masses to war criminals such as Abdi Qassim and his so called government.
In order not to be subjected again to similar attempts of genocide, we have formed support group on a voluntary basis, whose functions are:
The gravity of the damages caused by Siyad Barre's regime is shown by the mass graves in Somaliland. The preservation of these mass graves is the only evidence we have to prove that a genocide has occurred in Somaliland and further it is clear indication of the unparalleled suffering our people went through under the overthrown regime of Siyad Barre's government.
We are therefore, asking our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora to join us to preserve this very important part of our history by contributing money.
We also want you to get involved and became active and lobby the UN offices, governments, schools and organisations, explaining the genocide perpetrated against the innocent people of Somaliland. Use the videos as a fundraising mechanism. Advocate also for the creation of war crime tribunal to punish those responsible for murders, torture and rapes in Somaliland during the later part of the 1980's. You must organize and mobilize our people, in the Diaspora to donate money, and become active members of our support group.
In conclusion, "every generation has a responsibility, they either have to fulfil it or betray it".
Please forward donations to this account number "Dahabshiil Do 960".
Reliable sources say that Egal wants to shelve general elections scheduled to take place in the country by early next year. But this Egal plan is likely to stir a lot of trouble in the Republic of Somaliland.
The leaders of the Arta faction wants the world to believe that they can't bring the territories of former Somalia including ostensibly Somaliland under their control because, as they put it, of Ethiopia arming their opponents inside the country. They even go further by threatening to mobilize Somalis into an all-out war against Ethiopia. This is of course unfair.
Ethiopia could hardly be blamed for the problems being faced by the Arta faction that essentially emanate from this group's lack of political viability or respect amongst the overwhelming majority of Somalis. The resorting of the Arta faction to the incitement of anti-Ethiopian sentiments comes [as] no surprise to anyone familiar with the back-ground of its leadership and membership.
The group's two main leaders, Abdiqassim Salad and Ali Galaydh, and most of its rank and file members are either close associates of former dictator Barre or are nowadays practitioners of fundamentalism. As British Ethnologue, Ian lewis has recently said the Salad - Galaydh government "is nothing but a renaissance of the discredited Barre regime" which had sent tens of thousands of Somalis to their death during a massive military invasion of Ethiopia in 1977/1978.
In fact the demarcated border line between present day Somaliland and Ethiopia was the scene where nearly all major conflicts between Somalis and Ethiopians were fought in the past. And it was the people of Somaliland who suffered most from the consequences of Somali irredentism.
Most of the credit for the exemplary peaceful coexistence being experienced on both sides of this border today, should perhaps go to the SNM which immediately after its inception in April 1981, developed a vision for regional peace.
By constantly appealing to the minds and hearts of both Somalis and Ethiopians to replace their centuries-old animosities with peace and cooperation, the SNM calls started paying off for the first time in the form of people to people contacts that were established in the eighties and have ever since been on the rise. Hundreds of thousands of Somaliland refugees who fled for their lives from Siyad Barre's terror during 1988 also found shelter and protection in Ethiopia where many of them still live peacefully, awaiting repatriation.
It is impossible for the people of Somaliland to exchange such strategically and mutually beneficial relations with the Ethiopian people for reinstitution of hatred and hostilities. Neither do we think that any sensible Somalis in the former Italian colony of Somalia would give receptive ears to the calls of hate coming from the new Faqash elitists residing in Mogadishu's hotels.
Qassim Salad and Ali Galaydh are obviously furious with Ethiopia because the latter's government has opted not to join UN, Arab and Italian efforts to impose the Arta faction on the peoples of Somaliland and Somalia.
Naturally, Ethiopia knows better than others what would be the consequences of silencing the free voice of Somali masses in determining their own future in favor of a clique blinded by its thirst for regaining the power it had lost to the people on Jan 1991.
Ali Khalif Galaydh might succeed in fooling the international community for some time. But we doubt if his attempts to scape-goat Ethiopia for the failure of his adventures will turn out the results he desires at least in the minds of Somalis.
"We sympathise with the drivers and owners of automobiles. We import one of the best quality refined oil that can be found anywhere in world markets but it's TOTAL which is responsible for the creation of this mess" he said. . Gamadid went further to explain that the responsibility of importers for guaranteeing product quality ends by the time the fuel imports are taken over by TOTAL at Berbera storage depots. "TOTAL didn't deny that they mix gasoline with diesel. They told us quite frankly that such a thing happens when petrol is pumped through pressure created by diesel fuel injection into the pipe that feeds the storage depots," Gamadid added.
Last year president Egal declared null and void a ruling by a Somaliland court ordering TOTAL payment of USD 500,000 in damage compensation for 3 young Somalilanders who used to work for the company. The three, Ali Dubad Sugule, Mohammed Hassan Saeed and Mohammed Ahmed Abdi were certified by medical experts of sustaining serious damage to their health after a prolonged exposure to a toxic chemical that they were required to use while painting Berbera fuel storage depots in 1999. TOTAL failed to warn the workers of the risks involved in the painting operation. The chemical used contained Benzyl Alcohol and Methylene Dianiline 4,4' which may cause cancer and immediate damage to eyes or skin upon contact. The 3 men were admitted to Berbera hospital on Sept. 24, 1999.
Meanwhile, Somaliland's supreme court chairman Mohammed Haji Saeed resigned last week after challenging for one month the legality of a decision removing him from his job by President Egal. The dismissal of Mohammed Saeed was believed to be related with his refusal to interfere in favor of the Presidency with regard to a decision taken by Berbera regional awarding half a million US dollars in health damage to 3 Somaliland workers who sued TOTAL.
One of the demonstrators was killed while 10 others including seven policemen were reportedly wounded when security forces tried to dispel stone-throwing mobs in down-town Borama.
The two expatriates, an American named Jim Davidson and a Dutchman identified as M. Van, were reported to have arrived in Borama recently to launch "Awdal roads company project" which they said would provide substantial capital growth for its founding investors with minimized risk. The project envisaged the acquisition of substantial land areas to provide "Foundation for substantial growth", according to information retrieved from the purported company's website Awdal.com.
Somaliland authorities however found the project to be a fraud. Vice-president Riyale then ordered the deportation of the two expatriates who claimed they were representing the "Sultanate of Awdal", a sovereign territory within the "Republic of Somaliland".
Apparently, some residents of Borama were angered by the deportation decision which was interpreted as a central government attempt to deny the region a badly needed foreign investment. Several government buildings were reported to have been damaged by the demonstrators. Vice-president Riyale's private villa in Borama was also attacked by a group of youth demonstrators.
The demonstrations, which began on 10:AM, subsided shortly before mid noon. By mid-day, Thursday the situation in Borama returned to normal.
All Somaliland regions are expected to take part in the trade fair, which according to a Chamber source will have international media coverage such as the BBC, CNN, Reutersand Financial Times.
The electrification project will cost $600,000, to be paid by the government of Somaliland. High tension cable poles were seen being installed last week in some parts of the city.
About 150 pillars will be installed on every month during the next few months, Barkhad said. Works will also include installation of 20 power transmission sub-stations. The project will entirely be funded from budgetary allocated to the office of the President.
The deceased was given a state funeral on Tuesday. Dignitaries included Somaliland Vice-president Riyale, Cabinet ministers, community leaders and friends. Olad was among the Uffo group members who were arrested in Nov. 1981 by the security forces of dictator Siyad Barre.
He spent as a prisoner of conscience 8 years in solitary confinement in the maximum security prison of "Labaatan Jirow" in ex-Italian Somalia from early 1982 to 1989. Olad is survived by his wife and four children.
This time, Yemeni President Ali Abdulla Saleh has targeted Mogadishu's faction leaders, in an attempt to persuade them to take part in a new reconciliation conference designed to bring them into direct contact with Qassim Salad's Arta faction.
But the Yemeni initiative has failed before it even took off. President Saleh's foreign minister, Ba-Jammal, insisted on making provocative demands such as prior endorsement by Mogadishu's faction leaders of the legitimacy of Qasim Salad's government as a precondition for participation in the reconciliation talks.
The faction leaders have of course refused to go along with this kind of dictation.
Instead, they have announced their boycott of the Yemeni sponsored reconciliation conference that has been scheduled to take place in Sana later this month.
The Yemenis apparently thought that by striking a deal between Qasim's faction and other Hawiye groups in Mogadishu, the problems posed by the failed state of the "Somali Democratic Republic" could be overcome within an overnight.
The main features of the Yemeni proposal have included the formation of a strong unitary government, versus federal or even confederation, with all public services including the media to be run by the central government and thousands of Somali war criminals to benefit from a promised across-the-board amnesty.
By openly siding with Qasim Salad faction, we believe that the Yemeni government has already squandered its chance for a successful mediation of political differences between Mogadishu groups. Our best advice for the Yemeni brothers would be that they stay out of the political quagmire in the failed state of Somalia.
President Ali Abdulla Salah has a lot of internal problems in his hand that he should seek to resolve before attempting to take on the complicated and formidable problems in former Somalia.
Somaliland can hurt too
Certain States in this region tend to take for granted that they can continue hurting the interests of Somaliland without the risk of invoking the least response, from the government and people of this country.
We believe that the time has come for Somaliland to act in a tit-for-tat manner with regard to its adversaries.
To begin with, there is no reason why the Somaliland government should continue to deny assistance to Djibouti opposition groups. We believe that the Somaliland government should reconsider the long-standing requests made to it by these Djiboutian opposition groups.
It is also unacceptable to remain passive in the face of Arab military assistance to Qasim Salad's faction and continued Arab embargo on Somaliland livestock exports.
Arab governments must be made aware in practical terms of the consequences of their hostile stance towards Somaliland's independence.
We have to strategically challenge Arab government's free and often destructive utilization of Somaliland territorial waters for their oil exports.
The people and government of Somaliland must also be ready to foil any attempts by Ali Khalif Galaydh to set foot on Somaliland Soil. Galaydh is a thug who had made a lot of money by embezzeling state funds during the regime of Siyad Barre. He is now trying to use his financial assets plus those of the international community for funding importation of arms into Somaliland so that he can pit one clan against another. He must not be allowed to do so.
A United Nations spokesperson in Nairobi told IRIN that the Somaliland administration had not contacted the United Nations and it was established UN policy not to react to press reports. The spokesperson said the UN "deplored attempts to personalise serious political issues". Regarding the status of the territory - which has received no official recognition since declaring unilateral independence in 1991 - the spokesperson said the position of the UN was clear:
"The commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia was reaffirmed by the Security Council in its Presidential Statement dated 11 January." One regional analyst told IRIN that Somaliland supporters in the diaspora had used the internet in recent weeks to attack senior UN officials, including Stephen, and that the move "came as no surprise".
Excerpt from report by Somaliland's Hargeysa radio on 21 January
Ali Muhamad Waran-Ade, the minister of information, has announced that Radio Hargeysa is available on the internet beginning today.
The minister said the scheme was mainly meant to enable Somaliland nationals living abroad to keep abreast of events and development activities taking place in their country. The minister thanked Somaliland nationals living abroad for making it possible for the project to succeed...
The UN official, David Stephen, had "misrepresented the truth in Somaliland and the political realities in Somalia," Radio Hargeisa, monitored here, reported Sunday.
It said the parliament, sitting in Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa, had on Saturday adopted a resolution banning Stephen from visiting the region.
The radio did not specify what Stephen had done to provoke the ban.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared independence from the rest of Somalia five months after dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled in 1991. It has yet to win recognition from the international community.
Excerpt from report by Somaliland's Hargeysa radio on 21 January
Ten officials of the Ministry of Aviation and Air Transport today left for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to undergo 15 days training in maintenance of security at airports. The officials, consisting of women and men, travelled to the neighbouring country on the new Somaliland passport.
The training programme for Somaliland nationals is in line with the agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopian governments to cooperate in economic, trade and other fields...
Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, the president of the Somaliland Republic, today issued a decree appointing head of the National Intelligence Agency.
Presidential spokesman Abdi Idris Du'ale told Radio Hargeysa that the president appointed Ibrahim Farah Godde as chief of the intelligence agency in line with the constitution, and after consultation with relevant people.
The Hargeysa court today sentenced three Ethiopian nationals to three years' imprisonment each for smuggling hashish into Somaliland. They were arrested in Hargeysa yesterday in possession of 15.2 kg of hashish.
The three smuggled in the narcotic drug in the most ingenious way, showing how sophisticated drug traffickers are becoming.
Excerpt from report by Somaliland's Hargeysa radio on 12 January
Dahir Riyale Kahin, the vice-president of the Somaliland Republic, and his delegation are continuing with their tour of Awdal Region. Today they held a series of meetings with MPs, clan leaders and intellectuals from the region...
The vice-president explained why the two foreigners - US and Dutch nationals - had been expelled from the country. He said the two men were expelled because they had been in the country illegally and doing illegal businesses.
Meanwhile, the governor of Awdal Region has accused some traditional leaders of being behind the violence which rocked Boorama town yesterday, during which one person was killed and several others were injured. Addressing traditional leaders, the governor said the vice-president was in the region to explain why the two foreigners had been deported. He said 25 people responsible for the yesterday's violent protest had been jailed for six months each. The governor said calm had returned to the town.
Credit: Radio Hargeysa, , 1700 12 Jan 01
Police in Hargeysa have seized 15.2 kg grams of hashish and arrested three Ethiopian nationals found in possession of the drug.
This is the fifth time the police have seized hashish smuggled into Somaliland by Ethiopian nationals. The police said the drug traffickers had adopted clever ways of concealing the drug. They said the three Ethiopians would appear in court soon.
Credit: Radio Hargeysa, , 1700 12 Jan 01
"We sympathise with the drivers and owners of automobiles. We import one of the best quality refined oil that can be found anywhere in world markets but it's TOTAL which is responsible for the creation of this mess" he said. . Gamadid went further to explain that the responsibility of importers for guaranteeing product quality ends by the time the fuel imports are taken over by TOTAL at Berbera storage depots. "TOTAL didn't deny that they mix gasoline with diesel. They told us quite frankly that such a thing happens when petrol is pumped through pressure created by diesel fuel injection into the pipe that feeds the storage depots," Gamadid added.
Last year president Egal declared null and void a ruling by a Somaliland court ordering TOTAL payment of USD 500,000 in damage compensation for 3 young Somalilanders who used to work for the company. The three, Ali Dubad Sugule, Mohammed Hassan Saeed and Mohammed Ahmed Abdi were certified by medical experts of sustaining serious damage to their health after a prolonged exposure to a toxic chemical that they were required to use while painting Berbera fuel storage depots in 1999. TOTAL failed to warn the workers of the risks involved in the painting operation. The chemical used contained Benzyl Alcohol and Methylene Dianiline 4,4' which may cause cancer and immediate damage to eyes or skin upon contact. The 3 men were admitted to Berbera hospital on Sept. 24, 1999.
Meanwhile, Somaliland's supreme court chairman Mohammed Haji Saeed resigned last week after challenging for one month the legality of a decision removing him from his job by President Egal. The dismissal of Mohammed Saeed was believed to be related with his refusal to interfere in favor of the Presidency with regard to a decision taken by Berbera regional awarding half a million US dollars in health damage to 3 Somaliland workers who sued TOTAL.
One of the demonstrators was killed while 10 others including seven policemen were reportedly wounded when security forces tried to dispel stone-throwing mobs in down-town Borama.
The two expatriates, an American named Jim Davidson and a Dutchman identified as M. Van, were reported to have arrived in Borama recently to launch "Awdal roads company project" which they said would provide substantial capital growth for its founding investors with minimized risk. The project envisaged the acquisition of substantial land areas to provide "Foundation for substantial growth", according to information retrieved from the purported company's website Awdal.com.
Somaliland authorities however found the project to be a fraud. Vice-president Riyale then ordered the deportation of the two expatriates who claimed they were representing the "Sultanate of Awdal", a sovereign territory within the "Republic of Somaliland".
Apparently, some residents of Borama were angered by the deportation decision which was interpreted as a central government attempt to deny the region a badly needed foreign investment. Several government buildings were reported to have been damaged by the demonstrators. Vice-president Riyale's private villa in Borama was also attacked by a group of youth demonstrators.
The demonstrations, which began on 10:AM, subsided shortly before mid noon. By mid-day, Thursday the situation in Borama returned to normal.
All Somaliland regions are expected to take part in the trade fair, which according to a Chamber source will have international media coverage such as the BBC, CNN, Reutersand Financial Times.
The electrification project will cost $600,000, to be paid by the government of Somaliland. High tension cable poles were seen being installed last week in some parts of the city.
About 150 pillars will be installed on every month during the next few months, . Barkhad said. Works will also include installation of 20 power transmission sub-stations. The project will entirely be funded from budgetary allocated to the office of the President.
The deceased was given a state funeral on Tuesday. Dignitaries included Somaliland Vice-president Riyale, Cabinet ministers, community leaders and friends. Olad was among the Uffo group members who were arrested in Nov. 1981 by the security forces of dictator Siyad Barre.
He spent as a prisoner of conscience 8 years in solitary confinement in the maximum security prison of "Labaatan Jirow" in ex-Italian Somalia from early 1982 to 1989. Olad is survived by his wife and four children.
This time, Yemeni President Ali Abdulla Saleh has targeted Mogadishu's faction leaders, in an attempt to persuade them to take part in a new reconciliation conference designed to bring them into direct contact with Qassim Salad's Arta faction.
But the Yemeni initiative has failed before it even took off. President Saleh's foreign minister, Ba-Jammal, insisted on making provocative demands such as prior endorsement by Mogadishu's faction leaders of the legitimacy of Qasim Salad's government as a precondition for participation in the reconciliation talks.
The faction leaders have of course refused to go along with this kind of dictation.
Instead, they have announced their boycott of the Yemeni sponsored reconciliation conference that has been scheduled to take place in Sana later this month.
The Yemenis apparently thought that by striking a deal between Qasim's faction and other Hawiye groups in Mogadishu, the problems posed by the failed state of the "Somali Democratic Republic" could be overcome within an overnight.
The main features of the Yemeni proposal have included the formation of a strong unitary government, versus federal or even confederation, with all public services including the media to be run by the central government and thousands of Somali war criminals to benefit from a promised across-the-board amnesty.
By openly siding with Qasim Salad faction, we believe that the Yemeni government has already squandered its chance for a successful mediation of political differences between Mogadishu groups. Our best advice for the Yemeni brothers would be that they stay out of the political quagmire in the failed state of Somalia.
President Ali Abdulla Salah has a lot of internal problems in his hand that he should seek to resolve before attempting to take on the complicated and formidable problems in former Somalia.
Somaliland can hurt too
Certain States in this region tend to take for granted that they can continue hurting the interests of Somaliland without the risk of invoking the least response, from the government and people of this country.
We believe that the time has come for Somaliland to act in a tit-for-tat manner with regard to its adversaries.
To begin with, there is no reason why the Somaliland government should continue to deny assistance to Djibouti opposition groups. We believe that the Somaliland government should reconsider the long-standing requests made to it by these Djiboutian opposition groups.
It is also unacceptable to remain passive in the face of Arab military assistance to Qasim Salad's faction and continued Arab embargo on Somaliland livestock exports.
Arab governments must be made aware in practical terms of the consequences of their hostile stance towards Somaliland's independence.
We have to strategically challenge Arab government's free and often destructive utilization of Somaliland territorial waters for their oil exports.
The people and government of Somaliland must also be ready to foil any attempts by Ali Khalif Galaydh to set foot on Somaliland Soil. Galaydh is a thug who had made a lot of money by embezzeling state funds during the regime of Siyad Barre. He is now trying to use his financial assets plus those of the international community for funding importation of arms into Somaliland so that he can pit one clan against another. He must not be allowed to do so.
The breakaway Somaliland authorities in northern Somalia have jailed 25 people for allegedly taking part in protests on Thursday that left one person dead, Somaliland's Hargeysa radio reported.
The governor of Awdal Region said on Friday that they had been given six-month sentences over the protest in Boorama town, which had coincided with a visit by Dahir Riyale Kahin, the vice-president of the "Somaliland Republic".
The governor accused some traditional leaders of being behind the protest, adding that Boorama was now calm.
Local people had been protesting at the expulsion of two foreigners, who had allegedly been trading in the town without a licence.
Credit: Radio Hargeysa, 12 Jan 01
After declaring independence in 1991, it established "its own flag, national currency, international recognised borders, a democratically elected House of Representatives, an Upper house, a Cabinet and an independent legal system."
The statement, sent to IRIN 10 January, said a multiparty system was being built and that there was economic growth at an estimated 2.5 percent per annum. The UN and the international community was unlawfully denying Somaliland recognition, which was hampering development, asserted the statement. Lack of international recognition meant Somaliland "cannot access the international agencies and authorities ... This is in contradiction with basic human rights."
It said that the unification between Somaliland and Somalia was unlawful, in July 1960, and meant Somaliland had been an occupied colony of the south. The UN and the international community should stop "putting pressure on Somaliland to rejoin Somalia" and should instead provide a mediation role between Somaliland and Somalia, it said.
One person was killed and several others were injured in a clash with police in the breakaway Somaliland area of northern Somalia on Thursday, Somaliland's Hargeysa radio reported.
The incident happened in Boorama, in Awdal region, when Somaliland "vice-president" Dahir Riyale Kahin arrived to review security provisions in the region.
He was heckled by a crowd for expelling two foreigners - US and Dutch nationals - who had been operating businesses in the region without permits.
Police intervened, and "one person was killed and several others injured during the noisy protest".
The town is now calm, the radio said.
Credit: Radio Hargeysa, 11 Jan 01
UNITED NATIONS -- Somali Prime Minister Ali Khalif Galaydh said he would meet Ethiopia "more than half way" if it stopped fomenting
secession in his country.
Galaydh was in New York to brief the UN Security Council on .
He told AFP in an interview that Ethiopia wanted to create a breakaway state in south-west Somalia, similar to self-proclaimed
Somaliland, in the north, and Puntland, in the north-east.
Galaydh also said his government would need about 400 million dollars over the coming 12 to 18 months to start rebuilding the
country after a decade of anarchy.
Most of the money would be used to disarm and demobilize about 20,000 "young, angry militias" who still carry arms in and around
the capital, Mogadishu, and to reintegrate them into society, he said.
He estimated that there were about 100,000 militias in the country as a whole, but said most were "free-lance operators" and that
the "four or five warlords" opposed to the government had between 350 and 500 full-time armed men each.
v
Galaydh heads a transitional government -- Somalia's first in 10 years -- set up in November after a conference of Somali politicians
and civic leaders, held at Arta, in neighboring Djibouti.
He quoted Abdullah Yusuf, "president" of Puntland, as saying the Arta agreement did not have a mandate from Somaliland, Puntland
and "the soon to be formed south-west state."
Galaydh forecast: "We are going to hear about this announcement soon."
He said he would give the Security Council evidence of Ethiopian activities: "What cities they are in, what arms they have given and
who they have given them to."
In a letter to the council on tuesday, the Ethiopian foreign ministry endorsed the Arta conference, but said there were
"administrations in Somalia which have managed to bring about peace and stability to some areas and these should not be belittled
or ignored."
Galaydh acknowledged that Somaliland and Puntland had achieved "some stability and a measure of law and order" while the rest of
the country was in turmoil.
"But they have lived beyond their usefulness," he said.
"Somalia as a whole is going to struggle to be viable; Somaliland or Puntland on their own don't have a chance in hell to survive as
viable entities."
Somaliland's main source of income was the port of Berbera, he said, and most of the goods exported through it came from other
parts of Somalia.
"The biggest market is in Mogadishu," he went on.
The collapse of the state after the fall of dictator Mohammed Siad Barre in 1991 had not produced "a Hobbesian state of war against
all," he said.
Business went on in the private sector, in telecommunications, financial transfers and exchange, airlines, and even trade, he said.
Galaydh, who was born in the north-east, said he had business interests in both breakaway areas and wanted dialogue with their
leaders about the future form of national government.
"We are ready to meet them anywhere," he said, adding that he was "very open-minded" and ready to consider "a highly
decentralized, devolved system of governance."
His only precondition was that Somali unity was not negotiable, he said.
"We have something solid that we have been lacking for 10 years and we don't want to squander it."
He acknowledged also that "Ethiopia has interests in Somalia, and there are collective regional security issues."
Ethiopia says more than 120,000 Somali refugees are housed in nine camps in the east of its territory. They account for nearly half
the total refugees in Ethiopia and about one-sixth of all Somali refugees.
Galaydh said the treatment of refugees had brought about "a sea-change attitudes to Ethiopia," and added: "We would like
to take advantage of this historic opportunity; if Ethiopia is genuine, we will meet them more than half-way."
But he said he was "strongly against the idea of lifting the arms embargo" imposed on Ethiopia and Eritrea on May 17 last year.
"Whatever weapons come to the Horn of Africa, to Ethiopia, to Eritrea, to Somalia, whatever, are going to easily get to all the other
places," he said.
Abdullahi Ali Yusuf (Olad), the minister of agriculture, is dead. The late Olad died last night after a short illness. He has since been buried at Boqol Jire Cemetery in Hargeysa.
Credit: Jamhuuriyaweb site, Hargeysa, 9 Jan 01
Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, the president of the Somaliland Republic, today issued a decree appointing Uthman Husayn Khayre acting chairman of the supreme court.
Excerpt from report by Somaliland newspaper Jamhuuriyaweb site
on 9 January
The recently formed Somaliland Salvation Party [SSA] yesterday announced its first office bearers. Fu'ad Adan Adde, a politician from Awdal region, has been appointed acting chairman, and Ise Muhammad Husayn (Ise Uragte) is the party's spokesman.
In a statement signed by the two men, the party expressed support for the recent petition by 189 Somaliland nationals, calling on President Ibrahim Muhammad Egal to step down...
Credit: Jamhuuriyaweb site, Hargeysa, Jan 01
Excerpt from report by Somaliland newspaper Jamhuuriyaweb site
on 9 January
The Somaliland government on Sunday [7 January] deported two foreigners, an American and a Dutch.
An official statement issued by the vice-president, Dahir Riyale Kahin, said that the men, Michael M. Van Notton [Dutch] and Jim Davidson [American], falsely claimed that they were officials of the Awdal Road Company in Awdal Sultanate. The statement further said that the company did not exist.
The vice-president advised the international community and investors interested in helping Somaliland not to deal with the abovenamed ghost company. He said the company was set up by Sultan Ibrahim Jama Samatar, a man who pretended to be a clan sultan...
Credit: Jamhuuriyaweb site, Hargeysa, 9 Jan 01
Two children were killed and two others injured in a hand grenade explosion in Burco town last night. The children had been playing with the grenade they had discovered near their home in the town's October Estate when the explosion occurred.
Our reporter based in Burco, Yusuf Ilkacase, said three of the victims were brothers. The oldest child was 13 years. The explosion was not the first incident in the region, as there had been several bomb blasts before, in which several children were killed. In the middle of last year a child was killed in a grenade explosion in Burco.
There are many bombs and other explosives buried in Burco, which are causing deaths and injuries in the town.
Credit: Mandeeq, Hargeysa, 6 Jan 01
Excerpt from report by Somaliland newspaper Jamhuuriyaweb site
on 4 January
Somaliland nationals, numbering 189, who included politicians, intellectuals, traders, religious leaders and SNM [Somali National Movement, ruling party] veterans, have signed a petition in which they spoke about the current political situation in the country and President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal's policies. The petitioners called on President Egal to step down. The following is the text of the petition, copies of which were distributed to journalists yesterday:
President, the country is experiencing political uncertainty as it is drifting towards a union with Somalia. Sir, you were elected to head a Somaliland administration which would champion the independence of the country as decided by the Burco conference of 18 May 1991.
1. President, your policies are paying a lip service to the sovereignty of Somaliland, as can be seen from your public speeches in Khayriyada Square [in Hargeysa], your news conferences, your playing host to Somali politicians who had committed crimes against our people, your interviews with international news agencies, in which you clearly spelt out your desire for a union with Somalia. Abdiqasim Salad Hasan, the man elected in Arta, said in an MBC [Middle-east Broadcasting Corporation] that he had visited you in Hargeysa three times before his election, during which both of you agreed to work for the unity of Somalia and Somaliland.
Al-Hayat newspaper wrote after interviewing you during your last visit to Addis Ababa: "Somaliland president is ready to seek ways of reunifying Somaliland with the rest of Somalia. President, did you tell the Ethiopian government about your intention as regards the reunification? We believe your deeds and words are aimed at sending confusing signals to the international community.
President, in another interview with Reuters on 23 November 2000 you said..."We can even discuss with Abdiqasim Salad Hasan about the issue of the unity provided there is a level playing field."
President, the UN news agency [IRIN] interviewed Ali Khalif Galayr [Somali prime minister] mid this month [as published, presumably last December] whether his administration had established a contact with you. Galayr said: "We use diplomatic channels to convey our messages, and we have received messages from President Egal. We have also established contacts with Somaliland parliament and the council of ministers..."
President, you rendered the country borderless, allowing foreigners to enter it without any visas. You said: "Citizens of Somalia have the right to work in Somaliland." This is a clear proof that you want reunification. You often remarked that once an administration had been established in southern Somalia, you would discuss the issue of reunification with its leaders. President world governments from which Somaliland has been seeking diplomatic recognition have noted your desire for reunification. Has this not watered down the prospects of the country getting international recognition? Some of your deeds and words are against the Burco Independence Declaration of 18 May 1991, and you are acting outside the mandate people have given you. As a result the public has lost confidence in your administration.
2. President, in Boorama you were entrusted with the country and a united people, who unanimously supported the sovereignty of Somaliland. However, you have been dragging your feet over the establishment of a robust administration, which could ensure the territorial integrity of Somaliland. Your administration lacks both in quality and quantity. Its workers are getting a raw deal,they are underpaid, and their human rights are not respected. Members of the armed forces are not given military ranks. You isolated Sool Region and Sanaag East, you offended Sool regional leaders - elders, politicians and intellectuals as well as ordinary people, who genuinely had the interest of Somaliland at heart. You did this as your first step towards the efforts to restore the Somali unity. As a result of your plans and deeds the Puntland regional government has set up administrations in Sool and Sanaag regions.
3. Robust administration, rule of law and independent judicial institutions are the pillars of good economy. But your administration exists only in name. You have the tendency of violating the country's laws, be it the national charter announced during your election in Boorama, be it the country's constitution. You interfered with the operations of the judiciary and equality of the three government organs (the legislature, the judiciary and the executive).
You appointed a parliamentary committee which can override decisions of the high court. You have reached the point of rejecting decisions of the high court. For example, you directed the governor of Berbera, the head of the central bank, the commander of the police force and the attorney-general to ignore a court decision, remarking: "It is wrong to loot the property of the company which has invested in the country under the guise of a court ruling. I therefore instruct you not to comply with the court order." You also said that your administration will not abide by any decisions made by the council of ministers.
A judge or a prosecutor can only be sacked if a court of law finds them guilty of a crime, but that has not been the case. President, you have sacked eight attorneys-general and judges without allowing the law to take its course.
President, when you were elected in Boorama in 1993 for a two- year term, you were required to facilitate the formation of political parties and holding of a general election within that period. After the end of your first term, the joint council of the two parliamentary chambers extended your presidency by one and a half more years, and again nothing was done during this period. Later it became necessary to convene an all-clan conference in 1997 during which you were elected for five years. Although your five year term is nearing an end, you have not done in the following important areas:
a) A referendum on the draft constitution has not been held, and the extended deadline is in February 2001;
b) electoral laws are not yet in place;
c) you have been dragging your feet over these important matters because you are opposed to the independence of Somaliland.
Conclusion:
President, after patiently waiting for eight years, after analysing the above issues, after realising that you have stifled the aspirations of the Somaliland people, and failed to explain to the world why Somaliland decided to reclaim their sovereignty it had lost in 1960 because of ethnic cleansing, massacres, destruction, rape and looting against its people, we, the undersigned citizens, decided that it is appropriate, and for the sake of the country's stability, call on you to hand back with honour and dignity the mandate to the very people who gave the same, given that you have chosen to pursue you own agenda, as opposed to the objectives of your electors..
Credit: Jamhuuriyaweb site, Hargeysa, 4 Jan 1
The call came in a petition published in Jamhuriya on Thursday. The signatories who included former Somaliland Vice-president Abdirahman Aw Ali Farah and former Fisheries minister Mohammed Mahmoud Farah "Oday" and two former presidential candidates, said they felt deeply worried and concerned over the state of affairs in the country.
The group of petitioners accused President Egal of frequently back-tracking on the issue of Somaliland's independence.
Citing statements made by Egal to the international press, and in conversations with foreign interlocutors, in which the Somaliland president affirmed that his Administration was ready to negotiate, once a solid government was established in Mogadishu, with representatives of the South (ex-Italian Somalia) the possibility of reunification of Somaliland with other parts of the former Somalia, the signatories said Egal had actually embarked on a policy that Jeopardized the chances of obtaining international recognition of Somaliland. "Such an alarming position has led to the decline of people's trust in your presidency" the signatories said.
The petitioners also blamed President Egal for personally alienating at least the two regions of Sool and eastern Sanag and thereby, as they put it, paving the way for Puntland authorities to encroach on these Somaliland territories.
The letter said the Somaliland Administration failed to promote the socio-economic development of the country.
The group of prominent citizens from various parts of Somaliland also voiced a strong concern over what they termed "wide-spread corruption and inefficiency in the government as well as interventions by the President in the Judiciary branch of government".
No sooner a new political opposition organisation (Somaliland Salvation Forum) was launched in Hargeisa few days before the new year's eve, than a group of politicians, civil group leaders, SNM veterans and businessmen demanded Somaliland president Mohammed Egal to relinquish power back to the people.
With the ban hitherto unofficially imposed on the formation of opposition political parties lifted last year by virtue of the electoral laws introduced by the Administration and passed by Parliament, a few more political organisations are expected to emerge in the very near future, including the long-awaited political party of president Egal himself. Surely, it is a matter of 12 months or so before the people of Somaliland elect a new national government.
And there is no doubt that the period separating us from this eventuality is going to attract the public's full attention and consequently participation as already demonstrated by recent political activities initiated by emerging political groups.
What is at stake in this crucially important historical Juncture is whether the right of every Somalilander to elect his/her own representative to the government would be exercised or suppressed, and whether the incumbent Administration would fully respect discharging its constitutional obligations towards a democratically based, smooth transition of power to whichever government voted in by the electorate.
Considering that Somaliland has never experienced, even under the most difficult circumstances of the last 10 years, a political power vacuum, it could be arguably asked why setting the alarm now? However, we believe that there are genuine reasons for us to feel concerned.
First, president Egal's Administration has so far refrained from taking the necessary technical electoral arrangements so that people can cast their votes during the general elections scheduled to be held before the term of this government expires in early 2002. Moreover, the reigning Administration has recently made its desire for an automatic extension of presidency to another 3rd term public, on the excuse that such a move would deem necessary, if Somaliland were to foil highly destructive designs planned by the Arta faction and their Arab allies with the intention of undermining the country's peace and stability during the election.
Of course there is a lot of evidence that substantiates the government's information as to the conspiracies being weaved by Salad and Galaydh in order to create political and security upheavals in Somaliland.
We know that the Arta faction has already obtained a lot of money from wealthy Arab governments and even bankrupt Djibouti, ostensibly to be used in the destruction of Somaliland's unity of purpose. Not to mention the UN which has joined the criminal effort of inciting internal conflict in Somaliland as shown by David Stephen's highly inaccurate and misleading latest report to Secretary General Kofi Annan on the situation in Somaliland, and other parts of former Somalia.
However, we believe that the best way for defeating all these hostile designs is not to go back on the democratic traditions and principles for which the Somaliland people had paid so many sacrifices to establish and uphold, albeit against the most tremendous odds.
President Egal is needed to act as an elder statesman who puts the long-term interests of the country above any temptation to remain clinging to power. The Somaliland people have waited so long for the moment when every citizen eligible for voting would freely exercise this right without asking for a permission from anybody to do so. We believe that moment has arrived.
. Fagadhe said David Stephen has deliberately inserted false information in his latest report to the UN Secretary General on the situation in Somaliland. Fagadhe went further to explain that by sending highly misleading or falsified information to the UN leaders and member States, David Stephen wanted to discredit the reputation of Somaliland as the most peaceful place in the Horn of Africa region. Fagadhe has also blamed David Stephen for straining UN -- Somaliland relations. "We have every respect for the Secretary General but we hold Stephen as responsible for feeding the UN senior officials with wrong information that lead to misunderstanding between Somaliland and the UN system" Fagadhe said.
In a report compiled by Stephen and sent to Annan recently, it was mentioned that an army officer was killed in Somaliland allegedly "for opposing the forcible deportations of Majerteen leaders who had wished to travel to Arta", the venue of the Djibouti/UN sponsored peace conference on Somalia. The killing was alluded to have taken place in early July 2000. The information appeared as part of a more comprehensive report on the whole of former Somalia that the Secretary General Submitted to the Security Council on Dec. 19, 2000.
According to an investigation carried out by The Republican, the allegation that an army officer was killed in Somaliland in connection with the Arta conference is completely untrue and misleading. In fact on July 3, 2000 late Col. Osman Farah Mohammed, known as Dhala, was killed while he was in his residence room within Somaliland's Presidential Palace, as reported in The Republican's issue No 120, July 8, 2000.
Dhala was the commander of Somaliland Presidential guards. The killer was identified as a young security guard man called Abdillahi Omer Hersi who was fined few days earlier by Dhala for violating the disciplinary code. According to eye-witnesses, Hersi was drunk when he carried out the murder.
It is not yet known why the UN wanted to establish some connection between the killing of Col. Osman F. Mohammed and the Arta conference. But the allegation mentioned in Annan's report to the Security Council has apparently angered the Somaliland government and people.
The UN Secretary General depends on two Britons for information on the former Somalia: David Stephen and head of the UN political department, Kieran Prendergast.
Stephen spends most of his time shuttling between Nairobi, Djibouti and New York. Neither him nor his assistant are welcome in most parts of the former Somalia. Stephen has openly expressed hostility to Somaliland on at least 3 public occasions in the last 6 months.
Prendergast is a self-confessed racist who, on top of that, never conceals his dislike of Somalis in general and Somalilanders in particular. He is one of those UN bureaucrats who seriously believe that Somalis have been responsible for bringing shame to the UN organisation.
There are no other independent UN officials available to offer Annan corroboration or correction on the information regarding Somali affairs that is prepared and conveyed to him by characters like Stephen and Prendergast.
In a statement issued last week, the group said the Forum is a cross-clan association whose members come from diverse occupational and professional backgrounds.
The statement described the priority objectives of the FSS to "help bring about multi-dimensional comprehensive reform in all aspects of life, create lean but effective government administrative structures and come up with a clear realistic political objectives reflecting the people's aspirations".
The group said it wanted to realise its goals through awareness raising, advocacy, networking and empowerment of the people.
The FSS statement criticized the Egal Administration for lacking "political pragmatism and clear political objectives" in relation to recent political developments in the region.
The FSS accused the Egal Administration of "lacking transparency and accountability with a deliberate intent to perpetuate the political states quo".
The founding members of the FSS were understood to come from various regions of Somaliland.
Somaliland Foreign Minister, Mahmud Salih Nur (Fagare), has accused David Stephen UN secretary-general Kofi Annan's representative to Somalia of involvement in what he called systematic campaign of disinformation on the republic of Somaliland.
Fagare said David Stephen has deliberately inserted false information in his latest report to the UN secretary-general on the situation in Somaliland. Fagare said David Stephen has deliberately inserted false information in his latest report to the UN secretary- general on the situation in Somaliland. Fagare went further to explain that by sending highly misleading or falsified information to the UN leaders and member states, David Stephen wanted to discredit the reputation of Somaliland as the most peaceful place in the Horn of Africa region. Fagare has also blamed David Stephen for straining UN-Somaliland relations. "We have every respect for the secretary general but we hold Stephen as responsible for feeding the UN senior officials with wrong information that lead to misunderstanding between Somaliland and the UN system," Fagare said.
In a report compiled by Stephen and sent to Annan recently, it was mentioned that an army officer was killed in Somaliland allegedly "for opposing the forcibly deportations of Majerteen [Somali clan predominant in Puntland] leader who had wished to travel to Arta", the venue of the Djibouti/UN sponsored peace conference in Somalia.The killing was alluded to have taken place in early July 2000. The information appeared as part of a more comprehensive report on the whole of former Somalia that the secretary general submitted to the Security Council on 9 December 2000.
According to an investigation carried out by The Republican, the allegation that an army officer was killed in Somaliland in connection with the Arta conference in completely untrue and misleading in fact on 3 July 2000 late Col Uthman Farah Mohammad known as Dhala was killed while he was in his residence room within Somaliland's presidential palace as reported in the Republican issue of 120, 8 July 2000. Dhala was the commander of Somaliland's presidential guards. The killer was identified as a young security guard man called Abdullahi Umar Hirsi who was fined few days earlier for violating a disciplinary code. According to eye witnesses, Dhala was drunk when he carried out the murder.
It is not known why the UN wanted to establish some connection between the killing of Col Uthman F. Muhammad and the Arta conference. But the allegation mentioned in Annan's report to the Security Council has apparently angered the Somaliland government and people. The UN secretary-general depends on two Britons for information on the former Somalia, David Stephen and Kieran Prendergast. Stephen spends most of his time shuttling between Nairobi, Djibouti and New York. Neither him nor his assistant are welcomed in most parts of former Somalia. Stephen had openly expressed hostility to Somaliland on at least three public occasions in the last six months. Prendergast is a self-confessed racist who on top of that never conceals his dislike of Somalis in general and Somalilanders in particular. He is one of those UN bureaucrats who seriously believes that Somalis have been responsible for bringing shame to the UN organization.
There are no other independent UN officials available to offer Annan corroboration or correction on the information regarding Somali affairs that is prepared and conveyed to him by characters like Stephen and Prendergast.
Credit: The Republican, Hargeysa, 6 Jan 01 p 1
Excerpt from report by Somaliland's Hargeysa radio on 3 January
Police in Hargeysa have arrested three Ethiopian nationals in possession of 7,850 grams of hashish. The three men were arrested at Alaya roadblock last night and are in detention pending investigations.
This is the fourth time Ethiopian nationals have been arrested in connection with drug trafficking...
Credit: Radio Hargeysa, 3 Jan 1
Somaliland security forces, both police and Somaliland national defence forces, in an operation carried out yesterday [1 January] rescued the imam [Muslim Scholar] of Sayyid Abubakar Mosque, Hargeysa, Shaykh Abdi'aziz Muhammad Samale from his abductors. The imam was kidnapped by a [Somaliland] armed group last Wednesday afternoon [27 December]. The group held the Imam in captivity for five days before he was rescued and they demanded a ransom for his release. The armed group held the Muslim scholar at a place called Illimaha, in the mountains northeast of Hargeysa.
During the security operation, which commenced at 7 a.m. [Local time], one of the kidnappers was killed and three were wounded, while 19 were arrested.
Reports we received from the HQ of the Somaliland police say the operation was very successful and no damage was inflicted on the security operation team and the Imam was rescued successfully.
Somaliland police commissioner Muhammad Shaykh Mahmud (Dhaga- weyne), in a press conference held after the successful operation was carried out, said the 19 culprits will soon be arraigned in court.
Explaining why the security personnel had resorted to force to release the shaykh, Dhaga-weyne said: we started on the process of dialogue with the kidnappers using religious leaders, intellectuals, elders of the culprits' clans and other clans but we failed. When our security men went to the area, the kidnappers refused to talk to the security officials and sent a letter which contained the "will" of Shaykh Abdi'aziz. They later attacked our security forces. Because of this, we were obliged to attack the culprits to rescue the innocent citizen.
When we held a meeting with Shaykh Abdi'aziz after he was released and asked him how he was treated by the kidnappers, he said: On Wednesday at 5.30 p.m. [Local time] armed men stopped my vehicle and beat me with the back of their guns and later blindfolded me with a piece of cloth and took me to their destination. They uncovered my eyes late in the night and informed me that they wanted a ransom for my release. He said during the operation between the security forces and kidnappers he did not encounter any problem. He said when the security forces arrived in the area the kidnappers asked him to give his "will" since he would be dying along with them in the operation, but fortunately enough, he said, he was not injured in the operation.
Commenting on the most difficult experience he had during his captivity, he said: death is inevitable, but what was most worrying me was the six children who were with me in the car and were left on the street. The eldest of them was 12, he sai
Reports say the kidnapping of Shaykh Abdi'aziz Muhammad Samale was instigated out of revenge for one of the kidnappers' clan who was killed by the shaykh's clan.
Credit: Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, 2 Jan 01 p3
Inter Press Service.
It quoted the NGO's assistant secretary general, Abdul- Wahab Nurwalli, as saying that 150 people were involved in the last of such a
courses, which was held in Hargeisa.
The courses were aimed at producing the required human resources for the socio-economic development of Somalia, which has
been ravaged by several years of civil war.
Amng other things, the trainees were appraised with the principles of the Sharia or Islamic law and the functioning of Islamic civil
society, the agency added.
Hargeisa -- The holy month of Ramadan came to an end in Somaliland on last
Monday (Dec. 25, 2000). The last day in the month of fasting and deep worshipping
was followed by the Eid-Alfitir fest which was observed in most of Somaliland
and a number of other Muslim countries on Tuesday. Somaliland's President
Mohammed Ibrahim Egal prayed with the Muslim faithful on early morning Tuesday
to say his Eid Al-Fitir prayers in Hargeisa Grand Mosque. After the prayers, the
President made a brief speech in which he said "The proclamation of Somaliland
[Independence] in 1991 and again in 1993 was announced by men who actually
found no satisfaction in seeing the rebirth of Somaliland happen. They had to do
so because they sensed the true feelings in the hearts of people. They knew quite
well that any failure to go ahead with the proclamation [of Somaliland's
independence], would have been sufficient to put them into trouble with the
people". Egal went on further to say "It seems as if the enthusiasm and
solidarity that people had steadfastly shown for sustaining Somaliland, has these
days become less distinct".
President Egal's Eid statement, has invoked a sharp and short reply from the
chairman of the SNM re-organisation Council Abdirahman Aw Ali Farah who
said "President Egal was ignorant of what was going on in the country back in May
1991, when Somaliland's independence was being proclaimed as he was willingly
presiding over Djibouti I conference on Somalia". The SNM leader who is also a
former Somaliland vice-president added that the people of Somaliland have not
lost hope in remaining an independent and sovereign country.
While alluding to world defiance to grant Somaliland international recognition,
President Egal said "It might have already taken us too long without being able to
realize our goals yet. But then noble things can not be achieved without dedicated
efforts". Egal continued to remind Somalilanders that to achieve their
cherished goals, they had to show more persistence, determination and hard work.
He went further to urge people not to give up. "In our turn, as leaders, we promise
to keep up the tireless effort".
While referring to the short-lived independent state of Somaliland which gained
independence from Britain on June 26, 1960, Egal described the birth of
Somaliland 40 years ago, as an easy-come-easy-go historical event. In a direct
message to the public, Egal had critically said "The public repudiation of
Somaliland was something that no one could dare to do infront of you, but this is
no longer the case now as evidenced by instances at teashops, Mosques or the
market place, during which Somaliland have had come under attack".
Abdirahman Aw Ali Farah however denied that people have recently shown any
sign of a lesser support for the cause of Somaliland's independence. He said the
people believe, without the slightest doubt, in Somaliland. The SNM veteran said
the people's criticism of the administration's poor performance shouldn't be
misinterpreted as a weakness to their resolve to hold-out.
Djibouti -- Security forces mounted a massive operation in Djibouti city for
search of weapons that are believed to have fallen into the hands of civilians
during the coup attempt of Dec. 7, 2000.
Though several thousand foreigners, mostly Ethiopians and Somalis, were also
arrested during the search, the real objective of the operation was to recover
thousands of pieces of small arms seized by residents of the port city.
The search which began on Dec. 20, continued for several days. It started with
Carte A and B of the town. Heavily armed para-military forces conducted a house
to house search. It was not yet known how far the government effort to recover
the missing weapons has been successful. However following the first day of the
search many hand grenades were noticed to have been abandoned on the streets.
Though the government announced that the search operation was intended for
expelling illegal Ethiopian immigrants, however reliable sources have confirmed
that at least 40% of the deportees were people from Somaliland and Somalia. All
those arrested during the search operation were sent to Ethiopia. Few
Somalilanders managed to escape into Somaliland through the border at
Lawyo-Ado.
On Dec 16, Djibouti crack down military units were sent to Ali Sabieh town after a
wide-spread unrest was reported there. Ali-Sabieh to the south of Djibouti is
inhabited by the Essa Furlabe sub-clan which [the] president suspects of
supporting the leader of the failed coup attempt, Yassin Yabe Galab.
By unleashing its heavily armed militia men on Dec 19 to attack the peaceful
town of Bala'd 35km north of Mogadisho, the Qassim Salad-led Arta faction has
finally unmasked the true characteristics of its most primary objective: Usurp
power in the Somalia proper through intimidation and use of sheer military
force. Since the Arta faction was installed as Somalia's new "government" in
August, Qassim Salad has been solely busy with obtaining as much financial,
diplomatic and military aid as possible from his original foreign sponsors.
Peace and national reconciliation has never been among his faction's top
priorities. Any attempt in this direction would have been futile anyway as most
Somalis regarded Salad as a puppet created by foreigners who couldn't be
trusted. Additionally, it would have been unrealistic to expect a faction
dominated by the newly rich class that acquired fortunes through illicit trade
over the last 9 years, the former Siyad Barre generals and the self-proclaimed
Muslim fundamentalists, to work hard on developing a consencus for
reconciliation among the Somali communities. The whole so-called Arta peace
process has been in-fact an ambiguous exercise that had nothing to do with real
political reconciliation.
The assumption held by the foreign sponsors of the Arta group that the lack of a
central government has been the cause of all Somalia's existing troubles, has
proved not only grossly misleading but also dangerously counter-productive as
evidenced by latest events in Mogadisho. On the contrary, if the root cause of
the Somali crisis has been anything, it is the one embedded in the struggle that
ensued in the entire post-independence era between the citizens of the
now-failed state of Somalia who rejected the unitary and centralist form of
government and the colonial-trained Somali political leaders who after tasting
the delicacies of power had acquired stakes in the preservation of the
institutional structures in place. The governments and personalities who
engineered the outcome of the Arta gathering had in their carelessness failed to
see that their enterprise was beyond the reach of applicability in the localities
of the former Somalia. And with Siyad Barre's atrocities still fresh in the minds
of most of the people, no Somali with his or her sound sense will ever accept
the rehabilitation of a system of governance that has already been practically
proven disasterous.
So it shouldn't have come as a surprise to see Qassim Salad resorting to
military adventure so that his group can enforce its will on the rest of Somalis.
Apart from resorting to violence, Qassim and Galaydh have in fact never
stopped sending threatening messages to the only peaceful areas in the former
Somalia, saying in effect, that only their faction will have access to world
governments and international institutions with even freedom of travel and aid
contingent on giving allegiance to the Arta factional government. It is with this
combination of military aggression, manipulation of aid and other threats that
Qassim and his subordinates want to bring Somalis to heel. The dangers and
risks involved under such a design are too great to be left ignored, particularly
by the international sponsors of Arta faction-the UN, Italy and some Arab
governments.
The recent debacle at Bala'd is only the latest reminder of the Arta faction's
brazen policy of coercion through conquest.
We hope that Salad's assault on Bala'd will invoke some self-reflection by the
international backers of the Arta faction. It is up to those who had conferred
legitimacy on Qassim and his gang to choose among the only two available
options left: either to continue siding with a faction that in its pursuit of power
is destined to escalate hostilities, or recognize and respect the wishes of the
general populace to choose the kind of government(s) they want to establish in
their lands.
Arab Presidents, Kings and Queens living peacefully in their oil-rich countries
should know better the grave consequences that their plans for a military
intervention in the former Somalia, might set off in the region.
Qasim Salad, the leader of the Arta-crafted faction, has no right to blame
Ethiopia or Somaliland or anybody else for his inability to bring the failed state
of Somalia under his control.
His failure on the promise of restoring peace and reconciliation to "Somalia"
can not be attributed to others who seemed to have disagreed with his dubious
presidency. The difficulty faced by the Arta faction stems from the fact that it is
neither trusted nor supported by the majority of the Somalis. In the eyes of
most Somalis, Qasim Salad is a war-criminal whose hands are still wet with
the blood of thousands of Somalis killed while he was dictator Barre's Interior
Minister. To the Somalis, the Arta faction is a group of ex-Barre associates who
sold off the integrity and sovereignty of their country to foreigners for the sake
of coming back to power.
We believe that any attempts to Congolize the Somali situation will not be
successful as those who are ignorant of the facts on ground here would wish to
think. For one thing former Somalia will not be like Kabila's country. In the
lands of Somalis, it has never been possible for outsiders to prevail for long,
even if they were Arab governments concealing their ill-motives behind the
facade of brotherhood.
Arab countries particularly Yemen, Libya, Egypt and Gulf states are warned that
their political and material support is already aggravating the situation in the
former Somalia. Arab petro-dollars and armaments have further solidified the
Salad faction's stance to take over Somalia with foreign assistance. Boasting of
the extent of foreign support they are enjoying, the leaders of this group have
constantly shown their lack of commitment and respect for any Somali-driven
reconciliation effort in Somalia. Arab governments must understand that any
military intervention is more likely to blow the whole region to a fire that might
engulf the oil fields of the Arabian Peninsula as well. The bottom line is that it
is not how much external support you have got that counts in the former
Somalia. It is the domestic front which matters, and it's beyond doubt that
Qasim's puppet regime will ever obtain even a modest support from the
Somalis.
Abstract: The Austria delegation led by the Austrian ambassador to Ethiopia, currently visiting
Somaliland, has pledged to assist the University of Hargeysa with reading and...
The Austria delegation led by the Austrian ambassador to Ethiopia, currently visiting Somaliland, has
pledged to assist the University of Hargeysa with reading and reference materials. The delegation, which included Prof Horst Seidler [as published] from the University of Vienna, on Monday [28th August] held talks with President Ibrahim Muhammad Egal.
Abstract: The authorities in the breakaway northern republic of Somaliland have announced extra measures against supporters of interim Somali President Abd-al-Qasim Salad Hasan and the
transitional parliament which elected him in Djibouti last Friday, the Somaliland newspaper
Jamhuuriyareported on Monday.
The authorities in the breakaway northern republic of Somaliland have announced extra measures against supporters of interim Somali President Abd-al-Qasim Salad Hasan and the transitional parliament which elected him in Djibouti last Friday, the Somaliland newspaper Jamhuuriyareported on Monday.
It said three orders had been issued to regional officials and security chiefs "to counter any trouble which could arise from the new government established in Djibouti".
Under the instructions, security is to be stepped up at Somaliland's borders, any participants and
office-holders in the interim parliament are to be arrested if they enter Somaliland, and supporters of the Djibouti assembly are to "face the full force of the law".
The newspaper said that the instructions "follow actions by some ethnic Somalilanders who attended the Djibouti conference which elected Abd-al-Qasim Salad Hasan as Somalia's president".
Abstract: The Somaliland cabinet has announced contingency measures which are going to be
adopted to counter any trouble which could arise from the new [Somali] government established in Djibouti.
The Somaliland cabinet had previously stated Somaliland's position on the Djibouti conference.
The Somaliland cabinet has announced contingency measures which are going to be adopted to counter
any trouble which could arise from the new [Somali] government established in Djibouti.
The following directives which have to be implemented have been issued to regional governors, mayors, police chiefs and
intelligence units:
These directives follow actions by some ethnic Somalilanders who have attended the Djibouti conference which elected Abd-al-Qasim Salad Hasan as Somalia's president.
The Somaliland cabinet had previously stated Somaliland's position on the Djibouti conference.
Djibout -- The United Nation's organziation for education, science and culture known as UNESCO has paid undisclosed amount of money to the Djiboutian committee that had organized the Arta conference, reliable sources in Djibouti said. The UNESCO donation was used to cover production costs of plays and songs glorifying the President of Djibouti Ismail Omer Guelleh who has been hosting since March the so-called Somali peace and reconciliation conference now in its final days at Arta, southwest of Djibouti. The themes of the "Confernce cultural events" have been dominated by anti-Somaliland propaganda. Unesco's money has also been reportedly utilized for payment of "incentives" to performing artists as well as for the purchase of musical instruments.
Somalia's well known artists (singers, musicians, composers, poets, painters etc.) have snubbed the Djibouti government by deciding to stay away of the Arta conference.
In the meantime, Djiboutian business tycoon, Abdirahman Boore who is a close relative of of President Gelle, was quoted recently by IRIN as saying that Djibouti spends US $70,000 daily on the Arta conference. Before Gelleh started inviting Somalis to Arta, he assigned Boore to extort money from Djibouti's business community, particularly those of Isaak origin, to enable him to meet some of the conference budget costs. Boore has substantial business links with Somaliland. He is the sole agent for British American Tobacco Cigarette brands in Somaliland, Somalia and Djibouti. By end of last June, Puntland prohibited the import of Boore's cigarettes to the regional state. Large stocks of British American cigarettes are reportedly smuggled into Somaliland on regular basis.
BBC Monitoring Africa Aug 26, 2000/Radio Hargeysa, 26 Aug 00/BBC
Monitoring/(c) BBC
Abstract: The Somaliland minister of information has disclosed that the Somaliland government will
tomorrow make its position on the outcome of the Djibouti conference very clear.
The Somaliland minister of information has disclosed that the Somaliland government will tomorrow make its position on the outcome of the Djibouti conference very clear. The Somaliland president, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, will address a news conference which will be attended by both local and the foreign journalists, the information minister said. He said the president will clarify the Somaliland stand on Arta conference outcome.
Djibouti -- As was expected, self-styled 238 parliamentarians purporting to represent the people of
Somalia and Somaliland and assembled since last week at Arta, south of Djibouti city, picked up last
night Abdi-Qasim Salad Hassan as the President of Somalia's government in exile which will probably try
to make its seat in Baidowa, provincial capital of the Bay region in southern Somalia.
Qasim received 145 votes from the transitional parliament which was formed earlier this month. At
the moment however the Qasim's government is most likely to stay in Djibouti. Mogadisho's factional
leaders have all refused to take part in the Arta conference vowing to make Somalia's former capital off
limit to the government formed in exile.
Despite a field of over 40 people who originally decided to contest the position of President, the final
candidates however turned only 16 when the process of their selection started at 6 pm Djibouti local
time. In the first round of the contest, Abdullahi Addow received 83 votes, AbdiQasim Salad Hasan 78,
Ali Galaydh 35, warlord Ali Mahdi 12 with the rest of the votes going to the rest of candidates. In the
second round however Qasim won 124 votes against 110 for Addow. Ali Mahid withdrew his
candidacy before the start of the second round.
As no candidate received the obligatory 164 (absolute majority) votes for winning the presidency during
the first and second rounds, a third and final round was declared. It was to be won this time by simple
majority. Salad won the third round by 145 votes against 92 for Addow. Almost all the 16 candidates
formerly worked for Somalia's late dictator Mohamed S. Barre. AbdiQasim Salad Hassan is a Barre
former deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister. Salad whose father was killed by one of Siyad
Barre's tribesmen was rewarded with a series of other ministerial posts by the late dictator. This earned
him to be dubbed "the Minister who never looses a post."
Salad's rival contender Abdullahi Ahmed Addow served as Minister of Finance as well as Barre's
ambassador to the United States. Many members of the transitional parliament are also personalities
wanted for war crimes committed in Somaliland and some parts of Somalia. They include members of
Siyad Barre's top military brass such as Mohamed Hersi Morgan, Mohamed Hashi Gani, Ismail Qasim
Naji, Adan Bule, Saed Abdulla Omer (Marino), Nur Galal, Ahmed Warsame etc. Both AbdiQasim
Salad Hassan and Addow belong to the Hawiye sub clan of Habar Gidir. Salad is Caydh while Addow
is Sacad.
Salad has been the favorite of Djibouti's President Gelleh. He maintains relations with Djiboutian
businessman Abdirahman Boore. According to reliable sources, it was Boore who introduced Salad to
Omer Gelleh long before the Arta conference was held. The head of the BBC Somali service Yusuf
Garad has also been another fan of AbdiQasim Salad Hassan. Yusuf Garad, who is also Caydh, has
been promoting the Djibouti led conference on Somalia through the BBC Somali section. Ali Salad
Hassan an employee of UNDP Nairobi is also known for his tireless lobbying of the UN system to
extend political support to his brother's campaign to become President of Somalia's government in exile.
Djibout -- The United Nation's organziation for education, science and culture known as UNESCO
has paid undisclosed amount of money to the Djiboutian committee that had organized the Arta
conference, reliable sources in Djibouti said. The UNESCO donation was used to cover production
costs of plays and songs glorifying the President of Djibouti Ismail Omer Guelleh who has been hosting
since March the so-called Somali peace and reconciliation conference now in its final days at Arta,
southwest of Djibouti. The themes of the "Confernce cultural events" have been dominated by
anti-Somaliland propaganda. Unesco's money has also been reportedly utilized for payment of
"incentives" to performing artists as well as for the purchase of musical instruments.
Somalia's well known artists (singers, musicians, composers, poets, painters etc.) have snubbed the
Djibouti government by deciding to stay away of the Arta conference.
In the meantime, Djiboutian business tycoon, Abdirahman Boore who is a close relative of of President
Gelle, was quoted recently by IRIN as saying that Djibouti spends US $70,000 daily on the Arta
conference. Before Gelleh started inviting Somalis to Arta, he assigned Boore to extort money from
Djibouti's business community, particularly those of Isaak origin, to enable him to meet some of the
conference budget costs. Boore has substantial business links with Somaliland. He is the sole agent for
British American Tobacco Cigarette brands in Somaliland, Somalia and Djibouti. By end of last June,
Puntland prohibited the import of Boore's cigarettes to the regional state. Large stocks of British
American cigarettes are reportedly smuggled into Somaliland on regular basis.
Hargeisa -- A US government delegation which arrived in Somaliland on last Saturday have paid
visits to various parts of the country. The delegation comprising high-ranking officials of the United States
Agency for International Aid (USAID), the State Department and the US ambassador in Djibouti Lange
Schermerhorn, arrived in the country on a 4-day familiarization and assessment visit, according to a
Somaliland government source. During their stay in Somaliland, the delegation made trips to a number of
projects implemented in the country with USAID funds through CARE International. The delegation
toured Berbera port which is expected to handle more food aid consignments intended for
drought-stricken zones in Eastern Ethiopia. The visitors were received by by President Egal on Sunday
evening in his office. Later in the evening members of the American delegation were invited by Egal to a
dinner thrown in their honor.
The Americans have recently declared the Horn of Africa as the world's highest priority humanitarian
emergency. Leonard Rogers, a top USAID official said in a statement in early August that "over 20
million people are at risk if this crisis is allowed to spiral into a true famine." Rogers visited the region
in July and said the US was considering increasing food aid to the Horn of Africa countries of
Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.
Reliable reports received from our reporter in Arta, Djibouti, yesterday evening say there were
demonstrations in Burco [Somaliland] yesterday. The demonstrations were organized by two opposed
groups, one of which supported the outcome of the Djibouti conference while the other supported the
Somaliland president, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, the report said. The two groups were reportedly
threatening to take action against each other. P4.
Abstract: A USAID [US Agency for International Development] delegation, accompanied by the US
ambassador to Djibouti, has arrived in Hargeysa town, the capital city of Somaliland. The
delegation held talks with the Somaliland president, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, and cabinet
ministers.
Full Text:Xog-Ogaal, Mogadishu, 22 Aug 00 (c)BBC
A USAID [US Agency for International Development] delegation, accompanied by the US ambassador
to Djibouti, has arrived in Hargeysa town, the capital city of Somaliland. The delegation held talks with the Somaliland president, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, and cabinet ministers.
Reports say the delegation is on a fact-finding mission and called on President Egal's government to assist them in establishing its mission in Somaliland. The members of the delegation submitted a written request to President Egal on areas where they require assistance and on specific information they need.
A US fact-finding delegation also visited Somaliland last July. The delegation was led by the former US ambassador to Somalia, Robert B. Oakly, and held talks with President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal and senior Somaliland officials. P2
Full Text: Radio Hargeysa, 21 Aug 00/BBC
Monitoring/(c) BBC
About 197 Somaliland families living as refugees in refugee camps in eastern Ethiopia yesterday arrived on the outskirts of Hargeysa.
The number of Somaliland refugees returning from refugee camps in eastern Ethiopia has been steadily growing, a Radio Hargeysa reporter who contacted the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Returnees said.
Abstract: The plan by the BBC to set up an FM station in Hargeysa is part of its programme to expand FM broadcasts in East Africa. The BBC is already broadcasting on FM in Nairobi, Mogadishu
and Djibouti.
Full Text: `Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, 20 Aug 00/BBC Monitoring/(c) BBC
The BBC will launch an FM station in Hargeysa towards the end of October, authoritative sources say.
A BBC engineer, John Luckinay [as published], arrived in Hargeysa yesterday to identify a suitable location to put up the station. The engineer met the Somaliland minister of information, Ali Muhammad Waran-Adeh.
The plan by the BBC to set up an FM station in Hargeysa is part of its programme to expand FM
broadcasts in East Africa. The BBC is already broadcasting on FM in Nairobi, Mogadishu and Djibouti.
Once the station is set up, listeners in Hargeysa would be able to tune in to BBC programmes , English and Arabic for up to 18 hours daily, from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight [local times].
Abstract: A USAID delegation led by the US ambassador to Djibouti, Ms Lange Schermerhorn, arrived in the Somaliland capital, Hargeysa, yesterday. The purpose of the American delegation's visit has not been made public.
Full Text: `Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, 20 Aug 00 (c)BBC
A USAID delegation led by the US ambassador to Djibouti, Ms Lange Schermerhorn, arrived in the
Somaliland capital, Hargeysa, yesterday. The purpose of the American delegation's visit has not been made public.
The delegation will be in the country for four days during which it is expected to tour the towns of Burco, Berbera and Boorama.
The Americans will also hold talks with President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal and some officials in his government.
The delegation was met yesterday by the mayor of Hargeysa, Awl Ilmi.
Hargeisa (Rep)- A US government delegation which arrived in Somaliland on last Saturday have paid visits to various parts of the country. The delegation comprising high-ranking officials of the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID), the State Department and the US ambassador in Djibouti Lange Schermerhorn, arrived in the country on a 4-day familiarization and assessment visit, according to a Somaliland government source. During their stay in Somaliland, the delegation made trips to a number of projects implemented in the country with USAID funds through CARE International. The delegation toured Berbera port which is expected to handle more food aid consignments intended for drought-stricken zones in Eastern Ethiopia. The visitors were received by by President Egal on Sunday evening in his office. Later in the evening members of the American delegation were invited by Egal to a dinner thrown in their honor.
The Americans have recently declared the Horn of Africa as the world's highest priority humanitarian emergency. Leonard Rogers, a top USAID official said in a statement in early August that "over 20 million people are at risk if this crisis is allowed to spiral into a true famine."
Rogers visited the region in July and said the US was considering increasing food aid to the Horn of Africa countries of Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.
Hargeisa -- - Nine members of the Somaliland House of Representatives have
described the imprisonment of Somaliland political activist, Ali Qoryoolay, as illegal
and demanded his immediate release. In a statement to the Republican last night, the
representatives who included Abdirisaq M. Muse, Abdi Dahir Amud, Mohammed
Ahmed Barre (Garad) and Mohammed Muse Diriye, said they believed Ali Qoryoolay
was imprisoned for speaking up his mind and therefore consider him a prisoner of
conscience.
The human rights group Horn Watch has also appealed to Somaliland President Egal to
take measures for either bringing Ali Qoryoolay to trial or release him immediately
from imprisonment. Ali Qoryoolay an often critic of the Egal government, was
detained by the Somaliland security forces about 3 weeks ago. Relatives and friends
said they were not allowed to visit the prisoner who is being kept in solitary
confinement and under hard conditions, according to a report by Horn Watch.
Ali Qoryoolay had reportedly distributed last month a letter critical of President
Egal's performance to members of the Somaliland House of Representatives. Horn
Watch said the continued detention of Qoryoolay without trial is unlawful and
violates the constitution of Somaliland (articles 26 and 31) as well as the universal
declaration of human rights. Horn Watch described the imprisonment conditions of Ali
Qoryoolay as follows: "He has been segregated from other prisoners and kept in a
small cell, rejected all visits and banned from press reading and listening to Radio."
Horn Watch has reminded the Somaliland President that it is unlawful to subject
human beings to torture or to cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment.
The Representatives also said the government is violating the constituional rights of
individuals to express their opinions and views freely. In the meanwhile the SNM has
condemned the arrest of Ali Qoryoolay and demanded his immediate release. In the
meantime a "free Ali Qoryoolay" drive is gaining momentum amongst Somaliland Youth
particularly among SNM veteran groups.
According to the sources, the police chief was gunned down by one of his subordinates. The junior officer was reportedly angry over "unfair treatment" by the chief; both were from the Issak clan and no political motive is suspected, the sources told IRIN.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Egal said the breakaway republic needed to pursue separate development outside Somalia.
His comments are a significant climbdown from his previous determination to secure international recognition for Somaliland as an independent state.
He said an interim status like that of Kosovo or East Timor would allow Somaliland to deal with donors and international financial institutions - and unlock international purse strings.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, broke away from Somalia in 1991 and has repeatedly expressed fears of being dragged back into the country's long-running civil war.
Investment
"We accept the fact that the international community at the moment is not geared towards giving us sovereign recognition," Egal told the London-based newspaper.
"So what we say is that, just like the Palestinians or the Kosovans or the people in Timor, we should be given a special status, an interim special status whereby we can at least deal with donors and the international financial institutions."
Somaliland is relatively stable compared to Somalia and it is keen to encourage investment from foreign companies and from its diaspora.
It has several airlines and telecommunications companies operating out of its capital, Hargeisa, and also offers the cheapest internet access rates in the region.
However, the lack of international recognition stifles development.
In the banking sector credit and money transfers are impossible; in the oil industry insurance rates are at the astronomical war levels applicable in neighbouring Somalia.
Hence the appeal by President Egal.
He has also signed a new law to set up political parties within 18 months, by which time a constitutional referendum will be held.
Somaliland opposes the current UN-backed efforts to reunite Somalia, which it sees as a threat to its current autonomy.
Hargeisa - Security guards stationed at Radio Hargeisa attacked on Sunday, July 30, 2000, Abdi Haybe, a reporter of Somaliland independent newspaper Jamhuriya and its weekly edition, The Republican. The attack took place in front of Radio Hargeisa.
At least ten armed security men took part in the beating of Abdi Haybe using their rifle butts and sticks. The journalist went to Radio Hargeisa premises on 10:30 a.m. on an official assignment only to be returned by the security forces. Abdi Haybe again went back to Radio Hargeisa, along with fellow colleagues from Radio Hargeisa, on 12:30 p.m, when he was finally attacked.
This has not been the first time that the security personnel attached to Somaliland Minister of Information, Ali Waran Ade, have committed a physical violence against a reporter from Jamhuriya and The Republican.
P>
Ali Waran Ade, who was formerly trained by the K.G.B and worked under Siyad Barre's notorious National Security
Service, advised Somali journalists last week: "If you see a military column heading somewhere, you don't have to
report it", during his opening of a two-week long training workshop for a group of journalists from Somaliland
and Somalia at the Mansoor Hotel.
Hargeisa -- Somaliland Ministry of Education (MoE) will announce the results of the examinations
held this year for Somaliland's public schools. According to an official from the Ministry of Education,
1778 students from all grades sat last June for the MoE examinations. Out of this number, 1319 students
or 74.2% passed their examination while 380 fell. 78 students failed to appear for the examination.
Students who sat for the secondary school leaving certificate totaled 270 out of which 210 students
succeeded.
This is the first time since liberation 10 years ago from dictator Barre's regime that Somaliland has
witnessed graduation from a secondary school. A ministry of education official told The Republican
last night that the exams were set, conducted and marked with the help of a consultant from the
Scottish Examination Board. The Centre for British Teachers also assists Somaliland Secondary
education through the provision of laboratory equipment, supplies of text books and teachers
training.
As the Djibouti conference draws to a close, there are serious misconceptions about Somaliland and
Somalia. Misconceptions that could lead to war, not peace, for economic reasons, apart from the
contentious political dimension of huge discordance with the so-called Djibouti initiative in the majority of
Somalia's regions and of course in Somaliland's indifference to the conference as well. The general view
appears to be that the nation is not a nation at all and therefore poses no threat to the government in
Baidoa. The Somaliland 'region', they say, is politically divided into four blocs, namely, the Dir clans in
the west; the western isaak occupying Hargeisa and Berbera and the presidency; the eastern Isaak in
Burao; and the eastern bloc of sool and Sanaag. Somaliland, they say, is not sustainable politically and
can be swept aside with the help of the UN. This is of course a gross fabrication but it serves the
purpose of David Stephen (UN representative), President Ismail Omar Guelle and those attending
the conference who have high hopes of nestling in on UN largesse when they arrive in Baidoa to set up
shop.
The reason for falsifying Somaliland's political realities is to persuade the uninitiated of the international
community, who have yet to be taken in by the UN public relations spin-doctor, Stephen, that
Somaliland especially can be bulldozed out of existence, given UN political clout.
Other misconceptions have equally sinister design but they are in the shadows; kept out of discussion at
the conference and not therefore part of the spin-doctor's agenda for the Security Council. It is simple
economics. The Somali coastline from Berbera to Kismayu has only four significant ports; Berbera,
Bosaso, Mogadishu and Kismayu. Only Berbera and Bosaso, outside the temporary government's hands
in Baidoa, are engaged in serious trade. Mogadishu has a good potential, but like Kismayu they are also
outside the temporary government's grasp. Ports bring in foreign currency, especially the export of
livestock. In 1994, the last published export data from Bosaso, showed (according to a UN report),
exports of sheep and goats from that port at 444,000-head. The same year, Berbera exported
2,700,000-head of sheep and goats. This brought to Somaliland US$170,300,000 in foreign currency
earnings that year. In contrast, foreign currency earnings in Somalia apart from foreign incoming private
remittances, is miniscule.
Without reasonably substantial foreign currency earnings in Somalia, the temporary government cannot
import much in the way of capital goods nor consumer goods. UN subsidies will, of course, infuriate
those regions which until now have survived for a decade without UN subsidies. Independent
Somaliland will be able to say: "typical of the UN uneven-handedness as with UNOSOM".
The other question, conveniently ignored by the conference in Djibouti and by Stephens in his reports to
the Security Council, is revenue for the temporary government's proposed budget. Somalia has modest
revenue accruing regionally. It is jealously guarded. Interregional altruism does not exist. How is the
proposed government going to get its hands on it, given that the Security Council is circumspect about
cash subsidies? The conference hopes that the UN will oblige. The Security Council should address this
question before Baidoa's termporary government starts screaming for greenback.
Another fallacy among conferees is that the recognition of the temporary government in Baidoa is the
same as gaining sovereign recognition. It is not. Sovereignty is given to a country, not to a
government. The Security Council is too experienced, hopefully, to fall for this little game. Nor should
the Security Council fall into the trap of induced innocence from the Djibouti conference that
Somaliland (and its relative wealth) is ripe for a take over by the temporary government. There is no
willingness among Somalilanders to share their well-earned income with the temporary government.
Somalilanders will, if pushed to it, fight to safeguard their assets and their sovereignty. Somalilanders
themselves should not fall into the trap of complacency. Political and commercial hyenas will soon be
prowling around the gates of Somaliland, carrying the banner of territorial integrity, hungry for the
spoils of Djibouti 3. Somalilanders Wake Up! Face the realities of the next round of fakash invaders!
BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION TO TEAM UP WITH UNESCO CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT.
The British Broadcasting Corporation and UNESCO will soon extend their collaboration to the co-production and broadcasting of two popular Somali programs under the UNESCO Civic Education Project for Peace, Democracy and Development in Somalia. This was revealed by the senior producer of the BBC Somali Service, Younis Ali Noor at the end of the project's 9th planning workshop held in Baidao Somalia from the 14th to the 30th of September 2000
Noor of BBC Somali Service discusses Radio Production with some members of the CIVEDSOM Radio Team
Noor, who had participated in the 16-day workshop said he was impressed with the effort made by the project's radio team in the production of the 138 episodes each of the radio soap opera, Geedka Nabada (Tree of Peace) and the radio magazine, Muuqaalka Nolosha (Visions of Life) that have been transmitted on radio stations in Somalia, Kenya and Djibouti since early 1998. He commended the relatively high quality of the programs and the professional commitment of the project's radio production team and said he felt motivated to work with them to ensure that the programs attained the BBC's high broadcast standard.
The UNESCO Civic Education Project for Peace, Democracy and Development in Somalia was launched in 1997 to provide Somali communities with a forum for the exchange of ideas on ways and means of bringing peace to the land. It seeks to create a vehicle through which ordinary Somalis can communicate with one another, bridge the gaps of ignorance and fear, and work for the restoration of peace, reintegration, reconstruction and social solidarity within their communities and the nation. It works through the creation of synergy between the mass medium of radio and community. Groups linked through a network of peace resource centers located in various parts of Somalia. The government of Italy supports the current phase of the project.
Allesandro Campo, Coordinator, Somali projects, represented Ambassador Francisco Sciortino, Italy's special envoy to Somalia at the closing ceremony of the workshop. He expressed his appreciation at the efforts being made by the administration towards the restoration of peace in the region. He reiterated the full support of the government of Italy for the efforts being made by UNESCO in promoting peace in the whole of Somalia. He appreciated the rich cultural heritage of the people of the region and hoped that the artists and musicians would continue to use their talent for the promotion of peace.
The project's Baidao Peace Resource Center, established in May 2000 hosted project staff from 8 other PRCs located in Hargeisa, Bosasso, Garowe, Beledweyn, Mogadishu, Merka, Erigavo and Buale as well as Project management staff from Nairobi. Collaborating broadcasters from Radio Hargeisa, Radio Banadir in Mogadishu, Radio Djibouti, the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and Radio Baidao also participated in the workshop along with a significant representation of the Baidao civil society made up of sportswomen and sportsmen, musicians, artists, some women heads of household, and small business entrepreneurs.
P. Simkin and M. Font of the EC with Satti of UNESCO listening to a presentation at the workshop
Paul Simkin and Ms. Milagros Font of the European Commission and the Director of UNESCO-PEER, Nureldin Satti who had joined the workshop participants earlier in the week commended the commitment of the project officers to working with grass roots communities for peace building in all parts of Somalia. They however noted that the changing political environment in the country posed serious challenges to the project and called for both critical self-examination and creativity in exploring new ways of working with all stakeholders in the country.
Satti emphasized the need to bridge the gap in communication and understanding that existed between the emerging administrations at the local, regional and national levels and to constructively engage the Somali Diaspora in dialogue and exchange if hard-won peace was to be consolidated.
Group work at the workshop with Satti, UNECSO-PEER Director (3rd from left) participating
Some of the main conclusions of the workshop were contained in a statement read by Said Warsame, workshop
organizer as follows: "We deliberated extensively on the ways and means of improving our internal operations
and external relations for greater impact and came to the following main conclusions:"
Mohammed Kalinle commended the efforts of UNESCO in championing the process of peace building.
The Regional Governor for Bay, Mohammed Kalinle formally closed the workshop. He commended the efforts of UNESCO in championing the process of peace building from the community level upwards. He assured his guests of the commitment of the administration to the sustenance of peace in Bay. He assured them of the full co-operation of his administration with the officers of the Peace Resource Center in Baidao.
For additional information please contact:
Atsen Ahua,
Project Consultant,
Civic Education Project for Somalia,
civednbi@unesco.unon.org
Hargeisa -- An Austrian delegation led by the Austrian ambassador to Ethiopia, currently visiting Somaliland. The has pledged to assist the University of Hargeysa with reading and reference materials. The delegation, which included Prof Horst Seidler from the University of Vienna, on held talks with President Ibrahim Muhammad Egal.
Such action from Washington would fly in the face of efforts by the United Nations, which has been supporting a peace initiative from neighboring Djibouti. It would also suggest that the United States accepts the possibility of partitioning Somalia, after years of chaos. In turn, Washington could gain access to coastal facilities of strategic value, between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
A U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) delegation led by the U.S. ambassador to Djibouti, Lange Schermerhorn, arrived in Somalia's northern breakaway republic of Somaliland on Aug. 19. While the purpose of the four-day visit has not been made public, the delegation will hold talks with Somaliland President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal.
A former British colony, Somaliland was formed in 1991 when Somalia collapsed into chaotic clan wars following the ouster of longtime dictator Siad Barre. Since then, 13 conferences and international peacekeeping efforts aimed at reconciling the country's warring factions have failed. Yet Somaliland has become a zone of stability and has declared its intention to secede.
The Djibouti peace conference, ongoing since June 2000, was intended to be a new and improved conference with a different cast of Somalis. Clan leaders, intellectuals, elders, religious leaders, exiles and women were all invited to attend and participate. The Djibouti plan provides for a transitional parliament of 225 members: 44 for each of the four largest clans, 24 for minority clans, and 25 women to be chosen at the conference. The parliament is to elect a transitional government that hopes someday to take its seat in the original Somali capital, Mogadishu. Elections are to be held in no more than three years.
Despite its U.N. backing, the Djibouti peace initiative is likely to fail like many other conferences before it. Somali peace initiatives are repeatedly unsuccessful due to their failure to recognize and uphold the de-facto authority of various warlords, who control their respective fiefdoms in the country. The Djibouti conference is not different enough; the warlords were actually invited but only as clan representatives rather than local governing authorities. Indeed, the only Somali warlord who bothered to attend the conference is Mohammad Ali Mahdi, according to the International Herald Tribune. Ali Mahdi - who was temporarily president after the fall of Siad Barre but has since lost power - appears to be betting his future on the formation of a new government.
This most recent delegation includes the highest level of U.S. representation that has been sent to the breakaway region. In April, another U.S. government foreign aid delegation traveled to Somaliland's port city of Berbera to assess the facilities and explore the possibility of using the port to bring relief supplies to famine victims in Ethiopia.
By sending a U.S. ambassador to a breakaway region, Washington is all but officially recognizing its autonomy. Moreover, if USAID uses Somaliland's port at Berbera as a hub for its relief operations, the region will develop its infrastructure and fuel Egal's intransigence at agreeing to give up his power.
But Washington may actually be making a prudent decision by recognizing Somaliland. After all, it is by far the most stable, organized and peaceful region in all of Somalia. The United States may be attempting to set its own agenda for achieving an effective resolution to the Somali problem: partition.
In return, Washington will gain a potentially useful port with facilities strategically located at the mouth of the Red Sea.
From The Republican, August 12, 2000
Hargeisa (Rep)- Somaliland Ministry of Education (MoH) will announce shortly the results of the examinations held this year for Somaliland's public schools. According to an official from the Ministry of Education, 1778 students from all grades sat last June for the MoH examinations. Out of this number, 1319 students or 74.2% passed their examination while 380 failed. 78 students failed to appear for the examination. Students who sat for the secondary school leaving certificate totaled 270 out of which 210 students succeeded.
This is the first time since liberation 10 years ago from dictator Barre's regime that Somaliland has witnessed graduation from a secondary school.
A ministry of education official told The Republican last night that the exams were set, conducted and marked with the help of a consultant from the Scottish Examination Board. The Centre for British Teachers also assists Somaliland Secondary education through the provisioning of laboratory equipment, supplies of text-books and teachers training.
Hargeisa -- A Somaliland delegation consisting of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mohamoud Salah Nur, Minister of Aviation, Abdillahi Mohamed Ducale, and Minister of Health Dr. Abdi Aw Dahir, left Somaliland on 10 September, heading for the UN headquarters in New York. The delegation led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mohamoud Salah Nur, will visit several African countries including Ethiopia and South Africa, before heading for New York. The delegation will deliver President Mohamed I. Egal's message to President Thabo Mbeki and to the UN secretary general. The message reaffirms Somaliland's position on the recent Djibouti sponsored Arta conference. The delegation will also discuss bilateral ties with the leaders of the countries they visit.
When Somaliland and Somalia were amalgamated, I was at Hargeisa
where I met some elders who came from Mogadishu. After having had
discussions with them about how the Somalis will manage their
government, an elderly man of them told me separately "Do not believe
what you were told. The whole government administrators act on the
advices of special Italian experts who are consulted on all matters."
When I visited Mogadisho, I was shown in each of several ministries,
an Italian in an office, and was told that he was an adviser. This was a
confirmation to the information I had. I, then, inquired of what the
government wishes to do about the lands taken from the Somalis by
the Italian settlers in Somalia, and whether there is any hope of the
restoration of the owned lands to their real landlords. The man to
whom I spoke told me "are you not from Somaliland? Don't you know
that the Minister of Agriculture to whom the land owners submitted
their claims for the return of their cultivation land was very seriously
warned by the President Adan Addeh and the premier Abdul-Rasheed,
and was instructed to stop taking any action against those Italians
who occupied the claimed lands, and that, at last, that Minister to
whom the claims were proved in the presence of the Italians, was
compelled to resign and left both the ministry and the parliament."
I told the man why the landowners did not go to court and make legal
complaints. The reply was "there is no such liberty in Somalia, and
anyone who makes a claim against an Italian will be put in prison
because all the big courts are managed by Italians." I left that man and
contacted other elders who gave me the same stories. I asked them
the reason why both the Head of the State and the Prime Minister were
in full support of the Italians and against their own people to the
extent of making them lose their lawful rights and properties. The
answer was "As far as we know, both the men were mission boys who
were educated by the missionaries of the Italians, and that ... they are
protecting the Italian nation in reward, to please their masters."
I was not convinced with what I heard, and had in mind that there must
be something hidden. I carried on my inquiries and discovered the
following secrets:
Nairobi-- The Nairobi-based UN news bulletin IRIN, has alleged that the
Somaliland newspaper Jamhuriya reflects the views of the Somaliand
administration. IRIN's labeling of the independent Somaliland
newspaper as a publication that speaks for the Somaliland
government has apparently been made in response to a commentary
written by A.A. Qoobey, Jamhuriya's correspondent in Puntland, and
published in the paper's July 4 edition. The commentary which dealt
with past UN experience in Somalia was also sharply critical of the
roles currently played by both David Stephen, Secretary General Kofi
Annan's envoy to Somalia and Djibouti President Ismail Omer Gelleh in
Somali affairs.
In the newspaper article, Stephen was blamed for "making the
undermining of peaceful areas in the former Somalia as his prime
objective".
It was also remarked in the article that the motive behind Gelleh's
current involvement in Somalia is to secure long-term political,
economic and diplomatic advantages for his country at the expense of
Somalia. Though IRIN failed to give reasons for its remark on
Jamhuriya, however it is an open secret that David Stephen uses
IRIN as well as the BBC Somali section extensively to suppress or
discredit voices critical to Prsident Gelleh's hostile policies towards
Somaliland.
IRIN's report which contained the remark about Jamhuriya is
reproduced below;
Somalia: Somaliland Critical of UN over Djibouti talks an editorial in
Tuesday's edition of the Somaliland newspaper "Jamhuriya" which
reflects the views of the Somaliland administration - said the UN
appeal for support of the Somali peace and reconciliation conference
in Djibouti was part of a process of "blindfolding" the world community.
It said the real aim of Djibouti President Ismail Omer Gelleh, who
initiated the talks, was to destroy the Somaliland and Puntland
administrations, which had achieved security in their regions. It said
Gelleh was hosting military officers at Arta, location of the Somali
talks, especially those who had helped destroy the Somali nation.
"Therefore no one was obliged to attend or not to attend and President
Gelleh is responsible for that."
Until now IRIN has been deliberately avoiding to report on the ban
placed since last April by Ismail Omer Gelleh's government on the
distribution of Jamhuriya and the Republican in Djibouti. The Djiboutian
authorities even confiscates copies of Jamhuriya and the Republican
taken by individual passengers while commuting between Somaliland
and the city state. However, it's not unusual for some hawkers to
smuggle a number of copies which fetch a price of DF2000 per copy or
ten times more than the original price of DF200 before the ban.
To overcome national barriers such as that of Djibouti, managers of
Jamhuriya and the Republican said last week that they intend to make
electronic version of the two publications available on the Internet to
readers as soon as the costly rates currently charged to users by local
telecommunication companies come down to affordable levels. In the
meanwhile the Somaliland Forum, an Internet based organization
representing Somalilanders in the Diaspora, demanded in a press
release issued on April 4 that the international community act to lift
the censorship imposed by the government of President Ismail Omer
Gelleh on the freedom of the press in Djibouti.
In an interview with the London-based newspaper the Financial Times, Egal said the breakaway republic needed to pursue separate development outside Somalia.
He said an interim status like that of Kosovo or East Timor would allow Somaliland to deal with donors and international financial institutions.
Somaliland a former British protectorate broke away from Somalia in 1991 and
has repeatedly expressed fears of being dragged back into the country's
long-running civil war.
Hargeisa -- A law that makes it legal to establish political organisations and parties in Somaliland have been passed. The main features of this law are:
An independent commission will be establishment, responsible for the implementation of the law and ratification of political parties. The commission consisting of SEVEN members including the Chair, Vice-Chair and the Secretary will be nominated by the President of the Republic which will then be approved by the House of Representatives by a single majority. At least two of the members of the Commission will be lawyers. Conditions for the qualification for membership of the Commission is the same as that of the House of the Representatives. The commission will have representatives in the regions and districts and will have authority for up to six months after the final THREE political parties have been legally accepted.
Any organisation wishing to be registered as a political party will submit a formal application to the Commission.
An organisation applying for to be registered as a political party must have at least 500 members in every region and must pay a deposit of 5,000,000 Somaliland Shillings.
The membership of political organisations are open to every Somaliland national, irrespective of tribe, religion, or gender.
The three parties that gain at least 20% of the votes for the LOCAL GOVERNMENT elections (due to be held in 2001) will be registered as a political party. If only ONE PARTY gains 20% of the votes cast in every region, the two nearest parties in such votes will also be accepted as qualified.
Any political organisation given a certificate as political party will be entitled to:
According to the findings, Awdal had suffered from irregular and insufficient rains for the last two to three years. The dependable 'hais' rains of December to February had failed this year "worsening the situation in an already bad case". Malnutrition was manifest, especially in children, and coping strategies were failing, the report warned. Borehole water has been reduced and the condition of livestock condition was poor, with weak animals being abandoned. Milk production was down by 60 percent and below-normal calving and conception rates had been reported, the FSAU said.
The purchasing power of people was "very poor", it added. In Togdheer region, Hawd pastoralists were affected by chronic water shortage after below-normal rains. The main drought-affected districts were Burco, Odweyne and Buuhodle, where there had been below-normal to poor rains, FSAU said. Common water points had become overcrowded and water prices were on the increase. Livestock has been "out-migrated" to neighbouring Ethiopia, and most poor households have split their families and spread over towns and villages with reduced herds, its report added.
The FSAU warned that community support for drought affected people in Toghdeer was waning. In Sanaag region [an area contested between the self-declared stated of Somaliland in the northwest, and the autonomous region of Puntland in the northeast], El-Afweyn has been affected by floods which killed livestock and damaged agricultural land. However, the "general availability of water and lush pastures" meant the affected households were likely to cope with food insecurity until the next rains, the report added.
Copyright (c) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2000
Abstract: The US ambassador to Djibouti, Lange Schermerhorn, visited Boorama [western Somaliland] town the day
before yesterday. The envoy's delegation included Somaliland's former envoy to Djibouti. The purpose of the visit was to
assess the situation in Boorama.
Text: The US ambassador to Djibouti, Lange Schermerhorn, visited Boorama [western Somaliland] town the day before
yesterday. The envoy's delegation included Somaliland's former envoy to Djibouti. The purpose of the visit was to assess
the situation in Boorama.
The delegation visited Camuud University and were received by the chairman of Camuud University, Prof Suleiman
Ahmad Guled. The delegation was impressed by progress in Somaliland. The delegation was received at the town
by Boorama's mayor, Muhammad Daheye Isma'il.
The American envoy has [also] arrived in Somaliland to attend the second convention for reconstruction in Somaliland.
The delegation's visit coincides with the Somali reconciliation conference in Djibouti.
Text:The spokesman of the Somaliland presidency has strongly denied that the Somaliland president, Muhammad Ibrahim
Egal, is planning to resign.
A press statement issued yesterday by the spokesman of the presidency, Abdi Idris Du'aleh, said: "There is nothing
like the resignation of the president of Somaliland."
The statement was a reaction to a report by Jamhuuriyanewspaper on 21st July, 2000, about rumours that President Muhammad
Ibrahim Egal was planning to resign.
The rumours were intended to create confusion among the people of Somaliland,
the press statement said.
"Those who are intending to deceive the people of Somaliland by putting out false
reports about the highest office in
the land, at a time when Somaliland is going through a difficult and sensitive
period, should have proof," the statement said.
"We call on the Somaliland people to be cautious of harmful activities which the
enemies of our people are planning to
carry out in our country by using some of our own people," the statement added.
Text: In a joint statement, 26 elders from Hargeysa have told Somaliland people that the ongoing Somali [reconcilliation]
conference in Djibouti is aimed at destroying Somaliland's sovereignty. They said that the men now attending the
conference were the same ones who had carried out massacres against Somalilanders. The statement, signed by 26 elders, was
issued on 19th July 2000
Abstract: So far no nation has recognised the breakaway Somaliland region of north-western Somalia and Britain has no plans
to do so. Ebrahim, 70, and fellow Camel Corps veteran Essa Osman, 75, see that as a betrayal of all the achievements of
Somaliland since it declared independence in 1991 while the rest of Somalia descended into a bloody anarchy from which
it has yet to emerge.
In places such as Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, guns and violant brutal militiamen rule the streets; but in Somaliland
carrying weapons in public is illegal and the ban is strictly enforced. White- shirted policemen in neat berets direct traffic
on the busy streets of the capital, Hargeisa, using nothing more than a whistle and hand signals. Indeed, all of Hargeisa
bears no resemblance to the current chaotic image of Somalia.
Copyright Daily Telegraph Jul 21, 2000
Text: JAMA EBRAHIM is in no doubt about what he wants from Britain, in whose colonial army he served for five years as a
member of East Africa's famed Camel Corps.
"We want the British Government to recognise Somaliland," he said. "They should do whatever they can to help us."
But his dream and the hopes of 1.5 million fellow citizens seem unlikely to be realised.
So far no nation has recognised the breakaway Somaliland region of north-western Somalia and Britain has no plans to do
so. Ebrahim, 70, and fellow Camel Corps veteran Essa Osman, 75, see that as a betrayal of all the achievements
of Somaliland since it declared independence in 1991 while the rest of Somalia descended into a bloody anarchy from which
it has yet to emerge.
Both still fondly remember the last British governor, Sir Gerald Reese. "He built our airport and our hospital," said Osman.
"We have looked after these things while Somalia is in ruins. We deserve help."
Certainly the achievements of Somaliland, whose borders are those of the old British colony and which is dominated by the
Isaak clan, are impressive. It is an oasis of peace in an otherwise brutalised country.
In places such as Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, guns and violant brutal militiamen rule the streets; but in Somaliland carrying
weapons in public is illegal and the ban is strictly enforced. White- shirted policemen in neat berets direct traffic on the
busy streets of the capital, Hargeisa, using nothing more than a whistle and hand signals. Indeed, all of Hargeisa bears no
resemblance to the current chaotic image of Somalia.
New buildings, some of them luxurious houses, are springing up, the airport is being modernised and cars bear Somaliland
licence plates.
"I love Somaliland" bumper stickers are a common sight.
The country prints its own currency, the Somaliland shilling, and has founded two universities.
Since a civil war in 1995, it has maintained peace and runs radio and television
stations and a weekly independent newspaper.
The stability has kicked off a modest economic boom and businessmen from
Dubai and the Gulf have flocked to Hargeisa.
Britain's colonial legacy is strong. Red postboxes dot the street corners
and the country drives on the left while the rest of Somalia, which was
colonised by Italy, drives on the right. English, not Italian, is the main
second language taught in schools. But government officials worry that the
lack of international recognition is halting further development of their
homeland.
Text: Hasan Umar Hori, the director of the Ministry of Information
[in Somaliland], has received a donation of recording equipment from Somali
Forum [unidentified charitable organization]. Four pieces of recording
equipment were donated to Radio Hargeysa by Somali expatriates living
in Norway. `Jamhuuriya newspapers also received one recorder.
The director said the Somaliland media had great need for such equipment,
adding that the donations would go a long way towards meeting some of their
needs...
Abstract: Reports from Puntland say a mediation team led by Yusuf Umar
Azhari, a prominent Somali leader, has arrived in Puntland. The team is
reportedly mediating between the Somaliland and Puntland presidents.
Text: Reports from Puntland say a mediation team led by Yusuf Umar Azhari,
a prominent Somali leader, has arrived in Puntland. The team is reportedly
mediating between the Somaliland and Puntland presidents. The two leaders
have not been in good terms for sometime, a fact which has led to frequent
fighting between the two regions and the decision by the Somaliland
authorities to impose visa on Puntland residents.
Although the details of the mediation was not disclosed to the public, it is well
known that Azhari is on a mission to mediate between the two leaders...
According to the public view, the mediation will entirely depend on the outcome
of the Djibouti conference. The tension between the two regions will end if
the Djibouti reconciliation conference sets up a national government
supported by the international community. However, the failure of the
Djibouti conference will further strain the relations between the two
Somali regions and lead to more stricter travelling regulations.
Abstract: The president said the present status quo was attained through
cooperation between the people of Somaliland and the government. The
president commenting on Somaliland's need for external assistance said
"Our ability is stretched to the maximum and tranquility cannot be sustained if
external help to support the foundations of the country is not acquired."
The delegation is leaving Somaliland today and will pay a similar visit to
Sudan and Kenya. According to Erine Serenchick [as published] from IRC's
[International Rescue Committee] Hargeysa office, members of the delegation
would stay in Somaliland for two days to assess IRC's projects in
Somaliland...age-one
The president of the republic of Somaliland, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, yesterday held a dinner banquet at State House for a 12-member delegation which arrived yesterday in the country. The delegation was led by a former US ambassador to the regions that once formed Somalia, Robert Oakley. The presidential spokesman informed the paper prior to the banquet that the president had held a closed-door meeting with Oakley and thanked him and the delegation for visiting Somaliland to assess the situation there. The president briefed the delegation on how peace and reconstruction had been achieved in Somaliland and how statehood, which was based on democracy and the aspiration of the people, was instituted. President Egal commenting on this said, "Our work and the reconstruction of our country has been successful due to the absence of external interference and our resolve not to rely on handouts from outside which would have, in my opinion, brought trouble in our midst during our long reconciliation conventions." The president said the present status quo was attained through cooperation between the people of Somaliland and the government. The president commenting on Somaliland's need for external assistance said "Our ability is stretched to the maximum and tranquility cannot be sustained if external help to support the foundations of the country is not acquired." On his part Oakley who said he was highly impressed by the achievements of the people of Somaliland. "It is my belief that this would not only serve as an example to Somalia but to the rest of Africa." he said. The banquet was also attended by the Vice-president Dahir Riyale Kahin and some members of the cabinet. The delegation is leaving Somaliland today and will pay a similar visit to Sudan and Kenya. According to Erine Serenchick [as published] from IRC's [International Rescue Committee] Hargeysa office, members of the delegation would stay in Somaliland for two days to assess IRC's projects in Somaliland...age-one
`Mandeeq, Hargeysa, 17 Jul 00 (c) BBC The head of the Middle East department in the IMF, Milan Zavadji [as published], in his remarks said the security situation in Somaliland had improved tremendously and that there were many economic activities going on in the region. "Therefore the IMF felt the need to review the economic progress and the general situation in all parts of Somalia," Milan Zavadji said. A regional expert working for the UN Integrated Regional Information Network said it was possible that the World Bank and the IMF could adopt a new approach in giving economic aid to some areas, including the Horn of Africa region, and that economic policy management and development did not necessarily depend on established governments and recognized institutions.
Xog-Ogaal, Mogadishu, 17 Jul 00 (c)BBC
Reports from Hargeysa say Muhammad Ibrahim Egal's administration yesterday held
a meeting with some of the city's most prominent businessmen.
This follows an earlier meeting between the two parties where an appeal was made to the traders to help
drought-stricken people in eastern and western Somaliland.
Meanwhile, a Jordanian delegation is currently visiting Somaliland. The delegation, whose mission has not
been specified, has held talks with government officials including the tourism minister.
Abstract: Sahardid Bileh, our correspondent in Sool Region, said that the fighting was between the militias
of the Dulbahante and the Majerten clans who live in Sool and Bari regions respectively.
Sahardid Bileh, our correspondent in Sool Region, said that the fighting
was between the militias of the Dulbahante and the Majerten clans who live
in Sool and Bari regions respectively. The clash was sparked off when Majerten
clansmen grazed their animals in traditional Dulbahante land. The situation
was reportedly volatile after the skirmish.
Six people have died of starvation in Boorama District. Muhammad Mihileh Boqoreh of the Boorama Red Crescent has said that 750 drought victims were being fed by soldiers of the national army based at Jidhi, Ashaado and Ceel Geel villages. The Red Crescent official, who had earlier toured some areas most hit by drought, said the six victims died in Jidhi village after losing all their animals to drought. He said dysentery has also broken out in the area.
Abstract: The central bank urged the Somaliland public to shun the banknotes from Somalia's southern regions and Puntland regional administration, as the objective was to buy up foreign currencies and goods in Somaliland. It called on the police to take action against those people involved in the irculation of the illegal currencies.
Radio Hargeysa, 12 Jul 00/BBC Monitoring/(c) BBC The central bank says that pre-1991 Somali banknotes and new ones printed by factions in Somalia's southern regions and Puntland regional administration [northeastern Somalia] cannot be used in Somaliland, whether for the purpose of exchanging them with other currencies or using them to buy goods in the country. In a statement, the bank noted that the old and new Somali shilling currencies were back in the market places in Somaliland, despite a ban, adding that they were being bought and sold in Sahil and northern Awdal regions openly. The central bank urged the Somaliland public to shun the banknotes from Somalia's southern regions and Puntland regional administration, as the objective was to buy up foreign currencies and goods in Somaliland. It called on the police to take action against those people involved in the circulation of the illegal currencies. In conclusion, the bank urged government officials and the public in general to help it end the use of the currencies currently circulating at forex bureaux and market places.
Abstract: Our correspondent in the region said the gunmen were former soldiers released from Burco jail recently.
They had been detained after protesting the killing of the late Uthman Farah Muhammad, the commander of the
Somaliland presidential guard. Those wounded were members of the Somaliland national
army...
Three people were wounded during fighting between Somaliland troops based in Sool Region
and a group of gunmen at a roadblock in the eastern side of Laas Canood town yesterday. The two sides fought for
several hours causing tension in the area. The fighting, was sparked off after some 50 heavily-armed men captured
the roadblock, which lies along the Laas Canood-Garoowe road.
Our correspondent in the region said the gunmen were former soldiers released from Burco
jail recently. They had been detained after protesting the killing of the late Uthman Farah Muhammad, the commander of
the Somaliland presidential guard. Those wounded were members of the Somaliland national
army... Hasan Gerash and Husayn Tarwale, the commanders of the army and police respectively,
confirmed the clash. The two commanders said the army had wrested control of the roadblock from the group they
termed as mercenaries serving a vested interest. They added that the situation in Laas Canood town had returned to
normal. Abstract: Muna Rashmawi said Somaliland and Puntland regions, which had previously been rivals, were now united in their opposition to the ongoing Somali reconciliation conference in Djibouti. She called on them to stop harassing the communities living in the areas under their administration.
The UN human rights rapporteur for Somalia, Muna Rashmawi, has called on Somali faction leaders and regional governments to stop harassing those people attending the Somali reconciliation conference in Arta [Djibouti]. Muna Rashmawi said Somaliland and Puntland regions, which had previously ben rivals, were now united in their opposition to the ongoing Somali reconciliation conference in Djibouti. She called on them to stop harassing the communities living in the areas under their administration. Her remarks come in the wake of the decision by the Somaliland authorities to expel a group of people born in Puntland, who were on their way to the Somali reconciliation conference currently being held in Arta. These people had been in jail in Hargeysa for some time.
Somaliland's information minister, Ali Muhammad Warran'ade, was reported by the media as saying the constitution would uphold Somaliland's independence and that it would not be negotiated with any individual, party or state. Xog-Ogaal, Mogadishu, 10 Jul 00 (c)BBC. The government has started announcing details of a new constitution for the self-declared republic of Somaliland on radio, TV and in the press in order to get feedback from the public. Somaliland's information minister, Ali Muhammad Warran'ade, was reported by the media as saying the constitution would uphold Somaliland's independence and that it would not be negotiated with any individual, party or state. Among the main features of the new constitution is mention of Somaliland's independence in the 1960's, with Hargeysa as its capital, and that Islam is the only religion that can be evangelized. Abstract: Somaliland Republic Council of Elders [parliament] today endorsed a bill
introducing a multiparty political system to the country. Radio Hargeysa, 8 Jul 00/BBC Monitoring/(c) BBC Abstract: Ninety heavy trucks carrying relief food for Ethiopia left Berbera port yesterday. The relief food was part of the 20,000 metric tonnes brought in by a ship at the port on 4th July 2000 Farhan H. Ali, the chairman of the FAA [expansion unknown], who has been
contracted to unload the relief food, said his firm was speeding up the unloading of the commodity to ensure that it
was transported to Ethiopia quickly. The neighbouring country has been hit by an acute food shortage.
Abstract: Isma'il Hureh Buba, one of the most prominent politicians in northwestern regions
[self-proclaimed Somaliland republic], has said that the killing of the Somaliland presidential guard chief,
Col Uthman Farah Muhammad (Daba), was politically motivated.
Isma'il Hureh
Buba, one of the most prominent politicians in northwestern regions [self-proclaimed Somaliland republic],
has said that the killing of the Somaliland presidential guard chief, Col Uthman Farah Muhammad (Daba), was
politically motivated. He said the Muhammad Ibrahim Egal [president of Somaliland] administration was behind the
killing, which was aimed at setting Somalis living in northwestern regions against each other.
Meanwhile, 38 MPs and intellectuals yesterday issued a statement saying that they
did not believe the official explanation that Col Daba was killed by a drunk soldier. They demanded that the government set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the killing. Abstract: After consultation with public leaders, president [Muhammad Ibrahim Egal] appointed Nuh Ahmad Uthman
[phonetic] minister of presidential affairs.
Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, the president of the Somali republic, has issued a decree
appointing minister of presidential affairs, and commander of the presidency of the Somaliland republic.
Abstract: The president of the self-declared Somaliland regional state, Muhammed Ibrahim Egal, yesterday
disbanded the Somaliland presidential security guard following the killing of Somaliland presidential security head,
Uthman Farah Muhammed...
`Qaran' web site, Mogadishu, 5 Jul 00/BBC Monitoring/(c)BBC
The president
of the self-declared Somaliland regional state, Muhammed Ibrahim Egal, yesterday disbanded the Somaliland presidential
security guard following the killing of Somaliland presidential security head, Uthman Farah Muhammed. The head of
security was killed by one of his officers. The members
of the former presidential security guard, which was made up of 100 officers, were reportedly replaced with military
officers.
President Muhammed Ibrahim Egal and some of his
cabinet ministers yesterday attended the burial ceremony of the late Uthman Farah Muhammed in Hargeysa.
Abstract:Meanwhile, the Somaliland minister of information
yesterday held a news conference at which he disclosed that the parliament
had unanimously approved the dissemination of the Somaliland constitution
through the media so that a [public] vote
"The tension between the two regions will end if the Djibouti reconciliation conference sets up a national
government supported by the international community," it said. Citing visa requirements the two regions have
imposed on each other, it added, "the failure of the Djibouti conference will further strain relations between the
two Somali regions and lead to stricter travelling regulations". Last week women from Galkaio and Mudug
region, central Somalia, held meetings and demonstrations calling for peace. They called on warring clans to
halt clashes in the region, and said women should influence their sons and husbands to lay down their arms and
support peace, the pro-Puntland regional government radio station said in a broadcast monitored by BBC.
The private paper 'Sahan' has continued to write articles in support of the Djibouti-hosted talks despite a hostile response from the administration. Analysts recalled that the editor-in-chief, Mohamed Abdulkadir Ahmed, was arrested and beaten on 11 July by administration officials.
The delegation also met President Mohamed I. Egal in a dinner held at his residence. Present at the meeting were the Vice-president Dahir Riyale Kahin, The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamoud Salah Nur, Minister of Interior Ahmed Jambir, Minister of Civil Aviation Abdillahi M. Duale and the Minister of Public Works Yusuf Ainab.
President Egal welcomed the Robert Oakley and the other members of the delegation, and spoke about the achievements the country has made, a process that started at the grassroots national conferences held in Burao, Borama and Hargeisa respectively, some of which lasted 4 to 5 months.
President Egal stated that among the reasons Somaliland has achieved peace was the lack of foreign intervention in the processes that led to successful reconciliation conferences. Egal added that "Somaliland did not wait or rely on foreign assistance in order to hold these successful conferences". Speaking about the present affairs of the country, Egal said that things do not stand still, and Somaliland needs international assistance to consolidate the structures of government, the development of the economy and the social services institutions and be able to establish contacts with international financial institutions.
The president raised the need to follow up the issues he discussed with the officials in the US government in his last visit to the US. The president asked the delegation to report on what they have witnessed during their visit in Somaliland.
On his part the head of the IRC delegation, Oakley, thanked the government and the people of Somaliland for the way their delegation have been received. Oakley said that he was amazed by the achievement that Somaliland has made, adding that it could not only be an example to Somalia but to countries that have had encountered destructive civil wars, citing Congo as an example.
Oakley promised that his delegation will make available the findings of their mission about the country to the relevant organisations.
NAIROBI, 11 July (IRIN) - In a recent interview with VOA, leader of the self-declared state of Somaliland, Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, explained why he would not be attending the Djibouti-hosted Somali peace talks.
He said the conference "has nothing to do with us because we don't need to be reconciled with anyone. All these people (faction leaders) Hussein Aideed, Ali Mahdi, they are our friends, they come to Hargeisa. You reconcile them first, let them produce a central authority - some authority that can speak for them - then our role comes. Then we'll talk to them..."
On the issue of a future union, Egal said "it's possible to save the union if they are prepared to concede what we think is going to be a fair and amicable union between two countries." With the end of the Djibouti-held talks scheduled to finish by 15 July, there have been attempts by international and regional representatives to persuade Egal to attend the peace process.
One Somalilander who supported the boycott told IRIN "Somaliland people have managed to elect leaders, open universities, and created harmonies among clans" and called the Djibouti conference was "misguided".
We in Somaliland do not expect anything from members of the United Nations
Security Council, who rely exclusively on UN reportage of the current Djibouti
conference, except ignorance of Somali affairs. A few independently minded members,
however, spoke wisely on the subject at a recent Security Council meeting in New
York. Ignorance of Somali affairs at the Security Council, other than the few who are
among the initiated, is a product of the head of the UN Secretary General's Political
Department, Kieran Prendergast. Unsurprisingly, the diplomat on whom
Prendergast exclusively relies for his information about the Djibouti conference is
David Stephen. He reports directly to New York. No other independent UN
observer is present in Djibouti to offer Prendergast corroboration or correction.
When Prendergast addressed the Security Council on June 30, he spoke with the
concurrence of Stephen. In Prendergast's only references to Somaliland he claimed
that 'All elders, with the exception of about three-quarters of the elders (sic) of the
Isaak clan from the self-styled "Somaliland", participated in that phase of the
conference.'
He added that " Egal had reiterated his position that all options remained open
provided that he could negotiate as Somaliland with legitimate leaders from what he
termed the "South."
These limited, disparate scraps of information about Somaliland - the only part of the
former Somali Democratic Republic that for nine years has had a central government
(the raison d'etre for the Djibouti conference) - are evidently as much as Prendergast
dared to release to the Security Council. Anything beyond that would have been in
embarrassing contrast with both the total absence of government and its structures in
central and southern Somalia, likewise a similar situation post-Djibouti, if a so-called
government were formed by then. A government without a revenue-earning capacity,
or the capacity to earn foreign currency as the ports in the south are in the hands of
those who have not participated in the Djibouti conference and have held on to them
for nine years, despite UNOSOM's aggressively unsuccessful attempts to free the
stranglehold in the 1990s.
This deliberate concealment by Prendergast of the truth about Somaliland also
contrasts with the presence in Somaliland (and not in Somalia) of all major UN
organizations for the last several years. They have, and still do, accord the
"Self-styled" Somaliland government respect and approbation in an environment of
peace and security. A strange dichotomy between UN concealment and UN
pragmatism. The naked truth is what Stephen should be conveying to the Security
Council through Prendergast, and not the unfair message that Somaliland is the pariah
of the Djibouti initiative.
The UN public relations impact on the less than comprehending members of the
Security Council of Prendergast concealment of the truth was evident in some of the
speeches made by members. Take the statement made by the Ukraine member whose
country opted for separation from the Soviet Union. He said 'separation must not be
allowed to take root in Africa. ... the non-participation of Somaliland in Djibouti,
were increasingly disturbing. ...mounting pressure by the international community on
the leadership of Somaliland, as well as on the leaders of other entities and factions
who continued to defy the on-going peace efforts, could help break their
intransigence and obstruction.'
This is not the language of peace, but of war.
Wiser councils, however prevailed in statements by members of the Security Council
of the Netherlands, the United States and Britain. The Netherlands gave qualified
support only to the OAU doctrine of inviolability of the borders of Africa,
suggesting obliquely that a readjustment of former international boundaries should be
made possible in certain circumstances. An obvious reference to Somaliland's claim to
sovereignty. The United States' representative noted that transferring a Djibouti
blueprint into a functioning, effective, permanent, representative government would
be far more difficult than the Djibouti initiative. Any effort, she added, to rebuild
Somalia must be an inclusive process that enjoyed the support of the existing regional
entities, which are based on legitimate, participatory process. Another obvious
reference to Somaliland. The UK representative urged Djibouti to proceed cautiously.
The imposition of a government, he said, without the broadest possible consultation of
all groups might only result in undermining the relative peace self-determined areas,
for example the northern regions.
UN Security Council members who do not have the facilities for an independent
judgment on Somali affairs should keep their mouths shut in the Security Council or
risk exposing their ignorance by relying on UN reportage from Kieran Prendergast via
David Stephens in Djibouti.
As a postscript to Prendergast's concealment of facts before the UN Security
Council, members of the Council should be aware that his statement in the records of
the meeting that the conference had been almost entirely financed by Djibouti is
palpably false. Djibouti has a chronic current account deficit (US $40 million last
year); chronic total external debts (US$300 million last year); and a chronic fiscal
imbalance (1.6% of GDP last year, rising, according to its macroeconomic targets to a
deficit of 3.8% this year). Little leeway there for financing the conference despite
the compulsory donations by Djibouti officials. It is publicly known that the
conference is being financed (unaudited) by the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia to
whom no acknowledgment of their financial support was given by Prendergast to the
Security Council.
VETAID is working in the livestock sector in Somaliland to help rebuild this important part of the economy.
Agro pastoral development project
The aim of the project is to improve the household food supply for residents and returning refugees in the area of Waqooyi Galbeed and Awdal. This is an area populated by settled, small-scale farmers who keep livestock for dairy and draught purposes. VETAID is helping to increase income from livestock by providing training to improved production and reduce disease, and increasing the potential crop income by providing tuition in the selection, training and management of draught oxen.
Income from livestock is also being increased by providing training and support for women's dairy groups as well as extension on the use of crop residues and locally available supplements.
Animal health issues are addressed by an extension programme for herders and the training of community animal health workers who are linked to a local veterinary group.
In order to ensure that the project benefits can be sustained beyond the life of the project, local partners are being involved at all stages of the project. These partners include the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Ministry of Livestock Forestry and Range, the Somali Veterinary and Agriculture Association, as well as regional and local veterinary groups, community groups and local NGOs. VETAID has worked with International Co-operation for Development in the past assisting in building the skills of local institutions and will continue to do so with the partner organisations. There are also existing links with OXFAM and Swiss Group, which will be developed. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees is currently helping Somali refugees to return from Ethiopia, and the project will work with them to ensure that refugees are covered by the project.
Participative Pastoral Development Programme
This project encompasses three different but related components; animal health, development of suitable cropping practices within the system, and pastoral research, networking and advocacy. Again the project works with a large number of local partner organisations to ensure that the effects of the project can be sustained in the future.
The project assists partner veterinary groups and the Ministry of Livestock Forestry and Range to provide animal health services. Communities also select interested people for training as Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), and in conjunction with the partner veterinary groups the project provides training for them.
The project has links with an existing Ministry of Agriculture and Extension project in agro pastoral areas. Again in these areas the project works in conjunction partner veterinary groups to provide training for CAHWs. There is also training for women's groups on smallholder dairy development, forage development and nutrition for both dairy and draught cattle.
Through two local partners, the project is carrying out field studies on:
The knowledge gained through these studies will be shared through all the partner organisations and at workshops and seminars and in publications, to help inform future development initiatives.
The future
Somaliland will continue to have development needs for some time to come. The country receives less foreign aid than it could because of its lack of recognition by foreign powers. As one of the few countries in the world where a significant proportion of the population are totally dependent upon livestock, and in which the livestock sector is a major contributor to the economy, Somaliland is one of the countries in which VETAID will continue to have work to do for years to come.
The editorial said "there are those regions, which, through their own efforts, have established their own administration structures in Somalia" and asked: "Are they not the right people to be consulted on the future of their people and country? Is it fair to destroy what they have achieved over this period in a matter of seconds?" The newspaper accused the UN of acting as a cover for US policy and criticised regional UN representatives attending the conference, claiming the intention was to undermine the peacefully established regions.
Somaliland President Mohamed Ibrahim Egal was not injured.
The sources, who requested anonymity, said after Col. Osman Farah Mohamed,also known by his nom de guerre as Col. Dhallah, was shot Monday night, several hundred heavily armed soldiers of the presidential guard sealed off the building in the capital, Hargeisa, but the gunman had fled. But a second group of soldiers then rounded up the members of the presidential guard and sent them to a camp for questioning.
Somaliland interior minister Mohamed Waranaddeh told reporters at the funeral Tuesday that the killing had nothing to do with politics or clan matters and was the work of a disgruntled soldier who had recently been disciplined.
The dead man was a member of the Dulbahanteh tribe of the Darod clan, one of six from which all Somalis claim lineage. The Dulbahanteh are known to support some of the leaders of Puntland in the northeastern corner of Somalia.
President Egal and Col. Abdullahi Yussuf, who heads the regional administration in Puntland, both oppose the peace conference underway in neighboring Djibouti since May 2 to establish an interim administration for all of Somalia, which has been without a central government since 1991 when dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted, and the country descended into chaos and clan-based fiefdoms.
Two days ago, Egal arrested 19 clan elders and military officials from Puntland who were travelling through Somaliland to attend the Djibouti conference against the wishes of Col. Yussuf.
The delegates were sent back to Puntland - another area which regards itself as independent.
The Djibouti conference is considering political structures for a future settlement in Somalia, which has been without central government since 1991.
While southern Somalia is controlled by feuding militia leaders, two distinct administrative regions have emerged in the north: Somaliland and Puntland.
Neither entity enjoys international recognition - and Somaliland does not recognise Puntland.
The people travelling to the conference left the area controlled by the Puntland regional government and travelled overland through Somaliland, but were arrested just before they could enter Djibouti.
The Somaliland administration says its territory is not a thoroughfare to the Djibouti conference.
The 900 delegates at the conference are considering a proposal for a future federal government in Somalia, allowing for a degree of regional autonomy.
Mogadishu: The hunt was continuing Tuesday for a soldier suspected of shooting dead the chief commander of the "Somaliland" presidential palace in Hargeisa, Colonel Osman Farah Mohamed, on Monday night, palace sources said.
Almost 100 troops guarding the palace have been rounded up in an effort to find out how the gunman could have penetrated the heavily guarded grounds and gain access to Osman.
Presidential sources said it was believed the soldier was not acting out of political or factional grounds but was harbouring a grudge after having been disciplined some days before.
The death of Osman, better known as Colonel Dhalla, comes as the President of the secessionist territory of "Somaliland", Mohamed Hajji Ibrahim Egal, had decided not to attend the on-going peace conference in Djibouti aimed at reconciling the various factions and forming a government for Somalia.
According to sources close to the presidential palace, Colonel Osman Farah Mohamed received three bullets, which killed him instantly on the spot.
Over 300 heavily armed soldiers sealed the presidential palace to search for the culprit. However, to the embarrassment of the secessionist authority of Mohamed Hajji Ibrahim Egal, the killer escaped unhurt.
The reaction force soldiers rounded up all of the nearly 100 soldiers which guarded the presidential palace at the time of the attack.
Farah Mohamed was buried Tuesday at the graveyard of Hargeisa where Egal and his "cabinet ministers" attended the funeral.
The reason for the attack is not yet known, however it was indicated that the killer, one of the soldiers in the camp, had been punished a few days earlier for disciplinary action.
Mohamed Waranaddeh, "interior minister" of the breakaway authority, told reporters in Hargeisa that the killing of Farah Mohamed had nothing to do with clannish or political matters, but was merely an action carried by an annoyed soldier.
The murder took at a time when Hargeisa is feeling political pressure from the international community following the decision by Egal not to attend the on-going peace conference in Djibouti for the formation of a government for Somalia.
Two days ago, Egal deported 19 clan elders and senior military officials from Puntland who were travelling on their way to Djibouti through Somaliland for the conference.
Abdullahi Yussuf Ahmed, war lord of Puntland, also refused to attend the Djibouti peace conference.
The nineteen had been prevented from leaving Puntland for Djibouti by air.
Somaliland and Puntland leaders oppose the reconciliation conference taking place in Djibouti, although a large number of delegates from Puntland are taking part.
The conference is in its final phase, and the number of Somalis now attending has risen to two-thousand.
Berbera -- Officers from the immigration department in Berbera Somaliland, have arrested a Dutch woman and transferred her immediately to Hargeysa for further investigations.
The woman, whose name is Margaret had arrived from Ethiopia and was accused of entering the country illegally, according to our Berbera reporter Abdisalam Hirir.
The director of the immigration department Husayn Ali Samatar, who was interviewed by Hirir said the lady had been arrested for entering the country illegally for the third time. She had earlier been deported twice.
Abstract:
Addressing journalists from Radio Hargeysa and Television at Hotel Mansur,
officials of aid agencies said they were happy that the procession was
held to mourn their colleague. They said the emotional outpourings witnessed
in the country showed how sad Somaliland people felt about the murder of
the aid official on 6th of this month.
Radio Hargeysa, 14
Jun 00/BBC Monitoring/(c) BBC
A long procession was held in Hargeysa today to mourn the death of Dieter
Krasemann, a GTZ [German Technical Cooperation] aid official, who was recently
killed in Burco town by a lunatic man.
The procession kicked off from Hotel Mansur and the local government
headquarters. The march was organized by the local government and foreign
aid agencies in the country. It was led by Ahmad Jambir Sultan, the
minister of internal affairs, and the Hargeysa mayor.
Addressing journalists from Radio Hargeysa and Television at Hotel Mansur,
officials of aid agencies said they were happy that the procession was
held to mourn their colleague. They said the emotional outpourings witnessed
in the country showed how sad Somaliland people felt about the murder of
the aid official on 6th of this month.
The German aid official was killed in Burco where he had gone to inspect
relief work.
Abstract:
Somaliland's minister of planning, Ahmad Muhammad Silanyo, and Internal
Affairs Minister Ahmad Jambir Sultan have met a UN security officer in
charge of Somalia and Somaliland in Burco's Togdheer regional HQ. The official
arrived in the country following the murder of GTZ [German Technical Cooperation]
operations manager Dieter Krasemann in Burco.
Drehn Drayner [phonetic], a UN security officer for Somalia and Somaliland,
spoke briefly, thanking the people of Burco for the way they expressed
their feelings on the murder.
`Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, 13 Jun 00 (c)BBC
Somaliland's minister of planning, Ahmad Muhammad Silanyo, and Internal
Affairs Minister Ahmad Jambir Sultan have met a UN security officer in
charge of Somalia and Somaliland in Burco's Togdheer regional HQ. The official
arrived in the country following the murder of GTZ [German Technical Cooperation]
operations manager Dieter Krasemann in Burco.
During the meeting, which was also attended by regional administrators
and police detectives, the official was given the knife used by the assailant.
The official was briefed on how the murder was carried out and how local
officials detested the grisly murder carried out by a mentally deranged
man, Abd al-Rashid Muhammad Ahmad, alias Langadheh Haji Khawal, who is
being held in Burco.
Drehn Drayner [phonetic], a UN security officer for Somalia and Somaliland,
spoke briefly, thanking the people of Burco for the way they expressed
their feelings on the murder.
Drehn informed the regional officials that a psychiatricist had been
engaged by NGOs to examine the murderer and ascertain whether he is mentally
fit or not.
Reports from a Togdheer correspondent, Kayse Ahmad Digale, say that
the UN officer, accompanied by an official from Hargeisa's EU office, have
visited Burco's central prison where the murderer of the GTZ official is
being held. The duo saw the chained lunatic being guarded inside his cell.
Other reports say that a group of people waving placards gathered at
the regional HQ to voice their anger over the killing. They submitted a
letter to officials expressing sadness over the killing.
Abstract:
There has been an increased number of mine blasts in the area. A mine
explosion near Ballidhiig [untraced] District killed three sibling children
on 10th June.
`Mandeeq, Hargeysa, 12 Jun 00 (c) BBC
A 12 year old boy, called Muhammad Husayn Mahmud, has died from severe
injuries as a result of a mine blast.
They boy, who died yesterday in Burco [northern Somalia] hospital, died
after entering a former military camp where mines had been planted.
There has been an increased number of mine blasts in the area. A mine
explosion near Ballidhiig [untraced] District killed three sibling children
on 10th June.
The minister of commerce has rescinded the government decision fixing
prices of petrol and diesel.
Speaking to Radio Hargeysa today, the minister of commerce said that
with effect from today, 11th June 2000, the government will not dictate
prices of fuels. He said prices of diesel and petrol will be left to free
market forces, adding that any oil importer was free to sell his commodity
at prices of his choice.
Abstract:
The president of Somaliland Republic, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, today sent
a message of condolence to the government and people of Syria on the death
of President Hafiz al-Asad.
Radio Hargeysa, 11
Jun 00/BBC Monitoring/(c) BBC
The president of Somaliland Republic, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, today sent
a message of condolence to the government and people of Syria on the death
of President Hafiz al-Asad. Egal prayed to God to give Syrians perseverance
and solace as they try to overcome the loss of their president.
The minister of information, Ali Muhammad Waran-Adeh, today announced
a government decision that on Tuesday, 13th June, the burial date of President
al-Asad, has been declared a public holiday in Somaliland. On this date
verses from the holy book of Koran will be read in mosques.
Abstract:
Thousands of Burco residents today held a spontaneous demonstration to
express their regret over the callous killing [on 6th June] of a GTZ [German
Technical Cooperation] official in the town.
Radio Hargeysa, 10
Jun 00/BBC Monitoring/(c) BBC
Thousands of Burco residents today held a spontaneous demonstration
to express their regret over the callous killing [on 6th June] of a GTZ
[German Technical Cooperation] official in the town. A German government
official sent to the country to assist the government in investigating
the killing, returned to Hargeysa from Burco this afternoon.
The protesters carried placards which summarized how deeply they had
been saddened by the death of the GTZ official, Dieter Krasemann, and urged
the agency to continue its development operations in the area.
The demonstrators were later addressed by the Togdheer provincial commissioner,
who thanked them for grieving for the murdered aid official. He said that
the government also shared with them the sadness.
President of the Somaliland Republic, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, today appointed
Hasan Umar Hori, as director-general of the Ministry of Information and
National Guidance. The president made the appointment after having considered
the important role the ministry plays in informing and sensitizing the
public as well as the recommendation of the minister in charge.
Abstract:
Speaking on behalf of the president of the Somali Republic, Mahmud Farah
Nur Fagareh, the minister of foreign affairs, has sent a message of condolence
to the GTZ [German Technical Cooperation] regional director based in Nairobi
on the heinous killing of Dieter Krasemann in Burco town [on 6th...
Speaking on behalf of the president of the Somali Republic, Mahmud Farah
Nur Fagareh, the minister of foreign affairs, has sent a message of condolence
to the GTZ [German Technical Cooperation] regional director based in Nairobi
on the heinous killing of Dieter Krasemann in Burco town [on 6th June].
"Words cannot describe how sorry we are about the death of the German
aid worker. director, immediately after the incident we arrested and
detained the man who killed your national."
In Conclusion the minister assured the GTZ director that details of
the killing, which was the first of its kind in Somaliland, would be made
available to him once investigations had been completed by the Togdheer
regional administration.
Abstract:
A delegation from the British embassy in Ethiopian, which is currently
in the country on a visit, today toured Caynabo District, Sol Region.
Radio Hargeysa, 7 Jun
00/BBC Monitoring/(c) BBC
A delegation from the British embassy in Ethiopian, which is currently
in the country on a visit, today toured Caynabo District, Sol Region. Our
correspondent in the region said that the delegation was received by regional
leaders. The delegation later toured Laas Caanood District. The British
embassy officials are in the country to see for themselves [word indistinct)
in the country.
Dieter Grosseman, an official of the the German aid agency GTZ, died on the way to hospital after the attack by a Somali man in the the town of Buroa, west of Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa.
The assailant was arrested at the scene of the crime and SACB said it was investigating the incident. The motive of the attack was not immediately clear.
Grosseman's remains were flown to Nairobi overnight on Tuesday.
The Somalia Aid Coordination Body (SACB) expressed its deep shock Wednesday at the killing of a German expatriate in northwest Somalia's breakaway Republic of Somaliland.
SACB, which comprises donors, UN agencies and NGOs, said it was "deeply shocked at the killing on Tuesday of Dieter Krasemann, a project manager of the GTZ in Somaliland," in a statement sent to AFP in Nairobi.
"All SACB members expressed deep sympathy and condolences" to Krasemann's family and friends in the statement, released after an SACB Executive Committee meeting held here at the request of the GTZ and the German embassy on Wednesday.
"Krasemann earned a reputation for his enthusiasm, commitment and dedication, even in the short time he had been working in Somaliland," the statement said.
The statement quoted witnesses who said that Krasemann was stabbed by a knife-wielding assailant while he was sitting in his car in the Somaliland town of Burao and died almost instantly.
His assailant was immediately arrested and an investigation by Somaliland authorities is underway.
"The SACB is awaiting the outcome of this investigation before considering any steps to be taken," the statement added.
Excerpt from report by Somaliland newspaper `Jamhuuriyaon 6th June
The Bank of Somaliland and the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia signed an
agreement on 30th May on the transfer of business LCs [Letters of Credit].
The agreement signed in Ethiopia followed an official invitation extended
to the Bank of Somaliland by the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia...
Abstract:
USC/SNA [United Somali Congress/Somali National Alliance] faction leader,
Uthman Hasan Ato, whose delegation has been staying in Hargeysa's Hotel
Club for a week, yesterday held a news conference there and said the future
of Somaliland should be left to the people of Somaliland.
Xog-Ogaal, Mogadishu, 5 Jun 00 (c) BBC
USC/SNA [United Somali Congress/Somali National Alliance] faction leader,
Uthman Hasan Ato, whose delegation has been staying in Hargeysa's Hotel
Club for a week, yesterday held a news conference there and said the future
of Somaliland should be left to the people of Somaliland.
He hailed the people and the government of Somaliland for the spectacular
development achieved. "We are disappointed with the Djibouti conference,
which will be similar to the 1991 conference which created a government,
and whose repercussions are being felt to date. The world is aware of the
problems and destruction caused" he said, adding that the Djibouti meeting
could never provide a solution to Somalia's problems.
"Our visit to Hargeysa was planned" said Ato, who added that he was
sent there by the other Mogadishu faction leaders, such as Qanyare [Muhammad
Afrah] Husayn Aydid, Muse Sudi [Yalahow], and other prominent Somalis.
When asked what he had discussed with Somaliland government officials
during his week-long visit, he said he had discussed various issues and
had met [Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal, government officials and community leaders.
We discussed various political issues like the so-called Djibouti conference
and exchanged views.
"From now henceforth we shall have a lasting relation with Somaliland
and its leaders" he said.
Abstract:
Speaking on his stay in Somaliland for the past seven days, [Uthman
Hasan Ali Ato] said they had met Somaliland leaders and ordinary people.
He praised the Somaliland government and its people for bringing about
sustainable stability in the country. He said that his talks with Somaliland
leaders focused, among other things, on politics and the Djibouti conference,
adding that they shared identical views on what they discussed.
Radio Hargeysa, 4 Jun
00/BBC Monitoring/(c) BBC
Uthman Hasan Ali Ato, one of the Mogadishu faction leaders currently
on a visit to Somaliland, today held a news conference in Hargeysa.
Ato said it was only the people of Somaliland who had the right to decide
on the political status of Somaliland. He said the ongoing Djibouti conference
was not different from the one held in the same country in 1991 which resulted
in the civil war and the political problem facing Somalia.
Speaking on his stay in Somaliland for the past seven days, Ato said
they had met Somaliland leaders and ordinary people. He praised the Somaliland
government and its people for bringing about sustainable stability in the
country. He said that his talks with Somaliland leaders focused, among
other things, on politics and the Djibouti conference, adding that they
shared identical views on what they discussed.
Ato said they agreed on the immediate establishment of permanent
relations between Mogadishu faction leaders and Somaliland government and
its people. He said he came to Somaliland after consulting with Mogadishu
faction leaders, Muhammad Qanyareh Afrah, Husayn Muhammad Aydid, Muse Sudi
Yalahow and other prominent personalities.
Ato is leading a 10-man delegation, including Mowlid Ma'aneh, the
chairman of SAMO [Somali Agricultural Muki Organization].
Abstract:
Confirming the incident, Dhahal district commissioner Ahmad Husayn said
today that the beast, which went berserk, attacked the victims in Balidufle
locality.
Radio Hargeysa, 03
Jun 00/BBC Monitoring/(c) BBC
A hyena has attacked three people, killing a three-year-old child and
injuring two others in Dhahal District of Sanaag Region.
Confirming the incident, Dhahal district commissioner Ahmad Husayn
said today that the beast, which went berserk, attacked the victims in
Balidufle locality. He advised people in the affected area to defend themselves
against the rogue beast with the help of security forces in the district.
Abstract:
On Tuesday [30th May] [Ato] and his delegation, which also include Mowlid
Ma'aneh, chairman of the Jarer organization SAMO [Somali African Agricultural
Organization], were received by President Egal. While recalling the tragedy
that had befallen Somalilanders under Siyad Bareh's dictatorship, President
Egal told the visitors how new remains of people massacred by the former
government forces keep surfacing.
`The Republican', Hargeysa, 03 Jun 00 (c)
BBC
A delegation, led by Somali factional leader Uthman Hasan Ali (Ato),
arrived in Hargeysa Monday [29th May] to hold talks with Somaliland officials.
In a statement made shortly after his arrival, Ato said he came to
exchange views with Somaliland leaders on the issue of the Djibouti conference
which he later described as conspiratorial and unacceptable.
On Tuesday [30th May] Ato and his delegation, which also include Mowlid
Ma'aneh, chairman of the Jarer organization SAMO [Somali African Agricultural
Organization], were received by President Egal. While recalling the tragedy
that had befallen Somalilanders under Siyad Bareh's dictatorship, President
Egal told the visitors how new remains of people massacred by the former
government forces keep surfacing. USC-SNA [United Somali Congress - Somali
National Alliance] leader Ato testified that he himself had participated
in conducting Islamic burial rituals for 33 Somaliland graduates who were
slaughtered at Berbera airport after returning from abroad in June 1988.
Both Uthman Ato and Mowlid Ma'aneh apologized for the letter addressed
recently by Abd al-Qadir Salad, who belongs to the Habar Gidir. Salad is
currently in Djibouti to take part in the [peace] conference being held
in Arta. While claiming to be speaking on behalf of the participants of
the conference, Salad asked the Somaliland government to allow a delegation
from the conference to come to Hargeysa.
Though a spokesman for Egal's administration gave a sceptical green
light for the delegation, he, however, reiterated at the same time that
the Somaliland government had nothing to do with the Djibouti conference...
Abstract:
Ahmad Geleh, the commander of the Burco prison, told our correspondent
in Togdheer Region that the dysentery outbreak could get out of hand unless
urgent measures were taken. He said they had appealed to Burco Hospital
for urgent medical assistance, but to no avail.
`Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, 02 Jun 00 (c)BBC
Dysentery has broken out at Burco prison. Five inmates and a prison
warden have gone down with the disease.
Ahmad Geleh, the commander of the Burco prison, told our correspondent
in Togdheer Region that the dysentery outbreak could get out of hand unless
urgent measures were taken. He said they had appealed to Burco Hospital
for urgent medical assistance, but to no avail. He appealed for urgent
medical intervention to control the outbreak. A prison warden died of the
disease recently.
The dysentery outbreak has also affected the residents of Burco town,
with many patients being admitted to the Burco Hospital. The outbreak has
been attributed to the recent heavy rains in the area.
Three members of Somaliland's Council of Elders issued a written statement
yesterday, saying it was improper for the Somaliland government to extend
invitations to people accused of committing crimes against humanity. [passage
omitted on names of the three members]
Abstract:
Hargeysa's mayor, Awad Ilmi Abdallah, summoned all the NGOs and asked
them to explain their work in Somaliland. He instructed all NGOs to submit
details about their duties to the government so that both parties are in
contact. He said the government would not allow NGOs to work on their own.
Xog-Ogaal, Mogadishu, 1 Jun 00 (c) BBC
Reports from Hargeysa say [Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal's administration has
announced new strict rules for NGOs operating in Somaliland.
Hargeysa's mayor, Awad Ilmi Abdallah, summoned all the NGOs and asked
them to explain their work in Somaliland. He instructed all NGOs to submit
details about their duties to the government so that both parties are in
contact. He said the government would not allow NGOs to work on their own.
Other reports say an Egyptian delegation which was visiting Hargeysa
left for Egypt yesterday.
Further reports say that the minister of interior in a circular released
yesterday, named a new mayor and his deputy for Boorama [west of Hargeysa]
town. The reasons as to why the former mayor and his assistant were replaced
were not given.
Abstract:
Five military officers serving in the national army's 7th Brigade based
in Laas Caanood and their 15 bodyguards have been in detention at the Burco
central jail for the past one week.
`Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, 31 May 00 (c) BBC
Five military officers serving in the national army's 7th Brigade based
in Laas Caanood and their 15 bodyguards have been in detention at the Burco
central jail for the past one week.
Our correspondent in Togdheer Region, Keyseh Ahmad Digaleh, said that the
officers had been detained for embezzling 30m Somaliland shillings meant
to pay the March salaries of the army.
Muhammad Abdi Adan, the commander of the eastern military zone refused
to give details of the matter. However, Muhammad Ahmad Abdi, one of the
detained military officers, alleged that their detention was orchestrated
by the commander of the 3rd Brigade, Hasan Gerash.
The officers and their bodyguards were picked up at Oog village, Caynabo
District, after the army HQ ordered their arrest.
Abstract:
Reports from the ongoing Somali reconciliation conference in Arta, Djibouti,
say all the clans have not sent their representatives to the conference.
Reports from the ongoing Somali reconciliation conference in Arta, Djibouti,
say all the clans have not sent their representatives to the conference.
The conference, which is still debating the issue of representation, will
officially enter its second phase...
Other reports say Somali elders involved in the conference, yesterday afternoon
received [Somaliland President Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal's long-awaited response
to their plans to send a delegation to Hargeysa to hold talks with him.
Egal's letter said the Djibouti conference was irrelevant to Somaliland
whether the delegation came to Hargeysa or not and added that Somaliland
would not take part in the conference.
The president of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, Muhammad
Ibrahim Egal, has issued a directive barring the public from watching Djibouti
Television which has been running the programme "Somalis Listen" on the
Somali reconciliation conference in Djibouti.
The local government which has its HQ in Hargeysa has been instructed
to look out for people watching the channel at night. Anyone found watching
the channel will be charged.
Abstract:
The leader of a Mogadishu faction, Uthman Hasan Ali Ato [chairman of USC-SNA,
United Somali Congress-Somali National Alliance] and a delegation he was
leading, arrived yesterday evening in Hargeysa.
`Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, 30 May 00 (c) BBC
The leader of a Mogadishu faction, Uthman Hasan Ali Ato [chairman of USC-SNA,
United Somali Congress-Somali National Alliance] and a delegation he was
leading, arrived yesterday evening in Hargeysa.
Uthman Ato and the 11-man delegation arrived at Berbera airport yesterday
afternoon at 3.00 p.m. [local time] and travelled to Hargeysa arriving
there at sunset. The Mogadishu delegation was received in Berbera by the
city's mayor and local government officials.
The delegation was received before reaching Hargeysa by protocol officials
from the office of the president and was taken to the government-owned
hotel Hargeysa Club where they were accommodated. They were met last night
by the minister in the office of the president, Jama' Salah Muhammad.
The mission of the delegation has not been disclosed...
Some 22 people from Mogadishu-based Somaliland clans have been flown
to Arta, Djibouti, to represent Somaliland's ethnic groups in the Somali
Reconciliation Conference. Some of the 22 are supporters of former Somaliland
president, Abdi al-Rahman Tur, who had proposed a federal system for Somalia.
The rest of the delegation is made up of ordinary civilians. The group
was flown from Mogadishu's Airport- 50 following a decision made in Djibouti
that they would represent Somaliland's clans in the Djibouti conference.
Somaliland has formally refused to participate in the conference. Jamhuuriya
obtained a document listing the names of the 22 participants signed by
Sultan Muhammad Sultan Abd al-Qadir...
The Somaliland House of Representatives yesterday held its 10th convention
in the House. The assembly, according to officials, would be better than
the earlier ones and is expected to pass major legislations for the future
of the people of Somaliland. Some of the bills before the House include
those on multipartysm, referendum, security and internal issues. Others
are rejecting or endorsing appointments made by the president when the
House is on recess.
Abstract:
High level Djibouti officials have asked these conferees politely but sternly
to postpone return to their homelands and refrain from travelling abroad.
Among those who have been declined permission to travel is Abd al-Rahman
Ahmad Ali (Tur) [former president of Somaliland], who lives in London on
asylum. Tur wanted to go back to London two weeks ago for health reasons
but was not allowed to do so. His passport was seized by the Djibouti authorities,
well informed sources have said.
`The Republican', Hargeysa, 28 May 00 (c)
BBC
Authorities in Djibouti are refusing to let some of the personalities who
are taking part in the so-called peace conference on Somalia to leave Djibouti.
High level Djibouti officials have asked these conferees politely but sternly
to postpone return to their homelands and refrain from travelling abroad.
Among those who have been declined permission to travel is Abd al-Rahman
Ahmad Ali (Tur) [former president of Somaliland], who lives in London on
asylum. Tur wanted to go back to London two weeks ago for health reasons
but was not allowed to do so. His passport was seized by the Djibouti authorities,
well informed sources have said.
Most of the people who went to the conference from Puntland [northeastern
Somalia] were treated the same way when they tried to take a plane to Boosaaso.
Elders from Bay and Bakool regions [southcentral and southwestern respectively]
controlled by the Rahaweyn Resistance Army (RRA) were even denied communication
with their constituents back home as confirmed last Thursday [25th May]
by Muhammad Ali Qalinleh, the governor of Bay Region, during a BBC interview.
On Wednesday [24th May] a high ranking Djibouti official told the BBC Somali
Service that the Rahaweyn and Hawiye clans have reached a settlement over
their differences. On the same day, Hasan Muhammad Nur (Shatigadud), the
chairman of the RRA, issued a statement in which he categorically denied
that peace accords between the Rahaweyn and Hawiye clans were reached.
Shatigadud also denounced what he called attempts by Djibouti government
to coerce Rahaweyn elders into submission.
In the meanwhile, the Djibouti orchestrated conference is now in stalemate,
major Somali clans have boycotted the conference.
Abstract:
Mogadishu faction leaders opposed to the ongoing Somali reconciliation
conference in Arta, Djibouti, will fly to Hargeysa, the capital of the
self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland, on Monday [29th May].
Mogadishu faction leaders opposed to the ongoing Somali reconciliation
conference in Arta, Djibouti, will fly to Hargeysa, the capital of the
self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland, on Monday [29th May].
Some of the faction leaders told this newspaper that the delegation, departing
on Monday, would be led by Uthman Hasan Ali Ato [chairman of the United
Somali Congress-Somali National Alliance]. He will be accompanied by Muhammad
Qanyareh Afrah and Mowlid Ma'aneh Mahmud, among other officials.
While in Hargeysa the delegation will hold talks with leaders of the Muhammad
Ibrahim Egal administration on the adoption of a joint anti-Djibouti conference
strategy. Afterwards the delegation will go to Baydhabo [southcentral Somalia]
where they will hold similar talks with the RRA [Rahaweyn Resistance Army]
leaders who have officially announced their boycott of the conference.
The Mogadishu faction leaders had been scheduled to depart for Hargeysa
yesterday, but the trip was postponed to Monday for unexplained reasons.
Abdi Hashi, an official of the Peace Line agency, who is in detention in
Somaliland, is serious ill.
Dr Abdullahi Shirwa, the vice-president of the Peace Line agency told
`Qaran' that the intellectual was seriously sick with high blood pressure
and might die, if he does not receive urgent medical attention. Hashi
was arrested recently in Boorama, where he was overseeing the activities
of the agency.
Dr Shirwa appealed to the human rights organizations to pressure the Somaliland
government to allow the detainee to receive treatment and have him tried
in court, instead of keeping him in detention without any trial.
BBC Monitoring May 26, 2000/
`Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, 26 May 00 (c) BBC
Abstract:
Nine people, eight children and an elderly person, have died of acute dysentery
which has broken out in Burco and Oodweyne towns of Togdheer Region.
Nine people, eight children and an elderly person, have died of acute dysentery
which has broken out in Burco and Oodweyne towns of Togdheer Region.
Confirming the deaths, Adan Ilmi Diriyeh, the coordinator of health in
the region said four of the victims died in Burco and while five others
died in Oodweyne. He said 16 people suffering from the disease had been
admitted to hospital. He said the dysentery outbreak was caused by the
recent heavy rains in the region.
Officials from the ministry of health and Red Crescent Society met in Burco
on Wednesday [24th May] to discuss ways of containing the disease. They
recommended that local authorities launch a campaign aimed at cleaning
the environment and sensitizing people against drinking dirty water.
Abstract:
The British government has donated 750 high school text books to Somaliland.
The books cover, among other subjects, science, geography and history.
The British government has donated 750 high school text books to Somaliland.
The books cover, among other subjects, science, geography and history.
The donation was presented to the CFBT [expansion untraced] office in Hargeysa
by the British embassy in Ethiopia. The head of the agency, Rod Hicks,
said the donation was aimed at improving the standards of education.
The EU has also donated eight cartons of laboratory equipment to be used
for science subjects...
The EU representative to Somalia [Duarte Decarvalho], who is on a two-day
visit to Hargeysa [Somaliland] has launched a project in which the Berbera-Burco-Hargeysa
road will be rehabilitated by the EU at the cost of 4m euros.
The envoy also said that the EU would also fund other projects in Somaliland
as there was relative peace in the region. The European envoy was accompanied
in his visit by other officials from the international community.
Reports from Hargeysa say that Somaliland coast guards have arrested
five boats and people manning them for illegally fishing in the Red Sea
off the coast of Saylac. The arreted people are being held at Saylac jail.
Nationalities of the arrested people or owners of the boats could not
be immediately known. The swoop comes on the wake of the recent directive
by the Muhammad Ibrahim Egal administration ordering Somaliland coast guard
to arrest anyone found fishing illegally.
The administration of the self-proclaimed Somaliland republic has dissolved
independent petroleum companies which used to import fuels.
The dissolution followed when the petroleum companies disregarded prices
set by the Muhammad Ibrahim Egal administration. In a circular he issued,
Egal said the companies had been dissolved and that their existing petroleum
stocks would be sold by his government and then proceeds from the sales
given to them.
Although it is not clear who the government will appoint to import fuels,
it is possible that the administration itself might do so.
Before they were dissolved the petroleum companies were selling petrol
at 65 dollars a barrel and diesel at 60 dollars a barrel. The government
had recommended the commodities to be sold at 47 dollars and 42 dollars
a barrel respectively.
Abstract:
An EU delegation, led by the Nairobi-based regional head, Lutz Salzman,
arrived yesterday in Somaliland's capital, Hargeysa.
The delegation included an associate official from the EU's Somali office
(Somalia and Somaliland) Joachim Knoth.
An EU delegation, led by the Nairobi-based regional head, Lutz Salzman,
arrived yesterday in Somaliland's capital, Hargeysa.
The delegation included an associate official from the EU's Somali office
(Somalia and Somaliland) Joachim Knoth.
Meanwhile, an Egyptian delegation arrived yesterday in the country led
by the Egyptian envoy to Somalia and Somaliland Halim Salah. The delegation
included representatives from firms dealing with production, reconstruction
and some businessmen.
The EU delegation's mission was related to some EU projects in Somaliland
although there was no official comment on the purpose of the visit. The
officials are expected to take part in the commissioning of an office for
roads and general works which was financed by the EU. The EU delegation
is also expected to sign contracts with local construction companies for
the reconstruction of some of Somaliland's roads.
Yesterday the delegation met the vice-president, Dahir Riyale Kahin, and
Somaliland's foreign affairs minister, Mahmud Salah.
Abstract:
Reports from Hargeysa say that the effects of the recently declared emergency
law in Somaliland are already being felt, with the detention of some elders
and politicians. Several people, including a paramount chief, Ahmad Samale,
have been detained in the past two days alone.
Reports from Hargeysa say that the effects of the recently declared emergency
law in Somaliland are already being felt, with the detention of some elders
and politicians. Several people, including a paramount chief, Ahmad Samale,
have been detained in the past two days alone.
The declaration of the emergency law followed an incident in which a gunman
opened fire on a policeman at a khat market in Hargeysa, killing a woman
and injuring the police officer. The detainees were accused of being behind
the incident and breaking the emergency law which forbids the carrying
of illegal firearms in Hargeysa and other towns. There are fears that the
detention of these people might heighten political tension in Somaliland.
Abstract:
A ceremony marking the 9th anniversary of the declaration of Somaliland
independence was held at the presidency, Hargeysa, last night.
A ceremony marking the 9th anniversary of the declaration of Somaliland
independence was held at the presidency, Hargeysa, last night.
The function was attended by Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, the president of the
Somaliland Republic, Vice-President Dahir Riyaleh Kahin, the chairmen of
the two parliamentary chambers, government officials, representatives of
foreign agencies in the country, social groups and other dignitaries.
The dignitaries were entertained by national artists who, through their
shows, evoked the stages leading to the proclamation of Somaliland independence...
News just in. Ahmad Jambir Sultan, the minister of internal affairs,
has issued a circular regarding maintenance of security in the country.
The circular reads in part: There has of late been emergence of people
who have taken the law into their own hands, in total disregard of the
existing laws, as shown by yesterday's criminal act. Therefore, with effect
from today, in accordance with the country's security law, anyone found
carrying an illegal firearm and who defies an order to lay it down, will
be shot on sight. However, if the person obeys the order to put down the
gun, he will instead be charged in court accordingly.
The circular adds: There have been cases of some people taking their
patients to Hargeysa Hospital and then forcing doctors to admit them into
the hospital in place of the already existing patients needing treatment.
Beginning today this habit is illegal and anyone found practising it will
be dealt with firmly.
In conclusion, the circular calls on the Somaliland people to maintain
security at personal level and also help security forces in the discharge
of their duties of keeping peace.
BY Somali Peace Rally (SPR)
Burao City - The Somali Peace Rally (SPR) is gravely concerned about the recent detention of Somali intellectual, Abdi Hashi Abdillahi, by Somali north-west regional security authority (Somaliland), who was arrested for having participated in current Somali peace process in Djibouti.
The SPR calls for Abdullah's immediate release and strongly urges the authority of northwest region (Somaliland) of Somalia to respect the fundamental rights of freedom of expression. We believe that all Somalis in that region should enjoy those rights as the democratic process develops in those parts of Somalia (including northeast region of Somalia, Puntland).
The SPR also calls on the regional authority of northwest of Somalia (Somaliland region) to promptly investigate the circumstances of Abdullah's detention and torture, and to bring those responsible to justice.
The regional constitution of northwest authority (Somaliland region) clearly underlines the safeguard of civil laws, including freedom of expression. Accordingly, we, the Somali Peace Rally (SPR), strongly urges the regional authority of north-west (Somaliland region) of Somalia to ensure the safety of region's Somali intellectual, Abdi Hashi Abdillahi, and that of his associates.
Somali Peace Rally (SPR), Burao City, Somalia, contact e-mail: sprally@hotmail.com
The Muhammad Ibrahim Egal administration [Somaliland] has detained Abdi Hashi, one of the
intellectuals who attended a conference of Somali civil society leaders in Djibouti. He was arrested
on arrival in Hargeysa from Djibouti and he faces treason charges. Another man, Abd al-Rahman Alin,
has been in detention for a month, after having been accused of attending the conference.
Last week, a plane heading from southern Somalia to Djibouti made a stormy landing at Las Anod, a frontier-town between Puntland and Somaliland. Somaliland military for a time prevented the plane from taking off again but after delicate bargaining, it was allowed to refuel and take off. The problem could have been that the plane was taking a delegation from southern Somalia to the Djibouti conference. By way of retaliation and in particular to make sure no Somaliland delegation might be 'led' to Djibouti to attend the conference, the authorities in Hargeisa decided to withdraw permission for the privately-owned airline Air Djibouti, which they suspect of collusion with the authorities in Djibouti, to overfly Somaliland and especially to land there. The decision, taken following Djibouti's decision to put the Somaliland representative over the common frontier, racked up tension between the two countries another notch.
Somaliland's Transport Assistant Minister Dahir Mohamed Osman said that the ban was in connection with flights to unauthorised airfields in Somaliland, according to the radio, monitored here.
Planes of Air Djibouti and Inter-Somalia, an airline owned by businessmen from Djibouti and Somaliland, are banned from flying to Somaliland.
Osman accused a Djibouti-owned airliner of landing in there without permission at the weekend, giving a fuel shortage as grounds.
Those on board the plane, which was detained and released a day later, included a high-powered Somali delegation to the Somali peace conference in Djibouti and Abdi Korah, an adviser to Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh.
The ban is believed to be the result of fast deteriorating relations between Djibouti and Somaliland since Guelleh initiated peace proposals for Somalia, which have not recognised Somaliland as a separate state.
The proposals are currently under discussion at a Somali peace conference in Djibouti, which started on May 2.
Somaliland, a former British colony which seceded from the rest of Somalia five months after dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled in January 1991, has yet to receive international recognition.
Last December, Somaliland closed its main land route to Djibouti for two weeks.
According to the minister, an Air Djibouti plane landed at Burco airport
without prior notice, "endangering the country's national security and
contravening its aviation laws", said the report. He said the illegal
landing came at a time "when anti-Somaliland activities were being
committed".
The Somaliland government has declared itself opposed to peace talks
being held in Djibouti, and have rejected visiting Djiboutian delegates.
In another sign of hostility between the two countries, Somaliland security
forces have arrested a prominent intellectual, Abdi Hashi Abdillahi.
Officials said he had attended a Somali peace conference taking place in
Djibouti.
Somaliland has ordered its citizens not to attend the Djibouti conference.
Reports from Hargeysa say the German government has sent a senior
expert to Somaliland to assess the security situation in Somaliland and
the condition of the development projects previously funded by the
German government in Somaliland, especially Radio Hargeysa.
The German expert held talks with senior Somaliland officials.
The Somaliland administration requested the German government
to revive its bilateral development programme with Somaliland.
An oil tanker belonging to the French oil company, TOTAL, arrived in Berbera seaport. Ship laden with both gasoline and diesel will begin shortly off-loading the cargo into the state-owned Berbera Oil Depot.
However, this off-loading is delayed due to the company's decision to auction off the inventory of fuel stored in the depot. The
gasoline and the diesel will sell for US $ 47 and $42 per barrel, respectively as set up by the government.
Makhsoom, the TOTAL's Berbera representative, declined to comment on the volume of the fuel the ship is carrying, but a source close to the company has estimated the cargo to be over 3500 metric tons. He also declined to say when the tanker ship will start off-loading its cargo.
Meanwhile, a long line of tanker trucks waiting to load fuel at the oil depot was reported. These trucks belonged to local oil companies (Red Sea, Sahel and Aljaziya), who also store their fuel in the depot. The loading of these trucks was interrupted by a price dispute between the government and the local oil firms, who filed a class-action lawsuit against the government's interferences in the fuel prices.
The Director General of the Commerce Ministry, Mohamed Muse Abdalle, while on a working visit in Berbera, however, attributed the high fuel prices on a dispute between TOTAL and the local firms. The government stands to intervene if the fuel prices keep rising and the current price ceilings will stand, added the minister.
Abstract:
Reliable reports which we have received from well-informed sources reveal
that the Somaliland minister for planning and international development
agencies coordination, Ahmad Muhammad Mahmud (Silanyo), tendered his
resignation to President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal late last week.
Reports have so far not indicated whether President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal
accepted Silanyo's resignation, but sources close to the presidency
say President Egal was not convinced by the reasons that prompted the resignation
and asked Silanyo to withdraw.
Sources also say President Egal and Silanyo have held at least one closed-door
meeting since Silanyo tendered his resignation. During the meeting the
two discussed issues concerning the resignation, but no details were given.
Reliable reports which we have received from well-informed sources reveal
that the Somaliland minister for planning and international development
agencies coordination, Ahmad Muhammad Mahmud (Silanyo), tendered his
resignation to President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal late last week.
Although sources have confirmed Ahmad Silanyo's resignation, neither the
president nor the minister have officially disclosed his resignation to
the public.
However, rumours of Silanyo's resignation have been widely circulating
in the past few weeks and have raised a great deal of concern for those
who closely monitor the trend of Somaliland politics and its leadership.
Reports have so far not indicated whether President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal
accepted Silanyo's resignation, but sources close to the presidency
say President Egal was not convinced by the reasons that prompted the resignation
and asked Silanyo to withdraw.
Sources also say President Egal and Silanyo have held at least one closed-door
meeting since Silanyo tendered his resignation. During the meeting the
two discussed issues concerning the resignation, but no details were given.
Sources close to Silanyo informed us that the minister has so far not
changed his position on the resignation and there were indications that
he was firm in his decision.
Although our sources did not disclose what had prompted the resignation
of Silanyo at this time, reports say that the minister was not happy
with the way the Somaliland leadership was managing the affairs of the
country, especially political issues.
Further reports say although Silanyo had long been dissatisfied with
Egal's leadership, the recent administrative changes in the Togdheer Region
had expedited his resignation.
Recently President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal relieved the former Togdheer governor,
Ahmad Dheereh, of his post. Silanyo comes from Burco, the HQ of Togdheer
Region.
The dismissal of Ahmad Dheereh came shortly after a ministerial delegation,
headed by Silanyo himself, including the ministers of aviation, Abdullahi
Muhammad Du'aleh, health, Dr Abdi Aw Dahir, and resettlement, Bashir H.Hasan
Gelleh, visited the region.
Silanyo felt that the manner in which Ahmad Dheereh was removed was
unprocedural and, as the head of the delegation, he was not consulted on
the matter.
Earlier, Silanyo criticized the removal of the previous Burco [Togdheer]
governor, Muhammad Husayn, and said he was not consulted.
People who closely monitor the politics of Somaliland and the role of
Ahmad Silanyo say his role was crucial in keeping the various SNM [Somali
National Movement, ruling party in Somaliland] groups together, and he
played a decisive role in 1999 when he mediated between the SNM faction
led by Hasan Jama and other group consisting of Egal's administration
and the allied SNM faction. Silanyo, as an experienced technocrat, successfully
managed to bridge the gap between the two SNM groups.
However, when Silanyo and the anti-Egal administration agreed to end
hostilities on condition that a national SNM conference be held to iron
out the differences between the two groups, President Egal and his close
allies did not honour the agreement. Subsequently, Silanyo travelled
to Britain without the consent of President Egal late last year and stayed
there for some time.
Ahmad Silanyo is a senior SNM member and the longest serving former chairman
of the SNM movement, notably during the SNM struggle against former Somali
dictator, Muhammad Siyad Barreh....
Puntland also opposes the conference.
The Somali Peace Line [organization untraced] has said that it was extremely
worried about last Friday's [12th May] arrest of Abdi Hashi in Hargeysa
for taking part in the [Somali] scholars' meeting in Djibouti.
The vice-chairman of the Somali Peace Line who spoke to `Qaran' yesterday,
said the arrest was a violation of human rights. He said the man was a
nationalist residing in Mogadishu and had left for Djibouti from there.
He asked the Somaliland administration to release the scholar immediately.
Reports from Hargeysa say the local government of [Muhammad Ibrahim]
Egal's administration has confiscated expired drugs detrimental to humans
and animals. The drugs had been on sale in Hargeysa's pharmacies.
The local government ordered the incineration of the expired drugs,
and announced that anyone dealing with expired drugs, or found in possession
of the said drugs, would be dealt with accordingly.
Air links between Somaliland and Djibouti have been cut following decisions
made by both administrations.
On 10th May 2000, the Somaliland government banned flights conducted
by InterSomal and Air Djibouti planes after the Ministry of Aviation and
Air Transport withdrew licences from the two airline companies. In retaliation,
the Djibouti government banned all flights to and from Somaliland. The
flight ban also affects Dalo Airline.
The Djibouti government has not yet issued an official statement regarding
its decision to ban flights to and from Somaliland. The ban has inconvenienced
many travellers who are being stranded in both countries.
National petroleum companies today agreed to sell petrol and paraffin
at government recommended prices of 47 and 42 dollars per barrel respectively.
Commerce Minister Muhammad Haji Abdullahi, who is on a tour of Berbera,
struck the deal in the town today with the companies. He then announced
that with effect from today petrol and paraffin would be sold at the recommended
prices.
Our correspondent in Berbera added that after the agreement was reached,
petroleum companies started transporting the commodities to all regions
of the country.
Petrol prices in Hargeysa have risen sharply and the commodity can only
be bought on the black market. Our reporter who conducted spot checks in
the town today found out that motorists had to make the kind of hard bargain
one sees at a livestock market to be able to buy the commodity. He said
a car he was travelling in was charged 7,500 Somali shillings for five
litres of petrol. A few days ago 20 litres of the commodity was selling
at 18,000 shillings but today the same amount was going for 30,000 shillings.
Abstract:
Somaliland's minister of foreign affairs, Muhammad Salah Nur (Fagadhe),
and Education Minister Ahmad Yusuf Duale returned on Sunday [7th May] from
a five-day visit to Egypt.
Somaliland's minister of foreign affairs, Muhammad Salah Nur (Fagadhe),
and Education Minister Ahmad Yusuf Duale returned on Sunday [7th May] from
a five-day visit to Egypt.
The foreign affairs minister said the Egyptian government had accepted
requests made by Somaliland pertaining to the fields of education, religion,
health, air transport and information.
He said his delegation met Egypt's deputy prime minister, Dr Yusuf Wali,
who is the third most senior person in Egypt. They also met the ministers
of health and education, the deputy foreign affairs minister, [name indistinct]
Shaykh Al-Tantawi, the grand shaykh of Al- Azhar [University]...
Reports from Arta, Djibouti, say that the wandering man, Abd al- Rahman
Ahmad Ali "Tuur" [former Somaliland leader opposed to secession of Somaliland]
has left the town protesting the manner in which the Somali reconcilliation
conference was organized.
It is reported that Tuur was disappointed with the way in which Ismael
Omar Gelleh had organized the conference...
A small plane was yesterday refused clearance to land at the new Laas Caanood [northeastern Somalia] airport, according to reports received from our correspondent based there.
The plane, which entered the town's airspace at around noon, is said to have been on a mission to take a delegation from Laas Caanood to attend the Djibouti conference. However, the plane was not cleared to land. A report by our correspondent, Faysal Jama, said a commotion ensued at the airport between Somaliland forces and police and some soldiers who were escorting the Djibouti-bound delegation. The disturbances began in the morning and continued until midday. The delegation which was led by Garad Abdi Ghani was waiting for the plane at the airport but left following the scuffle and the turning away of the plane. Meanwhile, reports say that the number of people trying to attend the Djibouti conference out of greed has increased. Scores of people have arrived in the town, including some unknown elders who are staying in hotels after failing to find their way to Djibouti to attend the conference...
Source: `Mandeeq, Hargeysa, 8 May 00 p 8
Abstract:
Ceerigaabo, the regional capital of Sanaag Region [southeast Somaliland],
has been cut off following continuous heavy rains which have flooded all
roads connected it to other towns.
Ceerigaabo, the regional capital of Sanaag Region [southeast Somaliland],
has been cut off following continuous heavy rains which have flooded all
roads connected it to other towns.
According to a report we received from our correspondent in the region
this afternoon, the town is only accessible by air. Surrounding districts
have similarly been cut off as roads are submerged by floods.
Our reporter added that prices of essential commodities had skyrocketed
in Ceerigaabo as fresh supplies of the commodities could not be transported
to the town.
Somaliland Minister of Information, Ali Muhammad Waran Addeh, yesterday
held a news conference in his office during which he said the Djibouti
government was involved in an extensive campaign against the independence
and sovereignty of the Somaliland government. The minister also said that
the Djibouti government had written to several countries in the world accusing
Somaliland of being a major obstacle to the Somali national reconciliation
conference in Djibouti.
Waran Addeh, who described Djibouti as a small country which neighbours
Somaliland, said the Djibouti government was interfering in Somaliland's
internal affairs and was giving false information about Somaliland to the
international community.
From now onwards, he said, Somaliland would not tolerate Djibouti's
interferance in its internal affairs and the Djibouti reconciliation conference
did not concern Somaliland.
Reports from Togdheere Region [in Somaliland] say rains have began falling
in several parts of the region which is one of the areas worst hit by the
drought and poor pasture. Nomads in Togdheere Region have also been facing
an acute water shortage, according to the reports.
A Radio Hargeysa reporter in Togdheere Region whom we contacted by VHF
radio confirmed to us that substantial rains have fallen in several parts
of the region...
A USAID [United States Agency for International Development] delegation,
which was in Somaliland recently, yesterday left Hargeysa. The delegation,
which had visited the country to assess security and the general situation
in Somaliland, held talks with President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal and members
of his cabinet in Hargeysa before they left.
The delegation told President Egal that they would inform the US government
of the need to support the international agencies operating in Somaliland's
regions. They also spoke of the need to provide urgent assistance to returning
Somaliland refugees, from eastern Ethiopia's refugee camps, where they
have lived since leaving Somalia during the civil war.
The Somaliland president, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, also explained in detail
Somaliland's point of view on how to achieve peace in what used to be called the
Republic of Somalia.
He said a genuine reconciliation process should be undertaken in southern
Somalia to resolve the leadership crisis there. Egal further said this would
create a conducive environment to discuss the relations between the south and
Somaliland.
Egal also briefed the delegation on the history of Somaliland's struggle to
achieve peace, tranquillity and the formation of administrative structures, all
achieved after a long period without any support from the international
community.
President Egal stressed that the international community should not overlook the
reason why the Somaliland people decided to regain their independence through
popular demand. He said: They should take note of what we have achieved for
ourselves throughout this period.
He said the wounds of injustice, inflicted on the people of Somaliland, was
still fresh in their memories and the mass graves of the people of Somaliland
reminded them every day of the injustice committed against them.
President Egal also briefed the delegation on Somaliland's view on the Djibouti
peace proposal for Somalia. He said the Djibouti initiative should only be
confined to reconciling southern factions, saying Somaliland was ready to
contribute towards such a reconciliation process.
Egal said: It is not fair to interpret our stand as opposition to our
brother's reconciliation initiative to achieve peace in the south. We want them
to reconcile urgently so that we can resolve all the issues that we want to
discuss with them. What Somaliland does not want is to involve itself in the
conflict between the southern factions. He said that would lead to the
destruction of what the Somaliland people had already achieved in the past nine
years. It was very unfair for Somaliland to be tied up with the south in all
these years, he said.
The ceremony was also attended by the chairpersons of the Somaliland
parliamentary committees and senior government officials.
The delegation is expected to leave Hargeysa this morning.
"The delegation is not invited to Somaliland and they are not welcome here," the official radio quoted an information
ministry statement as saying. Somaliland, the northwestern region which broke away from the rest of Somalia in May
1991, has rejected a plan drawn up by President Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti in a bid to end Somalia's decade-old
civil war.
The peace plan, to be discussed at a reconciliation conference in Djibouti starting April 20, envisages the formation
of transitional government for Somalia with a president, a prime minister and a parliament.
Radio Hargeisa, named after Somaliland's capital, reported that the Djibouti delegation was to be led by
deputy parliament speaker Idris Harbi Farah and was due in Hargeisa on Monday.
It quoted Sheikh Ibrahim Yousuf Madar, the head of Somaliland's council of elders, known as "Gurti", as saying that
the delegation would be welcome in Somaliland only if its mission was to discuss bilateral issues between the two
countries.
The announcement that the Djibouti delegation would be barred from visiting Somaliland came as supporters of
Somaliland's secession, which has not been recognised internationally, were busy organising an anti-Djibouti
demonstration in Hargeisa.
Somali observers said Somaliland's decision to prevent the Djibouti delegation from visiting Hargeisa could
jeopardise relations between the two countries.
Besides support from Somali civilians, the UN Security Council, the Organisation of African Unity,
the regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development and the Arab League have endorsed Guelleh's
peace plan.
But Somali warlords -- among them leaders of two self-declared administrations in northwest and northeast Somalia, the Rahanwein Resistance Army in southcentral Somalia, and four major warlords in Mogadishu -- who have sabotaged a dozen peace conferences in the past, have also disapproved the latest plan.
A small plane was yesterday refused clearance to land at the new Laas
Caanood [northeastern Somalia] airport, according to reports received from
our correspondent based there.
The plane, which entered the town's airspace at around noon, is said
to have been on a mission to take a delegation from Laas Caanood to attend
the Djibouti conference. However, the plane was not cleared to land. A
report by our correspondent, Faysal Jama, said a commotion ensued at the
airport between Somaliland forces and police and some soldiers who were
escorting the Djibouti-bound delegation. The disturbances began in the
morning and continued until midday. The report mentioned the presence of
some soldiers from Puntland who also did not want the plane to be allowed
to land. The delegation which was led by Garad Abdi Ghani was waiting for
the plane at the airport but left following the scuffle and the turning
away of the plane. The number of delegates who were travelling is unknown
but it is reported that there were two groups, one led by Garad. It was
also reported that two people who were trying to mediate were hurt during
the encounter.
Meanwhile, reports say that the number of people trying to attend the
Djibouti conference out of greed has increased. Scores of people have arrived
in the town, including some unknown elders who are staying in hotels after
failing to find their way to Djibouti to attend the conference...
Abstract:
Abdullahi Muhammad Du'aleh, the minister of aviation and air transport,
has received 40 tonnes of medicinal drugs and foodstuffs from a German
doctors agency, (word indistinct).
Abdullahi Muhammad Du'aleh, the minister of aviation and air transport,
has received 40 tonnes of medicinal drugs and foodstuffs from a German
doctors agency, (word indistinct).
The consignment has been donated to the Hargeysa General Hospital and the
Alebade rehabilitation centre catering for Somaliland refugees returning
from eastern Ethiopia. It was shipped in a by Boeing 707 plane which landed
at Berbera port at 9.30 this morning...
Eight scattered Somali refugee camps, situated in east Ethiopia's Somali National Regional State, have been under the good care of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) since their founding in 1988.
The state is in a vast stretch of dry land where people and livestock often have little water to survive during the dry season, especially in the severe drought period since the late 1990s. Local residents, mainly pastoralists, usually value water as precious as "gold and diamond".
Some 162,000 Somali refugees currently living in the camps along the Ethio-Somali border are also unavoidably facing the water shortage problem.
However, the refugees apparently enjoy a better water supply as compared with the local residents thanks to joint efforts made by the UNHCR and its implementing partners.
On the way to two refugee camps -- Hartisheik and Kebribeyah --, which are 72 kilometers and 55 kilometers separately south of Jijiga, capital of Somali State, people can hardly see tall trees and green grass. Instead, groups of donkeys, camels, and heavy-duty trucks carrying water are seen very often shuttling between refugee camps, towns and water supply points.
"To deliver water to refugee camps and neighboring towns and villages has become one of our top priorities," said one senior UNHCR staff in the Jijiga sub-office.
For the sake of water supply to the refugee camps of Hartisheik and Kebribeyah, the UNHCR sank five boreholes 11 years ago in Jerrer Valley, some 75 kilometers south of Jijiga.
Besides, several huge water storage tanks with eight meters in diameter and three meters in height have also been installed near the boreholes.
Despite the drought disaster hit in Ethiopia recently, the Somali refugees are still enjoying food rationing in the camps.
"Every refugee regardless of sex or age is due to get once a month 12kg of wheat, 1.05kg of edible oil, 750g of sugar and 150g of salt provided by the World Food Program of the United Nations.
"We also encourage the refugees to make use of the open ground in the camps to plant crops to complement their rations, " the senior UNHCR staff said.
In addition to the stated minimum supplies to the refugees, medical services are made available in every refugee camp. The patients suffering from common diseases like malaria, pneumonia etc. or malnutrition can be treated in the health center free of charge.
Besides, ambulances are available for taking the serious cases to hospitals in Jijiga, Dire Dawa, the second largest city in Ethiopia, or even the capital city of Addis Ababa when necessary, according to the UNHCR official.
In the health center in Hartisheik Refugee Camp, dozens of severely malnourished children under 5 years old, mostly the displaced Ethiopian children, were admitted and treated under the therapeutic feeding program.
The food provided by the center include therapeutic milk, rice, spaghetti, meat, vegetables and famix (the mixture of edible oil, sugar and other nourishment), said chief of the health center Bekele Negussie.
It might be a surprise to someone that the UNHCR's protection and assistance to the refugees is by no means limited to the distribution of food and water to them, but is also to cover education service.
"To provide the refugees with education service is a must in every refugee camp," said Tsegaye Mehiratu, zonal coordinator of the administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs, which is the UNHCR's leading implementing pa
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 10 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
UNDP Rep questions Somaliland's Jurisdiction over tax collection and titles to property
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 10 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
International Women's day observed in Somaliland
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 10 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Two Officers Assassinated in Bosaso
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 10 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somaliland Trade Fair 2001 Prizes for best new products and services
1. Prize for the best new food products :
Last year's winner was: Raaxo gardens.
This year's prize: 200 USD donated by the Trade Fair Organizing Committee.
Dalmar milling industry for their wide range of milled products.
Seha Soft drinks: for their new range of soft drinks in plastic cups.
Raaxo garden: for their continued development of new products.
Winners: 2 winners were chosen for this prize.
1. Setta soft drinks were awarded 100 USD and a certificate.
2. Dalmar mills were awarded 100 USD in cash and a plaque.
The reasons: Both these products reduce Somaliland's dependency on imported products, thus helping the economy to grow and diversify.
2. prize for best new service.
3.prize for the best new product.
4. prize for best new stand.
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 10 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Laalays watered by a COOPI supported project
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 10 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
EDITORIAL: David Stephen is Unwanted in Somaliland
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 10 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
"The thinking and policy of the Arta Faction Poses threat to Ethiopia", interview
Q. You have been doing research work about the Horn of Africa. Could you tell us in brief what the state of things is in the region?
A. The region has not witnessed any improvement in conflicts and disagreements from the past years. There has been division in the regional organization IGAD itself. At the moment, member countries do not have healthy outlooks for each other. After the end of the Ethio-Eritrea war the diplomatic map has been changed and there still exist differences in positions between these nations concerning borders, ethnicism and the Somali issue. They lack the institution or vision which holds them together. Relations among them is bad. At best they eye each other with suspicion. They used to have a similar position regarding Somalia. However, the situation there has further worsened. The conditions for diplomatic row are becoming rife. In short, this is the picture of the region.
Q. Are you saying that the situation in East Africa is deteriorating?
A. Yes it is. And particularly in Somalia. The Arta faction has become known as a transitional government in some areas since it has been recognized in some corners. Giving unconditional recognition to a faction which wards countries of the region Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda is leading to further division. IGAD has not been able to function as an institution and can, in fact, be considered as being practically non-existent.
Q. What is the main development worrying Ethiopia?
A. There are many things that are of concern to Ethiopia. First, the Arta conference was intend to include Somali civil society and countries which were not involved in the peace process. Later on, however, the process was derailed where by a few persons were selected to lead the conference and hence became undemocratic. It failed to include all Somali factions... permanent peace can not be achieved in such a state of things.
Q. Were there any factions which complained of being excluded from the Arta conference?
A. Yes, there were. For example, the RRA at first participated in the conference to a certain extent in the hope that it would be successful. But, the faction withdrew from the conference because it didn't like the way it was proceeding - the old Somalia way. Most Somalis believe that it is possible to reconstitute a federal democratic Somalia which includes all races and the main tribes and clans-a decentralized Somalia. It is impossible to bring back the old Somalia. RRA withdrew from the Arta conference because it objected to the return of the oppression, problems, division the old Somalia went through and wanted a change of approach.
Q. What bonds the leaders of Djibouti and Somalia together?
A. Guelleh became one of the affluent persons in Djibouti as a result of the civil war in Somalia. The person behind the setting up of the new government in Somalia, who financially and otherwise managed to get Abdulqasim Salat elected, is Abdularahman Bore, a business agent. Gulleh and Bore have business ties with Abdulqasim Salat's government and a network with the twelve major businessmen in Mogadishu.
Q. Why did Djibouti's attitude towards Ethiopia change?
A. Djibouti took the mandate in facilitating the Somali peace process with Ethiopia's knowledge as Ethiopia had turned all its efforts and attention towards the war with Eritrea and there arose, consequently, a need for another party to follow up the process. Its leaders were temporarily entrusted with keeping the peace process going on at a time when Ethiopia was engaged in the war. However, they changed the course of the process because they began to think above themselves and mistakenly felt confident that with Ethiopia distracted by Eritrea they could do any thing they wanted to. Since the advent of Guelleh to power, Djibouti has clearly changed it foreign policy.
Q. If there is such a thinking on the side of the Somali government, what prevents it from carrying it out?
A. There exists such a thinking. The problem lies with the resurrection of Siad Barre's old fashioned ideology that Ethiopia is anti-Somalia and wishes the division of Somalia as if it has not tried hard to resolve the Somali crisis, is not friendly to the Somali people and has not hosted numerous Somali refugees. This propaganda is itself a source of conflict. With the aid of foreign elements, some militias are being armed and causing a threat to Ethiopia's security.
Q. Can we say that Ethiopia's policy towards Somalia and Djibouti remains completely unsuccessful?
A. We cannot say that it is completely unsuccessful. To some extent Ethiopia is getting what it wants. If Ethiopia had accepted the legitimacy of the government of Somalia, we could have said that its policies had failed. But the truth is that Ethiopia is using different fro[m] including the OAU and taking alternative means to voice its concern about Somalia's problem. It is insisting that the problem of Somalia is far from being resolved. Whoever is interfering in Somalia, the ultimate say belongs to Ethiopia.
Q. Does the populace understand Ethiopia's effort?
A. I think so. Many people in Somalia need the support of Ethiopia. They have established a good relationship with Ethiopia in the last decade.
Q. What is the position of Aideed?
A. Up to now, it had the support of Eritrea and Uganda. Since Eritrea has unexpectedly recognized the new government, Aideed has either to join the government or to rebel against it. Adeed has lost much of his forces at Baidowa.
Q. Is there a chance of Ethiopia marching into Somalia?
A. If the Arta faction continues to beat its anti-Ethiopian drums and its support to extremist and terrorist groups, in the interest of national security, Ethiopia may go into Somalia.
Q. Do you think that this gradual anti-Ethiopia movement will affect Ethiopia's interest on the Djibouti port?
A. I believe so. I don't think there is responsible leadership in Djibouti. The hike in the Port fee is the result of the alliance which has developed between Djibouti's tycoons and Gulf states.
Q. What about our relationship with Somaliland?
A. That has been expressed in Khartoum during the IGAD summit meeting. According to the Khartoum resolution, the international community will give support to the new government in Somalia and to some regions in Somalia which are called safe havens. Pursuant to that resolution, Ethiopia can strengthen its friendship with Somaliland. Apart from a government-to-government relationship, it can also help the development of a people-to-people relationship. Somaliland is a state. It even has a traffic police. So we have to strengthen our relationship with a country which is stable and strong.
Q. Countries like Yemen and Egypt had tried to send armies to Somalia. Was that right?
A. The Arabs cannot send their troops to Somalia. A central government is not in place. Even if they send their army, they can't stay long. Even Americans have failed to do that. What they can do is give financial support. The story was fabricated to send a warning signal to Ethiopia. I don't think that the troops of Yemen, Libya and Egypt will go into Somalia.
Africa News,
March 9, 2001/Source: UN Integrated Regional Information Network
Egal Says Referendum Planned for May
Africa News,/Source: UN Integrated Regional Information Network
March 8, 2001
Africa News,Source: UN Integrated Regional Information Network
March 8, 2001
Somalia;
Irin Interview With Mohamed Said Mohamed "Gees"
Q: Hargeisa Has Grown Enormously Over the Last Few Years. What Is the Basis of the Economy?
ANSWER: Well, I would say the basis is peace. When there is peace, people invest. They rehabilitate their houses, they establish
private companies, there is open trade between different parts of Somaliland and its neighbours, including Ethiopia, Djibouti, and
Yemen. So, I would say it is the establishment of peace and the Somaliland administration. It has encouraged many Somalilanders
from the Diaspora to come back, establish businesses, telephone companies, airlines... there are factories underway. I think people
are optimistic about the future.
Q: How does the government finance itself?
A: Apart from licences and regulations... we don't interfere with people's business as long as they abide by the laws of the country,
and as long as they pay taxes. For the first time, they are going to pay profit taxes, before they only used to pay custom duties at the
port of entry, like Berbera. Now, they will pay inland revenue and regulation fees - proper income tax, profit tax, and service tax. Our
budget, since 1994, has gone up...
Q: But there is still a strong dependence on remittances from the Diaspora?
A: Yes, it is very important, especially in periods like this, while we go through the livestock ban. Then, remittance becomes very
important. But in normal circumstances it doesn't amount to so much because we are exporting livestock. Last year we exported
something like 1.5 million heads of sheep and livestock; in 1999 we exported about 2 million heads, in 1998 there was also a ban...
Most of our success comes from livestock export.
Q: So how do you plan to make up the shortfall this year?
A: Well, from government revenue we are loosing something like US $11 million a year... for the shortfall we will raise the taxes to
cover the deficit. Today I go to parliament to present my budget, it is balanced - we balance every year.
Q: But if you raise taxes, doesn't that mean people suffer more under the livestock ban?
A: No, it's not like that. We are not really raising the taxes. What we do is to subsidise our imports - not directly, but indirectly. We
use different exchange rates for the dollar. For example, I think the rate is 5,000 Somaliland shillings for US $1. But when we are
taxing at the port (Berbera) we value the dollar at 1,500... The value of the dollar is the tax base.
Q: You recently appealed to international organisations to help with development projects that had been abandoned by the
government because of the effects of the livestock ban.
A: We have an ordinary budget, there is not a development budget because we have no development tax. So, in a year we used to
collect something like US $0.5 - 1 million for development purposes and build schools, hospitals, water wells, and rehabilitate roads.
But this year, after the ban, we switched and used that for other purposes. This year we are not embarking on any development
projects, and the affected area is mainly the regions (outside Hargeisa) where international agencies do not go... we are afraid it
may cause problems for the regions.
Q: Was there any response to the plea?
A: I didn't really get any response. I was not as optimistic as Ali Khalif Galayr (prime minister of Mogadishu-based Transitional
National Government) who appealed to the international community for US $300 million; I just asked for US $500,000. It shows how
tight-fisted Western donors are nowadays.
Q: So you feel that despite successes here, the fact that Somaliland doesn't have international recognition still affects the economy?
A: With our budget, we employ something like 26,000 people, so something like 70 percent of our revenue goes to salaries. Actually,
we are ploughing back our revenue to society. As to the problem of recognition: well, as far as we are concerned we are not in a
hurry. We don't demand recognition. But we must have access to international finance and international finance institutions... but
they are not very interested in aid per se. What we are really interested in is investment. We would like people to invest in
Somaliland. We have had very interested parties so far... if you go to Berbera you will see the (petroleum) company Total, which has
facilities in Berbera. We have had international delegations... people are very interested in making business in Somaliland. The
problem we have, is with banking facilities. We need facilities where you can take loans, and which investors can use. Now, with
assistance from UNDP we have drafted the Somaliland Investment Act... to invite investors to Somaliland, you must have the laws in
place.
Q: Who is your main trading partner?
A: Ethiopia. With Ethiopia, our borders are very peaceful. You can drive from here to Addis Ababa - it's very normal, with no check
points. People can take their own cars from Berbera, to Addis Ababa, to Djibouti, and back to Somaliland. We do all kinds of trade
with the southeastern part of Ethiopia... which is really influenced by Somaliland. Various traders come from near Harar
(southeastern Ethiopia) to Hargeisa... their main port is Berbera. If you go to Jijiga and Dire Dawa (southeastern Ethiopia), all those
small towns there, you see you are still in parts of Somaliland... So our main trading partner is Ethiopia and we are now trying to
harmonise our customs, our custom duties and develop the official trade between the two countries. We are trying to rehabilitate the
roads. The European Union pledged to us to widen the roads and do something about Hargeisa airport. I think the Ethiopians are very
interested to extend the road from Jijiga all the way to Berbera. Unlike those from Arta (the Mogadishu-based Transitional National
Government), we have good relations with the Ethiopians.
Q: Is there much trade with the south?
A: There is not much trade... the only thing that comes from the south is bananas and papayas, and qat (a mild narcotic leaf), so
there is not much trade between us and Somalia.
Q: If the economy improved in the south, would it be considered a good thing?
A: Well, we believe if there is improvement in any part, it would be a blessing, because all we get now from the south is refugees. If
you go to the streets of Hargeisa, the beggars at the traffic lights are from the south, not Somaliland... We don't want to be a
receptacle for the problems in Mogadishu and stretch our limited resources. Any Somali can come here and establish themselves
peacefully, but we don't want the generals from the south to run our fate again.
Africa News, March 7, 2001
Somalia;
Mission Report On Rift Valley Fever
Agence France Presse,
March 7, 2001
Somali woman's activist shows true grit
Female genital mutilation tops her hate list.
Africa News,
March 6, 2001/Source: UN Integrated Regional Information Network
Trade Fair Helps Somalilanders Seek Foreign Markets
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 03 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 03 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somaliland meets criteria for recognition, Egal told EU diplomats
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 03 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 03 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somaliland Trade Fair to open today
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 03 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 03 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Expulsion and demotion of Djiboutian Police Officers
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 03 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 03 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
House debates government budget for 2001
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 03 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 03 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Salad Brothers gainfully employed at UNDP Somalia
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 03 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 03 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Joint council established by Burao's communities
BBC Monitoring Service - Mar 03 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 03 Mar 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
EDITORIAL: Egal and recognition for Somaliland
HARGEYSA ELECTRIFICATION IN PROGRESS
UNICEF PRESS RELEASE
1 MARCH, 2001
EDUCATION
Associated Press,
March 1, 2001
UN, UAE fact-finding mission checks Somali meat export conditions
Africa News, March 1, 2001
Somalia;
Second Trade Fair In A Decade
Associated Press, March 1, 2001
Somalia-Meat Exports UN, UAE fact-finding mission checks Somali meat export conditions
Source: UNICEF, 28 Feb 2001
UNICEF Somalia Review Feb 2001
General Situation
OR
Julia Spry-Leverton,
Communication Officer,
UNICEF Somalia,
TEL: 254-2-/623958/623950/623862/623959/350410
FAX: 254-2-520640/623965
Africa News, February 27, 2001/Source: UN Integrated Regional Information Network
Somalia;
UAE Team To Assess Health Of Livestock
Financial Times, Energy Newsletters - African Energy
February 26, 2001
Oil
SOMALIA - TotalFinaElf to explore offshore
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 24 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 24 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Military Personnel of Arta faction receives training in Djibouti
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 24 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 24 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Yusuf and Salad want Swiss assistance in formulation of own constitutions
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 24 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 24 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
The first commercial bookshop opens in Hargeisa
The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 24 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
EDITORIAL:Decades of corruption within the UN system
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 24 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 24 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Taxpayer's money spent on Egal's re-election campaign
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 24 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 24 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Interview with Norwegian diplomat, Hans Jacob Frydenlund
Q. Can you elaborate on the purpose of your visit to Somaliland?
A: Norway is a member of the UN Security Council and we are here on a fact-finding mission meaning to gather first hand information about what is going on in different conflicts in the area before discussing them in the Council. That is the reason why we have come here. We are going to different parts of Somalia to have meetings in Hargeisa, Mogadishu and with representatives of Puntland.
Q: As you are aware Somaliland considers itself an independent state and that the Arta conference didn't concern her. After so many failed attempts by the Security Council and the International Community to resolve the problems of former Somalia, what is the stance of the Norwegian government with regard to the outcome of the Arta conference?
A: The Arta conference has been an important element for achieving peace in the country [Somalia] and the question is how to take this forward.
Q: The Security Council passed a resolution declaring the unity of the former Somalia as inviolable. How do you see this decision in terms of its contradiction with the universal declaration of people's rights to self-determination?
A: First, I would say that there has been war and instability in Somalia for so long. We have however seen very positive developments here in Somaliland and also in Puntland. And in my capacity as an official responsible for peace and reconciliation affairs in Africa, I would say that this is an example that we will bring along with us further on. Actually this is an approach, which can be utilized not only within the Somali context but also at the African level. So it is important that while we have this experience in mind, we go back and discuss how to achieve the kind of peace and stability you have in the whole of Somalia.
Q: A lot of people in the former Somalia view the TNG as a mere new faction. Isn't it wrong for the UN to side with one faction?
A: The UN is not siding with one faction. The TNG emerged as a result of a wide Somali process. And that is a fact we have to relate to.
Q: Why the UN and the International Community shouldn't take into consideration the fact that Somaliland has not taken part in the Arta conference?
A: What is important is to maintain the peace and stability that you have here and achieve peace in other areas in Somalia that are still unstable. It is also important to ensure that any solution should be a one, which brings peace to the whole of Somalia.
Q: Despite the embargo imposed by the UN Security Council on arms to Somalia, yet arm shipments to the Arta faction were reported arriving in Balli-doogle's airport, near Mogadishu. Why the UN shouldn't take steps to ensure international adherence to this embargo?
A: As mentioned in the January Security Council statement, the arms embargo on Somalia should be reinforced, as it is important for peace prospects in Somalia.
Q: A substantial part of international aid given to this area is consumed in high overhead costs incurred in places like Nairobi. Do you agree that it would be much wiser to take measures that will ensure delivering the aid directly to those in need?
A: When you say high overheads, I would rather like to discuss that in a case-by-case basis but not in a general term. Norway maintains quite an extensive assistance program for Somalia within an annual range of 20-50 million Kroner of which a 1/3 goes to Somaliland, through the UN system and NGOs. We are however very adamant that aid should be handled with efficiency in close cooperation with [indigenous] organisations that are ly based and have experience. A good example that can be cited in this case is the excellent cooperation between the Norwegian Red Cross and Somaliland's Red Crescent Society. We believe that that is how things should be done in this aspect.
Q: The UN Secretary General and to certain extent the Security Council solely rely on David Stephen for information on the situation in the former Somalia. Isn't it unfair for the international community to give a monopoly over information to a single person who has been accused by the majority of Somalis of conveying distorted and false information to his superiors?
A: Well I'm here now. Though I'm not going to comment on what you have said about Stephen having a monopoly over reporting information, but we are here now and we have been following this. I'm not able to blame him but any way I think it's very important to have a good relationship between the authorities here and the UN representative. So it is important to work out such kind of a relationship.
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 24 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 24 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Why the Italian Political establishment hates Somaliland
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 24 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 24 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somaliland interim constitution valid for another 6 months
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 24 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 24 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somaliland Post-card by Oblik Karton
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 24 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 24 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somali Influx from the Gulf
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 24 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 24 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Finnish assistance for Hargeisa Nursery school
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 24 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 24 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
EDITORIAL: UDUB - Egal's latest political blunder
2001 AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS,
February 18, 2001/HOMEX - Sydney
Enters conditional optn ag't re: Oil exploratn in Somaliland
P Hetherton,
SECRETARY
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 17 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 17 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
The SNM and UBSL concerned over government position on the Referendum
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 17 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 17 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somaliland coastal guards arrest 15 fishing boats
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 10 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Fagadhe denies Stephen was declared persona-non-grata
ROADS AND BRIDGES OPENED
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 10 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Interview with Yusuf Garad, Editor of the BBC Somali Service
Q: It is slightly over one year since you have become head of the BBC Somali section. Many listeners have been however complaining that your Radio no longer observes impartiality and objectivity in imparting information. How would you respond to such criticism?
A: I know that some people blame me for that. But I'm not sure if they are that many as you have just mentioned. Besides, I haven't seen any survey establishing how really wide-spread are the complaints from the audience. Of course my appointment as head of the Somali section coincided with a time when political instability in Somalia has deteriorated further. It has been a time when not only Somalis but also even countries in the region and far beyond got divided over the Djibouti [Arta] conference. So there were many instances when a certain thing [information], which could have possibly pleased a particular group of people, would have infuriated others.
Q: But many of your listeners here, as reflected in letters from our own readers, have been upset by what they consider the massively anti-Somaliland and pro-Arta faction tone of the Somali service. Is there anything special between you and Qassim faction?
A: I don't know of anything special between the Abdiqassim and me. I work for the BBC and can only respond to questions concerning the BBC. As for the alleged anti-Somaliland tone, I wish to bring to your attention that I'm not a program producer. We have also our own correspondents who are based inside the country. For example Ahmed Saeed Ege is our man in Hargeisa. He mostly does most of our news coverage on Somaliland. There are also program producers who work on shift basis. On top of that we have senior supervisory staff. My work essentially deals with administrative affairs with some occasional participation in the programs.
Q: why you carry most of the interviews with leaders of the Arta faction personally?
A: Interruption by Adam Nuh Dhule, Senior program producer at the Somali Service.... I think you should be more specific in your questions rather than focusing on Abdiqassim.
Q: Question to Garad ... in your most recent interview with him, Adam Gabyow claimed that he has done no wrong to anybody. As you are already aware, Gabyow is a suspected war criminal wanted in Somaliland. Why you missed to ask him for a response to the charges that he took part in the atrocities committed against civilians in Somaliland?
A: I admit that this question should have been asked. May be this has resulted from the pressure created by the time constraint (only 5 minutes) and the fact that the topic of the interview didn't focus Somaliland.
Q: In your news bulletins one can easily detect a tendency to conceal or belittle setbacks encountered by the Arta faction versus a consistency to exaggerate minor incidents that occur in peaceful areas in the former Somalia. For example last year's Dec. 21 demonstration in Buroa, which was reported in your headline news of the day while the Oct. killing of Gen. Talan in Mogadishu and the subsequent series of kidnappings involving Arta faction Mps were either suppressed for relatively a long time or never reported at all.
A: We have no right to suppress or delay any news. I don't re-call how we have reported the killing of Talan. I can only remember that it wasn't included in our afternoon news. May be it has taken longer to verify the incident. But I can't give now a concrete explanation.
Q: Despite the frequent violations of human rights in Djibouti, yet the Somali section doesn't pay attention to the situation there. Why?
A: Djibouti is within the scope of the areas we are mandated to cover. But if you would like us to say that a contingent of Djibouti troops, as has been recently published in Jamhuriye, have crossed the border and are stationed in the no-man's land between Somaliland and Djibouti, well, we can't report that. Because there aren't any troops. But we do report on what happens inside Djibouti just as we did during the last coup attempt.
Nuh Dhule interrupts... I think you guys want to drive the message home that Yusuf Garad is pro-Abdiqassim. I think this is unprofessional. I recall that many years ago during the Siyad Barre era [1983], Yusuf Gabobe [Editor of The Republican], was among a group of people arrested in Qatar*. After reporting the incident however, we [the BBC] were accused of being sectarian. One can make errors in the course of the profession but that can't be associated with one's clan background. After all, you know that Yusuf Garad and I belong to two different clans.
Q: Don't you think that your response to our questions might clarify the current public controversy surrounding your program?
A: Yusuf Garad answers... Yes I think it is useful, though your Journal had to a large extent been responsible for stirring the current negative public attitudes towards the Somali Service.
*. Nuh Dhule is referring to the arrest and subsequent deportation of a group of SNM activists, including Yusuf Gabobe, by the Qatari government at the instigation of Siyad Barre's regime.
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 10 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
EDITORIAL:Marine resources protection and development
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 10 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Egal to seek re-election for a third term
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 10 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 10 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Government budget of 37 million dollars
New Budget Approved
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 03 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 03 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
American NGO donation for Adna Maternity Hospital
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 03 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 03 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Austrian businessmen visit
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 03 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 03 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
EDITORIAL:The Referendum
BBC Monitoring Service - Feb 03 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 03 Feb 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
"Somali Irredentism" -- An overview of its basic ingredients and a possible way out of its legacy
Possible way out of the dead-end
1) The nature, magnitude, and the areas of conflict where the Somali crisis express itself?
2) Basic principles and modalities for resolving it?
Lessons from Somaliland Experiment
Adam Musse Jibril, is a peace, human rights, and environmental conservation activist.
Member of ECOMAN (the Environmental Change Consensus building and Conflict Management in the Horn of Africa) research group, under the auspices of the Swiss Peace Foundation, The Institute for Conflict Resolution.
Hargeisa - Somaliland.
Tel. 00252-2-426175.
Agence France Presse,
February 10, 2001
Fishermen from Djibouti, Yemen held in Somaliland
BBC World Service, 5 February, 2001
Somaliland Accused Djibouti of Supplying Arms to Mogadishu
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
Somali government reportedly buying tanks from Ukraine
Somaliland: President says region never to rejoin Somalia
Somalia: Government to buy battle tanks from Ukraine - Somaliland report
Somalia: Gunmen holding abducted MP threaten action
SOMALIA: Somaliland president protests to UN over "inaccuracies"
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 31 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 31 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
"Somali Irredentism ---- An overview of its basic ingredients and a possible way out of its legacy
Common Features of the two Systems
(Excessive centralisation of powers, lack of institutional systems and rule of law.
(Lack of accountability to the people of their respective countries to whom they claimed their representations.
Irredentism negating peace approaches
Animation of Irredentism in Djibouti
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 31 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 31 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Egal to address a joint session of Parliament today
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 31 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 31 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
David Stephen declared "persona-non-grata" in Somaliland
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 31 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 31 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somalilanders held hostage in Mogadishu
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 31 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 31 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
EDITORIAL:Constitutional crisis again
Source: UNICEF, Date: 31 Jan 2001
UNICEF Somalia Review Jan 2001
General Situation
JULIA SPRY-LEVERTON,
COMMUNICATION OFFICER,
UNICEF SOMALIA
TEL: 254-2-/623958/623950/623862/623959/350410
FAX: 254-2-520640/623965
Special thanks to UNICEF field staff and Communication Section colleagues in Programme
Communication, Information and Monitoring and Evaluation in Somalia who help compile input for the
UNICEF Somalia Review.
Associated Press.January 29, 2001
Minnesotans help support new teaching hospital in Somalia
On the Net: Friends of Edna Adan Maternity Hospital: http://www.angelfire.com/mn2/ednahospital
Financial Times, Energy Newsletters - African Energy January 26, 2001.
Zarara restructures to focus on exploration
SOMALILAND OFFICIALS TRAINED IN ETHIOPIA
Agence France Presse,
January 21, 2001
UN envoy declared unwanted person in Somaliland: report
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 20 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 20 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somalis in Addis-Ababa demonstrate against Arta faction
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 20 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 20 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Pro-Qassim demonstrators burn Ethiopian flag in Mogadishu
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 20 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 20 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC
Shooting of demonstrators in Borama condemned
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 20 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 20 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Appeal by support group for preservation of Mass graves in Somaliland
What is to be done?
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 20 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 20 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Egal evasive on the question of referendum and elections
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 20 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 20 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
EDITORIAL: Peace with Ethiopia is irreversible
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 13 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 13 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
TOTAL mixes diesel with Petrol
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 13 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 13 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Violent demonstrations meet Riyale's visit to Borama
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 13 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 13 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somaliland trade fair in March
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 13 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 13 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Electrification of Hargeisa by mid-2001
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 13 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 13 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somaliland Minister of Agriculture dies
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 13 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 13 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
EDITORIAL: Yemen's Blunder
SOMALIA: Senior UN official unwanted in Somaliland
David Stephen
NAIROBI, 22 January (IRIN) - The UN Secretary-General's special representative for Somalia, David Stephen, has been declared "persona non grata" by the self-declared state of Somaliland, northwest Somalia. The parliament of Somaliland declared the UN envoy banned on Saturday 20 January according to local Radio Hargeysa, the BBC and international news agency reports. He was accused of "misrepresenting the truth in Somaliland and the political realities in Somalia", Radio Hargeysa said, in a report monitored in Somalia by Agence France Presse (AFP).
SOMALIA: Somaliland officials trained in Ethiopia
Somaliland: Radio Hargeysa available on internet
[The web address is http://www.radiosomaliland.com]
Credit: Radio Hargeysa, 1700 21 Jan 01
Agence France Presse Mogadishu January 21, 2001
UN envoy declared unwanted person in Somaliland: report
Somaliland authorities send aviation officials to Ethiopia for training
Credit: Radio Hargeysa, , 1700 21 Jan 01
Somaliland president sets up intelligence agency
Credit: Radio Hargeysa, , 1700 14 Jan 01
Somaliland: Three Ethiopian nationals jailed for drug trafficking
Credit: Radio Hargeysa, , 1700 13 Jan 01
Somaliland: Twenty-five people jailed for staging "violent protest"
Somaliland: Police seize consignment of cannabis
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 13 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 13 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
TOTAL mixes diesel with Petrol
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 13 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 13 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Violent demonstrations meet Riyale's visit to Borama
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 13 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 13 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somaliland trade fair in March
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 13 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 13 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Electrification of Hargeisa by mid-2001
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 13 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 13 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Somaliland Minister of Agriculture dies
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 13 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 13 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
EDITORIAL: Yemen's Blunder
Somaliland protest leaves 25 in jail
SOMALIA: Somaliland "deserves recognition"
One dead, several injured clash
Agence France Presse,
January 11, 2001
Somali PM urges Ethiopia to stop supporting secessionists
Somaliland: Agriculture minister dies after illness
Somaliland: President Egal appoints new supreme court chief
Somaliland: Opposition party names officials
Somaliland authorities expel American, Dutch nationals
Somaliland: Two children die in grenade explosion
Somaliland: President Egal under fire, urged to resign
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 06 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 06 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
President Egal urged to step down by prominent figures
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 06 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 06 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Editorial: Despite the odds, elections must be held
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 06 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 06 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Fagadhe accuses David Stephens
BBC Monitoring Service - Jan 06 2001/
Source: The Republican Newspaper, Hargeisa, 06 Jan 2001/BBC Monitoring/(C) BBC.
Forum for the Salvation of Somaliland (FSS) launched
Somaliland: Foreign minister accuses UN representative of bias
Somaliland: Police seize cannabis, arrest three Ethiopians
Somaliland security rescue Muslim cleric from kidnappers, one killed, 19 seized
Financial Times,
Source: Panafrican News Agency (PANA) Daily Newswire.
December 31, 2000
ISLAMIC NGO TRAINS YOUNG SOMALIAN ADMINISTRATORS
Egal's controversial statement on Eid morning
Massive Search for Weapons in Djibouti
EDITORIAL:The Bala'd Fiasco
Congolization of the former Somalia
Somaliland: Visiting Austrian delegation pledges support for university
Somaliland announces action against interim Somali leadership
Somaliland: New measures announced against supporters of Somali government
Boore and UNESCO contributions to Arta disclosed
Somaliland president to address news conference over Djibouti meeting results
Abdi-Qasim Salad Hassan, President of Somalia's government in exile
Boore and Unesco contributions to Arta disclosed
Berbera, Burao and Borama visited by US delegation
Somaliland: Two opposing groups stage protests over Djibouti talks
Somaliland president holds talks with US fact-finding mission in Hargeysa
BBC Monitoring. Aug 22, 2000
Somaliland: Some 197 families return from refugee camps in eastern Ethiopia
Somaliland: BBC to launch FM station in Hargeysa
Somaliland: US delegation arrives in Hargeysa
Berbera, Burao and Borama visited by US delegation
MPs and Horn Watch demand release of Ali Qoryoolay
Source: The Republican, August 19, 2000
Gandi Memorial Library Established
HORN OF AFRICA: IRIN Update, 18 August
Somaliland to hold multi-party elections
SOMALIA: Police chief killed
BBC. 15 August, 2000
Somaliland calls for 'special status'
A Somaliland Journalist beaten by security men
Results of School Exams to be announced tomorrow
Editorial: Misconceptions in Djibouti 3
UNESCO Civic Education for Peace, Democracy and Development in Somalia
9TH PLANNING WORKSHOP, BAIDAO,
14TH - 30TH SEPTEMBER 2000
Austrian Delegation Visits Somaliland
http://www.stratfor.com/default.htm.August 24, 2000
Will America Support the Partition of Somalia?
Results of School Exams to be announced tomorrow
Somaliland Foreign Minister Heads for the UN
Excerpts from Essays and Letters Written by the late Abdul-Rahman Ali
Mohamed Alias Dube Ali Yare in 1983
Jamhuriya said to reflect Egal administration's views
BBC World Service. 15 August, 2000
Somaliland calls for "special status"
Political Parties Law Passed In Somaliland
Only individuals nominated by political parties can stand for election.
HORN OF AFRICA: IRIN Update, 3 August
Food assistance needed in northwest Areas affected by drought
American envoy to Djibouti visits town in western Somaliland
Somaliland: Official denies President Egal planning to resign
Somaliland elders says Djibouti conference seeks to destroy country
The Daily Telegraph London (UK) Jul 21, 2000
News: International: Camel Corps veterans want the world to listen
Somaliland: Somali expatriates donate equipment to Radio Hargeysa
Somalia: Prominent elder mediating between Somaliland, Puntland
leaders
Somaliland: Former US ambassador in visit to Hargeysa
Somaliland officials hold talks with IMF, World Bank
delegation in Kenya
Senior Somaliland officials recently held talks an with IMF and World Bank delegation in Nairobi, Kenya. This was the first meeting between the two institutions and Somaliland in the last 10 years. Reports say the officials from the two institutions were on a fact finding mission.
Somaliland: Jordanian delegation in talks with government officials
BBC Monitoring Jul 17, 2000
Abstract:Meanwhile, a Jordanian delegation is currently visiting Somaliland.
The delegation, whose mission has not been specified, has held talks with government officials including the tourism
minister.
Somaliland: Two killed after dispute over pasture
BBC Monitoring Jul 14, 2000
Text: Two people were killed on Wednesday [11th July] when two militias
clashed in Qoriley village, which is in southern Laas Caanood town [in Somaliland].
Somaliland: Six die of hunger as drought bites
Somaliland authorities ban use of old and new Somali shillings
BBC Monitoring Jul 12, 2000/Ayaamaha, Mogadishu, 12 Jul 00
Somaliland forces clash with renegade soldiers
BBC Monitoring Jul 12, 2000/`Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, 12 Jul 00 (c)BBC
UN official urges Somaliland, Puntland to stop "harassing" civilians
BBC Monitoring Africa London Jul 12, 2000
Somaliland: government announces details of new constitution
BBC Monitoring Jul 10, 2000/
Somaliland: Parliament passes bill introducing multiparty politics
BBC Monitoring Jul 8, 2000
Somaliland Republic Council of Elders [parliament] today endorsed a bill introducing a multiparty political system to the country. The bill has already been passed by the House, the Council of Representatives. Our parliamentary reporter said the council held a lengthy debate before passing the bill by an overwhelming 60 votes with two abstentions...
Somalia: Ethiopia-bound relief convoy leaves Berbera port
BBC Monitoring Jul 7, 2000
`Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, 7 Jul 00 (c) BBC
Ninety heavy trucks carrying relief food for Ethiopia left Berbera port yesterday. The relief food was part of the 20,000 metric tonnes brought in by a ship at the port on 4th July 2000
Somaliland: MPs demand investigation into killing of presidential guard
BBC Monitoring Jul 6, 2000/Ayaamaha, Mogadishu, 6 Jul 00 (c) BBC
Somaliland: President Egal appoints minister, presidential guard chief
BBC Monitoring Jul 6, 2000/Radio Hargeysa, 6 Jul 00/BBC Monitoring/(c) BBC
After consultation with public leaders, president
Egal appointed Nuh Ahmad Uthman [phonetic] minister of presidential affairs. And also following consultation with
ministers, government officials and military officers, and after taking into account the need to fill the key post
left vacant by the death of the former commander of presidential guard, the president has appointed Abokor Suli Ahmad
[phonetic] as new commander of the presidency.
Somaliland presidential security chief killed, Egal appoints military guard
BBC Monitoring Jul 5, 2000
Somaliland president commissions anti-Djibouti conference security
BBC Monitoring Jul 4, 2000
HORN OF AFRICA: IRIN Update, 18 July
Somaliland-Puntland Hold Meetings
Source: The Republican, 18 July 2000
US IRC delegation visits Somaliland Hargeisa
Somaliland leader tells south to reconcile
Editorial: Ignorance is Bliss
Source: VETAID, March 2000
Somaliland
Somaliland critical of UN over Djibouti talks
Associated Press. July 4, 2000
Head of Somaliland presidential guard shot and killed
BBC. 4 July, 2000
Somalis barred from peace conference
Deutsche Presse-Agentur. July 4, 2000
Hunt for soldier after "Somaliland" palace commander shot dead
XINHUA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE. July 4, 2000
Chief Guard Shot Dead in Somalia
BBC. 3 July, 2000
Somaliland bars delegates bound for Djibouti
Immigration officers arrest Dutch woman in Berbera
Somaliland holds procession to mourn death of German aid official
Somaliland: UN official meets ministers over killing of German aid official
Somaliland: Boy killed after mine blast in former military camp
Somaliland authorities rescind decision setting oil prices
Somaliland leader mourns Syrian leader's death
Somaliland: Thousands of people grieve death of German aid official
Somaliland: President Egal appoints ministry official
Somaliland government apologizes over death of German aid worker
British diplomats visit Somaliland
Agence France Presse. June 7, 2000
German expatriate killed in Somaliland
Somaliland, Ethiopian banks sign agreement
Somali faction leader says future of Somaliland should be left to its people
Somaliland: Mogadishu faction leader blames Djibouti for Somalia's woes
Somaliland: Hyena kills one, injures two
Somaliland president, Mogadishu faction leader discuss Djibouti conference
Somaliland: Dysentery outbreak hits Burco prison
Somaliland: Council of Elders criticizes government
Somaliland: Government announces new rules for NGOs
Somaliland: Five military officers detained for alleged theft
Somaliland will not attend Djibouti conference, President Egal says
Somaliland: Government reportedly bans Djibouti TV
Somaliland: Mogadishu faction leader in Hargeysa
Delegation of representatives from Somaliland to attend Djibouti talks
Somaliland: House of Respresentative resumes
Some delegates to the Somali peace conference in Djibouti reportedly barred
from leaving
Mogadishu faction leaders on anti-Djibouti conference visit to Somaliland
Somaliland: Detained intellectual reported to be seriously ill
Somaliland: Nine people die from dysentery after recent heavy rains
Britain donates school books to Somaliland
EU launches road rehabilitation project in Somaliland
Somaliland authorities impound boats for "illegal" fishing
Somaliland: President Egal dissolves petroleum companies over high prices
Somaliland: EU, Egyptian delegations visit, meet officials
Somaliland authorities reportedly detain people under new emergency law
Somaliland marks independence anniversary
Somaliland: Authorities issue shoot on sight order in bid to tighten security
Africa News. May 17, 2000
Somalia; SPR Urges Immediate Release of Detained Somali Intellectuals
SOMALILAND: TWO SAID DETAINED FOR ATTENDING DJIBOUTI CONFERENCE
The Indian Ocean Newsletter. May 13, 2000.N 903
Raised voices with Djibouti
Agence France Presse. May 11, 2000
Somaliland authorities ban flights to and from Djibouti
Agence France Presse. 10 May, 2000
Air Djibouti planes banned from Somaliland
Somaliland Says Djibouti Has Cut Air Links
BBC News Monitoring. May 25, 2000/Source: Xog-Ogaal, Mogadishu, 24 Apr 00
Somaliland officials in talks with visiting German official
Maroodi Jeex news monitoring/Source: Maandeeq, May 8, 2000
Oil Tanker Arrives in Berbera Port
Somaliland minister reportedly resigns amid emerging leadership differences
BBC World Service 17 April, 2000
Somaliland discusses Djibouti expulsion
Somali organization complains over arrest of scholar in Somaliland
Somaliland: Government confiscates and incinerates expired drugs
Somaliland, Djibouti cut air links
Somaliland authorities, oil companies end differences on pricing of petrol
Petrol in Somaliland only available on black market
Somaliland: Foreign minister returns from Egypt
Somaliland: Former leader withdraws from Djibouti conference
DJIBOUTI-BOUND PLANE REFUSED CLEARANCE TO LAND IN SOMALILAND
Floods cut off Somaliland town of Ceerigaabo
Somaliland Information Minister rejects Djibouti's "interferance"
Somaliland: "Substantial" rainfall received in drought-stricken region
US aid agency delegation in talks with Somaliland president
BBC Monitoring Service. 10-Apr-2000/Source: `Mandeeq, Hargeysa, 10 Apr 00
Somaliland President in Talks with Visiting Italian Officials
Somaliland says Djibouti delegation not welcome in Hargeisa
Djibouti-bound plane refused clearance to land in Somaliland
German agency donates medicine, food to Somaliland
XINHUA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE. May 7, 2000
Feature: Somali Refugees Under UNHCR's Care