Somaliland To Attend Oil Conference
Nairobi Somaliland will attend a conference on Oil exploration in East Africa to be held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
The conference which is sponsored by the Kenyan Energy department will bring together representatives from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mozambique.
According to The Reporter (Addis Ababa), the meeting will allow the participating nations to engage with investors, streamline contract negotiations and explore other areas of natural resources development.
At least thirty seven international companies are expected to send teams to the conference in order to present a thorough review of their technological and engineering experiences. These companies include, Total, Tullow Oil, ONGC, Anadarko, Cairn India, Afren, Sasol Petroleum International, Apache, Africa Oil Corporation, Lion Petroleum.
There has been extensive oil and natural gas surveys and exploration in Africa. Spearheaded mainly by China's need to supply its growing industrial sector and the discovery of Oil in Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, along with new surveys indicating a huge oil reserves off the Indian Ocean coast of Somalia, the oil and gas industry is focused on Africa.
The current political situation in the straits Hormuz and Iran's nuclear stance has added further urgency to the search for new sources of oil and natural gas.
Somaliland has recently conducted an extensive survey through NGS-TOPEC. The results of these surveys appear to be very promising. Meanwhile, in the self-administering region of Puntland, drilling for oil has already commenced in areas near the Indian Ocean.
Monday, March 5, 2012
SOMALIA HAS BEST CHANCE IN DECADES TO END CONFLICT, SECURITY COUNCIL TOLD
SOMALIA HAS BEST CHANCE IN DECADES TO END CONFLICT, SECURITY COUNCIL TOLD
New York, Mar 5 2012 6:10PM
Somalia currently has the best opportunity to end its two decades-long conflict and bring lasting peace and stability to the country, but doing so will require a greater efforts by all parties and sustained support from international partners, the Security Council heard today.
The country's Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) are in the process of implementing a roadmap devised in September last year that spells out priority measures to be carried out before the current transitional governing arrangements end on 20 August.
Before then, Somalia needs a new constitution, a smaller and more representative Parliament and elections for the positions of President, Speaker and Deputies.
"Ending the transition on time will require more efforts and support from all international actors in the coming months," Augustine P. Mahiga, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, told the Council via video-link from the country. "We must ensure that all of us are pulling together in this regard."
He pointed out that the drafting of the constitution has to be completed by the end of this month. The selection process to the 1,000-member Constituent Assembly from over eight community-based constituencies, including women, must be completed in eight weeks for the provisional adoption of the constitution by the end of April.
"We do not have the luxury of time," said Mr. Mahiga, who heads the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS). "We are faced with a situation that demands urgent action. The TFG remains the international community's main Somali interlocutor. Building their capacity would be critical to transforming the country into a functioning State."
Today's meeting, chaired by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Henry Bellingham of the United Kingdom, which holds this month's rotating presidency of the Council, follows the 23 February London Conference on Somalia.
It also follows the extension by the Council of the mandate of the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia (AMISOM) through 31 October and its call for an almost 50 per cent increase in the 12,000-strong force to deal with continued insecurity in the impoverished country.
"This is a critical moment for Somalia," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=1469">remarks to the Council.
He noted that the London conference reiterated the commitment of the international community to strongly support the establishment of the new institutions that would lead to ending the transition, to provide support to AMISOM that would allow it to sustain the political process, and to provide sustained international support for recovery and development.
"A new window of opportunity for peace and stability has opened," stated the Secretary-General, reiterating his message to the London conference. "But it is a narrow window. All stake-holders must act with urgency and unity of purpose. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity."
In a presidential statement read out at today's meeting, the Council emphasized the need to build on agreement in London and "continue to pursue a comprehensive strategy for the establishment of peace and stability in Somalia through the collaborative effort of all stakeholders."
It also voiced its grave concern about the threat posed to Somalia and the international community by terrorist attacks by Somali armed opposition groups, in particular Al-Shabaab, and welcomes the commitment made at the London conference for renewed international action to address this threat.
Mar 5 2012 6:10PM
New York, Mar 5 2012 6:10PM
Somalia currently has the best opportunity to end its two decades-long conflict and bring lasting peace and stability to the country, but doing so will require a greater efforts by all parties and sustained support from international partners, the Security Council heard today.
The country's Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) are in the process of implementing a roadmap devised in September last year that spells out priority measures to be carried out before the current transitional governing arrangements end on 20 August.
Before then, Somalia needs a new constitution, a smaller and more representative Parliament and elections for the positions of President, Speaker and Deputies.
"Ending the transition on time will require more efforts and support from all international actors in the coming months," Augustine P. Mahiga, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, told the Council via video-link from the country. "We must ensure that all of us are pulling together in this regard."
He pointed out that the drafting of the constitution has to be completed by the end of this month. The selection process to the 1,000-member Constituent Assembly from over eight community-based constituencies, including women, must be completed in eight weeks for the provisional adoption of the constitution by the end of April.
"We do not have the luxury of time," said Mr. Mahiga, who heads the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS). "We are faced with a situation that demands urgent action. The TFG remains the international community's main Somali interlocutor. Building their capacity would be critical to transforming the country into a functioning State."
Today's meeting, chaired by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Henry Bellingham of the United Kingdom, which holds this month's rotating presidency of the Council, follows the 23 February London Conference on Somalia.
It also follows the extension by the Council of the mandate of the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia (AMISOM) through 31 October and its call for an almost 50 per cent increase in the 12,000-strong force to deal with continued insecurity in the impoverished country.
"This is a critical moment for Somalia," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=1469">remarks to the Council.
He noted that the London conference reiterated the commitment of the international community to strongly support the establishment of the new institutions that would lead to ending the transition, to provide support to AMISOM that would allow it to sustain the political process, and to provide sustained international support for recovery and development.
"A new window of opportunity for peace and stability has opened," stated the Secretary-General, reiterating his message to the London conference. "But it is a narrow window. All stake-holders must act with urgency and unity of purpose. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity."
In a presidential statement read out at today's meeting, the Council emphasized the need to build on agreement in London and "continue to pursue a comprehensive strategy for the establishment of peace and stability in Somalia through the collaborative effort of all stakeholders."
It also voiced its grave concern about the threat posed to Somalia and the international community by terrorist attacks by Somali armed opposition groups, in particular Al-Shabaab, and welcomes the commitment made at the London conference for renewed international action to address this threat.
Mar 5 2012 6:10PM
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS MURDER OF INDIAN JOURNALIST
UNESCO CHIEF CONDEMNS MURDER OF INDIAN JOURNALIST
New York, Feb 28 2012 11:10AM
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with promoting and defending the freedom of the press today condemned the murder of a journalist in India and called on local authorities to undertake a thorough investigation into the killing.
Freelance journalist Chandrika Rai, 43, was found dead last week along with his wife and two children in their home in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Mr. Rai regularly published articles in newspapers in the state capital of Bhopal and, according to the International Federation of Journalists, he had recently exposed illegalities in the region's coal trade.
"I condemn the murder of investigative journalist Chandrika Rai and his family," said Irina Bokova, UNESCO's Director-General, in a press release.
"It is essential for the preservation of freedom of expression and press freedom that the authorities in Madhya Pradesh make all efforts to investigate this matter and that the perpetrators of this shocking crime be brought to justice."
Feb 28 2012 11:10AM
_
SOMALIA: Thousands flee to Mogadishu after Afgoye fighting
SOMALIA: Thousands flee to Mogadishu after Afgoye fighting
NAIROBI, 28 February 2012 (IRIN) - A renewed offensive against Al-Shabab insurgents by Somali government forces, backed by Ethiopian, Kenyan and African Union troops, has sparked another influx of civilians to the capital Mogadishu, locals told IRIN.
"Since 18 February, we estimate that between 10,000 and 11,000 families [60,000-66,000 people] have arrived in Mogadishu, fleeing fighting or the fear of fighting in their home areas," said Abdullahi Shirwa, head of the government's National Disaster Management Agency.
Most new arrivals are coming from the Afgoye corridor, "but a significant number are coming from the towns of Beletweyne and Baidoa [which were recently liberated from Al-Shabab by Ethiopian forces supporting the Transitional Federal Government]".
Shirwa said there was a likelihood that more displaced would be coming to Mogadishu in the next few weeks if the conflict in Bay, Bakool, Middle and Lower Juba (southern Somalia) escalated.
As famine conditions have ended in the country, many of the displaced have begun to return home but the renewed fighting in parts of southern Somali will make it impossible for many, said Shirwa. "We should not be talking about resettlement in the midst of conflict but rather emergency assistance to those who are coming daily."
A local journalist in the town of Baidoa, who requested anonymity, told IRIN many residents were leaving. "People are afraid and don't know what to expect so they are leaving. I think it is driven more by uncertainty of what to expect from their new rulers and the fact that any young man is suspected of being Al-Shabab until they prove otherwise," he said.
A civil society activist told IRIN that as the military pressure on areas under Al-Shabab control increased, the likelihood of more displaced coming to Mogadishu would also increase.
"I have seen people who left Merka [100km south of Mogadishu] and they told us that they were running from the military activities in the area. They don't want to get caught in the middle."
She said unknown airplanes and helicopters were flying over many parts of the southern Somalia "and it is scaring people", adding that they were also leaving "because they cannot access much humanitarian assistance in Al-Shabab territory. We were planning for massive returns but that now is not going to be possible."
Hawo Abikar, a mother of five, came to Mogadishu 10 days ago from the Lower Shabelle region with nine other families. "We left our home near Janaale town because we were afraid. There are so many planes flying low and Al-Shabab is forcing people to join the fighting."
She said they had to sneak out of town at night because Al-Shabab "does not allow anyone to leave but I am sure many more will leave because everyone is afraid of what is coming".
Al-Shabab still controls much of southern Somalia, despite pressure from the Ethiopian, Kenya, African Union and TFG forces.
So far, the displaced are staying in a temporary camp in the south of the city, said Abikar.
"Fearing the worst"
An elder, who requested anonymity, said he had left Afmadow "because these people [Al-Shabab] have no respect for tradition or elders. People don't know what to expect from them, so they fear the worst."
Conflict and drought have led to the worst humanitarian crisis the country has faced in nearly two decades. An estimated 3.6 million - almost half the total population - need aid, according to the UN.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates the number of IDPs in Somalia at approximately 1.36 million.
"Humanitarians are concerned about the impact of large-scale population movements from the Afgoye corridor on the fragile humanitarian situation in Mogadishu, where displaced people are already living in precarious conditions," said Russell Geekie, head of public information at the UN
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Somalia.
"An escalation of hostilities deeper into the Afgoye corridor will likely lead to an additional influx of tens of thousands of people into Mogadishu, straining the capacity of the camps and host communities," he told IRIN by email.
"Humanitarians in Mogadishu are doing everything within their capability to provide immediate help to those most in need, wherever they are. They have also been assessing the capacity of existing assistance structures and stocks available to extend assistance to the additional population in need and target, in particular, the most vulnerable families."
ah/mw
[END]
NAIROBI, 28 February 2012 (IRIN) - A renewed offensive against Al-Shabab insurgents by Somali government forces, backed by Ethiopian, Kenyan and African Union troops, has sparked another influx of civilians to the capital Mogadishu, locals told IRIN.
"Since 18 February, we estimate that between 10,000 and 11,000 families [60,000-66,000 people] have arrived in Mogadishu, fleeing fighting or the fear of fighting in their home areas," said Abdullahi Shirwa, head of the government's National Disaster Management Agency.
Most new arrivals are coming from the Afgoye corridor, "but a significant number are coming from the towns of Beletweyne and Baidoa [which were recently liberated from Al-Shabab by Ethiopian forces supporting the Transitional Federal Government]".
Shirwa said there was a likelihood that more displaced would be coming to Mogadishu in the next few weeks if the conflict in Bay, Bakool, Middle and Lower Juba (southern Somalia) escalated.
As famine conditions have ended in the country, many of the displaced have begun to return home but the renewed fighting in parts of southern Somali will make it impossible for many, said Shirwa. "We should not be talking about resettlement in the midst of conflict but rather emergency assistance to those who are coming daily."
A local journalist in the town of Baidoa, who requested anonymity, told IRIN many residents were leaving. "People are afraid and don't know what to expect so they are leaving. I think it is driven more by uncertainty of what to expect from their new rulers and the fact that any young man is suspected of being Al-Shabab until they prove otherwise," he said.
A civil society activist told IRIN that as the military pressure on areas under Al-Shabab control increased, the likelihood of more displaced coming to Mogadishu would also increase.
"I have seen people who left Merka [100km south of Mogadishu] and they told us that they were running from the military activities in the area. They don't want to get caught in the middle."
She said unknown airplanes and helicopters were flying over many parts of the southern Somalia "and it is scaring people", adding that they were also leaving "because they cannot access much humanitarian assistance in Al-Shabab territory. We were planning for massive returns but that now is not going to be possible."
Hawo Abikar, a mother of five, came to Mogadishu 10 days ago from the Lower Shabelle region with nine other families. "We left our home near Janaale town because we were afraid. There are so many planes flying low and Al-Shabab is forcing people to join the fighting."
She said they had to sneak out of town at night because Al-Shabab "does not allow anyone to leave but I am sure many more will leave because everyone is afraid of what is coming".
Al-Shabab still controls much of southern Somalia, despite pressure from the Ethiopian, Kenya, African Union and TFG forces.
So far, the displaced are staying in a temporary camp in the south of the city, said Abikar.
"Fearing the worst"
An elder, who requested anonymity, said he had left Afmadow "because these people [Al-Shabab] have no respect for tradition or elders. People don't know what to expect from them, so they fear the worst."
Conflict and drought have led to the worst humanitarian crisis the country has faced in nearly two decades. An estimated 3.6 million - almost half the total population - need aid, according to the UN.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates the number of IDPs in Somalia at approximately 1.36 million.
"Humanitarians are concerned about the impact of large-scale population movements from the Afgoye corridor on the fragile humanitarian situation in Mogadishu, where displaced people are already living in precarious conditions," said Russell Geekie, head of public information at the UN
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Somalia.
"An escalation of hostilities deeper into the Afgoye corridor will likely lead to an additional influx of tens of thousands of people into Mogadishu, straining the capacity of the camps and host communities," he told IRIN by email.
"Humanitarians in Mogadishu are doing everything within their capability to provide immediate help to those most in need, wherever they are. They have also been assessing the capacity of existing assistance structures and stocks available to extend assistance to the additional population in need and target, in particular, the most vulnerable families."
ah/mw
[END]
Golaha Wasiirada Somalliand oo Ansixiyey Miisaaniyad Sannadeedka 201
Golaha Wasiirada Somalliand oo Ansixiyey Miisaaniyad Sannadeedka 2012 oo Dhan 640,920,898,136
Madaxweyne ku xigeenka Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland ahna ku simaha Madaxweynaha, Mudane, Cabdiraxmaan Cabdilaahi
Fadhigii maanta (27/02/2012) ee Golaha Wasiirada oo Ka Qabsoomay Qasriga Maxadtooyada Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland oo uu Gudoominaayeyna Madaxweyne ku xigeenka Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland ahna ku simaha Madaxweynaha, Mudane, Cabdiraxmaan Cabdilaahi Ismaaciil (Saylici) Waxa lagu Ansixiyey Miisaaniyad Sannadeedka 2012 oo Dhan 640,920,898,136 taas oo 29.56% ka badan tii sannadkii Hore ee 2011. ALLAA MAHAD LEH
XAFIISKA AF-HAYEENKA MADAXTOOYADA JSL.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
TACSI KA TIMID LA-TALIYAHA MADAXWEYNAHA EE DHAQAALAHA IYO GANACSIGA
TACSI: GEERIDA MARXUUMAD Habaryaro Sahra Gaaxnuug Cabdilaahi
Anigoo ku hadlaaya magaca Xafiiska La-taliyaha Madaxweynaha ee Dhaqaalaha iyo Ganacsiga, ka reer Cabdi Carwo iyo kan xaaskayga Amaal Cumar Carte waxaan tacsi u dirayaa ehelka, ubadka, tafiirta kale, gacalka, qaraabada, xigaalka, xito iyo asxaabta ay
Anigoo ku hadlaaya magaca Xafiiska La-taliyaha Madaxweynaha ee Dhaqaalaha iyo Ganacsiga, ka reer Cabdi Carwo iyo kan xaaskayga Amaal Cumar Carte waxaan tacsi u dirayaa ehelka, ubadka, tafiirta kale, gacalka, qaraabada, xigaalka, xito iyo asxaabta ay
Habaryartay Sahra Gaaxnuug Cabdilaahi ka tagtay meel kasta oo ay joogaanba, si gaar ah ubadkeeda iyo tafiirtooda oo uu hormoodka u yahay Chief Caaqil Cabdirisaaq Maxamed Askar iyo Reer Gaaxnuug Cabdilaahi.
Alle ha u naxariistee Marxuumad Habaryaro Sahri, waxay ku geeriyootay magaalada Hargeysa, Jimce 24/02/2012 iyadoo muddo xanuunsanayd.
Habaryaro Sahra oo ahayd ruux cibaado badan,naxariis badan, oo dad jecel, waxaan Illaahay uga baryayaa inuu u naxariisto oo uu janatal fardows ku abaal mariyo, reer Maxamed Askar iyo Reer Gaaxnuug Cabdilaahi, iyo dhammaan ehel iyo asxaaba,inuu waafajiyo samir iyo duco.Amiin
Ahmed Hassan Carwo
La-taliyaha Madaxweynaha Somaliland ee Dhaqaalaha
samotalis@gmail.com
Alle ha u naxariistee Marxuumad Habaryaro Sahri, waxay ku geeriyootay magaalada Hargeysa, Jimce 24/02/2012 iyadoo muddo xanuunsanayd.
Habaryaro Sahra oo ahayd ruux cibaado badan,naxariis badan, oo dad jecel, waxaan Illaahay uga baryayaa inuu u naxariisto oo uu janatal fardows ku abaal mariyo, reer Maxamed Askar iyo Reer Gaaxnuug Cabdilaahi, iyo dhammaan ehel iyo asxaaba,inuu waafajiyo samir iyo duco.Amiin
Ahmed Hassan Carwo
La-taliyaha Madaxweynaha Somaliland ee Dhaqaalaha
samotalis@gmail.com
Friday, February 24, 2012
Breakaway Somaliland entity targets investors
Breakaway Somaliland entity targets investors
By William Maclean
Feb 24 (Reuters) - The breakaway enclave of Somaliland, which boasts oil and gas potential, has set up a UK-linked corporation to act as an entry point for investors concerned the Somali territory's lack of international recognition would stop contracts being enforced.
On a visit to London to attend a conference on Somalia, President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo told Reuters that the purpose of the Somaliland Development Corporation was to "to attract companies and institutions which want to invest in our country."
"Since we are not a recognised country, insurance is always a difficult problem in Somaliland so if this can help with that, it would be useful."
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has enjoyed relative stability compared to the rest of Somalia, including the holding of a series of peaceful general elections, but remains unrecognised internationally.
Silanyo did not indicate what economic sectors he wished investors to target. But energy and mining minister Hussein Abdi Dualeh said in November the northern enclave had hydrocarbon potential with a geology similar to basins containing 9 billion barrels across the Gulf of Aden.
A number of big oil companies with permits to operate there left what is now Somaliland in the late 1980s and declared force majeure during Somalia's escalating civil conflict.
Several foreign banks have expressed interest in operating in Somaliland where they are keen to capitalise on its untapped market potential. Somaliland has no formal banking sector and its people rely heavily on remittances from diaspora communities in Europe, North America and the United Arab Emirates, as there are no ATMs or loan facilities.
A briefing paper distributed to journalists on the sidelines of the London conference said that despite Somaliland's "achievements in stability and democracy, international donors cannot deal directly with its government, and foreign investors face uncertainty about whether contracts - the basis of secure business - can be enforced".
The SDC circumvented the problem of non-recognition by providing "a transparent, accountable and enforceable means by which investors can participate in Somaliland ventures".
A not-for-profit company had been set up in Britain to act as the founding vehicle, with Somaliland's Minister of State Mohamed-Rashid Hassan and Britons Myles Wickstead, a former diplomat, and Jeremy Carver, a retired international lawyer, as founding directors.
The SDC is owned by an incorporated trust, the Somaliland Development Corporation Trust, the paper said.
Oil discoveries would be a cash boon to Somaliland though hydrocarbons have often proven to be a curse to African nations as the opaque nature of the industry can breed corruption.
Colonised by Britain while the rest of Somalia was under Italian administration, Somaliland declared independence in 1991 as the rest of the country disintegrated into anarchy.
But the African Union and foreign powers have not recognised Somaliland. Many in the breakaway republic suspect the African Union fears its formal recognition would trigger a flurry of secession bids across the continent. (Reporting by William Maclean; editing by Ron Askew)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)