UN MUST LEAD WAY IN CONFLICT MEDIATION EFFORTS WORLDWIDE, SAY TOP OFFICIALS

UN MUST LEAD WAY IN CONFLICT MEDIATION EFFORTS WORLDWIDE, SAY TOP OFFICIALS

The United Nations must enhance its capacity to provide mediation support to prevent conflicts worldwide, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, adding that partnerships with regional organizations and civil society would be crucial to achieve this.

During an informal session on mediation at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Ban <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=5672">said he was pleased by the progress that had been made to increase mediation efforts in the past five years, but noted there was still much to be done in this area.

"I am pleased to note how far we have come in recognizing mediation as an invaluable tool for conflict management and resolution," he told the General Assembly during an informal session on mediation. "Today we are able to offer more consistent and professional support to complex peacemaking processes, whether undertaken by the UN or its partners."

Mr. Ban stressed that there must be a more "comprehensive approach to conflict management" and said he intends to hold consultations with Member States, regional organizations and civil society to develop guidance for more effective mediation.

The meeting, which was attended by high-level officials, academics and representatives of civil society, sought to promote mediation as a tool of peaceful resolution of disputes among countries, and serve as a forum to share experiences on conflict prevention, peacemaking, and peacekeeping.

The meeting is the first of a series of events on the topic, which has been a high-priority issue on the General Assembly agenda after a resolution passed in June called for countries to strengthen their mediation capacities and promote women's participation in mediation forums.

"The world is going through a particularly difficult time and transition, and the United Nations can – and should – play an important role in resolving disputes and conflicts worldwide," said General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, who organized the meeting.

"There has been a growing interest in mediation within the UN system, among Member States and other actors. This encouraging trend, as well as my firm belief in the critical role of mediation for peaceful resolution to disputes, led me to suggest the theme 'The role of mediation in the settlement of disputes' for the General Debate this session," he said in his opening remarks.

Mr. Al-Nasser also emphasized there are a number of challenges that need to be tackled when it comes to mediation, both at Headquarters and on the ground, stressing the UN needs to find ways to provide sufficient mediation resources in all the countries that require them and learn from previous mediation efforts.

"Sometimes mediation endeavours are carried out by regional, sub-regional organizations, national actors or by civil society," he said. "However, we have seen that even in such situations, the support of the United Nations was still necessary."

Mr. Al-Nasser said he was encouraged by the positive response and support from Member States for this issue and said today's discussion would contribute to the mediation guidance requested by the resolution adopted in June.

Op-Ed:A lesson in stability from Somaliland, Recognition of Somaliland will have positive consequences for the Horn of Africa

Op-Ed:A lesson in stability from Somaliland, Recognition of Somaliland will have positive consequences for the Horn of Africa

LEWIS CENTER, Ohio — Last month Al Shabaab, the Somali fundamentalist Islamist group with ties to Al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for a deadly truck bombing in Mogadishu in which more than 85 Somali students died as they waited in line to see if they had won scholarships to study in Turkey.

Somalia arguably is the world's most ungovernable country, and a graveyard for many of the United Nations' unsustainable policy initiatives.

But in reality Somalia is three different entities: Somaliland, Puntland and south central Somalia, where the current humanitarian disaster is unfolding.

Somaliland, the northern territory of Somalia, has shown itself to be a lawful and productive nation. Somaliland's order contrasts dramatically with the rest of Somalia, which has collapsed into clan-driven violence, terrorism, piracy and lawlessness.

The chronic instability in Somalia highlights that America and the West must find a new pragmatic approach which reflects the new reality on the ground.

Luckily, an overlooked partner for peace and stability already exists — Somaliland, which re-declared its independence in 1991. It was briefly independent in 1960.

More: UN declares famine in Somalia

Right now the United States is expending vast resources supporting a fictional Somali government led by Sheik Sharif Ahmed. While for political reasons, the Obama administration has refused to support and recognize a source of strength in the area — the stable, functioning and democratic entity of Somaliland, which stands for freedom and democracy.

I believe recognizing democratic Somaliland would have positive consequences not just for Somalia, but for the whole Horn of Africa region. It offers a platform to stabilize southern Somalia, a bulwark against radical forces in the region and a reliable partner to combat the piracy that is the scourge of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian ocean.
Somaliland's success shows the world that Somalis have the ability to manage their own affairs, reconcile various clans, compromise and govern themselves, with little or no outside help.

Somaliland as an example that could provide the rest of southern Somalia's rival clans an incentive to stop fighting among themselves in the interest of their own citizens, to reach out adversaries for the sake of ending the civil strife, and to begin moving toward good governance.

More: Aid workers kidnapped by Al Shabaab

If southern Somali clans used the Somaliland model, they could develop a more stable society, which would start to alleviate the heavy burden the Somali refugees had on its neighbors, especially Kenya, which is hosting more than 600,000 people who have fled the current famine and the violence in southern Somalia.

Granting full diplomatic recognition for Somaliland would help it rebuild its shattered economy. With a stable economy, Somaliland would become stronger and be able to provide more resources for education, health, agriculture, water and economic development, which would improve the livelihood of its people, especially for young people.

This would be bad news for Al Shabaab, which controls much of central and southern Somalia, because its Al Qaeda-style extremist ideology would diminish.

More deadly drone attacks or proxy African troops alone will not dismantle or defeat Al Shabaab in Somalia.

Somalia's chronic instability is causing piracy to thrive in many small ports in its coastline, and is costing the world economy billions every year.

Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in eastern corner of Somalia, is the hub of the pirates that now plague much of the Gulf of Aden and the north Indian Ocean.

But Somaliland, which has a nascent coast guard that has cracked down on piracy on its 585 miles of coastline, is willing to contribute significantly with the United States and the West efforts to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden — one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

If it were to become a member of the international community, Somaliland would be able to equip and modernize its counter-piracy operations and could become a reliable partner to the international community in eliminating piracy.

Recognizing Somaliland would not be the negative step some US State Department diplomats, particularly those who are experts on Africa, think it might be. I believe if America were to take the lead, many other countries would quickly follow.

It is time for President Barack Obama to lead the world and do the right thing by accepting the viable and sustainable solution — an independent and sovereign Somaliland.

Anything else would mean keeping the status-quo: more terrorism and chaos in Somalia, which could threaten the whole region. And for democratic Somaliland it would mean unjust delay for its diplomatic recognition and fewer resources to develop its economy. It would also leave the country to fend for itself from menacing piracy and extremism.

Op-Ed:A lesson in stability from Somaliland, Recognition of Somaliland will have positive consequences for the Horn of Africa
Comments (14)
LEWIS CENTER, Ohio — Last month Al Shabaab, the Somali fundamentalist Islamist group with ties to Al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for a deadly truck bombing in Mogadishu in which more than 85 Somali students died as they waited in line to see if they had won scholarships to study in Turkey.

Somalia arguably is the world's most ungovernable country, and a graveyard for many of the United Nations' unsustainable policy initiatives.

But in reality Somalia is three different entities: Somaliland, Puntland and south central Somalia, where the current humanitarian disaster is unfolding.



Somaliland, the northern territory of Somalia, has shown itself to be a lawful and productive nation. Somaliland's order contrasts dramatically with the rest of Somalia, which has collapsed into clan-driven violence, terrorism, piracy and lawlessness.

The chronic instability in Somalia highlights that America and the West must find a new pragmatic approach which reflects the new reality on the ground.

Luckily, an overlooked partner for peace and stability already exists — Somaliland, which re-declared its independence in 1991. It was briefly independent in 1960.

More: UN declares famine in Somalia

Right now the United States is expending vast resources supporting a fictional Somali government led by Sheik Sharif Ahmed. While for political reasons, the Obama administration has refused to support and recognize a source of strength in the area — the stable, functioning and democratic entity of Somaliland, which stands for freedom and democracy.

I believe recognizing democratic Somaliland would have positive consequences not just for Somalia, but for the whole Horn of Africa region. It offers a platform to stabilize southern Somalia, a bulwark against radical forces in the region and a reliable partner to combat the piracy that is the scourge of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian ocean.
Somaliland's success shows the world that Somalis have the ability to manage their own affairs, reconcile various clans, compromise and govern themselves, with little or no outside help.

Somaliland as an example that could provide the rest of southern Somalia's rival clans an incentive to stop fighting among themselves in the interest of their own citizens, to reach out adversaries for the sake of ending the civil strife, and to begin moving toward good governance.

More: Aid workers kidnapped by Al Shabaab

If southern Somali clans used the Somaliland model, they could develop a more stable society, which would start to alleviate the heavy burden the Somali refugees had on its neighbors, especially Kenya, which is hosting more than 600,000 people who have fled the current famine and the violence in southern Somalia.

Granting full diplomatic recognition for Somaliland would help it rebuild its shattered economy. With a stable economy, Somaliland would become stronger and be able to provide more resources for education, health, agriculture, water and economic development, which would improve the livelihood of its people, especially for young people.

This would be bad news for Al Shabaab, which controls much of central and southern Somalia, because its Al Qaeda-style extremist ideology would diminish.

More deadly drone attacks or proxy African troops alone will not dismantle or defeat Al Shabaab in Somalia.

Somalia's chronic instability is causing piracy to thrive in many small ports in its coastline, and is costing the world economy billions every year.

Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in eastern corner of Somalia, is the hub of the pirates that now plague much of the Gulf of Aden and the north Indian Ocean.

But Somaliland, which has a nascent coast guard that has cracked down on piracy on its 585 miles of coastline, is willing to contribute significantly with the United States and the West efforts to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden — one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

If it were to become a member of the international community, Somaliland would be able to equip and modernize its counter-piracy operations and could become a reliable partner to the international community in eliminating piracy.

Recognizing Somaliland would not be the negative step some US State Department diplomats, particularly those who are experts on Africa, think it might be. I believe if America were to take the lead, many other countries would quickly follow.

It is time for President Barack Obama to lead the world and do the right thing by accepting the viable and sustainable solution — an independent and sovereign Somaliland.

Anything else would mean keeping the status-quo: more terrorism and chaos in Somalia, which could threaten the whole region. And for democratic Somaliland it would mean unjust delay for its diplomatic recognition and fewer resources to develop its economy. It would also leave the country to fend for itself from menacing piracy and extremism.

Ali Mohamed

Ali Mohamed is co-founder of the Horn of Africa Freedom Foundation, a grass-roots level organization advocating for the advancement of freedom and democratic values for the indigenous people of the Horn of Africa

ETHIOPIA: Government moves to address road-accident toll

ETHIOPIA: Government moves to address road-accident toll

ADDIS ABABA, 8 November 2011 (IRIN) - Improved access to emergency medical care and compulsory third-party insurance coverage could help to lower Ethiopia's high road-traffic accident death toll, say officials.

"At least one person dies out of [every] five car accidents occurring in this country," said Bamlaku Alemayehu, inspector of Ethiopia's National Road Safety Coordination Office. "Most of these victims die due to a lack of proper medical services, such as getting immediate medical assistance on time."

At least 70 people die in every 10,000 vehicle accidents annually in Ethiopia, according to government reports; the average fatality rate is 60 per 10,000 vehicles across sub-Saharan African countries, according to the World Health Organization [ http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/88/3/09-067512.pdf ].

A study by a member of the Swedish Medical University of Lund, Road Traffic Accidents in Ethiopia: magnitude, causes and possible interventions [ http://www.aracneeditrice.it/pdf/1868.pdf ], published in the Advances in Transportation Studies journal, also suggests the numbers could be "in excess of 100 fatalities per 10,000 vehicles", noting that official statistics are susceptible to under-reporting.

As of 2007-2008, Ethiopia had 95 traffic accident fatalities per 10,000 vehicles, states a 2009 UN Economic Commission For Africa report.

According to the Lund study, inadequate communication to immediately inform officials and hospital emergency services about traffic accidents in rural areas is a problem, implying "that many accidents and the number of victims cannot be registered".

Poor emergency medical services and the absence of compulsory liability insurance laws are among reasons contributing to the high fatality rates, it says, adding that "in the urban areas, although traffic police and hospitals are available, accident victims are usually evacuated by bystanders who [have] neither the necessary skills nor equipment in pre-hospital care.

"And many of the victims are underprivileged people and they can neither afford out-of-pocket payments nor do they have health insurance to receive healthcare services, [thus many such casualties] are not reported."

A poor road network and limited enforcement of existing traffic laws and the poor condition of vehicles are other factors.

Under the National Road Safety Strategy Plan, launched in July 2011, Ethiopia hopes to halve the fatality rate by 2020. The plan will tap into more than 30,000 health extension workers, enabling them to provide first-aid services to accident victims.

"These kinds of care-givers could save many lives [lost] as a result of blood loss, since they are living within the community," said Bamlaku.

The Ministry of Health is also expected to distribute some 800 ambulances to each Woreda (district), train paramedics and strengthen health facilities at the Woreda level through trained emergency medical service personnel.

"At the moment, the consequences of car accidents [are] terrible considering the capacity of the country's medical services," he said.

Insurance laws

Ethiopia is one of very few countries in the world where third-party liability insurance is not a legal obligation. If and when they become compulsory, such policies will provide compensation for road accident survivors who can neither afford out-of-pocket payments nor health insurance.

"It might seem a bit late to start this kind of mechanism compared to other countries but it's better late than never," said Byleyegn Bekele, spokesperson for the Insurance Fund administering the compensation scheme.

A mix of revised laws that set a uniform standard in the issuance of driving licences, empower organizations such as the federal transport authorities and impose heftier fines for traffic violations could also help, according to officials.

Over half of road traffic accident deaths in Ethiopia involve pedestrians, of whom 20 percent are children younger than 18 years old.

Globally, at least 1.2 million people die on the road every year, with low- and middle-income countries accounting for 90 percent of the deaths, despite having only 48 percent of the world's vehicles, according to a WHO [ http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241563840_eng.pdf ] global status report on road safety.

Nearly half of those killed are pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and passengers in public transport.

Ethiopian police records show that between 2003 and 2007, at least 76 percent of fatal accidents were due to driver error, 6 percent due to vehicle defects, 5 percent due to pedestrian error, 2 percent due to road defects and the balance due to other causes.

"Unless the present trend is arrested, the social and economic problem of road accidents is bound to become more and more serious as the number of cars increases," warns the National Road Safety Strategic Plan.

Road traffic accidents help perpetuate poverty as families struggle with rehabilitation costs or funeral expenses after the loss of breadwinners. The Lund University study noted that the accidents led to "families being deprived or trapped by a cycle of poverty, in a country where there are no social security services".

According to the study, pedestrians and passengers of commercial vehicles were the most vulnerable in Ethiopia, whereas in high-income countries accidents mainly involve private vehicles, with the driver being the main occupant injured or killed.

WHO projects road traffic injuries will be the fifth-leading cause of death globally by 2030.

bt/aw/mw

[END]

TACSI KA TIMID MADAXWEYNAHA SOMALILAND

TACSI KA TIMID MADAXWEYNAHA SOMALILAND   Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyada Somaliland, Mudane: Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud (Siila anyo) waxa uu tacsi tiiraanyo leh u dirayaa dhamaan Qoyskii, Qaraabdii, Asxaabtii iyo Ehelkii Alle ha u naxariistee Marxuum Maxamud Ciise Jaamac. Madaxwaynuhu waxa uu ILLAAHAY uga bary ayaa Marxuumka inuu naxariistii Janno ka waraabiyo, Qoyskii, Ehel adii, Qaraabadii iyo dham aan Shacabka reer Somaliland-na samir iyo iimaan ka siiyo. Maxamud Ciise Jaamac oo ahaa Aqoonyahan sare, siyaasi iyo oday dhaqan, wuxu ka mid aha a dhallinyaro reer Somaliland ee qurbaha wax barasho u baxda kuwii ugu horeeyey, isagoo U tagay wadanka Ingiriiska 1952kii soona bartay Cilmiga Beeraha, wuxuna markii dambe ka mid noqday Siyaasiyiintii Somaliya, isagoo dorashadii 1964ka barlamanka galay. Allaha U naxariistee Marxum Maxamud Ciise Jaamac waxa uu xilal kala duwan kasoo qabtay dawladihii rayidka ahaa ee Soomaliya, isaga oo muddo ahaa Wasiirkii Beeraha. Marxuum Ma xamud Ciise markii dambe wuu isaga diga rogtay siyaasada wuxuna ka mid noqday Aas aasasayaashii Mashruuca Ceelbardaale . Markii u Halgankii dib u xoreynta ee SNM bilaabmay wuxu ka mid ahaa raggii bud-dhiga u noq day ee tallo iyo taagba u huray xorayntii dalka. Waxuu ahaa samotalis dun wacan oo mar wa lba xagga wanaagga wax ka eega. Alle ha ka yeelo marxuumka kuwa dhaxla janatul fardows, ehel iyo asxaab iyo reer Somalila nd guud ahaan ha inaga yeelo kuwa laasima samir iyo duco. Aamiin.   The Office of Somaliland Presidential Advisor on: Economy, Commerce, and Investments. Mr. Ahmed Hassan Arwo Eci.advisor@gmail.com 002522 409 64 21 UK 07 904020 679

Essence of Haj

Essence of Haj

Today is the Day of Arafat. More than 2.5 million pilgrims, including 1.8 million who have come from abroad, will gather on the plains of Arafat today for the most important ritual of the Haj — praying, chanting and reciting the Qur'anic verses and supplicating before their Creator.

Makkah has been reverberating with chants of "Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik" (O God, here I am answering your call) for the last few weeks as pilgrims from around the world started arriving in the holy city for what is often described as once-in-a-lifetime journey of faith.

Pilgrims converged on the tent city of Mina on Friday where they spent the day and night in prayer and meditation before heading for Arafat.

For thousands of years, the believers from around the world have traveled to Makkah for Haj. This spiritual and emotional journey includes the offering of the animal sacrifice that also marks the Eid Al-Adha across the world.

What is the Haj? Most people around the world would have no difficulty describing it as the Islamic pilgrimage and the greatest religious congregation on the earth. Few, however, realize that Haj is a celebration of the ultimate sacrifice offered by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail (peace be upon them), thousands of years ago. Ibrahim, revered by the Christians, Jews and Muslims as their patriarch, was no stranger to sacrifices. All his life he had wandered all across this ancient land, spreading the word of God and suffering every adversity possible in the process. When ordained by Allah, Ibrahim moved his wife to the wilderness of Arabia. Again, it was here in Makkah that the father and son were told to build the first House of God.

Ultimately, it was Ibrahim's willingness to offer his beloved son's life as ordained in a dream that culminated in the trial of this great prophet and humanity's sage. The Qur'an tells us Ismail was replaced by a ram just when Ibrahim was about to slay his beloved son. The pilgrimage reminds us of this supreme act of sacrifice and unquestioning submission to the divine will.

So for centuries the pilgrims from around the world have come to the Holy Land to remember and celebrate that noble sacrifice of the illustrious father-son duo. They retrace and relive the spiritual journey of Ibrahim and Ismail, just as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did more than 1400 years ago. From running between the Safa and Marwa hills, just as a helpless Hajrah did looking for water for a thirsting Ismail a long time ago, to living and praying in the open and finally offering their own symbolic, animal sacrifice, the pilgrims walk in Ibrahim's footsteps — literally.

The Haj is thus a saga of ultimate sacrifice, total submission and unshakable faith. It's also a celebration of the unity of mankind and equality of all men and women before God. The faithful appear before Him devoid of all pretensions and false distinctions, wearing a humble, two-piece, unstitched cloth. And everyone is equal before God — black and white, men and women, rich and poor. Is there a more liberating, equalizing faith? http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

--
Posted By Blogger to SAMOTALIS at 11/05/2011 02:25:00 AM

Breaking News - M5 CRASH - Live Footage- Many Casualties And Fatalities

Kenya Warns Against Flights in Somalia Amid Arms Shipments

Bloomberg

Kenya Warns Against Flights in Somalia Amid Arms Shipments
By Sarah McGregor and Paul Richardson

(Updates with report Eritrean ambassador summoned in first paragraph.)

Nov. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Kenya warned aircraft against flying over an area of Somalia where arms shipments may have been delivered to al-Shabaab, as it reportedly summoned Eritrea’s ambassador about allegations his country is supplying weapons to the militants.

At least three aircraft have landed in southern Somalia carrying weapons suspected of being for the al-Qaeda-linked militia, which is being targeted by Kenyan military forces that began an incursion into Somalia on Oct. 16. Two of the aircraft landed in Baidoa, 224 kilometers (139 miles) northwest of Mogadishu, army spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said.

“We know Baidoa is being used to deliver weapons,” Chirchir said today in a telephone interview in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. “Every time we have a delivery, we are going to take that aircraft down.”

Kenya’s government accuses al-Shabaab of murdering a British tourist in Kenya and abducting at least four visitors and aid workers, damaging a tourism industry that is the East African nation’s second-biggest foreign-exchange earner. Al- Shabaab denies the charges.

While heavy rainfall has hampered the advance of Kenya troops, the military is targeting 10 Somali towns, including the port of Kismayo, which is a main supply route for al-Shabaab, and warned residents there to be cautious.

Chirchir said last month Kenyan forces are “willing to celebrate Christmas” in Kismayo if it takes that long to arrive there. The army hasn’t provided any schedule for its planned advance or details on the size of its force.

Al-Shabaab Fight

Al-Shabaab has been fighting Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s United Nations-backed government, which is supported by a 9,500-member African Union force, for four years and controls most of southern and central Somalia.

“All aircraft are hereby warned not to land in Baidoa,” Chirchir said in a statement on his Twitter account yesterday. “Anyone violating this will be doing so at their peril. Further unauthorized flying over the region will be considered a threat.”

Two aircraft that landed at Baidoa may have departed from Eritrea, the Nairobi-based Standard newspaper reported on Nov. 2, citing unidentified websites in Somalia that quoted al- Shabaab. A third aircraft may have also originated in Eritrea, the Daily Nation, based in Nairobi, said yesterday.

Eritrea denied it is supplying arms to al-Shabaab and said there is no evidence it has any military involvement in Somalia, according to a statement e-mailed by the country’s Foreign Ministry on Nov. 2.

Ambassador Summoned

“We don’t know what the source of the shipment is,” Chirchir said today.

Eritrean Ambassador Beyene Russom met Kenyan Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula after the diplomat was summoned to discuss allegations his country was involved in shipping arms to al-Shabaab, the Daily Nation reported today, without citing anyone. Russom wasn’t immediately available for comment on the report, an assistant at his Nairobi-based office who declined to be identified in line with embassy policy, said by phone.

Eritrea may be providing financial and logistical support to armed opposition groups in Somalia and other countries including Uganda, Djibouti and Ethiopia, according to a July report by the United Nations Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea.

Nairobi Bombings

Kenya’s navy yesterday intercepted a skiff carrying suspected militants, killing all 18 people on board, Chirchir said. Al-Shabaab has threatened to retaliate against Kenya.

Last month, two bomb blasts in Nairobi killed one person and injured 28 in attacks the government said were inspired by al-Shabaab. A man arrested in connection with the bombings, Elgiva Bwire Oliacha, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to charges including engaging in organized criminal activity and of being a member of al-Shabaab.

Chirchir also warned Kenyan livestock traders not to sell donkeys to al-Shabaab militants, who are using the animals to carry weapons.

“The locals use donkeys to fetch water for domestic use, however, due to the heavy rains water-fetching is not feasible,” he said. “Any large concentration and movement of loaded donkeys will be considered as al-Shabaab activity.”

--Editors: Karl Maier, Vernon Wessels, Heather Langan

To contact the reporters on this story: Sarah McGregor in Nairobi at smcgregor5@bloomberg.net; Paul Richardson in Nairobi at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Louis Meixler at lmeixler@bloomberg.net