Somalia's Transition. A never-ending story

Somalia's Transition. A never-ending story
By Carlo Ungaro (about the author) 
opednews.com

In November 2001, as newly appointed head of the Italian Diplomatic Delegation for Somalia, inNairobi, I began a very active participation in a Peace Conference which was designed to complete Somalia's transition to stable, credible and internationally recognized  Government.

This lengthy and complicated peace progress, which lasted well into the year 2004, was fatally marred, in my view, by some hasty decisions taken at its very conclusion. These took little account of the lengthy and patient  negotiations which  had preceded them and  possibly were dictated by  funding problems, as well as strong pressure by the Ethiopian Government, eager to reach a conclusion  seen as favourable to Ethiopian interests. The  end result, therefore, appeared to me, already then, as fundamentally flawed, and unlikely to bring more than a temporary respite to the political turmoil in Somalia.

Even so, it is disheartening to realise that all those months of  careful, finely-balanced talks, with their dramatic and at times highly emotional interludes, would end up with the current  situation, in which, eight years on, little significant  political progress is visible.

 Most commentators, quite commendably, are attempting  to put a brave, optimistic face on this latest  act in the Somali drama, but grounds for optimism appear scant and weak, and it is difficult to see what  this  new "Transitional Federal Government" will be able to achieve, outside of the  areas it  can control.  It is certainly worth considering the eloquent  fact that the  election of the new President, by a carefully balanced Parliament  takes place in theMogadishu airport, under heavy guard  by foreign troops, and not, as would be expected, in the beleaguered Capital itself.

When the Nairobi Conference began,  Somalia already had  a "Transitional National Government", the result of intense previous negotiations in neighbouring Djibouti, which, however, was viewed with suspicion and hostility by  some powers and was therefore unable to gain the international recognition it aspired to.

Somalia has traditionally been a difficult land, hard to govern because of its  clan structure. Italian and British explorers found this in the course of their colonial experience there, and, in their dealings with Abdullah Hassan, known as the "Mad Mullah", in the early years of the last century. It is interesting to note that a memorial to the "Mad Mullah" exists in Mogadishu.

The recent, unexpected, death of Ethiopian Prime Minster Meles Zenawi will certainly further complicate the situation. The negative developments within Somalia, in the past  two decades, owed a lot to Zenawi's obsessive  interest in being the prime mover of events there. He was among the first  of the U.S. (and the "West's") "client" leaders to understand that the path to continued support no longer lay  in raising the spectre of Communism, but rather the spectre of "Islamic extremism". And it is certain that the tragic events of September 11, 2001, helped him a great deal in his endeavour to  sow an atmosphere of  unreasoning panic directed against  Somali leaders,  many of whom, in spite of their past as "war-lords", appeared to be involved in an effort to  create, if not peaceful unity, at least  a non violent coexistence among clans and power structures. His close ties with the Americans continued to this day, and some of the "drones" used against Islamic groups in Somalia are stationed in Ethiopia. It is probably no coincidence that the "electoral process" in Mogadishu  seemed to stop in its tracks at the news of  the Ethiopian leader's  death.

It is not without  a strong feeling of regret that one feels compelled to view  potential future developments in Somalia -- and in the Horn of Africa -- with some pessimism and apprehension. Large sectors of Somali civil society -- and particularly the women of Somalia -- have  put a great deal of effort and enthusiasm, sometimes very bravely,  in the endeavour to  find a solution, but the country appears destined to remain a pawn in the hands of outside interests.

The basic questions that need to be considered both by the more responsible Somalis and by those foreigners who have the country's welfare at heart, concerns the  realistic possibility of  actually finding a  solution in Somalia along the lines proposed up to now. The examples of  neighbouring Somaliland and of the very autonomous state of Puntland, appear to indicate that, perhaps, greater consideration should be given to the fact that "self government" in Somalia seems to work best in more reduced geographic areas, where the predominance of one clan can ensure acceptance of a  leader who can then, on a footing of parity, establish working relationships with other leaders in what is, perhaps mistakenly, considered a necessarily unified  geo-political entity, or a potential "Nation State".

The vast majority of Somalis, whether in their own land of abroad, show a deep love and loyalty to their country, and this is an element  that has to be kept into account: Somalia  is, perhaps rightly, seen as the quintessential example of a "Failed State", but  its people deserve  better, and fresh, unprejudiced thought needs to be dedicated to the problem..

 

I am a former, now retired, senior Italian diplomatic officer. I have spent many years (over 25) in Central Asia (sixteen in Afghanistan).

The views expressed in th

Morsi sparks controversy with anti-Assad comments in Tehran

Morsi sparks controversy with anti-Assad comments in Tehran

In a major speech at Non-Aligned Movement summit in Tehran, President Morsi says Syrian regime has lost legitimacy, makes conciliatory comments about 'sister' Islamic Republic of Iran


Dina Ezzat , Tehran, Alahram



In this photo released by the official website of the Iranian presidency office, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, second right, welcomes Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi for the opening session of the Nonaligned Movement, NAM, summit, in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012.(Photo:AP)


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President Mohamed Morsi entered Tehran's Summit Conference Hall on Thursday morning to hand over the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.



The fact that Morsi chose to accept the Iranian invitation to be in Tehran, with which Cairo has not had full diplomatic relations for three decades, was itself a revolutionary move.

What was indeed more revolutionary was Morsi's speech to the opening session of the NAM summit, the 16th since its establishment during the Cold War.

At the beginning of his speech Morsi made his by now common Islamist reference, "May God's peace be upon his Prophet Mohamed."

He added, "And may the peace of God be on the holy family of the Prophet." This reference to the 'family of Prophet Mohamed' might have been designed to send a positive message to his predominantly Shia hosts who are said to have been offended by remarks he made during a July visit to Saudi Arabia, another Sunni power in the Middle East, which indicated a Sunni-Shia polarisation between Egypt and Saudi Arabia on one hand and Iran on the other.

Then Morsi went further and paid the most unusual tribute in a political speech at an international summit to the Sahaba (close associates) of Prophet Mohamed: Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali.

The reference to Ali, the most holy member of the Prophet Mohamed's family in the eyes of Shias, could have been perceived by Morsi's Shia audience in the conference hall as flattering had it not come after references to Abu Bakr, Omar and Othman, who are abhorred by Shias and whose role in early Muslim history is not even mentioned in the history books of Iranian schools.

A non-traditional reference was also made by Morsi when referring to Egypt's role in the launch of the NAM in the 1950s. "At the time Nasser was expressing the will of the people (of Egypt) to defy colonisation," Morsi said.

The fact that this first ever civilian, Islamist and freely elected Egyptian president, who comes from the ranks of the Muslim Brotherhood, who was an opponent of the Mubarak regime – despite short intervals of cooperation – makes a reference to Nasser is again something that goes beyond the predictable. However, the style of the reference is not necessarily free of all pejorative implications, at least to the ears of an average Nasser admirer.

The norm has been that Nasser is referred to in this context as "Leader Gamal Abdel-Nasser, one of the champions of the march against colonisation."

Beyond his references to Ali and Nasser, Morsi's speech included other non-traditional comments.

The president's references to the Palestinian cause broke away from the usual déjà vu statements about the right of Palestinians to statehood – and it certainly made no reference to the now notorious "two-state solution."

Instead, Morsi made some coherent statements about Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people – things that had almost completely dropped out of official Egyptian discourse on the Palestinian issue.

On Syria, Morsi's speech all but equated the Assad regime with the Israeli occupation of Palestine when he referred to "the struggle for freedom by the Palestinian and Syrian peoples."

Furthermore, Morsi said the Assad regime "had lost all legitimacy" and it was not enough to show sympathy towards the Syrian people, but the time had come to act upon this sympathy.

Morsi's statements on Syria certainly went way beyond the liking of his Iranian hosts who remain committed to the Assad regime, and caused the Syrian delegation to leave the conference hall.

Indeed, Iranian officials almost never speak of a "Syrian revolution" but of "unrest in Syria."

Morsi also went beyond the expected when he called the Iranian president "my dear brother" upon turning over the presidency of summit from Egypt to Iran. Interestingly, he called Iran "the sister Islamic republic of Iran."

Moreover, Morsi made the traditional references to the role of the NAM in pursuing a more peaceful and less discriminatory world in which the UN Security Council is freed from the veto hegemony of the five permanent members, and the UN General Assembly is made more effective in running world affairs.

Morsi also observed his self-made tradition of referring to the unity of "the Egyptian people and its glorious army" during the 25 January Revolution.

Also maintained was Morsi's tradition of following his reference to "Egypt is a civil state" – this time around he added "in every sense of the word" – with the phrase Egypt is "a national, constitutional, democratic and modern state."

Morsi arrived in Tehran for the NAM summit on Thursday morning. He is scheduled to return to Cairo later in the day after a five-day trip that started in and was largely spent in Beijing, where he explored avenues for wider economic and trade cooperation.

AFRICAN CITIES MUST IMPLEMENT GREEN MEASURES TO ENSURE FOOD SECURITY – UN REPORT

AFRICAN CITIES MUST IMPLEMENT GREEN MEASURES TO ENSURE FOOD SECURITY – UN REPORT
New York, Aug 30 2012  1:10PM
Policymakers in African cities must implement green measures to make sure that growing urban areas can meet the increasing demand for food, according to a report released today by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The publication, entitled <"http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/greenercities/"><em>Growing greener cities in Africa</em>, stresses the importance of sustainable practices to meet nutrition needs such as urban market gardening, referring to the home, school, community and market gardens that produce fruits and vegetables in and around the continent's cities.

"The challenge of achieving a 'zero hunger' world – in which everyone is adequately nourished and all food systems are resilient – is as urgent in African cities as it is in rural areas," FAO's Assistant Director-General for Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Modibo Traoré, notes in the publication's foreword.

He adds, "African policymakers need to act now to steer urbanization from its current, unsustainable path towards healthy, 'greener' cities that ensure food and nutrition security, decent work and income, and a clean environment for all their citizens."

The report, which draws on surveys and case studies from 31 countries across the African continent, found that market gardening in cities in 10 countries is already the single most important source of locally-grown fresh produce. However, this practice has grown with little official recognition, regulation and support, and in many cases has become unsustainable as farmers are increasing the use of pesticides and polluted water.

To address this issue, the publication urges governments and city administrations to work together with growers, processors, suppliers, vendors and others to give market gardens and urban agriculture the political, logistical and educational support necessary for sustainable development.

One of the report's recommendations advises policymakers to zone and protect land and water for market gardens, and encourage growers to adopt a farming model that will boost yields while preserving natural resources by applying the right amount of pesticides, seeds and fertilizers.

The report also stresses that greener measures are crucial if the continent is to sustain the strong economic growth it has recorded over the past decade, and notes that while it has led to rapid urbanization, many people are still facing poverty in urban areas.

According to an FAO <"http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/154241/icode/">news release on the report, more than half of all urban Africans live in slums, up to 200 million survive on less than $2 a day, and poor urban children are as likely to be chronically malnourished as poor rural children.

The publication was released in advance of the sixth session of the World Urban Forum in Naples, Italy, which seeks to examine rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies.

SOMALILAND FOREIGN POLICY CAME TO A' HALT,‏

SOMALILAND FOREIGN POLICY CAME TO A' HALT,‏



I' am very certain this is not a new music to your earse, as many Slanders, have already commented privately
and publicly before meinteclltual, andindependent diplomate, from the diaspora community,theyhave expressed their grave concerned, about president Ahmed Siilanyo's adminstration handling of its foreign policy in the wake of the London and Dubia Road map Accord.


Mr Siilanyo agreed to enter talk, with the out going weak, corrupt and unelected former warlords, TFG government based at Mogdishu Airport, against the wishes of the Somaliland electroate this was defintely a very bad move ill, advised misled, and misjudged by president Ahmed Siilanyo a controversial political heavy weight, the fact Mr Siilanyo signed a blank cheque for ex, warlord and current president of Somalia Sheikh Sheriff Ahmed Somaliland's sovereignty ve' been jeopardised.


This iswhy despite the flourishing democracy, that is taking place in Slpeace and stability, many europeandiplomate MEPs, friends of Somalilands including Uk parliamentrian group led by Alun Michael andKerry Mcathy and Mr Tannck whom have been lobbying rigorously and tirelessly, persuading their government to put Sl 's case for international recognition on the forefront of the political agenda,recently theseve' gone cold and silent,as result of president Ahmed Siilanyo's debacle foreign policy.


What is wrong with SNM political leaders as soon as they, become head of state power corrupt them easily in short periode of time, they, do a complete u turn of Sl, constitution, and show their true colours, just like (Abdi Rahman Tuur) it is, ironic that the political wing of SNM, leaders all share the same ideology (greater Somalia) and reunification, but why though? what Hamar,got that Somalilandve, not got in terms of natural, resources, culural deversity education, so on and so forth.

It, seems,quiet obviousthat all western delegationMps. diplomate and business people used topay frequent visit to Hargeisa capital of somaliland have change their travel planned to Bosaaso and Mogdishu,

I, therefore urge president Ahmed Siilanyo to makea turn around foreign policy as swiftly as possible, in order to rectifiedthis issue once and for all,in the mean time Somaliland respresentatives, (wakiilo) in europe and north America should be dismissed they're incomptent inexprienced, and wast of spacethe bottom line is thatSl Ministry of foreign affairs is unfit for purpose.

By: Ali A. Ismail Dheeg
Newport_SouthWales/Uk
Political Activist

Can all Somalis be proud of Mo Farah?

Can all Somalis be proud  of Mo Farah? By: Ahmed Ismail Yusuf August 26, 2012

Mo Farahs' two Olympic gold medal victory laps greeted with thunderous applause across the United Kingdom also united two unlikely people on two different continents: Somalia (former colony of Britain) on one side, and Britain (the colonizer) on the other.  These two nations joined for a joyous ride for the first time in the history of the two counties.  The world press has come along, too, yielding glowing, global headlines that most, if not all, donated due respect to Mo. Farah's place of birth, repeating that the newly crowned double Olympic gold medalist is of Somali origin.  Furthermore, the people of his motherland who are scattered around the globe and have been in search of a hero of their own, made sure to soak themselves with pride.   Just by listening to the Somali languages alone and scanning through radios like the BBC and voice of America news, one would treat himself /herself to delightful interviews from elated Somalis in Africa, Europe, America, Asia and Australia.  Possibly, the penguins were dancing in Antarctica, too, to a Somali tune! 

Mo farah was so showered with well-deserved accolades that he earned from Somalis who gave birth to him, and the British who took him in and nurtured him when he needed save haven.  This sort of miraculous immigrant success happens only in countries where respect for humanity triumphs over the weak minded mentality of "dalkay naga qaadayaan, [they are going to take the country away from us].

Mo Farah's after-victory behavior was unassailable.  He thanked his adopted nation, he communicated with his follow Muslims around the globe by prostrating to Allah in an international sports meeting audience, clearly identifying himself as a Muslim. He also spoke to all Somalis in Somali language.

That would have been the end of a great happy story, right?  Or would it?  Wait a minute, wait a minute, we are Somalis after all.  We have to find a way to spoil the victory dance for ourselves.   Thus, it so happened that a notorious person with a history of foot-in-mouth habits interrupted the party!

In the middle of international press conference, someone stood up screaming that that Mo. Farah is not a Somali but a Somalilander.  She went to reason that he could not be Somali because, 'Mo Farah may have been born in Mogadishu, as were many Somalilanders who happened to be working or living there during the time when Somaliland and Somalia were united, but he is not from Somalia. He is from Somaliland. He is from the Isaaq clan, and Jibril Abokor sub-clan, who are not natives of Somalia.'   Shocking, shocking, shocking.  He is Isaaq, thus can't be a Somali?  You must be kidding me!   

The irony of it all is that the perpetrator of this puzzling identity crisis is none other than Edna Aden Ismail, the wife of a former Prime Minister of Somalia Mohamed Ibrahim Egal (1967-69). In the name of Somalia, she once used to dine with global head of states.  Later Edna would go on to become the foreign minister of Somaliland, the self-declared autonomous region of Somalia.  Suddenly, she started to unsheathe a vitriolic venom and hateful language unbecoming of a lady of her stature.  It is understandable for one to advocate for what he/she believes in (in her case for Somaliland),  But doing so in no way would require her to choose to scorn the rest of Somalis, Lapping hateful hark on her other half, yet expecting respectful return from the rest of the sane world.

Once again, Edna Aden does not mind sharing  Mo Farah with Britain, asserting, 'Although he ran for Britain, he is one of ours and his achievements can only make us proud and can also be regarded as yet one more connection with the British empire.' Yet denying him of his birth right Somalia, Mogadishu, the capital!  What is more Somali than that?  I should  concede  that, yes,  Mo farah, as overwhelming majority of Somalis, hails from a particular clan, and at that of Isaaq of the  northwest of Somali, or  Somaliland as they would like to call themselves  nowadays!  How does that dissolves him of his Somali identity is beyound my comprehension!         

Unfortunately, the nettlesome picture that I point to was not the first time that Edna Aden put her name in the gutter.  On June, 2012 in Belgium, she let loose a tirade of verbal venom in avideo that made its way through the internet, shrinking the entire southern Somalis toterrorists and pirates, right in front of Europeans who were mortified rather than edified. They were mortified that their guest chose to condemn herself right before them.  Imagine you going to a stranger's house and telling him/her that brother/sister of yours is a thief, rapist and murderer.  What makes you think the stranger will believe that you are any different than your kin?   Or that he/she would choose you over your sister/brother?  Why would the stranger value you when you, for sure, would not value yourself?   As a matter of fact, in the stranger's eyes, you are the two sides of the same coin, thus he/she would loath you both if not you more, the self-hated you.

We can also say that some decent Europeans though, would still be embarrassed by that type of attack, for they are able to see the unrefined, tribal-lazed venom, and able to equate it with prejudicial, religious and race baiting hate in their countries.     

I am embarrassed, as the Europeans were, for my Eeddo (aunt) as she forcefully identified me by speaking on my behalf as an Isaaq(ism).  So, yes, I am also Isaaq, yet I am so embarrassed that being Isaaq in Edna's case is synonymous with self-hate and being anything else but Somali. 

Even if you don't want to have anything to do with the rest of Somalia, with the rest of Somalis, how on earth is trashing or running away from them advance your alleged cause? Get real Eeddo!           

So If my Eeddo wants to cull all Isaaqs from the rest of Somalis, and for Somaliland, because, in her own words, the south is full of "terrorists," I would like to remind her  that she can't simply choose to pick Mo Farah then leave Ahmed Abdi Godane, AKA Abu Zubair, the biggest terrorist of all in Southern Somalia.  Remember, he is not from the south, and remember he is also Isaaq!   At least, I am not willing to mention his sub-clan for the sake of denying him name association. I just used general Isaaq, for it was she, Edna Aden, who had dragged it into the fray.

As a foolish optimist however, I am still hopeful that my Eeddo will heed my rueful plea, and will return herself to a respectable humanitarian worker and a pioneer in women's education in Somalia. No one ever wins in a war of hate! 

And yes, all Somalis can be proud of Mo Farah.  Why not?  The rest of the world is!

___

Ahmed Ismail Yusuf is a writer and contributor to WardheerNews who is based in Minneapolis. His book "Somalis in Minnesota," will be released in December 2012.  He can be reached at E-Mail:yusuf006@umn.edu    

UN CONDEMNS KILLING OF STAFF MEMBER IN SOMALIA, URGES MORE PROTECTION FOR HUMANITARIANS

UN CONDEMNS KILLING OF STAFF MEMBER IN SOMALIA, URGES MORE PROTECTION FOR HUMANITARIANS
New York, Aug 28 2012 11:10AM
The United Nations in Somalia today condemned the killing of a humanitarian worker serving with the UN food relief agency in the country's south.

Yassin Mohamed Hassan, a staff member of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was killed on Monday morning in an attack by an armed group in the Somali port city of Merka.

"The UN reminds all actors in Somalia of the neutral and impartial nature of humanitarian action and appeals to all parties to permit aid workers to continue to safely serve all those in need in the country, wherever they are," said a statement issued by the Office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden.

"As civilians continue to be the principal victims of ongoing conflict, the UN demands that all parties minimize the impact of conflict on civilians," the statement added.

After decades of warfare, Somalia has been undergoing a peace and national reconciliation process, with the country' recently ending its transitional federal governing arrangements. Until last year, most of the capital, Mogadishu, was, for several years, riven by a fluid frontline dividing the two sides – fighters belonging to the Al Shabaab militant group and troops belonging to the Somalia Government, with the latter supported by the UN-backed African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Since the Al Shabaab withdrawal from the capital in August last year, the frontlines have been pushed back to the surrounding area. However, the use of roadside bombs, grenades and suicide bombers still takes place. In addition, Government forces have been on an offensive against the Al Shabaab, which still controls parts of Somalia, primarily in its south-central regions.

According to FAO, the 32-year-old Mr. Hassan, a Somali national, had served with the agency in different capacities for four years and had been in the Merka area as part of a mission that was overseeing irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation works under an FAO programme.

Since August 2011, 20 humanitarian workers have been killed in Somalia while striving to bring relief and support to millions of suffering people, Mr. Bowden's office noted in its statement.

UN humanitarian agencies and their partners have been helping Somalis deal with the impact of drought, as well as the after-effects of famine in some areas; while famine was officially declared over earlier this year, many Somalis are still in desperate need.

The number of Somalis receiving life-saving aid has more than doubled since July 2011, when famine had been declared, with more than 1.6 million Somalis now receiving food assistance, and 1.7 million people able to access clean water.

"Attacks on aid workers compromise the UN's ability to maintain large-scale humanitarian operations and impact on the lives of vulnerable Somalis," Mr. Bowden's office added.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), national staff members like Mr. Hassan make up more than 90 per cent of humanitarian workers around the world, working on the frontlines, and too often, they bear the brunt of attacks on aid providers.
Aug 28 2012 11:10AM

Only a Broad based government in Mogadishu can resolve differences with Somaliland-Amb. Shinn

Only a Broad based government in Mogadishu can resolve differences with Somaliland-Amb. Shinn

Sunday, 26 August 2012 23:28

Amb David H ShinnBy: Yusuf M Hasan Somalilandsun-The late Ethiopian Prime Minister Ato Meles Zenawi has been defended against accusations that the notorious Somalia based Al-Shabaab terrorist organization was his brainchild. Ambassador David Shinn made the Zenawi defence during an interview with the Horn newspaper's Mahmoud Walaleye, in which he also said that the differences between Somalia and Somaliland would be resolved once a broad based government is established in Mogadishu. A renowned pundit on Horn Africa issues, who is currently an adjunct professor of international affairs at The George Washington University, Amb. Shinn, who received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from GW, is a former U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia (1996-99) and to Burkina Faso (1987-90). In reaction to comments by Kenya's deputy speaker of parliament to the effect that Al-Shabaab was a creation of the late Meles Zenawi, the ambassador termed the sentiments as mistake that he was not sure if it reflected the views of the Kenyan government. Read below the full verbatim excerpts of the interview Q: How do you perceive Farah Maalim's comments regarding Meles purported creation of Al-shabaab as well as possible repercussions of bi-lateral relations between Kenya and Ethiopia? A: I leave to the Kenyan government to determine if the deputy speaker's comments reflect the view of the Kenyan government and I leave to both governments whether they will influence bilateral relations. I would point out that al-Shabaab existed before Meles Zenawi sent troops into Somalia at the end of 2006. On the other hand, the presence of large numbers of Ethiopian troops in Somalia, especially in the capital of Mogadishu, was a major recruiting tool for al-Shabaab. I argued from the beginning that Ethiopian intervention in Somalia in late 2006 was a mistake, but to put all the blame on Meles Zenawi for the rise of al-Shabaab is also a mistake. Q: Will the Farah Ma'alim sentiments impinge on joint Ethio-Kenya military incursion towards Kismayo, last strong hold of Shabaab, especially as related to the support of opposing tribes given by the two countries? A: The capturing of Kismayo and, more importantly, returning it to proper Somali authority other than al-Shabaab is an important objective. I am not in a position to judge the likelihood of this happening in the coming months. It was an early Kenyan objective last year but did not happen. I doubt that Kismayo will be taken easily; it is equally important to identify appropriate Somali forces who can then keep al-Shabaab from retaking it. Long-term occupation of Kismayo by foreign forces is a bad idea. Q: how do you discern future dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia in relation to the Mogadishu approved draft constitution that lays claim to Somaliland as the northern region of Somalia? Once there is a broad based Somali government acceptable to most Somalis, it is important that dialogue begin between Somalia and Somaliland concerning the future of both entities. That is the only way to resolve differences between both governments. Q: whom do you think is in charge Somalia considering that International community end time of transition time has expired, and new government yet established? A: Different groups are in charge of different parts of Somalia. AMISOM and Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces now control the greater Mogadishu area. Ethiopian and TFG militia control several key cities near the border with Ethiopia. Kenyan troops control a significant part of the lower Juba. Puntland controls much of Puntland. Al-Shabaab still controls much of the rest of Somalia. The future of Somalia is still an open question and much now depends on the Somali political process and the creation of a widely accepted Somali government that turns it back on corruption. At this point, I am not particularly optimistic about the political process or the immediate future.

Somaliland: Job Advertisement DDG Community Liaison Facilitator

Somaliland: Job Advertisement DDG Community Liaison Facilitator

Sunday, 26 August 2012 23:26

Danish Deming Group (DDG) Somaliland looking for a Community Liaison Facilitator based in the field. Danish Deming Group (DDG) is a department under Danish Refugee Council (DRC). DDG has operated in Somaliland since 1999 clearing mines and other explosive remnants of war. Recognising that Somaliland communities also suffer from other threats to human security, DDG expanded its programme into the wider sphere of community safety in 2008 in order to ensure maximum impact for the population of Somaliland. DDG's community safety programme encompasses the following elements: • Strengthening local institutions and enhancing local capacity for addressing safety needs • Addressing immediate threats to life and limbs by explosive remnants of war • Addressing small arms as a tool of violence • Building capacity for conflict management and peace • Strengthening relationships between security providers and communities The programme is rooted in a participatory process, where DDG assists target communities to assess their safety and security situation, define and prioritize their safety and security needs and identify resources to address these needs. DDG Somaliland is opening the following positions: Position: 1 Community Liaison Facilitator based in the field Overall objectives of position The objective of the Community Liaison Facilitator position is to enhance target communities' capacity for addressing their own safety needs. Main Duties and responsibilities for Community Liaison Facilitators • Liaise with local leaders and local and national government authorities about the safety in the communities and act as link between the local communities and DDG. • Facilitate advocacy workshops aimed at armed violence reduction and destruction of explosive remnants of war. • Facilitate community safety planning processes in target communities. • Provide capacity building and training to community members and local committees to enable them to manage their community safety plan. • Facilitate community based policing mechanisms in target communities • Compile the required reports. Required qualifications • Knowledge of local community • Proven communication, interpersonal and facilitation skills • University degree in social science or tertiary education in any other relevant field will be a recommendation • Must be able to remain neutral when working with communities • Good in English and Somali both speaking, reading and writing. • Passion for people • Creative thinker • Willing and able to work anywhere in Somaliland and for long hours • Open and willing to learn new things • Enthusiastic and hard-working • Basic computer skills • Administration skills will be an advantage • Leadership qualities • Hold a senior/respected position in your own community. • Proven experience in addressing groups of people. • Proven experience in liaising with local and government authorities. • Experience in local institutions and community capacity building. Terms of Employment: Duration of employment: (Four Month with possible extension subject to performance) Method of application: Interested candidates should send a motivated application addressing the required qualifications, including CVs, by email or by hand only toofm@ddgsomaliland.org or DDG/DRC Somaliland Office, Kodbur districts, next to Statehouse no later than: Sunday 2nd September 2012, at 4:15PM Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

Somaliland: All Roads Lead to Mansoor Hotel as Donor Briefing Attracts Citizens Enthusiasm

Somaliland: All Roads Lead to Mansoor Hotel as Donor Briefing Attracts Citizens Enthusiasm

Sunday, 26 August 2012 23:12

Maansoor hotel to host donor briefingBy: Yusuf M Hasan HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The country is to hold its first public briefings by international donor agencies. The two days briefing to be held at Mansoor Hotel on the 29th & 30th August has attracted a lot of interest from members of the public who will be availed an opportunity to question the over 100 donor organizations on their activities. According to the minister of planning Dr Saad Ali Shire whose ministry is running the hitherto unknown show revealed that the 2 days briefing by Humanitarian and development Agencies both local and international is the first , plans are afoot to make the activity an annual event. during a press briefing in his office in Hargeisa. Dr Saad informed that Once the donor organizations and UN agencies have briefed on their activities members of the public will be given an opportunity to field questions related to the briefings," said the minister" Sad he, "I urge Somalilanders to full advantage of this opportunity thus get firsthand information on what these agencies do in the country" While it is a fact that interventions by international donor agencies in partnership with local NGO's have contributed greatly towards elevating the country from a reconstruction to a development stage most of their activities are shrouded in secrecy. On the other hand, the forthcoming event will also bring to light which agencies actually achieve their objectives as opposed to the many that are known or suspected of being joyriders thus spend all funds commuting between Nairobi and Hargeisa.

The Best Man for Somalia’s Presidency – Who is it?

The Best Man for Somalia’s Presidency – Who is it? 

By Faisal A. Roble

In few days, a body of 275 men and woman representing Somalia’s disparate clans, who often engage in warfare than in each other’s welfare, would elect a post- transitional president. So far, more than 32 individuals, overwhelmingly men and political carpetbaggers from the bourgeoning Somali diaspora communities, have officially filed their applications. Despite this historic election taking place in an imperfect political environment, getting to the Promised Land (permanent government) is the goal of the exercise.

At the outset, I personally feel comfortable with no guilty conscious to state that those who deserve the least should not be elected. The following criteria should be observed to weed out the unqualified:

A religious fundamentalist (past and present) who may contribute or have contributed in the past to the erosion of the open and liberal version of Islam in Somalia should not become the next president. There are clouds hanging over some of the front runners, who are known to have either aided or abated al-shabab or piracy; these individuals should be denied the privilege to lead the country.


Candidates who are not adequately educated or do not possess any tangible skills to lead Somalia out of the socio-political quagmire in which it has been drowning for the last twenty years must not occupy Villa Somalia.


Those who wield power by agitating or polarize the community on wedge issues in such an already fragile society of Somalia must also be barred from sitting on the seat of power lest there is that fear that such individuals can submerge Somalia in a renewed crisis.


Those who had shown signs of megalomania or a behavior of tantrum as exhibited bySharif Hassan in his videotaped threat targeted against Abdurrahman Hosh, Minister of Constitution, should never be given a chance to take any leadership role, let alone giving such a person the privilege to lead Somalia.

But who are the candidates we can trust? Without having each candidate’s s resume at hand, one can only go by the personal knowledge one possesses about them. I personally have fair knowledge about nine candidates’ qualifications and abilities:

Dr. Ahmed Ismael Samatar, professor of Political Science, and a world class scholar needs no introduction. Ahmed, who declared that he will work for a $1 salary monthly, has for some time now eloquently explained what ails Somalia. If elected, he says he will draft a dynamic vision for Somalia and lead it out of its endemic political crisis, hunger, warfare and inferiority that engulfed it for the last 20 years. In a private email I once exchanged with Ahmed, I told him: “you are at the pinnacle of your scholarship that it is Somalia that needs you and not the other way.”


Dr. Ahmed Muumin Farah Warfa, professor of Agriculture, comes to the frying pan with a lot of academic and professional experience. He has worked as researchers and professional both in Somalia and abroad. Warfa has shown me in our frequent telephonic conversation for the last one year to be an inclusive and a no-nonsense man, with an unparalleled level of willingness to reach out the other side of the aisle.


Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi Hashi possesses extensive experience in international finance and about fifteen years of past employment with the World Bank. He is an all-round intellectual and well acquainted with Washington DC. The son of former vice president of Puntland, Mohamed Abdi Hashi, Dr. Abdirahman would make a great leader if, in addition to his credentials, he possesses an ounce of his father’s honesty and forwardness.


Dr. Bashir Nuur Looyan, Ph.D. in agriculture is a friend and both a former student of mine and a soccer mate; he is young and a true Balaja Carab kid with a lot of energy to implement radical ideas. He has a wide range of political connections to world leaders. He could be someone to mend the breach Somalia had sustained and help it heal its wounds.


Ali Abdale Guuri, a friend and an honest patriot with disability, is someone who would challenge the status quo in a never-seen way.


Dr. Abdirahman Badiyow, an academic of the Muslim Brotherhood, is a critical thinker and a well known quantity in Mogadishu’s fledgling educational institutions.

Mr. Yasiin Issa, a close friend and a graduate of management buttresses his education with integrity and honesy. As a former colonel in the now-defunct Marine of Somalia, and a long time employee of the County of San Diego, California, he comes to the candidacy with both professional and military credentials. He could help Somalia and its search for secure cities in a meaningful way.


Mohamed Hirsi Khalif of Islamic Bank also comes to the podium with multiple experiences and the most important one being his days at the Islamic Bank. He could help foster good understanding between Somalia and the rich and deep-pocket Arabs across the Red Sea.


Mohamed Farmajo, former Prime Minister, has a populist streak and a can-do attitude.

Each and every one of these candidates is highly educated and seems to be up to the task. I could see voting or accepting each and every one of them as the next president of Somalia.
However, one candidate stands out with the biggest chance than the rest – that is the sitting Prime Minister Abdiwali Gas Ali. Prior to joining the TFG, Dr. Ali was a professor of economics at Niagara University in Buffalo, New York. Dr. Ali joined the faculty in August 2003. He has a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University, a Certificate of Taxation from Harvard Law School, and a Masters of Economics from Vanderbilt University; a Ph.D. in economics from George Masson University.

Dr. AbdiWali Ali has the unique advantage of boosting his credentials beyond academia. In the last one year, he has accomplished the impossible:

(1) He has succeeded through sheer discipline and tenacity to implement the excessively fastidious and fussy Roadmap,

(2) He has finished the stalled and controversy-mired Draft Constitution and literally made the defiant and illusive transition a reality. Somalia today has a living constitution which could be perfected through s serious of amendment as needed in time; Going to election is one-step forward,

(3) He helped bring peace to Mogadishu by closely partnering with the AMISOM troops and the nations that fund it,

(4) He was able for the first time to bring together regional leaders (Faroole of Puntland, Caalim of Galmudug) and the sitting president, Sharif Ahmed, the result of which has been the signing of Garowe agreements. Prime Minister AbdiWali was also instrumental in the establishment of the Jubaland administration, otherwise a tough terrain for the last twenty years,

(5) He showed a higher sense of good judgment by assembling a capable and cooperative cabinet that showed collegial and cordial culture in their day-to-day discharge of their national duty,

In the final analysis, leading a nation requires both a vision and a craft. Moreover, to succeed a leader could use friends and family support. In the case of Prime Minister Abdiwali, a decent and honest family man, his other half, Dr. Hodan Essa, herself a professor of economics in New York, is an asset. Watching them complement each other reminds us of the 1992 interview the Clintons (both of them are lawyers by training) gave to 60 minutes. In it, Hillary said: “You get two with one price,” suggesting that if elected, the White House will be occupied by a competent and capable couple. A couple of Somalis with Ph.Ds. in economics occupying Villa Somalia is a far cry than when a dictator or a Muslim cleric occupied it. This is indeed a high standard, even at Western norms.

A prudent first step by the eventual occupier of Villa Somalia should include inviting for consultation some or all of qualified contenders (AbdiWali, Ahmed Samatar, Warfa, Issa, Hashi, Looyan, Khalif, Guure, Badiyow, and Farmajo) to draft a plan to move forward.

My departing words to winners and non-winners are none other than Mark Twain’s wise words: “Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it,” and hope the next president deserves our loyalty.

Faisal A. Roble
Email: fabroble@aol.com

France confirms it is working to establish buffer zone within Syria

France confirms it is working to establish buffer zone within Syria

France has confirmed that Western states were working with Turkey to establish buffer zones within Syria as the international community scrambled to formulate a response to the rapidly worsening crisis in the country.

A Syrian boy rides a bicycle as smoke rises over the Syrian city of Aleppo after missiles fired from a fighter jet hit petrol tankers in the Bab al-Nayrab district Photo: REUTERS



By Adrian Blomfield, Middle East Correspondent and Damien McElroy in Gaziantepe, Turkey

As government forces launched a devastating aerial and artillery assault on the eastern outskirts of Damascus, Francois Hollande, the French president, declared on Monday night that he and his international partners were closer than ever before to a formal intervention in Syria.


"We are working … [on] the initiative of buffer zones proposed by Turkey," Mr Hollande said. "We are doing so in co-ordination with our closest partners."
Indicating the formation of a twin-pronged Western strategy, Mr Hollande also became the first international leader to urge the Syrian opposition to form a provisional government, promising to grant it immediate recognition once it is formed.

With refugees pouring across Syria's borders, and Turkey struggling to respond to rapidly increasing influx, the long-discussed issue of a buffer zone to protect civilians in northern Syria has acquired a new sense of urgency.

Thousands of refugees massed in makeshift accommodation on the Syrian side of the Turkish border yesterday as Anakar sealed its crossings, claiming its camps were full.

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With as many as 80,000 refugees spread across camps in southern Turkey, the numbers who have fled violence in Syria has almost doubled in a month.

Turkish requests for a buffer zone, which would provide a haven not just for civilians but also for Syrian rebels operating along both sides of the border, have been so far rebuffed by the United States.

It remains far from clear how a buffer zone would be policed, although it has always been assumed that Turkey and Arab States would take the lead and that there would be no deployment of Western forces.

Pressure for a more robust response from the international community has grown after the bloodiest month of the uprising so far claimed more than 4,000 lives, according to opposition groups.

With rebel fighters and government forces fighting each other to near stalemate in the northern city of Aleppo, President Bashar al-Assad has switched his attention to Damascus.

Last week, he launched his bloodiest offensive yet in the capital, with government forces launching an assault that killed hundreds of people in Daraya, on the southwestern outskirts of the city, according to opposition statistics.

Activists say many of the dead were killed in summary executions and survivors yesterday spoke of soldiers bayoneting dozens of people as they swept victoriously through the town.

Opposition fighters declared that they had partially avenged the "massacre" in Daraya after successfully shooting down a helicopter gunship over Damascus.

Video footage filmed by the rebels showed the helicopter catch fire after being struck before spinning out of control and plummeting to the ground in a ball of fire.

In recent weeks rebels have been hapless in the face of regime aerial attack, both by helicopter gunships and fighter-jets that have shown little distinction between civilian and insurgent targets.

Rebel hopes of capturing either Aleppo or Damascus may well depend on finding a systematic strategy of dealing with the aerial threat. That prospect appears a long way off, with opposition fighters admitting that they had brought down the helicopter more by luck than design.

"It was flying overhead the eastern part of the city and firing all morning," an activist identifying himself as Abu Bakr told the Reuters news agency. "The rebels had been trying to hit [it] for about an hour; finally they did."

The felling of the helicopter, while undoubtedly morale boosting, brought only fleeting respite for the rebels.

Ignoring the international condemnation triggered by the mass killings in Daraya, government forces have switched their focus from the west to the east of the city as part of a campaign to reassert total control over Mr Assad's capital.

The full gamut of the regime's arsenal was deployed, with fighter planes striking closer to the heart of Damascus than ever before as the army maintained a relentless barrage of shelling and helicopter attacks on a string of eastern suburbs.

At least 62 people were killed in the assault, opposition activists said, with shells striking a row of flats in Jobar, the district where the helicopter had been shot down earlier in the day.

As in Daraya, there were reports of summary executions as government forces advanced. Footage released by opposition campaigners showed 20 corpses on the floor of a mosque in the neighbouring district of Zamalka, among them three children.

The new bloodshed came as volunteers recovered dozens more bodies in Daraya, where the opposition claims that between 300 and 600 people were killed during a five-day battle for the town last week.

One survivor, who gave his name as Abu Firas, said that more than 100 people were killed as soldiers went door-to-door hunting for residents who had escaped the days of shelling that preceded their sweep through the town.

"Some they lined up and shot in front of their wives and sisters," Abu Firas said, adding that he had survived by hiding on top of a cupboard. "I saw them kill three men with knives attached to their guns and there are many others dead with stabbing wounds."
Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations secretary general, yesterday demanded an immediate investigation into the killings, which he called "an appalling and brutal crime".

ETHIOPIA: Safe water critical to health of HIV-positive people

ETHIOPIA: Safe water critical to health of HIV-positive people

ADDIS ABABA, 27 August 2012 (PLUSNEWS) - Beletu Hailemariam, 32, is HIV-positive and knows she should avoid contracting opportunistic infections that could further compromise her immune system. But she lives in one of poorer suburbs of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, and has to share a toilet with dozens of people and walk long distances to access clean water. A year ago, she was diagnosed with typhoid.

"At that time, I didn't know how an easily curable disease like that... put my life at risk. The doctors told me it has to do with me having the virus in my blood that makes me too weak to cope with the disease," the mother of seven told IRIN/PlusNews. "They told me to be cautious and make an effort to avoid other opportunistic infections for a second time."

Opportunistic infections reduce one's quality of life and can speed the progression of HIV to AIDS, resulting in premature death.

Since her recovery, Hailemariam says she is being "extra careful" not to contract another illness. However, her access to safe water and sanitation has not improved, leaving her at continued risk of waterborne diseases.

"The nearest communal toilet and water points are several minutes' walk away... Twenty-seven households share this dirty toilet, while 11 families share the communal water point," she said.

Beletu is too weak to work, and her husband's US$16-a-month pension is insufficient to pay for the construction of a private latrine or for piped water.

"Health workers have taught me how to protect myself using a simple but efficient way," she said. "I clean my hands with soap after using the toilet. I always treat the water my family drinks... I know not doing this could risk me getting diarrhoea and other opportunistic diseases."

Health workers say a lack of information on the prevention of common opportunistic infections means many Ethiopians living with HIV continue to contract easily preventable diseases.

"Most of them reach our hospital's emergency outpatient department after opportunistic diseases - such as diarrhoeal diseases and typhoid fever - have compromised their immune system," Daniel Teshome, a public health officer at Zewditu Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa, told IRIN/PlusNews. "They have little knowledge of what caused it, though."

Access to water

According to the NGO Wateraid [ http://www.wateraidamerica.org/includes/documents/cm_docs/2012/h/hiv_issue_sheet_low_res.pdf ], people living with HIV are often unable to access community water sources or latrines because of stigma and discrimination.

Although patients usually recover with treatment, many will get repeat infections unless their access to safe water is improved. A 2009 assessment [ http://etd.aau.edu.et/dspace/handle/123456789/2147 ] of the water and sanitation situation of HIV-positive home-based care clients in Addis Ababa found that only 62.5 percent had access to improved sanitation, only 6.9 percent had access to bathing facilities and only 4.3 per cent had access to hand-washing facilities near latrines.

The assessment found that the water, sanitation and hygiene needs of home-based care clients were not met, and that safe water, sanitation and hygiene should be essential components of basic preventive care packages for home-based care clients at policy, service provision and community levels.

Experts say HIV-positive children are particularly vulnerable to waterborne infections. "HIV-infected children are at higher risk of getting infectious diseases often associated with poor hygiene and sanitation conditions," said Muhammad Irfan, a water sanitation and hygiene specialist with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Ethiopia.

More than 180,000 Ethiopia children are infected with HIV, according to Ethiopian government statistics [ http://www.unaids.org/en/dataanalysis/knowyourresponse/countryprogressreports/2012countries/GAP%20Report%202012.pdf ], and according to the 2011 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) [ http://www.csa.gov.et/docs/2011%20Ethiopia%20DHS%20Final%20Report%2003-30-2012.pdf ], about 60,000 children under the age of five die due to diarrhoea every year in Ethiopia.

Safe water is especially important for people on life-prolonging antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. According to Wateraid, ARVs must be taken with at least 1.5 litres of safe water a day to be effective.

"By reducing risk factors for diarrhoeal diseases, people living with HIV retain more nutrients, allowing ARVs to be more effective," a Wateraid factsheet indicates. [ http://www.wateraidamerica.org/includes/documents/cm_docs/2012/h/hiv_issue_sheet_low_res.pdf ]

Taking steps

Experts are calling for water and sanitation issues to be addressed by the country's HIV care and treatment programmes and the country's national HIV policy. "Integrating these special needs of people living with the virus in various policies is critically important now," said Mahider Tesfu, a water and sanitation expert with Wateraid.

The Ethiopian government appears to be doing just that. It has laid out ambitious plans [ http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95737/ETHIOPIA-Safe-water-a-glass-half-full ] for water, sanitation and hygiene through its Universal Access Plan II, which seeks to reach 98.5 percent of its population with access to safe water and 100 percent with access to sanitation by 2015.

The country is also drafting a document called "Guidelines to Integrate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene into HIV Programmes", which lays the groundwork for incorporating safe water, sanitation and hygiene practices into all HIV care services being delivered at all levels.

According to UNICEF, the implementation of simple steps such as treating water and washing hands with soap can have a significant impact on prevention of waterborne diseases. "Handwashing with soap has been shown to reduce the incidence of diarrhoeal disease by over 40 percent," said UNICEF's Irfan.

AYAAMAHA BARAKEYSAN IYO CIMRADII XARAMKA-3

AYAAMAHA BARAKEYSAN IYO CIMRADII XARAMKA-3

Ahmed Hassan Arwo

Haddaba iyada oo lixdii shuwaal ay sabtidii ku dhammaatay, ayaan jecleystay inaan soo gunaanado safarkii kheyrka iyo siyaaradii xaramka iyo guud ahaan cibaadada iyo raadka ay ku leedahay dalkan iyo muslimiinta guud ahaan.

Waxa jira waxyaabo u gaar ah Xaramka oon masaajidda kale la qabin. Waxaan isku dayi inta ugu muhiimsan inaan iftiimiyo, si aydun u qiimeysaan karaamada iyo sharafta u gaarka ah.

• Dabcan waxa ugu horreysa inay kabcadu ku taal, waajibna leynaga dhigay inteena shuruudda buuxisaa inay xajka aado ooy masjidkan ku tukadaan kabcadana ay dawaafaan. Waa tiirka shanaad ee islaamnimada, ciddey ku waajibtana laga rabo inuu hal mar faradkaas guto.
• Waxa muhiimiyad aan la qiyaasi Karin siiyey inaynu meel kasta ooynu joogno u soo tukano dhinaciisa ooynu wajigeena ku beegno qiblada oo ah kabcadda.
• Waxa xigta cimrada oo ah sunno kheyr badan oo ajarkiisa qofka laga aqbalo bisha ramadaan u dhigma xajka.
•  iyo salaadda lagu tukado oo boqol kun oo jeer ka ajar badan tan masaajidda kale lagu tukado.
• Waa biyaha samsamka een kala go'a lahayn ee daawo iyo barakaba u garka tahay.
• Waa masjidka keliya ee rag iyo dumarku is jiidhayaan iyagoon weysada iska jabin iskuna dhex tukanayaan, wallow meelo gaar ah loo calamadiyey dumarka si nidaamka iyo nabadooda loo sugo. Haddana intaas kuma joogaan ee meelo badan ayey is dhex tuganayaan.

Intaasi waa kuwa ugu waaweyn, waxa soo raaca qaar yaryar ood dareymeyso waliba kolka aad masaajidda kale muddo ku tukatid.

• Waxa ugu horeysa taraawiixda oo 20 rakcadood iyo seddex witir ah, kolka masaajidda kale 8 rakcadood laga tukado. Waxa sidaas soo raaca majidka Nabiga ee Madina.
• Eedaanka maqrib horteed waxa la ridaa seddex madfac ooy u dhexeyso shan shan mirir, si mawjadda dadka ihi isu diyaariso iyo sida shaqaalaha masjidku u diyaariyaan habkii iyo dariiqii iimaamku mixraabka u iman lahaa.
• Waxa soo raacda daakiraadda ka horreysa salaadda subax oon dalkan masaajidda kale la wadaagin. Isla markaasna waxa sida maqribka eedaanka ka horreeya seddex madfac.

Haddaan intaas ku soo kooba intaan gaar u dareemey iyo xusuusteyda, waxaan mar kale idinla wadaagi hawlaha ay qabtaan shaqaalaha masjidku iyo  iskaashiga loo dhan yahay. Bal waxaad qiyaastaa dad laba milyan ah oo dhowr boqol oo mitir square ku xooban, kala af ah, kala jinsi ah, rag iyo dumar, waayeel la riixaayo iyo dhalin botorinaysa, haween shaqlan oo kulka haya aan marna wajiga fureyn. Bal waxaad ku biirisaa dadkaas oo dul socda marmarka nooca muraayadda ah oo weliba dhammaan cunaaya timir. Bal maxaad fileysaa marmarka iyo lafta timirta iyo guclada muuminiinta, sow ma aha jab iyo dhac waxaad sugaysaa. Waa yaab oo marna maan arag cid dhacday iyo qof turunturooday amba sibibixday toona. Waayo dad tayeysan oo qiireysan  ayaa Alle u diray. Waxa iyana barbar socda wacyigelinta oo dadka inta badani ay timirta ku ridayaan baco ooy ka ilalinayaan inay dhulka u dhacdo. Nadaafadda sida loo adkeeyey ee loo maareeyey waa yaab iyo amakaag.

 Kol keliya ayaad maqlaysaa dhawaaq iyo goobaabo la xidhay oo il bidhiqsi dadka laga joojiyey iyagoo saf siman ugu yareen 50 nadiifiye ay garabka isku hayaan deedna ay mafiiq dheer ay sinta isu saarayaan iyagoo ordaayana ay furayaan halkii ay dadka ka joojiyeen deedna kolba goob sidaas u nadiiifinaaya. Waa hawl aan nasasho lahayn is-tag lahayn, cid ku haleyn lahayn, xamaasad iyo daacadnimo ku dhantay, ajar iyo kheyr-doona hagaayo. Waa nimco Alle iyo iimaanka muuminka. Ma aha oo keliya shaqo dhuuni iyo dhandhan loo galay.

Halkan ka daawo video aan mobilka ku soo duubay iyo sacyiga waa goobtaas halka aan idiinka waramay ee nadafaddu ka socotay iyo xiligaas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhA5nchKX8I

Kana waa xiligii wax yar dabadeed ay  shimbiruhu soo degeen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOVM5AcsaMw

Waxa iyana yaab leh sida ay shimbiraha xamaamku ugu nool yihiin xaramka. Siday uga nabad galaan adimada dadka iyaba cidhiidhiga isku dul socda. Waa rabaayad iyo hanuun Eebbe. Waxay barteen xiliga barxadda masjadka hortiisa ihi saxmaddu ka yaraato. Salaada subax kolka laga baxo oo weli dadku sisimayaan waaguna aanu toos u dilaacin, ayey sida shinida kol kaliya soo cago dhigtaan. Dadka marna kama baqayaan oo waxay magan u yiihin Illaaha ina amray inaynu badbaadino sanko-neeflaha Xaramka jooga. Waxay ogyihiin oo kale in dhowaan ay soo geli doonaan cutubyo wata baabuurta gaashaman ee loogu talogalay inay barxadda maydhaan. Waxa xamaamku si xawli ah u bilaaba inuu ka hordego raga hubka culus soo wata kolkaasay degdeg waxii dhulka u dhacay ay durduro ku liqaan. Sidoo kale ayey duhurka iyo casarka dhexdiisana u qadhaabtaan.

Muuminkow cid si dhab ah u fasili karta dareenka Islaamka ku sugan Xaramku ma jirto. Waa meel barako taal, daal iyo gaajo aadan dareemeyn, hurdana ay mar hore quusatay. Waa bar dulqaad iyo khalaawe aad ku barato naftaada iyo wehelkeeda sheydaan inaad iska celiso aad heleyso, ood u hogaansanaato Allaha ku uumay iyo sharcigiisa. Waxa Wasaaradda Diintu sheegtay in ilaa muddo lix bilood ah ay Xaramka soo booqdeen lix milyan oo debedda ka yimid, intaas in leegina waxay ka soo booqotay gudaha.

Aan ku soo xidho sida wacyegelinta iyo habka casriga ah ee loo isticmaalo. Intaan Xaramka joogay waxa igu soo dhacay oo mobilekeyga ku soo dhacay fariimo shan ah oo ka kala yimid Wasaaradaha Diinta, Khaarajiga, iyo Ammaanka dhammaan ka hadlaaya ilalinta nabadgalyada, soo dhoweynta iyo waajibka qof kasta oo muslim ah ka saran fidinta diinta iyo ilaalinta sharciga. Waxa taas dheer jidadka saxmaddu ka jirto oo iyana si joogta ah laguugu sheegaayo. Qof waliba waxuu moodayaa in isaga si gaar ah loola hadlay deedna xilkeeda ayuu gooni isu saarayaa.

In badan ayaan hore u cimreystay laakiin tani waxay ii ahayd mid gooni ah waayo keligey oon cid la socon ayaan tegay,waxaanan helay fursad aan nafteyda aan ku keliyeysto, cibaadada Alle mooyee aan wax kale i mashquulin. Waxaan ogaaday inay tahay calal aqal hal mar inuu qofku keligii cimreysto si uu ugu go'o cibaadada iyo dareenka barakada yuuruurta Xaramka iyo agagaarkiisa.

Alle heynaga yeelo kuwa ku soo noqnoqda siyaaradda Xaramka iyo kuwa naftooda ka ilaaliya shukansiga sheydaanka, iyo kuwa wanaaga is fara xumaantana iska reeba. Amiin

Tan iyo kulan dambe Insha Allah,

Mahad oo dhan Alle ayaa leh.

Axmed Xasan Carwo

samotalis@gmail.com

   Qaybtii labaad http://samotalis.blogspot.com/2012/08/ayaamaha-barakeysan-iyo-cimradii.html

Qaybtii kowaad http://samotalis.blogspot.com/2012/08/ayaamaha-barakeysan-iyo-cimradii-xaramka.html

http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

AMIIR IYO SIYAASADDA SOOMAALIDA

Mogadishu Safer, but Still Dangerous

Mogadishu Safer, but Still Dangerous-voa

A Ugandan police officer serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia's first Formed Police Unit stands at the top of an armored personnel carrier at a police station in the capital Mogadishu,

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Mohammed Yusuf

August 24, 2012
MOGADISHU — Today whoever visits Somalia's capital will tell you how significantly security has improved in the city. Ordinary Somalis don’t have to face the constant street fighting they endured during the last two decades. But those involved in the process of bringing stable institutions and government to the war-torn country still face an element of danger. Targeted killings in the city are on the rise.

General security has improved in Mogadishu, but journalists, aid workers, and people working for government institutions still face threats to their lives.

Eight journalists and media professionals have been killed in Somalia this year, and suicide bombers tried unsuccessfully to attack the meeting where Somalia's new constitution was passed earlier this month.

The U.S. envoy to Somalia, Ambassador James Swan, praised individuals working with the government despite daily threats against them.

“Let me just say we are very much impressed at the courageousness, not only for media organs but also for example members of the technical selection committee and other involved in this transition process," said Dwan. "They have shown courage, great integrity, a genuine commitment to change here in Somalia.”

The technical selection committee that Swan mentions is working to screen and approve members of Somalia's new parliament. The committee recently rejected more than 60 nominated legislators because of their connection to and involvement in Somalia’s civil war.

This step has angered many warlords in the city and residents fear war may break out between warlords' militias and the African Union (AU) peacekeeping force, known as AMISOM.

Mogadishu has enjoyed a year of peace since AU troops along with Somali government forces drove the militant group al-Shabab out of the city last year.

The threat of street violence has not disappeared entirely. Nearly every street and alley in Mogadishu has a checkpoint administered by clan-based militias who portray themselves as official police.

Informed sources familiar with these checkpoints tell VOA that payment is made to the commander of each checkpoint, and depending how frequently one uses these checkpoints, drivers can pay up to $20 a day or about $200 monthly.

For militiamen manning these checkpoints, it is the only way they can earn a living.

Ambassador Swan said the security forces in the country, both African Union and Somali government forces, must provide a more secure environment for individuals and institutions affiliated with the country’s transition process.

The United Nations special representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, warned no one will be allowed to disturb the relative peace which the country has enjoyed for the last year.

“The force commander of AMISOM, he has given assurance to the international partners and to the process that AMISOM is fully equipped, is fully alert, is on top of the situation and we do not expect the peace that has been won so dearly to be disturbed," said Mahiga.

The peace will be tested in the coming days as the final members of the new parliament are selected and lawmakers then elect a new president. The United Nations hopes the process will give Somalia its first stable central government in more than two decades.

What causes a state to fail?

‘la Politique du Ventre’ Politics of the Belly

Ibrahim Mead

Ottawa, Canada  

What causes a state to fail?

When a state fails to secure the legitimate use of physical force with in its borders it could be said to “fail”, When this is broken according to philosopher Max Weber (e.g. through the dominant presence  of warlords, paramilitary groups, or terrorism), the very existence of the state becomes uncertain, and the state becomes a failed state.”

“Typically, the term means that the state has been rendered ineffective and is not able to enforce its laws uniformly because of (variously), extreme political corruption, an impenetrable and ineffective bureaucracy, judicial ineffectiveness,, and cultural situations in which traditional leaders wield more power than the state over a certain area, endemic corruption or profiteering by ruling elites and resistance to transparency, accountability and political representation.
Includes any widespread loss of popular confidence in state institutions (like the two houses of congress, presidency and judiciary”) Do we smell some thing here!? Has Siilanyo’s Somaliland entered into that zone?

“Chose the right” that is what our religion and all other religions of mankind advice us to do. “Chose the wrong” that is what the wicked Soul tells to some people. It is a choice between the right and the wrong. Mr. Siilanyo unfortunately chose the wrong! He could Flip it if so he may want

President Siilanyo and his administration refused to respond to the Moral foundations of the 2nd Republic of Somaliland! They refused to uphold the hopes and the aspirations of the people of Somaliland! They stampeded the principles and what Somaliland stands for! They compromised the dignity and the integrity of the country and its people all in exchange of monetary benefits that fits in their pockets and the brockets of their friends!

They refused to follow the manifesto of the Kulmiye party we formulated to run for it, and we ran for it and the people responded to that and gave us their vote over others because of this party program.
The manifesto which Mr. Siilanyo threw away upon announcement of his win was the one the people voted for it and it was the one which gave us the victory over UDUB party. Once he trashed that program, then he is morally bound to give back the voters their vote! Under ‘the evolution of Siilanyoism’ the Kulmiye people were betrayed forthwith and by extension the nation at large!
Mr. Siilanyo even refused to follow Allah’s way of “Haljazaaul ixsaani illal ixsaan” Instead, he immediately embraced the immoral and destructive politics of the belly

‘la Politique du Ventre’ Politics of the Belly:
“The Politics of the Belly is a multi faceted metaphor for a form of governance that arose across Africa following independence. Characterized by a controlling government and the interdependence of the elite in control of the private and public spheres, actors on both sides use their status to strengthen their economic and political power The Politics of the belly is a translation of the French: “Politique du Ventre, an expression coined by Cameroonians and borrowed by Jean-François Bayart in his 1989 book: L’etat en Afrique: La Politique du Ventre”

A ‘belly’ oriented governance is distinguish by practicing the politics of the ‘Belly’ by whimsical policy making, unaccountability, unenforced or unjust legal system, the abuse of the executive power, a civil society unengaged in public life and wide spread corruption which made part of their culture! And worst still a government instead of correcting them selves and their deeds  to the best of her ability denies that truth and yet insisting doing it as a way of life while at the same time they say that they “didn’t do it!”

The ‘politics of the belly’, as defined above is a “predatory pursuit, or dash for stealing of wealth and power. That, as a method of governance,”

The predatory nature of Siilanyo’s administration, generates incentives for government Ministers and others to ‘eat’ from the resources of the state. In this fashion, the invasion of ever-wider spheres of economic activity by formal and informal political networks leads to the ‘criminalization of the state’. State becomes criminal of her actions in this case!

In democratic, legitimate governments the head of states are the servants and the people are the owners of the government which the government manages on their behalves and supposedly do so in the right way.
People are in charge and governors are the servants of the people. They are also on contract. When their performance is unsatisfactorily shocking they ought to go and elected others ought to replace them. That is what we expect from a free and a democratic government, we claim we are, but we are not there. Here people are not in charge of any thing. They are the servants of governing clique. They are the cash cow! Their rights are denied by any tantrum Minister People are treated as owned!

When the government is corrupt, and arrogant then that government loses legitimacy. When that happens then it loses the moral authority to govern. It got to change it self or be changed, but sillanyo’s government acts and lives and even threatens the descending voices that they have the gun and the cash and they don’t care the rest of it!

Another model of the ‘politics of the belly’ is the idea that the leaders created incentives for them selves to use “disorder as a political instrument This refers to the process by which political actors in Africa seek to maximize their returns on the state of confusion, uncertainty and sometimes even chaos which characterizes most African politics. The use and creation of personalized informal patron-client networks is central to their argument.”
Such immoral, arrogant and ignorant functionaries in Siilanyo’s government may resort to use this model if and when ever they see it fit in their greediness and that is a bad news for the stability of the whole region. That is becoming Somalia and the world is fed up of one Somalia and can not entertain another one! Somalia already practiced this model!

.Siilanyo administration exhibited that they have predatory and distributional (handing out the public money to families and friends) aims as opposed to developmental ones. They neglected the democratic based political processes but instead appropriated unlimited power to them selves! They corrupted the legislators as well as the “Guurti” If they don’t change their deceptive policy and unguided behavior which they could Somaliaize Somaliland and the two ‘Amigos’ will meet in a Ugandan tent! Or most likely in mansions over seas and in the end in dark holes where they will meet their deeds

That ‘belly’ politics will put Somaliland to a breakdown and, then disorder will descend until we become like Somalia.(God for bid) That is where Siilanyo and Sharef or who ever inherits Awo Sharef will meet!

A failed state would endanger their own citizens and terrorize their neighbours by importing refugees, political instability and random warfare’ Somalia is already doing it!

The far-reaching more pervasive and all out corruption, greater economic crises, with a larger breakdown of political institutions is another way states fail.
It is these regimes that give credibility to Bayart’s notion of (politics of the belly)

Siilanyo’s government acts and conducts business as though the government is their own store and the people do not own the government and the people has nothing to do with what the government does! The fact is that the people are the only legitimate owners of the government, but that legitimacy is not there in Siilanyo’s administration! By name we are democratic; in real live we are not. Siilanyo acts as a tin pot dictator and uncaring guy

When the government lacks the fundamental requirements of acceptable level of good governance, when it lacks the political renewal by her own actions or inactions or reactions, when they practice the politics of the ‘Belly’ that government is Mr. Siilanyo’s government! That government lost the moral authority to govern their victims! There is no legitimacy for a rotten government. They got to change themselves or be changed! Peace and prayers for the Mother

Ibrahim Mead