A Response to the London Conference on Somalia: Building Momentum

A Response to the London Conference on Somalia: Building Momentum
 

Somaliland Societies in Europe

360 Great Western Street

Manchester

M14 4BY

Mob: 00447930655099

Website: sseuro.com

Email: info@sseuro.com

 

 

 

Date: 20^th January 2012

Ref:SSE 20919012011

 A Response to the London Conference on Somalia: Building Momentum

 Dear Sir and or Madam,

 Somaliland Society in Europe (SSE) is a network of organizations representing about 45 Somaliland Diaspora community organizations from 11 European countries.

 We are writing to you to share with you our position on the upcoming London Conference.

 We welcome that the British government by hosting this International Conference has bravely decided to actively engage in restoring peace and stability in Somalia. It is a noble act and a goodwill gesture on the part of the British government to help Somalia stand on its feet again. As SSE we welcome every genuine effort to end the anarchy and lawlessness in our neighboring country, Somalia, and help her emerge from the abyss of total failure.

 We have closely studied the key objectives of the Conference and are startled to note that one of the key objectives of the Conference is to offer:

 "The opportunity to reinforce the relative stability in areas of Somalia, such as Somaliland and Puntland and in the south"

 This statement clearly indicates that the organization of the Conference is not carefully considered. It indicates a fundamental confusion and misrecognition on the part of the organizers of whose problem they want to address and whose interest they want to serve. The organizers intend to clumsily drag the peaceful and stable Republic of Somaliland into the lawless and chaotic Somalia. This is an ill-advised objective which at best will certainly fail to deliver any positive outcome, and at worst jeopardize the very peace and stability it very much seeks to establish. The organizers have failed to appreciate that the central themes of the Conference (peace and stability) are not relevant to the Republic of Somaliland anymore than they are to the neighboring countries of Ethiopia and Kenya and Yemen across the waters.

 We want to draw your attention to your gross negligence of acknowledging the de jure status of the Republic of Somaliland and mentioning it in the same breath as Somalia's regional state of Puntland casts doubt upon the genuineness of the Conference. The aspiring Republic of Somaliland may not have secured an international recognition, but one cannot deny what it has achieved over the past twenty years and what it wants to achieve: an international recognition for its sovereignty. It is certainly clear that the organizers of this Conference have on both of these two accounts committed serious miscalculation and misread the political dynamics and developments on the ground.

 We fully acknowledge and trust you will agree that the Republic of Somaliland can play an instrumental role in restoring peace and stability to the Horn of Africa, in the fight against piracy and terrorism, and it can be a strategic partner in curbing the unpredictable and uncertain political situation unfolding in the Gulf of Aden. It can play a constructive role in the wider region because it has established effective and working institutions despite being unrecognized by the International Community and despite being surrounded by extremely violence, terrorism and piracy. However, the Republic of Somaliland will fulfill its role if, and only if, its aspiration to join the list of free nations is fully endorsed. SSE strongly believes that a recognition of the aspiring Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign state is in the interest of the International Community.

 For this London Conference to have any chances of success one should consider the previous 16 failed internationally endorsed Somalia Conferences. They all had one thing in common: piecing the fractured former Somali Republic together. For this Conference not to join its predecessors in the dustbin of history its organizers should seriously consider the dynamics on the ground. Any attempt to revive the failed Somali nation state either federalized or centralized will be disastrous and dangerous; and any attempt to persuade the government of the Republic of Somaliland to participate in this ill-advised Conference will surely be counterproductive. We, therefore, call on the London Conference organizers, the UK government and the International Community to seriously consider a Two-State Solution to the Somali conundrum.

 SSE fully endorses for representatives of the Republic of Somaliland to participate where there is a national interest for that emerging nation. We consider that this Conference is not serving the interest of Somaliland. On the contrary it undermines its aspiration to secure a de jure status. We, therefore, call on the government of the Republic of Somaliland to abstain from attending the Conference and strongly discourage our member organizations or individuals affiliated with us to participate.

 We fully support and welcome the decision of the government of the Republic of Somaliland that it will not be taking part in the Conference. Any change to this position due to pressure from the International Community will be considered as a dangerous move and a historical mistake.

 We sincerely hope that the organizers of the Conference will consider the concerns raised in the foregoing and correct it accordingly in order for the Conference to deliver positive outcome for all concerned.

  

SSE Executive Committee,

 CC:

-  The Presidency, the Republic of Somaliland

-  The House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland

-  The House of Elders of the Republic of Somaliland

-  National Political Parties of the Republic of Somaliland

-  Dr Augustine Mahiga, UN Special Representative for Somalia

-  UK All Parliamentary Group for Republic of Somaliland

Somaliland Independence and Sovereignty is Sacred and Non-negotiable

Somaliland Independence and Sovereignty is Sacred and Non-negotiable

http://www.saylicipress.net 

On behalf of the "Mahad Ase" Committee of North America we are hereby to express tabout our utmost outrage of the so-called Taleh conference. We condemn the empty ,  hostile utterances and  mirage wishes coming from that so-called meeting which is clearly an anti-Somaliland forum.

We also very regretful about  how the Somaliland government has allowed such a meeting where so many criminals, anti-Somaliland charlatans, failed warlords and other shady personalities participated. Such a meeting or any one like It cannot and will not affect Somaliland right for self-determination and sovereignty. We are also here to declare our readiness to defend our country and independence against anyone who dare to interfere our internal affairs.

Few Days picnic or get together can do nothing to our hard won independence. We will also like to inform the vagabond so-called " Awdal State" and the life hotel dwellers "Ismail Buubaa" you do not have the moral fortitude, integrity or following to say anything about the Republic of Somaliland. So-called IGAD dictators,  or the declining lackluster organization,  the UN, or tribalist,  the Fascist Siyad Barre remnant called "Osman Hassan"  do not have the power to reverse Somaliland's self-determination. So-called Mirage Awdal State that never existed have already Vanished From the Scene. The whole thing was the work of few welfare recipients in North America. That false dream was dead on arrival as we already predicted. If you know the "SNM" war of independence and its ferocity, can you image the intensity of a defensive war Somaliland and it s people will launch had we attacked by the sworn enemies who hate our freedom and independence.  Let us learn from DPRK, Vietnam, Cuba, Nicaragua, and others who were the victims of imperialist forces and their allies and supporters.

  http://www.saylicipress.net/opinion101/2012/01/18/somaliland-independence-and-sovereignty-is-sacred-and-non-negotiable/ 

Long Life the Peoples' Republic of Somaliland

Skilled Somalilanders Who Return Home Deserve Respect

Skilled Somalilanders Who Return Home Deserve Respect By Adan Iman

The Somaliland constitution confers on all Somalilanders, whether in the Diaspora or living inside the country, equal rights to hold elective and appointive offices as well as to engage in private business. This official welcome does encourage some of the Diaspora people to end their long self-exiles and return to their country of origin. But unfortunately on some occasions,some prominent members of the Diaspora are subjected to negative rumors, innuendos and open criticisms in order to smear their reputations

People who return home have different reasons for doing so. There are those who are of old age and would like to spend their last years at home. There are alsothose who haveaccumulated wealth and would like to invest their funds there; and there are those ambitious individuals who after earning degrees and working as professionals overseasdecide to utilize their knowledge and skills to make a difference for their people.

However, some local elites apparently believe that they alone are straight (way toosanyihii) and that Diaspora people are crooked (way qaloocanyihiin). They try to find faults with them, question the source of money they bring into the country and do not even spare women from those attacks.

This is not an easy statement to make but it is one validated by our recent experience.

Skilled Diaspora Somalilanders who assimilated the liberal traditions and the institutional basis of the industrialized world are needed to transfer the skills they possess to move the country forward. We need eminent engineers, scientists, doctors, agriculturalists, economists, businesspeople, writers, lawyers etc. We cannot afford to fish for faults and attack those skilled Diaspora Somalilanders. We need a culture that receive those people with open arms and accord them the respect they deserve. Diaspora people are needed not only to remit the money that sustains the lives of our people but also to transfer the skills they possess.

When I heard the recent attacks against the Somaliland Minister of Minerals, Energy & Water Resources, Hussein Abdi Duale, I told myself: alas it is déjà vu all over again. Why this reaction? Because Hussein Abdi Duale is not the first, nor will he be the last former Diaspora Somalilander, who is subjected to a smear campaign. Multiple people before him, men and women, were subjected to similar attacks. It is needless to identify here individuals who were unfairly subjected to such treatment before. Everybody who happens to read this piece knows a man or a woman from the Diaspora who was subjected to similar attacks.

Hussein A. Duale came to Los Angeles around 1984 from Oklahoma and stayed here till 2010 when he was appointed a cabinet minister in Somaliland. During his long stay here in Los Angeles with us he established a solid reputation among our community as charismatic and articulate. He is very skilled petroleum engineer. He also became a competent manager through his long experience in the private and public sectors.

Hussein worked closely with the late Saeed Maygag Samatar in promoting the interest of Somaliland. In the early 1990's, for example, they collected and shipped relief supplies to the people displaced by the war. Hussein also was one of the founding members of SOPRI. If Saeed Meygag Samatar spent countless hours of his precious time and his own financial resources for Somaliland cause, Hussein Duale, driven by the same spirit of patriotism as that of Saeed, walked away from a high paying government job in Los Angeles in order to serve his people. The fact is some people are not satisfied with the affluence they achieve in the rich countries and aspire to help their fellow Somalilanders at home to improve their lives. Such was Saeed Meygag and such is Hussein Duale.

Speaking at a farewell luncheon held in his honor a year and half ago shortly after being appointed as cabinet minister, Hussein told the Somaliland community in southern California that he would be a workaholic in Hargeisa. He joked that the folks over there may think that he had no other life than work. True to his promise, he has worked very hard for the people since assuming his new responsibilities. He brought in new companies to explore oil and gas. He was also involved in reaching an agreement with Ethiopia to ship oil and gas from Ethiopia through the port of Berbera. His ministry is busy drilling water wells and building reservoirs. If the goals he is pursuing are achieved, he may end up having a potentially transformative and consequential impact in the country. Because of his engineering and managerial skills as wells as his ethics of hard work, Hussein is the right person to lead the effort to explore what lies underneath the soil in Somaliland.

One wonders why the media is not reporting the positive things this hard working minister is doing for the country. Good news is newsworthy too.

Recently, Hussein told the press of his dream should oil and gas befound and exploited in Somaliland. He stated the country would follow the example of Norway. Norway, you may recall, is famous for transparently putting the proceeds from its oil for the benefit of the people. This vision can only be articulated by someone who is patriotic and honest.

Finally many of the Diaspora people who return home bring jobs and skills and expertise to the country. They are not a threat to anybody; rather they are amajor asset to the country. There is no justification for any tension or animus by one group against another. The country demands that they all respect each other, and work together to move the country forward and create better future for our children.

Email: ahiman2@aol.com

Adan H Iman is Diaspora Somalilander from Awdal Region who lives in California

Xaglo-Toosiye oo qaadacay go'aankii shirkii Taleex soo dhaweeyay gogoshii nabadeed ee Madaxwaynaha

Hargeysa (HWN) Guddoomiyaha kooxda Nabad Diidka Ah ee SSC Saleebaan Xaglo Toosiye ayaa si weyn u qaadacay Shirkii dhawaan ka dhacay Degmada Taleex iyo maamulkii lagaga dhawaaqayba, sheegayna inuusan Ogoleyn Magaca loobixiyay ee Khaatuma oo ay dad badan oo deegaankaa u dhashay ku qanacsanayn.

Xaglo toosiye waxa uu sheegay in shirkaasi uu ahaa mid baalmarsan shuruucda isla markaana ay wateen kooxo mabaadii fogfog wata.

Ilo xog ogaal ah oo ka ag dhaw Saleebaan Xagla toosiye ayaa Shabakaddan Caalamiga ah ee Hadhwanaagnews u sheegaya in uu soo dhaweeyay gogogashii nabadeed ee uu Madaxweynaha Somaliland Md. Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud Siilaanyo u fidiyay kooxaha nabad diidka, waxaanu sheegay in uu soo dhaweynayo gogashaas.

Dhawaaqan ka soo yeedhay Saleebaan Xagla Toosiye, ayaa dhabar jab weyn ku noqonaysa shirkii dhawaan ka dhacay Degmadda Taleex.

Dhinaca kale ogolaanshaha gogosha nabadda ee uu hore ugu baaqay Madaxweyne Axmed Siilaanyo ayaa waxa ay tahay mid ay si aad ah ugu soo dhaweynayaan shacabka iyo xukuumadda Somaliland.

Hadhwanaagnews Ayaa isku dayay inay la xidhiidhaan Saleebaan Xagla Toosiye hase ahaatee khadka telefonka oo aad u xumaa daraadeed ayay isku maqli waayeen.

Wixii war ah ee ka soo kordha kala soco Shabakad wararka ee Hadhwanaagnews.

Hadhwanaagnews/Office

Hargeysa/Somaliland

Contact@hadhwanaagnews/Office

TACSI KA TIMID LA-TALIAYAHA MADAXWEYNAHA EE DHAQAALAHA IYO GANACSIGA

MARXUUM XAAJI CABDILAAHI IBRAAHIN (XAAJI DOOL)

Anigoo ku hadlaaya magaca Xafiiska La-taliyaha Madaxweynha ee Dhaqaalaha, Ganacsiga iyo Maalgashiga, ka reer Cabdi Carwo iyo kan xaaskayga Amaal Cumar Carte waxaan
 dhambaal tacsi ah u dirayaa ehelka, tafiirta, qaraabada, xigto iyo xigaal,  culumada, shacbiweynaha Somaliland Geerida Naxdinta leh ee ku timid Guddoomiyihii Guddida Wanaag farista iyo Xumaan-ka reebida MARXUUM XAAJI CABDILAAHI IBRAAHIN (XAAJI DOOL) oo ku geeriyooday Magaalada Hargeysa 18/01/2012

 . 
Marxuumku waxa uu ka mid ahaa Culimada waa weyn ee Dalka, bulshada dhexdeedana xurmo iyo tixgelin badan ku lahaa. Isagoo horeyna ahaa ganacsade caan ah iyo oday dhaqan min Muqdisho ilaa Hargeysa. 

 
Waxaan ILLAAHAY uga baryayaa Marxuumka inuu naxariistii Janno ka waraabiyo, Culimada, Qoyskii, Eheladii, Qaraabadii, Asxaabtii iyo Dhamaan Shacbiga Reer Somalilandna uu waafajiyo Samir iyo Imaan   

Axmed Xasan Carwo

La-taliayaha Madaxweynaha ee

Dhaqaalaha, Ganacsiga iyo Maalgashiga

eci.advisor@ymail.com

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN WEST BANK AND GAZA REMAINS A CONCERN – UN OFFICIAL

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN WEST BANK AND GAZA REMAINS A CONCERN – UN OFFICIAL

The United Nations humanitarian chief today reiterated her concern over the impact of Israel's continued settlement activity in the West Bank and its adverse effects on economic development and Palestinians' access to basic services.

"I also spoke about zoning and planning regulations on Area C," Valerie Amos, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, told reporters after briefing the Council, referring to the over 60 per cent of the West Bank where Israel retains control over security, planning and building.

A report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in August last year estimated that 150,000 Palestinians live in the West Bank's Area C, which has the most significant land reserves available for Palestinian development, as well as the bulk of Palestinian agricultural and grazing land.

Some 300,000 Israeli settlers live in approximately 135 Israeli settlements and 100 settlement outposts in Area C, with the settler population growing at a significantly faster pace than in Israel, according to the report entitled 'Displacement and Insecurity in Area C of the West Bank.'

Ms. Amos also voiced her concern over the ongoing blockade of Gaza and the impact the closure has had on economic development in the area. Israel imposed the blockade for what it called security reasons after Hamas, which does not recognize Israel's right to exist, ousted the Fatah movement in Gaza in 2007.

Also of concern is the dismantling of the Karni crossing into and from Gaza, which she said will have the effect of reducing commercial activity, particularly exports from Gaza into the West Bank and Israel.

The closure of the Karni crossing "will have the impact of de-developing Gaza rather than re-developing Gaza," said Ms. Amos, who is also the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator.

RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT: BAN URGES ACTION TO MAKE UN-BACKED TOOL ‘A LIVING REALITY’

RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT: BAN URGES ACTION TO MAKE UN-BACKED TOOL 'A LIVING REALITY'

The principle of 'responsibility to protect' was tested as never before in 2011, resulting in tens of thousands of lives saved and vital lessons learned, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, calling for action to ensure that this tool is a "living reality" for the world's people.

"In 2011, history took a turn for the better. The Responsibility to Protect came of age; the principle was tested as never before," Mr. Ban said in an address to the Stanley Foundation Conference on the Responsibility to Protect.

"The results were uneven but, at the end of the day, tens of thousands of lives were saved," he stated.

"We gave hope to people long oppressed.  In Libya, Côte d'Ivoire, South Sudan, Yemen and Syria, by our words and actions, we demonstrated that human protection is a defining purpose of the United Nations in the twenty-first century.

"We also learned important lessons," he added. "For one, we have learned that this Organization cannot stand on the sidelines when challenged to take preventive action. Where there is a 'clear and present danger,' we may need to define the field – cautiously but proactively."

Agreed at a summit of world leaders in 2005 and sometimes known as 'R2P', the principle of the responsibility to protect holds States responsible for shielding their own populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and related crimes against humanity and requires the international community to step in if this obligation is not met.

The Secretary-General said that lessons were also learned about the UN's own limitations, as in the case of the recent violence in South Sudan.

"We saw it coming weeks before," he stated. "Yet we were not able to stop it. Nor was the government, which like others has primary responsibility for protecting its citizens.

"The reason was painfully simple: we were denied the use of necessary resources – in particular helicopters that would have given us mobility and reach in a vast region without roads. At the critical moment, I was reduced to begging for replacements from neighbouring countries and missions.

"So, a key challenge in putting the Responsibility to Protect into practice is this:  how do we do our job... how do we deliver on Security Council mandates... when the very members of the Council do not give us the support we need?"

Mr. Ban also stressed the importance of prevention – proactive, decisive and early action to stop violence before it begins – and called for making 2012 the Year of Prevention.

He pledged that during his second term as Secretary-General, which began earlier this month, that the UN will redouble its efforts at training, education and capacity-building on human rights, humanitarian law and democratic values and practices. It will also undertake development and peacebuilding in ways that reduce tensions among groups and strengthen institutional barriers to sectarian violence.

Mr. Ban noted that the "next test of our common humanity" is Syria, where more than 5,000 people have lost their lives since a popular uprising began in March last year. The Secretary-General has repeatedly called on President Bashar Al-Assad to stop killing his own people.

"Even as I make these calls, however, I am mindful of the complexities," said Mr. Ban. "At a time when unity is required, the Security Council is divided. Efforts by regional friends and organizations such as the Arab League are very welcome, but so far they have not borne fruit.

"I am also acutely aware of the need to preserve my own diplomatic space for the crucial moment when the UN's good offices may be needed.

"Such is the nature of the Responsibility to Protect. It can be a minefield of nuance, political calculation and competing national interests. The result too often is hesitation or inaction.  This we can not afford."

He said that, in a short period of time, the world has embraced the Responsibility to Protect – not because it is easy, but because it is right.

"We therefore have a moral responsibility to push ahead," he stated. "Together, let us work... with optimism and determination... to make the Responsibility to Protect a living reality for the peoples of the world."