A one-day workshop on the transport of goods across the territory of Somaliland, especially, when this passage is a portion of a complete journey ?tarting and ending beyond the frontiers of Somaliland, was held at Ming Sing hotel, Hargeisa, on Thursday, October 11. His Excellency the Somaliland Minister for finance, Mohamed Saeed Mohamed Gees, blessing the workshop with the official go-ahead in a typically short, knowledge-able speech he gave at the occasion spoke of the accrued advantages the system, procedures and documents the UNDP/UNCTAD?rganized workshop would outline for participant officials held for the nation. The measures, the minister said, when implemented as intended would bring Somaliland so much nearer to the bosom of an international community that was slowly but surely awakening to the fact of Somaliland? place in a global village which had a place for every member within its immediate circle. The intellectual?inister?s he is popularly accepted entreated the participants to fully heed the steps MR. Peter Cabanius of UNCTAD would put them through during the day? proceedings based on the universally followed documents that are designed on the basis of what is known as the United Nations Layout key ?The workshop, going underway later on Thursday morning, confined itself ?as intended -- to the review of Customs Procedures and Customs Control aspects of transit traffic and, consequently, goods that are passing through Somaliland in transit. Customs procedure, for instance, involved ?and aimed at -- the harmonization, simplification of ?rocedures to be fulfilled at the customs offices?through all the points the transit goods are transhipped. Customs Control, on the other hand, is meant to ensure transit ?declared goods are either exported through as intended or that ?ustoms charges are paid if they remain in the country? Key participants at the workshop included the State Auditor, . Ahmed Daud, the Accountant General, . Dahir Salaan, head of customs, . Ali Qoorseef and a number of other prominent officials.

The UN-appointed Independent Expert on human rights in Somalia, Dr Ghanim Alnajjar, has met with Somali leaders to discuss investigations into past atrocities, and the possible establishment of a human rights commission, or truth commissions. On a fact-finding mission from 28 August to 6 September, he met leaders in the capital, Mogadishu, Baidoa in southern Somalia, and Hargeysa in the self-declared state of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia. As well as discussing human rights abuses before and after the civil war broke out in 1991, Alnajjar investigated conditions at prisons, the use of child soldiers, and the development of law enforcement. With pressure now being brought to bear on the international community to investigate atrocities in Somali territories, IRIN asked the Independent Expert what the next step should be:

Answer: One of the issues we raised with political leaders is the issue of past human rights violations, and we got the impression that there is enough support to pursue this case. We deal with the issue as a larger Somali scale, not north versus south. The intention is to depoliticise the issue... not as if the only past human rights violations took place in Hargeysa, although we recognise that atrocities took place there on a large scale. But the same things happened also in Mogadishu and other places. I'm already in the process of writing a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council to ask for the appointment of a committee of independent experts to investigate these allegations.

Question: What difference will that make to previous recommendations?

A: It's a procedure, and there is a precedent. We have the war crimes tribunals for Bosnia and Rwanda, which went through that type of process. You can't just jump to create a war crimes tribunal without investigating the case first. The Security Council will be the suitable body to do that, and they will appoint experts who will investigate the allegations, and collect enough material, and then it will go back to the Security Council. They might be of the opinion to establish a tribunal, or they might be of the opinion to have truth commissions. This is a sensitive issue within the Somali community, and I think they have different opinions about it... As for myself, I'm not recommending creating any tribunal or anything like that, I'm just asking that the procedure should start.

Q: Do you think this move indicates more seriousness on the part of the international community to address human rights abuses in Somalia?

A: Well, I hope so. The office of the Independent Expert is not necessarily representing the international community. The Independent Expert serves the office on a voluntary basis... If the Secretary-General takes this on board, and if the Security Council accepts this recommendation and appoints that committee, then that is a message from the international community.

Q: Some strong supporters of the peace process are very nervous of the issue of human rights. They say it will be disruptive...

A: This is an opinion we heard - but not widely... Most of the opinions were supportive of pursuing the case. I don't think anyone should fear that, because first of all we talk of the committee of independent experts and then decide after consultation... They will definitely be sensitive to the issue... It's important for the Somali community to know that there is no clan base in terms of investigating human rights violations. There are certain individuals who committed crimes, and these individuals have to be questioned about

what they have done. It is a long process, and it is not going to happen tomorrow.

Q: Do you think there will be willingness in the international community to back this?

A: I have no idea.
Q: Do you think governments will be prepared to look at their immigration procedures, investigate those who fled abroad - is there that sort of seriousness about Somalia?

A: When we talk about accountability and war crimes now, there is an international tendency there... maybe five or six years ago it would be more difficult to discuss... We have several international tribunals... This is coupled with the establishment of the international criminal court... Belgium,

[for example], allows...to take a case in a Belgian court for crimes against humanity that were committed outside Belgium. There are some countries that are considering opening up their courts for such cases, so this is a very good move on the part of the world to go in this direction.

What is going to happen in Somalia? ... the recommendation I am making I felt has enough support in the Somali community, and it is not an issue where there is a sharp disagreement - although there are dissenters, and there are... even people outside the Somali community who might feel it will have a negative affect on the peace process... In Somalia we are in a unique position, with no central government which is controlling the whole country. You can have discussions with everybody and come up with the best mechanism that serves the Somali case - the model is not necessary a tribunal.

Q: What did you look at in Baidoa? The last report of the Independent Expert referred to "chilling evidence" of atrocities during the civil war.

A: Well, we did not go deeply into that, because the person charged with atrocities against the people of Baidoa was in Baidoa himself - Husayn Aydid [Mogadishu-based faction leader Husayn Farah Aydid, currently chairman of the southern opposition grouping, the Somali Reconciliation and Restoration

Council ]. Obviously, we discussed this with Shatigadud [Baidoa military leader Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud, of the Rahanwien Resistance Army] and he said, well, we did this, and he did this, its fifty-fifty. It was strange...

Q: Were you able to talk to people on the ground, rather than just the leaders?

A: Yes, we talked to people on the ground and to NGOs. In Baidoa they have an organisation called "isha" - an eye with one tear... I was told this was the eye that can see, but cries because it can't change things. They gave us a report which says a lot of things, and they told us a lot. I think everybody we saw in Baidoa spoke about those things, and we went to a village which was completely destroyed - razed to the ground - and [this] was done by the people who occupied Baidoa at that time. But when I was there, the same

leaders were sitting in the same place, next to each other. Well, is that the way to go forward? I don't know.

Q: What other issues did you discuss?

A: We talked about prisons, the separation of juveniles from adults, and we got a positive response. The point is that all the authorities in all the regions we visited were very cooperative with us. They gave us access to prisons, they did not say no to anything. We were in Mogadishu for about 24 hours, and I saw Abdiqassim [Salad Hassan] on my arrival, where I heard something about an incident where two boys were killed two days before our arrival.... I insisted on seeing the president before I leave. I saw him on my way to the airport. I raised this issue with him, and he said he knew about it. I told him we had been informed that the boys had been killed by a uniformed man who belonged to your [Abdiqassim's] militia. He said yes, this is correct, and we don't have concrete information... and this man had been arrested. I demanded that a proper investigation of the matter take place and the information be publicised, or at least I have to know the results. Which he accepted - he said he was really distressed about this, and he was trying to

contact the father of these two, because they were brothers, eight and 10 years old. They [TNG] say it happened accidentally... they were shot near the beach.

Q: What did you discuss in Hargeysa?

A: I looked at was the arrest of the sultans in Hargeysa, and I also raised with [Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal the case about the killing of a boy. He promised to have a proper investigation. [A boy shot in the stomach during demonstrations related to the jailing of the sultans died]... I had to meet with the sultans after the president, and they were hesitant to meet with me, because they thought I had cancelled their appointment and gone to the president first... I explained the situation, and what I had raised with the

president, and that I had asked the president that these incidents should not be repeated. They were obviously happy; they responded and explained their position...

Other issues raised was the inclusion of human rights in the education curriculum. On that we got a positive response from both Abdiqassim and Egal. Also we raised the issue of establishing a human rights commission - a body established by the government with some independent status. It would collect information on human rights, and probably in the future monitor human rights. Then we will be able to communicate with one body about all concerns... This is also an issue with the opposition, since they say they have an organisation.

Q: What was Egal's position on progress regarding human rights support? He has complained about the slow progress in investigating the mass graves [See IRIN WebSpecial

http://www.reliefweb.int/IRIN/webspecials/somalijustice/index.phtml]

A: He was not happy, not happy at all - and this is a problem where I cannot reassure him, it's not [within] my jurisdiction, it's with the executive branch of the human rights and the civil protection programme of UNDP...I think we are coming up with several proposals, trying to find someone who can fund them

in training judges and all of that... You have other problems of who is going to pay the salaries, and how much they will get, and issues of bribery and corruption within the judicial system ....

Q: One of the things recommended in 1999 by the previous Independent Expert was that the mass graves in Hargeysa be properly investigated. Why did that process stop?

A: It didn't stop, it's still going on.... I could see a lot of progress has taken place in this regard. There is a government independent commission looking at the issue, and there is also a very active NGO. They are doing some work... We have seen a lot of progress in this regard. There are maps, locations, names, preservation for some of the sites... It's not been forgotten.

One thing I did notice that was very positive was the civil society. It is really working hard and they are getting a lot of good results. Three years ago we trained some people, and now they are doing an excellent job in human rights. And I think there is a need to support pan-Somali organisations. There are two or three, but the international community is not putting the support to that type of model...it is a model that will bring people together more than the politicians, who have their own thinking and their own interests. We asked also for the ratification of the treaties, the international human rights treaties, specifically the TNG. I was informed that [the] Somaliland government had ratified the treaty on the rights of the child...

Q:What is the position of an unrecognised government signing an international treaty?
A: It's good for them, because they show that they are committed, but in terms of international law and UN, this has no value unfortunately...

Q: It's a double standard, then - asked to ratify but told that it is worthless?

A: Yes, exactly...it's an unfortunate situation where there is a contradiction between self-determination and - well, this is a shaky situation in the whole country... If you have a problem, there are certain parts of it where it is not secure, there is no civil administration, no law and order; and parts of it with civil administration, and asking to be recognised as an independent body. The international community says no, it will recognise only one single unit. For sure this brings [about] a contradictory situation...

Q: How is it possible to talk to leaders in Somalia about human rights when so many have blood on their hands?

A: Well , you see the problem is that those people control areas and have authority over people, so when your concern is the people, you have to try to forget about who you are talking to, and impress on them the need to respect human rights now... In international law - especially human rights norms - we always hold recognised governments responsible; but how about if a region is controlled by freedom fighters and they have, say, three or four million people under their authority? Should we just say, fine, they are not

recognised, they have blood on their hands, we should not talk to them? No, within human rights, you have to deal with matters differently....

Q: Although it is obviously in the interests of some of those leaders to pay lip service to what you say, but to make sure the procedures you want to establish do not go ahead.

A: Well, as far as I am concerned, most of the things I asked [for] were granted, verbally. Now the struggle and the conflict in Somalia is taking different forms, and most of them would like to go in on the political side. If that is the case, then they will have to adhere to international norms of human rights. If they want to fight, there is no chance of me having an effect. But if they say they have a charter, and they assure me they are not interested in fighting, then human rights must be part and parcel of what they are talking about. They will have to listen.

Nairobi, 11 September 2001/ Copyright c 2001 UN Integrated Regional Information Network. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

There were various versions of who owned the consignment, but no one had so far claimed ownership, the source said. 'Mandeeq', however, noted that the cigarettes were the same brand as those that a Djibouti businessman used to bring into the country. These were previously supplied to Somaliland by a Djibouti businessman, Abdulrahman Bore.

Bore, who is close to Djibouti President Ismael Umar Guelleh, has had cigarettes worth US $800,000 confiscated by Somaliland authorities in April. Bore had reportedly helped to finance last year's Djibouti-hosted Somali peace talks, during which the Transitional National Government (TNG) was formed. The Somaliland administration boycotted the talks, relations with Djibouti soured, and the border was recently closed.

Copyright c 2001 UN Integrated Regional Information Network. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

When commercial airlines in East Africa announced flights to Somaliland recently, airport police in Hargeisa, the breakaway republic's capital, realized they would need a metal detector to screen passengers and luggage. Such equipment is rare in Africa's impoverished Horn, and expensive to import. Mine detectors, on the other hand, are all too plentiful. "It does the job just the same," says a customs official, buzzing a departing visitor with a United Nations-donated detector that he carefully switches off between passengers to save battery power. "People shouldn't be put off. We are happy to have more visitors. If you want to come, we say, 'Welcome.'"

Ten years after declaring independence from the war-ravaged south, the 3 million inhabitants of the former British colony have their own parliament, President, currency, flag, passport and universities. But it's tough developing an economy if you're a country that doesn't officially exist. In a recent referendum, 97% of voters endorsed self-rule, but still no foreign country will recognize Somaliland's independence. And because it relies heavily on livestock sales and remittances from Somalis living abroad, Somaliland's nascent economy remains vulnerable. Last year's decision by neighboring Arab Gulf States to ban the import of Somali animals following an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever hit hard. Now the government is encouraging investment in untapped areas of the economy. Its latest project: tourism.

So far, growth is slow. In the last year, according to the director general of culture and tourism, Ahmed al Harun, Somaliland received just 30 tourists, most of them from Germany and South Africa. The U.S. warns its nationals against "all travel to Somalia," though it concedes that parts of the north are "relatively peaceful." Britain says Somaliland is "generally stable," but cautions that "the situation could change without warning." Even the Lonely Planet, the bible for backpackers and intrepid travelers the world over, advises would-be tourists that they will be "spoilt for choice in the number of things that can go wrong." Counters Minister of the Environment Mohammed Musa Awale: "We cannot offer something to those people who are old women. We want people who are not worried about fancy hotels with furniture, people who can go around the country and see it as it is."

What the adventurous will find is a country poor in furniture but rich in natural beauty. Attractions include the wondrously pristine coral reefs off Saylac Island in the Red Sea, the rugged mountains that squeeze up south of the coastal strip and the starkly beautiful nomad-dotted plains. History buffs may want to visit the "Mad Mullah's fort," built by a 19th century Somali nationalist who fought the British for more than 20 years. "We also have camels, which are very rare in Europe," says Minister of Information Ali Mohammed Waranade. "Before, the world knew Somalis only because of our fighting and problems. Now, if you come you will see that we are good people, honest, with a beautiful country and interesting way of life."

Somaliland once boasted five national parks teeming with cheetahs, leopards, lions, hyenas and antelopes. But overgrazing by nomads' herds and Somalia's violent breakup have caused animal numbers to decline. Mohammed Egeh Killeh, 61, joined Somaliland's forestry department in 1959 and remembers the hundreds of big cats that once prowled Gacanlibaax (Lion's Paw) National Park in central Somaliland. Today, locals are lucky to spot a lion once a year. "We still have more than 600 birds found only here and 580 plant species not found outside our country," says Killeh. "But the big animals, most of them have gone."

Those that remain are traded freely. Visitors to Hargeisa can order baby cheetahs or pay nomads to catch animals to order. Even Minister of Information Waranade keeps a pet lion, Tchi Tchi, and four cheetahs at his house. In 1999, a group of hunters, including a prince from Qatar and several Europeans, rounded up a menagerie of animals to stock a new game reserve in Qatar. "They took gazelles, ostriches, kudus, lizards. Anything they could find," says Killeh. "They had a ship to take it all back to Qatar. People think they can come to Somalia and there are no rules. We want to change that."

Killeh and a crew of workers employed by a local aid group are rehabilitating Gacanlibaax and hope to rebuild its guesthouses, once used by the British governor as a weekend retreat but destroyed during the civil war. Local businessmen and members of the Somali diaspora are also starting to invest money in tourist facilities. Hargeisa's Hotel Maan-Soor more than doubled its capacity to 40 rooms recently, while a nearly completed luxury hotel near the airport promises competition. "Somalis who live in the Western world will expect a high standard when they come to visit," says Kayse Jama, a Somali software engineer from Australia who heads the construction firm building the new hotel. "A lot of bad things happened here. But the people have learned, and the worst times are over." Just be ready for an adventure or two.

-QUOT-

"We want people who are not worried about fancy hotels with furniture, people who can go around the country and see it as it is."

Local sources told IRIN that Sultan Muhammad Sultan Abdiqadir of the Ide Galle, Sultan Muhammad Sultan Hirsi of the Habar Yunus, Sultan Ahmad Shaykh of the Habar Awal (all sub-clans of the main Isaq clan) and Sultan Hadi of the Gadabursi clan, were released after promising to abide by the Somaliland constitution. The elders reportedly refused to accede to the Somaliland President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal's demand that they disband their organisation, the Sultans' council, said the source. The elders had argued that the existence of such an organisation is permitted by the constitution.

Copyright c 2001 UN Integrated Regional Information Network. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

The UN secretary-general's envoy to Somalia, David Stephen, and his delegation , have held talks with the president of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland at his office in Hargeysa.

The delegation is on a fact-finding mission to Somaliland. The delegation is also expected to hold talks with Somaliland's governing councils.

[Somaliland President] Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal briefed the delegation on the position of the people of Somaliland and said the people of Somaliland will never rejoin Somalia, which he described as a neighbouring country facing crisis.

Source: Qaran, Mogadishu, in Somali 10 Sep 01 p 2/BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

Police in Berbera [northwestern Somaliland] have seized a consignment of cigarettes that was ferried [into the country] through the eastern border point last week.

The consignment composed of 132 containers was carrying the illegal Royal and Benson cigarette brands which a Djibouti businessman used to bring into the country before he was expelled.

The Sahil region deputy police commander, Wardi Ali Hasan, who spoke to our reporter in Sahil region said the vehicle had an entry permit and a clearance letter issued at Cernabo control point of Burco [in central Somalia].

The officer further said they had allowed ferrying of the cigarettes to Hargeysa after getting permission to do so from the police commissioner.

Source: Mandeeq, Hargeysa, in Somali 8 Sep 01/BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

Former UN Under-Secretary-General Elisabeth Rehn, former Assistant Administrator and Director of the UN Development Programme regional bureau for Africa Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Associate Foreign Editor of the UK-based newspaper The Guardian, Victoria Brittain, will be traveling from 5 - 9 September in Rwanda and Somalia and from 10 - 15 September in DRC to consult with women "to understand and articulate their experiences during and after conflict," according to UNIFEM.

"The assessments are in response to [prominent Mozambican women's and children's rights advocate] Graca Machel's call to mobilise a gender dimension in conflict resolution, and part of UNIFEM's ongoing efforts to engage women's participation in [resolution of] crisis situations and to facilitate consultation with grassroots, national and regional organisations involved in peace building, protection and assistance," UNIFEM noted. This is the second of six field visits to countries affected by conflict in Africa, the CEE/CIS, Asia and Latin America due to be completed by 30 January 2002. The first such visits were to East Timor and Cambodia last July.

The assessments will complement efforts already underway following the October 2000 Security Council resolution 1325 on Women and Peace and Security and will contribute to the preparation of a study by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Copyright c 2001 UN Integrated Regional Information Network. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

Political Developments

Attempts to end the inter-clan violence, which has dogged Somalia since 1991, came to a head at the Djibouti peace conference at neighbouring Arta in Djibouti during August 2000. Somali Islamic and civil society leaders agreed to the formation of a three-year transitional national government (TNG) and the appointment of an interim president, Abd Al- Qasim Salad Hassan. The TNG assembled for the first time in the Somali capital of Mogadishu in October 2000, with Hassan appointing Ali Khalifa Galad as the interim prime minister. Apart from trying to govern Somalia, the TNG's goal is to maintain the momentum of the peace process by continuing the reconcilitary dialogue between the militias, clans and governments of the self-styled republics of Somaliland and Puntland. In March 2001, the Chairman of the Somali National Alliance (SNA), Hussein Aideed, formed the Somali Restoration and Reconciliation Council (SRRC) in Ethiopia. While the SRRC claims that it wants to work towards restoring order in Somalia and establishing an elected national government, it remains bitterly opposed to the faction-dominated TNG.

Somaliland votes on independence

The Somaliland republic is located in the north-west of Somalia. Headed by President Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, it has enjoyed more stable conditions than the rest of Somalia. It already possesses the many symbols of the nation-state including an elected government, governmental institutions and currency, but is not recognised by the international community.

On 31 May 2001, Somaliland held a referendum on its constitution. The referendum effectively re-confirmed Somaliland's desire for independence with voters overwhelmingly supporting the constitution. Independent observers from the US and Europe confirmed it was conducted in a free and fair manner. It is hoped by Somaliland's leaders that the referendum result will send a clear signal to the rest of the world, demonstrating the people's clear will for self-determination - an essential ingredient to gaining international recognition. However, the Somali TNG is opposed to Somaliland's independence. One Somaliland Islamic leader, Sheikh Ali Warsama of the Al-Ihad group, declared his opposition to the Western-style constitution. Somaliland opposition leader, Suleiman Mohamoud Aden, was arrested and imprisoned by the Somaliland administration in May 2001 on charges of conspiring with the TNG to sabotage the referendum. The referendum was also opposed by the Djibouti government and the administration of the Puntland state, led by Colonel Abdullahi Yusaf, in the north-east of Somalia.

Violence continues

Despite a genuine desire for peace among the majority of Somali people, inter-clan fighting continues unabated. In early 2001, the Rahanwein Resistance Army (RRA) was engaged in fighting with rival militias in the central and south of the country. In May 2001, a gun battle exploded in Mogadishu between rival militias loyal to the TNG and the SRRC's Hussein Aideed when Aideed made a visit to the main port. Ethiopia has also been accused of entering Somalia on a number of occasions, taking control of towns close to the Ethiopian border and arming local militias in a proxy war based on its own long-running border dispute with Eritrea.

The present peace overtures between the two countries are unlikely to see less involvement in Somalia's internal affairs as both Ethiopia and Eritrea continue to have an interest in Somalia's long-term political future. The continued fighting, coupled with famine, is continuing to place pressures on neighbouring states through an influx of refugees. Indeed, during June 2001, 15,000 Somali refugees were ordered to return to Somalia by the Kenyan government. The UN estimates that there are 451,000 Somali refugees in neighbouring states and 350,000 persons displaced within Somalia.

Aid assistance

The ravages of war and famine in Somalia have taken their toll on the Somali economy. International help in the form of loans to assist in the rebuilding of the economy is virtually non-existent because of the lack of a stable central government and due to the substantial debts that Somalia has accumulated over the years. However, around 100 international aid agencies do continue to work in the region assisting the Somalis under the constant threat of starvation and war. Working under the umbrella group, the Somali Aid Co-ordination Body (SACB), the aid agencies had a budget of around US $ 115 million to work with in 2000. Many of its staff face daily risks from the inter-clan violence. In April 2001, for example, two British aid workers working for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) were taken hostage in Mogadishu. Nonetheless, the SACB is working hard to relieve the effects of recent famine under the UN's Operational Plan to Support Governance and Peace Building in Somalia programme. The programme is also attempting to re-build Somalia's economy in areas such as agriculture.

Somalia's shattered economy

Agriculture remains the main contributor to Somalia's small GDP with over 65 per cent of the population working on the land and is the most important factor in determining whether Somalis will face the threat of another year of starvation. Somalis are reliant on the weather to ensure a good crop yield. The 2000 season produced around 212,000 tonnes of cereal which was better than the 1999 season, which suffered due to the lack of rains and pest infestation, and much improved over the dreadful harvest of 1997. Despite some hopes that the 2001 rainy season would provide a successful harvest, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that famine could hit the south-central regions of Somalia where the important maize and sorghum crop had failed due to the lack of rain and pest infestation. The WFP estimated that the region would only produce as little as 40,000 tonnes of cereal as a result of the poor harvest. Other factors also threaten the farming in the region including the high cost of fuel, shortage of water supply and the high prices of local and imported food due to the devaluation of the Somali shilling. If the WFP's fears proved to be right, up to 1.2 million Somalis could face the threat of starvation.

Livestock, one of Somalia's main exports, also continues to face difficulties due to a ban which was introduced by the Gulf states in 1998 owing to an outbreak of Rift Valley fever. The ban continues to affect central and northern parts of Somalia.

The high inflation rate and the depreciation of the Somali shilling are proving to be barriers to Somalia's economic development. In April 2001, the UN reported that the market value of the shilling fell to an all-time low against the US dollar of SoSh20,000. The prospect of famine and shipments of fake shillings by local businessmen into Somalia continues to prevent any long-term prospect of recovery. According to reports, Somalia's GNP currently stands at around US $ 1.4 billion, although accurate statistics are unobtainable in a country where economic, financial and political structures are in chaos.

Outlook

Although the first seeds of Somalia's future have been planted with the early efforts to eventually establish a central government through the activities of the TNG, warlords, many still determined to maintain control of their regions, remain too much of a powerful force in Somali politics and life. Although unlikely, hopes still rest on some movement towards reconciliation between the TNG and SRRC which will go some way towards bringing stability to Mogadishu. Further peace around the region would surely rest on bringing in the other rival clans.

Nonetheless, the lack of stability continues to threaten the Somali population and reduce the likelihood of the foreign investment needed to rebuild Somalia's shattered economy. There are many untapped resources awaiting foreign investors. The potentially lucrative oil market is already on offer with some foreign companies such as TotalFinaElf in discussions about undertaking oil exploration. However, the international community is unlikely to become embroiled in any attempts to solve the problems of Somalia again - leaving it to the factions and neighbouring states - due to the debacle of the UN peackeeping operation in the country during 1992-95 which has had so much effect on US foreign policy towards this area of Africa. In the meantime Somalia will have to continue to look forward to a very uncertain future.

Risk assessment
Economic: Poor
Political: Poor
Regional stability: Poor
Copyright: Walden Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

The aim of the mission is to review gender roles and the role performed by women in a post-conflict and peace-process situation, and the gender dimensions of conflict resolution and reconciliation. "Conditions for women in Somalia are amongst the most difficult experienced anywhere in the world... after many years of civil conflict and in a situation of continuing extreme poverty," Rehn said.

Findings of the mission will be published in a report sponsored by UNIFEM, scheduled for release next year. The report would also contribute to the follow-up to the October 2000 Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, which called for documentation on the impact of armed conflict on women, and the role of women in peace-building, UNIFEM said. Humanitarian sources said that Rehn was hoping to travel to a number of areas in Somalia, including the self-declared state of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, and the capital, Mogadishu.

Copyright c 2001 UN Integrated Regional Information Network. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)

BBC 6 September, 2001, 19:01 GMT 20:01 UK

The envoy, who visited Somalia earlier this week on a fact-finding mission, said it was important for the UN to review its operations during its time in Somalia

The enovy added that such an investigation was needed to help heal the divisions in Somalia's fractured society, where there have been years of heavy fighting between clan-based factions
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service

The statement from the London-based human rights organisation, said the elders had reportedly been arrested in connection with meetings held by a number of sultans to discuss recent political developments, "including the formation of political parties in the run-up to elections later this year".

Amnesty International said the fact that they had been detained without being taken to court or charged with any offence contravened the legal requirement that a person suspected of a criminal offence should be brought to court and charged within 48 hours.

Amnesty gave the names of those arrested and detained as Sultan Muhammad Sultan Abdiqadir, Sultan Muhammad Sultan Hirsi, Sultan Ahmad Shaykh, Sultan Hadi and Abdullah Farah Harbi. According to official Somaliland radio, they were released on 30 August.

Copyright c 2001 UN Integrated Regional Information Network. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

The disputed empty land was the site for Shaykh Bashir's monument, but has since been neglected

It is said that the warring groups belonged to two different families who have been wrangling over the piece of land for some time. The dispute intensified after one of the groups began fencing off the land.

Four people died on the spot, including a three-month old baby, who had been strapped to his mother's back as the two sides fought...
Source: Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, in Somali 5 Sep 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

The government of Somaliland last night released from the central prison in Hargeysa five clan leaders who set up a council of clan chiefs in Burco [central Somaliland], recently. The government has also freed nine clan chiefs who were under house arrest since 21 August in Ahmad Dagah estate in Hargeysa. They were found holding an illegal meeting.

The releasing of the clan chiefs comes at a time when a committee composed of religious leaders, businessmen, elders and heads of the two councils were engaged in mediation efforts to solve differences between the government and the clan chiefs.

The committee has been making efforts to convince both parties to renounce their stand in order to solve their differences through dialogue...

Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 31 Aug 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC. All Material Subject to Copyright

Sultan Mohamed Sultan Abdiqadir, Sultan Mohamed Sultan Hirsi, Sultan Ahmad Sheikh, Sultan Hadi and Abdullah Farar Harbi were arrested in Hargeisa in the early hours of Thursday 23 August and are reportedly being held in Central Prison in Hargeisa without access to a lawyer or their families.

They were reportedly arrested in connection with meetings held by a number of sultans, including themselves, to discuss recent political developments, including the formation of political parties in the run up to elections later this year.

According to Amnesty International's information, none of the five detained have so far been taken to court or charged with any offence. This contravenes the legal requirement that a person suspected of a criminal offence should be brought to court and charged within 48 hours.

"The detainees should either be tried fairly and promptly on recognizably criminal charges or released without delay," An Amnesty International said.

During the arrests a number of people were seriously injured and one person was reportedly shot dead. "President Egal is duty-bound to organize a prompt, thorough, independent, impartial and public investigation into these incidents," the organization added.

On Thursday 23 August, three unsuccessful attempts were apparently made by the army and police to arrest nine further sultans from the same group of 18, who are currently in a house in Hargeisa. The residence is reportedly guarded by militia allied to the sultans. The house is very near an army barracks and there are fears for their safety in view of the tense situation and the reported presence of members of the security forces in the vicinity. Amnesty International is seeking clarification as to whether their arrests are being sought and if so, on what grounds.It has asked President Egal for assurances for their safety.

Copyright c 2001 Amnesty International. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

The delegation, led by information "minister" Abdulahi Duale, arrived late Thursday, said the official. It was not immediately clear at what level the talks would be held.

A diplomatic source told AFP that the delegation would brief Ethiopian officials on latest developments in Somaliland, where on Sunday Somalilanders opposed to Mohamed Ibrahim Egal's administration took the streets to demand the release of clan elders.

The leaders were detained for claiming to be the breakaway republic's highest authority.

In a counter-demonstration on Monday, Egal's supporters called on the government to prosecute the elders for "deceiving the people of Somaliland."

On Thursday last week, at least one person was killed and six wounded in the Somaliland capital Hargeisa when police exchanged fire with a group of civilians accused of holding an illegal meeting.

The self-declared republic broke away from the rest of Somalia in May 1991, five months after dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled.

Somaliland authorities do not recognise the transitional administration established in Mogadishu last year. Somaliland itself enjoys no international recognition as a sovereign state.

However, in April this year, an Ethiopian ministerial delegation travelled to Hargeisa for talks with Egal, who in March indicated he was in favour of wide-ranging talks with both Ethiopia and Somalia.

The statement was issued after children became involved, and wounded, in the recent unrest in Hargeysa. On 23 August, a 10 year-old girl was hospitalised in the first of a series of clashes, when police arrested and detained four sultans, whom the authorities accused of challenging the government. On 27 August, two processions of children marched to where the sultans were being held to call for their release. "The two columns of demonstrating children met, there were scuffles between armed escorts and shots fired in the air," humanitarian sources told IRIN. Many children were caught up in the panic and confusion, and a stray bullet caught one 12 year-old boy in the stomach. He was operated on immediately, and was now in a stable condition, the source said. In a statement released on Wednesday, UNICEF said it had become all too clear in Somalia "that whenever and wherever violent clashes have recently taken place... very young children have consistently been numbered amongst the casualties".

Copyright c 2001 UN Integrated Regional Information Network. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

BBC Monitoring Service;Aug 30, 2001/ Somaliland newspaper Mandeeq on 30 August

A new political party called Hormood, (Hormodka Nabadda iyo Barwaaqada) [Vanguards of Peace and Prosperity], was yesterday launched in Hargeysa.

Some members of Hormood issued a press statement in which they said their party was different from other opposition parties and the status quo.

The statement said: "If we look back into the history of Somaliland since its independence in 1960, we will see that the leadership has failed to translate into reality the ambitions and aspirations of the nation. This fact has led to setbacks in all fronts and across the wider society. In order to realize the aspirations of the nation, we found it necessary to create a new party that will raise excellent leaders who are capable of winning the confidence of the nation and bring about tangible progress. The party will put before the public its manifesto and constitution when it convenes its inaugural congress. It is our hope the party's manifesto and constitution would reflect the views and aspirations of the people of Somaliland."

Source: Mandeeq, Hargeysa, in Somali 30 Aug 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

The self-appointed committee which is composed of religious leaders, businessmen, and two of the three [governing] councils, which has been liaising between the two parties yesterday briefed the media. Adan Barado and Shaykh Muhammad Dini spoke on behalf of the rest. Barado said, "We are the envoys who are mediating in the disagreement between the clan chiefs and the government, which is going on and progressing well. We are hopeful that it will end up successfully..."

Source: Himilo, Hargeisa, in Somali 29 Aug 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

Police reported one person killed and six wounded in the clashes in Hargeisa last Thursday. UNICEF did not say how many children were wounded in the clashes, or whether they were in addition to or part of the statistics reported by police.

"It has become all too clear that whenever and wherever violent clashes have recently taken place in the country, very young children have consistently been numbered among the casualties," UNICEF's Somalia representative Gianfranco Rotigliano said in a statement.

"We urge all parties to exercise vigilance to protect vulnerable children, and for the community at large -- community leaders as well as parents -- to ensure that innocent children do not become the victims of violence."

Somaliland announced its secession from the rest of Somalia following the overthrow of the government of president Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, but has yet to attain international recognition.

More than 187 people from the self-declared [Republic of] Somaliland in northwest Somalia, who live in Europe and America, have issued a joint statement and sent it to the government of [Somaliland President Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal and the [Somaliland] parliament, calling for his immediate resignation.

The members accuse President Egal of violating the country's constitution and misusing public resources. They also demand an immediate release of the jailed clan leaders, describing the arrest as similar to those of the regime of [former President] Siyad Barreh...

They say the only solution towards achieving peace is for Egal to hand over office.

Source: Qaran, Mogadishu, in Somali 29 Aug 01 p 2 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

BBC Monitoring Service;Aug 28, 2001/ The [Mogadishu-based] human rights organization, the Dr Isma'il Jim'ale Human Rights Centre [IJHRC], has expressed concern over the Somaliland administration's recent conduct, in particular the arrest of community leaders. The leaders are being held in jails the towns of Hargeysa, Berbera, which come under the [Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal's administration.

A press statement issued today on the increasing problems in Somalia also touched on the problems of clan revenge attacks, the excessive land mines being planted in various regions of the country, the massive inflow of weapons into various districts and regions of the country and the kidnapping of civilians, which, the centre said, existed in the south of the country, Puntland and Somaliland...

The IJHRC said in another statement that up to 23 people, among them Suldan Muhammad Suldan Abdulqadir, Suldan Mahmud Ahmad Shaykh, Suldan Abdighani Suldan Hirsi and Suldan Abdi were being held in jails in Hargeysa and Berbera towns, for their freedom of conscience and speech.

The IJHRC finally called for the protection of life, freedom and [word indistinct] at the same time respect the UN policy on arms sanction [on Somalia]. The group further requested President Egal to release the jailed civilians unconditionally.

Source: Radio Banaadir, Mogadishu, in Somali 2000 gmt 27 Aug 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

BBC Monitoring Service;Aug 28, 2001/ Somali newspaper Qaran web site on 28 August

A demonstration was yesterday held in Hargeysa in support of [Somaliland President] Muhammad Ibrahim Egal's call for a transition from clan-based politics to pluralism.

The demonstrators chanted among other slogans "Away with those who received dollars", "We don't want Arta [Mogadishu-based interim Somali government created in Arta, Djibouti]". The demonstrators were addressed by Hargeysa mayor who said they [as published] were opposed to anything detrimental to peace in Somaliland.

Meanwhile, a demonstration opposed to the arrest of clan leaders was yesterday held in Burco, the demonstrators called for the immediate release of clan leaders.

Egal yesterday afternoon held a news conference and thanked the people who had [earlier] gathered at the Khayria Square in support of his stand on the affairs of Somaliland.

Source: Qaran web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 28 Aug 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

BBC Monitoring Service;Aug 28, 2001/ Somaliland's Radio Hargeysa on 27 August

The [Somaliland] minister of resettlement, Abdullahi Husayn Iman Darawal, today made clear that the government had no plans whatsoever to attack and use force against a house where a clan leaders' group is staying.

The minister said this during a news conference he held today at the Hotel Hargeysa Club.

He said there were people visiting the elders' bodyguards at night telling them to start shooting, that there was enough support for them, and that they will be attacked.

Denying this, the minister said the government believed that the issue [the dispute between the government and the clan elders] would be settled through dialogue. He described as inconsequential those who thought they were indispensable. He added that these men were those who incited troublemakers and even today want the same.

Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1845 gmt 27 Aug 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

BBC Monitoring Service;Aug 28, 2001

A huge rally in support of the president of Somaliland [Muhammad Ibrahim Egal], the constitution and the country's peace was today held in Boorama, Awdal regional HQ [western Somaliland].

The rally which was attended by many people, traditional elders, clergymen, intellectuals and many other people was also attended by the minister of culture and tourism, Uthman Ali Bile, the regional administrator, Muhammad Mahmud and the Boorama town mayor Muhammad Dahiye Isma'il.

According to our Boorama reporter, Abubakr Afe, the public rally voiced opposition against anything detrimental to the existence and sovereignty of the country.

The minister told the rally about the political situation in the country, the government's decision and the need to respect the constitutional referendum which was passed by 97 per cent of the population and was supported by the people who are opposed to anything that affects it... [passage omitted on names of speakers at the rally]

Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1845 gmt 27 Aug 01/BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

There is still tension between the president of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland [Muhammad Ibrahim Egal] and traditional leaders who have had some of their colleagues imprisoned. The latest reports from Hargeysa say a demonstration, which was not big, was held in the town last night, calling for the release of elders who had been arrested.

Meanwhile, traditional leaders in Burco spoke over the radio with elders in Hargeysa who had differed with Egal and delivered a strong message to elders imprisoned in Hargeysa who said they would not change their stand even if they were killed [sentence as published].

A self-appointed mediation committee has failed to resolve the differences between the two sides, prompting Egal to threaten to resign if some of this propositions are not heeded. These are:

Traditional leaders should rescind decisions reached at the Burco meeting and also those reached at the Hargeysa meeting, in which they said they were the highest authority in Somaliland; and should withdraw claims that they were a body belonging to traditional elders of Somaliland.

Egal also said that the elders' aim was to destroy the country and that it was unacceptable that the arrested men should give conditions for talks. He said talks could only be held when they are freed.

Meanwhile, a huge demonstration was held yesterday in Burco calling for the release of the traditional elders. Among those who spoke during the demonstration were Col Muhammad Kahin, one of the founders of the SNM [Somali National Movement, which led the fight for Somaliland's independence], and the scholar Muhammad Ibrahim Hadrawi who said "the aim of the liberation [of Somaliland] was not have the public suppressed and intellectuals and traditional leaders arrested."

Source: Xog-Ogaal web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 27 Aug 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

BBC Monitoring Service;Aug 26, 2001

The Transitional Government of Somalia [TGS] has expressed regret at the detention by Muhammad Ibrahim Egal's administration [Somaliland] of Somali clan elders who were meeting in Hargeysa.

The TGS minister of information, Zakariya Haji Abdi, said the government deeply regretted the political tensions that had emerged in the northwestern regions of Somalia following Egal's decision to arrest the Somalia clan elders. He said the elders were arrested for merely meeting to express their views and their arrest therefore violated human rights and the freedom of expression.

The minister called upon international organizations who advocate for human rights to witness and condemn the violations that Egal practises on the residents of the northwestern regions of Somalia...

Source: HornAfrik Online text web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 25 Aug 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

Text of report in English by Somali HornAfrik Online text web site on 23 August

Three people were wounded some of them seriously in clashes between demonstrators and Somaliland police in Hargeysa.

This follows when the president of the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, ordered the arrest of Sultan Muhammad Sultan Abdukadir, Sultan Muhammad Hersi Abdiqadir and several other public prominent personalities.

The protestors were demanding the immediate release of the arrested men when they clashed with the police. Egal ordered the arrests of the men when they took a different position over the issue of a new political party recently announced in Somaliland (UDUB) [United People's Democratic Party].

Source: HornAfrik Online text web site, Mogadishu, in English 23 Aug 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

A move by humanitarian agencies to help severely malnourished children in resettlement camps in Hargeysa, in the self-declared state of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, will depend on how quickly resources can be mobilised, a UNHCR official told IRIN today.

NAIROBI -- At least one person was killed and six wounded in the capital of breakaway Somaliland on Thursday when police exchanged fire with a group of civilians accused of holding an illegal meeting, police said.

"Some of those in the meeting were armed and were against police questioning a few elements suspected of undermining the security of Somaliland," a police officer who asked not to be named told AFP by telephone from Hargeisa. He said that five of the "anti-peace personalities" were arrested and that police were still looking for several others.

The deceased succumbed to injuries he sustained during the clashes, hospital sources in Hargeisa said.

Somaliland announced its secession from the rest of Somalia following the overthrow of the government of president Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, but has yet to attain international recognition.

BBC Monitoring Service;Aug 23, 2001/ UN regional information network IRIN on 23 August

Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, the leader of the self-declared state of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, is facing criticism for establishing his own political party. Accusations against Egal, including those of using government funds and misappropriating money to found his own party, have led to an attempt to impeach him. Thirty-seven MPs placed a proposal before parliament calling for him to be removed from office. The proposal included a complaint that he had been too "ambiguous" in pushing for Somaliland independence.

Diplomatic sources told IRIN that Egal had only "narrowly" averted impeachment.

Egal was criticized for forging ahead with the founding of his own political party, the Allied People's Democratic Party (or UDUB, meaning "pillar"), by holding a conference in early July in Hargeysa with representatives from the regions, districts, parliament and current administration. The participants reportedly prepared and approved the party rules and regulations, and established a central committee.

Critics of Egal said he was using "state" resources to establish his party, and had brought in leading members of the present government, giving him an unfair advantage in upcoming multiparty and presidential elections. However, diplomatic and humanitarian sources told IRIN that the main thrust of the complaint put forward in parliament was based on a package of written "evidence" that Egal had given interviews, made speeches and written letters demonstrating a lack of commitment to Somaliland independence. Of the 37 MPs, 24 were described by the source as "hardcore secessionists".

Source: UN Integrated Regional Information Network, Nairobi, in English 23 Aug 01/BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

BBC news. Thursday, 23 August, 2001

Somalis face more misery in the coming months.

Half a million people in southern Somalia face a serious shortage of food as a result of insufficient rains, say the UN's food agency, the World Food Programme.

A statement released by the WFP said this year's harvest of the staple food sorghum will fall below 10% of the expected average.

"I have seen for myself that many of the underground food stores are now empty." --Kevin Farrell, WFP

Kevin Farrell, country director for Somalia said in the statement:: "I have seen for myself that many of the underground food stores, which should be full by now are empty."

The dry weather in March and April have forced some families to begin early migration in search of food and grazing land for their cattle. Food appeal

At feeding centres an unusually high number of women are now turning up for assistance. In some villages men have left their families behind and headed for the city seeking food. Milk, an essential part of the Somali diet, is also drying up.

Women have been making their way to feeding centres

The regions worst affected by the drought conditions, the WFP said, are those bordering north eastern Kenya and south eastern Ethiopia.

They include Gedo, Bay and Bakol.

The organisation is appealing for donors to provide at least 40,000 metric tonnes of food in order to halt a "humanitarian tragedy and stop more people from leaving their homes".

It said the remaining 20,000 would come from other aid agencies.

Animals dying

The UN food agency said there has not been any deaths from starvation in the country as a result of the current drought but fear that if donors do not urgently respond to their appeal, the situation might change in the coming months.

Underground food stores are empty

A correspondent for the BBC in Somalia says the food situation in the central region is also causing concern.

He says in Galgudud the water wells have dried up and that their are reports of animals dying.

Our correspondent also points out that insecurity in the south and central regions of the country have also accounted for the shortage of food.

Somali HornAfrik Online text web site on 23 August

The World Food Programme has appealed for 22,000 tons of food aid for Somalia in order to save over half a million Somalis who are facing a severe food shortage. The WFP director in Somalia said lack of rain in the country had led to a shortage of food. As a result, Somalia will need food aid in the coming months in order to avert a human catastrophe, particularly in Gedo, Bay and Bakool regions [in southern Somalia].

Source: HornAfrik Online text web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 23 Aug 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

A nutritional survey on returnees in Hargeysa, capital of the self-declared state of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, has provoked concern over the level of malnutrition in several resettlement camps in and around the town.

The survey, carried out by UNICEF, the Somaliland health ministry and the Food Security Analysis Unit (FSAU - funded by USAID and implemented by FAO), predicted a bleak outlook for children already malnourished and lacking special care. "Many of these children are, in fact, likely to die," said the FSAU August Nutrition Update. Of an estimated total population of 30,500 in seven resettlement camps, 901 children were surveyed using a 30-by-30 two-stage cluster sampling methodology. The report said about 300 - or 5 percent - of children who were severely malnourished at the time of the survey were "unlikely to recover without intensive feeding, and most of them will never reach their full mental or physical potential".

The Somalis have returned to Hargeysa from refugee camps in Ethiopia, and are finding it difficult to get housing, employment and basic amenities after congregating in several resettlement camps around the town. Repatriation had been taking place over a number of years, but had recently intensified following the closure by UNHCR of the camps in Ethiopia, humanitarian sources said. The report warned that most families were living in the camps without adequate shelter, clean water or sanitation. "In an environment of generally better food security, stability and infrastructure such as Somaliland, a nutrition rate of 15.1 percent is certainly worrying," FSAU said. The report posed that it was unlikely that this population of around 30,000 would recover and re-establish their lives and livelihoods without assistance. [For full details of FSAU monthly update of information on nutrition report see http://www.reliefweb.int

BBC Monitoring Service;Aug 15, 2001/ Somaliland's Radio Hargeysa on 15 August

Somaliland President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal today issued presidental decree number 164/8/2001, relieving Ali Muhammad Waran-Ade from his post as Somaliland's minister of information.

Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 15 Aug 01

/BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

According to a statement from the Somaliland Presidency, the president of the Republic of Somaliland, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, relieved his internal affairs minister, Ahmad Shambir Sultan, of his duties yesterday.

A statement issued by the Somaliland presidential spokesman, Abdi Idris Du'ale, says the president has relieved Sultan of his duties with immediate effect. However, the statement did not say why the minister was relieved of his duties.

Source: Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, in Somali 15 Aug 01 p 1

/BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

Sultans and clan elders from eastern and western Burco yesterday afternoon held a meeting and agreed to honour an invitation by the president of the republic of Somaliland, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal.

Reports from Burco say clan elders told the clan committees and others who took part in the meeting that turning down an invitation by the head of state would be detrimental to their status.

The report said the elders who reached this decision were anticipating to meet the president and discuss the issues that had brought the differences. The elders said anyone who turned down the invitation by the president had a hidden agenda and was mistaken. The meeting was attended by Sultan Abdullahi Sultan Ali, Sultan Mahmud Guled and Mahmud Ali Arab who are expected to travel to Hargeysa...
Source: Mandeeq, Hargeysa, in Somali 14 Aug 01 p 1 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

Chichi may not be the ideal family pet

It is often difficult to clamp down on the trade in endangered animals in the Horn of Africa. The BBC's East Africa correspondent Andrew Harding discussed the issue with the minister of information in Somaliland, and his pet lion.

The minister was sitting in his back garden, in a comfy deckchair with his favorite pet, Chichi, lying on his lap.

Chichi purred, then growled, then clamped her jaws firmly round the minister's crotch.

The minister emerged from his bungalow and walked towards me, smiling like some benign zoo keeper. Waranade stopped talking rather abruptly, and looked down at the fully-grown lioness that was sprawled between his legs.

For about five, mesmerising seconds, I waited to see how hungry Chichi was feeling.

The minister's garden was in Hargeisa, a dusty brown city in the hills of Somaliland, in the Horn of Africa.
Clamp down

Rather fittingly, I'd come to see Waranade to ask him what his government was doing to clamp down on rare animal poaching.

The Horn of Africa may have more pressing problems like anarchy and starvation, but the animal trade is a growing worry.

Cheetahs are on sale openly in Somaliland

I'd just been to a Chinese restaurant on the outskirts of Hargeisa where there were two injured baby cheetahs on sale, tied to a tree. One could barely walk because its back had been smashed by its captors.

The animals had been brought into town by a group of nomads living in the dry plains that stretch all the way to the Indian Ocean.

When I arrived at the minister's gate, Chichi was the first to welcome me with a casual sniff. She turned and wandered off to a corner, to taunt the three adult cheetahs which were chained to the garden wall.
Hostile environment

From time to time, journalists at the BBC get sent on something called a "hostile environment course". It basically involves running round the English countryside for a few days pretending to avoid snipers, minefields, and crazed Balkan kidnappers.

Somaliland is stuck in limbo - a would-be country, with its own currency and passports already printed, waiting for the world to let it join the club

Apart from being a bit of a laugh, it's actually quite useful. But for some reason, the ex-army types who dreamt up the course failed to include even the most basic lion-handling exercise.

The minister emerged from his bungalow and walked towards me, smiling like some benign zoo keeper. By then, three helpers were trying to keep Chichi under control with the assistance of a snarling, snappy dog, who just seemed to make the lioness more irritable. I noticed that one of the men had an eye missing.

Fear is catching. But so is confidence - and Waranade seemed so thoroughly relaxed that I decided, with one eye on the door, to stay for tea.

"Yes," said the minister, as a pacified Chichi finally snuggled into his lap, "I suppose our country does have an image problem. People always confuse us with Somalia. But we are Somaliland."

Fighting to be recognised

He wasn't being pedantic. The distinction is crucial. Ten years ago, Somaliland declared that it was breaking away from greater Somalia - to become an independent country in its own right.

Since then, Somalia has descended into anarchy and poverty while Somaliland has become the proverbial island of peace and stability.

Somalia has other problems apart from the illegal animal trade

The trouble is that no one will recognise Somaliland as an independent country. Not even Britain, which used to run the place as a protectorate until 1960. Even the spell check on my computer has underlined the country with a dismissive red line.

And so Somaliland is stuck in limbo, or maybe purgatory. A would-be country, with its own currency and passports already printed, waiting for the world to let it join the club.

It turned out that Chichi wasn't feeling too hungry that afternoon. The minister pounded on her head a few frantic times with his fist and she opened her jaws and let him go.

The minister smiled - a small, embarrassed smile - like a parent apologising for a naughty child.

Chichi was given to the minister as a present

"Soon," he said, "I will pull her teeth and her claws out. She is getting a little big. But she loves to play, and so do I."

It seemed a good moment to ask him about the wildlife trade. But he insisted there wasn't a problem. Chichi had been given to the minister as a present, along with two other lions. But they both died. In fact rumour has it that Chichi killed one of them. The light was fading by the time I headed to the gate.

Chichi and the minister had started a game of tug of war. He was holding the tail of a stuffed dead lion - straw poking out of its stomach. Chichi was gripping a front leg firmly between her bright white teeth.

Humanitarian sources said the aim of the mission was to look at marketing, health and ecology issues, and ways to maximise the returns for the pastoralist - the producer of all animals sold for export. Where there was an absence of government structures - or a government for that matter, it was suggested that certain international organisations like FAO and the OAU could be used in the field in conjunction with local authorities to implement codes and regulations.

Early recommendations by mission members include linking veterinary authorities in the Horn with veterinary authorities in the Arabian peninsula, and comparing the live export market with the chilled trade. Changing tastes and trends in purchasing meat and meat products in the importing countries should also be examined, mission members said. Marketing information useful to traders and pastoralists in remote areas should be gathered and made available, which could be done through print media, television and radio, mission members suggested.

Addis Ababa, 5 August: The Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs [has] disclosed that about 25,000 Somali refugees found in eastern Ethiopia will be repatriated over the coming four months.

The repatriation of the Somali refugees found in Darur camp will be undertaken in cooperation with the World Food Programme and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR. The administration said the camp is scheduled to close down in October on completion of the repatriation programme. The Somali refugees will be settled in Somaliland, where relative calm prevails, it said. The refugees will receive food ration, household utensils and transportation allowance.

Meanwhile, the administration disclosed that more than 10,500 Ethiopian refugees were repatriated this year from the Sudan.
Source: Walta Information Centre web site, Addis Ababa, in English 5 Aug 01/BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

The reconstruction of the bridges which were, previously, demolished during the protracted war between the Somali National Movement (SNM) and the then reigning military administration of Somalia in the, 80s, were implemented on the 3rd phase of the protocol between the government of Somaliland and the European Union office. The honourable minister for public works, Engineer Aynab, spoke of his delight in an occasion where several main links were being added to the reconstruction, rebuilding effort of Somaliland.

The minister, profusely expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the European Commission  which, he said, really extended a vital service to the Somaliland people. Minister Aynab, also, spoke glowingly of SOMCON-s commendable and highly professional abilities as manifested in its faultless finishing of the technically demanding, time constrained bridges it has reconstructed from ground zero.

The Somaliland ministers for Civil Aviation and Health, Abdullahi Muhammad Du'ale and Abdi Aw Dahir, respectively, who also spoke at the opening ceremony, did not hesitate in expressing their unstained gratitude and happiness at attending such an occasion.

Where four bridges along the treacherous Sheikh Pass and another big one that linked Sheikh town to Burco, were being formally opened to traffic.

The two ministers on the same vein, ecstatically commended the respective roles each of the EU office and the contractor company played in the project. The chairman of SOMCON, Jibril Ahmad Ali, a promising, charismatic business tycoon, who recently diverted some his parent company-s Saudi based ventures to Somaliland, revealed that although the work they have undertaken was as demanding as expected, his team really enjoyed putting the job on the road and implementing it too with plenty of time and resources to spare. . Jibril disclosed that, in fact, his company was not only able to conclude its contractual terms per agreement but was also able to do it way below the granted 746,000 US dollars granted in contract. The chairman-s disclosure of his company-s actual costs on the bridges was in fact unprecedented in firms of SOMCON-s size and diversity.

Phase IV of the EU program in the rebuilding of bridges along Somaliland is heavily used main roads is expected to take off later in the year. The EU representative here attended Thursday's opening ceremony as were the governor of Sahil. The CEO of the Somaliland Road Authority (SRA) and a number of other dignitaries [as published].

The MPs accused the president of various crimes, including violation of the constitution, high treason and mismanagement of public funds. Submitting a six-page report to the Speaker, explaining their accusations and reasons for seeking the removal of the prerogatives of the president, the MPs cited Article 36, section (1) of the constitution which stipulates that a sitting president can be impeached and his powers revoked...

The Speaker of the House, Abdiqadir H. Ismai'l Jirde, who chaired the session yesterday said the House would debate the motion tabled by the 36 MPs within the next 24 hours

''Since the report is long, the House has the right to consider the motion within a maximum period of 48 hours as stated by the standing order of the House so that [word indistinct] names of the 36 members and other details,'' he said.

It was agreed that after a period of 24 hours the House will open the debate on the motion

The reason, says Brunswig, is simple. "A couple of goats ended up under the wheels of a KingAir once and according to Somali compensation law the herder got paid double their value. I guess they're all in on it now."

The Mogadishu flight information centre, Brunswig confesses with an alarming chuckle, "is a bit of a Mickey Mouse operation". That's alarming, because every month 1,600 commercial flights pass through Somali airspace. Stretching far into the Indian ocean, it is twice the size of Somalia's land mass, and takes up to three hours for an airliner to cross.

Major carriers like Air France and Air Kenya pass through. British Airways may soon be joining them, says Brunswig, because Somalia is on a direct flight path from London to the Seychelles, a British holiday favourite.

The flight information provided by the centre falls short of full air traffic control only in that it leaves pilots free to choose their own course in an emergency. This is the case throughout most of Africa. More unusually, when Brunswig looks up, he sees Kenyan airspace: the centre is in Nairobi. Brunswig and his small team transferred operations there in 1995 after the UN's hasty pullout from Somalia and the country's prompt descent into warlordism and terror. He knows that running a country's airspace from another country is "a bit unique". "I'm afraid people thought I was mad when I suggested it."

There is something of the amateur enthusiast about the whole operation, which is located in a modest whitewashed house. Brunswig's office should be a bedroom, and the control room a sittingroom. In front of an elegant fireplace, the duty controllers plot flights on a wooden control board. "We got a local furniture maker to knock it up for us," says Brunswig with a wink. "Saved us a load of money."

Despite the lack of radar, the system works well.

"For the volume of traffic we have it's perfectly able to do the job," says Brunswig. The only serious weakness is the crudity of the radio system. Most of the region's aviation communication is on the same frequency, which makes it congested and often misleading. As the radio rattles and buzzes to life, a controller leaps to the control panel. But it is a false alert, a message to Kenyan air traffic control down the road.

The team's only work on the ground is in the relatively peaceful breakaway states of Somaliland and Puntland. When they are occasionally called on by planes using Somalia's few working airstrips, there is more to worry about than goats.

Last year, a group of Malaysian businessmen in a chartered Airbus persuaded their pilot to swoop low over Mogadishu for a photo opportunity. They knew they had entered small-arms range when a hail of bullets crippled the steering. Brunswig's team managed to guide the plane down the Kenyan coast to Mombassa, just. "They were very, very lucky not to end up in the ocean with that thing. It couldn't even taxi off the runway after it landed," says Brunswig.

Mogadishu's transitional government has started talking of reopening the capital's airport and getting its air traffic control back. But while there are reports of warlords fighting mortar battles inside the airport compound, the Nairobi team will stay put.

Brunswig's team is unfunded, just about finding the pounds 1.8m per year it needs from what it charges the airlines. "It's a day-to-day crisis operation," he says. What would those British honeymoon couples, a mile high and bound for the Seychelles, think of that? "I don't suppose the passengers really think about what's going on on the ground," says Brunswig. "Probably just as well."

Our reporter from Burco said clan leaders from Sool Region who were invited [southeastern Somaliland] to the meeting did not attend. The duration of the meeting is unknown

Speaking at the meeting, Sultan Abdullahi Sultan Ali, said the meeting was neither clan-oriented nor political. The sultan further said the meeting was to counsel elders and would discuss peace and brotherhood among the people.

According to our Burco reporter, Yusuf Ilka-A'se, the meeting was attended by journalists based there. Sultan Muhammad Hirsi said the agenda of the meeting was:

1. To restore the role of clan leaders in the community
2. To lay a clear path for the people's destination or discuss future strategy
3. To discuss cooperation and teamwork

The [Somaliland] government today released a report saying it would fully authorize a clan leaders' conference in Burco [central Somaliland] town as long as it was not going to discuss politics.

This decision followed an agreement between a government delegation in the town and clan leaders preparing for the meeting. The meeting is expected to begin tomorrow.

The report has put to an end the anxiety and speculation that the meeting would create a rift between the government and clan leaders.

Source: Somaliland Net web site, in Somali 15 Jul 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

The press statement follows a stern warning from the minister of internal affairs, Ahmad Shambir Sultan, who stated that any activity that involved clan meetings or to invite other clan leaders from outside was illegal in Somaliland.

The clan meeting is set to discuss the following:

1. Strengthen security in the country.
2. Cooperation and coexistence among clans.
3. Ways and means of confronting anything that is likely to threaten the clans.

''Coordination and invitation of the clan leaders has been the work of leaders in Burco. They have been working on this for some time because it is in the interest of the nation", added the statement...

Hargeysa: The president of the self-declared Somaliland republic, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, has issued a circular banning the holding of any political clan meetings in areas of Puntland.

"The time for clan politics is over. We are in the era of multiparty politics now," the circular added. The circular further urged members of the public to form their own political parties independent from clan politics.

A political party was recently launched in Hargeysa which named Somaliland leader Muhammad Ibrahim Egal as its chairman, and Egal's vice-president, Dahir Riyale Kahin, as its vice-chairman. The new party intends to participate in the next Somaliland presidential elections to be held early next year, in 2002.

Source: Ayaamaha web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 9 Jul 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

A statement was released today by the mayor of Hargeysa Awil Ilmi Abdallah on the illegal possession of light weapons in the capital city.

The mayor said the possession of unlicensed arms would not be tolerated. The mayor said anyone in possession of light weapons required a license and anyone with illegal weapons would be prosecuted.

Source: Radio Hargeysa, Voice of the Republic of Somaliland, in Somali 1700 gmt 29 Jun 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

Somaliland's minister of health, Abdi Aw Dahir Ali, officially declared the formation of the NDA, whose general convention is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 30 June 2001 in Hargeysa.

The minister made the announcement yesterday when he addressed a news conference at the Civil Service Commission HQ during the closure of a one-day seminar for the party's steering committee.

The committee consists of ministers, other leaders and members of the public. Among the ministers who attended the meeting were the ministers of finance, education and health.

Dr Dahir informed the meeting that up to 350 members, from all corners of the country, were expected to attend the convention. He said the convention will continue for a week...

Source: Himilo, Hargeisa, in Somali 27 Jun 01 p 1 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

Somaliland: Launch of BBC FM station in Hargeysa delayed

The head of the BBC Somali Service, Yusuf Garaad Umar Ahmed, has commented about the setback in the plans by the BBC to launch an FM station in the city of Hargeysa, which was scheduled to become operational today, 26 June. The head of the BBC Somali Service attributed the setback to technical reasons.

"The radio equipment was expected to be brought in from South Africa, however, the engineers decided that the equipment should first be taken to the UAE before being brought to Hargeysa," Yusuf Garaad said. According to him, Hargeysa will become one of the 150 cities where the BBC can now be heard on FM.

Yusuf said the FM station to be opened in Hargeysa was different from the ones they had opened in Mogadishu and Djibouti, because it would operate using solar energy instead of using fuel and electricity.

Source: Ayaamaha web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 26 Jun 01

/BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Somaliland today sent a copy of a circular to Radio Hargeysa announcing the banning of all vehicles with foreign registration and driving licences from operating in the country as from 1 July 2001.

The circular, which was sent to all the provincial and district chairpersons and the police commissioner, states that any vehicle not bearing local registration, whether newly brought from another country or old, should immediately carry Somaliland's registration number to conform with the existing laws of the land.

The circular has further ordered the provincial and district leaders to impound vehicles having foreign numbers or expired ones until they carry the country's registration.

The circular noted that many people in the country were driving without driving licences, thus causing many accidents. On the other hand, it added that the government had lost much revenue in the process.

Therefore, as from 1 July 2001, the police have been ordered to impound unregistered vehicles, those being driven illegally and those without road licences. At the same time, the ministries of transport and of finance have been informed that people applying for driving licences or renewing them, should be easily issued with them.

The circular further asked the police traffic department to implement the contents of the circular.
Source: Radio Hargeysa, Voice of the Republic of Somaliland, in Somali 1700 gmt 21 Jun 01 /BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

The mayor of Durukhsi District [in southwestern Somaliland], Ali Abdulahi, has said that the district was facing a serious outbreak of malaria. He said the district was also facing a severe shortage of anti-malarial drugs and could not afford to meet the need on its own. He appealed to the Ministry of Health and other humanitarian health agencies to lend a helping hand in curbing the disease in the district, and further said that the disease had adversely affected the region.

Source: Radio Hargeysa, Voice of the Republic of Somaliland, in Somali 1700 gmt 21 Jun 01

/BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

A two-day meeting opens at the UN HQ in New York today attended by experts on Somalia and some UN officials. The meeting is expected to discuss the UN's role in the post-Arta period.

Powerful members of the UN Security Council and donor countries are fed up with the group set up in Arta [Transitional Government of Somalia]. The meeting is also expected to discuss the role of IGAD [Inter-Governmental Authority on Development] member states in the reconciliation process.

Among the experts on Somalia attending the meeting are Algerian -born Ambassador Mohammed Sahnoun, Sir Kieran Prendergast, a Briton who has prepared numerous reports on Somaliland and Somalia, French expert on Somalia and Somaliland Ronald Murschad [as published], American Kenneth Monkhouse and the UN envoy for Somalia David Stephen, whose office is organizing the meeting.

Stephen was one of the organizers of the Arta conference and is keen not to see the group he had helped to set up fail. Stephen has made it a habit to write non-existent things about Somaliland. He has refused to recognize Somaliland as a nation. He has sought to hide the real situation in Somalia and Somaliland from the international community and the senior officials of the UN.

Asked whether Somaliland was attending the meeting in New York, an official told us that Somaliland was not invited to the meeting...
Source: Mandeeq, Hargeysa, in Somali 21 Jun 01 p 1/BBC Monitoring/ c BBC.

Up to 283 families composed of 1,471 refugees, returned from Dorwanaaji [phonetic] refugee camp in eastern Ethiopia. They were transported back in 27 vehicles hired by the UNHCR.

They were received at the Ethiopia-Somaliland border by officials from the ministry of resettlement, UNHCR and officials from Awdal Region.

The Somaliland Minister for Public Works and Transport, Yusuf Ainab Musa, declared five EU - funded bridges a national construction company - SOMCON - reconstructed officially open for traffic on Thursday, July.

The reconstruction of the bridges which were, previously, demolished during the protracted war between the Somali National Movement (SNM) and the then reigning military administration of Somalia in the, 80s, were implemented on the 3rd phase of the protocol between the government of Somaliland and the European Union office. The Honourable Minister for Public Works, Engineer Ainab, spoke of his delight in an occasion where several main links were being added to the reconstruction, rebuilding effort of Somaliland.

The Minister, profusely expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the European Commission - which, he said, really extended a vital service to the Somaliland people. Minister Ainab, also, spoke glowingly of SOMCON's "commendable and highly professional" abilities as manifested in its faultless finishing of the technically demanding, time - constrained bridges it has reconstructed from ground zero.

The Somaliland Ministers for Civil Aviation and Health, Abdullahi Mohamed Dualeh and Adbi Aw Dahir, respectively, who, also, spoke at the opening ceremony did not hesitate in expressing their unstained gratitude and happiness at attending such an occasion. Where four bridges along the treacherous Sheikh pass and another big one that linked Sheikh town to Burao, were being formally opened to traffic.

The two Ministers, on the same vein, ecstatically commended the respective roles each of the EU office and the contractor company played in the project. The Chairman of SOMCON, Jibril Ahmed Ali, a promising, charismatic business tycoon who recently diverted some his parent company's Saudi based ventures to Somaliland, revealed that although the work they have undertaken was as demanding as expected, his team really enjoyed putting the job on the road and implementing it, too, with plenty of time and resources to spare. . Jibril disclosed that, in fact, his company was not only able to conclude its contractual terms per agreement but was, also, able to do it way below the granted 746,000 US dollars granted in contract. The Chairman's disclosure of his company's actual costs on the bridges was, in fact, unprecedented in firms of SOMCON's size and diversity.

Phase IV of the EU program in the rebuilding of bridges along Somaliland's 'heavily' used main roads is expected to take off later in the year. The EU representative here attended Thursday's opening ceremony as were the Governor of Sahil. The CEO of the Somaliland Road Authority (SRA) and a number of other dignitaries.

ON UNITED NATIONS' SOMALILAND STAND.

It is unfortunate, very misleading and factually inaccurate to (Call Somaliland Northwest Somalia, NW Zone or any name other than Somaliland). Let us just say that the United Nations has shown itself for the last fifty years as a rather conservative institution when it comes to the international order.

One thing might be that the United Nations - and its bureaucrats - is really still stuck in a pattern of thinking that was very strong in the 1960s, '70s and' 80s which is about the maintaining of colonial boundaries. (It takes a special effort to remind those officials about the uniqueness of the Somaliland protectorate in June of 1960. Somalilanders are very aware of it. The international media, I'm afraid, does not care. They did not look at it closely.

It does not do much good to compare Somaliland/Somalia to Yugoslavia or the Soviet Union (and the rest). I think it is best to stop that comparison. A more interesting comparison is Ethiopia and Eritrea. And there the difference, somebody would say, is that the central government of Eritrea.
ON CONSOLIDATING RELATIONS AND.. GAINS.

Therefore, I think, a key step for Somaliland to encourage in the future is that, since Ethiopia remains the headquarters of the African Union and is a major player as one of the largest countries (in the continent), carries weight and symplism in Africa, whatever can be done should be done to encourage the normalization of relations with Ethiopia and the Somalis who live there. In terms of trade, in terms of citizenship, in terms of cross - border exchanges and movement of goods, this would be, in the long run very good for Somaliland.

Now, that would be the impact of that on Djibouti, on Puntland or Southern Somalia?

If I was advising some people I would say that, "we have to go with what we already have." Somaliland has to be for Somaliland. It cannot worry about Puntland or Mogadishu any more than Mogadishu seems to worry about Somaliland or Puntland appears to be worrying about the well - being of Somaliland(!).

Another sign of sovereignty and the consolidation of independence will be of the elections, i.e., on the domestic scene. As for the foreign affairs, the two most crucial thing seem to be: (a) getting the Saudis to lift the livestock ban which is an economic issue; and (b) a political issue which is tied to the economic issue is the continuing normalization of relations with whatever government is in Addis Ababa.

ON PROMOTING SOMALI ABROAD.

I had a meeting with the President a few days ago and be summed it up very nicely. He said that Somaliland's enemies are very active and Somaliland's friends seem to be rather quiet, rather passive. That is the area where there needs to be some reversal. But, for the time being. I would say Somaliland is going in the right direction, for sure.

The I no doubt about it. You could feel it. Sure, you can feel it in the air. I would say: "Keep Going!.." The world is in a twilight period. The twentieth century practically came to an end in the late '80s or early 90s'. the concepts and principles from the 20th century linger on into the 21st century (for the world). And it is particularly acute in the case of Somaliland (and especially), because of what I said about Mogdishu's image and how the world intervened and (that) nothing was resolved. And, secondly, because those people who are close observers of Africa or the Horn remember that if any thing characterized Somalis from the 1960s to the 1980s, it was this notion that the Somalis were one nation in search of a state. That is the legacy that much of the world remembers. Eventually, they will come to overcome that and transcend it.

It was the American novelist William Faulkner who once said that 'the past in never dead. In fact, it never really passed'. That is the problem. Somalilanders remember their history .. and are very fond of it. In fact, Somaliland was independent for four or five days in 1960. the fact (remains however) that the Union (with Italian Somalia) was never really ratified. Somalilanders are very up to date on that. I don't think that the audience is Somalilanders.

The audience is the rest of the world. Those of us who are friends of Somaliland try to make that as clear as possible.

A sustainable grassroots scheme successfully takes root in Las Anod.

In places where central or local institutions have not yet launched any noteworthy services, it is, indeed, a star - crossed town or village where local or international NGOs take up the slack.

In Las Anod of Sool, for instance, one particular local NGO appears to have succeeded as a surrogate public services department for a largely cosmetic municipality. The Steadfast Voluntary Organization (SVO) has, specifically, targeted ways and means to rid the 50,000 - resident town of garbage since 1991. "Now we have arrived at a stage where we can confidently leave this angle of our work in the good hands of the people," Engineer Sa'eed Aw Abdi, the Founder - Director of SVO, told The Republican on Friday.

The Engineer recalls the humble and often futile efforts of the NGO to involve residents of Erigavo, Sanag, and Las Anod both of which regional capitals SVO has offices - in a systematic collection and disposal of household garbage as well as refuse and left - overs at public eating places, said:-

"The long years of toil and tedium have paid off nicely and in the most mutually beneficial way possible for us and for the local residents of Las Anod. For us, that people have at last realized the significance of garbage disposal, incineration pits and the like is reward enough. That they have agreed to the implementation of a sustainable system that would keep up the work SVO has started long after it has concluded this particular phase of its Social Service obligations, makes, in a way, heroes that we are not!"

SVO has developed a fool -proof routine where each household adds 10,000 of the old Somali Shilling notes at the and of each month to a central pool where, also, a 100,000 each from resident Garaads (Sultans) and restaurants, teashops and the big communication outfits and remittance firms make up a nice enough package at final tally day. The money pays, largely, for the wages of garbage collectors and fuel for the trucks that, according to Engineer Sa'eed, pick up 5 to 6 loads each day to distant dumping/garbage incineration pits.

"Garbage disposal rounds, also, include food, vegetable and meat markets as well as street boulevards," Sa'eed said. "We have employed around 50 garbage collectors full time. At the other end, usually a woman is selected as cashier for each 50-60 households. The other households bring their monthly contributions to her and, in turn, she hands over the collected money to whoever is then responsible for the overall accounts of system," Eng. Sa'eed explained.

With an arrangement like that revolving around a street - block method, the overall garbage disposal method has more than a fair chance of survival beyond the life span of current project. SVO plans to move on to Erigavo to start a similar kind of scheme based on a system that will principally follow along the Las Anod time - tested lines, more or less.

On Thursday, the first of a seven-day city sanitation campaign, Hargeisa Municipality Department of Sanitation and Social Services pulled out a number of spoiled food items from retailer shelves, inspected the premises and key attendants and waiters serving in restaurants and tea - shops and stiffly admonished a number of proprietors to abide by regulations or else face the consequences.

Municipality Officers, supported by units of the city police force, carried out a blitz - like operation that, at the end of the day, pulled out more than 100 cartoons of assorted foodstuffs and beverages from warehouses and shops. The blemished goods were found to be either negligently stored or carrying dates that have long expired or whose stamped dates did not leave much of a margin for save consumption due to other variables that include bad or inadequate storage arrangements.

"If clients, the consumers, the general public.. do not become more fastidious, more caring of what they paid good money for, nothing much can be achieved by sporadic food sanitation forays such as this one we have started today," Abdiwahab Abdi Jama "Nkruma", the Director of the Public Sanitation Services who spearheaded this latest of the Municipality's campaigns said. The Director, however, made it clear that his department had no complaints against the general public or its shopping habits. To the contrary, he said, his department only wishes to caution people against the snares of callous profiteers that can be found among any sizeable business community all over the world.

The Director said that they will continue to undertake campaigns and on - the - spot checking operations such as the one his department has begun on Thursday. . Nkruma was also full of praises for elements from the business establishment here and the general campaign who assist municipality operatives come on top whenever they carry out such street checks.

On a related operation, municipality officers cleared city streets of vendors, hawkers and small business owners who have lately taken over the sidewalks of almost all the main streets of Hargeisa. The congestion they created eased off somewhat.

Hospital.

On February this year, the Director of the Somaliland Ministry for Health, Ahmed Abdi Jama, requested of the Ministry of planning to make the necessary documents that would waive Ministry of Finance's Import duties from a consignment of medical drugs and other supplies that were, ostensibly, meant to be rushed to the greatly beleaguered, seldom - stocked general hospitals of Hargeisa, Burao and Erigavo. The supplies, after five long months, have yet to see the insides of an in - patient ward, let alone the inside of a suffering patient.

The most trusting , most kind member of the public we have asked of the whereabouts of these medical supplies told us that they were under lock and keys at the Hargeisa Central Medical Stores. What they were doing there, after so long a time, or if they are still there, was, however, put in a shroud of doubt by every interviewee, medical officer and in - patient we talked to. In fact, the members of the general public and almost all of the in - patients did not show much faith in ever witnessing these medical provisions performing medical wonders where needed, including the three above - mentioned hospitals.

"The February, 2001, supplies, I believe, were, in respect to costs declared, over - inflated. The supplies are said to have been purchase at a cost of 22000 US dollars according to the ministry. I don't believe it," a medical officer, who wishes to remain anonymous told us. The truth, though it might be a bit exaggerated is not far from there.

The three main hospitals of Hargeisa, Burao and Erigavo would have each reccived its share of a government allocated sum that amounts to 100,000 US dollars per year. None of the hospitals got it for the second year running. The presently questioned supplies might have been purchased as part of the hospital's allocations but, strangely enough, not one of the hospitals they are supposed to benefit have been consulted. Perhaps, this oversight on the part of the Ministry, which entered into an agreement of supply with an importer on its own counsel, is, largely, responsible for the supply of drugs that do not include the disinfectants, plaster strips, gauzes, gloves and the like that are so indispensable to the treatment of the sick or the administering of the drugs.

But this 'generous' opinion, that gives the benefits of a doubt to both contractor and contractee, is not shared by a great many of people who know a good deal about today's health matters in Somaliland. It is not very hard to understand such suspicious minds in the light of some of the Ministry's recent and not so recent - flurry of activities that fairly justify any number of aspersions casted against it.

For instance, a tonne of medical supplies that same Director General declared a donation to the Ministry of Health and Labour a year earlier to secure a free duty status from the Ministries of Planning and Finance disappeared without a trace. The Director's letter, reference number MH&L/122/2-W/2000 and dated 17/3/2000, states that:-

"Dr. Mohamed Mustafa, a Sudanese national, is donating to the Ministry of Health and Labour, medical supplies weighing 278 kgs, that will arrive at Hargeisa airport - which donated supplies follow another that same source donated to the Ministry. In light of above, we request that you process the necessary documents for duty exemption." . Ahmed Abdi Jama Director General of the Ministry of Health & Labour. This is followed by the Director of Customs' grant of duty exemption in a letter dated 10/4/2000 with a Facsimile of an Ethiopian Airlines manifest of goods (air waybill) that shows its doubts under its 'description of goods' column in its phrasing: SAID TO CONTAIN PHARMACEUTICALS(!).

On April 28, 2000, the head of the Ministry's logistics section, Mukhtaar Dheeg Ahmed, declares the supplies (Misappropriated) and lost to old, bad Fraud! . Dheeg writes that all 23 cartoons of that particular consignments were not to be found. "Following a Mansoor management's mistaken clearance of said goods out of Hargeisa's Central Customs depot." The letter was addressed to the Director General.

Next day April 29, the Director of the MOH & L, Administration and Personnel, Ahmed Abdi Musa, wrote to the DG in support of that of the logistic section. Again, this letter was again addressed to the DG as the one it referred to. Neither letter was graced with even a single line of acknowledgement from the Director General who so assiduously denied the nation of both its due duty charges and medical supplies in a single stroke of his penned signature.

The Director General happens to be the same officer who earlier this year banished and struck off from the Ministry's practising doctors' list three of this nation's most able doctors: Dr. Suleiman Mohamoud Gulaid, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Bedeh "Obols" and Dr. Dahir H. Dahir. The three doctors were expelled for joining the Islamic Party when the Minister of that very Ministry, himself, Dr. Abdi Aw Dahir remains not only the Minister after accepting the Post of Secretary General of President's own UDUB Party but is believed to have instigated another hasty expulsion of a key figure in the Somaliland's medical profession.

Dr. Abdi Ismail, a Director of the Hargeisa Hospital for less than two months was summarily dismissed over the telephone by the President himself. As if that was not enough, the Vice President, Dahir Riyaleh Kahin, wrote to the MOH & L in a letter dated 16/07/2001 (Ref. No: RSL/VP/ACC/39-00419/072001) asking the DG to "temporarily relieve" the doctor from the Group Hospital's Directorship.

The Director General was only happy to oblige promptly on that very day. And again, the nation is deprived of an experienced hand for talking loud of the sorry state of the Hospital. Dr. Abdi Ismail has done nothing criminal or offensive or seditious but only granted a frank, factual account of the Hospital's state of affairs to Jamhuuriya and The Republican. The question remains how long it will take concerned authorities to distinguish between wrong and right; between an ailment and an aliment.

On the small hours of Thursday, July 26, Mayor Awl Elmi Abdalla, put up the hulk of a soviet-manufactured MiG-17 that has participated in bomb-and-starve missions against civilians in the same city whose runways it took off from. The plane is one of the few that remain of squadrons of fighters that flew from their Hargeisa air force airstrips to carry out in discriminatory bombing missions against the unarmed civilian population of same city during the May - June battle over Hargeisa between the superiorly equipped troops of the former military and Kamikaze fighters of the Somali National Movement in 1988.

The battle, though short-lived, brought out the true devilry and hitherto ill-concealed plans of the reigning regime's top echelon politicians against the northern regions of a doomed Somali led by a megalomaniac general. At midnight, Thursday, we found a dead tired Mayor Awl sitting grimly beneath the brick and metal-bar pedestal prepared to receive the fighter at the Khayriya square in front of the Somaliland Bank. The Mayor was watching over the final welders' touches to a plane he transported earlier in the evening from the Hargeisa hangars seven kilometres away where it sat forlorn and broken since a short white before its tyrannical masters were finally driven off of what was once a badly trampled, heinously battered "northern Somalia" but is now a triumphant, spiritidly rejuvenated Republic of Somaliland.

The Mayor, a mid the deafening din and clamour of a midnight working party racing against a not - too - distant sunrise, was not a likely subject for an interview with reporters but we finally prevailed him to do just that with a considerable effort. "I met a stiff opposition from innumerable quarters to but one of the very planes that reduced its host city to rubble for reasons I can nto fathom or care to investigate at the moment" a hoarse Mayor whispered into the microphone of our small tape - recorder.

"it is, mainly, due to the determination and astute civic - mindedness of his excellency the president that we succeeded to this last lap to a tangibly feasible finish line against the odds", the Mayor added, warning up to the subject. "This plane you see in front of you is neither a fake our a factory manufactured replica of an original but one of many like it that have decimated thousands of badly scared, unarmed civilians who had very little to do with the fighting raging around them. They were bombed and machine - gunned because of their origins apart from being where and when they were at the time.

They were killed because the warped retaliatory policies of a tyrant chalked them up as enemies that sympathized with the sons, brothers and husbands that took up arms when they could no longer protect themselves, their families and the sanctity of their homes from an occupation army' of cut - throats," the Mayor pointed out. The Mayor pointed at the damaged Plexiglas of the plane's control canopy and said:

"that has been done by vandals sent to thwart our efforts to get the plane to where it has arrived at tonight. There need be no further testimony to what laughs people who oppose this project can go to". Asked whether this project would speed up the government's often criticized, largely lackadaisical attempts at bringing known war criminals to justice, the Mayor responded with: "the government, as far as I know of, need no further catalysts to awaken it to its obligations. "As I rightly recall, it has

NAIROBI, 26 July (IRIN) - Senior traditional elders in the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, northeastern Somalia, who were debating the controversy surrounding the extension of the mandate of President Abdullahi Yusuf and his administration, have come out in support of new elections and named an acting president, local sources told IRIN. The elders, who have been meeting in Garowe, the regional capital, since 18 July, decided on Wednesday to confirm the Puntland chief justice, Yusuf Haji Nur, as "acting president of Puntland until 31 August", when he is to call a general congress of representatives of all Puntland regions to a elect a new administration, the sources said. The chief justice told IRIN on 1 July that he was "the legitimate authority in Puntland" with effect from that day, after issuing a decree on 26 June putting all security services and other government agencies under the high court's jurisdiction.

The chief justice said at the time that his actions were in line with the Puntland Charter. The elders called on all heads of governmental agencies and institutions to work with the new administration, the sources said. Yusuf Haji Nur told IRIN on Thursday that he had already started sending instructions to regional officials to uphold the elders' decision. "We are receiving calls of support from all regions of Puntland," he said. The commanders of the security forces are "telling us that they will respect the elders' decision" and work with the new administration, he added.

The mandate of the Abdullahi Yusuf administration, which was to have expired on 30 June, was mandated by clan elders for a three-year extension, which was in turn approved by the Puntland House of Representatives on 27 June, according to the administration. The extension was, however, challenged by opposition figures and aspiring presidential candidates, who accused the administration of manipulating the vote. Meanwhile, the administration has accused the elders of encroaching on areas outside their normal mandate, saying that their decisions were not constitutionally binding on the administration. Isma'il Warsame, the chief of cabinet of the Puntland president, told IRIN on Thursday, that the administration "will ignore the elders' call" and continue with business as usual. "We have already stated that whatever decisions they reach will change nothing," he said. Warsame insisted that "Abdullahi Yusuf is still the president and all branches of government are reporting to him".

A Somali legal expert told IRIN that article 30.1 of the Puntland Charter states that "any disputes within the community that cannot be resolved by any other means available shall be sent to the titled elders [Isimada] for advice". Since there was no constitutional court in Puntland, "the elders are within their mandate to resolve what is essentially a constitutional matter" he added. This meant they could override any Puntland institution, "including the presidency and the House of Representatives", since they themselves had created them and, in the eyes of the people, had the most legitimacy, explained the expert.

A diplomatic source said the order established in Puntland was based on the charter, ratified on 15 May 1998, and should therefore be respected. According to this source, international aid agencies based in Nairobi with offices in Puntland are expected to engage in consultations on how to react to this new development. "We have to wait for the elders' official statement before we can comment" on the situation, the source said.

The elders' decision had thrown Puntland into a state of confusion and uncertainty, a local journalist told IRIN. "No one knows what is going to happen now. We were hoping that the elders were going to resolve things, but it looks as if we are back to square one." There was fear that the decision could lead "to a serious power struggle", which would undermine Puntland's stability, he said. Everything would depend on whom the commanders of the Puntland security forces chose to support. If they were "to split, with one group siding with Abdullahi Yusuf and another with the other side, then we have a serious problem".

So far, the security forces as a group had not issued any statement regarding this issue, "and we are all holding our breath", said the journalist.

Kenyan police say they have launched an investigation into reports that their officers carried out roadside executions of seven suspected robbers. Eyewitnesses and the Kenya Human Rights Commission claim police officers shot and killed the suspects after disarming them and making them lie face down along a busy road. Police spokesman Dola Indidis contradicted that account.

He said his officers had intercepted the minibus on which the suspects were travelling. The suspects "came out and fired at the police, trying to escape. The police returned fire and seven were shot dead".

'Most horrific scene' But local newspapers spoke to various people at the scene who all gave the same account. A taxi driver said: "It was the most horrific scene I have ever seen. The suspects did not fire a single shot at the police." The police spokesman told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme: " If we are given the evidence we will prosecute any police officer using fire arms or excessive force".

The shootings come amid growing concern over the rise in armed and violent crime in Nairobi. The independent Kenya Human Rights Commission claims that in the past six years Kenyan police have killed more than 1,000 people.

Elite response unit In April last year, a minister of state told the police to operate a shoot-to-kill policy, saying it was the only way to deal with violent crime. The human rights commission says innocent bystanders, as well as armed and unarmed robbers, have all fallen victim to the police's use of excessive force and shootings. The officers involved in the latest killings are in the elite response unit but the human right body says police generally lack training in human and civil rights.

According to the American Petroleum Institute in Washington monthly magazine. It is reported that Great Wall Chinese oil company will arrive in the port of Berbera, Somaliland, after British investors, and American oil Company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, agreed with Somaliland government oil drilling, and production of first phase. First phase will be seven deep wells inland Somaliland: well 1,sl1005 2, sl006 3, 1sl1007 4, s1008 5,sl1009.6, sl2001 6,sl2002.

Those wells, located, Sahil sail, sanag sail, Taleh, Gabiley and Borama. Test pit and bore hole done by Conoco oil company early 1980. Conoco oil company agreed to provide geological data, site location maps of test pits, well provide and well elevation to American oil company, Great Wall Chinese oil contractors and Somaliland government. Team leader and petroleum senior engineer, Chloe Young said, "we three partners, will work hard together, we will renegotiate any change order, and we will be open to reconsider new sub - contractors if three party agree, or if it is necessary. Great Wall Oil comes from Southern Sudan having completed well production there.

We are 40 staffed and 1 ship or vassal, engineer and heavy equipment operator, piles driver and material require well production in Somaliland. The closing statements of . Young were, "Somaliland oil production will be much easier when I compare it to Southern Sudan as far as safety, climate, well elevation, sea port and storing equipment are concerned."

American Society Petroleum Engineers Michael A. Withers" Mike_withers@scmyers.com

An operation to repatriate a further 43,800 Somali refugees from eastern Ethiopia to northwestern Somalia by the end of the year is on schedule to resume in the next few days, a UNHCR spokesman told IRIN Thursday. The confirmation follows a contribution to the programme from the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) of Euro 1.5 million (about US $1.3 million).

Since the operation commenced in November 1997, UNHCR have supported the voluntary return home of 164,000 Somali refugees, many of whom had lived in camps in Ethiopia for more than a decade. In June, UNHCR announced the closure of Teferi Ber and Derwanaje, camps that at their peak in the 1990's housed more than 200,000 refugees. With the start of the latest round of voluntary repatriations, UNHCR hope to close a further three camps within twelve months and bring the number of Somali refugees remaining in Ethiopia to around 15,000.

SUDAN:

Weekend march to highlight children's needs The Sudanese Movement for Children, which comprises governmental and nongovernmental agencies and civil society organisations, will next Friday organise a march to start from Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazirah State, and end at the Friendship Hall in Khartoum, as part of the global campaign "Say Yes for Children". A procession of artistes, youth and women's groups will visit selected villages and depressed communities, giving theatrical performances and gathering pledges. The march is patterned after the long walk of displaced children to cities in the north, UNICEF stated in a press release.

The message of the "Say Yes for Children" campaign is that citizens of the world care about children and expect governments to keep the promises they make to them, according to UNICEF. It is the first major initiative of the Global Movement for Children, a broad-based coalition of organisations and individuals dedicated to children's rights and wellbeing. The movement aims to build a groundswell of support that will push leaders to renew and honour their commitments to children at the UN General Assembly's Special Session on Children from 19 to 21 September.

More than 3.2 million people worldwide have signed a pledge on the theme since April, including scores of celebrities, heads of state and other leading citizens. The campaign asks people to agree to 10 fundamental principles on improving and protecting the lives of children, which are part of the Special Session's draft outcome document - a critical plan of action for children over the next decade. From education to HIV/AIDS and discrimination to armed conflict, the campaign spotlights the serious issues facing children. [For more details on the "Say yes" campaign, including a copy of the pledge form, go to: www.gmfc.org]

When it comes to African disaster stories, Somaliland is among the worst. Yet, RANJENI MUNUSAMY found people rolling up their sleeves and getting on with the daunting task of rebuilding their land. This article appeared on the Sunday Times.

VISITORS to the mass graveyard just outside the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa have to tread carefully to avoid tramping on pieces of human bones and the mass graves of countless Somalis executed under the military regime of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Finger bones, a jawbone, a piece of someone's shoulder half eaten by scavengers, and bits of skull lie scattered, exposed by erosion and rain. "When I first came here, I used to have nightmares. It's like walking in a horror movie," says Fatima Ibrahim, a Somali human rights activist.

The shallow graves of what is believed to be a conservative estimate of 40 000 people, are a grim reminder of a bloody era when the people of Somaliland were tortured and killed by their power-mad president. After prompting clan-based conflict, Barre went on a killing spree targeting, in particular, intellectuals and businessmen to avoid an uprising.

Although 10 years have passed since Barre was overthrown, the horror stories of mass executions, bombings, rapes, poisoning of drinking wells and the destruction of normality are still vivid in the minds of most Somalis. Women tell tales of how whole families were herded to the killing sites to watch their husbands and sons being shot. They were not allowed to cry as their children would also be killed by the soldiers. As the guns were fired, they were forced to ululate to show they were rejoicing at the murder of their loved ones.

Many fled the country to neighbouring Ethiopia and spent years of misery in refugee camps. Somaliland today is a different place. The former British protectorate split from Somalia in the south in 1991 and is a self-declared independent state. The independence is not recognised by the rest of the world, in particular the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity, which still pretend Somalia is one united country.

But the people of Somaliland are rebuilding the country themselves - with or without the help of the outside world. Educated exiles have abandoned successful careers in western countries and returned home to help reconstruct the country. Those still living abroad send money back home to the tune of US300-million (R2.4-billion) to US500-million (R4-billion) a year. With livestock, charcoal and frankincense as the only viable industries, this money is the main contributor to the country's budget.

And although there are crumbling buildings on every street and roads that have not been maintained for 20 years, there are signs of life shining through. There are newly constructed houses and shops in the place of bullet-ridden, collapsing structures. There is a functional education system, the blossoming of small enterprise and a society at peace with itself. This is a far cry from the Somaliland that Hussein Bulhan returned to in 1991 when he left a lecturing post at the University of Boston in the US.

Bulhan, the director of the Somaliland Academy for Peace and Development, says his countrymen are prepared to endure hardship in return for independence because they have seen the worst. "When you've touched the bottom of hell, you don't need much to make you happy," says Bulhan. Although South African mercenary pilots took part in the bombing raids on its people, this country is the one of the few foreign powers the Somalis are prepared to trust. They look to South Africa as the great hope to lead the country out of political and economic isolation.

Somaliland is angling for a form of legal status as a first step to formal recognition. This week saw the formation of the first political party in the country - UDUB, meaning pillar - under the leadership of President Mohamed Egal. Within seven months, the first national elections since the formation of the state are scheduled, even though there is no sign of an opposition movement.

"We are moving towards permanent democracy and we have fulfilled all the necessary criteria to gain full recognition. The international community can't keep us in limbo," argues Abdullahi Duale, Somaliland's minister of civil aviation and one of Egal's acolytes. He says the US is considering giving Somaliland interim status while several South African Cabinet ministers and leading members of the ANC have given them an ear. "We have lots of friends pushing our case. We have a contribution to make in stabilising the region and are in a strategic position for trade. We also have the experience of putting together a country from scratch."

The biography of President Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal; was born in 1928, son of Haji Ibrahim Egal and Hajia Khadija Mohamed Osman; married Asha Saeed Abby in 1946 with three sons and two daughters. Educated Koranic School, Sheikh intermediate School, and higher education in the United Kingdom; in 1956 he became the Secretary of Somali National League (SNL) Party at Berbera branch; then Secretary General of Somali National League (SNL) Party in 1958 - 1960.

Prime Minister of Somaliland in 1960; after the former British Somaliland Protectorate merged with the former Italian Somalia and formed Somali Republic. He became Minister of Defence of the former Somali Republic in 1960 - 1962, Minister of Education in 1962 - 1963; resigned from the cabinet in 1963.

Formed Somali National Congress (SNC) Party in 1963; re-elected to parliament in March 1964; Leader of Parliament Opposition 1963 - 1965; resigned the leadership from the Parliament Oppostion in 1965; became member of Somali Youth League (SYL) Party in 1966; Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs, of former Somali Republic in 1967 - 1969.

In detention following military coup in October 1969, released October 1975; appointed Ambassador to India in July 1976, rearrested in October 1976, released in February 1982; appointed Chairman: Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. Elected as a President of the Republic of Somaliland in May 1993, due to the state of national emergency he stay on in power until 1997, re-elected in early 1998 for five more years in the office until June 2002, President offered to resign in 1998, but the parliament refused to accept his resignation. Egal is now married to Kaltun Haji Dahir (The First Lady). The president speaks fluently Somali, Arabic and English; Leisure Interests : golf, reading and films.

Here are selected excerpts from most emotionally some of his charged speeches, Interviews, Press conferences and Press Releases :-

["The issue is not a power struggle between me and Abdulkassim. I'm 70 years old and I'd like to give up this post, but I won't run away ".] Nita Bhalla from the BBC interviewed President Egal on 13th November 2000 in Addis-Ababa.

["We will not bring to Mogadishu the sovereignty of Somaliland as a gift as we did last time (1960 unification) and I advise you Somali leaders to get the short-sighted believe that Somaliland and its population can be subjugated again from your minds ".] President Egal's speech on the occasion of the opining of a new building for the Somaliland Parliament on 24th January 2001 in Hargeisa.

["We have never been citizens of Somalia because we joined willingly with Somalia in 1960 and formed the State of the Somali Republic to be the basis for a Greater Somali State. This dream is dead and we have regained our Sovereignty ".] president Egal meeting with the Executive Secretary of IGAD and Representative of EU on 26th January 2001 in Hargeisa.

["We are not invisible, we are here, we are functioning, and we are doing very well ".] Roger Hearing from the BBC interviewed His President Egal on 5th February 2001 in Hargeisa.

["Our history and our identity have completely disappeared from the world for 30 years. And now we are telling the world that there is a country called Somaliland ".] Dr. Bob Arnot from NBC interviewed President Egal on 18th May 2001 in Hargeisa.

["If the world tries to force us it will creat an instability. We would rather fight Somalia than go back ".] Dr. Bob Arnot from NBC interviewed President Egal on 18th May 2001 in Hargeisa.

["If the International Community failed to recognize Somaliland, We have no atomic bomb to explode but we will continue to exist".] A Press Conference held President Egal on 2nd June 2001 in Hargeisa.

["Somaliland was no longer just a collection of clans but a nation in its own right".] A Press Conference held by President Egal on 4th June 2001 in Hargeisa.
Compiled by :- Omar Hussein Yusuf.

It is human nature to be swept away by the euphoria of the moment and lose perspective. But it is prudent to never give into idealistic attitudes that are flawed and unrealistic. Notwithstanding the fact that, Somaliland is blessed with a resilient citizenry that reconstituted a modestly vibrant, free and healthy society against the backdrop of fratricide and attempted annihilation. One has not to look far to see the unenviable conditions of many African nation-states.

From stagnation to regression, from virtual disintegration to Gulag State the aliments are many and the prospect bleak. And though some of the reasons for their failure might vary from one nation-state to another and each country may have its particular dynamics. However, there is some overriding communality that is shared by many if not all the countries.

Of paramount is our colonial experience and the legacy self-doubt and self-estrangement we inherited. Therefore, a dispassionate appraisal of whom we are, as a society is very much needed. For without a through self-knowledge any achievement attain will be illusionary. When one engages in the arduous task of self-knowledge and appraisal, one has to avoid succumbing to either idealizing our pre-colonial society or to its total negation. Both sentiments are corrosive psychological mindsets born out of our colonial legacy and their destructive manifestations are wrecking havoc on our society.

One such manifestation is the uncritical desire to embrace any and every phenomenon conjures up by the dominant world culture in the name of progress and on the other hand a corresponding vehement loath toward anything indigenous. The other manifestation is the desire to equate change, open-mindedness, dynamism and progress with self-abandonment and betrayal of one's culture.

The presence of one of the mindset is a tremendous psychological barrier for a fragile post-colonial society to overcome. However, when both mindsets co-exist in the same society and simultaneously contends violently for dominance, the result is a total schism in every facet of the society. And such a toxic outcome is not aberration or the normal painful process of reconstructing a colonized society. No, it is the natural outcome of a society plagued by fundamental flaws and serious psychological problem.

Though any worth endeavored is difficult nothing is beyond the reach of a determined people and an astute leadership. However, we should always avoid the temptation of reconstructing our society hastily and without due diligence. An apt example of this loath for things indigenous is the understandable desire to urgently dismantle the Somali clan social construct. Now a day it is trendy in most Somali intellectual circles to decry tribalism and attribute all that ails our society to the clan social construct's irredeemable nature.

This blanket and unexamined denunciation of the clan social construct and the desire to purge it from the Somali society. Better yet, to wish it just vanished is nothing less than a tale-tell sign of serious impotence in the face of adversity. Although it is a generally accepted premise that (tribalism) for a lack of better term is a Somali social norm that through the ages prior to our colonization served the Somali society reasonably well.

Nevertheless, what is overlooked is its relevance today and it's enormous influence in molding the Somali individual. And more importantly the slow and difficult process of constituting a new social construct to replace clan based and furthermore the lack of better alternatives. But one might be tempted to say what lack of better alternatives when Human history is littered with myriad of social constructs. From western liberal democracy to socialism, from nationalism to hybrid feudalism and of course Islam the options are many. And that is true. Nonetheless an option need not only be better conceptually but also be compatible with the essence of our people.

Due to the limited nature of this article I will only briefly examine the relative merit or lack thereof of western liberal democracy due to its world ascendancy, hybrid feudalism due to its prevalence in our part of the world and Islam.

Here is a brief and limited overview of western liberal democracy's social tenets and its pertinence to Somaliland's society. Western liberal democracy is a concerted effort by the elite to regain for the individual man his innate autonomy lost in the name society, state, progress and lot of other human trapping. By the nature of the process itself i.e. "regaining as oppose to maintaining mans autonomy" the process is top-down. This process is a gradual and controlled reintegration of the elite to the common man without abolishing the socio-economic disparity that exists.

This ideal is relatively achieved and maintained by the introduction and steady expansion of the middle class. And also, by the elite's constant cultivation of humanistic social consciousness and the indoctrination of the mass in regard to their rights. However by over emphasizing the individual man's unrestrained rights without due consideration to man's need for a community and the community's demand of the individual man. And by also, submitting to man's rationality and accepting it as the sole guidance and the arbitrator of human affairs.

This genuinely emancipating social construct is bedeviled by its own contradiction and leaves humanity's wellbeing at whims of the individual man's unbridled appetite. Thus, excess, perversion and the alienation of all are some of the unforeseen negative social outcomes. Moreover, as a humanistic world-view it is only conducive in secular society and therefore incompatible with our Somali society.

Furthermore, one of its most redeeming qualities beside its unparalleled economic success i.e. "emancipation of the individual man is redundant in case of the Somali nomad man".

As a Somali it is awkward to see Islamic social tenets as an alternative whilst its precepts are one of the most influencing force in shaping our social construct. Nevertheless, for a better understanding of the essence and shortcomings of our Somali clan culture. I will compare and contrast Islamic social tenets with our Somali social construct and highlight the Somali social construct's failings and limitations. Islam's social tenets are simple and timeless precepts in human affair revealed to humanity through Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) by Allah (SWT) the creator and sustainer of the universes. And can simply be stated as a social tenet that enjoys into the individual man his due right without divorcing him from his community by inoculating in the individual man a life of purpose.

Where in the Somali clan social constructs the individual man relates to humanity only by a bond of kinship obligation and as such is very exclusionary. In Islam the individual man relates to humanity by a bond of obligation and a spirit of compassion first to his kin. Then to his immediate community of believers, then to the believer community as a whole and finally to humanity at large. And while Somali egalitarian notion is intuitive. In Islam equality between men is a decree.

Brilliantly articulated in so many verses it is difficult to quote them all in this short article. However, if I can humbly extrapolate from Islamic precepts, men are equals in the eye of Allah (SWT) except those who possess the quality of piety, an acquired and acquirable quality by all through personal deed. In light of Islam's social precept superiority and the Somali clan social construct compatibility with it albeit with serious shortcomings. And the fact that, according to Islam the Somali clan social constructs is within the pale of the tolerable social norms.

The solution is not if but how best to encourage the Somali Nomad to absorb the Islamic virtue of tolerance, inclusiveness and compassion without losing his uniqueness.

And here is a quick look at hybrid feudalism social construct's essence and its relevance to Somaliland's society. Feudalism as a system is the complete subjugation of the mass by a tiny minority. In its extreme when it is not glossed over it is a slave master relationship. And except to catering to the interest of a tiny minority (The Elite) the only virtue this system has is its relative stability. However, stability acquired on the backs of a vanquished mass is morally reprehensible.

As to its relevance to Somaliland social construct, if there were any misguided would be Somalilander elite contemplating hybrid feudalism as an option. Let the fate of Siad Bare and the unending chaos of South Somalia serve as a food for thought.

It is a fairly accepted supposition that, one of the driving forces behind Siad Bare's tyrannical regime was to achieve tribal hegemony. And the same can be said of the many opposition groups that rebelled against him, though some were there to thwart the hegemony others were there to replace it. Although, this vicious tribal rivalry for power and resource and the ensuing struggle were the most visible cause for the collapse of the Somali State. What is usually overlooked is the under current cultural clash that took place when Somaliland and Somalia merged and formed the union. This oversight is due to the predominant myth that the Somali society is a homogeneous society that is pastoral in its mode of production and egalitarian in its social construct.

This assertion of homogeneity is a distortion of the reality of the Somali society. For one it negates the existence of a different pre-colonial Somali culture that was anything but pastoral or egalitarian. As well as the significant cultural corruption the Italian colonization introduced into the Somali society. A corruption that severely compromised the egalitarian nature of the Somali culture. By introducing concept unbecoming to the spirit of equality. Violent rivalry for meager resource were always part of our clan culture but hegemony and domination are alien concepts that the Somali nation inherited from the Italian colonial legacy.

In light of this reality of difference, the unsettling and swift merger of an unruly nomad culture and a sedated agrarian culture was a harvest destines to disappoint. Moreover a state domineered by a non-egalitarian tribal culture, emasculating and unequal was viscerally revolting to the untamed egalitarian camel herder. As such the struggle of Somaliland to extricate itself from the union with Somalia was more to preserve it's egalitarian culture rather than anything else. An egalitarian clan cultures that, though tension-prone and relatively unstable is bulwark against hegemony and dictatorship.

For some reasons that are going to be self-evident the Somalilander elite alienation from his society is minuscule compare to most other nation-states elite. However the same social/cultural forces that curtailed the alienation phenomena are a serious impediment to societal progress if they are not adequately addressed.

A case in point is Somaliland's perceived and actual grievance in regards to the union with South Somalia prior to the Somaliland's insurgence. A person aquatinted with the inequity that exists in any Third-World country will find Somaliland's grievance trivial. Nonetheless, that the Somalilanders do not see it as such is the riddle that is the Somali culture " highly influenced by tribal social mores the Somali society is an interwoven bond of kinship obligation".

Where as in most nation-state, especially in hybrid feudal state the elite is an individual man, concerned only with personal agenda. Even if the elite in a feudal state is enlightened with social consciousness and is engaged in the welfare of the mass. The elite will still be estranged from the masses since there is no active bond "like egalitarian clan society "or adequate mechanism "like Western Liberal Democracy" that ties him to the mass. Therefore, the feudal elite engagement with the mass is marginal at best. However in Somaliland the elite, if there is any such entity should be qualified and hence rename a tribal elite. Moreover due to active bond of clan obligation. Unlike the alienation that fractures the feudal elite from his downtrodden brothers. The Somali tribal elite is relatively speaking theoretically one with his particular Somali mass (tribes' men) and thus, this alienating phenomenon is contained. Hence when one evaluates Somaliland's grievance through the prism of kinship obligation and the egalitarian society's social tenets what seemed a relatively banal disparity would change into ominous injustices.

Hence for peace to prevail in an egalitarian clan society the system need not only be just to the individual man but also just to the tribal man which by extension means to every particular clan.

In Conclusion:

Though it is difficult to rehabilitate a war-ravaged society and build a viable state where none existed before under any circumstance. However, it is that much more difficult to accomplish this task in the shadow of globalization and its seductive vortex. With technological and economic progress so dazzling and social liberty confounding to say the least. We live in an age where instant gratification is attainable and at the same time illusive to all.

Why herd camels when I can just soar to the moon, why be a mere mother when I can clone a sheep and why! Why! Why! In this age of possibilities patience and perspective are virtues in short supply. Though it is understandable to desire a strong, moral and benevolent state that can administer justices, provide services and marshal our society into a great leap of progress.

Nonetheless, in our egalitarian society that is not entrenched in the concept or reality of nation-state and its demands. It is wise to be patient. And since States by nature are coercive and at time suffocating entities even when they are benevolent. They are anathema and a threat to the Somali nomad.

Therefore, the best and safest way to build a state for the proud, untamed and unruly Somali nomad is to take the road less traveled. By fostering an environment that is conducive to the voluntary and gradual self-domestication of the Somali nomad. This can only happen within the framework of a decentralized and minimalist state embodying the spirit of Islam.

By Said O Moussa Saidbour@hotmail.com

When we say Marine Resources, it can simply mean "Ocean Resources", Terrestrial Resources on the other hand simply also may mean "Land Resources - or plant Resources". For the last several years, readers of the beloved - Weekly English News Paper - "The Republican" and its sister of Jamhuuriya, were focused on the terrestrial sector of Somaliland environment e.g;

-The impact of fuelwood production (charcoal) from live trees on Somaliland plant resources. -The impact of the Saudi livestock Ban on pastoralists - by diverting rural people to burn trees to sell charcoal to urban charcoal merchants, for food availability and security.

-Awareness on protection of our unique wildlife for posterity and for future generations.

-Awarenes raising for the protection of our environment, lobby/advocacy at local, regional and national levels.

-Inculcating into their minds by educating our masses the benefits of our pasturelands better management and the consequences that may result from selfish and unintellegeny use of our vegetation cover, which is the main source of our livelihood.

Today, our environmental discussion or paper relates to the Marine Resources of Somaliland. But, why from the land to the sea. The answer is that the sea is equally important as the land to people as Marine Resource. In compilig this paper, I had to refer or cited several world main environmental publications or organisations on the subject hence:

1.PERSGA (The Regional Organisation for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden).

2.World Wide Fund (WWF), Towards a Sustainable Future (Environmental Impact 2000).

3.Dimension - of - need (FAO 1945-1995). Today's environmental paper main ideas are extracts from the abovementioned environmental sources, which I wholeheartedly acknkowledge their service to me and use their material thoughts as a conservationist.

PERSIGA: In its issue No.13, January 2001 - AL-SANBOUK, we can get the principles of "Living Marine Resources". This regional organisation for the conservation of the environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the conservation of the coastral and marine environment in the region. Its legal basis stems from the Regional Convention for the conservation for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Environment, known as the Jeddah Convention and signed in 1982. The PERSIGA member countries include Djibouti, Egypt, Jordon, Saudi Arabia, Somaliland, Sudan and Yemen.

Main activities: Institutional strengthening, reduction of navigation risks and marine polluction, sustainable use for living marine resources, conservation of habitats and biodiversity, the establishment of a network of marine protected ereas. Support for integrated coastal zone management, and the enhancement of public awareness. And participation.

The writer participated in the Berbera RERSIGA Coastal and Marine protection awareness raising occasion of 9-14/6/01.

Fisheries at the limit? Fishing is an important source of highly nutritious food, income and employment. Millions of people in Asia get most of their dietary protein from the aquatic harvest. In all, marine and inland fisheries provide nearly 30 percent of the region's animal protein; in Africa the proportion is 21 percent; in Latin America, 8 percent. About 30 percent of world production is turned into fishmeal to fatten livestock or farmed fish rather than eaten directly by humans.

About 60 percent of the world fish harvest is caught by developing countries where 100 million people depend on fishing and related industries for their livelihoods. By far the majority of world fish taken, some 85 percent, comes from the oceans. Although fish farming is gaining ground, fishing is still the main expression of man's ancient role as a hunter-gatherer.

Since 1950 the world fish catch, excluding aquaculture, has increased fivefold - rising from 20 million tonnes to peak at slightly less than 90 million tonnes in 1989. This period of expansion was made possible in large part by the introduction of new technologies and the spread of fishing fleets from traditional fishing areas to new ones, many of them in the southern hemisphere. No major cammercial fish stock remains untouched. By the beginning fo the 1990s, about 69 percent of the stocks for which data were available to FAO were either fully to heavily exploited (44 percent), overexploited (16 percent), depleted (6 percent) or very showly recovering from overfishing (3 percent). As a result, the world catch has fallen in recent years although it now seems to be levelling off at around 85 million tonnes per year.

The world's fishing fleet has grown twice as fast as catches and there awre now about 3.5 million vessels worldwide. Asia has the largest fleet with 42 perecent of the total registered tonnage, followed by the republics of the former USSR with 30 percent. Africa has the smallest one at 2.7 percent.

Government subsidies have helped keep most big fishing fleets afloat: in 1989 the world's 20 largest fishing nations paid out US$ 54 000 million in subsidies to catch US$ 70 000 million worth of fish. Such overcapacity has led to chronic overfishing with too manay boats chasing too few fish.

Responsible fishing.

Nearly 70 percent of the world's marine fish stocks are in trouble and urgently in need of conserevation. Catches have collapsed in the Black Sea; less than 200 000 tonnes of fish were landed in 1991, compared to 1 million tonnes in the late 1980s. stocks of bottom-living fish in the East China and Yellow Seas have fallen to between one-fifth and one-tenth of their highest levels. Other crisis areas include the Northwest and Northeast Atlantic, the North Sea, the Central Baltic, the Gulf of Thailand and the Western Central Pacific.

Nearly all the inland fisheries fo Asia and Africa also show signs of overexploitation. Attempts to manage marine fisseries have generally failed. Instead conflicts have frown as stocks have fallen. Developed country fleets have clashed over fisheries in both the Northwest and Northeast Atlantic while large-scale artisanal fishermen off many developing countries. The international fishery commissions, established under the auspices of FAO (the first in 1948), have broadened the scope of management options and included many developing countries, but have so far had little success other than trying to impose quotas and regulate fishing gear and boat size. But they provide the mechanisms for sustainable fisheries management if countries would show the necessary cooperation and political will.

The third UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which came into force in 1994, enables coastal states to establish exclusive economic zones, usually stretching 200 miles from their shores, where they have complete control of resources - providing a new opportunity for better regulation. In 1994 work started on drarting a Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries under the auspices of FAO, offering hope - if it is observed - of a new era in fisheries management. To be continued next week..

A busy stretch of road that veers off northwards from the main thoroughfare, which connects Hargeisa and other cities to the West, is currently undergoing a municipality repair work that began on Wednesday, last. "This particular length of the Jigjiga-yar (Koodbuur district) road is one of the roughest but busiest in the whole city," the Mayor of Hargiesa told our reporters, at the site where he arrived to supervise and witness the project take-off.

Elaborating on why the municipality have chosen to begin with this specific section of the Jigjiga-yar road, the Mayor said: "The road is heavily used by traffic the bulk of which are public conveyances. Buses and their passengers, particularly, are subjected to bone-jarring experiences and heavily laden vehicles can no longer negotiate the pot-holes and ruts which qualify it as one of the worst in Hargeisa considering its importance to public service."

"Furthermore," the Mayor said, "Visitors from the outside world as well as a great number of expatriates working here use it to and from Maansoor Hotel off the northernmost end of the road," said the Mayor, Awl Elmi Abdalla. The Mayor believes that this gravel surfacing that they have planned or the road will better withstand the traffic and inclement elements that have previously reduced it to the abominable condition it has gradually eroded to since then. Like this metal-pipe, bars and plywood arches, the repairs will enhance the overall look of a city whose total recovery from past ravages would certainly, require a great deal more than is presently offered.

The road was given largely similar kind of coating shortly before Mayor Awl took over the Hargeisa Mayoralcy from his predecessor and co-defendant in recent misappropriation charges - . Abdirahman Isma'il 'Adami'.

In public announcement broadcasted and published on respectively, Tuesday and Wednesday, lastweek, the National Committee for the Registration and ratification of Political Parties will begin today, Saturday, July 21, and continue for a period of two months that will end on Friday, September 21. Following the House of Representative's final ratification of by - law No_ 14/2000 of August 6, 2000, that details processes and procedures, that regulates the formation and practice of Political Parties, earlier this year, the President of the Republic of Somaliland, .Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal, nominated a seven - member Committee later swelling to nine - to lay the first foundations for a democratically contested, multi-party elections expected to get underway early next year.

The Committee, political analysts believe, has been given an unenviable cake to curve among a hardly trusting public that are not likely to abide by regulations that have already been broken several times over by the incumbent administration - in - power.

To illustrate one of the latest such violations of the law, analysts point out the President's own declared Party - UDUB. They say that the single, most lavishly, most conspicuously displayed political association that has far proclaimed an existence that did not exist before it was legally and naturally delivered was UDUB of the government. That, they say, a government in reign - from the President down to the lowliest civil servant - can credibly separate or acquit itself of mishandling, miss management, miss use and/or misappropriation of national resources to promote the interest of its members is hard to swallow.

For, they say, the highest public figures in the administration flagrantly flaunted both temporal, material and human resources to hold a Party conference for a party that was not even registered as such.