Does VOA Hate Somaliland or Is It a Perception? Lets find out

Unbelievable - that is the only way I could describe of this Somali language article published on Somaliland papers in Hargeisa and the popular Somaliland owned sites.

The article basically explains in detail the original hiring process, which I concur, as a sham and extremely bias (I will explain my reasons later) and the way VOA Somali Service is managed now.

Of course Somalis are divided into tribal camps and yes any clan would mistress the head of the program if he is not one of their own. But what gave this article more credibility is how the author constructed the facts. And here is the fact check;

The Article claims that the man asked to hire the initial employee is from Ethiopia. His name is Mr. Mengesh. Mr Mengesh has made a good choice of going to Minnesota to recruit the future VOA radio Somali broadcasters. (Minnesota is the home of the largest Somali Americans)

First, he (Mr. Mengesh) asked people through word of mouth (that Is not professional, typical third world way of disseminating information instead of using other methods such as community papers and local media) to come to Hayatt Hotel in downtown Minneapolis to take a simple language test in early September - at that time, the article explains, almost all would be potential candidates from Somaliland were absent from the state to attend the annual Somaliland Conference organized by SOPRI. The article got it right because as a Somali Minnesota Media member, I was at the Conference in DC area too and never got the chance.

So, Mr. Mengesh and his Somali guide, helper or assistance (don't know what he has called him at the time) who happened to be from Puntland, Mr. Said AKA Sayid had deliberately made a strategic decision to focus to hire predominantly non Somalilanders as the timing of their quest suggests. In that faithfull day, none of the attendees were from the main cities of Hargeisa, Burao, Berbera or Erigavo except one girl named Zuhur.

Yes, there were two or three other individuals that grew up or maybe lived in Hargeisa but none the less were not members of the majority clan that hails from Somaliland - couple of them ended up being hired - of course for no fault of their own - But hear this, no one else was present to take advantage of the limited scheduled testing time.

The reason I concurred this is because I sent this email to Mr. Mengesh upon my return from the conference in DC explaining my credentials and how much I wanted to be part of the process.

Secondly, as the article explains and I have verified after I interviewed some of the original test takers this week in Minnesota (I’m in Minnesota as I write this piece), Mr. Mengesh and his handler were asking people about what region they come from during the interview. It seems that the VOA Somali section that is being created had already made a strategic decision to identify their candidates through the tribal glass - The article claims that this was an attempt to exclude the Somalilanders from the process by not even seeking a single resident of Minnesota from Somaliland.

Thirdly, after Mr. Mengesh hired the new aspiring would be Somali broadcasters from the twincities and elsewhere, he realized that most of them were not well known in Somali speaking communities through out the world. That was a blow to VOA since it would likely to compete with the much popular BBC Somali in London. So he hired couple of famous Somaliland broadcasters - Hereri and Awke - to boost the marketing and to compensate his original shortcoming of not hiring "real" Somalilanders. Eventually those two guys left in few months, for whatever the reason.

Of course the VOA would naturally need a Somali to report from Hargeisa (the capital of Somaliland) and so they hired a native Hargeisa lady. After Hargeisa's reporting was so overwhelming for her, they have decided to hire a guy to help her.

But the article claims that none of the other major Somaliland cities has a reporter. The article compared how other, even smaller cities of the Somalia proper has reporters. The article also complained that the only reporting VOA Somali is interested is to “create division among Somalilanders by focusing only debates on the three Somaliland National Parties to enhance their disagreements.”

Within a year or so the VOA Somali Services decided to have a Somali Chief Editor, Mr. Yabarow who was an editor already got the job.

Yabarow later recommended the hiring of the only broadcaster from Somaliland working in VOA main office in DC. This journalist's name is Fathia - and the article explains in detail the difficulties Fathia is facing to do her job and how her voice is rarely heard in the radio. To be fair, the article refrained to explain more!

This is, also, the tricky part for me, since I can't verify independently for what is happening in those VOA DC Studios. But since the article got the other above points right, I'm willing to take its word for this as well, unless I heard the VOA's version.

Don't get me wrong. I don't have any hurt feelings for not getting the opportunity to show what I could do - I moved on to pursue my media career elsewhere - I also happened to know the Chief Editor and several other VOA staff members - But my courtesy is limited to these insinuating circumstances the article has claimed to be true, which are overwhelmingly close to the truth.

And my blogging about the article and its contents is not, by any means, a slandering VOA Somali Service, its leadership and/or its staff, but rather a critical gesture to suggest a soul searching action that may clarify the fact based perceptions out there and to develop a new strategy to balance their approach onto Somali tribal society.

Like I said, yes, Somalis are divided into mistrusted clans and any head of a public program like this would be a subject to unkind scrutiny, but the opportunity to continue to self correct and counter measure still exists. AND that is why I think the management (Mengesh, Yabarow, the lady -forgot her name) and the staff of VOA Somali could take advantage of this critical article and other feedback they receive from outside- to help them improve their stand in Somaliland public. To communicate better and to clear the air- After all, they are in the media- public relations business and ignoring this article as a necessary nuisance is not wise.

Like all other Somalilanders out there, I wonder if VOA Somali Service Management would ever explain the main question that the article raised; How come there are no Somaliland editors in the VOA Somali Service Program?

History shows that Somaliland media personalities used to dominate airwaves in BBC, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and most of all medium that broadcast in Somali language through out the world.

I would accept any response, but please don't tell me that you can't find someone talented in this rich pool of Somaliland Americans. Can't wait to hear the answer!

Somalis in the US should take some responsibility

After all, the country that gave you shelter, safety and other opportunities such as education, jobs and place to call home is not asking that much in return.

What America wants is not for us to go and fight but stop those among us that are trying to destroy the same freedom we enjoy. Is that too much to ask?

Come on people - It is obvious that we are sadly divided into tribal groups. Everyone belongs to a clan and most likely clans don't trust each other, for whatever the reason. But when it comes to our common interest - be part of a larger American community with civic responsibility- Shouldn't we take serious for that responsibility to get rid of the bad apples that are recruiting our youth to become murders?

Those elements among us are not doing us a favor! If they harm America, the same country that did so much for us, they are hurting us. They are hurting the future of our children. Our name is dragged and associated with the enemies of the state.

If we have complained in the past that the Bush administration had an agenda to repress Muslims wherever they are, here or abroad, what do we have to say now that the new administration is willing to dialogue? Don't you get it? This is our country as much as it is the white Minnesotan's or the Midwestern citizen's next door.

Let us put our political differences on how to run Somalia and which clan should get what resources (if there is any at all) aside and focus on what is important here. USA is our home that gave us second chance to be whoever we would like to be and it deserves better.
Our freedom we enjoy is not free! People had died to achieve it and people are dying to keep it as we speak. All we have to do is to clean our conscious and take those bad apples out of the community. We need a serious house cleaning!

Somaliland: What Somalia Could Be

Somalis from what used to be the Southern Somalia complain about the bragging of Somaliland politicians on how the peace in the north have been acheaved -Through local reconcilation without enterfarence from outsiders - However, with out the bragging and avoiding what some may see an idea that is forced in their throat, it is really important that the rest of Somalis should follow the example and create homegrown stability and democracy. Something belongs to Somalis that they should be proud of.

Below is an article by Professor Pham explaining why the rest of Somalis should follow the Somaliland model.

Somaliland: What Somalia could Be
By J. Peter Pham

It came as no surprise when Foreign Policy magazine and the Fund for Peace released their “Failed States Index 2009” three weeks ago that, once again, Somalia topped the rankings. What I reported two weeks ago about the country’s “Transitional Federal Government” (TFG) continuing to lose what little ground it has left in the face of an onslaught from Islamist insurgents is even truer as the forces of al-Shabaab (“the youth”), the al Qaeda-linked group formally designated a “foreign terrorist organization” by the U.S. Department of State last year, and its allies, including the Hisbul al-Islamiyya (“Islamic party”) group of Sheikh Hassan Dahir ‘Aweys, a figure who appears personally on both United States and United Nations antiterrorism sanctions lists, seize control of more and more neighborhoods in Mogadishu.

Click here to read more..

Source: Family Security Matters

CSI Somalia: Interpol Targets Pirates

The war on Somali pirates has moved to the bargaining table,to the crime labs, and to Somalia’s white beaches. With the beginning of East Africa’s stormy monsoon season, hijackings at sea are down, giving the coalition of pirate-fighting nations a chance to counter-attack. Their weapons: fingerprints, grassroots anti-piracy leagues… and 500 Somali men, in shorts and t-shirts.

The U.S. Navy, NATO and the other military forces patrolling East African waters, say it’s not hard to fight pirates, once you identify them. But Somali sea bandits blend in with innocent fishermen and toss their weapons over-board when they’re caught, so that nobody can prove they were up to no good. Piracy is a “complex legal issue linked to national law, international law and the law of the high seas,” NATO General Karl-Heinz Lather said, in May. Without good evidence, NATO has been releasing captured pirate suspects on the nearest Somali beach.

Interpol, the international police force, is hoping to change that, by collecting fingerprints of pirate suspects. “Without systematically collecting photographs, fingerprints and DNA profiles of arrested pirates and comparing them internationally, it is simply not possible to establish their true identity or to make connections that would otherwise be missed,” Interpol executive director Jean-Michel Louboutin said yesterday.

Meanwhile, on land in Somalia, the U.S.- and U.N.-backed “transitional government” has recruited 500 men to fill the ranks of an anti-piracy force. The men began training last week, in their “simple uniforms of shorts and white T-shirts.” The force is riding a rising wave of popular opposition to pirates, whose crimes have disrupted international efforts to stabilize Somalia. Some reports have pirate bosses pleading for leniency from incensed imams and elders.

[PHOTO: The Somaliland navy, via American Chronicle]

Courtesy: Danger Room blog by David Axe

From the Midwest to Mogadishu

An article in The Times by Andrea Elliott on Sunday examined the case of more than 20 young Somali-Americans who are now the focus of a major domestic terrorism investigation.

Most of the men are refugees who left Minnesota, which has one of the largest Somali communities in the United States, and are suspected of joining Al Shabaab, a militant Islamist group in Somalia. One of the men blew himself up in a suicide attack in Somalia in October.

We asked some experts what dynamics in the Somali community might make it more possible to lure these young men to that group. While “homegrown” jihadism has caused alarm in Britain and other European countries, does the United States face challenges of its own? Can the government detect and prevent such movements from gaining footholds here?

• Ken Menkhaus, political scientist
• Bruce Hoffman, professor of security studies
• Zainab Hassan, The Minneapolis Foundation
• Steven Simon, co-author, “The Next Attack”
• Thomas Sanderson, Center for Strategic and International Studies
• Guido Steinberg, German Institute for International and Security Affairs
• Bill Durodié, Chatham House in London

Click here to read the entire debate

Madaxda Raad TV Fawzia Y. Adam oo waraysi siisay Idaacadda VOA

Todobaadkan Barnaamijkeena MaridaMikrafoonkaWaxaa Studio-yaha VOA ee magaalada Washington ku sugan oomartikuahbarnaamijkan Fowsiya Yuusuf Xaaji Adan, oo ah Madaxa telefishanka caalamiga ah ee Raad TV ee fadhigiisu yahay London.

Halkan Riix si aad u dhegeysato waraysiga.

Katherine Kersten: Lawsuit could tear down the TiZA curtain

Ms. Kersten's revelations are serious that may shine light on the current Somali Youth disappearance in Minnesota. The least, we may find out who to blame now that some names are mentioned in her article. Jamici and the rest that she is blaming must respond to defend their dignity and clarify the articles perception.


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We may learn about its possible links to missing Somali youth, MAS-MN.

The ACLU of Minnesota made headlines in January when it sued Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy (TiZA), a public K-8 charter school in Inver Grove Heights. The suit -- which followed media reports of organized prayers and a pervasive religious environment at TiZA -- alleged that the school is violating constitutional prohibitions against government endorsement of religion.

Click here to read More..

It is been Long since I updated my blog.

What really entice me to write on my blog from time to time mostly depend on the current affairs that I encounter which interests me or my flowers. But due to travel that made impossible for me to stay up to date for what is happening in the world of Somali people had contributed the abandonment of my beloved blog.

Fortunately, I have my ever demanding friends that not only remind me attention the blog needs, but also criticize the choice of my articles. I have to say, I miss all those emails and discussions on the topics I choose for us to read and for this summer, or whatever left of it, I will dedicate more time to post interesting articles and my experience in traveling in the US, Canada and/or Europe.

For my readers, friends and foes, thank you all for your feedback and commentaries. Please keep them coming.

Magan@ymail.com

New Dawn in America: Watch Obama's Speech on his inauguration day: Part 1 and Part 2

Part 2 of 2