Somaliland: When a culture of peace takes root

CAN you imagine a place swarming with beggars and jobless people yet just adjacent there are stalls and stalls of money in banknotes including American dollars, British pounds and so forth in the open with no policemen around to secure those stalls of money?

“This phenomenon you see is a result of the fruits in a situation where a culture of peace takes roots. People have experienced so much suffering and deprivation as a result of war and occupation that they are sub-consciously not prepared to act in a manner that would jeopardise the well-being of others,”

Makwaia wa KUHENGA is a Senior Journalist and Author recently on a visit to Somaliland. To read more, click or visit this URL : http://dailynews.habarileo.co.tz/magazine/?id=5660

Re-emergence of 26 June Celebration. Is there a new Pan Somalism sentiment?

Fikirka Xorta ah ( USA) - It is said many times, in so many ways that Somaliland people are not only forgiving but have the highest tolerance among the Somali Ethnic population in the East Africa/Horn of Africa.

This argument was (again) in part of a debate I read and heard in this weekend. A heated discussion took us in a roller coaster off topic longer then usual Somali way of exchanging ideas with passion and counter argument with vengeance. The forum of the debate was mainly secret and exclusive members only email group that has a somewhat forwarded and clear name of "Sons of Somaliland" but usually go by (among themselves) "Concerned to Prevent" or "Almost Genocide".

The group mostly debate about the current political, social and economic situation of Somaliland and neighboring countries. Daily topics change depending on the headlines and current events, but half of the time is usually devoted to sort through reports and researches assigned to different teams.

One particular team has just concluded their finding on a "possibility of war with Somalia" scenario that was assigned a month earlier. Policy recommendations and guidelines for the government were eloquently delivered. Separate high secret implementation points/plans that were for members only were dissected and distributed with the usual full warning (reminding the group the bonds that tie their fate together).

After going through the motions, it is time to open the forum for discussion. Because of the timing and the news coming out of Somaliland, the topic of the day was chosen to be the 26 June and most members have naturally agreed to examine and express their opinion.

Several News agencies reports about the subject were posted. One of the headlines read in Somali "Madaxtooyada Somaliland oo looga debbaal degay 26 Juun markii u horraysay in ka badan 17 sannadood." Basicly that Somaliland President allowed the celebration of the 26 June for the first time in more then 17 years in the Presidential Palace.

Within minutes you can feel the reaction of some people. This subject has touched the nerve or the core existence of this secret association. Even though the debate was about the 26 June, the current Somaliland Administration and UCID Party of Somaliland that had, also, hosted similar celebration event for the day in question, received the wrath of the majority of the members.

The President and the UCID Party were accused of confusing the population by resurrecting June 26 Day to diminish the importance of May 18 (The contemporary Somaliland Day). Both were criticized for not having clear objectives and obvious message to Somaliland people except pleasing a particular interest group that may vote for them in the next election. Kulmiye Party of Somaliland has somehow escaped the blame and got praised couple of times by some members.

The direction this dialogue was going was very concerned to the current discussion mediators. Because this particular group (in their Bylaws) has already agreed to put aside any partisan and personal political issues, they were worried that the fervor may exacerbate to uncontrollable different level that is contrary to the objective of the group. The Mediators have tried to steer the discussion from blame to solution. They have eventually succeeded to reach an agreement on points to follow up with assigned team. But boy, this has opened a Pandora Box.

The fragility of the Somaliland Political Institutions that can't withstand the political manipulation by the current administration and some what less intense but equal out come by UCID party was clear to all members. The question that disturbed the emotions of those participants was; is there a new Pan Somalism Sentiment that would disrupt the lives of Somalilanders and would have the muscle to threaten the State itself?

No one had the real answer and for the next month and so every member will still ponder the question until they do their own research or get the report back from the team assigned to do so. But the reality is that the politicians from Somalia proper as well as Somaliland ones from time to time use or evoke the subject of Somali nationalism depending on their short political gain of the year. Never knowing, or worrying about how this will play in the general population. Or even never have the clue that some nutzo/wacko but effective and right minded groups exist. Those groups may call or may not call themselves names such as "Concerned to Prevent" but they are watching politicians' moves and digesting their motives with counter measure that you would never expect from a Somali group.

The way this group is organized, funded and managed is beyond my wildest imaginations. Somalis usually love to talk with less action, but this group and their secretive below the radar activities is what had amazed me personally. Writing this about them would, I'm sure, damage my relationship with them. it would also result limited access to the participation of their most sensitive discussions in the future. But, hey, who could resist sharing such an interesting piece of information with his audience.

Enough said about the group, what about the rest of the Somali people? Is 26 June relevant to today's political climate? What would Somalis gain/loose if they totally forget about 26 June? How would this affect the patriotism sentiment and or nationalists' feeling? And most of all;
***************************************************************
Is Pan Somalism dead or a threat to Somaliland existence? Why all of a sudden 26 June is important to some people? Share your thoughts with the readers.

INTERVIEW - Somali pilot returns to city he refused to bomb

By Hussein Ali Nur and Guled Mohamed

HARGEISA, Somalia, June 27 (Reuters Life!) - On July 13, 1988, Somali fighter pilot Abdi Mohamed Hassan was ordered to bomb Hargeisa city as part of operations by dictator Mohamed Siad Barre to crush anti-government forces.

Hassan defied his superiors, and instead dropped his load on bare mountains close to the hilly city in north Somalia that is now capital of the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Then he crash-landed on a beach in neighbouring Djibouti after running out of fuel, handed himself in to local authorities, and eventually won asylum in Luxembourg despite Somalia's bid to bring extradite him.

Twenty years on, Hassan -- now a businessman in Luxembourg -- is back in Hargeisa for the first time, invited by the government as a guest of honour during this week's celebrations of Somaliland's independence from Britain on June 26, 1960.

"The instruction was to bomb Hargeisa city using Russian made Fab 500kg bombs," the 56 year-old father-of-four told Reuters in the city, where ruins still bear witness to the massive bombardment of 20 years ago.

"But I had already made up my mind never to drop the bombs. As a soldier, I swore to protect my people. There was no way I could hurt my own countrymen."

Now Hassan is thinking of moving back to his homeland -- either Hargeisa or Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, where he was born.

In Hargeisa, a camouflaged metal replica of Mig fighters like the one Hassan flew stands in Independence Square as a memorial to the bloodshed and terror unleashed by Barre, who was toppled in 1991.

Somaliland, a former British protectorate, won independence in 1960 just four days before Italy relinquished the south. The two territories joined together to form modern Somalia.

Inter-clan hatred ensured the union was a difficult one, and those four days in 1960 now form the legal case for Somaliland's 1991 declaration of independence.

Although it lacks international recognition, the northern enclave has held democratic elections and is relatively peaceful compared to the rest of Somalia, especially in the south.

The bespectacled and bearded Hassan is disgusted by daily violence in Mogadishu and elsewhere in the south, where Islamist insurgents are battling the Somali government and its Ethiopian military allies.

"Innocent civilians die every day in the south. I wish to urge the combatants to spare our country and people. I long for the day when peace will prevail in my beloved country," he said.

In Somaliland, Hassan is lauded for his decision 20 years ago. Peace activists gave him a certificate of appreciation.

"I am glad I did not drop those bombs here...I got a hero's welcome. I miss home and will one day return to settle in Hargeisa or Mogadishu," he said, showing the certificate. (Writing by Guled Mohamed; Edit by Matthew Jones)

*******************************************************************************
To read more about the 1988 Somalia Air Force Operations in Hargeisa click this link: http://www.somalilandtoday.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=641

Fighting Terrorism: It was enshrined in Somaliland Constitution long before 9/11

Recently, Sencil Council, a leading think-tank in the world, issued its 4th report on Somaliland and Somalia. The report mentions the facts in Somaliland.

Somaliland suffered of terrorist attacks long before 9/11, particularly after bombing of U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. UN and Foreign Aid workers were targeted by the terrorists in Somaliland. Islamic Fundamentalists bombed many sensitive areas in Somaliland including Military bases. To see the report please click this link:

http://www.senliscouncil.net/documents/chronic_failures_war_terror

UN urges breakthrough as Somalia peace talks open

DJIBOUTI (AFP) — The UN's Somalia envoy called Monday on Somalia's main political rivals to seek an end to years of bloodshed as peace talks opened Monday in Djibouti.

"I call on them to think of the terrible political, security and humanitarian crisis in their country and put all their efforts into resolving it," said envoy Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah.

His statement said he was "pleased that Somali leaders have put the wellbeing of their country and the safety of their countrymen as their priority."

The opening of the talks had been due to take place on Saturday but was delayed as some delegates had yet to arrive in Djibouti.

Ould-Abdallah has already met separately with leaders from the transitional government and the Asmara-based opposition Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS).

Ould-Abdallah will seek to build trust between the two sides, although Islamist leaders and allied hardline clans are boycotting the talks as they did in 2007 when the last attempt to reconcile the political rivals failed.

The fresh drive to bring all parties to the negotiating table comes after Nur Hassan Hussein replaced Ali Mohamed Gedi as prime minister.

The talks will be held against a backdrop of daily clashes between Islamist insurgents and Ethiopian-backed Somali government troops.

On Monday, at least three civilians were killed following an insurgent attack against an Ethiopian military convoy south of the capital Mogadishu, witnesses said.

Islamists have said they will not negotiate with the government until the Ethiopian army, which came to rescue of the embattled government in late 2006, leaves Somali soil.

The restive country has been devastated by almost uninterrupted civil conflict since the 1991 ouster of former president Mohamed Siad Barre which has defied at least a dozen peace initiatives.

Why Current President and his Adminsitration are failing Somaliland?

Fikirka Xorta ah - Well, to begin with Somaliland is in a political cross road. The only positive news is that the members of the Diaspora elite are going back to participate: the upcoming elections by declaring their candidacy, economic boom by investing huge needed capital along with new ideas, and by bringing their foreign born children to teach them about the culture.

On the other hand, the country is in one of the worst drought ever recorded. Average citizen is struggling to survive with less. There are no jobs. No humanitarian relief and support in sight or coming from outside world. Which made people uneasy about the future.

The Country is also in an election mood. Some of the politicians are gearing up to exploit their weak and frail constituents by; adopting clan tactics, bribes and empty promises.

Instead of waiting the rain season to make any big decision, however, the current government has, also, chosen to add more fuel to the fire by redistricting the land and creating more regions along clan and tribal allegiances.

This government action will have the potential to create more competition among clans. It will damage the peoples already fragile trust about their government. It is, or will be seen by future historians, one of the worst legacies the current administration would be leaving behind.

Such actions would clearly demonstrate the failed policies this administration has adopted lately. It emphasizes how Rayale, instead of providing services that ease the hardship of citizens’ daily lives; when they needed the most by coming up plans that craft more healing and unity, has chosen to utilize divisions and fear mongering way of ruling.

The 'clan Politics" is the most distractive force that has destroyed our brethren Somalis in Mogadishu. The Current Administration is playing with fire.

Off course, some would agree that there are areas that would benefit a separate administrative regions because of their population density and rapid growth of their cities such as Gabiley. But doubling the entire country's regions from 6 to 12 without years of study and a budget to hire new civil servants, buy equipments and dissect plans to manage these regions will eventually be confusing to an already devastated and traumatized nation.

A contributor to a Somali website that is usually critical to Somaliland's existence got it part write this week in his Ed/Op article titled, "Rayaale has got his sums wrong again". The article went further explaining the reasons why the government is wrong and the bad consequences that will follow. Click here to read the article: http://www.somalipressreview.com/view.php?articleid=328

The Somaliland Administration’s management style has focused lately in only one area: How to divide and rule clans? How to master the clan politics to further advance the current leadership’s quest to remain power? How to exploit the meager resources of the nation?

Local papers are reporting that some Somaliland Ministers are abusing the public offices by accepting bribes and making deals with foreign corrupt companies. Take a look at the Somaliland Times’ coverage and “detailed facts” about the actions of the Minister of Minerals and Natural Resources of Somaliland: http://www.somalipressreview.com/view.php?articleid=328

Contrary to what is happening inside Somaliland, the world has been looking at this poor nation a better keen eye that it has long deserved. There are 'highly visible' delegates coming from superpower nations. There are new voices added to the call for making Somaliland a member of the “international community”. US, mainly interested, of course, the port of Berbera, is leading the way. Even though The Somaliland government is tight lipped and refused to elaborate the nature of the deal it made with the US Government, sources close to the administration is painting a somewhat positive picture; the only encouraging report so far.

The outside world is watching and the reputation of Somaliland and the "credit" that it has built over the years as a transparent, democratic, and multiparty system above clan lines are in jeopardy, if not already damaged. The current Administration has created mess and every step forward it makes; unfortunately, it makes two backward steps with dire consequences.

It is time for change! We can no longer accept what is happening to the nation and the administration is loosing whatever little vision of leadership it has mastered in the past. To survive and move forward; New leadership! New blood! And new vision! Is what Somaliland needs.

Change is necessary, but, how could we make a smooth transition while preserving our peace and stability? Share your say with our readers.

Muranka ka dhex taagan Guddida Doorashada Qaranka

Fikirka Xorta ah - Ma yara hawsha laga sugayo inay qabtaan Guddida Doorashada Qaranka. Waxay saaran masuuliyad ah inay maamulaan doorasho xor ah oo xalaal ah oo dadweynaha Somaliland ku qanco, kuwa tartamayaana raalli ka yihiin. Waxay haystaan wakhti yar oo ay dadka ku tiriyaan, doorashadana ku qabtaan.

Hawsha miisaankaa lihi waxay u baahan tahay dad aqoon farsamo, xirfad maamul iyo karti waddaninimo leh. Waxay ddonaysaa wada shaqayn la isku miisaamo danaha is jiidhaya ee Xisbiyada iyo kuwa gaarka ah, iyadoo danta guud ee dalka la isugu soo biyo shubayo ama lagu salaynayo waxqabadka kasta oo soo baxa.

Haddaba wararka beryahan ka soo yeedhaya xafiiska Guddida Doorashada Qaranka ee ku saabsan khilaafaadka xubnaha qaarkood, eedaymaha xisbiyada, iyo is casilaadda Guddomiyaha ayaa werwer xoog leh ku abuurtay shacbiga horumarka jecel ee Somaliland.

Dalkan wax badan baynu u hurray, naf, maal, maskax, maamul hagaag iyo hoggaan adag, waxana maanta habboon in laga hortago inaanu dhibka Guddida Doorashada Qaranka haystaa noqon mid saamayn mustaqbal sida dalka Kenya oo kale innagu yeesha.

Waa in dadku yar iyo weynba arkaan hawsha haysataa culayskeeda oo ay u garaabaan. Waa inaynu la talinnaa, ka caawinnaa dhinaca farsamada oo taakulayn iyo dhiirri gelin u fidinnaa. Ficilka hore wuxuu kaa caawiyaa ka hortagga dhibaato ama belo soo fool leh.

Haddii aynaan iska kaashan maanta, oo ana la aqoonsan goldaloolada Guddida Doorashada Qaranka, berrii ayaynu ka calaacali.

Maxaad ku talin lahayd? Soo dir fikirkaaga xorta ah.

UNV volunteer leads WFP efforts to build capacity of Somali Refugees minorities in Somaliland

Large numbers of refugees have poured into the Somaliland region from southern Somalia as a result of continued civil disruption.

Due to Somalia's clan-based politics, these displaced people are minorities and, as such, have fewer rights than most locals. They thus become particularly vulnerable to poverty, starvation and exploitation.

Click here to read the Relief Web Report:

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EGUA-7CWT9C?OpenDocument

__________________________________________________________

Is Somaliland equipped to handle the refugee crisis?

Since Somaliland is not a recognized country, these Refugees from Somalia are considered IDPs (Internally Displaced People), not actual refugees. Thus, Somaliland is not eligible for the UN refugee assistant funds and programs.

The Refugees from Somalia is crippling Somaliland's economy, environment and way of life. Somaliland Government has shown its compassion to host those running from the war torn Somalia, but doesn't have the resources to take care of them.

Somaliland will not be able to sustain the pressure any longer and the crisis has already affected the native, local population. Hargeisa, the Capital of Somaliland is hosting estimated 200 to 300 Thousand refugees. The additional population has strained the living resources. It has been reported water and energy shortages.

The robbery, rape, and other violent crimes have drastically increased over the past year. There are new health concerns and public health is at risk as city hygiene is in a verge of disaster.

The City Government is working on a way to accommodate the refugees while struggling to provide minimum services to its residents. How long would local officials can handle this problem without help is in question.

What Somaliland Citizens are asking the world is to help us help those refugees by making our government eligible for all UN Refugee Funds, not the mere relief donations we receive now.

_______________________________________________________________
What do you know about the refugee situation in Somaliland?

Share your experience with us if you live in or just visited Somaliland.

Somalia: Militants Glad to Be on U.S. List

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Islamic militants in Somalia welcomed being added to the United States’ list of terrorist organizations, saying they wished only that the designation had come sooner. The State Department announced Tuesday that it added to its list the military wing of the Council of Islamic Courts, called Al Shabab, or the Youth, because it is affiliated with Al Qaeda, according to American officials. “We are happy that the U.S. put us on its list of terrorists, a name given to pure Muslims who are strong and clear in their religious position,” Sheik Muqtar Robow, Al Shabab’s spokesman, said. “We would have been happy to be the first, but now we are unhappy that we are the last,” he said.

Mogadishu, the Somali capital, has been engulfed in violence involving movement fighters, who controlled much of southern Somalia for six months before being driven out in December 2006 by the country’s Western-backed government and its Ethiopian allies. On Wednesday, heavy fighting in Mogadishu killed at least eight people, including three Ethiopian soldiers, witnesses said.

*******************************************************************************

Very interesting twist! What would they (Radical Shabab Leaders) hope to gain by escalating confrontation with the most powerful nation on earth, US. I'm sure I maybe targeted by acknowledging the American "Military Might and Power", but the reality is that they are better off denouncing violence and start negotiating with the Somali Government while its still weak and willing to share power.

Otherwise, well, they will drag this nation to more tragic, violence and hardship. Somalis are tired of wars and suffering and in need of peace and stability, stop making it hard to achieve.

Send your comments to Free Thinking Blog!