OVER 100, 000 PEOPLE DISPLACED BY FIGHTING IN NORTH-WEST PAKISTAN – UN AGENCY

OVER 100,000 PEOPLE DISPLACED BY FIGHTING IN NORTH-WEST PAKISTAN – UN AGENCY

The United Nations refugee agency reported today that more than 100,000 people have become displaced since January by Pakistani military operations against militant groups in the north-western part of the country that borders Afghanistan.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that 101,160 people, mostly women and children, have been uprooted by the fighting that began on 20 January in the Khyber Agency region of the country's Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA).

"New arrivals say that they left their homes because of the proximity of fighting and due to instructions by the authorities to evacuate the area," a UNHCR spokesperson, Melissa Fleming, <"http://www.unhcr.org/4f7589d79.html">told reporters in Geneva.

She said a recent increase in the intensity of the fighting is driving even larger numbers of families to flee to the safety of the Jalozai camp, where UNHCR is registering them and providing them with basic humanitarian supplies.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is providing food aid in Jalozai, located near the western city of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which was formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province.

UNHCR has been registering an average of 2,000 families per day since mid-March. All of those registered were provided with a UNHCR aid package, a hygiene kit from the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and an initial one-month food supply.

There are some 62,818 people currently in the Jalozai camp, of which 47,134 were living in the camp before 17 March. Ms. Fleming noted that this is now the largest camp for internally displaced persons in Pakistan.

This is not the first time that a Pakistani military offensive has uprooted such large numbers of civilians. More than two million people were displaced by similar clashes between Government troops and militants in north-west Pakistan in 2009, leading to one of the largest displacement crises in the world.



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Ahmed Hassan Arwo

UN CALLS FOR RESPECT OF CIVILIANS AND AID AGENCIES AS MORTAR ATTACKS CONTINUE IN MOGADISHU

UN CALLS FOR RESPECT OF CIVILIANS AND AID AGENCIES AS MORTAR ATTACKS CONTINUE IN MOGADISHU

The United Nations refugee agency today called for respect of civilian life and humanitarian agencies in Mogadishu as mortar attacks continued in the Somali capital yesterday, leading to the deaths of three people.

According to the spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Melissa Fleming, several mortars landed in the Beerta Darawiishta settlement for internally displaced persons (IDPs) near the Somali Parliament building on Monday morning. Three IDPs were killed, including a father and his three-year-old child, and another eight people were seriously wounded.

Until late last year, the Somali capital had been riven by a fluid frontline dividing two sides – fighters belonging to the Al Shabaab movement and troops belonging to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), with the latter supported by the peacekeeping forces of the UN-backed African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Since the Al Shabaab's withdrawal from the central parts of Mogadishu in August 2011, the frontlines have been pushed back to the city's outskirts. But the situation is still far from secure, with the use of roadside bombs, grenades and suicide bombers a regular occurrence, and on the rise.

"The target of the attack is believed to have been pro-government forces near the parliament building," Ms. Fleming <"http://www.unhcr.org/4f7199ed9.html">told reporters in Geneva. "However, just as in a similar attack last week on the presidential palace Villa Somalia – the first such attack since August 2011, when anti-government forces withdrew from the majority of districts from the capital – the mortars did not reach the intended target and instead landed among IDPs."

Ms. Fleming also said there were additional mortar attacks on Villa Somalia and elsewhere over the weekend, but that no casualties had been registered.

Anti-government forces, she said, have reportedly instructed IDPs to move away from areas surrounding presidential offices as they intend to continue the attacks. Ms. Fleming also noted that pro-government forces are implementing practices to reduce the impact of indirect fire on the civilian population, such as when civilians were given advance notice of a recent military activity in the Afgooye corridor, on Mogadishu's outskirts, which allowed them to vacate the area safely.



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Ahmed Hassan Arwo

SYRIAN GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS UN-ARAB LEAGUE ENVOY’S SIX-POINT PLAN TO END CRISIS

SYRIAN GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS UN-ARAB LEAGUE ENVOY'S SIX-POINT PLAN TO END CRISIS

The Syrian Government has accepted the six-point plan put forward by the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, who described the move as "an important initial step" to end the violence and urged President Bashar Al-Assad to put the proposal into effect immediately.

"Mr. Annan views this as an important initial step that could bring an end to the violence and the bloodshed, provide aid to the suffering, and create an environment conducive to a political dialogue that would fulfil the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people," his spokesperson said in a statement.

Mr. Annan's six-point proposal, which was submitted during his visit to Damascus earlier this month, seeks to stop the violence and the killing, give access to humanitarian agencies, release detainees, and kick-start an inclusive political dialogue. The UN estimates that more than 8,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed and tens of thousands displaced since the uprising – part of the broader Arab Spring movement across North Africa and the Middle East – began in March last year.

"Mr. Annan has written to President Assad urging the Syrian government to put its commitments into immediate effect," the statement said, adding that Mr. Annan has stressed that implementation will be key, not only for the Syrian people but also for the region as the international community as a whole.

Last week, the Security Council fully endorsed Mr. Annan's proposal and called on the Government and opposition to implement it.

"As the Syrian Government acts on its commitments, Mr. Annan will move urgently to work with all parties to secure implementation of the plan at all levels," the statement said.

Over the weekend, Mr. Annan held meetings in Moscow with Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov before heading to Beijing, China, to meet with Government officials.

In Tuesday's statement, the Joint Special Envoy's spokesperson said he expressed his appreciation for the wide backing he has received for his mediation efforts, and appealed to key countries to support this development and help ensure its effective implementation.

There are currently two missions in the Syrian capital addressing the crisis: a team of experts that is discussing ways to implement Mr. Annan's six-point proposal, and a humanitarian team that – along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation – is assessing the humanitarian needs in the country.



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Ahmed Hassan Arwo

ISRAEL: Deportation looms for South Sudan migrants

ISRAEL: Deportation looms for South Sudan migrants TEL AVIV, 27 March 2012 (IRIN) - Asylum-seekers from South Sudan living in Israel have until 31 March to return "home" or face deportation, but some have asked to stay, saying conditions are not yet conducive for their safe return.  According to Israeli Interior Minister Sabine Haddad, South Sudan nationals living in Israel will no longer be given protected status after the deadline. Until then, he added, they will be offered voluntary deportation and around US$1,300.  But Natalina, a 46-year-old single mother of three who arrived in Israel six years ago after spending 12 years is Cairo, said she would find it difficult to leave. "I don't want to take [the children] back because I know their lives will change dramatically," she told IRIN. "I have no one in Sudan, I know no one there - no family, nothing. I haven't been there in 18 years, I am a single Mum and I cannot afford to pay for medical treatment and education in South Sudan."  Natalina, whose three children aged 7, 9 and 15 are enrolled in Israeli schools, said she and some 700 other South Sudanese asylum-seekers received notice from the Ministry of Interior three months ago, asking them to report for repatriation by 31 March 2012 or be declared illegal aliens in Israel.  "I do not wish to see my children suffer. We've had meetings with the Israeli government but they will not give us answers. If they decide to do this (send asylum-seekers back) by 31 March, I will disappear, I cannot go back," said Natalina, a prominent leader of the small community of South Sudanese in Israel.  The Israeli authorities, in a January letter circulated among the South Sudanese community, said the new state was safe.  Xenophobia  Over the past two years, some 1,200 asylum-seekers returned to South Sudan under a repatriation programme arranged by NGOs, even before that country got independence. Some sources said the returnees were being encouraged to leave by the harsh conditions in which the community lives, and the xenophobia directed at them by Israelis.  Last week, some South Sudanese and Israelis held a protest in Tel Aviv against "forced repatriation", saying it was against international treaties and contrary to new information about the state of security in South Sudan. The Israeli Foreign Ministry rejected the claims.  "We are going to be ready, we do not want to go back," said Simon, a South Sudanese community leader who left his country 17 years ago. "We don't want to stay in Israel, but our country is not safe, our children know nothing of Sudan."  Of the 700 asylum-seekers who received notice, he said, nearly 400 were children under 18. Israeli authorities believe the overall number of South Sudanese is around 1,000.  "We are not asking to stay forever, but to be given enough time until the new state recovers somewhat," Simon explained. "I know of many repatriated community members who were forced to flee again to the north, to Kenya or Uganda. South Sudan is only seven months old and still a failed state."  td/eo/cb

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Ahmed Hassan Arwo

SOMALIA: Border town in a fix over water

SOMALIA: Border town in a fix over water

HARGEISA, 27 March 2012 (IRIN) - Water scarcity in Tog-Wajale, a town straddling the border between northwest Somalia's self-declared republic of Somaliland and Ethiopia, is threatening the health and livelihoods of locals who cannot afford to buy it.

"One barrel of water [200 litres] was only 20 [Ethiopian] birr [US$1], but the price has now reached about 50 Ethiopian birr [$2.5]," said Ahmed Jama Weirah, a father of seven in Tog-Wajale. "We can't provide for our families... because our earnings are not enough to provide food and water."

The Somaliland side of Tog-Wajale has had no official water supply since 1995, following the closure of the town's only well, which had fallen into disrepair. The town's main water sources are a seasonal river that acts as the border between Somaliland and Ethiopia, and expensive pumped water from Ethiopia.

"Now the [river] water is over and we can't afford to buy imported water," said Weirah.

"While livestock have been moved further north where they can find water, townsfolk face water scarcity," said Abdillahi Omar, a resident. "Some families use less than 20 litres per day to cook meals, and they don't take a bath for several days."

Local officials told IRIN they hoped the rains would start soon, but were focusing on long-term solutions.

The dysfunctional well used to supply less than 2,000 litres of water a day, so repairing it would not provide sufficient water for the town's estimated 40,000 people (up from 10,000 in 1995), said Hashi Mohamed Abdi, the mayor of Tog-Wajale.

Currently about 20,000 litres are pumped from Ethiopia every day, "which is not enough", he said, adding that water was also trucked in from Kalabiat and Gabiley to the northeast of Tog-Wajale.

However, the future looks brighter as the European Union (EU) has agreed to fund [ http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/documents/aap/2011/af_aap_2011_som.pdf ] a water project in the town.

The EU is funding water projects in several Somaliland towns, including Hargeisa, Burao, Erigavo and Tog-Wajale; the Tog-Wajale water project is due for completion in 2015.

maj/kr/cb

[END]

This report online: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportID=95177




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Ahmed Hassan Arwo

UN CONCERNED OVER FUNDING FOR HUMANITARIAN SERVICES IN HAITI

UN CONCERNED OVER FUNDING FOR HUMANITARIAN SERVICES IN HAITI
New York, Mar 27 2012  6:10PM
The United Nations and the Government of Haiti today voiced concern over a lack of resources to fund humanitarian services that are still required to help people in the Caribbean country recover from recent crises, including the 2010 earthquake and the cholera epidemic, and enhance preparedness ahead of the hurricane season.

According to a statement issued on behalf of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Haiti, Nigel Fisher, the humanitarian community seeks $231 million to fund its work in the island nation this year – so far, it has only received 8.5 per cent of that amount. In 2011, it sought $382 million, but received only 55 per cent of that amount, forcing many humanitarian organizations to scale back critical services in camps and cholera-affected areas.

As a result of the funding shortfall, Haiti was selected to receive an emergency allocation of $8 million from the UN-managed Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), a fund established to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to underfunded crises.

The $8 million will allow partners to address urgent priority needs, but it will not be sufficient to meet the many humanitarian challenges this year. Relief agencies have requested $53.9 million for urgent humanitarian work between April and June alone.

Although the number of those living in the camps after their homes were destroyed by the  massive earthquake in January 2010 has declined dramatically, almost half a million people still live such settlements, where they are exposed to cholera and the risk of flooding, especially during the May to November hurricane season, the statement said.

The cholera epidemic has claimed the lives of 7,000 Haitians since October 2010 and made some 500,000 others sick.

The requested funds would be used to assist those who will not be able to move out of camps before Haiti's rainy season; protect camps vulnerable to flooding; provide protection for those who are exposed to sexual abuse and other forms of violence; and support the anti-cholera campaign.

Resources are also required to improve access to clean water and maintain solid waste management and hygiene promotion; increase the pace of construction of transitional shelters and the provision of rental subsidies; and strengthen preparedness ahead of the hurricane season.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sga1339.doc.htm">appointed Major-General Fernando Rodrigues Goulart of Brazil as the new Force Commander of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

The incoming Force Commander has served in the Brazilian military since 1974, including in a number of senior command and staff positions, as well as in peacekeeping operations and within the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations at UN Headquarters. He replaces Maj-Gen Luiz Ramos, also of Brazil, who completed his assignment today.

Mr. Ban expressed his appreciation of Maj-Gen Ramos outstanding performance as MINUSTAH's Force Commander, noting that his dedication, professionalism and leadership were critical to the UN's stabilisation efforts in Haiti.



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Ahmed Hassan Arwo

Despite numerous challenges ahead, the country appears as a beacon of stability and development

Despite numerous challenges ahead, the country appears as a beacon of stability and development 

Source:

New Europe   

Despite numerous challenges ahead, the country appears as a beacon of stability and development in the region.

Below is an article published by New Europe:

At times of crisis it is all too easy for people to turn inwards. We have seen it again and again, but as Europe navigates a financial balancing act the decision of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs to discuss the issue of Somaliland this week was both welcome and extremely timely. It came after Admiral Duncan Potts of Operation Atalanta reiterated the need to work with states in the Horn of Africa if gains made in combating piracy were to be secured. My government has been devoting significant resources to this common scourge and my exchange of views with MEPs sends an important message to Somalilanders and Europeans that we are partners in a common endeavour: to bring peace, stability, and prosperity to the Horn of Africa.

The London Somalia Conference held on 23 February 2012 demonstrated that this year will be a crucial one for the future of Somalis throughout the Horn of Africa. The mandate of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) will expire in August 2012 and it is unclear what will, or can, replace it. There has to be recognition from all sides of the achievements that Somaliland has accomplished and their aspiration to be a sovereign state. These reflect the determination of Somalilanders to shape their own future in what has proved an inspiration to many Somalis. But our model is our own, and just as we do not wish to propagate it, so we also do not want to see our success subsumed.

In the coming year Somaliland will continue to provide the base for United Nations food distribution operations to Somalia and its security units will provide the local basis for ongoing EUNAVFOR Atalanta and NATO Ocean Shield anti-piracy operations. Local elections will be held throughout Somaliland's districts, building upon successive polls held since 2003 that have been deemed free and fair by international observers. We will also be moving to diversify our economy and encourage private investment to take full advantage of the €175 million the European Commission is providing to foster economic development in Somaliland.

This is imperative as the demands being placed upon Somaliland and its people are growing. Pushed by instability and drought in neighbouring Somalia and drawn by Somaliland's vibrant economy, thousands of refugees and migrants make their way to the capital, Hargeisa, and other urban centres every year. The military campaigns of Siad Barre flattened cities, devastating Somaliland's infrastructure, and while mobile networks have spread like a web and international banking services are growing, key provisions such as sanitation and basic utilities are being stretched beyond their original, very limited, capacities. For this reason, and to ensure the tremendous work achieved to date is not squandered, the European Union and its Member States should continue their valuable investment in Somaliland, because every day the dividends are being seen. Business confidence is growing as key names such as Coca-Cola open operations, the diaspora continues its crucial investment in property and trade, and my government continues to push the promulgation of legal codes to encourage and protect investment. But the next step has to be to allow Somaliland formal access to international organisations so that it can obtain credit, allow its exports to be certified according to international standards, and thereby allow its traders the opportunity to realise the true worth of their talents.

Like Europe we are facing new realities and possibilities, but between a young country and an old continent I want to build a partnership based on our common outlook and the belief that we must secure for our citizens the future they deserve.

We Need an Independent Commission for the Sahel Cement Dispute

We Need an Independent Commission for the Sahel Cement Dispute

OPINION | March 23, 2012
By:Ali Mohamed

This week, the Dahabshil Group spearheaded the first investor's meeting of the new Sahel Cement Factory, which took place at Mansoor Hotel in Hargeysa. Several people spoke at the gathering including the founder/owner of Dahabshil group, Mr. Mohamed Said Duale, whom I thought would use the gathering , to tell Somaliland public their side of the story regarding the dispute between Dahashil Group and the Sahel communities about new Sahel Cement Plant in Berbera. However, he failed to deliver a convincing argument why the Dahabshil Group got the permit to build the cement in the first place.

From the speech of the founder of Dahabshil group, Mr. Duale, I was able to glean the following relevant information:
· The builders of Sahel Cement Plant have no idea where the plant will be constructed. Instead, they are asking Silanyo administration to provide them the land, while disregarding or bypassing Berbera municipal authority, which has jurisdiction over the zoning laws in that area. The Dahabshil Group also do not have the mining permit required to exploit the raw materials—limestone quarry, the minerals (Silicon, Iron and Aluminum), and Gypsum that are essential for making the cement. Again, the Dahabshil group is asking the current Somaliland administration for a mining permit, without the consent of Sahel communities, since the mining could affect the environment, and ground water systems in Sahel region.

Furthermore, I was not convinced that Dahabshil Group have succeeded presenting a detailed plan of the project such as : the cost of the plant, its capacity, when the construction of the plant would start? How long it will take to complete the plant? How much of his own equity, he is willing to invest for the plant? What is the environmental impact of the new plant, after it is commissioned? Does the Dahabshil Group have a contingency plan in case of environmental disasters?

It is obvious; that Dahabshil group got a permit that was issued on a process that was not transparent. Instead, the Dahabshil group following proper vetting for the permit; the Group used their access to key cabinet ministers of Silanyo administration, who used to be former employees of Dahabshil Group.

As we know, Dahabshil Group also contributed financially during Silanyo's bid for the presidency, and they are free to support any candidates they wish; however, we know that in politics nobody does something for nothing. It seems quid pro quo, the way the Dahabshil group got the permit.

Dahabshil group arrogantly thought all they need was a permit issued through presidential decree to launch a fundraising for their dream project. Nonetheless, they forget that we live in a fledgling democratic nation—where all-important issues like building a cement plant from scratch— which could affect the environment, and health of thousands of our own citizens, would be debated openly. Because of desperation, Dahabshil waged a misinformation campaign, and demagoguery through the local TV's, especially Horn Cable TV, to discredit Sahel communities.

The current dispute between Dahabshil Group and the Sahel communities is not about Sahel communities, who are against the investment of a successful Somalilander businessman, for their own region, as some people might suggesting it.

No doubt, building new cement or rehabilitating the old cement factory would create local jobs, boost the economy, increase government revenue, and would help rebuilding of our infrastructure.

Nevertheless, we know that the nature of the cement industry is such that it can cause significant environmental damage through emission. For example, it is a highly energy intensive contributing 6-8% of the total manmade CO2 emission.

I believe Dahabshil group did not do their homework on what it is required to build a cement plant from scratch; and their recent presentation was short on detail. However, if the Dahabshil Group/Sahel Cement Factory come out a more detailed plan— which has feasibility studies, the environmental impact assessment– and has grass roots local support; then the government should entertain them applying a new permit.

Although Silanyo administration already awarded a permit for the Dahabshil group;however, the dispute between of the two groups is back on our President's desk for further review. But to be fair for all the concerned parties, I think it is unethical for the president or some of his cabinet ministers, who used to be former employees of Dahabshil Group, to make decision on this matter. Instead, our leader should have to appoint an independent commission compromised around 9-11 individuals of experts on energy, mining, financing, investment, and environment, as well as representative from Sahel communities.

The Commission main objective is to draft policies and recommendations for the president, regarding the most equitable way to exploit Somaliland's abundant natural resource—cement. The commission would explore all options including whether to set up a government owned entity—Somaliland Cement Corporation, its main mission is the development, industrialization, and the marketing of our cement industry. In order for this entity to get the financing, and the technology needed to build new cement plant or to rehabilitate the old cement if it is feasible; the new entity would seek a joint venture from local or international investors.

The independent commission would mediate the dispute between the two competing groups—-the Dahabshil Group, who recently got a permit to build a cement plant, and the Berbera Cement Group, who already had existing permit to rehabilitate the old cement factory, which is structurally in a great shape. The commission would investigate why Silanyo administration issued a permit for Dahabshil group, without first giving a chance Berbera Cement Group to meet their obligation. Finally, the commission would also address whether or not the commercial hub of Somaliland—Berbera, could accommodate two cement plants.

Again, I would to underline that any future cement production in Somaliland would be used for local consumption, because of the high cost transporting of Cement would prohibit profitable distribution over long distance. In addition, export to Ethiopia or south Somalia, would require rail system mode of transportation.

In sum, Somaliland succeeded on slow but efficient process in which our government, communities, and business people have settled their own disputes through consultation and consensus building. It worked for Somaliland for almost two decades.

I strongly believe we are capable as a nation for solving this dispute as well. All we need is a strong leadership. Hopefully, our president would not use a presidential decree in order to render a judgment of this dispute in favor for Dahabshil Group. Because the legitimate health and environmental concerns of Sahel communities is more important than the greed and the profit of a businessman—-who thinks that he is almost running the country. *Allah bless Somaliland*"Long live Somaliland"

Ali MohamedCo-founder, Growth and Development Club of Somaliland
Lewis Center, Ohio aliadm@aol.com

Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors. 

TACSI KA TIMID LA-TALIYAHA MADAXWEYNAHA EE DHAQAALAHA IYO GANACSIGA

TACSI KA TIMID LA-TALIYAHA MADAXWEYNAHA EE DHAQAALAHA IYO GANACSIGA

TACSI: MARXUUM ISMAACIIL FAARAX JIHAAD

Anigoo ku hadlaaya magaca Xafiiska La-taliyaha Madaxweynaha ee Dhaqaalaha iyo Ganacsiga, ka reer Cabdi Carwo, iyo kan xaaskeyga Amaal Cumar Carte, waxaan tacsi u dirayaa reer  FAARAX JIHAAD oo uu hormood u yahay SAED FAARAX JIHAAD iyo dhammaan tafiirta, ehelka, xigtada, xigaalka iyo asxaabta Marxuumka meel kasta ooy joogaanba.
Waxuu Ismaaciil ahaa nin afgaaban, camal san oo dabci macaan, Alle ka cabsina ku caan ahaa.   Alle ha u naxariisto Ismaaciil Faarax Jihaad.

Waxaan marxuumka Alle uga baryayaa danbi dhaaf, naxariis iyo inuu ka yeelo kuwa dhaxla janatul Fardaws, ehel iyo asxaabna waafajiyo samir iyo duco. Aamiin.

Ahmed Hassan Arwo
La-taliyaha Madaxweynaha Somaliland ee Dhaqaalaha
samotalis@gmail.com

http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

UN-ARAB LEAGUE ENVOY SENDING TEAM TO SYRIA TO CONTINUE TALKS ON ENDING CRISIS

UN-ARAB LEAGUE ENVOY SENDING TEAM TO SYRIA TO CONTINUE TALKS ON ENDING CRISIS
New York, Mar 16 2012  4:10PM
The Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria, Kofi Annan, today said he will send a team to the country at the weekend to continue discussions on proposals he has presented to the leadership as he tries to find a peaceful solution to the year-long bloody conflict.

"I will be sending in a team this weekend to pursue the discussions and the proposals we left on the table, and at the appropriate time, when I deem sufficient progress has been made, I shall be prepared to go back to the region," Mr. Annan told reporters in Geneva after briefing the Security Council in New York through video-link.

He said his immediate objectives are to try to stop the violence and human rights abuses and to make it possible for humanitarian assistance to be delivered to those who need it inside Syria. That should be followed by the "all-important issue of a political process that will lead to a democratic Syria fulfilling the aspirations of the Syrian people," he said.

On Wednesday, Mr. Annan said he had received a response from the Syrian authorities on issues he raised when he visited the country last weekend and that he had sought further clarifications.

While in Damascus, the Syrian capital, he had urged President Bashar al-Assad to embrace change and reforms that will form the foundation for democracy in his country.

The UN estimates that more than 8,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed and tens of thousands displaced since the uprising – part of the broader Arab Spring movement across North Africa and the Middle East – began in March last year.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday marked the first anniversary of the uprising by reiterating his call for an end to the bloodshed and a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

"It is urgent to break the cycle of violence, stop military operations against civilians and prevent a further militarization of the conflict in Syria. The status quo in Syria is indefensible," said a statement issued by the Secretary-General's spokesperson.

At today's news conference, Mr. Annan also said he was encouraged by the Security Council's strong support and determination to work together on the crisis.

"There have been some differences, but that is also normal, and I hope pretty soon you will be hearing one voice from the Council," he said.

The 15-member Council has so far been unable to agree on collective action on Syria.

Shir Guddoonka Wakiilada Oo Madaxtooyadu Kala dooranayso iyo Siciid Cilmi madaxtooyadu Isha kuu Gubayso.

Waxa jagada gudoomiye ku xigeenka kowaad ee wakiilada ee uu baneeyay wasiir Samaale isku soo sharaxay  xildhibaanada kala ah:

1. Siciid Cilmi Rooble
2. Ibraahim Axmed Haybe
3. Maxamed Xuseen Xaaji Ciise
4. Baashe Maxamed Jaamac
5.  Axmed Maxamed Diiriye (Nacnac)
6. Xildhibaan Cali Yusuf

Ilaa hada si rasmiya looma oga mudanaha ku guulaysan doona jagadaasi ee wasiir Cabdicasiis Samaale uu ka doorbiday xilka wasiirnimo, hase yeeshee Mudane Ibraahim Axmed Haybe iyo Md Siciid Cilmi Rooble ayaa la sheegay inay ka mid yihiin xildhibaanada loo filayo in jagadaasi loo doorto, kuwaas oo labadooduba ka soo jeeda xisbiga Kulmiye, hase yeeshee waxa la filayaa in xaaladu kala cadaan doonto fadhiyada todobaadka soo socda horaantiisa goluhu yeelan doono.

Inkastoo aan illaa hadda aan si  cad loo saadaalin karin cidda  gollaha wakiilada ku guulaysanaysa  gaar ahaan jagada banaanaatay ee Cabdicasiis ka guuray ayaa  dhawr xubnood u tartamayaan, waxaana la filayaa in mid kastoo ka mid ah gollaha oo hungureeyey jagadaasi uu cid ka haysto taageero. Haddii aynu soo qaadano shakshiyaad sida culus loo hadal-hayo, waxaa ka mid ah Cali Yusuf iyo Xildhibaan Nacnac oo   ay doonayaan madaxtooyada in mid kood loo dhiibo, weliba si xoog ah ugu ololaynaya  Xildhibaan Nac nac loo dhiibo.

Waxaa madaxtooyada laga soo sheegayaa in ay doonayaan in Baashe noqdo Guddoomiye ku-xigeenka kowaad halka ay doonayaan in nacnac noqdo guddoomiye ku xigeenka labaad. Waxaa kaloo ay doonayaan in Xildhibaan Cali Yusuf laftiisa uu hungureeyey jagada, weliba madaxtooyada ujeedo kasta oo ay leeyihiinba ay taageero u muujiyeen, iyaga oo haddana aanay daacad  ka ahayn in uu jagadaas helo.

Waxaa illaa shalay xubno masuuliyiin ah oo ka socda madaxtooyada ay shirar u qabanyeen xildhibaan ay u iftiiminayeen sida ay doonayaan in ay u dhacdo doorashada gollaha wakiilada shirguddoonkoodu, waxaana ay aad ugu ololaynayeen in baashe maxamed Jaamac noqdo guddoomiyaha koowaad, halka Xildhibaan Axmed Maxamed Diiriye noqod guddoomiye ku xigeenlka labaad.   Wararka ka dhawaa shirarkaas ay dabada a riixayeen madaxtooyadu waxa ay sheegeen, in markii Siciid Cilmi magaciisa la keenay ay aad uga digeen in aanay la shaqan karayn, sidaas awgeed aanay iyagu madaxtooyo ahaan soo dhawaynayn doorashadiisa. Xildhibaan Siciid oo ah xildhibaan ka soo jeeda Kulmiye, weliba ahaa kuwii ugu cuslaa, lagana yaabo in uu kalsooni badan ka haysto gollaha ayaa diidmada ugu badan kala kulmaya madaxtooyada.

Indho ku gubta xildhibaan Siciid Cilmi Rooble ee madaxtooyada ayaa tilmaamaysa in madaxtooyadu aad ugu milantay shir guddoonka, shaanbadana iyagu doonayaan in ay ku dhuftaan qofka shir guddoonka ka mid noqon doona.

Cabdixakiim Yuusuf cali

Somalilandfuture Online

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Ahmed Hassan Arwo

Uganda: UPDF Soldiers in Somalia Not Paid for Months

Uganda: UPDF Soldiers in Somalia Not Paid for Months

BY EMMA MUTAIZIBWA,  

The Observer (Kampala)

"My husband is an honourable man who has fought for this country; why make his family suffer? Why are they not paying him?"

Monica stares poignantly at a blank wall in the living room of her newly rented two-room house nestled in the sprawling Bwaise slum in Kampala. She cuts a forlorn figure as she ponders where to get money to buy food for her family. Monica (not real name) is the wife of a UPDF soldier in Mogadishu on African Union duty.

During our conversation, her seven-year-old son storms into the house unannounced. He has been sent away from school during mid-term exams because his tuition is not yet paid. Monica shrugs and mutters a few words -- here is yet another problem. Since November 2011, the Ugandan soldiers in Somalia have not been paid a single penny.

According to the contracts they signed, the soldiers serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) are supposed to be paid a monthly salary of $750 (about Shs 1.8m) from the African Union peace fund. Of that money, $100 (about Shs 250,000) is given to the soldiers for upkeep whilst in Somalia, while the rest is paid directly into their bank accounts in Uganda to support their families.

"My wife tells me there has not been a single penny in the account since last November. While other civil servants get their salaries at the end of the month, we receive ours five months late," said a source who did not want to be named. Although Amisom spokesperson Lt Col Paddy Ankunda acknowledges that the soldiers have not been paid in time, he blames the African Union.

Speaking on phone from Mogadishu on Tuesday, Ankunda said, "We are aware that the soldiers have not been paid since November 2011; there is a lot of bureaucracy within the AU and this is totally out of our control."

Ankunda further told The Observer that the general chief of staff is in talks with the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa and the money could be ready "today" (Tuesday). However, another UPDF officer serving in Somalia disputed Ankunda's version, claiming that the AU pays the money promptly.

"The public should know the truth; the contract states that AU remits the money to UPDF, which in turn pays us. We are fully aware that AU has been fulfilling its obligations faithfully. The problem is within UPDF," said the angry officer who spoke on condition of anonymity.

He added: "To make matters worse, they (UPDF) take off $200 (about Shs 500,000) from our monthly salaries. That was not in our contract. This is an abnormal tax because it leaves us with mere peanuts."

When The Observer contacted Ankunda again yesterday, he denied the soldiers' claims. "UPDF has no control over the money," he said. "AU advances it through Bank of Uganda, which in turn distributes it to the soldiers' accounts."

Monica's husband left Uganda in 2009 for the Somalia mission, which aims to shore up the fragile Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and defeat the AlShabaab militants. With a salary much better than the paltry monthly earning back home, Monica's husband hoped his family would share the spoils of an ugly insurgency. But today Monica regrets her husband's absence. Fighting back tears, she narrates one grim episode after another. She says she has never been as miserable as she is today since his departure. Monica was recently kicked out of the house she was previously renting and opted for a cheaper one in Bwaise after selling her household items.

"By July 2010, I had not received money for months; I've suffered a lot with my three children. I've not heard from my husband since then and I don't know whether or not he is alive. Fellow women mock me, saying my husband abandoned me," she laments.

Monica has resorted to selling tonto, a local brew, to eke a living. She also plans to relocate her family to the village.Yet she is not the only one facing such a plight. In Kitintale, another Kampala suburb, Jennifer (not real name) had to change her children's school because she could not afford the tuition. Like Monica, she too has resorted to doing odd jobs, which she says are not deserving of an army officer's wife.

"My husband is an honourable man who has fought for this country; why make his family suffer? Why are they not paying him?" Jennifer asks. She says she plans to mobilise other soldiers' wives to protest against the situation.

These stories open a murky window into the daily trials and tribulations of UPDF soldiers serving in Somalia.

"UPDF breached all the terms of the contract that we signed with the UN," complained one officer who asked not to be named. "First, it was the salary, then the visiting rights and our work leaves. This is betrayal of the highest order."

Some of the officers The Observer spoke to said they have, on a number of occasions, raised the issue with their bosses in Somalia, but to no effect.

"Why should we wait for half a year to receive a chopped-up one month's salary, yet Kenya and Burundi pay their soldiers even before month-end? Even the Somali guards whom I personally trained earn better than us," one soldier complained.

The soldiers, nevertheless, said the $100 upkeep is given to them on time and their places of abode are fairly good.

--
Ahmed Hassan Arwo

Somalia: Woman Forced Into Exile By Her Love of the Beautiful Game

Somalia: Woman Forced Into Exile By Her Love of the Beautiful Game

BY GREG BEALS AND CHARLEMAGNE KEKOU AKAN, 

Ali Addeh Refugee Camp, Djibouti — Maymun Muhyadine Mohamed loved to run and play football in the streets of Mogadishu. Her skills won her a medal and a cap at a local competition.

But Somalia's Al Shabaab militia saw her enjoyment as an act of defiance. "They said 'women are not allowed to play sports. You have to stop playing and put on your hijab [modest Islamic clothing and head covering],'" Maymun said, recounting her story at the Ali Addeh Refiugee Camp in Djibouti.

It wasn't as if Maymun was un-Islamic. She wore Islamic dress when she wasn't playing football. It was just that when she was running and manoeuvering on the field of play, the long garments impeded her movement. She was told that if she continued to play sports, she would be executed.

Last year, the militants instructed Maymun's husband to control his wife. But Abdi Abu Bakar, 23, saw the joy his wife received from football. He told them to mind their own business. And so, as happens all too often in Somalia, one night their house was attacked and her husband was murdered.

"When my husband died. I was four months pregnant," she said. Maymun waited in Mogadishu until her daughter, Fahima, was born before she decided to escape. She sold her medal and her cap for US$30 to get the money to leave Somalia - it was as if she was selling a piece of her soul.

Maymun had a choice: either flee towards the refugee camps at Dadaab in Kenya or take the longer trip north to Djibouti. "There was a lot of fighting on the way to Dadaab," she said. "But the road to Djibouti is safe." She caught a lorry with her baby, but the $30 was not enough to make it to the border.

She found herself begging for help and fearful of what might happen to her and her child. But there was more kindness along the road than she expected. Trucks filled with vegetables were making their way towards Somaliland and Djibouti. The drivers were kind enough to give rides to other survivors of conflict trying to flee Somalia.

She reached the border with Djibouti and was surprised by another phenomenon. Many of those who were leaving Somalia had plans to travel across the Red Sea to work in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

"We were 38 people crossing the border," she said, adding that 31 of the group opted to continue by boat to Yemen. Maymun refused to take the risk of such a dangerous crossing. She was the mother of a young child and had found something approaching normalcy. "I was assisted by the refugee agencies of this country [Djibouti]," she said. "I don't want die at sea."

In the Ali Addeh camp, Maymun attends primary school during the morning and plays football with the boys in the afternoon. Smugglers have come to the camp, trying to lure refugees to journey to Yemen or the Persian Gulf with promises of well-paid jobs as servants. But Maymun continues to refuse. Like most refugees who flee Somalia, she would like to be resettled in a third country. She wants to go about the process legally and safely.

But above all she never wants to lose the joy in her life. She still remembers the day that her husband was killed and the moment when she had to sell her precious sports trophies to escape the violence and the shelling. "Inshallah, if I ever win a medal or a cap again I will never sell them," she says. "I will keep them in a safe place and show them to my child when she grows up."

For Maymun, the perfect future is not about conflict, or power or even financial security. "I don't want money. I don't need money," she says. "I only want the chance to continue playing football and feeling joy."

http://allafrica.com/stories/201203160704.html 

--
Ahmed Hassan Arwo

ICC CONVICTION OF CONGOLESE WARLORD VITAL STEP TO FIGHT IMPUNITY – SECURITY COUNCIL

ICC CONVICTION OF CONGOLESE WARLORD VITAL STEP TO FIGHT IMPUNITY – SECURITY COUNCIL
New York, Mar 16 2012  6:10PM
The Security Council today noted with appreciation the issuance of the first verdict of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which this week found Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga Dyilo guilty of conscripting child soldiers under the age of 15 into his militia.

"War crimes involving the most vulnerable members of society, such as children, are of particular concern and this verdict is an important step towards ensuring that those responsible for such crimes are held accountable," the Council said in a press statement read by Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant of the United Kingdom, which holds the Council's presidency this month.

The Court's trial chamber found Mr. Lubanga Dyilo guilty of the war crimes of conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 into the Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo, and using them to participate actively in hostilities in the Ituri district of north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from September 2002 to August 2003.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirm their strong opposition to impunity for the most serious crimes of international concern," the Council's statement said.

The 15-member body said that it recognized that this is an important moment for the victims who suffered as a result of Mr. Lubanga Dyilo's actions and expressed its sympathy to the survivors and others who have endured similar crimes during hostilities in DRC.

Yesterday, ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo told reporters in Geneva that he will on 18 April ask the Court to sentence Mr. Lubanga Dyilo to a prison term that is close to the maximum 30 years.
Mar 16 2012  6:10PM
________________


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Ahmed Hassan Arwo

LA-TALIYAHA MADAXWEYNAHA EE DHAQAALAHA IYO GANACSIGA OO TACSI U DIRAAYA MADAXWEYNE XIGEENKA

TACSI: GEERIDA HAAJI CABDILAAHI ISMAACIIL

Anigoo ku hadlaaya magaca Xafiiska La-taliyaha Madaxweynaha ee Dhaqaalaha iyo Ganacsiga, Waxaan tacsi u dirayaa Madaxweyne Xigeenka Cabdirahman Zaylici oo aabihii Haji Cabdilahi Ismaaciil ku geeriyooday Booorame maanta oo jimce ah 16/03/2012, waxaan sidoo kale tacsida u dirayaa tafiirta, ehelka, xigtada, xigaalka iyo asxaabta Marxuumka meel kasta ooy joogaanba iyo guud ahaan bulshoweynta Soomaliland gaar ahaana gobalka AWDAL.

Waxaan marxuumka Alle uga baryayaa danbi dhaaf, naxariis iyo inuu ka yeelo kuwa dhaxla janatul fardaws, ehel iyo asxaabna waafajiyo samir iyo duco. Aamiin.

Ahmed Hassan Arwo
La-taliyaha Madaxweynaha Somaliland ee Dhaqaalaha
samotalis@gmail.com

Significant Cabinet reshuffle in Somaliland Cabinet

Significant Cabinet reshuffle in Somaliland Cabinet

Hargeisa- The Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud "Siilaanyo" made recently exploited reshuffle of his cabinet. The reshuffle extended beyond wild expectation of commentators and touched portfolios no one forecasted while all ministers lined up by the public for replacement hold their posts. The Foreign Minister, Minister of Presidency, and Minister of Civil Aviation survived despite barage of public criticism and alleged wide spread corruption.   

However, the major change in the reshuffle is the removal of Mohamed Hashi Elmi from his post at Finance to be replaced by former deputy Speaker of the Somaliland House of Representative, Abdilasis Samale. Mohamed Hashi Elmi a former colleague of Dr. Gabose in the short-lived Qaran party which amalgamated with KULMIYE prior to the 2010, has joined Dr. Gabose in private life.

During his almost two year stint at Finance, Mohamed Hashi Elmi has earned reputation of being frank and frugal. Frank in the sense that he never mixed words, and was almost honest to a fault. And frugal in the sense that he had helped increase the government budget without putting the money to good use.

Other changes in the reshuffle included the side way movement of Ahmed Abdi Haabsade from the Information ministry to the Public Works. Haabsade will be replaced by academic Boobe Yusuf Duale formerly of the Somaliland Academy of Peace. Mohamud Ahmed Barre Garad is the new minister of Labour and Social Affairs. Ahmed Hussein Omane has been appointed Somaliland representative in Sudan.

The former head of the Somaliland Labour Office Muhumud Aw-Abdi has been replaced by Nouh Sh MUse Duale. The new minister of Youth and Sports is Ali Saeed Raygal formerly the head of the National Printing Agency.

A plethora of deputy ministers and director-generals have also been re-shuffled. Mowlid Mahamud Ibrahim is the new deputy minister at the Foreign Affairs, Abdillahi Abokor Osman deputy minister for Security. Mohamed Omar Abdillahi is the new deputy at the Somaliland Labour Office.

 President Siilanyo also replaced the fomers Minister of Labour, Ilhan Mohamed Jama, one of two female cabinet ministers. Also losing his job is the former minister of Youth and Sports, Abdi Saeed Fahi'e.  Among those who lost their position include the former minister Public Works, Ismail Mumin Are, the former minister of Posts and Communications Ahmed Hashi Oday, the former deputy Foreign Affairs minister, Mohamed Yonis Awale and former deputy of the Somaliland Labour Office, Sulub. The Post and Telecommunications portfolio remains vacant for the time being.

Somaliland: Isku-shaandheyn Golaha Xukumadda

Somaliland: Isku-shaandheyn Golaha Xukumadda

Ismaaciil Xuseen Farjar | Washington

Madaxweynaha Somaliland Axmed Maxamed Siilaanyo ayaa maanta isku shaandhayn ballaadhan ku sameeyey Golihiisa Xukuumadda, wuxuuna shaqadii ka eryey illaa 7 wasiir oo uu ku jiro Wasiirkii maaliyadda, wuxuuna magcaabay masuuliyiin cusub oo ay ka mid yihiin masuuliyiin ka tirsan golaha baarlamaanka,.

Faahfaahin warbixintan ku saabsan halkan hoos ka dhageyso

http://www.voanews.com/somali/news/Somaliland-Isku-shaandheyn-Golaha-Xukumadda-142624336.html 

UN-ARAB LEAGUE ENVOY RECEIVES RESPONSE FROM SYRIA, SEEKS CLARIFICATIONS

UN-ARAB LEAGUE ENVOY RECEIVES RESPONSE FROM SYRIA, SEEKS CLARIFICATIONS
New York, Mar 14 2012 12:10PM
The Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria has received a response from the Syrian authorities on issues he raised when he visited the country to help find a peaceful solution to the ongoing violence, and is seeking further clarifications, his spokesperson said today.

Kofi Annan "has questions and is seeking answers," said a statement issued by his spokesperson. "But given the grave and tragic situation on the ground, everyone must realize that time is of the essence," it added. "As he said in the region, this crisis cannot be allowed to drag on."

During his mission to Damascus, the Syrian capital, on Sunday, Mr. Annan urged President Bashar al-Assad to embrace change and reforms that will form the foundation for democracy in his country.

"The transformational winds blowing today cannot be long-resisted," he said. "I have urged the President to heed the old African proverb: 'you cannot turn the wind, so turn the sail.' The realistic response is to embrace change and reform."

He stressed that reforms would help build a "peaceful, stable, pluralistic and prosperous society, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights." Discussions during the weekend meeting between Mr. Annan and Mr. Assad also focused on halting the violence, giving access to humanitarian agencies, and starting a political dialogue.

Thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed and tens of thousands displaced since the uprising – part of the broader Arab Spring movement across North Africa and the Middle East – began in March last year.

In a related development, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) voiced serious concern over the availability of food in Syria, especially for vulnerable groups, as a result of the civil unrest in the country.

FAO cited the figures from the Syrian Central Bureau of Statistics that show that inflation rose by about 15 per cent between June and December last year, driven mainly by sharp increases in food prices and fuel shortages that have had an impact on transportation costs.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that about 1.4 million people have become food insecure since the unrest began, especially in hotspots such as Homs, Hama, Damascus, Dara'a and Idleb.

FAO and WFP are currently running an emergency operation providing food aid and vouchers to 100,000 people in Syria. Food, water and fuel are reportedly increasingly difficult to obtain in several areas and the situation is also affecting pastoralists, with reduced mobility for their herds and limited access to veterinary drugs and other supplies.

Some 300,000 small-scale farmers and herders in north-eastern provinces, which have already suffered four consecutive seasons of drought, are also affected by loss of opportunities from seasonal labour migration inside the country.

In addition, Syria's cereal production is estimated to have dropped by almost 10 per cent last year following late and erratic rains, and the outlook for this year's winter harvest, which starts in May, is uncertain given possible disruption of farm activities and limited access to inputs as a result of insecurity, according to FAO.

Badhasaabka Saaxil Oo Qiray In 37-Tan Oo Raashin Ah La Leexsaday

Badhasaabka Saaxil Oo Qiray In 37-Tan Oo Raashin Ah La Leexsaday, Mukhalas Falkaas Loogu Xidhay Berbera Iyo Guddoomiyaha Togdheer Oo Ka Hadlay Raashin Lagu Rogay Bakhaar Burco Ku Yaala

HAATUF

"Waxaanu Baadhaynaa 37 Tan Oo Ka Mid Ah Raashinkii Mucaawimada Ahaa Ee Loogu Talo Galay Gobolka Saaxil, Waxaanu U Tuhmaynaa Raashinkaa La Lunsaday NGO-ga GALAD" Ramaax

Hargeysa, March 13, 2012 (Haatuf) – Badhasaabka gobolka Saaxil Maxamuud Cali Saleebaan (Ramaax) ayaa qiray in la lunsaday 37 Tan oo ka mid ah 70 Tan oo raashin caawimo ah oo loogu talo galay Gobolka Saaxil, kaas oo dawladda Cumaan ugu deeqday danyarta reer Somaliland, gaar ahaan qaybtii loogu talo galay dadka danyarta ah ee ku nool gobolka Saaxil, kaas oo sheegay in raashinkaas loo diyaarinayey Shaxdii lagu qaybin lahaa.

Mr. Ramaax waxa uu sidaa ku sheegay Waraysi khaas ah oo uu Wargeyska Haatuf khadka tilifoonka ku siiyey isaga oo ku sugan xarunta gobolka Saaxil ee Berbera, kaas oo tilmaamay inay shalay Magaaladda Berbera ku xidheen Mukhalaskii NGO-ga GALAD ee isaga la siiyey Mashruuca rarista raashinkaas, isla markaana la sheegay inuu Wakiil ka ahaa Doontii raashinka lagu waday, kaas oo magaciisa la yidhaahdo Axmed Timacade, oo uu tilmaamay inay wax ka waydiinayaan 37-ka Tan oo raashinkaa la leexsaday ah.

Mr. Ramaax  waxa uu tibaaxay in 70-ka Tan ee Saaxil loogu talo galay in 18 Tan oo ka mid ah la qaybiyey, 15 Tan oo kaliyana la hayo, isla markaana aan gacan lagu haynin 37-kii Tan ee hadhay, waxaanu Badhasaabku dhinac iskaga leexiyey inuu wax lug ah ku leeyahay musuqmaasuqa raashinkaas loogu talo galay dadka Saboolka ah "Anigu dalka waan ka maqnaa oo dibada ayaan jiray markii Raashinkan la keenay, laakiin Raashinka la keenay gobolka waxa uu ahaa 70 Tan, hadana waxa la qaybiyey oo qoladii dekada ka soo saartay ee NGO-ga ahayd ay qaybisay 18 Tan, isla markaana waxa gacanta lagu hayaa 15 Tan waxa la raadinayaa 37 Tan oo la waayey meel ay mareen iyo meel loo  leexsaday, Imikana waxaanu wadnaa baadhitaano aanu ku raadinayno raashinkaas intii maqan".

Ramaax isaga oo hadalkiisa sii wata, waxa uu yidhi "Waxa aanu u tuhmaynaa oo aanu Masuuliyada Raashinkaa la lunsaday aanu saaraynaa cidii markii hore gobolka keentay ee Masuuliyadeeda lahayd, waxaananu xidhnay nin ka tirsan NGO-gii hawsha waday oo magaciisa la yidhaahdo Axmed Timacade oo su'aalo laga waydiin doono halka uu maray raashinkaas la waayey. Markaa si kasta oo ay noqoto ka hadhi mayno meel kasta oo la geeyo imikana waxaanu ku daba jirnaa Maayarka Xagal ee shalay idiin waramay oo aanu uga shakinay inuu wax ka ogyahay Musuqmaasuqa uu sheegay. Markaa anaga oo anaguna baadhistaankii wadna ayaanu hadana baadhis gobolka ka Madaxbanaan Hargeysa ka dalbanay".

Badhasaabka Saaxil Mr. Ramaax mar wax laga waydiineyey in Raashinkaas loo aanaynayo inay Maamulka gobolku lunsadeen, waxa uu yidhi "Dadka leh Maamulka gobolka ayaa arintaas raad ku leh waxaan u sheegayaa inaanay jirin cid ka mid ah Maamulka gobolku inaanu wax shaqo ah ku lahayn arintaas, runtuna hortiina ayey iman doontaa marka baadhistu dhamaato".

Mar uu ka hadlayey sida ay u qorsheeyeen in loo qaybiyo raashinkaas, waxa uu yidhi "Waxaanu ugu talo galnay Raashinkan 70-ka Tan ah inaanu u shaxayno sida loogu qayibinayo Gobolka, maadaama oo dalka dawlad ka jirto, isla markaana gobolka maamul ka jiro waxa aanu xaq u leenahay inaanu ku dabo la socono meelkasta waxa loogu talo galay, markaa anigu markii aan imid waxaan amar ku bixiyey in halka uu yaalo Raashinkaasi lagu ilaaliyo inta la helayo badhka maqan".

Maxamuud Cali Hayste (Ramaax) mar wax laga waydiiyey halka uu ku danbeeyey khilaafkii Warshada Sibidhku, isaga oo ka gaabsanaya, waxa uu yidhi "Ma Jecli inaan ka hadlo arinta Warshada oo Wasiiro ayaa arintaas ku jira, marka wakhtigeeda la gaadhana waan ka hadli markaa sidaas ayaan kaga cudur daaranayaa arintaasna".

guddoomiyaha gobolka Saaxil Maxamuud Cali Saleebaan (Ramaax) ayaa ka gaabsaday inuu ka hadlay halka ay ku danbeeyey khilaafkii Warshada Sibidhka, kaas oo laga soo saaray qodobo dhexdhexaadin ah.

Dhinaca kale Badhasaabka gobolka Togdheer Cabdoo Axmed Aayar oo xalay Haatuf khadka tilifoonka ugu waramayey isaga oo ku sugan Magaaladda Burco ayaa isagu beeniyey in la lunsaday raashinkii mucaawimada ahaa ee gobolkaas, isla markaana sharaxaad ka bixiyey labadii baabuur ee lagu rogay xaafadda Hodon ee Burco, waxaanu tibaaxay in deeqdaas loo waday Badhan lana gaadhsiiyey Magaaladaas.

Waxaanu yidhi "Xaalada gobolku aad ayey u wanaagsan tahay marka laga yimaado dhacdadii Hargeysa ka dhacday oo saamayn meel walba ku yeelatay, isla markaana dadkeenuna hada dabeecadoodu way is badashay oo baahi badan ayaa jirta oo dadkeenu hada dabeecadii Oromada ayaabay yeesheen oo baahidii ayaa badatay sababta oo ah dadkeenu cunto iyo raashin may boobi jirin. Markaa raashinkii mucaawimada ahaa ee dawladda Cumaan ugu soo deeqday dadka reer Somaliland gobolka Togdheer Shan goobood ayaa lagu qaybiyey, markaa 5-tii goobood ee meelaha barakacayaashu dagan yihiin ayaa la geeyey".

Isaga oo hadalkiisa sii watana, waxa uu yidhi "Anigu tirada raashinka ma garanayo kamanaan qaybgalin laakiin Ciidanka bilayska ayaanu ku wareejinay ciidankuna hay'ad iyo  Wasaarada Dib-udajinta ayaa goobahaas u qaybinayey. Waxa kale oo jira laba baabuur oo khalad laga fahmay oo raashin Magaalada Badhan u waday oo si ku meelgaadh ah ninkii raashinka waday oo u dhashay deegaankaas Badhan oo kharashkiisii aan loo dhamayn uu ugu rogay Magaaladda Burco, taasina waanu dhamaynay oo shalay ayaanu amarnay inuu raashinka u qaado goobtii loogu talo galay, labadaas baabuurna si cad ayaa loo raray oo dadka khalad ayaa loo sheegay baabuurtaas oo la rarayo TV-yada ayaad ka arki doontaan".

Mr. Cabdoo isaga ka jawaabaya su'aal ku saabsanayd inay Musuqmaasuqeen raashinkaas, waxa uu yidhi "May ma jiro raashin lagu Musuq-maasuqay Magaalada Burco, baabuurtii raashinkaas wadayna sidii loogu talo galay ayaa loo qaybiyey oo shantaa meelood ee ay Barakacayaashu ka dagan yihiin gobolka ayaa loo qaybiyey".

Isaga oo hadalkiisa sii wata, isla markaana ka hadlaya wafti Wasaaradda Waxbarashada ka socda oo ku sugan Burco ujeedada socdaalkooda, waxa uu yidhi "Waftigaasi way joogaan oo Wasiir ku xigeenka Waxbarashada iyo Agaasimaha guud ee Waxbarashada iyo Injineerka ayaa ka mid ah oo hawsha ay u socdaana waa Inistiyuutkii Burco Mashruuciisii oo la dhagaxdhigayo maalinta bari (Maanta), markaa dhagaxdhigaas ayey iyaga iyo Gudida horumarinta iyo Maamulka gobolkuba wada qabanayaan bari, dhamaan Masuuliyiintaas oo dhami Waxay ka socdaan Wasaaradda Waxbarashada oo ma jirto hawl  intaas dheer oo ay u socdaan oo ay u yimaadeen gobolka"

SOMALIA: Diaspora for development

SOMALIA: Diaspora for development

LONDON, 9 March 2012 (IRIN) - Somalis living abroad send home more than US$1 billion - perhaps even as much as $2 billion - every year, and they have kept on doing so, despite bureaucratic obstacles. Now a report [ http://eprints.soas.ac.uk/13076/1/Cash_and_compassion_final.pdf ] commissioned by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) considers how the outside world can help Somalis abroad contribute to the country's development.

Almost every member of the Somali diaspora sends money home to their family, to help with food, rent, school fees and other daily expenses. But clan and hometown groups also collect money to build schools and clinics, even hospitals and universities, and to repair damaged infrastructure. Professionals in the diaspora support their colleagues back home with money and expertise.

And investors help entrepreneurs, large and small, to create business ranging from tea stalls to international mobile phone companies.  The study was written by Ali Ibrahim Dagagne, an agriculture and livestock specialist who used to work with UNDP, and Laura Hammond of London University's School of Oriental and African Studies. Hammond hails the effectiveness of diaspora support as one of Somalia's success stories.

"The Somali diaspora have succeeded in some ways where the international community has not been able to succeed," she says. "Over the past 20 years, since the state collapsed, the diaspora has been a lifeline really for the country, and one of the reasons why we haven't seen much more suffering."

While the international community has concentrated predominantly on humanitarian relief, the diaspora is more engaged in reconstruction and development, and their money reaches parts of the country where international organizations and foreign-supported NGOs find it very hard to work.

Most of the money sent home goes through kinship and similar networks and because people are personally known to each other, the level of trust between donors and recipients is very high.  The money is usually sent via the hawala system of money transfer agents, some of which, like Dahabshiil, have grown into major international companies.


"One of the amazing things," says Hammond, "is that the transfer industry has moved with the people, and so even if people have been displaced, you are still able to reach them, because the agent on the receiving end has moved as well."  The report identifies various problems, some related to the marginalized nature of diaspora communities. Somalis tend to have to wait longer than most migrants for their status to be recognised, they struggle to find employment and stable housing, and low wages mean they have little money to send. Once communities get more settled and better integrated, their ability to help increases; the authors think the countries where they settle could do more to speed up this integration.


Even where help might be available, Somalis do not always use it. Some community associations, for instance, are registered as charities in Britain, but many more are not, simply because their founders do not understand this means they would get substantial extra funds from tax rebates. The authors also found suspicion and mistrust of international organizations, which prevented what could be useful collaboration on projects in Somalia.  Finally, the Somali diaspora and their money transfer companies have had to cope with the fallout of 9/11. Banks in the US have stopped dealing with them, and compliance regulations have become ever stricter. Individuals and community groups fear falling under suspicion of fund-raising for Al-Shabab or Al-Qaeda.

Dagagne and Hammond say the challenge for the international community is to work out how to help without interfering. They can provide a more enabling environment, encourage collaboration, and seek to create a multiplier effect.

Making a difference

At the launch of the report, Safi Farah and Sahra Abdillahi, both from Somaliland, a self-declared independent northwestern province, spoke to IRIN. They work with Somali women's groups in the UK and collect money from the community for clinics and hospitals. Abdillahi said: "We raise money to build hospitals, to build schools, to train midwives. And when something bad happens, like the recent drought, we clubbed together with Islington Council and we raised half a million." They say they want help in the form of training and funding, so they can do the work rather than using outsiders who do not understand the language or the culture.

Mohamed Abdulkadir is a young mental health worker. He told IRIN, "My parents and four of my young brothers and sisters are in Kismayo, which is still in the hands of Al-Shabab, and I was glad this study has come out really, because it will make the western world understand that we are sending [money] to our parents, not to Al-Shabab. Because here when we send money they will say, 'Where does it go?' There is suspicion about where the money goes."

Abdulkadir would like to visit his parents, but feels he cannot because, as a young man going to an Al-Shabab area, he would fall under suspicion.

Mohamed Keenan said he was one of those who struggled to find the money to send to his aunts and sister in Mogadishu. But for him the only thing that can really help is political stability. "As long as it is politically stable, then people can go out and get a job, and I can save my [$100] a month and go back there myself and contribute."


eb/mw[END]

SYRIA: UN RELIEF CHIEF ‘HORRIFIED’ BY VIOLENCE, URGES UNRESTRICTED ACCESS FOR AID AGENCIES

SYRIA: UN RELIEF CHIEF 'HORRIFIED' BY VIOLENCE, URGES UNRESTRICTED ACCESS FOR AID AGENCIES
New York, Mar  9 2012 10:10AM
The United Nations relief chief today urged Syrian authorities to allow unrestricted access to humanitarian organizations to deliver aid to people affected by the ongoing violence, <"http://ochanet.unocha.org/p/Documents/USG%20Valerie%20Amos%20Statement%20on%20SYRIA%209%20March2012.pdf">saying she was "horrified" by the destruction she had seen in some of the areas she visited during her two-day visit to the country.

Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, met with Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid al-Moallem, and other Government ministers, who agreed to a joint preliminary assessment mission to areas where people urgently need assistance.

"While this is a necessary first step, it remains essential that a robust and regular arrangement be put in place, which allows humanitarian organizations unhindered access to evacuate the wounded and deliver desperately needed supplies," said Ms. Amos in a statement.

"A proposal has been submitted to the Government of Syria and I ask them to consider this matter with the utmost urgency."

Ms. Amos, who is also the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, visited the city of Homs and part of the suburb of Baba Amr with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

"Almost all the buildings had been destroyed and there were hardly any people left there. I am extremely concerned as to the whereabouts of the people who have been displaced from Baba Amr," she said.

During her visit, Ms. Amos also went to facilities for displaced Syrians in the Hatay province on the Turkish side of the border, and met the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu with whom she discussed regional contingency planning efforts.

Last week, Ms. Amos also held consultations with the Lebanese and Jordanian governments and praised their readiness to assist Syrian exiles. "I commend all three governments for keeping the borders open for people in distress and for providing relief to them in a sustained manner," she said.

Earlier this week, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that as many as 2,000 refugees from Syria may have crossed into Lebanon in just two days.

Yesterday, Joint Special Envoy of the UN and the League of Arab States for Syria, Kofi Annan, called for an immediate end to the killings and warned against the use of force.

"I hope no one is thinking very seriously of using force in the situation. I believe any further militarization will make the situation worse," Mr. Annan said at a joint press conference in Cairo with the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil El-Araby.

The uprising in Syria is part of the broader Arab Spring protest movement that began at the start of last year and has toppled several long-standing regimes in North Africa and the Middle East.

UN AND ARAB LEAGUE APPOINT DEPUTY JOINT ENVOY FOR SYRIA

UN AND ARAB LEAGUE APPOINT DEPUTY JOINT ENVOY FOR SYRIA
New York, Mar  7 2012  7:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his League of Arab States counterpart Nabil Elaraby today announced the appointment of Nasser Al Kidwa as the UN-Arab League Deputy Joint Special Envoy for Syria.

Mr. Al Kidwa will assist the Joint Special Envoy, Kofi Annan, in his efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the bloody unrest raging in Syria.

"Mr. Al Kidwa brings to the position years of diplomatic experience and deep knowledge of the region," said a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Secretary-General.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Al Kidwa served in various capacities within the Palestinian Authority, including as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2006, and Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN from 1991 to 2005.

Mr. Ban and Mr. Elaraby on 23 February announced the appointment of Mr. Annan, a former UN Secretary-General, as their Joint Special Envoy to deal with the crisis in Syria, where thousands of people have been killed as a result of the Government's ongoing crackdown against a pro-democracy uprising.

Somali pirates want prisoner swap for ship

 Somali pirates want prisoner swap for ship

By Hussein Ali Noor

HARGEISA, March 6 | Tue Mar 6, 2012 12:55pm EST


(Reuters) - Somali pirates holding a Panama-flagged vessel hijacked last month with goods destined for Somaliland have called for fellow pirates in jails in the breakaway enclave to be freed in return for the ship's release.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has enjoyed relative stability compared to the rest of Somalia but remains unrecognised internationally.

A man called Yusuf Ali, who said he was among the gang of pirates holding the MV Leila, told Horn Cable TV on Monday the pirates hope to get a small ransom for the ship, but also want the authorities in Somaliland to release their comrades.

"We will not release the ship until the prisoners are released. Somaliland harasses us and jails us for 20 years while in Yemen we only serve 7 years," said Yusuf Ali, speaking from an undisclosed location.


"We hijacked the ship in order to send a message to the businessmen to convince their government to release our colleagues."

Somali pirates typically hijack merchant vessels to earn hefty ransoms and seizing ships to try and arrange a prisoner swap is a rare development.

Somaliland's parliament recently passed new legislation recognising piracy as a crime and allowing pirates convicted abroad to be transferred to the enclave, in a move to signal its commitment to fighting maritime attacks off Somalia's shores.

Under the new legislation, piracy will carry a maximum jail term of 25 years. Previously, it had to charge suspected pirates with armed robbery.

Somaliland says it has more than 100 pirates in its prisons.

Sources in Somaliland said the ship was being held in Bargal in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in northern Somalia that has spawned a number of pirate gangs and has had a frosty relationship with Somaliland over the years.

The chairman of Somaliland's Chamber of Commerce, Mohamed Shukri, appealed to traditional elders in Puntland to help free the vessel.

"The goods in the ship are owned by many small businessmen some of whom are young and whose entire capital is on the ship. As Somalis and Muslims, I appeal to the pirates to release the ship without any conditions," Shukri told Reuters.

Separately, the International Maritime Bureau said on Tuesday that pirates hijacked a tanker with 22 crew members off Oman in the Arabian Sea on March 2 and sailed the vessel towards Somalia. No further details were immediately available. (Editing by David Clarke/Maria Golovnina)

SECURITY COUNCIL VOICES CONCERN OVER RENEWED CLASHES ALONG SUDAN-SOUTH SUDAN BORDER

SECURITY COUNCIL VOICES CONCERN OVER RENEWED CLASHES ALONG SUDAN-SOUTH SUDAN BORDER
New York, Mar  6 2012  5:10PM
The Security Council today expressed grave concern about reports of renewed cross-border violence between Sudan and South Sudan, and called for a ceasefire in the area to end the hostilities that have caused thousands of people to flee the region over the past weeks.

The Council, in a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sc10568.doc.htm">presidential statement, demanded that "all parties cease military operations in the border areas and put an end to the cycle of violence," and that both Governments "take no action that would undermine the security and stability of the other."

Tensions between the two countries over unresolved border disagreements have continued to simmer and heavy fighting between the Sudanese armed forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states has led to a humanitarian crisis and triggered massive displacement.

The Council urged the Sudanese and South Sudanese Governments to return to direct talks to resolve their political and security issues on the basis of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the 2005 document that ended decades of civil war and led to South Sudan formally seceding from Sudan last July.

The 15-member body also emphasized the urgency of delivering aid to prevent the current crisis from worsening.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) also <"http://www.unhcr.org/4f561a3f9.html">warned that the recent clashes are prompting thousands of people to flee their homes and seek for safety in South Sudan's Upper Nile state and western Ethiopia.

Last week, UNHCR registered 2,287 new arrivals in the Doro and Jammam refugee sites in Upper Nile, bringing to more than 80,000 the total number of registered refugees in this region. In western Ethiopia, the agency is also receiving a steady flow of new arrivals mostly from Sudan's Blue Nile state.

"We are working at establishing a third camp to accommodate the growing Sudanese influx into Ethiopia," UNHCR spokesperson Fatoumata Lejeune-Kaba told reporters at a briefing in Geneva.

"The new camp is located in Bambasi and will have the capacity to house up to 20,000 refugees when it is completed later this month," she said, adding that UNHCR is expecting more arrivals into South Sudan and Ethiopia because refugees reported that more communities are on the move in Blue Nile.

Ms. Lejeune-Kaba said the security situation is also precarious in the other border areas between South Sudan's Unity state and Sudan's Southern Kordofan after reported bombings last week along the western border of Pariang County and in the Lake Jau area.

"We are extremely concerned about the safety of people in the nearby Yida refugee settlement, which hosts 16,022 Sudanese," Ms. Lejeune-Kaba said. "UNHCR is continuing to transfer refugees away from volatile border areas to refugee sites we have established at safer distances from the fighting."

South Sudan now hosts more than 100,000 registered Sudanese refugees from South Kordofan and Blue Nile. Western Ethiopia has so far registered more than 30,000, mainly from Blue Nile.

Meanwhile, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) confirmed that fighting between Lou Nuer and Murle youth had taken place in Jonglei state over the weekend, with the number of casualties still unknown. The Mission stated that it sent patrols to the area to determine the cause of the clashes and the number of casualties.

New Jersey congressman Donald Payne dies at age 77

New Jersey congressman Donald Payne dies at age 77 

 (Reuters) - 

Representative Donald Payne, 77, New Jersey's first and only African-American congressman, died on Tuesday after battling colon cancer, his brother said.

Payne, a Democrat elected in 1988 to represent northeastern New Jersey, died of complications of colon cancer early Tuesday morning at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey, said William Payne, his brother and a former New Jersey Assemblyman.

"His legacy in Congress will be that he served the small man," William Payne said. "Although he walked among kings, he never lost the common touch. He was concerned about people who needed food stamps."

Payne, a former president of the national YMCA, served as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

He was the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights, once coming under gunfire from rebels as his plane departed Somalia's capital Mogadishu after a meeting with the African nation's leaders.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Payne was a widower with three adult children, including his son Donald Payne Jr., president of the Newark Municipal Council.

Payne went public with his illness in February and was transported on Friday to New Jersey from Washington, his brother said.

Funeral services were scheduled for next week in Newark.

How to build or loose the trust of the people

How to build or loose the trust of the people

Written by Ibrahim Mead

Authors note:

I compiled this note in response to the cynicism and the doubts and fears surrounded the recent London conference for Somalia, as well as the trust deficit prevailing in the country in general, objectively positively, however.
Some hailed as success realized by the government in Somalia’s conference in London. Others questioned the fundamental nature of the whole conference.
Others casted doubt what was in it for Somaliland, other than the usual call, like; “you two Somalis talk and come up with some thing!?” “Same old, same old!” they argued!

But the two Somalis are unequal and the entities telling Somaliland to talk to Somalia knows this fact! One(Somalia) is recognized as representing the other! It has an international recognition even when they don’t govern one city of their own Somalia! The other (Somaliland) is not recognized as an independent state even when they effectively govern the whole country of Somaliland! One (Somalia) did all the wrong things yet recognized! The other (Somaliland) did all the right things and not yet recognized! That is how it was for the last twenty years plus!

On their side the government of Somaliland sees the matter differently. The government claims that there was a lot gained for Somaliland’s cause and case in the London conference i.e.
a) The president spoke in the conference before the international community and delivered a speech about Somaliland’s case there.
b) In the communiqué it was written that “the two Somalis must talk and reach some agreement of some sort then the international community will respect that what ever it is!”
1- Doubters argue that “let the two Somalis talk” is what has been said through out the 20 years Somaliland and Somalia were separated. “What is new there!?” they wondered!?
2- Skeptics still persist that the president may deliver a speech but may did that in a different avenue not before the international delegations there! “We were there” they disputed!
This is unfortunately a people and a government not trusting each other! This all comes down to trust deficiency!

It is necessarily essential that the government of Somaliland and her people must trust each other. The government must show the people the “Gooder” and the people must respect their government and cooperate with it in return. That is a reciprocal move.
This effort needs men, mind and maturity. Maturity is the scarcest commodity in the government of Mr. Siilanyo these days! That is the prevailing believes in the country!

1- There must be a policy in motion in all our institutions. That is not the case now! Politically immature official argued traditional elders who were in one corner of the country complaining by a long distance telephone conversations while imprisoned traditional and community elders from the other end of the country! Some one ought to be called accountable for these uncalled for and unprofessional moves! He ought to be changed for the sake of Somaliland, her credibility and unity.

2-Crazy and lonely brief case wondering with out compass and worse yet, covers up his ill fated activities and failures with lies, ought to be changed.

There must be sole searching, and reflection to what went wrong and why.
The country is divided now! It must be united. With out a united Somaliland our hopes and aspirations would not bear fruit! With out unity we will perish! God forbid.


There are two groups of people. One group is “what can my country do for me” people. The other group is “what can I do for my country” people. The later are the ones who answered the call of conscience when no one dared to go near by that call! They have psychological and emotional bond with the Mother. The later is what the country needs in this historical juncture but the former are the ones in the front seat of the car driving the vehicle in the wrong lane! That ought to be changed for the sake of the nation as well as for the sake the legacy of the president. .

I am and ‘some’ others are of those who answered the call of conscience when that call was to exist or to perish, when that call was toxic to answer. I am one of many who want the government of Somaliland to succeed so that Somaliland succeeds. Therefore there must not be any distance between the people and their government.
On the government side: defiance, denial and demagoguery are not the answer, ignorance and arrogance are not the answer either. They are recipe for failure. They are counter productive. Indeed destructive. Unity and understanding of each other is the right call“Guus” is warranted here.

How to build or loose the trust of the people

In Somaliland there is a deficiency of trust between the people and their leaders!
Many institutions lost the trust of the people! The parliament being first and others follow! The government is not safe from this deficiency either. Probably she is the core of this predicament!
Most of the people agree that trust is perhaps the most important element of a harmonious and efficient work environment. Institutions that have trust of its people are usually successful; those which lost trust with their people are not successful. Somaliland’s house of representative and the house of Guurti for example lost trust of the people of Somaliland. They simply don’t know their duties! Other institutions which may or may not know their duties are either not honest or just lost the trust of the people!
So, honest people often ask, "how can we build trust in our people, and how can we avoid losing their trust?" I believe that, it all starts at the very top; since trustfulness - and trustworthiness - can exist only if top leaders set the example, and then build that example into every level of government
“Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants and who strictly guard their payers: - these will be the heirs” the righteous will inherit heaven” (Al muminoon ch.18-v, 7&8)
Trust may be expressed or implied. Express trusts are those where property is entrusts or duties are assigned by some one to some other one whom he trusts to carry out on his behalf.
Implied trusts arise out of power or position or opportunity.
Covenants create obligations.
To sum up all, express and implied trusts and covenants taken together cover the whole field of obligation owed for the people and the country of Somaliland.
Ways for leaders to build trust

A Establish and maintain integrity. First and foremost be not a perverse or hypocrite! One must be a person of God and trustworthy before we start any thing!
It is the foundation of trust in any organization. Trustworthiness and integrity must begin at the top and then move down. This begins with “thou shall not betray” This means, among other things, keeping promises and always telling the truth, no matter how difficult it might be. If its leaders have integrity, an institution or organization can be believed. Show the “the Gooder” where seeing it is due, then the people will believe you
B You must have vision and values. Communicate that vision and those values. Communication is essential, since it provides the channel for information and truth. By communicating the government’s vision, government defines where it's going. By communicating its values, the means for getting there are established.
Mendacity must not be used in hiding failure. Not in any case here however.

D Focus on shared rather than personal goals: When people feel everyone is pulling together to accomplish a common shared vision, rather than a series of personal agendas, trust results. This is the essence of earning the trust of the people. Tell the truth even when it is not popular!

E Do what's right, regardless of personal risk. That is the essence of leadership.
We all know intuitively what's "right" in nearly every situation. Following this instinctive sense, and ignoring any personal consequences will nearly always create respect from the people. From this, respect will come and trust of the people will follow

The ways to lose trust from the people
1- Act and speak inconsistently. Nothing confuses people faster than inconsistency. People will start suspecting you. And if confusion due to contradiction is the only constant venue, trust is sure to fall victim. Act- first- then- think later is deadly and that is what some aids of the government do!
2- Seek personal rather than shared gain. One, who is out only for him or her self interest, quickly loses the respect and trust of others. Some of the aids are just that!
.
3- Withhold information. When the communication channels shut down - both top-down and bottom-up - rumors start and misinformation is believed to be real. Then comes, denials, and lies. True information is often too late, or is never offered, or never there! Then trust falls apart.
4- Lie or tell half-truths. Dishonesty is a quick way to break a bond of trust. People may accept it once, even twice, but as the old saying goes, "twice burned.”
5- Close-mindedness. An unwillingness to consider other ideas and points of view, and/or to create an atmosphere of, "it's going to be my way or the highway" will certainly cut-off communication and eventually shatter trust. (Ref: Dave Bowman-five ways to build or los trust) that kind of mindset and attitude ought to be changed for the good of the Mother. For the good of the legacy of the president
When we look at successful leaders, governments and institutions, we find that they fostered these principles ofcreating trust and dispel distrust. And it is this that spurs success and greatness for themselves as leaders, as well as their governments, and their people. It is therefore a win, win, win, situation for them in this end. Travelling on the opposite side is fail, fail, fail proposition. It is there to choose the good from the bad, and to choose the right from the wrong. However the end belongs to the righteous, so peace and prayers


Ibrahim Mead
Political analyst
Ottawa Canada
kingmead1@yahoo.ca