TIGblogs - Country - Somalia http://somalia.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us My very 1st day http://.tigblog.org/post/536093
Heavens what is going on here.....why is that happening with Somalis? For over 20yrs we were lawless with no direction at all and it never gets enough...now some sick people calling themselves Islamic movements are in the picture and they are killing their own people!!! Hey, as I said it never gets enough, now we have sea pirates and they are hijacking ships like no tomorrow at all. What really kills me is that no one is doing anything; they are just there watching how lousy and horrible the country is getting every passing day. Now we have Al-Qaeda cells hiding under all these chaos and using fake name like Islamic Courts Union and Al-Shabab. American sent the Ethiopian troops to backup the Transitional Federal Government and till today it is getting worse then any improvement.

I am from Somaliland (North West Somalia) where the Southern part of Somalia was in chaos, Somaliland was enjoying peace and stability. Our economy is weak but we were surviving well, we have our currency, government structure and Military forces that made lots of other Somalis jealous and envious to blast us with three different planned car blasts and it been claimed by Al-Shabab insurgencies. Is it fair??? We will never find out.

Today while I was taking the bus to the office I was hearing the BBC breaking news/latest news on Somalia pirates, the Al-Shabab insurgencies is upset because the pirates hijacked an oil ship belongs to Saudi Arabia; they were upset enough by saying it is no where in the Islamic religions that tell us to hijack or take what other Muslim brothers own!!! DAH!!! And where was the Islamic religion when killing innocent people and by the way MUSLIM too!!! Gosh, are they for real; they are so much confused that they don't know the right from the wrong, where is it in Islam religion that encourage killings of innocent people Muslim or non-Muslim!!!

I just ask everyone that we pray hard for them to get WELL and SANE!!
]]> Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:11:00 EST http://.tigblog.org/post/536093 9.5833333 44.06666679.583333344.0666667 abdirashiid bardacad http://.tigblog.org/post/527143 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:13:00 EST http://.tigblog.org/post/527143 9.9333333 43.18333339.933333343.1833333 Editorial: The delay of rural areas development http://.tigblog.org/post/500011
On the other hand, the life of rural is the mother of Africa civilization from the earlier up to now. Despite of that, for the past three decades many residential rural areas turned into cities, others were moved and became like a desert. The big question is why did rural areas became undeveloped and migration areas?


The causes of this critical condition are different from country to country, region to region, and village to village. Tremendous rural settlement had been changed into cities that brought to be disappeared to the most wealth of Africa which was livestock that the continent was familiar. Others have been seriously cut and burned great frosts. Trees have a great value for Africa rural people, but unfortunately, it was heavily burned, traded and intentionally cut by who don’t know how it is valuable to diversity living things.

Numerous rural areas in Somaliland three decades ago had been enriched uncountable livestock. For instant, one family may have over one thousand different types of livestock, the most expensive and valuable of Somali livestock are camels, people had been robbed camels from one clan to another and most clan-wars caused robbery Camels that mainly caused most of early Somali clan-wars. More over, a blunt natural fruits, vegetables, and natural water flow were finding in every where. Know every thing changed due to the influence of western lifestyle, civil wars, industrialization, global warming, lack of rural planning programmes and other factors.

Rural areas were the most important economic sources throughout of the people, this became out of target; if you go around Somaliland rural villages, you will find out empty settlements. The manpower of rural people divided into two categories. One group moved to cities and met the hardship life of the cities that was difficult them to adopt; Second group remain in villages from earl morning to the midnight eating Kat that captured their souls. Kat closed them every door to improve their family life. The tribulations of Kat are national and regional problems declined the economy and the improvement of the country.

Indeed, there is no definite and clear developmental strategy that Somaliland government set up to improve and make sustainable solution of the rural settlements. There are no self-help programmes that government making capacity building the infrastructures of rural civil services. All of these are the main cause of undeveloped of rural areas.

As to obtain sustainable solution, it should organize rural communities and give them rural orientation to develop themselves, the government should attempt to make subsidiaries of rural farmers and look for market to sell for their productions. Another important factor is to build the skills and should provide trainings relate to their own involvements. It’s also required developmental programmes throughout of mass media that enable them to learn their socio-economical problems and solutions.


]]> Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:13:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/500011 9.5833333 44.06666679.583333344.0666667 News Analysis: Do the UN and International Organization Execute good Services for the country? http://.tigblog.org/post/499965 The judgments of this question are divided massively into two groups. Some people may belief that UN and International organization implement the country good services, but actually did not expense enough budgets that cover the identified problems and needs. On the other hand, numerous people believe there is not at all any good service that UN and International organization done the country.

Based on these two different opinions, let us put first ideas on the table. Humanitarian activities and other services that UN and international act on the country and could not been seen directly on the development mirrors of the country, in some places incomplete activities may arise, sometimes the project officer may only prefer to implement the projects without sustainable intension, it’s very limited to continue follow up and regular assessment. One good example of this claims is, It’s been constructed a blunt of MCHs in the capital cities and even big villages, but lack of professional doctors, nurses and other administrational cost could not been in placed who will be responsible to do that. One good example, in Daami A which belongs to Ga’an libax District Hargiesa Somaliland, had constructed by UNICEF in 2007, unfortunately, it’s became a family home, although the needs of that MCH is very high according to the chairwomen of Daami A says “The health condition of this village is very critical due to improper usage of the donated MCH that do not totally work and used by its building civil and policeman family, no one couldn’t try to change this condition into useful solution.”

The second ideas is beyond the scope, those who belief that UN and international organization could not perform good services in the country based on their claims. “Most projects requested by the local UN and international organization 90 percent of the received donation will not bring in the required locations like Somaliland, it is mostly used in Europe, 10 percent of it might be transferred to the placed requested the hundred-percentage-projects needed. Other than, that 10 percent may expensed like these: 4 percent will be administration costs, 2 percent travels and transportation, the remaining six percent will be reduced some more percent by the sub-constructed agency, other more percent will be reduced by the implementation organization. And the last, less than one percent may be implemented the project that was estimated earlier 100 %. Therefore, how can we say UN and international organization execute good services in the country” Deeq Ahmed said, Sweden residence and retirement UN staff.

The minister on National Planning and Coordination of Somaliland, Mr. Ali Sanyare announced all the line ministers to be accountable with the UN and International organization, the Minister accused agencies that they could not implement effective projects in the country. There is no strong collaboration among Somaliland ministries, UN and International organization, things have not solved as being expected.

On bases these claims, Ministry of National Planning and Coordination should plan on how to be controlled these misuse and mismanagement of the social problems in the society. It should be obtained coordination framework and same vision to the entire social problems.

]]> Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:09:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/499965 9.5833333 44.06666679.583333344.0666667 Introduction http://.tigblog.org/post/485155
My shortime ambition is to see Somaliland as a recongnized state having wealth with low literacy and unmloyment rate.. Somaliland as one of the states people from western coming as imigrants..
My longtime ambition is to see African countries as one state sharing one currency and travel document free from conflict and poverty.

Nice to see many young people from the wild world. Great to share Ideas,

I have different proffesions including:
- Lawyer
- Educationist
- Program Managment
- Training Facilitator
- Community mobilization empworment

I am member of
- TIG global
- IYPF
- IYPF HIV/AIDS network
- Faarahomaryahoo group

- Somaliland National Youth Organzations (SONYO) - Nationwide Youth umbrella organization in somaliland
- Horn Youth Development Association (HYDA) - One of the most active organization in the context of Somaliland



-

]]> Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:07:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/485155 9.5833333 44.06666679.583333344.0666667 CEREHRA INTENDS TO USE THE SOMALI ORAL POETRY AS TOOLS OF RECONCILIATION AMONG THE PEOPLES IN GEDO REGION http://.tigblog.org/post/436015
CEREHRA is said to aim at utilizing the skill and experience of Ahmed Farah Ali "Idaajaa" to promote peaceful coexistence in the triangle.

Rahma Rahman, the acting Executive director had earlier this week suggested that " a proper and close consideration is being given to the Somali traditionaL oral poetry to promote the good coexistence and love among the brothers and sisters." ]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:51:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/436015 2.0666667 45.36666672.066666745.3666667 CEREHRA BRINGS THE GAADSAN AND MOALLIM WEYNE ELDERS TOGETHER IN LUUQ http://.tigblog.org/post/424597
Dahir Hassan of CEREHRA who was the lead-mediator of the Gaadsan v Moallim-Weyne negotiations in Gedo region has today said: "We have no more to say at this juncture in time, because we know we will have a lot to explain to you and the media come Friday." ]]> Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:32:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/424597 2.0666667 45.36666672.066666745.3666667 CEREHRA -ONCE AGAIN- CALLS FOR POST-ELECTION, INCLUSIVE RECONCILIATIONS AMONG THE SOMALI TRIBES IN GEDO REGION http://.tigblog.org/post/420407

"This will be a golden opportunity to seize now that Gedo region has only one administration that is relatively representive of the men of all clans." said the director of reconciliations and conflict management in Bulla Hawa of Gedo region.

The Director, has insinuated that CEREHRA is not happy with the male-dominated district councils and womanless regional council that had been established two months ago.

In a completely another arena, the Center has urged the pro-Shabab militia that's occupied Bardera and Burdubo districts to restrain anything that can create an unfortunate armed inter-clan or inter-sect confrontations similar to those in late 1990s.

"I don't think it makes any sense that the youth start demanding people here to wide open their mouths to make sure the people are not consuming Kat or tobacco for this matter." said a CEREHRA activist in Bardera.

The center also praised the Bardera district council and the mayor of the city for being calm and composed at the arrival of the Shebab militia in their turf. The Center further praised the Bardera Traditional Elders (Guurti) and their chairman for what they termed as "all the endeavor."

"The Guurti committee in Bardera are the back-bone of peace here in Bardera" said the Somali letter that was written in Somali "and all of us must be grateful to them. They are the main cause behind the tranquility that the people of this district enjoyed all the time while the rest of Gedo was burning in 1990s" it concluded.]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:35:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/420407 2.0666667 45.36666672.066666745.3666667 CEREHRA CONDEMNS THE KILLING IN MOGADISHU http://.tigblog.org/post/418763
Rahma Rahman, the Executive Director of CEREHRA said in Nairobi "It is such a curse that Somalis are shooting for the jugular veins of their best and most kind." ]]> Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:49:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/418763 2.0666667 45.36666672.066666745.3666667 What caused the death of traditional social life? http://.tigblog.org/post/388851
Reasons cause social distractions are to be allowed their unlimited requirements by the government or religions leaders. As much as you take rules and regulation from yourself, government, religious leaders regardless of the What Allah ordered them each person to preach the people, it will lead you the bad results we have get today across the world in terms of social customs and behaviors, that can be understood by the person who on the right characters.

]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:50:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/388851 9.5833333 44.06666679.583333344.0666667 What caused the death of traditional social life? http://.tigblog.org/post/388847
Reasons cause social distractions are to be allowed their unlimited requirements by the government or religions leaders. As much as you take rules and regulation from yourself, government, religious leaders regardless of the What Allah ordered them each person to preach the people, it will lead you the bad results we have get today across the world in terms of social customs and behaviors, that can be understood by the person who on the right characters.
]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:43:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/388847 9.5833333 44.06666679.583333344.0666667 somali politic kismaayo http://.tigblog.org/post/387777
On 1fst April 2008 thousands suffer as M.S.FH ceased and pulled out its international work force from the seaport town of kismayo after the deadly incident which claimed three of their staff a French logistic expert, Somali driver and a Kenyan physician when their convey of vans was hit by roadside buried detonated remote control bomb. The decision of Geneva based charity has affected many innocent people who will miss the services of those good caring and sympathy doctors, directly those displaced by the conflict and maimed groups in the region, nevertheless the gangland style lawlessness in which even medical supplies are fair game for bandits and this leaves for worrying gaps with epidemic diseases like cholera cases now having reached half of the districts in Tran juba regions.

On 1fst April 2008 two people have been killed as revenge in small village (Bangenni) near by Jamame district, the retribution come after when an employee of local milling machine was ruthlessly killed last month and elders on both sides failed to intervene the matter to normalize the tensed situation though Jamame was the only security reliable place in lower juba on the other hand a vital center of international organizations in the region, however this resulted high displacement and fear in general.


On 2nd April 2008 a man killed hit and run that is believed to be in his earlier 20s was knocked down by car the driver sped away without stopping. The accident took place at 7:00 am, the victim was crossing in zebra voyage way throwing ten meters a head, he was rushed to hospital but dead at the hospital, because no life supporting machines as well resuscitation device, police are the look out for a car and its driver.

On 3thrd April 2008 cholera out breaks fracture in jawareey village of sakow district and its out skirts became the worst confirmed cholera cases an out break thinning out
Around the regions, the world health organization has confirmed more than 48 cases in middle juba and at least 16 deaths from the acute and rapid dehydration it causes the troubles, however, also point the beyond the immediate struggle to control the deadly advance that begin in mid February (2008) on the other hand a prolonged famine and
Starvation has exacerbated the present situation.

On 4th April 2008 the business premises and money exchange markets have been closed after kismayo business association (KBA) issued a statement after 8 hours of close door meeting condemning the local authority and Sade steering committee not tackling the economic matters and pointed them opportunists not much thinking about the vulnerable war town patriotic being engulfed by endless domestic violence in the country it’s a time that the Somali shillings against dollars has reached a point of no turn ever since.

On 8th April 2008 there are reports of drought affecting all of western regions e.g. Birole, Buulohaaji, yaagraar and other small villages which has caused high displacement in the region to other regions to look for water and pasture for their animals many of their animals dead lock of fibbers and water on the other hand seasonal rains delayed than expected, residents in the area move to site 27 km walk along a distances to get portable drinking water, the people are said to be in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.


On 10th April 2008 a heavy fighting go sky-high in luuq District of gedo region, during
The clashes three people have been killed and half dozen were injured both militias used sophisticated weapons and machine guns; the exact cause behind the clashes is not yet ascertained. Traditional elders have failed to solve the matter, residents in the area fled to neighboring villages, it is feared that the fighting may again renew although both militias are receiving re-enforcements.


On 11th April 2008 one person was killed in Bardhere and another pedestrian sustained injuries in a broad day light after a man armed with a revolver opened fire, soon after the incident local police launched an operation and succeeded to arrest the murder who is now under police custody, elders in the District are negotiating the next step forward. In the last months gedo regions were characterized by disorders and militias roadblocks become the order of the day.


On 12th April 2008 hundreds of displaced families from the shelling of Mogadishu moved to lower juba, most of them have gone to dobley in af-madow District on the border with neighboring Kenya, those have indicated an intension to cross the border. During their journey they faced harassments and transgression.


On 13th April 2008 freelance gunmen blocked the main roads of transportations as well the intersections of Vio- afmadow and the rest of the town armed militias accustomed to resort illegal checkpoints in order to get money from the administration. Roadblocks become negotiation table between armed militias and Sade steering committee. Kismayo
District commissioner MR: Ahmed Sandheere warned the militias to refrain from this bad behavior if not they will take measures against any body found to be lawbreaking, during press conference.


On 14th April 2008 three shrouded armed militias shot and killed one person the surrounding of Dobley village, the exact reason behind the killing isn’t known. The upsurge of violence and the bravado of American stealth war planes last month have brought many business people to vacate the area fearing for their lives and wealth.
On 15th April 2008 an IDPs in kismayo are in need of food, health facilities and medical care it is a time that there is high inflation in the entire country, the IDPs are un able to buy daily substances, an account of a third of them are jobless equator of them are beggars and the rest are elderly people as well under age children their situation is between life and death, Aid organizations seem to be blind folded about their matters as one of their leader said in a local Radio interview (Horn-Afrik)


On 16th April 2008 one person was killed and another innocent passer by injured when two heavily armed freelance militias skirmished in siinaay village (kismayo) as quoted from a witnesses in the area one of the groups wanted to robe a vehicle but fizzled out after heard the clan by the van which instantly deployed armed men in the area, any how both sides bitterly fought.


On 17th 2008 two people were killed one of them a young kid and other scores of passengers’ sustained injuries when UN identified gun men opened fire on their local transport (UD) the road between Bo, ale and af-madow is increasingly hazardous and the drivers are avoiding it. Any how checkpoints are key sources of income for militias into demand money from passing vehicles and trucks.

On 18th April 2008 a violent demonstration occurred in kismayo about the fluctuations of Somali shillings against dollars, they were angry and shouting of slogans (blood suckers) throwing stones to closed shops as well business ware houses where food is stored, meanwhile one of the biggest W F P general store was attacked bye group of demonstrators to loot a yellow maize being kept there, during the wide rally three people sustained injures after local police fired the sky to disperse the crowd, the economic crises are the worst ever faced the lawlessness country, because the business markets are self-governed otherwise traders dare to do their will and this caused low class families to go under poverty line.

On 19th April 2008 two persons were killed and the same number sustained injuries after unknown gun men indiscriminately opened fire to a passengers traveling to a Kenyan-- Somali border, mostly huge transportations that go between Kenya and Somalia are being targeted by armed bandits, the passengers are either robed, killed, looted or raped.

On 20th April 2008 the general situation in the region seems be bilateral contesting who will be the illegal leader in the region, Sade steering committee are madly one sided to one group and this can result many domestic violence and insecurity or otherwise clan clashes, it is a time that former juba volley leader Col: Barre Adan Shire (hiraale) and his colleagues are in the region to get unanimous administration bases on different tribes which the governing authority boycotted by any means.


On 21st April 2008 at least five people were killed in confrontations and up to half dozen were wounded after Islamic fighters have driven drove secular militias men out of manual strategic island (kudhaa) following a brief fire-fight, sheikh hassan turkey who wants to create a Taliban style-regime who is on united nations most wanted list of those linked to terrorists but he denies any affiliation so far, however, political stand off may erupt into a region-wide conflict involving Islamic insurgences those are included islamists and other clan groups, namely (kablalah) community that populate lower juba who claim locked out of the administration, the sheikh addressing said; his group has no political aims other than enabling people to decide their own will and future.


On 22nd April 2008 a well known business man was shot dead last night in calanley village kismayo by armed militias, as witnesses said, the goon and the victim knew each another, after he was accompanied by his attackers the perpetrators escaped to a unknown directions, since than one person was arrested for the case and local police are cross-examining.


On 22nd 2008 traditional elders in the region tried to end up repeating checkpoints which militias resort whenever they are not paid especially the road blocks in the sea-port, because it provides lucrative income for those who protect importers and exporters; this come after when attempted to move the militias who normally guard it to another location, operations in the port ceased since then meaningless killing are attributed the increasing of political rivalries among various militias clans in the region. Sade clans who control the town have entirely failed to administer even their militias they turned to one another let alone to create domestic security and steadiness in the regions.


On 25th April 2008 Kudhaa Island is quiet but tense, following two days of heavy fighting between armed militias and insurgences, the Islamists militias have gradually been gaining the upper hand, during the earlier fighting late yesterday, however, hundreds of terrified residents fled to a next-door villages each side blamed the other for the hostilities, which high light general lawlessness in the southern islands.


On 25th April 2008 warning letters have been scattered every where in the town written on, cinemas should be closed, local authority should desist from what they are doing and so on. Those are believed to be local group of Islamic militants that may linked to the ousted (ICU) but denied any attachment, however, American troops who are equipped with stealth war planes set abase in neighboring Djibouti as apart of the war on terrorism, Americans and coalition aircraft and vessels have conducted surveillance of kismayo seaport since last months
.0n 26th April 2008 thousands of school-children and well known religious leaders filled

the main roads of Kismayo town anti-Ethiopian protests carried placards criticizing Ethiopian policy towards the Muslim nation (Somalia) especially the plain genocide in Mogadishu, sheikh A/nasir an influential Muslim leader told the crowd that Muslims are willing to grant harmony and peace to those who give them peace but who provoke Islam is our enemy one of the placards reads; Muslims are not fearful but peace loving. It is a first time such religious leaders held demonstrations so long. Meanwhile experts say Somalia became a proxy battle-ground for Somalia’s Neighbors, Eritrea and Ethiopia.

On 27th April 2008 self sponsored traditional elders have gone (Kudhaa) Island to reach cease fire; those wounded have been brought to kismayo general hospital among the wounded were pregnant women children and elderly people, many of them are in a critical condition, lower juba is sprinkled by years of clan based fighting.

28TH April 2008 a new clashes has been reported in small village Buriya 100 KM from kismayo 9 people were killed and 6 others were injured after two armed militias arose on land dispute most of those militias were charcoal burners the fought families are sheekhaal Hawiye Sub clans and Awramale tribe clans both tribes armed with battle wegoons, hand grenades, assault rifles and pick ups fitted with heavy machine guns are in the front line. Self sponsored clan elders have gone there to ceasefire, the tension is very high pastoralists and peasants are fleeing from the surrounding area.


30th April 2008 the international Somali contact group chaired by Norway, to discuss about the ranges of challenges related to social-economic, security, human rights, the rule of law and terrorism to encourage positive political developments the implementation of the weak Somali federal charter establishing effective governance and durable stability. It is a time the country needs an urgent and increased humanitarian assistance to get protection for the civilian population many Somali politicians’ annalists and other experts highly welcomed. Meanwhile, the head of al-shabab militants linked group has been killed in an air wallop pre-dawn attack in his house Dhusamareeb in the central town demolishing the house the Islamic militants have been the forefront after the sharia courts ousted in 2006. American were planes several times targeted against all the suspected militants in Somalia but survived, shabab commander has confirmed his dearth. MR
Rooboow, however this may disrupt the expected reconciliation on June 15
this information prepred by ayadoonle in florence
un grande onore per quista informision instro paese somali

]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:04:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/387777 -0.3666667 42.5333333-0.366666742.5333333 kismaayo somalia monthly report http://.tigblog.org/post/387775
On 1fst April 2008 thousands suffer as M.S.FH ceased and pulled out its international work force from the seaport town of kismayo after the deadly incident which claimed three of their staff a French logistic expert, Somali driver and a Kenyan physician when their convey of vans was hit by roadside buried detonated remote control bomb. The decision of Geneva based charity has affected many innocent people who will miss the services of those good caring and sympathy doctors, directly those displaced by the conflict and maimed groups in the region, nevertheless the gangland style lawlessness in which even medical supplies are fair game for bandits and this leaves for worrying gaps with epidemic diseases like cholera cases now having reached half of the districts in Tran juba regions.

On 1fst April 2008 two people have been killed as revenge in small village (Bangenni) near by Jamame district, the retribution come after when an employee of local milling machine was ruthlessly killed last month and elders on both sides failed to intervene the matter to normalize the tensed situation though Jamame was the only security reliable place in lower juba on the other hand a vital center of international organizations in the region, however this resulted high displacement and fear in general.


On 2nd April 2008 a man killed hit and run that is believed to be in his earlier 20s was knocked down by car the driver sped away without stopping. The accident took place at 7:00 am, the victim was crossing in zebra voyage way throwing ten meters a head, he was rushed to hospital but dead at the hospital, because no life supporting machines as well resuscitation device, police are the look out for a car and its driver.

On 3thrd April 2008 cholera out breaks fracture in jawareey village of sakow district and its out skirts became the worst confirmed cholera cases an out break thinning out
Around the regions, the world health organization has confirmed more than 48 cases in middle juba and at least 16 deaths from the acute and rapid dehydration it causes the troubles, however, also point the beyond the immediate struggle to control the deadly advance that begin in mid February (2008) on the other hand a prolonged famine and
Starvation has exacerbated the present situation.

On 4th April 2008 the business premises and money exchange markets have been closed after kismayo business association (KBA) issued a statement after 8 hours of close door meeting condemning the local authority and Sade steering committee not tackling the economic matters and pointed them opportunists not much thinking about the vulnerable war town patriotic being engulfed by endless domestic violence in the country it’s a time that the Somali shillings against dollars has reached a point of no turn ever since.

On 8th April 2008 there are reports of drought affecting all of western regions e.g. Birole, Buulohaaji, yaagraar and other small villages which has caused high displacement in the region to other regions to look for water and pasture for their animals many of their animals dead lock of fibbers and water on the other hand seasonal rains delayed than expected, residents in the area move to site 27 km walk along a distances to get portable drinking water, the people are said to be in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.


On 10th April 2008 a heavy fighting go sky-high in luuq District of gedo region, during
The clashes three people have been killed and half dozen were injured both militias used sophisticated weapons and machine guns; the exact cause behind the clashes is not yet ascertained. Traditional elders have failed to solve the matter, residents in the area fled to neighboring villages, it is feared that the fighting may again renew although both militias are receiving re-enforcements.


On 11th April 2008 one person was killed in Bardhere and another pedestrian sustained injuries in a broad day light after a man armed with a revolver opened fire, soon after the incident local police launched an operation and succeeded to arrest the murder who is now under police custody, elders in the District are negotiating the next step forward. In the last months gedo regions were characterized by disorders and militias roadblocks become the order of the day.


On 12th April 2008 hundreds of displaced families from the shelling of Mogadishu moved to lower juba, most of them have gone to dobley in af-madow District on the border with neighboring Kenya, those have indicated an intension to cross the border. During their journey they faced harassments and transgression.


On 13th April 2008 freelance gunmen blocked the main roads of transportations as well the intersections of Vio- afmadow and the rest of the town armed militias accustomed to resort illegal checkpoints in order to get money from the administration. Roadblocks become negotiation table between armed militias and Sade steering committee. Kismayo
District commissioner MR: Ahmed Sandheere warned the militias to refrain from this bad behavior if not they will take measures against any body found to be lawbreaking, during press conference.


On 14th April 2008 three shrouded armed militias shot and killed one person the surrounding of Dobley village, the exact reason behind the killing isn’t known. The upsurge of violence and the bravado of American stealth war planes last month have brought many business people to vacate the area fearing for their lives and wealth.
On 15th April 2008 an IDPs in kismayo are in need of food, health facilities and medical care it is a time that there is high inflation in the entire country, the IDPs are un able to buy daily substances, an account of a third of them are jobless equator of them are beggars and the rest are elderly people as well under age children their situation is between life and death, Aid organizations seem to be blind folded about their matters as one of their leader said in a local Radio interview (Horn-Afrik)


On 16th April 2008 one person was killed and another innocent passer by injured when two heavily armed freelance militias skirmished in siinaay village (kismayo) as quoted from a witnesses in the area one of the groups wanted to robe a vehicle but fizzled out after heard the clan by the van which instantly deployed armed men in the area, any how both sides bitterly fought.


On 17th 2008 two people were killed one of them a young kid and other scores of passengers’ sustained injuries when UN identified gun men opened fire on their local transport (UD) the road between Bo, ale and af-madow is increasingly hazardous and the drivers are avoiding it. Any how checkpoints are key sources of income for militias into demand money from passing vehicles and trucks.

On 18th April 2008 a violent demonstration occurred in kismayo about the fluctuations of Somali shillings against dollars, they were angry and shouting of slogans (blood suckers) throwing stones to closed shops as well business ware houses where food is stored, meanwhile one of the biggest W F P general store was attacked bye group of demonstrators to loot a yellow maize being kept there, during the wide rally three people sustained injures after local police fired the sky to disperse the crowd, the economic crises are the worst ever faced the lawlessness country, because the business markets are self-governed otherwise traders dare to do their will and this caused low class families to go under poverty line.

On 19th April 2008 two persons were killed and the same number sustained injuries after unknown gun men indiscriminately opened fire to a passengers traveling to a Kenyan-- Somali border, mostly huge transportations that go between Kenya and Somalia are being targeted by armed bandits, the passengers are either robed, killed, looted or raped.

On 20th April 2008 the general situation in the region seems be bilateral contesting who will be the illegal leader in the region, Sade steering committee are madly one sided to one group and this can result many domestic violence and insecurity or otherwise clan clashes, it is a time that former juba volley leader Col: Barre Adan Shire (hiraale) and his colleagues are in the region to get unanimous administration bases on different tribes which the governing authority boycotted by any means.


On 21st April 2008 at least five people were killed in confrontations and up to half dozen were wounded after Islamic fighters have driven drove secular militias men out of manual strategic island (kudhaa) following a brief fire-fight, sheikh hassan turkey who wants to create a Taliban style-regime who is on united nations most wanted list of those linked to terrorists but he denies any affiliation so far, however, political stand off may erupt into a region-wide conflict involving Islamic insurgences those are included islamists and other clan groups, namely (kablalah) community that populate lower juba who claim locked out of the administration, the sheikh addressing said; his group has no political aims other than enabling people to decide their own will and future.


On 22nd April 2008 a well known business man was shot dead last night in calanley village kismayo by armed militias, as witnesses said, the goon and the victim knew each another, after he was accompanied by his attackers the perpetrators escaped to a unknown directions, since than one person was arrested for the case and local police are cross-examining.


On 22nd 2008 traditional elders in the region tried to end up repeating checkpoints which militias resort whenever they are not paid especially the road blocks in the sea-port, because it provides lucrative income for those who protect importers and exporters; this come after when attempted to move the militias who normally guard it to another location, operations in the port ceased since then meaningless killing are attributed the increasing of political rivalries among various militias clans in the region. Sade clans who control the town have entirely failed to administer even their militias they turned to one another let alone to create domestic security and steadiness in the regions.


On 25th April 2008 Kudhaa Island is quiet but tense, following two days of heavy fighting between armed militias and insurgences, the Islamists militias have gradually been gaining the upper hand, during the earlier fighting late yesterday, however, hundreds of terrified residents fled to a next-door villages each side blamed the other for the hostilities, which high light general lawlessness in the southern islands.


On 25th April 2008 warning letters have been scattered every where in the town written on, cinemas should be closed, local authority should desist from what they are doing and so on. Those are believed to be local group of Islamic militants that may linked to the ousted (ICU) but denied any attachment, however, American troops who are equipped with stealth war planes set abase in neighboring Djibouti as apart of the war on terrorism, Americans and coalition aircraft and vessels have conducted surveillance of kismayo seaport since last months
.0n 26th April 2008 thousands of school-children and well known religious leaders filled

the main roads of Kismayo town anti-Ethiopian protests carried placards criticizing Ethiopian policy towards the Muslim nation (Somalia) especially the plain genocide in Mogadishu, sheikh A/nasir an influential Muslim leader told the crowd that Muslims are willing to grant harmony and peace to those who give them peace but who provoke Islam is our enemy one of the placards reads; Muslims are not fearful but peace loving. It is a first time such religious leaders held demonstrations so long. Meanwhile experts say Somalia became a proxy battle-ground for Somalia’s Neighbors, Eritrea and Ethiopia.

On 27th April 2008 self sponsored traditional elders have gone (Kudhaa) Island to reach cease fire; those wounded have been brought to kismayo general hospital among the wounded were pregnant women children and elderly people, many of them are in a critical condition, lower juba is sprinkled by years of clan based fighting.

28TH April 2008 a new clashes has been reported in small village Buriya 100 KM from kismayo 9 people were killed and 6 others were injured after two armed militias arose on land dispute most of those militias were charcoal burners the fought families are sheekhaal Hawiye Sub clans and Awramale tribe clans both tribes armed with battle wegoons, hand grenades, assault rifles and pick ups fitted with heavy machine guns are in the front line. Self sponsored clan elders have gone there to ceasefire, the tension is very high pastoralists and peasants are fleeing from the surrounding area.


30th April 2008 the international Somali contact group chaired by Norway, to discuss about the ranges of challenges related to social-economic, security, human rights, the rule of law and terrorism to encourage positive political developments the implementation of the weak Somali federal charter establishing effective governance and durable stability. It is a time the country needs an urgent and increased humanitarian assistance to get protection for the civilian population many Somali politicians’ annalists and other experts highly welcomed. Meanwhile, the head of al-shabab militants linked group has been killed in an air wallop pre-dawn attack in his house Dhusamareeb in the central town demolishing the house the Islamic militants have been the forefront after the sharia courts ousted in 2006. American were planes several times targeted against all the suspected militants in Somalia but survived, shabab commander has confirmed his dearth. MR
Rooboow, however this may disrupt the expected reconciliation on June 15

this information prepred here in u.k westmidlands coventry
]]> Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:57:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/387775 -0.3666667 42.5333333-0.366666742.5333333 African Brotherhood and Sisterhood http://.tigblog.org/post/387999 African people settled pre-colonial era with ethnics and clans disparately that were sharing generally customs and traditional, make inter-marriage with one another and there were no more bounders. Currently African countries apply the pattern of colonialism and you may see many countries in African the result of Nationalist first obstacles faces, including nation building, political controversial, foundation of economic sources, etc.

We see what is going on South African which pointed out a good example for the developing African countries, but the praised has been destroyed today when killed over 500 Africans and displaced over 40,000 people. Where is the brotherhood and Sisterhood in African. Where is the mutual bond among African people? ]]> Sat, 31 May 2008 01:05:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/387999 9.5833333 44.06666679.583333344.0666667 Somaliland History http://.tigblog.org/post/388001
Somaliland was a British protectorate since 1884 after the partition of African by the western colonies, Somaliland people were rejected Britain colonies to reside and occupy their country but after much trail, it was allowed to reside the country but could be out the country at instant as people desire. On 26 June1960 Somaliland got its independence and joined unconditionally with Somalia were colonized by the Italy and got its independence on 1st July 1960 and the two nations united on that day. This unity inhered Somaliland people awful failure and enormous delay in development and other opportunities. However, Somaliland educators, thinkers were started upraises and struggle in 1982 after receiving much pressure, harassments and painful violence against Somaliland people, since at time it was established armed movement named Somali National Movement (SNM) who won to overthrow the military government of Somalia in 1991, declared an independence state named The Republic of Somaliland.
]]> Thu, 29 May 2008 10:05:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/388001 9.5833333 44.06666679.583333344.0666667 Somaliland Mass Media Problems http://.tigblog.org/post/388003 In generally, the entire Somaliland media whether old experts ones or new ones follow same pattern by coping blueprints from one another; therefore they mostly cover political newsworthy which holds the greatest space of the paper or the programmes of the television and radio, other programmes including lifestyles and entertainments which hold also the second spaces of the media. In television and radio there are other programmes like Islamic learns, short programmes of development thought not gathering strong and sufficient information, advertisements, announcements.

There are a profusion issues that need daily coverage including: Market rate exchanges, activities of markets, poor public services, the outbreak of the corruptions, injustice in courts, nightmare robbers, increase of burglary, youth immigrant to western countries, family problems, skin bleaching, poor education and health services, evacuating from rural areas, Alcohol, Kat and drug problems and others.

Apparently, media don’t work with the community neither government media nor private media, they only serve and centerilze at their political and economical interest. Questions had been enquired by the publisher, managers and editor shown that report encouraged not waste their time other issues just only give a prior interest with political sensitive news. Managers and editors say we only respect our readers, listeners and watchers wish political news for that reason we provide that precedence.]]> Sat, 24 May 2008 01:05:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/388003 9.5833333 44.06666679.583333344.0666667 Community Developmental Journalist for Africa http://.tigblog.org/post/388005 Condeja is professional site that was analysed the social problems for African people whereas development delays is more highly rate. It will focus on socio-economic relation issues and making mutual looking solution with different stakeholders via ICT. Productive and changeable ideas will be much appreciation.

We're very keen to hear from you valuable ideas leading to us more development and tangible solution with our integrating needs.]]> Thu, 22 May 2008 01:05:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/388005 9.5833333 44.06666679.583333344.0666667 'We have decided to take your life' http://.tigblog.org/post/344585 By Abukar Albadri, Special to The Times

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA -- The voice on the other end of my cellphone was oddly calm, but intent.
"Abukar, I am calling to inform you that we have decided to take your life," the caller said. I glanced down at my phone to see the caller ID, which read "private."
"You're not worthy to live," the man continued. "You have three hours to tell your family and say your last words."
"Who is this?" I demanded.
"I am a man," was the reply.
It wasn't my first death threat. As a journalist in Somalia, I've received more than I'd care to count. In some, angry callers curse me as a "puppet" of the U.N.-backed transitional government in Baidoa and the Ethiopian troops that support it. Others accuse me of being a "terrorist" supporting the Islamic insurgents.
But this call came at the end of one of the darkest days of my life. Just a few hours earlier, I'd attended the funeral of a friend and colleague, Mahad Ahmed Elmi, a radio host gunned down that August morning. Then, as my fellow journalists and I drove back from the burial, a roadside bomb struck our convoy, killing Ali Iman Sharmarke, another prominent media figure in Mogadishu.
This month, gunmen shot another friend, Bashir Nur Gedi, acting manager of Shabelle Radio, who had been arrested and detained by government forces in September.
International journalist organizations say at least seven reporters have been killed in Somalia this year. No one has been caught or punished in any of these attacks.
After I hung up, dozens of questions ran through my mind: What am I guilty of? Who is my enemy? Why am I being targeted?
But for the first time, one question would not go away: Should I leave Somalia?
Many times I'd stood over the graves of friends. Now I imagined friends and family weeping over mine.
I began working as a journalist 10 years ago, at age 19, because I wanted to alert the world to the untold stories of Somalia. I had always admired an older cousin who had worked as a radio correspondent during the Mohamed Siad Barre regime, which fell in 1991.
As a journalist in the capital, Mogadishu, I've covered street battles, assassinations and public executions. I've had guns pointed at my head and I've stepped over twisted bodies on the road. I've been summoned to news conferences in the presidential palace only to be detained by corrupt officials who demanded a bribe.
Over the years, I've watched governments and authorities come and go. Warlords, Islamic courts, transitional governments. One thing stays the same: When new groups rise to power, they attack the media.
Today journalists who have dedicated their lives to telling the stories of Somalia find themselves caught between suicidal insurgents and the blazing guns of the transitional government's mad soldiers. Each is trying to make the media its puppet.
This year the government has arrested more than 50 journalists; eight remain behind bars. Officials have attempted to close media outlets and have imposed laws that restrict the activities of reporters. Somalia is the second deadliest country in the world for journalists, after Iraq, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
At the same time, insurgents have attacked and harassed us, distributing leaflets in many neighborhoods threatening to kill any journalist perceived as supporting the government. This summer we were flatly warned that we faced attacks if we covered the government's reconciliation conference.
I used to think that with commitment, dedication and a strong heart, I could survive. Now I'm not so sure. This job can be rewarding. But sometimes it feels like a curse.
During the reign of the Islamic Courts Union in 2006, I watched a guard tie a 50-year-old man to a stake after he was found guilty of stabbing another man to death. Then, in accordance with the regime's interpretation of Islamic law, the son of the victim stepped forward and cut the accused from his groin to his collarbone.
Some women began to ululate in support, but many spectators vomited or passed out. I turned away. The scene took place outside a primary school, as students peered over the wall. I thought to myself: What is happening to my country?
It got worse: In March angry crowds dragged the bodies of government soldiers and burned them on the streets. With bullets and missiles flying, I decided to take a couple of photographs, scrawl some quick notes and get away.
As I was getting ready to leave, I felt a gun at my head. A militiaman ordered me to drop my camera. I did. I emptied my pockets, raised my hands and pleaded for my life. He took my camera and cellphone, then turned to an angry, questioning crowd and declared me a spy. The crowd began cursing me and chanting.
"I'm a journalist. I'm a journalist," I shouted, showing my press card. Sweat poured from my body. I feared I would end up like the government soldiers.
The militiaman, however, had a different punishment in mind. He led me away to his leaders, eager to show off his captive.
I was lucky. The militia leaders knew me, and vouched for me. They let me go.
Still, those experiences were not a turning point. It was the killings of my two colleagues in August. But it was not an easy decision. I was born and raised in Mogadishu. To leave would feel as if I were giving up.
Instead I went into hiding, leaving my house, suspending my work and limiting my movements.
I grew suspicious. I viewed every passerby as a potential assassin.
One day, a friend and I were moving from one of our hide-outs to another when three young men came up behind us. We started walking faster. They walked faster. My heart raced. We stopped to let them pass, and one of them muttered something as they went by.
We thought we were safe. But a few minutes later, as we arrived at our destination, we saw the same three men approaching from the road ahead. We froze. I began praying and asking for God's forgiveness.
My friend said something to me, but I couldn't hear his words. I closed my eyes and waited for the bullets. I remembered the man on the phone days earlier, the chilling hatred in his voice.
Then the young men passed us by, with a simple nod and hello.
Were they just trying to intimidate us? Had something distracted them from their attack? Were they simply three men taking a walk?
It didn't matter anymore. My decision was made.
Five days later I left the country.
Albadri has worked as a journalist for several Western media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times. He is currently living in Djibouti and hopes one day to return home.]]> Sun, 16 Mar 2008 09:07:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/344585 2.0666667 45.36666672.066666745.3666667 SOMALIA: Come back for liberation! http://.tigblog.org/post/344577
Journalist - Somalia

Somalia's new Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein (C) is welcomed in Mogadishu Jan. 20, 2008. Five people died in fighting on Wednesday around the Somali capital, where the AU peace and security commissioner had flown in to meet the new prime minister(Reuters Photo).

Just as the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan has become a recruiting tool for al-Qaeda, the presence of thousands of Ethiopian troops in Somalia is creating a generation of religious warriors such as Alshabab, Islamic Front of Somalia (JIS), Alliance for Reconstitution of Somalia (ARS), and nationalist members radicalized by a daily diet of violence that leaves dozens of lives.
Somalia is occupied by a renowned enemy, Ethiopia, carrying a proxy war funded by the United States. Thousands of innocent and destitute civilians including children and women were victimized under the guise of the so-called global war on terror.

The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) facing Iraqi-style insurgency is yet to succeed in the control of the capital city's virtual green zone. Somalis believe the continuing battle for control of Mogadishu has revealed insurgents to be an increasingly influential power based in a city dominated by the Ethiopian-backed TFG.

The Islamic movements have very good credit in the eyes of Somalis. They restored the hope of the people one time, when the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) defeated and disarmed ruthless warlords who divided the country into small fiefdoms under their militia control. But Western powers have repeatedly described them as terrorists and the enemy of their strategic vision of Africa and of the world.

When UIC restored the short-lived peace to the country, the Somali diasporas returned home to invest in business, industry, education, and real estate. But most of those businesses have been destroyed after December 2006 when the city fell into Ethiopian hands.


Islamist movement have reformulated both the style and ideology of their operation despite differences.
Before the Ethiopian invasion, Arab countries tried to reconcile between TFG and UIC, but those attempts ended fruitless. Three serial meetings in Sudan under the auspices of the League of Arab States failed to persuade both parts to reach compromise and come up with a good plan to end the conflict.
Things went worse when the former Prime Minister of TFG Ali Mohamed Gedi said, “I will never meet the Islamist leader." He added, "To meet Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, the mentor of the Islamic movements, means to meet Osama Bin Laden.”

This statement by Gedi led UIC members to adopt a more radical stance by refusing talks with TFG until Ethiopian forces retreated from Somali land they occupied by then.

In the early days of Ethiopian invasion, Arab nations did not play major role in the Somali affairs. Officially, Arabs stood but observers of what was similar to the invasion of Iraq. Instead, a few Arab well-wishers and good Samaritans sometimes provided some financial support to the Islamic movements through business companies.

Comeback Militancy

After the Ethiopian troops took over the country, however, Islamist movement have reformulated both the style and ideology of their operation despite differences.
These movements and nationalist leaders formed new Alliance for Reconstitution of Somalia (ARS) to drive Ethiopian forces out of the country, but disputes over war terminology has split ARS with other movements apart.


Alshabab, the most militant, adopts the Islamic concept of self-defense "Jihad" to describe attacks on invading Ethiopian forces. The ARS prefers the term "liberation" instead.
Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, known as Abu Mansoor, a leader of Alshabab militants, declared that his team is no longer member of the Asmara-based ARS because of their interpretation of Jihad.

Abu Mansoor said the Asmara-based alliance refused to use the Islamic term "Jihad" instead of "Liberation" in order to please Western powers. "ARS respected the western powers, and we respect Allah," he said.

The successive split of the Islamic movements in Somalia changed the political landscape and created new challenges among groups opposed to the transitional government and the Ethiopian occupation.

Divisions among Islamic movements are likely to strengthen Ethiopian occupation and enable some informants of the western powers and Ethiopian forces to join them, which formerly led to failure of the Union of Islamic Courts, Said Sheikh Abdalla Omar, a Somali scholar.

In response to these internal division Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the leader of the former UIC and the current chairman of ARS, urged Alshabab leaders to stop misleading the people of Somalia.

Talking to some local media he said, “This is not a time for division, it is time for unity against the enemy, so Alshabab leaders must consider that.” “Some Alshabab leaders claimed secession from the Alliance, but this doesn’t mean using terms or words that would benefit the enemy of our people,” Sheikh Ahmed added.

Such calls to unify the resistance movements succeeded somehow to keep a few prominent Alshabab leaders within the confinements of ARS. Sheikh Hassan Abdulle Hersi, well known as Hassan Tukri, an Alshabab leader in the remote south areas of Somalia still remains within ARS.

“Allah ordered us to obey him, his prophet and our leaders; unless I see leaders committing some thing controversial to Islam I will obey them,” He said, “Unity is the only solution to face the enemy,” Abdulle Hersi said.

Former members of Al Itihad Al Islami, an Islamic movement that the U.S. government added to its terrorists list joined with ARS and both remained in unity. The movement changed its name to al-Itisam Bil-Kitab Wa-Al-Sunnah (abidance by the book and path of the profit)

In November 2007 al-Itisam chose its leader Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Salad, a Somali professor who used to teach Islamic studies in Pakistan and Malaysia. In December the movement formed a military wing named Jabhadda Islamiga Somalia (JIS) (Islamic Front of Somalia).Other small armed groups have started to appear in Mogadishu joining the violent attacks on Ethiopian troops and claiming no harm to Somali civilians.


Officially, Arabs stood but observers of what was similar to the invasion of Iraq.

Divided in Means, United in Goals
Despite fears that such disputes between Islamist Movements in Somalia would halt efforts to liberate the country, the common ground still remains large and fertile. Until today the common goal is still to install Islamic statehood and restore the Shari' a law in the country.

A year ago, Ethiopian forces entered Somalia’s capital to escort the Ethiopian backed president of Somalia Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed and his former Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi and toppled the UIC only to find themselves later bogged down in the inescapable Somali quagmire set up by remnants of the USC and clan insurgents. Today, Ethiopian Forces are in the dilemma of choosing between U.S. dollars and Ethiopian blood.

A withdrawal of Ethiopians from Somalia is “A tall order.” Ethiopian Premier Meles Zenawi said that he would not be able to withdraw his forces unless the 8,000 African peacekeepers are deployed to Somalia.

African states have until now failed to send in troops they pledged, and only 1,500 Ugandan forces and dozens of Burundians are currently on the ground in Mogadishu.

More than 6,000 civilians are believed to have died in the fighting this year, and over 1 million have been displaced without food and basic health and shelter needs,.

The country remains without functioning government since more than 17 years when the central government collapsed in 1991, and the internationally recognized TFG failed to restore law and order. Islamic insurgency and clan-based violence continues to escalates.

Somalia, a war-torn nation in the horn of Africa, has moved to the crossroad of regional and international interests leaving its people with little hope for a near end to the inherited 17 years of statelessness and political turmoil.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Abukar Albadri is a Somali freelance Journalist based in Mogadishu. He has worked previously with LAtimes, DPA, Spanish News Agency (EFE) and Aljazeera English. Currently he is a member of Somali Journalists Society (SJS) and the Federation of Arab Journalists (FAJ).


]]> Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:37:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/344577 2.0666667 45.36666672.066666745.3666667 First Female Dean in Puntland (Somalia) Higher Education !! http://.tigblog.org/post/317459


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PSU APPOINTED NIMCO AHMED MOHAMOUD DEAN OF ACADAMIC AFFAIRS

First Female Dean in Puntland Higher Education

June 1, 2007 Puntland State University Garowe Campus President has appointed Nimo Ahmed Mohamoud Acting Dean of Academic Affairs. This appointment is an additional responsibility to her current teaching position.The first female dean, she will be head of the Academic Division responsible for teaching/ learning, research, registry, admissions, and student services provision.

The aftermath of the civil strife left many women alone and with no means to provide for their children, and in great need of additional education and training. Puntland State University attempted establishing educational initiatives concentrated on training centering on gender equity, enhancing the role of women and the promotion of human rights.

Nimo Ahmed Mohamoud is product of Puntland State University mission and vision and Ms. Nimo stated “I am committed Puntland State University to be one of the best higher education in Puntland and Somali in general. Nimo graduated from a two year Diploma course offered female students at PSU during its formative stages. Afterwards she left Puntland for India, where successfully completed Bachelor of Business Administration and Masters Business Administration. Upon completion of the MBA, Nimo consulted with PSU administration expressing her desire to come back to Somalia. PSU in liaison with UNDP Somalia-through the QUEST program organized and facilitated Nimo’s return to her former College as an Instructor.

Ms. Nimo has Bachelors degree in Business Administration from University of Madras India and master’s degree in Business Administration from (Training and Advanced Management and Communication) TASMAC India validated with the University of Wales UK. She will be the youngest female to hold such position in Puntland. Nimo aspires to foster democratic Institutional leadership to steer PSU to greater heights of prosperity. She is committed to the developing of and upholding PSU values of gender equality and women development through Education.

Puntland State University vision is to improve the life of Puntland and Somali people through the provision of sustainable education and skill-training policies with feasible education programme development. The University will enhance its reputation as an institution of higher learning where imagination, innovation, and application of knowledge are integrated to provide leadership into the future.

If you will like to learn more about PSU please contact and scheduled a meeting with Mohamud Hamud at kaaloorg@yahoo.comThis email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or phone +2525794076.


Contact: Mohamud Hamud
Tel: +2525844247/
kaaloorg@yahoo.com


]]> Tue, 25 Dec 2007 05:41:00 EST http://.tigblog.org/post/317459 8.4 48.58.448.5 Somaliland: On the Road to Independent Statehood? http://.tigblog.org/post/312595
J. Peter Pham, Ph.D.
In October, in my testimony to a House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health hearing on security in the Horn of Africa, I stated:
The most significant national interest at stake for the United States in this complex context is to prevent al-Qaeda (or another like-minded international terrorist network) from acquiring a new base and opening a new front in its war against us and our allies…
I would be remiss if I did not avail myself of this opportunity to raise the question of the remarkable reemergence of the Republic of Somaliland amid the ruin of Somalia and multiple conflicts wracking the Horn of Africa. With the collapse of the Somali state, the Somalilanders reasserted their independence and created a functional government, complete with all the accoutrements of modern statehood save, alas, international recognition…
Surely if America’s national commitment to support and strengthen democracy as a bulwark against extremist ideologies and terrorist violence has any real-world application, it is certainly the case here. The point I made at last year’s hearing on the expanding crisis in the Horn of Africa is even truer today: “The people of Somaliland have made their choice for political independence and democratic progress. While they have stumbled occasionally along the way, their efforts deserve encouragement through the appropriate economic, political, and security cooperation-which, in turn, will anchor Somaliland within America’s orbit as well as international society.”
I make no apologies for constantly returning to this theme: it is to me incomprehensible that we continue to express concern about the state of democracy in the Horn of Africa while all but ignoring a New York-sized region that has held internationally-monitored elections for the presidency as well as national and local legislatures. Talk of mixed signals!
Last week, in its December 4th issue, the Washington Post carried a remarkable article by Ann Scott Tyson. Under the headline “U.S. Debating Shift of Support in Somali Conflict,” the piece notes that “the escalating conflict in Somalia is generating debate inside the Bush administration over whether the United States should continue to back the shaky transitional government in Mogadishu or shift support to the less volatile region of Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991” and quotes two anonymous Department of Defense officials:
“Somaliland is an entity that works,” a senior defense official said. “We’re caught between a rock and a hard place because they’re not a recognized state,” the official said.
The Pentagon’s view is that “Somaliland should be independent,” another defense official said. “We should build up the parts that are functional and box in” Somalia’s unstable regions, particularly around Mogadishu.
In contrast, “the State Department wants to fix the broken part first-that’s been a failed policy,” the official said.
In conclusion, Navy Captain Bob Wright, head of strategic communications for the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) based at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, was quoted as saying “We’d love to [engage Somaliland], we’re just waiting for State to give us the okay.”
The next day, December 5th, the Bureau of African Affairs posted to the State Department website a five-bullet point “fact sheet” attempting to explain what passes as “United States Policy on Somaliland”:
• The United States currently engages the Somaliland administration and has provided assistance, for example to the election effort. Our policy on recognition is to allow the African Union to first deliberate on the question. We do not want to get ahead of the continental organization on an issue of such importance.
• As indicated in the full quote above, the United States continues to engage with the administration in Somaliland on a range of issues, most directly Somaliland’s continued progress towards democratization and economic development.
• In FY 2007, the United States provided a total of $1 million through the International Republican Institute to support training for parliamentarians and other key programs in preparations for the upcoming municipal and presidential elections in Somaliland. We expect to provide an additional $1.5 million in continued support for the democratization process in Somaliland following the elections.
• While we continue to engage with the Somaliland administration, we do believe that the African Union is the most appropriate forum to address the question of recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. We understand that Somaliland is pursuing bilateral dialogue with the African Union and its member-states in this regard.
• However, as the African Union continues to deliberate on this issue, the United States will continue to engage with all actors throughout Somalia, including Somaliland, to support the return of lasting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
On the face of it, the Foggy Bottom’s position seems reasonable enough: the United States does not want to be blamed for opening up a veritable Pandora’s Box by backing a secessionist attempt to redraw colonial-era boundaries in Africa which could cause a ripple effect across the continent; better to let the African Union make that call. However, the artful facade the diplomats put up to cover their geopolitical inertia is utterly mendacious, despite the truly diplomatic efforts of Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdillahi Duale to welcome the State Department’s positive comments about the country’s “continued progress towards democratization and economic development.
First, as I pointed out in this column nearly two years ago: “From 1884 until 1960, Somaliland existed within its current borders as the protectorate of British Somaliland. On June 26, 1960, Somaliland was granted its independence by the British Crown and was internationally recognized as a sovereign state. When, a week later, the United Nations trust territory that had been the Italian colony of Somalia received its independence, Somaliland joined it to form a united republic. The union, however, was troubled from the beginning…Amid the anarchy that ensued following Siyad Barre’s ignominious flight in January 1991, clan elders in Somaliland issued a declaration reasserting the independence that the northwestern region had briefly enjoyed in 1960.” There is no question of - much less precedent set for - redrawing colonial frontiers.
Second, the African Union (AU) itself has acknowledged the unique circumstances surrounding Somaliland’s quest for recognition. The official report of an AU fact-finding mission to the republic in 2005 led by AU Deputy Chairperson Patrick Mazimhaka concluded: “The fact that the union between Somaliland and Somalia was never ratified and also malfunctioned when it went into action from 1960 to 1990, makes Somaliland’s search for recognition historically unique and self-justified in African political history. Objectively viewed, the case should not be linked to the notion of ‘opening a Pandora’s Box’. As such, the AU should find a special method of dealing with this outstanding case.”
However, by punting the question to a body like the AU, which decides major political questions by consensus, while simultaneously continuing the delusional policy of recognizing the utterly ineffectual “Transitional Federal Government” (TFG) of Somalia, which asserts sovereignty over the entire territory of the defunct Somali Democratic Republic despite being unable to so much as control its putative capital, the State Department belies any pretensions of neutrality. The Africa Bureau knows very well that there is no way the phantasmal TFG will ever permit an AU consensus to be forged which recognizes the de facto Republic of Somaliland. Thus the State Department’s support for the fictional Somalia’s continued presence at international forums like the AU is fundamentally irreconcilable with functional Somaliland’s ever getting a fair hearing. So the only thing conceivably worse than the State Department being cynically duplicitous in its Somaliland policy is the possibility that its denizens don’t realize this and, hence, are criminally incompetent in their guidance of U.S. policy in the geopolitical sensitive Horn of Africa.
Fortunately, the TFG may not be a factor for much longer. Last week, its “president,” Abdullahi Yusuf, was hospitalized in Nairobi, Kenya, and had to cancel a meeting in Addis Ababa with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; should his condition worsen, that charade will be over. The meeting that did take place between TFG “prime minister” Nur Hassan Hussein and America’s top diplomat was farcical to anyone with historical knowledge of the region. The secretary said she hoped “Hussein will draw on his humanitarian background to facilitate delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid.”
What “humanitarian background” does Dr. Rice refer to? His role as police colonel under the brutal dictatorship of Muhammad Siyad Barre? His tenure as deputy head of the despot’s “National Salvation Court,” a military tribunal that sent thousands of regime opponents to their deaths? Or perhaps his leadership of the Somali Red Crescent Society where he “did well by doing good” - so well, in fact, that as Somalia descended into chaos and its luckier citizens fled, his children inexplicably found the capital to open a string of internet cafés and currency exchanges in Great Britain to meet the needs of their displaced countrymen? And while the secretary could only “encourage” the self-appointed TFG “to develop a timeline for the remainder of the transitional process by early January” in the hope of staging elections sometime in 2009, Somaliland has already held several sets of the internationally-monitored free polls, the most recent, the parliamentary elections of 2005, was observed and reported on by an International Republican Institute (IRI) delegation led by Ambassador Lange Schermerhorn, a former U.S. envoy to Djibouti who has also served as political advisor to the CJTF-HOA. (I served as an election observer with the ambassador in Nigeria earlier this year.)
The failure of the TFG should not be surprising. As I pointed out a year and a half ago, the pretender regime is little more than the product of a well-intentioned effort by the international community to conjure up yet another government for Somalia after the ignominious collapse the previous year of its previous attempt, the risible “Transitional National Government” (TNG), which went through four prime ministers and hundreds of cabinet members in three years before going bankrupt, having misappropriated millions of dollars in donor funds while governing nothing other than what was inside the confines of the four walls of “president” Abdiqasim Salad Hassan’s villa in nearby Djibouti. With even fewer prospects and, if it is possible, even less legitimacy than the TNG, the TFG’s leaders have little incentive to do anything other than leverage the international recognition which is their only real asset with which to enrich themselves.
One could hardly find a starker contrast to this than Somaliland. As former World Bank economist William Easterly, hardly someone who looks at Africa through rosy lenses, noted in his realistic, if somewhat pessimistic, volume, “The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good”:
In Somalia, the “international community” has sponsored fourteen rounds of fruitless peace talks since the collapse of the government in 1991, not to mention the failed UN/U.S. military intervention. Meanwhile, without outside intervention, foreign aid, or even international recognition, the breakaway Republic of Somaliland in the north of Somalia has enjoyed peace, economic growth, and democratic elections over the same period.
Thus, among the many others which could be adduced, there are five compelling reasons for the United States to abandon the bankrupt, State Department-driven policy of preferring self-appointed “leaders” of a failed construct to an effective government of a real country:
• Counterterrorism. As the Pentagon has now publicly acknowledged (and as I suggested earlier this year), scarce resources would be better spent boxing in the troubled parts of Somalia, rather than vainly asserting the questionable claims by a clearly unpopular regime whose illegitimacy is actually a magnet for extremists. No less a figure than Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates declared last week while visiting Camp Lemonier that his “biggest concern for Somalia is the potential for al-Qaeda to be active there.” Formal ties with Somaliland would permit closer ties between U.S. military and intelligence personnel with their counterparts in the small country’s services. Access to Somaliland territory, including the onetime NATO installation at Berbera, would also expand the scope for counterterrorism and other operations by CJTF-HOA as well as the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) which will subsume it next year.
• Regional stability. Far from being destabilizing, as I told Congress earlier this year, recognition of Somaliland would “show the countries and peoples of the sub-region our resolve to reward progress as well as give the lie to those who argue that our anti-terrorism and pro-democracy objectives are not subterfuges for an anti-Muslim agenda. (Somaliland’s population is almost exclusively Sunni Muslims and the shahâdah, the Muslim profession of the oneness of God and the acceptance of Muhammad as God’s final prophet, is emblazoned on its flag.)” Furthermore, U.S.-led diplomatic recognition of Somaliland would not only allow the country much-needed access to international institutions and finance for development of the country itself, but also spur regional integration and prosperity. To cite just one example, America’s close partner Ethiopia, whose cut-off from the sea is a factor in the border dispute with Eritrea which I discussed two weeks ago, would benefit directly from access to Somaliland’s 900-kilometer coastline along the Gulf of Aden.
• Natural resources and economic opportunities. Earlier this year, I reported on mainland China’s play for petroleum resources in Somalia. Establishing formal ties with Somaliland would not only open opportunities for American firms to bid for similar concessions in that country, but also to invest in what could be a significant regional market. Conversely, ties with American commercial interests would also help anchor the strategically-placed country in the orbit of the United States as it joins the global economy. On the other hand, Somaliland’s considerable potential for economic and social progress is jeopardized not only by the maelstrom in neighboring Somalia, but also, as the AU has reported, by “the lack of recognition [which] ties the hands of the authorities and people of Somaliland as they cannot effectively and sustainably transact with the outside to pursue the reconstruction and development goals.”
• Moral imperatives. As I previously argued, “Somaliland’s trajectory…has been nothing if not extraordinary, being characterized by both social stability and democratic politics-the northern region’s progress standing in stark contrast to the free fall of the rest of the former Somalia. And despite being cut off from international financial institutions, direct bilateral assistance, and other sources of development and investment capital-all for want of diplomatic recognition-the Somalilanders have rebuilt Hargeysa, which was leveled during the Siyad Barre regime’s brutal campaign against them, and resettled close to one million of their displaced citizens.” Somaliland has already had democratic presidential, legislative, and local government elections; even the State Department has acknowledged that its upcoming presidential and municipal elections are more than credible enough to deserve U.S. funding.
• Global leadership. Despite some major faux pas of American foreign policy in recent years - both in substance and implementation - the world still defaults to looking to the United States to take the lead in critical arenas like the Horn of Africa. A number of governments, both African (including those of Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia) and European (including those of Great Britain, Germany, and Sweden), have either entered into de facto relations with or at least made friendly overtures to the Republic of Somaliland. In June, the German federal parliament even passed a resolution calling upon Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government “to work towards mitigating dangers for Somaliland’s stability that may arise from the current Southern Somali scenario,” including “initiatives to advance the resolution of the question of an international recognition of an independent Somaliland.” However, nothing is likely to advance without American leadership or at least tacit approval - in any event, the opposite of the State Department’s passive attendance on the AU’s capacity-challenged policymaking and implementation processed (see my column last week on “The Challenge of Peacekeeping in Africa”).
At the very launch of this column series, I wrote: “Since the disintegration of the Siyad Barre’s oppressive Somali regime into Hobbesian anarchy and warlordism, the international community has staunchly defended the phantasmal existence of the fictitious entity known as ‘Somalia.’ Now, however, is the time for the United States to break ranks and let realism triumph over wishful thinking, not only recognizing, but actively supporting Somaliland, a brave little land whose people’s quest for freedom and security mirrors America’s values as well as her strategic interests.” If anything, that counsel is even truer today than ever before, as many of our military officers have now publicly acknowledged. The only question is whether or not America’s elected political leaders will have the vision and fortitude to finally instruct their unelected diplomatic mandarins on the real stakes: diplomatic, military, and economic.


FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor J. Peter Pham is Director of the Nelson Institute for International and Public Affairs at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He is also an adjunct fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies in Washington, D.C., as well as Vice President of the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA).
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/global.php?id=1385868#

]]> Mon, 17 Dec 2007 03:35:00 EST http://.tigblog.org/post/312595 9.5833333 44.06666679.583333344.0666667 awramale tribe in jubbaland somalia http://.tigblog.org/post/250747
by waladia

]]> Tue, 18 Sep 2007 07:29:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/250747 -0.3333333 42.5666667-0.333333342.5666667 awramale tribe in jubbaland soamlia http://.tigblog.org/post/250749
]]> Tue, 18 Sep 2007 07:29:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/250749 -0.3333333 42.5666667-0.333333342.5666667 A letter from Puntland Finance minister on Oil law issue http://.tigblog.org/post/243027 and little credence should be given to the move
The Prime Minister is the head of a transitional government put in place to attempt to form a federal Somalia, and a general constitution to be accepted by all regional parties.

Instead he has decided to introduce a controversial oil law before any legitimate constitution and federal Somalia is accepted by the TFG parliament and local autonomous regions of the Federation.

This is simply a political mockery aimed at destabilising the hard work done by the Somalis in Nairobi to set up a Federal Government. It also creates a period of delay and uncertainty for Puntland and all the development and vast sums of money spent in the regions over the last 2 years in research and exploration.

Puntland and the (TFG Government ) recognise and acknowledge the contracts by Range Resources and Africa Oil and their effort over the last 2 years on the exploration and development of Puntland’s natural resources.

It is imperative for both of these companies, and other companies being invited into Puntland to develop natural resources and other projects, that they have 100% certainty and confidence in the process and ability of the Puntland government and parliament to guarantee that all contracts and production sharing agreements entered into will at all times be recognised and upheld.

As it stands Puntland stands to earn billions of dollars in royalty and profit share payments from the successful development of its natural resources. Puntland has always maintained that it would share these earnings with any legitimately formed federal Somali government.

Put simply the proposed structure would be detrimental to both Puntland and Somalia as a whole.

Puntland has spent the last 2 years securing what it considers to be a formidable (both financially and technically) oil exploration and development team in Range and Africa Oil who are best placed to produce the significant royalty and profit share revenues to be shared by Puntland, a federal Somali government and the people of Somalia.

Given the end of year drilling timetable of Range and Africa Oil and the resultant government access to oil production royalties, any move by the any member of the TFG to destabilise this activity will not be tolerated as the Puntland people cannot afford to be denied the vast wealth that could be generated in the very near future.

The TFG had previously endorsed all of Puntland’s natural resource agreements (including a commitment to incorporate them in any federal system) yet the Prime minister has now decided to go down a path (without any consultation with Puntland or its own President) which throws out Puntland’s efforts to bring in foreign investment when no other entities were prepared to come in.

More bewildering is the proposed move by the Prime Minister to set up a national oil company 50% owned by comparatively small Indonesian and Kuwaiti energy companies – the Puntland Government will have 100% access to all royalty and profit share revenues and will share these with any legitimately formed and endorsed federal government – not a prime minister who changes his mind every day about anything he signs and its activities without any regard to its formally constituted parliament and government.

If the TFG Parliament does not stop the debate of this controversial legislation brought forward by the Prime Minister it will create disruption, lack of trust and will ruin the good relationship and the working together between the Puntland government and the Federal Government in the future.

Mohamed Ali Yusuf - Minister of Finance of Puntland State of Somalia]]> Wed, 22 Aug 2007 03:37:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/243027 6.7833333 47.43333336.783333347.4333333 Puntland launches state development plans http://.tigblog.org/post/242671
Representatives from the government, UN agencies, national and international non-governmental organizations, donors, civil society, and local media witnessed the event. Speaking on behalf of the state government, the Minister of Justice affirmed that the plans would be “living documents, to be used as guiding strategies for the government, and other stakeholders.”

According to the five-year plan, 12.5% of the state budget has been allocated to development-related activities — a notable mark of progress being made in the state.

The development plans were produced following several months of consultations, held between the government, public agencies, and other national and international partners. In particular, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation played a lead role in this process, ensuring that indigenous expertise was used to every extent possible. The ministry will also steer a commission for monitoring and evaluating the plans.

The government of Puntland has worked tirelessly to ensure that the plans are guided by the MDGs, and coherent with the Reconstruction and Development Plan for Puntland formulated jointly by the UN, World Bank, and Somali counterparts. This is a great achievement, as it harmonises various initiatives to improve the lives of the people of Puntland.

In order for any development to take place, a strong vision and pragmatic strategy are needed. The contents of both the development plans resonate the state’s vision, strategic aspirations and priorities, policy guidelines, as well as goals and objectives for all sectors. In addition to guiding development partners, they also provide directions and guidelines for more coherent and targeted international aid, harmonised with the state’s needs, priorities, and resources.

For operationalisation and implementation, the Five-Year Development Plan will be translated into a set of five annual plans. The Annual Plan for 2007 provides priorities, strategies, and sectoral allocations for 2007, outlining the development goals to be achieved by the state by the end of the year.

The booklet Puntland in Progress captures, in summary, the achievements made by Puntland State of Somalia from 1998 to 2005 in all important spheres, providing an insight into the economic and social growth over the years.

As part of its mandate to ensure that pro-poor, MDG-based policies are mainstreamed into national and regional reconstruction and development, UNDP has provided technical guidance and assistance to the Ministry of Planning of Puntland in preparing the documents. The organization aims to provide similar support at both national and regional levels in future.

The United Nations Development Programme works in 166 countries, helping governments, civil society and the private sector to design and build homegrown solutions to their most pressing human development challenges. Further information on the work of the UNDP can be found at: www.undp.org.
]]> Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:30:00 EDT http://.tigblog.org/post/242671 6.7833333 47.43333336.783333347.4333333