SOMALIA: Spotlight on maternal health risks in rural areas

SOMALIA: Spotlight on maternal health risks in rural areas

GALKAYO, 30 September 2010 (IRIN) - Poor education among women and lack of access to health facilities in many rural areas of war-torn Somalia have increased risks surrounding child birth, according to health officials.

 "Home delivery and hospital maternity is not the same; when women deliver at home, some traditional midwives use unclean knives, increasing the risk of death even in cases where the process gets completed successfully," said Habiba Isack Adan Hurmo, a doctor in Galkayo, Mudug Region, central Somalia.

 According to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), 1,000 women die per 100,000 live births in Somalia, where women have a lifetime risk of dying in childbirth of 1 in 12.

 Poor literacy levels and lack of health facilities are the major contributors to high mortality in rural Somali communities, Hurmo said, adding that young pregnant women were at greater risk due to lack of awareness of the need to deliver in hospitals.

 Hurmo said: "I have come across rural women who have each had more than eight deliveries at home due to lack of health facilities. In many of the cases the children delivered died. Most pregnant women in rural areas believe in traditional birth delivery, not knowing it may not always be safe. This is made worse when a maternity centre is not located near their homes."

 Health officials cite the risks of home-based delivery: excess bleeding, the placenta failing to descend, and disease transmission through handling contaminated blood.

 Illiteracy

 According to Hurmo, illiteracy in women also considerably increases the risk of death for child-bearing women aged 15 years and above, "especially when living with illiterate men".

 According to a September health update [ http://www.who.int/hac/crises/som/sitreps/eha_highlights/en/index.html ] by the UN World Health Organization, a major concern in Somalia's south-central regions is the withdrawal, suspension and scaling-down of operations by key humanitarian agencies, as well as their inability to access many areas because of insecurity.

 Mohamed Hussein Eid, a Ministry of Health official in charge of Galmudug Region, said the ministry recently established seven new mother-and-child-care centres in the Hobyo, Elgual and Bandiradley areas in a bid to improve health service delivery and check the areas' high maternal mortality.

 Eid said mortality risks were high in infancy and early childhood but women faced a greater risk of dying during their reproductive life than men.

 He added that the ministry was committed to boosting health facilities in the region and that it would train more traditional birth attendants to reduce the risks of child delivery at home.

 aat-mhm/js[END]

SOMALILAND NEWS IN INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

United States to Strengthen Engagement with Puntland, Somaliland DefenceWeb (press release) The United States will strengthen engagement with the governments of Puntland andSomaliland in Somalia as part of a two-track policy aimed at curbing the ...

Somaliland: Berbera's only high school closed for lack of teachers SomalilandPress BERBERA(SomalilandPress)—Hundreds of students from Bursade High School located in the heart of Berbera city have decided to protest conditions they say ...

Clan Rivalry Complicates Terrorism Fight in Puntland Voice of America The United States says it is planning to boost ties with Somalia's two autonomous regions -Somaliland and Puntland - in an effort to restore stability in ...

Somaliland and Puntland to cooperate on security

 Somaliland and Puntland to cooperate on security

HARGEISA, 28 September 2010 (IRIN) - Somaliland and Puntland, once-warring territories in northern Somalia, have unprecedentedly agreed in principle to work together to tackle common security threats.

 Troops from both entities have clashed over disputed borderlands in the past. They also differ over the issue of sovereignty: Somaliland unilaterally declared independence in 1991, and Puntland, while asserting a degree of autonomy, recognizes Mogadishu as its own, and Somaliland's, capital.

 "You can't choose your neighbours, whether it is a region or state; for this reason, from now on, we are going to work with the Puntland state of Somalia, in terms of security of the [Horn of Africa] region," Somaliland's Interior Minister, Mohamed Abdi Gabose, said on 26 September in the Somaliland capital, Hargeisa.

 "Of course this does not mean we unite with Puntland or the other conflicted areas. We will discuss the [security] issues later," he said.

 "From now on, we [Somaliland] want to work together on security matters because it seems there are anti-peace groups who want to threaten our peace," he said.

 The rapprochement follows renewed clashes in July in Galgala, an area on the Puntland side of the border, between Puntland's security forces and troops loyal to Sheikh Mohamed Said Atom, a leader of an insurgency accused of having links to Al-Shabab, the main Islamist group fighting Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG). Atom and Al-Shabab have both denied such links exist.

 "Of course the [Somaliland] government has its worries when it comes to the Galgala war because if these groups win or fail, either way it is not good for Somaliland because if they win they may try to enlarge their presence deeper in Somaliland," said Gabose.

 Hargeisa is faced with another security concern - an armed group claiming to be fighting to liberate - and which is named after - the Somaliland border regions Sool, Sanag and Cayn [http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportID=89941]. The group rejects the legitimacy of Somaliland's government and sovereignty and says it has set up its own administration.

 Increased engagement

 Puntland Information Minister Abdihakim Ahmed Guled said of Gabose's statements: "We welcome the openness of the new government in Somaliland and its aim to solve the problems in peace and negotiations.

 "On our side, we are happy to hear that the Somaliland government is ready to work with us on security matters because at this time, there are new groups in the region who are killing Muslim people in mosques. These groups have in the past carried out suicide attacks in Hargeisa as well as in Puntland's port of Bosasso."

 Meanwhile, there have been international moves to increase engagement with both Somaliland and Puntland, most notably by the United States, which plans to send more diplomats and aid workers there.

 "We think that both of these parts of Somalia have been zones of relative political and civil stability, and we think they will, in fact, be a bulwark against extremism and radicalism that might emerge from the south," Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnny Carson said on 24 September.

 The US has stressed, however, that this initiative does not mark the beginning of a process to recognize Somaliland's independence.

 Commenting on the US move, Sally Healy, an associate fellow of the Africa Programme at Chatham House, told IRIN: "Both territories are quite effectively administered by authorities that are hostile to Al-Shabab and the spread of extremism in Somalia. Their strategic position is important in terms of the security threats emanating from the Gulf of Aden.

 "They have important and influential diaspora communities in the west. So it makes a lot of sense for the US to do business with them instead of putting all their eggs in the TFG basket, which remains extremely fragile."

ICC is building on Kibaki security chiefs

ICC is building on Kibaki security chiefs

By Ben Agina

International Criminal Court has given the State a breakdown of secret high-levels security meetings whose minutes it wants given as part of its investigations on the masterminds of post-election killings.

News of the unrelenting pressure from ICC for the minutes of such sensitive units as the National Security Intelligence Service and security committees in the hotspot districts and provinces broke ahead of Tuesday's landmark meeting by the Cabinet sub-committee on the Hague-related matters.

The ministers who form the focal point of State's interaction with ICC meet in the morning to deliberate on how the Government will co-operate with Chief Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo's investigators, whose office is expected to indict two prominent Kenyans in December.

Sources told The Standard the sub-committee, headed by Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti, will discuss the requests ICC has forwarded to the Government.

The sources also disclosed that Lands Minister James Orengo who is a member of the committee has already written a lengthy letter to his colleagues urging them to support the release of "all" information the team wants.

The sources revealed Orengo was of the view all matters touching on security operations during the post-election violence should be handed over to Ocampo, in order for the Kenyan cases to move forward.

This appeared to contradict Attorney General Amos Wako's earlier claim that the ICC's "blanket demand" for the minutes of the meetings was prejudicial to Kenya's "national security interests". Other members of the sub-committee are Cabinet Ministers Mutula Kilonzo (Justice), Otieno Kajwang (Immigration), Amason Kingi (Fisheries) and Moses Wetangula (Foreign Affairs) and Wako.

They all received copies of ICC correspondence, alongside Kenya's envoy to The Hague, Prof Ruthie Rono.

Responding to Wako's demand to drop "blanket demands" and be specific on the minutes it wants, the ICC wrote back on September 24 outlining the particulars of the records it is seeking, as well as the dates and places the meetings took place.

Shoot-to-kill orders

The request letter comes with complete titles, meaning ICC already is privy to the discussions by President Kibaki's security chiefs and top public servants at the Office of the President during the heady period between December 2007 and March 2008.

The court, from the letter's focus on such documents as the internal regulations of the Administration Police, is keen on getting to the bottom of who gave the shoot-to-kill orders that saw 400 unarmed youths killed by State security personnel.

Further to its earlier letter, ICC wrote to Saitoti on September 22, again seeking facilitation of a meeting between its investigators and Provincial Commissioners and Police Chiefs from four provinces.

In the letters signed by ICC's Head of International Cooperation Mr Amady Ba, the court says it was to interview the PCs and PPOs — most likely on where the uncompromising and selective orders they received in the field came from — on Tuesday (yesterday) through to Tuesday next week. Each province's PC and PPO appear before the ICC team for two consecutive days.

ICC's request for specific minutes gives clearer indication they already are privy to their contents based on the documentations received from Justice Phillip Waki, but wish to corroborate the same as they continue with their investigations.

It also appears to have its radar on some top security aides at the time, by virtue of their official positions.

The court could be interested in what was decided at the security meetings that brought together the then Internal security Minister John Michuki, Police Commissioner Maj-Gen (Rtd) Hussein Ali, Chief of General Staff Gen. Jeremiah Kianga, Director General of NSIS Michael Gichangi, Internal Security PS Francis Kimemia, AP Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua and the Head of Public Service Mr Francis Muthaura, among others.

The court explained the minutes and some specific documents sought by Ocampo's office, "are deemed relevant in order to consider further request from the Government."

"Such information is necessary to assist us in developing as full a picture as possible of the violent events during this period, and the contextual and local background against which they took place, reiterated Ba.

Saitoti chairs the Cabinet sub committee, and was sent the letter because Wako had in his letter told ICC he would be away till September 29. Wako had indicated meetings of the National Security Advisory Committee cover a wide range of issues, which were unrelated to the investigations by the ICC, and asked the Court to specify the minutes they wanted.

The committee's sittings are chaired by the Vice President, who at the time in question was Mr Moody Awori.

This unusually highly guarded group brings together top security chiefs, such as the Chief of General Staff, the Police Commissioner, Director General of National Security Intelligence Service, Internal Security, Defence, Foreign Ministers, and their Permanent Secretaries.

The request appeared to be a key plank in the two cases ICC last week reconfirmed it would be commencing against four to six Kenyans in December.

Amady noted they were in the process of completing the collection of materials from the Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Election Violence Report, in accordance with recommendation made by Justice Philip Waki.

"We believe the documents requested are likely to include significant information collected at the time of the events by a network of well-placed sources," said Amady.

Sources told The Standard last evening that the Central PPOs had been summoned to Nairobi. The PCs and PPOs lined up for interviews with ICC are from Nyanza, Nairobi, Coast, Rift Valley and Western. But Wako had in an earlier letter to ICC bluntly said the interviews must be restricted to PCs and PPOs "still in Government service".

In further correspondence, with Saitoti, Ba confirmed another assessment mission from the Court's Staff Security Section is expected in Kenya from October 12-20. They will visit the Rift Valley.

Security threat

It also emerged that 40 General Service Unit drivers will be attached to the ICC investigators. ICC is now seeking for minutes of 2007, minuted as 32/2007, Minutes 16/2007 and minutes of meetings held between January to March 2008.

They also want bi-annual security threat assessments for the second half of 2007, and the first half of 2008, and a special report on proscribed groups (like Mungiki) prepared in the context of the issues surrounding the 2007 elections. They also want Flashpoints/Hotspots reports covering several weeks from December 14 2007 to the last week in March 2008.

Also included in the list are security briefs for Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley, Central, and Nairobi Provinces from December 1 to March 31

The Hague expressed direct interest on the security discussions at the Ministry of Internal Security and Provincial Administration.

It asked for "all deployment orders for the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), and General Service Unit for the same period."

ICC also asked for minutes of provincial-level meetings chaired by PCs, at which PPOs brief on security matters.

THE STANDARD

Hoos U Dhaca Sarifka Dollarka Oo Saamayn Ku Yeeshay Dadka Lacagaha Dibeda Looga Soo Diro

Hoos U Dhaca Sarifka Dollarka Oo Saamayn Ku Yeeshay Dadka Lacagaha Dibeda Looga Soo Diro Iyo Maceeshada Oo Wax Ku Kordha Mooyee Waxba Iska Bedelin

Hargeysa, September 26, 2010 (Haatuf) – Sarifka Dollarka Suuqyada Magaalada Hargeysa ayaa maalinba maalinta ka dambaysa hoos u sii dhacaya, kaas oo samaayn ku yeeshay dadka lacagaha dollarka loo soo diro iyo maceeshada quutal daruuriga oo uu iyadana saamayn ku yeeshay.

Hoos u dhacan ku yimid lacagta dollarka ayay dad badani u aanaynayaan in Kaashkii Shiling-ka Somaliland uu aad ugu yaraaday suuqyada ganacsiga ee Hargeysa, taas oo dad badani ay aaminsan yihiin in arintani ay ka timid dhinaca xukuumadda oo qaar ka mid shaqaalaha dawlada mushaharooyinkii ay bilihii tagay ku qaateen dollar, isla markaana Wasiirka cusubi uu sameeyey laba khasnadood oo ay ku kala dhacaan dollarka iyo Shiling Somaliland.

Si kastaba ha ahaatee si aanu wax uga ogaano qiimaha Maceeshada ee hadda iyo Saamaynta uu suuqa ku yeeshay hoos u dhaca lacagta dollarka Maraykanku ayaa waxa aanu wax ka weydiinay Ganacsade Bakhaar ku haysta suuqa Hargeysa, kaas oo magacsiia la yidhaa Maxamed Iidaan.

Ugu horayn Maxamed Iidaan oo ka waramaya saamaynta hoos u dhaca dollarku uu ku yeeshay wax iibsigii suuqyada iyo maceeshada quutal daruuriga ayaa waxa uu yidhi "Saamayn wuu ku yeeshay oo badeecadii ayaa Somaliland ahaan ku korodhay, xataa dadkii suuqa ee Macaamiisha ayaa yaraaday ee wax iibsanayey, masalan halkii $10-ka uu ka ahaa 65,000Sl/shiling imikana $10-ka waxa uu noqonayaa 59,000Sl/shiling, markaa 6,000 ayaa ka dhex baxday $10-kii dollar, markaa $100 dollar $10 ayaa is dhimay, dadkiina way ka yabaalsan yihiin oo marka ay lacagtii soo sarifaan Khudradii waa ku qaali markaa dadkii way ka cabanayaan".

Mr. Maxamed Iidaan isaga oo hadalkiisa sii wata waxa uu intaa ku daray oo uu yidhi "Sarifkan dollarka ee hoos u dhacay saamayn ayuu ku yeeshay dadka shacabka ah, balse Anaga ganacsato ahaan wax saamayn ah oo uu nagu yeelanayaa ma jirto oo imika daasadaa caanaha waxa aanu siinaa $13.5 waxa ku kordhay ma jiraan intii sarifku dollarku hoos u dhacay 13.5kii ayuun baanu siinaa, sarifka qofkii dollar ayuu sitaa oo dollar loo soo diraa ama dollar ayuu ku shaqeeyaa dollarkii marka uu sarifo dee $100-ba $10 baa ka go'aya, $100-kii la siin jiray 670,000 imika waxa lagu sarifayaa $100-kii dollar 590,000Sl/shiling".

Sonkor: Kiishka $41.2

Bariiska: Oomaar $29, Maaweel $27, Fartaag $32

Daqiiq: Masar $25.8,  Deero $25.8, Cuman $26.3, Rubi $25.7

Baasta: Maaweel $10.2, Altima ama Uutima $8.5, Basta Makarone Golda $10, Maweel $10.5.

Saliid 20Lt $21.2 "

Sidoo kale waxa aanu isagana dhinaca sarifka wax ka weydiinay Sarifle Maxamed Muxumed Yuusuf, kaas oo isna sarifle ku haysta suuqa magaalada Hargeysa waxaanu yidhi "Dhawr arimoodbaa horta ayaan ku salayn karnaa hoos u dhaca ku yimid dollarka, waa mida koobaade horta marka uu bilaabmo ganacsiga Adhiga Carafadu sida qaalibka ah hoos ayuu u dhacaa, ta kale horta xagii dawladdu waatan Kaashkii aad u xaraysay markaa Bangigii Kaash kama soo baxo, markaa anigu taas ayaan u sababayn karaa, xataa wasaaradaha qaar dad badan oo dollar sita ayaanu u sarifnay oo mushaharkii dollar lagu siiyey, markaa badeecaduna inay la socoto oo ay jabto ayaa fiicnaan lahayd. 

Maanta waxa weeyaan $1-ka dollar 5,900Sl/shiling markii uu u dheeraana waxa uu gaadhay 6,900Sl/shiling ayuu ahaa, Saaka oo kale (shalay) toban meheradood ayaan soo maray oo aan kaash u doontay meherad kaliya ayaan $350 Kaashkoodii aan soo helay qiyaaastina dhawr iyo toban meheradood waan soo maray, markaa kaashkii ayaan jirinba oo kaashkii baa aan soo baxayn ba. Haddii ay sidaa ku sii socoto wuu sii jabayaa oo dadkan dhaqaalahoodu ku xidhan yahay dibeda ayaa waxa soo wajahaya dhibaato dhaqaale.

HAATUF

SOMALI LEADER TELLS UN OF HIS GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO RESTORE STABILITY DESPITE VIOLENCE

SOMALI LEADER TELLS UN OF HIS GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO RESTORE STABILITY DESPITE VIOLENCE
New York, Sep 25 2010  2:10PM
Somalia's President told the General Assembly today that the transitional Government he heads is striving to restore State institutions and provide services to the people despite the violence   perpetrated by insurgents, and urged the United Nations to act decisively against groups engaging in acts of terrorism.

President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said his Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has been able to make some progress in the impoverished and violence-wracked Horn of Africa country, which has not had a functioning national government since 1991.

The TFG has recruited competent staff to distribute food to internally displaced persons (IDPs), created jobs for the youth, prepared a draft constitution and trained members of the security forces.

It was also re-establishing the judiciary and addressing disputes through a democratic process, he said.

His administration had reconciled with some of the armed opposition groups, the President said, but the largest insurgency, Al-Shabaab, which he described as a terrorist organization, continued to engage in brutal violence that has claimed the lives of large numbers of people.

"I call upon the UN Security Security Council to pass a strong resolution with a view to deterring the spread of Al Qaeda terrorists and their home-grown affiliates such as Al-Shabaab.

"Furthermore, I call upon Member States to continue with their support to the TFG to enable it to provide the direly needed services to the Somali people and in its efforts that aim at stabilizing Somalia," Mr. Ahmed said.

On Thursday participants at a UN mini-summit issued a communiqué in which they called on the TFG to end its internal differences and deliver basic services while also urging the international community to do much more to support efforts to bring peace to Somalia.

Today the President drew the General Assembly's attention to the problem of the dumping toxic waste in Somali's territorial waters and said illegal fishing off the country's coast contributed to the rise of the problem of sea piracy now rampant along East Africa's Indian Ocean coast.

Mr. Ahmed urged the international community to help rehabilitate some of his country's critical State institutions such as the judicial system, as wells as education and the health infrastructure.

"I would like to emphasize the gravity of the current political and economic situation, and that unfulfilled promises will not, in any, assist Somalia out of the current condition. Therefore, I appeal to this august body and all individual member nations who pledged to help Somalia to fulfil their promises," he added.
Sep 25 2010  2:10PM
________________

IN THE MEMORY OF SAKIN JIRDE HUSSIEN

IN THE MEMORY OF SAKIN JIRDE HUSSIEN
May her soul rest in peace

 Ahmed Arwo

 

"Inna Lillahi wa Inna ileyhi Raj'oon"

Truly we belong to Allah and truly to Him shall we return.

On Tuesday 21 of September 2010, we buried a giant humanitarian, a scholar and a pillar of  wo men empowerment in Somaliland. Sakin was so kind to all creatures large and small, she adopted a blind dog. She was munificent to the poor and the weak. She was passionate to female  education, their health and overall development. She spent her entire life in curing and caring the sick and the frail. That noble duty took her to three major continents: Africa, Asia and Europe, whe re she served in some of the largest and famous hospitals worldwide.

Sakin was among the first girls educated in Somaliland. She started her education after Quranic Madras, in 1953 at Buroa Girls Boarding School. She showed great endurance and persistence to survive against a barrage of criticism and refutation from society at large, that venerated  neg ative attitude towards women and their affairs. She passed all potential impediments with the most important help she needed at the time. Her father Jirde Hussien, a prominent businessman with foresight, was not among those who saw girl education un-Islamic; on the contrary he  fought for women's right to education in all fronts. War of ideas is won by convincing the enemy of better future. That is just how Sakin, her father and fellow progressive citizens secured  wome n's education in Somaliland.

Once more Sakin broke another glass ceiling. She was among the first Somaliland women to go abroad for further education. She went to U.K early 60's and earned a degree in nursing. She  came back and served her nation at Hargeysa Group Hospital. Years later she was deployed to Digfer Hospital in Mogadishu to the role of Head Nurse.

With political deterioration in Somalia, early seventies she was among the first emigrants that went to the Middle East. She was employed as Director of Nursing in the largest Libyan Hospital in Tripoli. During her stay in Libya Sakin applied and successfully became an International Senior Staff within World Health Organization (WHO). In that capacity she spent number of years in DR of Congo. Latter on and most of the following twenty years, she was in employment with  vario us senior managerial positions within Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland.

"Colka ninka soo arkay iyo kan looga sheekeeyaa, isku si ugama baqaan" meaning: "The one that experiences war or conflict and the one who hears about it will have different fears"

Sakin couldn't stay away from her country when it was crying blood. She came on fact finding  m ission in 1993 and was touched by the state of the nation, a country destroyed by its  government beyond recognition. She saw in person the lamentable state the only hospital in the capital city was. That left a permanent picture in her mind. Equipped with painful truth, she  amalgamat ed her effort to whistle around the world and mostly within humanitarian circles, the misery and mayhem her people were experiencing. She raised awareness of dire condition Somalilanders  w ere in.

Finally, and with proper preparation, she decided to settle her home town and took all her  know ledge, experience and wealth to contribute to re-construction of an annihilated society. The  physical destruction of infra-structure is nothing compared to the physiological, negative impact it implanted into the social well-being of its people. Trauma, stress, and victimization, contributed to ever-increasing mental disease. The fractured family unit by death, disease and separation, has its impact of family life, and social safety.

Sakin, joined Hargeysa Health Board from its inception, with special interest in Pharmacy and management of prescriptions. She devoted much of her responsibility to mental health issues, and ever increasing orphanage in Hargeysa. She was first to volunteer in any field needed. With extra sense of duty, she campaigned to improve ambulance and transportation problems. She  initiated and appealed community large fund-raising to enhance ambulance shortage in Hargeysa with triumph.

Let me throw light on personal aspect of her principles in life and her thoughts about Somaliland. Being my first cousin, (Habarwadaag) I had the honour of debating with her about social and political life of our country. She never hide her despair of political process in one aspect only that of  clan influence on political decision making. She told me the only reason she didn't engage in  politics is her rejection to go into clan platform. She said" How can one reconcile his clan support and his duty to the country". A question hard to answer .It is a hurdle we have to break in-order to build a fair society where rule of the law is the norm and where citizens are equal regardless of clan, gender and age.

On another front, she believed that hard work, honesty and persistence are essential to  succe ss in any profession. She once quoted Theodore Roosevelt who said:

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or wh ere the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is  actu ally in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again … who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly."

That quotation was in response to my political debate, when she visited me  last year in Cardiff. My cousin told me frankly, to go straight and play frontline politics. Hence influencing me to  come home and dirty my hands in real Somaliland politics. I did just that thanks to her.

Sakin believed Somaliland is again at momentous cross roads. "It is fifty years late, but not too late, because what else can a people or a nation do, but to take up the fallen standards and  persevere. They should take up the difficult long journey of slowly building civil institutions of  imp erfect political situation, to attain an internal cohesion and become a nation at peace with itself and its neighbors." She said the day she passed away. 

That left me in tears. She was so  coherent, so pensive and to me she was just getting better. It was precisely 2.00 pm on Monday 20th September, when she told me so many things in her life from childhood to her deep thoughts about future. I learned lately that good people regain their posture physically and mentally to pay farewell to their relatives and friends.

Life is complex and beyond our understanding. Looking forward for another session with my  de ar cousin, I left her home, never to return her alive I was phoned at 9.15 pm same Monday 20, the September that Sakin passed away peacefully at 9.00 pm, without pain. That reminded me how kindness and charity reduce pain of death: It is narrated by Anas bin Malik that the  Proph et (SAW), said: Verily charity appeases the wrath of Allah and eases the sufferings of death. (Tirmidhi)

Sakin left us but her legacy of dedication to nation building, striving for better life to all our  citizens, seeking without reservation to establish a fair society where justice is for all, equality in total, no gender  discrimination, nor clan superiority is lifelong struggle incumbent upon us all. That vision is the torch she passed over to the young generations of this beloved country.

'O Allah! Forgive Sakin; raise her station among those who are rightly-guided; O Lord of the  Wo rlds! Forgive her and us, make her grave spacious, and put light therein for her." 

Let me remind myself, her relatives and friends, that charity will help her in the Day of  Judgm ent. Donate on her behalf to her causes. Let us remember what our prophet said about charity:

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught that three things continue to benefit a [believing] perso n even after death - charity which he had given (which continues to benefit others), beneficial knowledge which he had left behind (i.e. authored or taught), and supplication on his behalf by a righteous child (Narrated by Saheeh Muslim).

May Allah bless Sakin Jirde's soul, may He enlarge and light up her grave, may he bestow her  the highest of all paradises, Janatul Fardows. May Allah guide us, her relatives and friends to give charity on her account.

*But those who disbelieve say, "The Hour (i.e. the Day of Judgment) will not come to us." Say, "Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you. [God is] the Knower of the unseen." Not absent  fro m Him is an atom's weight within the heavens or within the earth or [what is] smaller than that or greater, except that it is in a clear register - That He may reward those who believe and do righteous deeds. Those will have forgiveness and noble provision. But those who strive against our verses [seeking] to cause failure (i.e. to undermine their credibility) - for them will be a pain ful punishment of foul nature. * (Quran, 34:3-5)

 Sakin rests in grave No. 1322 of Xeedho, (Heedho) cemetery, Hargeysa, a garden opened to Janatul Fardows, Insha Allah.

 

Ahmed Arwo Hargeysa 409 6421 samotalis@gmail.com http://samotalis.blogspot.com http://gargaar.blogspot.com

 

Urgent Press release: Tol Leadership Council (TLC)

Urgent Press release: Tol Leadership Council (TLC)

TOL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (TLC)

A call for peace and achieving the common good To Somaliland, Ethiopia and the Community of Awdal/Salal regions

MINNEAPOLIS, U.S.A, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010--We, The Tol Leadership Council (TLC), founded by a group of concerned scholars, professionals and community leaders of theGadaboursi (hereafter referred to by the traditional name Tol) at a convention held on April 1-3, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, in an effort to launch the long process of reinvigorating the traditional Somali leadership while envisioning modernized innovations for the Tol in the Horn of Africa and around the world, have followed with great concern the recent chain of unwelcome incidents in the Awdal/Salal regions in Somaliland.

These incidents included the landing of unknown and heavily armed militia on the coastal area between Zeila and Lughaya , the sporadic and spontaneous mass uprisings in Borama,? the reported entry of Ethiopian military personnel in Awdal and Salal regions, and the obvious lack of coordinated and efficacious actions by? the authorities of Somaliland in dealing with the situation.?

As peace and stability have come to be held as a singular achievement and, thus, a source of pride among the people of Somaliland over the recent years, we have been deeply disturbed by the possible repercussions of such events on the public safety of citizens, the security of the country, the prevailing communal harmony between Somaliland communities, and the government's ability to contain any pernicious fallout from these incidents.

Having faith in the wisdom of the Awdal/Salal communities and the judicious awareness of the Somaliland authorities, and realizing the concern of all parties, including Ethiopia, for the peace and stability in the Horn of African region, we call upon:

1. Awdal/Salal Communities:

The communities in Awdal/Salal regions to make concerted and conscientious efforts to avoid anything that could jeopardize their peace and stability, their unity, their communal harmony with neighboring communities and the trust they have with the Government.

The communities to exercise their right to express their legitimate grievances through the proper governmental and communal channels while, at all times, reining in their passions and keeping in mind that what harms the peace in one area can ruin the peace of the whole country -- resulting in making losers of all.

The communities to handle their issues with optimum situational intelligence for which the people of the Awdal/Salal regions are known and to assist the Government in containing the situation by carrying out an adroit investigation that will address any security lapses to the satisfaction of their community.

11. The Somaliland Government:

Although we recognize that the Government is still new and has yet to plant its feet firmly on the ground, it is also imperative that shirking its responsibility under the pretext of being in a transitional mode or shifting the blame to previous situations will not absolve it of its own obligation in safeguarding the security of the country and the safety of its citizens.

We, therefore, urge the Government to acknowledge its shortcomings, accept the blame where it is due and take immediate action to rectify it in order to earn and sustain the esteem of the people.

We also press upon the Government to avoid taking any unwarranted actions or issuing statements that could inflame emotions and erode the citizens' confidence in the authority of the Government. It should be a primary conviction of the government that earning the trust of the citizens is a perpetual task continuously tested, but particularly after an electoral victory.

It is, indeed, the responsibility of the Government to redress the legitimate grievances and security concerns of the Awdal/Salal communities and those in other parts of the country and not to leave issues to fester and grow until they reach the point of eruption. We urge the Government to take immediate steps to look into these issues in close coordination with the community leaders of Awdal/Salal regions and their political representatives.

As upholding justice is one of the paramount responsibilities of a viable public authority, we stress with the Government to bring those who murdered the innocent passengers on the road between Kalabaydh and Dilla to face the full weight of the law. The fact that the previous Administration had failed to apprehend these fugitives shouldNOT warrant that they remain free. Rendering justice to whomever it is due is among the most crucial responsibilities of public authority, and has no timeframe. Arresting those who committed this heinous crime and bringing them before a court of law will go a long way in uncoiling bitterness and making the citizens feel safe, and secure in protection of their rights. Moreover, justice served to the families of the victims is bound to thicken the loyalty of the citizens to public leaders and institutions.

111. The Ethiopian Government:

We recognize the legitimate concerns of the Ethiopian Government over the security of its country and the protection of its citizens. Nonetheless, we remind those authorities that maintaining the friendship and good neighborly ties that they have built with Somaliland over the years obligates them to avoid taking any rash and unilateral action that could jeopardize such long term relations and, consequently, usher in a state of insecurity and disorder to the whole region.

We, therefore, ask the Ethiopian Government to understand the paramount importance of reinforcing mutual trust through continued consultations and cooperation with Somaliland on all issues related to mutual security.

We would like to strongly urge them to avoid taking any unilateral military action or sending any military personnel to any area of Somaliland without the prior consent and pre-arranged measures with the Somaliland Government and local community leaders.

It should be known to the Ethiopian Government that any unilateral military incursions to hunt down perceived enemies without the prior knowledge and coordination with Somaliland authorities will only invoke righteous rage on the part of the people of Somaliland against Ethiopia. The fallout of any such incidents will be grave, undermining regional peace and stability and, therefore, playing into the hands of the extremist forces that are determined to wreak havoc upon the shared goals of the two countries: peace and development.

Finally, we want to goad all the parties to resort to sagacity as a mode of thinking and acting and, as a result, exercise extreme caution and patience in dealing with the delicate security situation. To act in ways that would guarantee the common well being of all the peoples of the Horn of Africa is the gold standard for political maturity and effective leadership.

About TLC:

The Tol Leadership Council (TLC), founded on April1-3, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, to be the premier Tol organization that unites all Tol and has the conviction and capabilities to facilitate the establishment of a Tol in the Horn of Africa and around the world that is united; prosperous; at peace with itself and its neighbors; and able to effectively advance and safeguard the common social, economic, and human rights of its people.

For further details kindly contact:

Communication Office:

Email: ( tlc@tolleadershipcouncil.org or contacts@tolleadershipcouncil.org )

Website: http://tolleadershipcouncil.org/

SOMALILAND:IN THE MEMORY OF SAKIN JIRDE HUSSIEN

IN THE MEMORY OF SAKIN JIRDE HUSSIEN

May her soul rest in peace.

"Inna Lillahi wa Inna ileyhi Raj'oon
Truly we belong to Allah and truly to Him shall we return.

Ahmed Arwo

On Tuesday 21 of September 2010, we buried a giant humanitarian, a scholar and a pillar of women empowerment in Somaliland. Sakin was so kind to all creatures large and small, she adopted a blind dog. She was munificent to the poor and the weak. She was passionate to female education, their health and overall development. She spent her entire life in curing and caring the sick and the frail. That noble duty took her to three major continents: Africa, Asia and Europe, where she served in some of the largest and famous hospitals worldwide.

Sakin was among the first girls educated in Somaliland. She started her education after Quranic Madras, in 1953 at Buroa Girls Boarding School. She showed great endurance and persistence to survive against a barrage of criticism and refutation from society at large, that venerated negative attitude towards women and their affairs. She passed all potential impediments with the most important help she needed at the time. Her father Jirde Hussien, a prominent businessman with foresight, was not among those who saw girl-education un-Islamic; on the contrary he fought for women's right to education in all fronts. War of ideas is won by convincing the enemy of better future. That is just how Sakin, her father and fellow progressive citizens secured women's education in Somaliland.

Once more Sakin broke another glass ceiling. She was among the first Somaliland women to go abroad for further education. She went to U.K early 60's and earned a degree in nursing. She came back and served her nation at Hargeysa Group Hospital. Years later she was deployed to Digfer Hospital in Mogadishu to the role of Head Nurse.

With political deterioration in Somalia in early seventies she was among the first emigrants that went to the Middle East. She was employed as Director of Nursing in the largest Libyan Hospital in Tripoli. During her stay in Libya Sakin applied and successfully became an International Senior Staff within World Health Organization (WHO). In that capacity she spent number of years in DR of Congo. Latter on and most of the following twenty years, she was in employment with various senior managerial positions within Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland.

"Colka ninka soo arkay iyo kan looga sheekeeyaa, isku si ugama baqaan" meaning: "The one that experiences war or conflict and the one who hears about it will have different fears"

Sakin couldn't stay away from her country when it was crying blood. She came on fact finding mission in 1993 and was touched by the state of the nation, a country destroyed by its government beyond recognition. She saw in person the lamentable state the only hospital in the capital city was. That left a permanent picture in her mind. Equipped with painful truth, she amalgamated her effort to whistle around the world and mostly within humanitarian circles, the misery and mayhem her people were experiencing. She raised awareness of dire condition Somalilanders were in.

Finally, and with proper preparation, she decided to settle her home town and took all her knowledge, experience and wealth to contribute to re-construction of an annihilated society. The physical destruction of infra-structure is nothing compared to the physiological, negative impact it implanted into the social well-being of its people. Trauma, stress, and victimization, contributed to ever-increasing mental disease. The fractured family unit by death, disease and separation, has its impact of family life, and social safety.

Sakin, joined Hargeysa Health Board from its inception, with special interest in Pharmacy and management of prescriptions. She devoted much of her responsibility to mental health issues, and ever increasing orphanage in Hargeysa. She was first to volunteer in any field needed. With extra sense of duty, she campaigned to improve ambulance and transportation shortage. She initiated  and appealed community large fund-raising to enhance ambulance shortage in Hargeysa with triumph.

Let me throw light on personal aspect of her principles in life and her thoughts about Somaliland. Being my first cousin, (Habarwadaag) I had the honour of debating her about social and political life of our country. She never hides her despair of political process in one aspect only that of clan influence on political decision making. She told me the only reason she didn't engage in politics is her rejection to go into clan platform. She said" How can one reconcile his clan support and his duty to the country". A question hard to answer .It is a hurdle we have to break in-order to build a fair society where rule of the law is the norm and where citizens are equal regardless of clan, gender and age.

On another front, she believed that hard work, honesty and persistence are essential to success in any profession. She once quoted Theodore Roosevelt who said:

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again … who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly."

That quotation was in response to my political debate, when she visited me in Cardiff last year. My cousin told me frankly, to go straight and play frontline politics. Hence influencing me to come and dirty my hands in real Somaliland politics. I did just that thanks to her.

Sakin believed Somaliland is again at momentous cross roads. "It is fifty years late, but not too late, because what else can a people or a nation do, but to take up the fallen standards and persevere. They should take up the difficult long journey of slowly building civil institutions of imperfect political situation, to attain an internal cohesion and become a nation at peace with itself and its neighbors." She said the day she passed away. That left me in tears. She was so coherent, so pensive and to me she was just getting better. It was precisely 2.00 pm on Monday 20the September, when she told me so many things in her life from childhood to her deep thoughts about future. I learned lately that good people regain their posture physically and mentally to pay farewell to their relatives and friends.

Life is complex and beyond our understanding. Looking forward for another session with my dear cousin, I left her home, never to return her alive I was phoned at 9.15 pm same Monday 20, the September that Sakin passed away peacefully at 9.00 pm, without pain. That reminded me how kindness and charity reduce pain of death: It is narrated by Anas bin Malik that the Prophet (SAW), said: Verily charity appeases the wrath of Allah and eases the sufferings of death. (Tirmidhi)

Sakin left us but her legacy of dedication to nation building, striving for better life to all our citizens, seeking to establish a fair society where justice is for all, equality in total, no gender discrimination, nor clan superiority is lifelong struggle incumbent upon us all…that vision is the torch she passed over to the young generations of this beloved country.

'O Allah! Forgive Sakin; raise her station among those who are rightly-guided; O Lord of the Worlds! Forgive her and us, make her grave spacious, and put light therein for her."  

Let me remind myself, her relatives and friends, that charity will help her in the Day of Judgment. Donate on her behalf to her causes. Let us remember what our prophet said about charity:

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW)  taught that three things continue to benefit a [believing] person even after death - charity which he had given (which continues to benefit others), beneficial knowledge which he had left behind (i.e. authored or taught), and supplication on his behalf by a righteous child (Narrated by Saheeh Muslim).

May Allah bless Sakin Jirde's soul, may He enlarge and light up her grave, may he bestow her the highest of all paradises, Janatul Fardows. May Allah guide us, her relatives and friends to give charity on her account.

*But those who disbelieve say, "The Hour (i.e. the Day of Judgment) will not come to us." Say, "Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you. [God is] the Knower of the unseen." Not absent from Him is an atom's weight within the heavens or within the earth or [what is] smaller than that or greater, except that it is in a clear register - That He may reward those who believe and do righteous deeds. Those will have forgiveness and noble provision. But those who strive against our verses [seeking] to cause failure (i.e. to undermine their credibility) - for them will be a painful punishment of foul nature. *  (Quran, 34:3-5)

Sakin rests in grave No. 1322 of Xeedho, (Heedho) graveyard, Hargeysa, a garden opened to Janatul Fardows, Insha Allah.

 http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/187658

Ahmed Arwo

Hargeysa 409 6421
samotalis@gmail.com

http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

TACSI GEERIDA MARXUUM DHAMAC CAABI CAWAD

TACSI GEERIDA MARXUUM DHAMAC CAABI CAWAD

Anigoo ku hadlaaya magaca reer Cabdi Carwo iyo xaaskeyga Amaal Cumar Carte, waxaan tacsi u diryaa Reer Cawad Bahdoon iyo tafeertooda daafaha dunida ku kala nool geerida naxdinta leh ee ku timid Dhamac Caabi Cawad oo Taar. 23/09/2010 lagu aasay magaalada Hargeysa.Waxaan sidoo kale tacsideynayaa xaaska marxuumka, ubad ito tafiirtiisa, ehel , asxaab, qaraabada, xigto iyo xigaal meel kasta ooy joogaanba, waxaan leeyahay samir iyo iimaan. 

Oday Dhamac oo muddo dheer bukay, waxuu ahaa nin samir badan oon kolna ka caban xanuunka ragaadsaday, nin cibaado badan oon tusbax iyo tasbiix laga waayin, salaada ilaa yareentii oogi jiray. Oday naxariis badan oo dadka xidhiidhiya, nabad jecel oo ka hawlgala arrimaha nabadeynta iyo daminta khilaafadka bulsho. Waxuu ahaa nin ganacsi waa hore bilaabay oo meherado ku lahaa muddo dheer Hargeysa iyo Xarshin. Dhamac waxuu ahaa oday lagu yaqaanay odaynimo uu kaga hawl galo Gobalka Maroodi-Jeex iyo Gobalka Soomalida ee Itoobiya. 

Illaahay ha siiyo marxuum Dhamac Caabi Cawad naxariistiisa, hana ka yeelo kuwa uu ku manaysto Janatul Fardows, qabriga ha u nuuro, oo howga dhigo beer ka tirsan janada. Waxaan ka codsanayaa inta taqaan, iyo inta akhrisata tacsidanba inay u ducayso. Dhammaanna waxaan idin leeyahay samir iyo iimaan.      

Ahmed Arwo
Hargeysa
409 6421
samotalis@gmail.com
http://samotalis.blogspot.com

U.S. Department of State Daily Digest Bulletin

Africa: Remarks at UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's Millennium Development Goals' Maternal and Child Health Event

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:53:18 -0500

Remarks at UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's Millennium Development Goals' Maternal and Child Health Event

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

United Nations

New York City

September 22, 2010

---

Well, as you can imagine, for many of us in this room as I look around, this is a day that we have long waited for. And we are delighted to be part of this important initiative, and I thank the Secretary General for his leadership and congratulations on this remarkable effort. We look forward to working with you.

And the Obama Administration has put women and children at the heart of our development efforts, including our Global Health Initiative, a $63 billion initiative, to strengthen maternal and child health, family planning, nutrition, malaria prevention and treatment, HIV/AIDS, and TB programs. And this is more than just an increase in funding. It achieves – we hope to achieve better health outcomes over the long term by improving and integrating health systems so that far more women and their families have access to essential care.

In that spirit, I am pleased to announce a new joint effort between the development agencies of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, along with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This five-year alliance aims to increase access to family planning and reduce maternal and neonatal deaths in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Our effort will contribute (inaudible) of increasing access to family planning by 2015 for 100 million women who now lack it. It will also boost the number of skilled birth attendants, babies delivered in clinics or hospitals, and women and newborns who receive quality medical care.

I'm very grateful that we'll be working with our partners here on the podium and many of you, and let me apologize because this is UNGA week and I'm about 15 minutes behind for my next meeting. But you can count on the United States and the Obama Administration's commitment to the successful achievement of this initiative. Thank you. (Applause.)

# # #

WORLD LEADERS CONTINUE CALLS FOR STEPPED-UP ACTION TO MEET DEVELOPMENT TARGETS

WORLD LEADERS CONTINUE CALLS FOR STEPPED-UP ACTION TO MEET DEVELOPMENT TARGETS

World leaders continued to press for greater action in the five remaining years to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs) on the second day of a General Assembly summit at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Dozens of speakers – including Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Grenada's Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and German Chancellor Angela Merkel – took to the podium in the General Assembly hall today to stress the need to accelerate progress towards reaching the eight anti-poverty Goals before their 2015 deadline.

At the start of the three-day gathering yesterday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged heads of State and government to provide the necessary investment, aid and political will to end extreme poverty.

"There is no global project more worthwhile," he <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=940">said. "Let us send a strong message of hope. Let us keep the promise."

The Assembly's high-level debate seeks to identify what else needs to be done to reach the Goals – which include slashing poverty, combating disease, fighting hunger, protecting the environment and boosting education – in the next five years.

"Real results" have been made since the MDGs were devised in 2000, Mr. Ban noted yesterday, including a dramatic increase in school enrolment rates, expanded access to clean water and greater control of diseases.

"We have more development success stories than ever before. The transformative impact of the MDGs is undeniable. This is an achievement we can proud of. But we must protect these advances, many of which are still fragile. And the clock is ticking, with much more to do."

Two interactive round-table sessions were held on the sidelines of today's debate.

This morning, Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika and Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani co-chaired a discussion on promoting sustainable development that explored how to most cost-effectively increase the availability of safe drinking water and improve the lives of slum dwellers.

In another session co-chaired by Finnish President Tarja Halonen and Slovenian President Danilo Türk, participants discussed emerging issues – including climate change, the global economic crisis, food security and armed violence – that could hamper the achievement of the MDGs.

The high-level debate will wrap up tomorrow, and it is expected that participants will adopt an outcome document reaffirming their commitment to cooperating for the good of economic and social advancement.
Sep 21 2010  5:10PM
________________

SOMALI LEADERS MUST LEARN TO WORK TOGETHER, UN ENVOY SAYS AFTER PREMIER RESIGNS

SOMALI LEADERS MUST LEARN TO WORK TOGETHER, UN ENVOY SAYS AFTER PREMIER RESIGNS

Noting the decision by Somali's Prime Minister to step down, a top United Nations official today urged that the country's leaders learn to work together to advance peace and stability in the strife-torn nation that has not had a functioning government in over two decades.

Augustine Mahiga, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, said the resignation of Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke is "yet another manifestation of the serious disputes within the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs)."

Former adversaries are participating in an internationally recognized Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Somalia, in line with the 2008 peace pact brokered in neighbouring Djibouti.

Mr. Mahiga said he hoped that TFIs will now put an end to the internal divisions, which have crippled the TFG's ability to carry out its essential tasks, adding that the Somali leadership must remain united and focused on its work.

"There is less than a year to go until the end of the transitional period in August 2011 and there is a huge amount of work to be completed," said the Special Representative. "I call on all those who support peace and security to demonstrate that they can work together in a cohesive manner."

Last week in a briefing to the UN Security Council, Mr. Mahiga outlined some of the tasks that need to be completed before the end of the transition period. These include continuing the initiatives on reconciliation, building civilian and security institutions and the completion of the constitution-making process.

"The international community and the Somali people are looking to their leaders for unity, not recurrent political crises and there should be no excuses for stalling the peace process in Somalia," he stated today.
Sep 21 2010  5:10PM
_______________

TACSI GEERIDA MARXUUMAD SAAKIN JIRDE XUSEEN

TACSI GEERIDA MARXUUMAD SAAKIN JIRDE XUSEEN

Anigoo ku hadlaaya magaca reer Cabdi Carwo iyo xaaskeyga Amaal Cumar Carte, waxaan tacsi u diryaa Reer Jirde Xuseen iyo reer Gaaxnuug Cabdilaahi iyo tafeertooda daafaha dunida ku kala nool geerida naxdinta leh ee ku timid habarwadaagtay marxuumad Saakin Jirde Xusseen oo maanta oo Thalaatha ah Taar. 21/09/2010 lagu aasay magaalada Hargeysa, Xabaalaha Xeedho. Waxaan sidoo kale tacsideynayaa waalidka marxuumada, ehel , asxaab, qaraabada, xigto iyo xigaal meel kasta ooy joogaanba, waxaan leeyahay samir iyo iimaan. Waxaan gaar ahaan u tacsiyeynayaa Maamulka Cisbitaalka Guud ee Hargeysa iyo dhammaan inta Saakin kala soo shaqaysay arrimaha caafimadka ee Soomaliland iyo Soomaliyaba. Sidoo kale waxaan tacsi gaar ah u dirayaa Gobalka Maroodi-jeex ee ay ab iyo hooyaba ka soo jeeday.

Anigoo taariikh nolaleedkeeda mar dambe soo qori doona aan wax yar ka iftiimiyo. Marxuumad Saakin Jirde, waxay ahayd ruux naxriis badan, jecel danyarta iyo inta itaalka darran, af-gaaban, hawlkar aan aqoon wahsi iyo nasasho, iyadoo cimrigeeda oo dhan ku qaadatay hawlaha la xidhiidha daryeelka caafimaad  nooc kastaba, kana soo shaqaysay Afrika, Aaasiya iyo Yurub, ugu danbayna u hurtay nafteeda inay u soo noqoto ooy ka hawl gasho adeega bulsho ee dadkeeda, ka dib burburkii dagaalkii xorraynta iyo dib ula soo noqoshada qarannimada Soomaliland.

Waxay ilaa ayaanta ay naftu ka baxday ahayd xubin ka tirsan Guddiga Maamulka Cisbitaalka Hargeysa,(Hargeysa Health Board), ooy si gaar ah ugu xilsaarnayd arrimaha farmasiiga iyo maamulka daawada, gaadiidka cisbitalka iyo xil gaar ah ooy iska saartay Waaxda Dhimirka.

Illaahay ha siiyo marxuumad Saakin Jirde Xuseen naxariistiisa, hana ka yeelo kuwa uu ku manaysto Janatul Fardows, qabriga ha u nuuro, oo howga dhigo beer ka tirsan janada. Waxaan ka codsanayaa inta taqaan, iyo inta akhrisata tacsidanba inay u ducayso. Dhammaanna waxaan idin leeyahay samir iyo iimaan.      

Ahmed Arwo
Hargeysa
409 6421
samotalis@gmail.com
http://samotalis.blogspot.com

Eritrea: The Siege State

INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP - NEW REPORT

Eritrea: The Siege State

Nairobi/Brussels, 21 September 2010: To prevent Eritrea from becoming the Horn of Africa's next failed state, the international community must engage more with the country.

Eritrea: The Siege State,* the latest report from the International Crisis Group, analyses the fragile political and economic situation following the devastating war with Ethiopia (1998-2000). Just a decade ago, Eritrea might reasonably have been described as challenged but stable. Today it is under severe stress, if not yet in full-blown crisis. While not likely to undergo dramatic upheaval in the near future, it is weakening steadily. Its economy is in free fall, poverty is rife, and the authoritarian political system is haemorrhaging its legitimacy.

"As Eritrea continues on this trajectory, its current economic and political problems are only going to deepen", says Andrew Stroehlein, Crisis Group's Director of Communications. "While there is no open protest at the moment, the government cannot take this for granted over the long term. Change is really only a matter of time".

The militarism and authoritarianism which now define Eritrea's political culture have their roots in the region's violent history. The 30-year war for independence – achieved in 1991 – was part of a network of conflicts which devastated north-east Africa. The real significance of that legacy has only become clear in the last decade, as President Isaias Afwerki and a small cohort of ex-fighters have strengthened their grip on power, while suppressing social freedoms in favour of an agenda centred on an obedient national unity and the notion that Eritrea is surrounded by enemies.

Eritrea has fought in recent years, directly or indirectly, with Ethiopia, Yemen, Djibouti and Sudan and involved itself in various ways in the conflicts in eastern Sudan, Darfur and Somalia. Relations with Ethiopia in particular remain extremely tense, in large part because Ethiopia has failed to abide by its Algiers Peace Agreement commitment to accept binding arbitration on their disputed border. (The boundary commission ruled that the town of Badme – the original flashpoint of the war – was in Eritrea.) The UN Security Council's failure to compel compliance reinforced the sense in Asmara that the international community is inherently hostile. While Eritrea asserts that it is pursuing legitimate national security interests, its aggressive approach and abrasive tone have left it increasingly isolated.

The army has been the key stabilising force, but it is becoming less stable, riddled with corruption and increasingly weak. National service – originally intended to build the country – could well prove one of the catalysts for the regime's eventual collapse. Some form of demobilisation is required but cannot happen overnight, as society and the economy are incapable of immediately absorbing tens of thousand former soldiers. A holistic approach is urgently needed and requires outside help. Instead of pushing the regime into a corner, the international community should engage with Eritrea on the basis of a greater understanding about the country's past and current grievances. This might well remove one of the regime's key rationales and ultimately empower more reform-minded and outward-looking elements within the ruling People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) and wider society.

"It is inadequate and unhelpful simply to portray Eritrea as the regional spoiler", says Ernst Jan Hogendoorn, Crisis Group's acting Africa Program Director. "It is also the product of the political environment of the Horn as a whole. Ultimately, everything is interconnected, and a more comprehensive, integrated approach is needed by the international community to treat the severe problems confronting Eritrea and the region".

"Plot by Muslims to kill Pope' another Islamophobic ploy

By SHABANA SYED | ARAB NEWS

"Plot by Muslims to kill Pope' another Islamophobic ploy

Six Algerian street cleaners arrested for planning to kill Pope Benedict were pronounced innocent and released without any charges.

The six were arrested in London by British police on the basis of a conversation overhead. According to those critical of the police, if the pope had been under any threat it might have come from the gay right groups, or the hundreds of victims who had suffered sexual abuse by Catholic priests; Or was this as critics have claimed just another opportunity to play the Muslim card again by the authorities and media as the tabloids went to town with blaring headlines like "Muslim Terrorists Plot to Kill Pope".

An opportunity once again to perpetuate the myth that all Muslims are terrorists, something they have been doing successfully for over a decade.

The situation is just as bad or even worse in America as recent events revealed. The hysteria and outpouring of hate for Islam and Muslims had never been more evident than by the incidence of Qur'an burning and the debacle over the building of a Muslim community center near Ground Zero.

If one wonders how and why Islamophobia has spread its poisonous tentacles taking root in Western society, one has to realize that the "seeds of hatred had been sown decades ago and today those who sowed the seeds are reaping the benefits".

To mark 9/11 racist anti-Muslim graffiti was daubed on Islamic centers, mosques and houses, Muslims were attacked and abused. In one horrific incidence a cab driver was stabbed several times.

Islamophobia in America has reached a level that a magazine editor Martin Peretz felt confident enough to declare that Muslims are not "worthy of the privileges of the First Amendment".

Peretz is a known for his hatred toward Islam and Muslim and a great supporter of Israel. So apparently are the two figures behind the anti- Park51 protests Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer, whose anti-Muslim sentiments were further energized through support from a number of prominent neoconservative and Zionists groups such as the Center for Security Policy (CSP), which itself is funded by major US defense contractors and several wealthy Jewish donors who also support radical Jewish settlers in the West Bank.

The rally organized against the Islamic center also featured Geert Wilders, the racist Dutch politician whose anti-Islam stance received little support in Europe but was welcomed with open arms from pro-Israel groups in America, and named "the most important European alive" by the vehemently anti-Muslim and pro-Israel Daniel Pipes.

If that was not enough to have a "hate fest", the final icing on this poisonous cake was to bring over members of the English Defense League, a British far-right group whose thuggish methods involve using violence to prevent "the Islamization of Britain". Investigations by "Spinwatch" have revealed the close collaboration between EDL and American neocons and Zionists.

Maybe now we can understand Jonathon Cooke's book called "Israel and the Clash of Civilizations" in which he states how Israel has been working to create hatred against Muslims in the hope that there will be conflict and wars that will benefit Israel's future expansionist plans.

He further explains saying Israel continues to suppress and kill Palestinians, knowing it is fueling Muslim anger and hoping it encourages extremism.  He states: "The injustices that Muslims are watching will be imprinted on their psyches and extremist ideologies will flourish, further feeding the theory that there will be a clash of civilizations since Muslims and Islam are violent."

The whole incidence would never have gone out of control if the media had ignored the deranged pastor with less than 40 people in his congregation, who had never read the Qur'an and didn't even know how to say imam and ended up saying inam.

Investigations reveal that more than 96% of the mainstream media is owned by Zionists. Whether this is true or not their pro-Israel bias is clearly evident.

We see the similarities in the mainstream media's narrative, which as Robert Fisk has pointed out is a "parasitic-osmotic relationship between supposedly honorable reporters and the nexus of power that runs between White House and State Department and Pentagon, between Downing Street and the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defense."

If we are constantly fed the same narrative, the logical question asked is how do we know that the information we are presented with is the truth or fabricated?

President Bush and Prime Minister Blair lied, backed up by the media and went to war with Iraq leading not only to the death of over a million Iraqis but also deaths of Western soldiers.

Islamophobia has been building for more than a decade now, and many a government official and political analysts have warned that the continual demonization, the situation in Palestine, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will radicalize and marginalize Muslims.

There is no concrete evidence that Muslims are now "radicals"; however scant attention has been paid to what the Muslims are feeling living under this barrage of hatred, as they watch American and British troops bombing Muslim countries killing thousands of innocent people and calling it collateral damage; the abuses in prisons like Abu Ghraib, where hundreds are locked up without evidence or trial.

All this continues against a background of misleading narratives that are used by media to cover the footprints of terror and the feelings of Muslims is of no concern to them as long as they don't express "radical opinions" and if they do it is not because they are angry at what is happening but because Islam is teaching them.

Debate in the Muslim communities is suppressed, university campuses are monitored and spying on fellow students is encouraged. There is heavy surveillance of mosques and imams.

When Muslims voice their opinions against foreign policies, they are seen as extremists indoctrinated by "radical Islam", or by radical imams. The latest radical imam is supposed to be a Western-educated Yemeni who has lived in the US for over 20 years. He is being blamed for every terror plot from 9/11 to 7/7 to Fort Dix shooting to the Christmas bomber.

The US is adamant that it's the "radical" imams' fault and nothing to do with its foreign policies.  Therefore in the tradition of Bush's Wild West tactics, the CIA has been sent to "get their man" and without any substantial evidence, to kill him.

The West may have hated Nazis Germany, but has certainly learned from Goebbels motto, "if you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it people will eventually come to believe it."

However some of the "truths" that have been put out, especially those concerning terror plots have glaring holes in them and those questioning the holes are labeled conspiracy theorists.

The demand for an independent investigation by the 9/11 Truth Movement is beginning to gain ground.

The most credible demand has come from members of Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth. Richard Gage who has been an architect for over 20 years has delivered over 150 presentations of evidence that the World Trade Center skyscrapers were explosively demolished on Sept. 11.

The terror plot last Christmas was never investigated in detail. A young Nigerian known for having terrorist sympathies was escorted on to the plane without a passport or any security checks. Also witnesses have said that this young Nigerian who appeared to be looking like he is in a trance was filmed by an anonymous man from the minute the young man sat in his plane seat. 

Other facts the media have ignored is that the Israeli security company that allowed the "Underwear bomber" to catch the flight at Amsterdam airport was the same security company that allowed some of the 9/11 hijackers on and also was the same company that let the shoe bomber Richard Reid to get on his Miami flight in 2001.

The uncovering of terror plots has only led to further introduction of draconian legislation that curbs civil liberties, and fueled hatred toward Muslims.

As people like Blair continue to perpetuate fear against Islam by repeating the same old mantra about "radical Islam being a threat to world peace", one should also be aware that this mantra has made him a very rich man who now works in the interests of Israel as a Middle East Peace Envoy.

In a fight against good and evil, Blair and those perpetuating lies, should also remember that history has shown that oppression and injustice cannot survive, truth will finally prevail; however truth and justice needs a little help sometimes, and with this is mind maybe we should remember these important words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr:

"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends".

BAN URGES WORLD LEADERS TO ENSURE BLUEPRINT TO END POVERTY BECOMES REALITY

BAN URGES WORLD LEADERS TO ENSURE BLUEPRINT TO END POVERTY BECOMES REALITY
New York, Sep 20 2010 10:10AM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged world leaders attending the United Nations summit on the Millennium Development Goals (<"http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/">MDGs) to turn what he dubbed "a blueprint for ending extreme poverty" into reality by providing the necessary investment, aid and political will to help the planet's most vulnerable.

"There is no global project more worthwhile," Mr. Ban told the nearly 140 heads of State and government taking part in the three-day meeting at UN Headquarters in New York. "Let us send a strong message of hope. Let us keep the promise."

The high-level meeting of the General Assembly is being held to take stock of the progress so far towards the MDGs – which include slashing poverty, combating disease, fighting hunger, protecting the environment and boosting education – and to determine what else needs to be done to reach the Goals by their target date of 2015.

"Real results" have been made since the MDGs were devised in 2000, Mr. Ban noted, including a dramatic increase in school enrolment rates, expanded access to clean water and greater control of diseases.

"We have more development success stories than ever before. The transformative impact of the MDGs is undeniable. This is an achievement we can proud of. But we must protect these advances, many of which are still fragile. And the clock is ticking, with much more to do."

Mr. Ban urged world leaders to "stay true" to ensure that the Goals are met on time.

"True to our identity as an international community built on a foundation of solidarity. True to your commitment to end the dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty."

He called on wealthy countries not to pull back from their previous commitments on official development assistance to poorer nations, which he described as "a lifeline of billions, for billions."

He also stressed that "being true means addressing inequality, both among and within countries. Even in countries that have registered impressive gains, inequality eats away at social cohesion.

"And it means reconsidering conventional wisdom. Recovery from the economic crisis should not mean a return to the flawed and unjust path that got us into trouble in the first place."

The Secretary-General said one of the keys to success was "making the smart investments in infrastructure, small farmers, social services… and above all in women and girls."

On Wednesday he is expected to unveil a global strategy for improving women's and children's health, with study after study indicating that a boost in this area will have an enormous multiplier effect across all the MDGs.

"There is more to do for the mother who watches her children go to bed hungry – a scandal played out a billion times each and every night. There is more to do for the young girl weighed down with wood or water when instead she should be in school. And more to do for the worker far from home in a city slum, watching jobs and remittances disappear amid global recession."

Xildhibaano Ku Tilmamey Dawalada Silaanyo Mid Diicifa Oo Jahawareersan

Xildhibaano Ku Tilmamey Dawalada Silaanyo Mid Diicifa Oo Jahawareersan

Borama- Xildhibaana reer Awdal ee Jamuuriyada Somaliland badankooda ayaa si weyn u dhaliilay xukumada Silaanyo sida ay u hugaaminayso dalka taniyo markii xukunka dalka ay la wareegtey oo dalkani galay jahawareer iyo amaan daro. Xildhibaan Axmed Yasiin Sheekh Cali Ayaanle oo ku hadlayey afha xildhibaanada reer Awdal ayaa maanta shirjaraa'id ku qabtey Huteel Rays oo ku yaala magaalada Borama waxaanu xildhibaanku si weyn uga hadlay diciifnimada dawlada Silaanyo oo isku bisho shubatey mid eedaymo usoo jeedisa gobolada galbeedka Somaliland kuna eedaysay in xeebaha Awdal ay yihiin wado ay kasoo degaan Argagixida caalamiga ah iyo Jabhadaha ka dagaalama wadamada Somaliya iyo Itoobiya.

Xildhibaan Axmed Yaasiin Sheekh Cali ayaanle ayaa dawlada dariska ah ka raali galiyey mashaqadii halka mar dhacday ee ka dhacday xeebaha Awdal isla markaana sheegay in danta gobolada Awdal iyo Selel ay ku xidhan tahay danta wadamada dariska ah ee Itoobiya iyo Jabuuti. Waxa uu xildhibaanku sheegay oo kale in dawlada Silaanyo ayna u socon dan qaran ayna ku ekaatey oo kaliya eedaymo iyo tuhun ay kala dhex dhigto wadamada dariska ah iyo gobolada galbeed ee Somaliland.

Xukumadu marnaba kama ayna fiirsan in goboladani ay ka mid yihiin Jamuuriyada Somaliland isla markaana eed kasta oo been abuur ah oo lagu sheego goboladani ay ka dhigan tahay mid taaban doonta guud ahaan sharafta amaanta Jamuuriyada somaliland ee ayna goboladi gaar u heli doonin colaad kaga timaad wadamada dariska ah.

Saladiinta reer awdal iyo Xildhibaanada gobolka ayaa aad uga cadhooday hadalo been abuur ah oo Madaxweyne ku xigeenka Jamuuriyada Somaliland Cabdiraxman Saylici uu ku eedeeyey gobolka Awdal inuu waligeedba ahaa meel argagixisadu hubab kala soo degto.

Sidoo kale dadweynaha Borama ayaa cadho weyn ka muujiyey Cabdiraxman Saylici oo hadda ku sugan Borama inuu TVga qaranka Somaliland u sheego hadalo ka dhan ah Gobolka uu kasoo jeedo ee Awdal.

Dhawaan ayaa la filayaa in wufuud gobolka Awdal oo iskugu jirta Saladiin iyo Waxgarad kaleba u socdaalaan K5aad si ay wadahadalo dheeri ah oo arinkan ku saabsan ula yeelan lahaayeen Ismaamulka Somaliyeed ee K5aad

Source: saylac.com