Xeerka Bileyska Ee Golayaasha Baarlamaanku Ansixiyeen Oo Loo Gudbiyay Madaxweyne Siilaanyo Iyo Qodobada Ciidankaasi Ka Xakamaynaya Rasaasta Ay U Adeegsadaan Shacbiga

Xeerka Bileyska Ee Golayaasha Baarlamaanku Ansixiyeen Oo Loo Gudbiyay Madaxweyne Siilaanyo Iyo Qodobada Ciidankaasi Ka Xakamaynaya Rasaasta Ay U Adeegsadaan Shacbiga

Hargeysa, December 31, 2013 (Haatuf) – Xeerka ciidanka Bilayska Somaliland oo doraad si rasmiya ay u ansixiyeen golaha Wakiiladu ka dib markii ay golaha Guurtidu wax ka bedel iyo kaabid ku soo sameeyeen ayaa gebi ahaanba ciidanka Bileyska laga xaaraantimaynayaa inay Rasaas u adeegsadaan dadweynaha isku soo baxyada salmiga ah sameeya, kaas oo sidoo kalena xeerkani abuurayo guddi madaxbanaan oo baadhis ku samaysa cabashooyinka iyo falalka xad gudbiyada ah ee ay ku kacaan ciidanka Bileysku.

Xeerkan ciidanka Bileyska ee labada gole Baarlamaan ansixiyeen ayaa sidoo kale  meesha ka saaray in askariga Bileyska ah ee isagoo hawlgal ku jira dil ku kaca in beeshiisu bixiso magta qofka geeriyooday, balse xeerkan lagu cadeeyay in xukuumadu bixinayso magta qofka gacanta Bileyska ku geeriyooda.

Xeerkan ciidanka Bileyska ayaa waxa kale oo uu cadaynayaa in saraakiisha ka saraysa xiddigle madaxweynuhu magacaabista xilalkooda dikreeto ku soo saarayo, halka xubnaha darajadoodu ka hoosayso xiddigle awood loogu siiyay magacaabistooda taliyaha guud ee ciidanka Bileyska.

Sida ay Haatuf u xaqijiyeen ilo xogogaal ah oo ka mid ah golaha Wakiilada ayaa sheegay in Xeerka Bileyska shirgudoonka Wakiiladu ay shalay si rasmiya ugu gudbiyeen madaxweynaha Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud Siilaanyo oo sida sharcigu dhigayo dhaqangalka xeerkaasi uu noqonayo marka madaxweynuhu digreeto ku soo saaro dhaqan-galkiisa, isla markaana uu qalinka ku duugo saxeexiisa, kaas oo xilligan horyaala xeerkaasi madaxweyne Axmed Siilaanyo.

Xeerkan Bileyska ayaa noqonaya markii ugu horaysay ee muddadii 23-ka sanadood ee Somaliland jirtay ciidanka Bileysku yeesho xeer uu ku shaqeeyo oo ka dhigaya in ciidanka Bileysku noqdo kuwo shuruuc dawladeed ku shaqeeya, isla markaana ka xaaraantimaynaya waxyaalaha xadgudubyada ah ee shuruucda dalka u taala baalmarsan.

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Barrel bombs 'kill 517 in Aleppo since 15 December'

Barrel bombs 'kill 517 in Aleppo since 15 December'

Footage earlier this month showed the apparent aftermath of barrel bombs
Syria conflict
War and peace
Syria's foreign fighters
Barrel bombs
Rethinking a future with Assad?

Barrels packed with explosives and dropped from Syrian aircraft have killed 517 people in the northern province of Aleppo since 15 December, activists say.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 151 were children and 46 women.

The city of Aleppo has been the focus of bitter fighting between President Bashar al-Assad's forces and rebels.

A Norwegian frigate is meanwhile preparing to collect chemical weapons from Syria for destruction.

The arms are due to be taken from the Syrian port of Latakia to Italy.

There, they will be loaded onto a US Navy ship and taken to international waters for destruction in a specially created titanium tank on board.

The global watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is overseeing the destruction of Syria's chemical arms stockpile, has called on Damascus to "intensify its efforts" to help the operation.

The OPCW said it was up to Syria to mitigate the risks involved in transporting the stockpile to the port.'Poised and ready'

Syria agreed to abandon its arsenal to avert possible US military action in response to a sarin nerve gas attack on the outskirts of Damascus in August.

Under a deal brokered by the US and Russia, the complete elimination of all chemical weapons material and equipment must be completed by the first half of 2014.

OPCW chief Ahmet Umzucu said in a statement that the international community was "poised and ready".

He said the UN, Russia, and other countries directly involved in the removal had agreed on how to escort the cargo vessels from Syria, after a two-day meeting in Moscow.

Equipment involved in the operation includes Russian armoured vehicles, US satellites and Chinese surveillance cameras to protect the hazardous cargo.

Syria's chemical weapons
Syria is believed to possess 1,000 tonnes of chemical agents including sarin and more potent nerve agent VX
US believes the arsenal can be "delivered by aircraft, ballistic missile, and artillery rockets"
Syria acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention on 14 September; it signed the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in 1972 but never ratified it
Chemical stockpile
How to destroy chemical arsenal
Q&A: Disarmament deal
21 August attack: What we know

Mr Umzucu said Syrian authorities now had to "consider all possible options" to ensure the chemicals' safe transport from 12 storage sites in Syria to the loading bay in Latakia.

The port lies 300km (185 miles) north of the capital Damascus.

The OPCW earlier said that it did not expect to meet the 31 December deadline for shipping out the "most critical" chemicals.

Shifting battle-lines and road closures caused by bad weather appeared to be the main causes of the delay.Condemnation

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based activist group with links to the opposition, condemned the continuing use of barrel bombs in Aleppo and urged outside intervention.

The organisation, which relies on secret networks to relay information from the ground, also described those who failed to criticise the raids as "complicit in the massacres that have been committed and continue to be committed by the Syrian regime".

While the most of those killed by barrel bombs over the past two weeks were civilians, 46 were rebels, according to the SOHR.

The devices have rarely been used on such a sustained scale, says the BBC's Arab Affairs Editor, Sebastian Usher.

Aleppo is devastated and divided, with fighting at a stalemate, but with a major peace conference due next month, the Syrian government is trying to wrest back control of as much territory as possible, our correspondent adds.

In the most recent attack, 25 civilians are reported to have been killed when explosives were dropped on a vegetable market in Aleppo on Saturday.





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The biggest obstacle to engagement is the sense that politicians will say one thing, and then do another

Guardian/ICM poll: democracy v the demos
The biggest obstacle to engagement is the sense that politicians will say one thing, and then do another

The Guardian,
Hate is not the opposite of love, which is just as well for Britain's politicians. The findings of the Guardian/ICM analysis of how the governed feel about the governing are, at first blush, unremittingly chilling – with rage the principal theme. For party leaders prepping New Year messages, it may not be surprising that only 2% of electors feel "inspired" by them, but finding the right words is that much trickier for those who feel despised. Working so tirelessly to court popularity and failing so abjectly in this, might the vote-chasing classes start to wonder – with Bertolt Brecht's East German regime – whether it is time "to dissolve the people / And elect another?"

There is, however, a consolation – voters still think that politicians count. An overwhelming 86% say decisions made in Westminster and Whitehall affect their own lives. On average the public is still talking politics once a week or more. Whether these conversations are more marked by anger than anything is almost beside the point, because this interest gives the parties something to work with. Indifference would represent more of a threat than fury, since it would cut off all hope of getting through: there is only one thing worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.

Encouragingly, only a quarter of people have swallowed the old saloon-bar lie, given a high-profile twist by Russell Brand this year, that there is never any point in voting because "they're all the same". For politicians hoping to persuade the country that they are different, the polling contains practical tips on where the emphasis must be. For the tiny minority who follow Westminster as a spectator sport, the wearying sound of party placemen mouthing "lines to take" might seem the greatest failing. For the majority, however, the primary concern is not vapid rhetoric, nor even resentment about expenses fiddling, which parts of the media have now elevated above substantive policy arguments for years. No, the biggest obstacle to engagement is the sense that politicians will say one thing, and then do another.

To locate the missing link between the country and its parliament, look for those about-turns that take place between the election-night count and the arrival in ministerial office – as performed, for example, by the Liberal Democrats on student fees, and (prospectively) by David Cameron in his drift towards expanding London airports. If a leader can convince voters they will not back-slide in this way, then – with probity, empathy and practical balms for a country gripped by a sustained squeeze on living standards – they might still cut through.

So much for the electorate as a whole. But with younger voters – in whose hands the future of British democracy ultimately rests – things are more worrying. Distaste is giving way to total disconnect. Already, by the time of the last general election, there was a gulf in turnout of over 30 percentage points between the oldest and youngest; today's survey implies that this gulf could widen further, to the point where youngsters become less than half as likely to cast a ballot as their older peers. Put this together with separate analysis from Ipsos Mori, which uncovers a stubborn lack of trust among younger people in their fellow citizens, and you begin to fear not only for the future of representative democracy, but also jury trials and wider civic society.

The roots of this can, perhaps, be traced back to an economic environment which – in terms of jobs, pay and housing – is dashing young dreams. Austerity has been meted out in a manner that redoubles the misery; young people might have hoped MPs would serve them better. In the end, though, if they want to dissolve the parliament, and elect another, which might do things differently, they will have to get off the sofa and down to the ballot box. No reform can rescue democracy for a generation that grows too disaffected to use it.

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Iraq troops arrest MP Ahmed al-Awlani in deadly raid

Iraq troops arrest MP Ahmed al-Awlani in deadly raid
Mr Alwani is a prominent supporter of anti-government protesters
Continue reading the main story

Struggle for Iraq
Streets of death
Never-ending crisis
Marwa's story
Uncertain future

Iraqi forces have arrested an MP, killing his brother and five of his guards during a raid on his home in the western city of Ramadi.

Ahmed al-Awlani, a member of the Sunni community, had backed protests against the mainly Shia government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and was reportedly wanted on terrorism charges.

Police said Mr Awlani's guards opened fire as officers arrived to detain him.

Another 18 people were wounded in the ensuing skirmish, an official said.

"Security forces attacked the residence of MP Ahmed al-Alwani in central Ramadi to arrest him this morning, sparking a battle with his guards with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades," a police major told AFP news agency.

"Five of Alwani's guards and his brother were killed and eight others wounded, while 10 security forces members were also wounded," the major said.

The security forces had also been hoping to arrest Mr Awlani's brother, Ali, authorities said.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that a sister of the MP - a member of the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc - was also among those killed in the raid.

Protest camp

The reasons for Mr Alwani's arrest were not immediately clear. Associated Press news agency said he was wanted on terrorism charges.


He has also been a prominent supporter of a group of activists camped on a highway near Ramadi protesting against the perceived marginalisation and persecution of Iraqi Sunnis by the Shia-dominated government.

Prime Minister Maliki has reportedly threatened to shut down the camp, saying it has become a headquarters of al-Qaeda.

AFP quoted parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, a Sunni, as strongly criticising the arrest, describing it as "treading on the core of the Iraqi constitution and a clear violation of its articles".

In a statement, Mr Nujaifi insisted MPs had legal immunity and that he was sending a parliamentary delegation to Anbar province to investigate the case.

However, the constitution says MPs may be arrested without parliament waiving immunity if they are caught committing a serious crime.

Mr Alwani's arrest comes as Iraq remains in the grip of sectarian fighting which has made this the deadliest year since 2008.

More than 8,000 people have been killed since January, many of them in fighting between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

The UN has called on Iraq's political leaders to co-operate to end the bloodshed, which has escalated since an army raid on a Sunni Arab anti-government protest camp near the northern town of Hawija in April 2013 killed dozens.


The government has made some concessions in an effort to placate Sunnis, including freeing some prisoners and raising the salaries of Sahwa militiamen fighting al-Qaeda, but the violence has not abated.




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Turkey ministers Caglayan and Guler resign amid scandal

Turkey ministers Caglayan and Guler resign amid scandal

Related Stories
Clashes as Turkey PM condemns 'plot'
Turkey PM decries 'dirty probe plot'
Erdogan's threat from wounded ally

Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and Interior Minister Muammer Guler have resigned after their sons were charged amid a corruption inquiry that has hit the government.

Twenty-four people have been charged as part of the investigation, including the head of state-owned Halkbank.

In a statement, Mr Caglayan condemned the inquiry as an "ignoble operation".

PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to "break the hands" of rivals who used the inquiry to undermine his rule.

Mr Caglayan's son Kaan and Baris Guler, the interior minister's son, have both denied accusations of involvement in bribery relating to urban development projects and the allocation of construction permits.

In response to the police crackdown, a number of police commissioners have been removed from their posts, including the head of police in Istanbul.

The economy minister, in his statement, said he was stepping down "so that all the light may be laid on this ignoble operation that targets our government". It was obvious the police raids had been a "set-up", he added.
The prime minister (R) addressed supporters at Ankara airport hours before Mr Caglayan (L) resigned

Muammer Guler had earlier argued there were no legal grounds for his son's arrest for bribery as he was not a public official.

Mr Caglayan had just returned to the capital, Ankara, on Tuesday night at the end of a trip to Pakistan with the prime minister. He appeared with Mr Erdogan in front of supporters at Esenboga airport hours before his resignation was announced.

The opposition had demanded that both ministers step down and on Sunday anti-government protesters took to the streets of Istanbul demonstrating against the scandal.

The prime minister came to power in 2002 as head of the AK Party and commentators say the arrest of figures linked to the government and the subsequent police dismissals are part of an internal party feud.

Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, in exile in the US, is seen as a rival to Mr Erdogan, and his Hizmet movement has supporters in the police and judiciary.

Mr Erdogan himself has referred to a "dark plot" by forces outside Turkey







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U.S. Department of State Daily Digest Bulletin :U.S. Citizen Evacuation in South Sudan

Africa: U.S. Citizen Evacuation in South Sudan 12/22/2013 You are subscribed to Africa for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Africa: U.S. Citizen Evacuation in South Sudan 12/22/2013 01:12 PM EST U.S. Citizen Evacuation in South Sudan Press Statement Jen Psaki Department Spokesperson Washington, DC December 22, 2013 This morning, the United States -- in coordination with the United Nations and in consultation with the South Sudanese government -- safely evacuated American citizens from Bor, South Sudan. U.S. citizens and citizens from our partner nations were flown from Bor to Juba on UN and U.S. civilian helicopters. The United States and the United Nations, which has the lead for securing Bor airport in South Sudan, took steps to ensure fighting factions were aware these flights were a humanitarian mission. The U.S. government is doing everything possible to ensure the safety and security of United States citizens in South Sudan. We are working with our allies around the world to connect with and evacuate U.S. citizens as quickly and safely as possible. For their safety and security, we will not outline specific evacuation plans. So far, we have evacuated approximately 380 U.S. officials and private citizens and approximately 300 citizens of other countries to Nairobi and other locations outside South Sudan on four chartered flights and five military aircraft. Other U.S. citizens may have left through other means. We strongly recommend U.S. citizens in South Sudan depart immediately, and we encourage those who remain to keep in touch with the Embassy and update their locations and status by contacting us at southsudanemergencyusc@state.gov.

New law a setback for Uganda's HIV response

New law a setback for Uganda's HIV response

KAMPALA, 23 December 2013 (IRIN) - The draconian Anti-Homosexuality Bill passed by Uganda's parliament on 20 December would deliver a major blow to the response to HIV/AIDS if it was enacted by President Yoweri Museveni, activists have warned.

Those found guilty of homosexual acts can be jailed for up to 14 years under the new law, a sentence that increases to life in "aggravated" cases, such as those committed by an HIV positive person, or those involving minors, the disabled and serious offenders.

Civil society activists fear that high-risk groups such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and sex workers - whose HIV prevalence is 13.7 and 33 percent respectively - will see their already limited access to prevention and treatment further eroded.

Amnesty International called the law "a grave assault on human rights [which] makes a mockery of the Ugandan constitution.

"President Museveni should avoid the trap of scapegoating a vulnerable minority in the interests of short-term political gain," said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

"He should recognize that this repugnant bill is of no benefit to Ugandans - that it only serves to jeopardize basic rights - and reject it."

The United States government has also called for the bill not to be enacted.

Here is a selection of reactions from those working on the frontline of the response to HIV/AIDS:

Pepe Julian Onziema, programme director, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a local rights group

"It's with deep disappointment that I receive the news of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill passing in our Parliament."

"If the bill is assented to, the Act would spell a major setback for Uganda's gains against HIV/AIDS as it will compromise doctor-patient confidentiality, which will push affected LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) persons further underground for fear of prosecution."

Asia Russell, Director of International Policy, Health GAP

"This harmful and blatantly unconstitutional bill will deal a devastating blow to evidence-based efforts to end the AIDS epidemic in Uganda - a country that is almost unique among aast and southern African countries in that it has rising rates of new HIV infections. Why? Because existing criminalization provisions have meant prevention and treatment services aren't reaching populations like MSM, who have much higher HIV prevalence."

"Under this new bill, providing those services would now be illegal - we will see new infections continue to rise as populations get excluded further and further from life-saving treatment, prevention, information and support."

Milly Katana, veteran activist and board members of the Global Fund to Fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria

"Totally disheartening! It is one of those moments where as a country we move one step forward in realizing civil liberties and public health common sense, [then] we take 10 steps back."

"The little achievements of the Ministry of Health starting to think of making services available to people who are most at risk of contracting HIV are put in total jeopardy. I hope the president, who has announced himself as a champion for HIV prevention by encouraging Ugandans to test for HIV and knowing their status, will see the non-wisdom in this Act and not assent to it."

http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportID=99289

Alice Kayongo, Regional Policy and Advocacy Manager, AIDS Healthcare Foundation - Uganda Cares

"The effects of this (bill) will be felt in almost all sectors but most especially in the health sector and particularly for HIV/AIDS where over 80 percent of the AIDS response is funded externally."

"Even with amendments, the proposed law will have an impact on the quality of healthcare and health education to be provided to gay people living with HIV for the fact that treating someone or providing them with HIV related information will be seen as a promotion act, yielding to imprisonment. While there have been indications of forward movement in this country's AIDS response, we are at risk of losing so much of what we have gained in the recent past."

"Evidently, with such developments in the political and legal environments, Uganda is miles away from attaining [the UN-backed target of] zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero discrimination. It will not be a surprise if Uganda's prevalence rate stagnates around 7.3 percent in 2017. However, we still have some hope, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni should reject the passing of this bill into law and everything else will fall into place."

Flavia Kyomukama, director of the Global Coalition on Women and HIV/AIDS in Uganda

"At a time when the country is trying to implement the national HIV prevention strategy that has underscored the sex workers and MSM as key in the reduction of the epidemic, the legislature thinks it's a waste of time to have these people access services."

"A mother, a teacher, a health worker, an employer is by obligation expected to report any LGBT within 72 hours of notice and confirmation that someone is LGBT."

"How do I report my son? As a teacher how do I report my student who comes to me in confidence? And as a health aide how do I abuse the confidence of the patient? All of us are going to be imprisoned."
"If the proponents of the bill claim homosexuality is a mental disorder, is it logical to [give] life imprisonment? The [logical] approach would be counseling and treatment."

And here are some reactions from champions of the new legislation:

Simon Lokodo, Uganda's state minister for ethics and integrity

"This bill is going to cater for the lacuna which has been existing in the current law and legal frameworks in Uganda concerning this unnatural act. Having passed this bill, a lot has been done to protect our children and innocent victims who would be lured into these western cultures and behaviours, which are totally unacceptable to us."

"The law is going to condemn any recruitment, promotion and financing of the activities related to these malpractices."

"On the threats from donors and development to withdraw their financial assistance over this bill, we don't care and are not bothered at all. We prefer to lose that money than our culture and people."

"We have an obligation as a sovereign state to protect our people against this unnatural act.

Michael Lulume Bayiga, shadow health minister

"I am happy and excited this bill was passed. We are waiting for the president to assent to it in order for it to become a law. I am particularly happy with the provision that bans the promotion of this cult (homosexuality). This provision will ensure this act will doesn't take root in our country."

"No health worker asks patients whenever they seek treatment from a health facility about their sexual orientation, unless he/her chooses to do so. For all the years I practiced medicine, I have never known any sexual orientation of my patients. There is no discrimination in the health service provision."

So/am
[END]

Somaliland: SL Government Signs 1.8 Million Deal with Yemeni Owned ANSAN WIKFS(Hadramaut)

Somaliland: SL Government Signs 1.8 Million Deal with Yemeni Owned ANSAN WIKFS(Hadramaut)




By Goth Mohamed Goth
Somaliland government has signed a deal $1.8 Million with ANSAN WIKFS(Hadramaut) Limited (Ansan) a privately held company which provides oil and mineral resources.
The Yemeni owned company is engaged in various activities which include exploration, acquisition, development and operation of petroleum and mineral properties in several countries around the world.
The Minister of Energy and Minerals Hon Hussein Abdi Du’ale and Mr. Hashiim Al Malak the vice chairman ANSAN WIKFS signed the oil exploration agreement at a ceremony which took place at the ministry of Energy and minerals headquarters and which now paves the way for ANSAN to explore oil in blocks 14, 19 located in the eastern region of Somaliland.
Mr. Hashiim Al Malak the vice chairman speaking during the signing ceremony said , “ANSAN WIKFS (Hadramaut) Limited (Ansan) acts through its wholly owned subsidiaries as an active license partner and operator for carrying out exploration and production and that the company will deploy state of the arts equipment in their oil exploration activities,”.
ANSAN WIKFS (Hadramaut) Limited owns oil and mineral assets in the Yemen and Sudan. In addition, the company is also engaged in exploration of gold and associated metals and minerals in Sudan. Recently, the company signed a Prospecting Permit for Tantalum, Copper and Nickel Gold, Base and Rare Metals with Geological Survey of Mineral Resources Board Yemen. Ansan is headquartered in Sanaa, Yemen.
Also present at the signing ceremony were the Minister of Transport and Housing Hon Abdirizaq Khaliif and the chairman of the house standing committee on natural resources Said Mohamed Elmi to name a few.

SomalilandPress.com




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Somali pop idol offers escape to the youth

Somali pop idol offers escape to the youth
Somalia's arts and entertainment industry is in dire need of revival following two decades of conflict
Continue reading the main story

Somalia: Failed State
Al-Shabab profile
What drives al-Shabab?
Al-Shabab frontline
Islamist purge

After more than two decades of conflict, some semblance of normality is returning to the Somalia capital, Mogadishu. A UN-backed government is consolidating its control of the city, and services such as rubbish collection and traffic lights have been restored. Now, a TV reality show has been launched, as the BBC's Kate Forbes reports.

A small and rather terrified girl shuffles up to the stage and stands there, mute, as the host rather hurriedly rushes up to introduce her. The audience claps along to the rhythm of the music as an electronic drum roll marks the entrance of contestant number one.

A standard start to any TV talent competition. But this one is filmed in a small studio in an anonymous neighbourhood, inside a compound with armed guards on the outside.

The contestants here have grown up knowing nothing but war, at times unable to leave their homes because of gunfights in the streets.

But right now, that is as nothing compared to facing Somalia's answer to Simon Cowell.
The organisers hope to scale up production to a full season

This is Somali Pop Idol, or in direct translation: Show Your Talent.

"We can't really use the word 'idol' for religious reasons," confides organiser Ahmed Nuur.

"These contestants are already a target for religious extremists simply by taking part."

But far from the sarcastic comments of judges on Pop Idol in the UK, the three judges on the panel call out encouragement and lead the clapping.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote


The level of fear when we launched initially was enormous”Jabril AbdulleCentre for Research and Dialogue

"Somalia wasn't just destroyed physically in the civil war," says one judge, Sugaal Abdulle, a former theatre director.

"Our performing arts scene was also destroyed. Musicians left, or were killed. There were no venues to play in."

Far from dashing the hopes of contestants, here they are trying to make them come true.

"Somali culture has a deep affinity with music and poetry and we are trying to rebuild it," explains Mr Abdulle.

What started as a small project by youth workers, to help give young people a safe, creative outlet has become a phenomenon - and is being filmed for Somali TV.

The pilots for the show have aired, and the organisers hope to scale up production to a full season.

"We expected a few entries and a couple of recording sessions with young people who don't have anywhere to perform or sing," says organiser Ahmednur Hassan Abdulle.

"Suddenly we had 800 contestants and over 1,000 entries."

But there is no glamorous record contract on offer for the winner here.

Just being here is a small victory.

'Security checks'


"The level of fear when we launched initially was enormous," says Jabril Abdulle, a director at the Centre for Research and Dialogue (CRD), the organisation behind the project.

"Young people were asking themselves: 'Am I going to get killed, what might happen when I come back at night, what about my family?'

"The amount of security checks we have to do is enormous," he continues.

"We too are at risk of a young person who has been radicalised slipping through the net and blowing themselves up right here in the studio."

The threat he refers to stems from Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which used to control much of Somalia, and still holds many rural areas in the south.

They believe it is un-Islamic to perform, targeting musicians and venues even now.

They were behind a suicide bombing of the National Theatre last year which left 10 dead and many injured.

"We had just finished renovating a music studio at the theatre when the bombers struck," says Jabril Abdulle.

"We had originally hoped to hold the whole audition process there."

Like American Idol and Pop Idol, each audition is filmed, as is the reaction of the judges.

The grand final of Show Your Talent is planned for a few months' time, in the very same National Theatre that was targeted.

"I'm not scared. I'd definitely go," says Istar, 18, who has been singing for about two years.
Car bombings remain a threat in Mogadishu

Her bravado causes raised eyebrows around her.

"Really? Not scared at all?" she is asked. She says not, but no-one is convinced.

With her next breath, Istar makes everyone fall about laughing when she admits that she perfects her moves at home, with a hairbrush in front of her bedroom mirror.

Slow change

It is clear that astonishing bravery sits side by side with mundane normality in Mogadishu.

Up on stage, another contestant, Deeqa, 18, starts singing.

Quiet at first, but soon a strong clear voice emerges, her hands pointing up to the sky with moves reminiscent of classic soul singers from the 1980s.

None of the girls draw inspiration from Western singers.

"Do you like the singers on American Idol like Britney Spears or Mariah Carey?" I ask.

"Not at all," they laugh.

Despite the ongoing threat to performers, organisers and contestants credit an improvement in the security situation in Mogadishu for making it possible to have a competition like Show Your Talent in the city at all.

Al-Shabab pulled out of Mogadishu in 2011 and there is no longer a front line running through the city.

Forces from the African Union's mission in Somalia, known as Amisom, continue to push to control more and more of the country.

However, so far they are not able to stop asymmetric warfare like suicide bombings and improvised explosive devices, and analysts say that as more territory is lost by the militants, these attacks could increase.
Small businesses like the local fishing industry have once again begun operating

But confidence is improving, business is reviving and walking along the street feels much safer than even a year ago. You can see Somalis enjoying a revival of cafe culture in makeshift tea shops along roads where once they wouldn't dare linger.

"It has been difficult for a young woman like me to have freedom in Mogadishu," explains contestant Deeqa.

"But over the past year the security situation has been improving - that is one of the reasons I can even come out and say 'I want to sing,'" she says.

"But you still need to be cautious if you want to sing songs somewhere. You still need to cover yourself up completely and wear a full veil. You have to be careful," she warns.




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Yemen – Terra Incognito

Yemen – Terra Incognito



Few international problems remain quite as intractable as does the current political instability and conflict in Yemen. This veritable Serbonian Bog has been largely abandoned by the international community, who routinely dismiss this quagmire of factionalism and dire poverty as a quasi-failed state that is the haunt of Al-Qaeda and its affiliates. With international legations closed and almost all but the most tenacious journalists having withdrawn from the country, the plight of Yemenis and those ‘trapped’ in the country goes unreported.

Once there were Western diplomats aplenty who took an interest in the Arabian Peninsula and the history and heritage of the region. They were not obsessed with security, but were keen to master Arabic, Farsi and various other languages. Some possessed encyclopaedic knowledge of various clans and their traditions, and for all the mission and machinations of London and Paris sought to understand that which seemed so very different to the Occidental outlook. This gilded world lasted until the 1950’s when Arab-nationalism wreaked havoc upon the policies formulated by the Foreign Office, London and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paris and was to see the gluttonous King Farouk toppled in Egypt and the nationalisation of the Suez Canal. London and Paris along with the newly created state of Israel endeavoured to engineer an emergency to act as a cover for military intervention only to find that their machinations earned the disapproval and censure of the United States of America and resulted in a humiliating climb down. The fall-out from the Suez Crisis was far reaching, bolstering Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, emboldening the Soviet Union to send tanks into Hungary and sowing the seeds of discontent and treachery that was to result in the murdering of the benign King Feisal II of Iraq and his family in 1958. One of Nasser’s disciples, Brigadier Sallah in September 1962 was to orchestrate and execute an Egyptian backed coup in Yemen, thus ousting Muhammad al- Badr – the Yemeni King and Imam, whilst the following year Abdul Salam Aref, another friend and admirer of the Egyptian leader, carried out the violent overthrow of Prime Minister Qasim of Iraq, an event that ushered in the era of the Ba’ath Party which ultimately was to lead to the rule of Saddam Hussein.

Arab Nationalism and rivalry, the Cold War and changing geo-politics has certainly not been kind to Yemen or its neighbours. In the years since the disastrous Suez debacle of 1956 Foreign Ministries in London and Paris have gradually withdrawn and the body of cultural knowledge they once possessed has gradually dissipated and been lost. Many modern British diplomats have never even heard about John Bagot Glubb let alone read any of the writing of the famed Glubb Pasha; his books, most notably Great Arab Conquests, should be required reading. Mention the likes of the Trucial States and Nuri -as Said and one is greeted with quizzical looks and blank stares. Now the few diplomats who bother to take an interest have the same profiles, invariably their Curriculum Vitaewill feature Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia. Security, containment, terrorism or counter-insurgency movements would appear to be the sole interests of those who are assigned to ‘monitor’ Yemen. NGOs are equally thin on the ground and media coverage is near non-existent. To all intents and purposes Yemen has become invisible, a non-state, a land that has been allowed to drift off onto the dark margins.

Like Syria here is a land where a proxy war is taking place, a titanic struggle between the Gulf States and Iran, Sunni versus Shi’te Islam. In addition historic rivalries, especially in the interior of the country and the fact that the Yemeni Government’s writ has never really extended much beyond Sana’a and one has a situation that is indeed both highly complex and in a state of flux. Political expediency and a total lack of understanding leads most international observers to view things in a simplistic manner, put crudely: Yemen = Al-Qaeda. This analysis is not only erroneous, it is dangerous, because it appears to condemn and demonise the entire population. Whilst there is extremist activity, the majority of those living in Yemen are endeavouring to survive and whilst they are Muslims, this does not mean that they support militant elements. Foreigners invariably find it difficult to comprehend al-Din (the complete way of life) that is so integral to being a Muslim. Yemen is bedevilled with challenges not least the fact that it suffers from water and food insecurity and according to the International Fund for Agricultural Development only 15% of the population has access to electricity. Politically it has endured years for turmoil, with the ramifications of the 2011 Revolution still being felt. Internal strife and external meddling have become a way of life. The Yemen Times has calculated that between April and October 2013 there have been some 93 assassinations of security and army officials, with others since. Add to this anecdotal evidence of interference from countries such as Saudi Arabia and US drone strikes against supposed Al-Qaedaoperatives and the picture is decidedly depressing. Diplomats, NGO workers and Foreign Correspondents have up sticks and left and as a consequence reliable information has become even scarcer.

Whilst the world may be oblivious of what is going on, momentous events are taking place. Currently the town of Dammaj in the Sa’ada Governorate is being besieged, the siege having entered its 64th day. Houthis (a group of Zaydi Shi’ites) are indiscriminately raining shells and sniper fire down onto the Sunni residents. The Houthis who are believed to be receiving support from Iran routinely label the townsfolk of Dammaj as takfereen (extremists) and are intent on taking the town regardless of the cost. The list of deaths and casualties is climbing day by day. As well as the locals being besieged there are a number of foreign students who have been studying at the Dar Al Hadith Centre (a renowned centre of Islamic scholarship) who are unable to leave. An American student was killed by snipers two days ago and other nationalities including British citizens have been endeavouring to leave for weeks to no avail. The family of at least one British national has sought help from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London and to date has neither received a sympathetic hearing or practical assistance. The situation is desperate with food scarce and even the most basic of medical supplies are fast running out and yet the mainstream media appears indifferent to what is taking place. Iona Craig, Yemen Correspondent of The Times of London (who is based in the Sana’a) managed to encapsulate international indifference to the newsworthiness of the plight of the citizens of Dammaj when she commented; “I’ve pitched it all over the place. Zero interest.” To all intents and purposes Yemen would appear to have become a terra incognito and what is more the wider world appears ignorant or unconcerned about its fate.

Mark T Jones – London-based commentator on International Affairs

For further information on the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen visit:

https://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/ComplexCoverage/Documents/Yemen/UNCTY_HumanitarianCrisisinYemen.pdf

http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

World: Witness: Iran, Where Your Shoes Can Get You Deported

World: Witness: Iran, Where Your Shoes Can Get You Deported



In the end, the family was deported to Afghanistan over pink sneakers and platform sandals.

Zohrah, 17, and her sister Hasina, 15, sounded furious, in a teenager kind of way, when they talked about their arrest and how it led them, their father, and Zohrah’s boyfriend to a dusty reception center on the Afghan side of the Iran-Afghanistan border.

They were waiting for a bus to drive them across the arid land further into Afghanistan, a country neither girl had ever seen – Hasina was born in Iran, and their parents had settled in Iran when Zohrah was still an infant. But because their parents were Afghans, none of the family had Iranian citizenship. Dozens of other Afghans sat with them in the hangers of the reception center. Like Zohran and Hasina’s family, a number of them had papers showing they lived in Iran legally, but this didn’t stop Iranian officials from deporting them.

The girls had been arrested only three or four days earlier – that’s how long the entire deportation process took. They had traveled about 35 kilometers from their home to make a religious pilgrimage to Qom, a holy city for Shia Muslims. Zohrah wore high-heeled platform sandals, while Hasina wore pink sneakers. In Qom, a police officer stopped them, offended that they chose to wear bright shoes when visiting a holy city. He also criticized them for wearing makeup. The girls argued with the police officer, and he arrested them on charges of not sufficiently complying with Iran’s strict Islamic dress code for women.

Iran detains and deports hundreds of thousands of Afghans every year with without any legal proceedings or the opportunity to seek asylum, according to a new Human Rights Watch report,Unwelcome Guests. Members of the Iranian security forces have absolute power to deport Afghans. Afghans facing deportation are typically bused to Afghanistan within a couple of days of being detained without any opportunity to prove that they have a legal right to live in Iran or to lodge an asylum claim. These days, Afghans are systematically denied the opportunity to apply for refugee status when they first enter Iran, leaving them vulnerable to deportation at any moment. Some deportees are beaten during the deportation process, and all are charged exorbitant fees.

About 3 million Afghans live in Iran, having fled Afghanistan at many different points during the conflicts that have engulfed the country for the last 35 years. At first most were treated decently, by refugee standards. But that has changed, in part because of increasing economic pressures on Iranians. Yet Afghanistan is not a place many refugees should be returned to – a report from the UN refugee agency shows that not only do returned Afghans have trouble finding work and reclaiming their land, but they also face Afghanistan’s deteriorating security conditions.

After Zohrah and Hasina were detained and taken to the police station, Zohrah called her boyfriend, explained the situation, and asked for help. Her fiancé called their father, and the two men went to the station to try to secure the girls’ release. Instead, the men were promptly arrested as well. The police had realized that the whole family was Afghan and had decided to deport them – in spite of the fact that Zohrah, Hasina and their father were in Iran legally. Zohrah and Hasina’s mother was left behind, as well as the sisters’ younger siblings, ages 12, 8 and 3.

Zohrah and Hasina, unlike many Afghan women, spoke confidently, without deferring to their father, and made eye contact with a male interpreter. Most people don’t think of Iran as a bastion of freedom, but compared with women in Afghanistan, Iranian women are much better off. In Iran, 60 percent of university students are women, while only about half of Afghan girls go to primary school.

Sitting by the border talking about their next steps, the family looked shell-shocked. It was also obvious that the girls had no idea how much harder their lives would be in Afghanistan, where the expectations of women – and women’s ability to exercise their rights – is so different from in Iran.

But their father was the most distraught. He was tortured over the question of how he would reunite with his wife and children who had been left in Iran. He had worked as a day laborer in Iran for 15 or 16 years, and he knew what lay before them in Afghanistan. He was the person responsible for his family. Not only did he need to provide for the two girls, but for the rest of their family left behind in Iran – his wife and three younger children, as well as an aunt and aging grandparents.

“We don’t have any money in Afghanistan,” he said. “We don’t have any money to go back to Iran. My wife does not work, she’s uneducated. What will she do?”

“What will we do?” he said.

Source: Human Rights Watch
http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

Yemen – Terra Incognito

Yemen – Terra Incognito



Few international problems remain quite as intractable as does the current political instability and conflict in Yemen. This veritable Serbonian Bog has been largely abandoned by the international community, who routinely dismiss this quagmire of factionalism and dire poverty as a quasi-failed state that is the haunt of Al-Qaeda and its affiliates. With international legations closed and almost all but the most tenacious journalists having withdrawn from the country, the plight of Yemenis and those ‘trapped’ in the country goes unreported.

Once there were Western diplomats aplenty who took an interest in the Arabian Peninsula and the history and heritage of the region. They were not obsessed with security, but were keen to master Arabic, Farsi and various other languages. Some possessed encyclopaedic knowledge of various clans and their traditions, and for all the mission and machinations of London and Paris sought to understand that which seemed so very different to the Occidental outlook. This gilded world lasted until the 1950’s when Arab-nationalism wreaked havoc upon the policies formulated by the Foreign Office, London and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paris and was to see the gluttonous King Farouk toppled in Egypt and the nationalisation of the Suez Canal. London and Paris along with the newly created state of Israel endeavoured to engineer an emergency to act as a cover for military intervention only to find that their machinations earned the disapproval and censure of the United States of America and resulted in a humiliating climb down. The fall-out from the Suez Crisis was far reaching, bolstering Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, emboldening the Soviet Union to send tanks into Hungary and sowing the seeds of discontent and treachery that was to result in the murdering of the benign King Feisal II of Iraq and his family in 1958. One of Nasser’s disciples, Brigadier Sallah in September 1962 was to orchestrate and execute an Egyptian backed coup in Yemen, thus ousting Muhammad al- Badr – the Yemeni King and Imam, whilst the following year Abdul Salam Aref, another friend and admirer of the Egyptian leader, carried out the violent overthrow of Prime Minister Qasim of Iraq, an event that ushered in the era of the Ba’ath Party which ultimately was to lead to the rule of Saddam Hussein.

Arab Nationalism and rivalry, the Cold War and changing geo-politics has certainly not been kind to Yemen or its neighbours. In the years since the disastrous Suez debacle of 1956 Foreign Ministries in London and Paris have gradually withdrawn and the body of cultural knowledge they once possessed has gradually dissipated and been lost. Many modern British diplomats have never even heard about John Bagot Glubb let alone read any of the writing of the famed Glubb Pasha; his books, most notably Great Arab Conquests, should be required reading. Mention the likes of the Trucial States and Nuri -as Said and one is greeted with quizzical looks and blank stares. Now the few diplomats who bother to take an interest have the same profiles, invariably their Curriculum Vitaewill feature Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia. Security, containment, terrorism or counter-insurgency movements would appear to be the sole interests of those who are assigned to ‘monitor’ Yemen. NGOs are equally thin on the ground and media coverage is near non-existent. To all intents and purposes Yemen has become invisible, a non-state, a land that has been allowed to drift off onto the dark margins.

Like Syria here is a land where a proxy war is taking place, a titanic struggle between the Gulf States and Iran, Sunni versus Shi’te Islam. In addition historic rivalries, especially in the interior of the country and the fact that the Yemeni Government’s writ has never really extended much beyond Sana’a and one has a situation that is indeed both highly complex and in a state of flux. Political expediency and a total lack of understanding leads most international observers to view things in a simplistic manner, put crudely: Yemen = Al-Qaeda. This analysis is not only erroneous, it is dangerous, because it appears to condemn and demonise the entire population. Whilst there is extremist activity, the majority of those living in Yemen are endeavouring to survive and whilst they are Muslims, this does not mean that they support militant elements. Foreigners invariably find it difficult to comprehend al-Din (the complete way of life) that is so integral to being a Muslim. Yemen is bedevilled with challenges not least the fact that it suffers from water and food insecurity and according to the International Fund for Agricultural Development only 15% of the population has access to electricity. Politically it has endured years for turmoil, with the ramifications of the 2011 Revolution still being felt. Internal strife and external meddling have become a way of life. The Yemen Times has calculated that between April and October 2013 there have been some 93 assassinations of security and army officials, with others since. Add to this anecdotal evidence of interference from countries such as Saudi Arabia and US drone strikes against supposed Al-Qaedaoperatives and the picture is decidedly depressing. Diplomats, NGO workers and Foreign Correspondents have up sticks and left and as a consequence reliable information has become even scarcer.

Whilst the world may be oblivious of what is going on, momentous events are taking place. Currently the town of Dammaj in the Sa’ada Governorate is being besieged, the siege having entered its 64th day. Houthis (a group of Zaydi Shi’ites) are indiscriminately raining shells and sniper fire down onto the Sunni residents. The Houthis who are believed to be receiving support from Iran routinely label the townsfolk of Dammaj as takfereen (extremists) and are intent on taking the town regardless of the cost. The list of deaths and casualties is climbing day by day. As well as the locals being besieged there are a number of foreign students who have been studying at the Dar Al Hadith Centre (a renowned centre of Islamic scholarship) who are unable to leave. An American student was killed by snipers two days ago and other nationalities including British citizens have been endeavouring to leave for weeks to no avail. The family of at least one British national has sought help from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London and to date has neither received a sympathetic hearing or practical assistance. The situation is desperate with food scarce and even the most basic of medical supplies are fast running out and yet the mainstream media appears indifferent to what is taking place. Iona Craig, Yemen Correspondent of The Times of London (who is based in the Sana’a) managed to encapsulate international indifference to the newsworthiness of the plight of the citizens of Dammaj when she commented; “I’ve pitched it all over the place. Zero interest.” To all intents and purposes Yemen would appear to have become a terra incognito and what is more the wider world appears ignorant or unconcerned about its fate.

Mark T Jones – London-based commentator on International Affairs

For further information on the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen visit:

https://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/ComplexCoverage/Documents/Yemen/UNCTY_HumanitarianCrisisinYemen.pdf

http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

Yemen – Terra Incognito

Yemen – Terra Incognito



Few international problems remain quite as intractable as does the current political instability and conflict in Yemen. This veritable Serbonian Bog has been largely abandoned by the international community, who routinely dismiss this quagmire of factionalism and dire poverty as a quasi-failed state that is the haunt of Al-Qaeda and its affiliates. With international legations closed and almost all but the most tenacious journalists having withdrawn from the country, the plight of Yemenis and those ‘trapped’ in the country goes unreported.

Once there were Western diplomats aplenty who took an interest in the Arabian Peninsula and the history and heritage of the region. They were not obsessed with security, but were keen to master Arabic, Farsi and various other languages. Some possessed encyclopaedic knowledge of various clans and their traditions, and for all the mission and machinations of London and Paris sought to understand that which seemed so very different to the Occidental outlook. This gilded world lasted until the 1950’s when Arab-nationalism wreaked havoc upon the policies formulated by the Foreign Office, London and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paris and was to see the gluttonous King Farouk toppled in Egypt and the nationalisation of the Suez Canal. London and Paris along with the newly created state of Israel endeavoured to engineer an emergency to act as a cover for military intervention only to find that their machinations earned the disapproval and censure of the United States of America and resulted in a humiliating climb down. The fall-out from the Suez Crisis was far reaching, bolstering Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, emboldening the Soviet Union to send tanks into Hungary and sowing the seeds of discontent and treachery that was to result in the murdering of the benign King Feisal II of Iraq and his family in 1958. One of Nasser’s disciples, Brigadier Sallah in September 1962 was to orchestrate and execute an Egyptian backed coup in Yemen, thus ousting Muhammad al- Badr – the Yemeni King and Imam, whilst the following year Abdul Salam Aref, another friend and admirer of the Egyptian leader, carried out the violent overthrow of Prime Minister Qasim of Iraq, an event that ushered in the era of the Ba’ath Party which ultimately was to lead to the rule of Saddam Hussein.

Arab Nationalism and rivalry, the Cold War and changing geo-politics has certainly not been kind to Yemen or its neighbours. In the years since the disastrous Suez debacle of 1956 Foreign Ministries in London and Paris have gradually withdrawn and the body of cultural knowledge they once possessed has gradually dissipated and been lost. Many modern British diplomats have never even heard about John Bagot Glubb let alone read any of the writing of the famed Glubb Pasha; his books, most notably Great Arab Conquests, should be required reading. Mention the likes of the Trucial States and Nuri -as Said and one is greeted with quizzical looks and blank stares. Now the few diplomats who bother to take an interest have the same profiles, invariably their Curriculum Vitaewill feature Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia. Security, containment, terrorism or counter-insurgency movements would appear to be the sole interests of those who are assigned to ‘monitor’ Yemen. NGOs are equally thin on the ground and media coverage is near non-existent. To all intents and purposes Yemen has become invisible, a non-state, a land that has been allowed to drift off onto the dark margins.

Like Syria here is a land where a proxy war is taking place, a titanic struggle between the Gulf States and Iran, Sunni versus Shi’te Islam. In addition historic rivalries, especially in the interior of the country and the fact that the Yemeni Government’s writ has never really extended much beyond Sana’a and one has a situation that is indeed both highly complex and in a state of flux. Political expediency and a total lack of understanding leads most international observers to view things in a simplistic manner, put crudely: Yemen = Al-Qaeda. This analysis is not only erroneous, it is dangerous, because it appears to condemn and demonise the entire population. Whilst there is extremist activity, the majority of those living in Yemen are endeavouring to survive and whilst they are Muslims, this does not mean that they support militant elements. Foreigners invariably find it difficult to comprehend al-Din (the complete way of life) that is so integral to being a Muslim. Yemen is bedevilled with challenges not least the fact that it suffers from water and food insecurity and according to the International Fund for Agricultural Development only 15% of the population has access to electricity. Politically it has endured years for turmoil, with the ramifications of the 2011 Revolution still being felt. Internal strife and external meddling have become a way of life. The Yemen Times has calculated that between April and October 2013 there have been some 93 assassinations of security and army officials, with others since. Add to this anecdotal evidence of interference from countries such as Saudi Arabia and US drone strikes against supposed Al-Qaedaoperatives and the picture is decidedly depressing. Diplomats, NGO workers and Foreign Correspondents have up sticks and left and as a consequence reliable information has become even scarcer.

Whilst the world may be oblivious of what is going on, momentous events are taking place. Currently the town of Dammaj in the Sa’ada Governorate is being besieged, the siege having entered its 64th day. Houthis (a group of Zaydi Shi’ites) are indiscriminately raining shells and sniper fire down onto the Sunni residents. The Houthis who are believed to be receiving support from Iran routinely label the townsfolk of Dammaj as takfereen (extremists) and are intent on taking the town regardless of the cost. The list of deaths and casualties is climbing day by day. As well as the locals being besieged there are a number of foreign students who have been studying at the Dar Al Hadith Centre (a renowned centre of Islamic scholarship) who are unable to leave. An American student was killed by snipers two days ago and other nationalities including British citizens have been endeavouring to leave for weeks to no avail. The family of at least one British national has sought help from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London and to date has neither received a sympathetic hearing or practical assistance. The situation is desperate with food scarce and even the most basic of medical supplies are fast running out and yet the mainstream media appears indifferent to what is taking place. Iona Craig, Yemen Correspondent of The Times of London (who is based in the Sana’a) managed to encapsulate international indifference to the newsworthiness of the plight of the citizens of Dammaj when she commented; “I’ve pitched it all over the place. Zero interest.” To all intents and purposes Yemen would appear to have become a terra incognito and what is more the wider world appears ignorant or unconcerned about its fate.

Mark T Jones – London-based commentator on International Affairs

For further information on the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen visit:

https://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/ComplexCoverage/Documents/Yemen/UNCTY_HumanitarianCrisisinYemen.pdf

http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

Bolloré in talks for Somaliland port

Bolloré in talks for Somaliland port


Bolloré Africa Logistics today confirmed that it was in negotiations with the Somaliland authorities to develop a port in Berbera, on the Gulf of Aden.

“The Berbera port has indeed caught our attention,” CEO Dominique Lafont told Port Finance International. During an interview in London, he explained that such a project could ease trade in and out of Somaliland, a breakaway Somali state.

The port could also act as a gateway to neighbouring landlocked Ethiopia, Mr Lafont added. With a population in excess of 90 million and a growing influx of foreign investments, Ethiopia is bound to play an increasing role in East Africa, he noted.

“We therefore started negotiating with the Somaliland authorities several years ago. These negotiations have been through various twists and turns. For the second time, we are getting closer to conclusion,” Mr Lafont said, before insisting that talks were ongoing and that nothing was settled yet. “We are fully aware of the highly entrepreneurial aspect of this concession.”

Bolloré Africa Logistics is the number one operator in Africa, both in terms of ports (15) and TEUs handled. Its boss explained that the French group’s strategy consists in combining the sea ports it holds in concession with the inland logistics network it operates “so as to open up African economies.”

“With Ethiopia, we have a textbook case, as it is a totally landlocked country with a huge potential,” Mr Lafont said.

Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and is trying gain international recognition.

For Bolloré Africa Logistics, the Berbera project is part of a wider strategy. The group, which has a strong port presence in western and central Africa, wants to expand those port activities to eastern Africa, where it already has logistics activities. In recent years, it won port concessions in Moroni (Comoros) and in Pemba (Mozambique).

Besides this “Pan-African axis”, Bolloré has ambitions beyond Africa. A few months ago, it made its first port investment outside the continent: it acquired a minority share in a container terminal in Tuticorin, on the southern tip of India.

Mr Lafont told PFI that Bolloré Africa Logistics is looking at opportunities elsewhere on the Indian subcontinent, in South-East Asia, and in parts of Latin and Central America.





http://www.portfinanceinternational.com/categories/emerging-economies/item/1222-bollor%C3%A9-in-talks-for-somaliland-port?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter




http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

Somaliland:Government Responsiveness to Citizens on Public Service Infrastructure Development

Somaliland:Government Responsiveness to Citizens on Public Service Infrastructure Development

By Abdisamad H. Mohamed (A.Sayid)

Several factors determined economic growth and infrastructure development of nation building passing dissimilar stage including physical quantitative measures, Electricity, Building Roads, Railway, Maintenance of Roads, Airport, Irrigation and Urban Supply Water, likewise there are quite a few economic phenomena determined economic growth and capacity building of infrastructural development which are level of production, GDP (Gross Domestic Product/ Income Per Capita)

This article anticipated Somaliland government responsive to its citizen on development project and Public Service Utilization among the community resident urban sectors associated with large cities. Service delivery are the responsibility of government present their population where ever they resident remote/cities.

Recently Years, Somaliland government led by President- Silanyo and his cabinet Established An Initiative (Road Construction and Maintenance) encouraged citizens pay due to taxation for improving the infrastructure and Road Maintenance, leading Road Development Agency (RDA) and restyle new large road constructions, after the government take account to the citizen need, government had planned to adjust it annual budget assign head to road Construction and Maintenance,

Principally, government exist preserve community to develop the basic amenities including Public service delivery, enhancing Education Policies(Primary/Secondary), Primary Health and Promoting Judicial System of the country, Somaliland government persist development of some basic conveniences infrastructures including Roads Constructions, Sustainable Peace and Security related Policing and Internal Government Buildings Improvements, recently the government has renovated its Ministerial Office Compound, all those above are some responsiveness from Somaliland government to its citizens.

With broad experience of all key factors of government activities on provisional public service, Somaliland government needs to hire young professionals knowledgeable for the field of Social Science and Public Administration to develop the infrastructure facilities needed society, instant elected local councilors incompetency performance, did not  implement service to the community, I would like to appreciate central government their improvement of citizens needed of basic infrastructure including Construction and Maintenance Of Roads and improvement of  Government Employee Skills With Professionalism

As Public Sector Reform Commentator, I would like highlighting some useful information about Somaliland development of Public Institution Administration, which will cover government Agencies, Ministries, Public Independent Agencies and other Government Regulatory Bodies.

• Government must have Comprehensive Policy of Public Civil Servant in order to measure the performance and quality of its employee in terms of service delivery and Social Improvements Activities
• Government must consider of improving Public Financial Management(PFM) in order to develop Public Trust and transparent as well as creating banking system, this point is more emphasizing financial matter of government transaction, this promote to collect and receive all revenue source, then infrastructure will enhanced and enabled to delivery service to the society.
• Public Mandatory Bodies (Public Sector Institutions), must have a decentralized power of administration for written Rules and Regulation of Administration (Bureaucratic Administration- This not means of hierarchy), this factor of government administration simplifies when the Administrator (DG) leave the office, the office will independently functioning.
• Government must create and improve different public policies of administrating people’s needs, including- Primary Education Policy, Primary Health Policy, Public Servant Administration Policy, Environmental Protection Policy, Civic Education Policy and Community Policing Policy all those  different kinds of public policies will easily enable the improvement of infrastructure and service delivery to the community
• Central government support local government in terms of financial grant(Conditional and Unconditional Grant) and technical assistance to improve service, as I hope if this possible happened in good forward management competency, the infrastructure will better and better
• The above predetermined factor, I hope, will bring Progressive Administration of Somaliland Public Service/Infrastructural better and better stage  

By MGoth

http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

Somaliland: Auditor General Accuses WFP of Corruption

Somaliland: Auditor General Accuses WFP of Corruption
By: G. A. Maher

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) - The auditor general office has accused Ministry of planning that over sees the work done by WFP was alerted by the auditor general concerning food stuff that have gone missing in mysterious circumstances.

In a letter of complaint sent to the charity organization pertaining under her nose was forwarded by the Ministry of Planning. In a confidential report the government of Somaliland put forward to the WFP senior official reports prepared about eastern regions food distribution that condemns the WFP senior officials of theft of food during the past 3 years of H.E. Ahmed Mohammed Mahmud

(Silanyo) Presidency.

The report says that WFP was forced to sack three senior officials because of their endemic corruption thence prompting President Silanyo to appoint a committee comprising serving members of the cabinet to investigate the agency. Then committee instructed the auditor general to investigate the agency and thus the report was revealed.

WFP has asked the government to give it two weeks to investigate the claims. WFP coordinator Mr. Yusuf Osman Garaas has issued a circular to the government and donors concerning those who apply for food assistance to follow the right channels in their application for aid.





http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

Ethiopia:What the Somalis can learn from Ethiopian Cultural Festival?

Ethiopia:What the Somalis can learn from Ethiopian Cultural Festival?



The Cultural Festival that held in Jigijiga was an immaculate efforts undertaken by both people
and Government. It was human expression depicting the unity of people of 70 tribes of different culture, different region, different languages, and different religions, but under one
nation. In a period of twenty one years, Ethiopia has shown remarkable transformation from
feudal system into a capitalistic nation that embarked on economic and social success in urban
improvement, modern highway system, transformation of peasant agriculture into commercial
farming, and attracts foreign investment in industrialization projects.

The core of such successes came from people who believe in the shrine of nationhood and the unity of their country.
While Ethiopia was undergoing such economic transformation, Somalia was heading towards
disintegration into a governance system so alien to a united Somalia. The present system of federalism was crafted by unholy alliances of UN, IGAD, and Europeans who after many years of
negotiations came to believe that the Somalis have more pledges to clanism than nationhood.
The medical subscription given to them happened to be a bitter pill that can’t be swallowed.
Right on the eve of forming federal system in different regions, it is apparent that clan feuds among the people living in the same districts came to the surface. This shows that the system has so much loophole that it can never result cohesive national government. It is a hodgepodge system that promotes clanism, lacks economic vitality, puts the regions on the mercy of central government for financial handout. Majority of the regions that will embody federalism, their people have no market economy, because they are either pastoralist or subsistent farmers. Despite this fact, the formation of regional governments emulate that of central government headed by president, cabinet ministers, and parliament.

The constitutional wrangle that pops up every now and then and the challenges erupting from
regional leaders, like Farole, is a clear indication that the system is elusive and inapt that can’t function unless the constitution is subjected to review for amendment.
If federalism works in Ethiopia why it doesn’t work in Somalia? Ethiopians are people who subjected to rule and law for more than hundred years. They are zealous and patriotic. If even there are particular groups who oppose the government their dedication to their country remains unchanged. In the case of Somalis, if the head of the state is not their clan, they have no loyalty to that government. There is an anecdote that says two men who attended Friday pray came out of the Masjid. One of them said that he was impressed by the message of the Imam.
The second one asked “ What is Imam’s clan?” This shows how clanism is embedded in minds of Somalis and if the Imam is not your clan you turn deaf ear to Allah messages.
In the absence of national government much have been done in regions and districts that development never reached in the past. All by the efforts of clans, cities grew by leap and bound, educational institutions were built and managed by private people, and water wells were dug in areas that never had accessibility of water with the incomes came from Somali
Diaspora. The district authorities have no financial sources to run social services, like dispensaries, hospitals, cities sanitations, and security. The spirit of self-reliance is so apparent in Somaliland where good governance and democratic elections held through out the years
despite some deficiencies. Dependable security apparatus that exists in Somaliland is worth of emulation.

All in all, the major deterrent to national unity is the abhorrent belief jn every Somali unless his/her clan gets a lion’s share in the political power, they withheld their recognition to that government.
Mohamed H.Bahal



By MGoth
http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

The Inevitable conclusion to the Somalia & Somaliland Talks

The Inevitable conclusion to the Somalia & Somaliland Talks






Twenty two years after self-declared Independence and twelve years after the ratification of Somaliland’s constitution by popular vote, the democratically elected Government of Somaliland (GoSL) headed by its fourth president Ahmed Siilanyo had finally been given the opportunity to open dialogue with the internationally accepted President of the Somali Federal Government (SFG), Hassan Sheikh. Talks were inevitable and have been highly anticipated by the Somaliland Govt and the citizens of Somaliland who finally have the opportunity to finalize the reality after waiting decades for a credible Government to be formed and acknowledged by the International community. Somaliland is considered a self-governing autonomous region of Somalia even though it was one half of the former Somali Republic which was formed by voluntary union of British-Somaliland and Italian-Somalia; this formation disbanded after the Somali Civil War which the Socialist Military dictator SiyadBarre was held responsible for the massacre ofan estimated 75,000 Somalilanders.

During my several visits to Somaliland, to this present day there are still vivid reminders of that period whether it’s the memorial in Hargeisa of the MIG which desecrated Somaliland’s capital Hargeisa to naturally occurring reminders such as bones appearing on the riverbank every time the rivers flow in both Gabiley & Hargeisa. These talks have the ability to provide a platform for acknowledgement of the atrocities as well as compelling the SFG to realise the reality on the ground.

Turkey initiated the first round of talks between the two sides to ‘open dialogue’ in Ankara on April 13th. The talks concluded with a memorandum of understanding known as the ‘Ankara Communiqué. The Ankara Communiqué consisted of seven points which both side agreed which can be viewed on the Turkey’s Foreign Affairs website.

Unfortunately the talks didn’t yield results in terms of breakthroughs from both SFG and GoSL, this deadlock became evident when SFG authorised an airplane to land within Somaliland’s territory breaking point seven of the Ankara Communiqué. This led to the GoSL grounding all UN flights in and out of the country. This issue was resolved July 7th – 9th2013 in Istanbul which both parties held further talks to rectify the situation. An agreement was reached which was to create a joint-control body which manages both airspace based in Hargeisa however this was reneged by the SFG which discreetly signed another agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The final talks was expected to take place in November however due to Political turmoil within the SFG which subsequently led to the ousting of its PMSaciidShirdon, the talks were delayed on several occasions. Somaliland’s FM Mohammed BihiYounis who was the former Deputy Joint Special Representative for UNAMID in Darfur emphasized during an interview with a Somali news outlet that “… Somaliland is ready and has been ready for a while” reiterating that the conclusion of the talks will be “Somaliland and Somalia living side by side as neighbours and brothers as two countries as it has been over the last two decades.”On the other hand, the SFG’s President Hassan Sheikh proclaimed “We will do our best and unite with our brothers from Somaliland by early next year.”

In my view, this proclamation by President Hassanisn’t just reckless, butalmost borderline delusional as it is completely devoid of the reality on the ground in Somaliland. President Hassan has set the bar very high for himself which he’ll soon realise. Somaliland unlike Somalia has stability which many argue is down to democracy. I agree to an extent that democracy is a factor which ensures a sense of national unity, participation and representation. The idea that Somalilanders will reunite again with Somalia to form another Somali Republic is a dream held closely by Somali Nationalists that are predominantly located within former Italia-Somalia who aspire to reunite all Somali speaking regions whether it’s within Ethiopia, Kenya, Somaliland or Djibouti. Their arguments tend to be incompatible with the concept of democracy as they strongly feel there shouldn’t be a choice. They believe there should be one Somali speaking country irrespective of freedom and choices.

To understand the difficulty of a reunion with Somalia, I will address some hypothetical situations. Let’s say for argument sake the GoSL agrees to reunite with Somalia to re-establish the Somali Republic again, this agreement would have to clear a few hurdles and acknowledge that:
Firstly, the GoSL will have to call a referendum as it would mean a change in the constitution of Somaliland. Please note the constitution was ratified by 97% of electorates in 2001 which was considered free and fair by international observers. The Government in power which attempts to implement this change will have automatically committed political suicide and would most likely be followed by an overwhelming defeat in the next elections and replacement for the foreseeable future after its motion is rejected in parliament. I’m sure every political party in Somaliland is fully aware of the reason why they have been voted for and their expectations to abide by the constitution.
Secondly, the Government in Mogadishu would be expected to acknowledge the atrocities committed under the regime of SiyadBarre and hand over all those evading justice in Somalia and the West. However a recent report eluded that the SFG has requested immunity for former Defence Minister Mohamed Samantarwho’s currently in Prison in the U.S. for War Crimes committed in Hargeisa, Somaliland during the late 80’s. Information on the case can be found online as ‘Samantar v Yousef.’ It is very unlikely President Hassan Sheikh would comply with such requests as it would cause him difficulty within his reconciliation efforts with the dozens of warlords in and around Somalia.
Finally, the SFG will have to acknowledge that Somaliland is not a region of Somalila but a country. The fact Somalilanders celebrate 26th June as their independence is testament to the history and reality of the region. Somalia’s Independence Day is celebrated 1st July. Regions such as Puntland and Jubba Administration which had always been a part of the former Ita-Somalia would likely reject the notion that the reunification will be implemented as two countries reuniting again and not a ‘Federal Region’ as they are/want to be recognised as.

The mammoth challenges which lie ahead are difficult indeed, I believethe talks will ultimately reach a deadlock which the international community will eventually be compelled to mediate. I believe this is actually the most beneficial solution for the GoSL as its clear the SFG have no logical reason to reunite other than the false hope that all Somali regions will eventually be reunited, this is known as ‘Somaliweyn’ in Somali. This logic is incompatible to the realities on the ground in Somaliland and the aspirations of self-determination of the citizens of Somaliland. Somaliland’s case for recognition is similar to every other annulled union around Africa and around the world e.g. Egypt/Syria and Senegal/Gambia.

In conclusion, the inevitable outcome of the talks will ultimately come down the ability of the SFG to recognise the realities on the ground and act on the olive branch being presented. The SFG recently lost an MP within its compound Villa Somalia; this displays the challenges it faces by threats not just within the country, but within its capital Mogadishu from Al’Shabaab. The opportunity for creating an environment of mutual trust and cooperation is required now more than ever in Somalia and I believe the inexperience of the unelected Government in Mogadishu are either inadvertently or purposely harming Somalia’s position in the region. The current status quo of delaying talks will not benefit the SFG but prove Somaliland has done everything and the situation calls for International intervention. Just last week I read reports of Somaliland’s first car was assembled along with the reports that a French investor is ready for invest a substantial amount into the infrastructure of Berbera port; these projects which have been implemented with the GoSL is testament to the reality on the ground. Moreover, the recent return of Genel Energy will raise eyebrows across the globe, especially if a vast reserve is discovered. It’s important to note than these Oil exploration licences were authorised by the GoSL and will be used to benefit its citizens only.

There a several options available to the SFG, one would ensure an amicably separation based on mutual trust and friendly relations whilst the other option wouldadd tension, mistrust and animosity in an already volatile regioneventually compelling International companies to act on the stalemate and lobby for recognition in lieu of their clients operating in Somaliland. The main issue many large international corporations have in Somaliland is insuring their products/services.Due to Somaliland’s status, financial services will not provide insurance because Somaliland is yet to be recognised, this is a barrier which I’m sure stakeholders will tackle if the Port of Berbera will be utilized effectively.It would be an embarrassment to President Hassan Sheikh who proclaimed the intention of unity whilst International Governments and NGO’s continue to coordinate, liaise and forge bilateral relations with the Government of Somaliland, this itself adds to reinforce that the GoSL is the legitimate representative of Somalis living in that region.

The inevitable conclusion to the Somalia-Somaliland talks will come down to the issue of freedom and the right to self-determination. Can a country enforce unity on another country? The answer is No. Somaliland earned it’s statehood through the darkest of timeslooking down a barrel of a gun. Think about it, those born in 1991 when Independence was reinstated will be twenty two years old. Twenty two yearsin living in what they know as Somaliland, how do you reverse that historical, physical and emotional attachment? As long as Somalilanders continues to celebrate its Independence when it gained it from Britain on 26th June 1960, it will always remain a country in the hearts and minds of its citizens irrespective of recognition and that remembrance itself is the biggest obstacle for the SFG.



The author Sayid Madar was born in Gabiley, Somaliland and currently lives in the UK. A business graduate and a Civil Servant employed by the UK Government. Interests include Foreign Policy & International development. Please note, views expressed are views of the author only. You can contact the author on:

Blog: www.SJMadar.wordpress.com
Email: jmadar00@googlemail.com
Twitter: @1Madar_




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