French bid to rescue hostage in Somalia fails, leading to soldier's death

By Omar Nor and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN
January 13, 2013

Mogadishu, Somalia (CNN) -- French forces swooped into Somalia for a rescue mission under the cover of darkness, leading to a fierce gunbattle with militants who officials fear killed the hostage, a French intelligence commando.

Somalia is divided into three areas: Somaliland and Puntland semi-autonomous; the capital Mogadishu is in Somalia itself.

The raid Friday night also left a French soldier and 17 Islamist fighters dead, according to the French defense ministry. Another soldier was missing.

French President Francois Hollande acknowledged Saturday that the operation "did not succeed."

He said it led to the "sacrifice" of two French soldiers -- the one killed and other missing -- and "maybe the assassination" of hostage Denis Allex, who was a member of the DGSE, France's equivalent of the CIA.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also told reporters in Paris on Saturday that "everything leads us to believe that Denis Allex was gunned down by his captors." But the al-Shabaab militia, which is affiliated with al Qaeda, claimed that the hostage is unharmed and being held at a new location.

French militant operations in Africa

The militants said in a statement on their Twitter account that they will decide the hostage's fate in the next two days.

Profile: Who are Al-Shabaab?

The racket of helicopter blades and volleys of gunfire startled Bulo Marer town residents out of their sleep Friday night, when French paratroopers descended on the camp.

Three helicopters initiated a heated gunbattle with captors under the cover of darkness in the town about 75 miles northwest of the capital Mogadishu, eyewitnesses said.

French soldiers leaped from the aircraft to engage the Islamists on the ground.

Al-Shabaab 'recruiting U.S. citizens'

The French commandos faced strong resistance from the outset, the defense ministry said in a statement. "In the course of the assault, fierce fighting took place."

Al-Shabaab claimed the French soldiers left behind combat gear and a wounded comrade before disengaging.

"The injured French soldier is now in the custody of the Mujahideen," al-Shabaab said.

Allex was abducted on July 14, 2009, while on an official mission in Mogadishu in support of the transitional Somali government, the French defense ministry said.

French media reports suggest that Denis Allex is a pseudonym for the military serviceman.

France said it decided to undertake the rescue attempt after the terror group failed to negotiate for the hostage's release for three and a half years while holding him in inhumane conditions.

"After an intensive search, which I want to salute, the intelligence service detected the location where he was held," Le Drian, France's defense minister, said Saturday. "... France will never withhold any means to gain the release of all of its hostages."

Le Drian expressed his sympathy to the families of the French servicemen lost in the attempted rescue.

The defense minister added that there was no connection between the operation in Somalia and a simultaneous deployment of French troops to Mali.

A French helicopter pilot was fatally wounded during aerial raids in support of Malian forces combating Islamist forces Friday afternoon.

Qormadii:7aad - Gorfaynta Xeerka Sir-doonka Qaranka: Xakamaynta Qawlka iyo Qalinka: Xeer-dejin iyo Xukuumad Is-Xanbaar ah. Qalinkii Muj. Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale

Mujaahid Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale

Guddoomiyaha Golaha Sare ee kacaanku markii uu arkay Axdiga Koowaad ee Kacaanka isla markaana tix-geliyay baahida loo qabo Hay’ad Nabad-sugideed,

Wuxu oggolaaday isla markaana dhaqan-geliyay Xeerkan:

Qodobka: 1aad

(Dhismaha Hay’adda)

Laga bilaabo 8da Jeeniweri, 1970ka, waxa la dhisay Hay’adda Nabad Sugidda Soomaaliyeed,

Qodobka: 2aad

(Hawl-wadeennada)

1.    Iyada oo la raacayo Amarka Guddoomiyaha Golaha Sare ee Kacaanka, hawl-wadeennada NSS-tu waxay ka koobnaan doonaan xubno laga soo wareejiyay ciidanka Xoogga dalka, Booliska iyo qaybaha kaleba,

2.    Hawl-wadeennada NSS-ta waxa lagu maamuli doonaa, Xeerka Anshaxa ee Ciidammada Xoogga dalka iyo wixii Xeerar kale jira. Xeerarkani waxay dhaqan-gal ahaanayaan ilaa inta Guddoomiyaha GSK Xeerar u gaar ah Hay’dda NSS-ta u soo saarayo,

Qodobka: 3aad

(Sharciyadda)

Hay’addu NSS-tu waxay awood iyo sharciba u leedahay in ay ka hawl-gasho dhulka Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliyeed oo dhan. Sidaas oo kale adeegyada iyo hawl-gallada NSS-ta haddii ay baahidu timaaddo, waxa lagu fidin karaa dalka dibaddiisa,

Qodobka: 4aad

(Awoodda baadhista iyo qabashada)

Hadddii ay dantu qasabto ama ay baahiduba timaaddo, hawl-wadeennada Hay’adda NSS-tu iyaga oo aan ‘waaran’ u qaadan, waxay awood u leeyihiin ama u idman yihiinba in ay baadhaan qof kasta, hantidiisa iyo gurigiisa iyaga oo la wareegi kara hanti kasta. Waa haddii ay sidaa war ku helaan ama uu jiro shaki xoog leh oo tilmaamaya in Qaranka denbi laga galay,

Qodobka: 5aad

(Awoodda ay meelaha ay u baahdaan ku gelayaan)

Hawl-wadeennada Hay’adda NSS-tu waxay awood u leeyihiin ay ku galaan meel kasta si ay baadhis ugu sameeyaan wixii la xidhiidha ammaanka Qaranka,

Qodobka: 6aad

(Awoodda qabashada iyo xidhista)

1.    Hawl-wadeennada NSS-tu iyaga oo aan ‘waaran’ sidan waxay awood u leeyihiin in ay cid kasta qabtaan/xidhaan,

2.    Arrimaha lagu soo qaaday Qodobbada 4aad, 5aad iyo 6aad, waa in iyada oo aan lala daahin ama lala habsaaminba loo gudbiyaa Maxkamadda Badbaadada,

3.    Maxkamadda Badbaadada ee xil-gudashadan u idmani, marka ay hesho ogeysiinta Qodobbadan la xidhiidha, waa in ay soo saartaa oggolaansho ay ku amrayso go’aan-qaadasho kama-danbays ah,

4.    Golaha Sare ee Kacaanku (SRC) wuxu beddeli karaa ama dhinac iska dhigi karaa, iyaga oo dhan ama qayb ahaan arrimaha lagu xusay Qodobbada sare,

Qodobka: 7aad

(La-shaqayn qasab ah)

Marka laga reebo ergooyinka diblomaasiyadeed ee deggen Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya, qof kasta oo Soomaaliyeed wuxu ku qasban yahay in uu la shaqeeyo NSS-ta si ay u gutaan xilalkooda,

Qodobka: 8aad

(Baabi’inta Hay’adihii hore ee jiray)

Marka la dhiso Hay’adda NSS-ta, waxa tir-tirmaya oo baaba’aya Laantii Gaarka ahayd (Special Unit) ee Booliska iyo War-doonkii Sirta ee Ciidanka Xoogga dalka, isla markaana faylashooda, agabkooda, aarkiifiyadooda, gaadiidkooda iyo qalab kasta oo ay leeyihiinba waxay ku wareejinayaan NSS-ta,

Qodobka: 9aad

(Xuquuqda iyo hawl-gabka)

Inta Xeer u gaar ah laga soo saarayo, xuquuqda iyo hawl-gabka hawl-wadeennada NSS-ta waxa lagu maamuli doonaa Xeerarka lagu xaq-siiyo Ciidammada Qalabka Sida,

Qodobka: 10aad

Xeerkani wuxu dhaqan-gelayaa 8da Jeeniweri, 1970ka, waana in lagu daabacaa, laguna baahiyaa Faafinta rasmiga ah,

Muqdisho, 15ka Feeberweri, 1970ka,

Saxeexa

Guddoomiyaha Golaha Sare ee Kacaanka (GSK)

Sarreeye Guuto Maxamed Siyaad Barre

(Tarjumad aan rasmi ahayn oo aan anigu si degdeg ah u sameeyay si aad fikir uga qaadataan xeerkan ummadda Soomaaliyeed ku reebay ma-hadhadan ilaa maanta ku taairiisiga ahaan. Xidhiidhka Mareegta fadlan ka daalaco nuqulkii asalka ahaa ee Ingiriisiga ahaa)

Taliskii milleteriga ahaa ee Maxamed Siyaad Barre intaas oo keliya iskuma uu koobin, bal se markii uu muddo joogaba baahi ka qarsoonayd ummadda ayaa isaga hadba u muuqanaysay, markaa ayaa lagu dhaqaaqayay in Hay’ad cadaadineed oo sir-doon la sameeyo, waxaana ka mid ahaa Hay’adahaa dhagareed ee ummadda Soomaaliyeed lagu xasuuqay:

1.       Guddidii Baadhista ee Xisbigii Hantiwadaagga Kacaanka Soomaaliyeed,

2.       Hangashtii,

3.       Halgankii Hoose,

4.       Iyo qaar kale oo badnaa oo midiba mid basaasaysay kana daba-shaqaynayay,

Dadweynaha in ay daba-galaan ka-sokow, iyaga ayaa isku maqnaa oo midiba mid daba-guraysay, meelo kala duwanna waa laga kala xukumayay. Ilaa heer gobol iyo degmo ayuu dhismahoodu u soo dhaadhacayay. Ma in ay cidi ka badbaadday ayaad u haysatan. Idinka waa idin ku sheeko.

Qoysaskii is-dhalay ee is-qabay ayaa is-basaasay. Ardaydii iyo macallimiintii wax baraysay ayaa is-basaasay.

(La soco Qormada 8aad ………..)

SOMCABLE THE LEADING TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANY IN SOMALILAND GOT A SHINING HEADQUARTER IN MID HARGEISA DOWNTOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOMCABLE THE LEADING TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANY IN SOMALILAND GOT A SHINING HEADQUARTER

Photo: Island off the Horn of Africa, taken from the International Space Station

JASIIRADAN SUMADII GEELAYAGA LEH TOLOW MA SOMALILAND BAA LEH MISE SOMALIA DAYAXGACMEEKII SAWIRAY YAA SOO WAYDIIYA?

Somalia: What Led the French Commando Raid On Al Shabab to Be a Failed One? !!!!!!

Bulomarer — Reliable sources in and around BuloMarer town in South Somalia where French commandos raided late last night, say that the French commandos first landed at a village called Daaydoog which is located at the seaside and three kilometers away from BulMarur where the French intelligence officer was held by Al Shabab militants.

According to the reliable sources, who are local people and spoke to Shabelle, say that the French commandos killed some villagers and tied others when they landed at Daaydoog before they headed to BulMarer. But some villagers who survived the French killings at the seaside contacted and alerted Al Shabab fighters in BuloMarer telling them that there were at least fifty heavily armed foreign soldiers on their way to BuloMarer.

 The reliable sources, who spoke to Shabelle, say that the survived villagers called particularly the commander of Al Shabab in Bulo Shiekh Ahmed who was among those the French killed in the fire fight.

 But before he and his men moved to ambush the coming French commandos, Ahmed is reported to have moved the French captive from the house they were holding into another house.
 The sources say that the killing of the villagers was a mistake which led Al Shabab to be alerted and prepare for the French commandos.
 

Somalia: The Quagmire of Somaliland

opinion

 By Abdirahman Mohamed Dirye

While global attention is focused on Somalia, the self-declared republic of Somaliland has been independent for 20 years without recognition by the international community. This lack of recognition is an injustice to Somalilander.

 

Hanna, not her real name, born in 1992 in New Hargaysa the Somaliland capital celebrated her 20th birthday last 18 May, the Independence Day. Twenty years after independence, little has changed in her life. Because her country, Somaliland, neither has real independence nor unity with Somalia, nor effective administration to deliver basic necessities let alone guaranteeing better life for her.

Fleeing from the abject poverty and President Silanyo's government's indifference towards the painful suffering of the people as well as the international blockade in the form of denial of recognition by the international community, Hanna perished in the Mediteranian Sea unnoticed trying to reach to Europe.

The exodus of youngsters aged 18-29 years, of both genders, in attempted escape from hellish conditions back home often turns their journey more or less into mass suicide. But due to inherent uncertainty, many of Hanna's peers worry more about the future and the risky voyage to Europe is the pnly option that always comes to mind.

Somalilanders are law-abiding citizens who think the international laws are based on a concrete basis of conviction and justice. They prevented terror from ithe region and eliminated piracy from their seashore. According to an Aljazeera program , "pirates set up some sort of stock exchange for their companies that has drawn investment from Somali diaspora and other nations.

They started 15 maritime companies and now are hosting 75, not in the capital of Mogadishu but Harardhere Stock Exchange making piracy a community activities. One piracy investor contributed a rocket propeller grenade from her ex-husband's alimony and has made $75,000 in only 38 days.

The growing demand and mounting risks pushed ransom from $2 million to $4 million to satisfy the rising number of shareholders.

In the process, the piracy stock exchange has transformed the once small fishing village into a bustling town that earns a percentage of every ransom to be used on infrastructure including hospitals and public schools". Somalis are doing everything they can to survive or to make money. Why not we? But we uphold the national and international laws and yet there is no appreciation.

Somaliland and Somalia joined together in 1960 as two independent countries. Somalilanders were unable to grasp how the world was led to believe Somaliland was seceding rather than restoring its sovereignty from Somalia, and thus becoming a liability on the region encouraging balkanization of African states. But this is not true. Somaliland is an indispensable factor for the stability of the whole region since 1991 by providing firm intelligence to war on terror.

President John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech, 'We pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty' seems to be failing if not obsolete since the Obama administration is reluctant to extend assistance to hapless people of Somaliland.

The absence of recognition of Somaliland threatens the lives of ordinary nationals because its subsequent economic hardships have led to dramatic exodus of Somalilanders to EU over the past 10 years.

Imagine living in a country without formal recognition and without Taiwan's resources. However, still there's cause for optimism. The Wikileaks revealed how Ethiopia's late Prime Minister Melez was lobbying for Interim Status and had suggested Djibouti should recognize Somaliland.

The world, however, felt compelled to talk about the international isolation upon Somaliland people and its urgency to break. No one can morally justify the unwarranted suffering of so many innocent Somalilanders whose lives have been shackled and devastated by the inadvertent embargo.

More recently, Prime Minister David Cameroon of the UK spoke out and called Somalia and Somaliland to have 'exit' dialogue about their future relations. The little unrecognized country took center stage globally as The New York Times posted a startling, fascinating news article 'The World's Next State'.

The world has moral obligation to save the fleeing masses by changing its attitude towards democratic Somaliland.

- Dirye is Somaliland activist and senior editor at the Democracy Chronicles Africa's News Edition

Somalia: What Led the French Commando Raid On Al Shabab to Be a Failed One? !!!!!!

By Shabelle, 12 January 2013

Bulomarer — Reliable sources in and around BuloMarer town in South Somalia where French commandos raided late last night, say that the French commandos first landed at a village called Daaydoog which is located at the seaside and three kilometers away from BulMarur where the French intelligence officer was held by Al Shabab militants.

French President Vs Al Shabab

According to the reliable sources, who are local people and spoke to Shabelle, say that the French commandos killed some villagers and tied others when they landed at Daaydoog before they headed to BulMarer. But some villagers who survived the French killings at the seaside contacted and alerted Al Shabab fighters in BuloMarer telling them that there were at least fifty heavily armed foreign soldiers on their way to BuloMarer.

The reliable sources, who spoke to Shabelle, say that the survived villagers called particularly the commander of Al Shabab in Bulo Shiekh Ahmed who was among those the French killed in the fire fight.

But before he and his men moved to ambush the coming French commandos, Ahmed is reported to have moved the French captive from the house they were holding into another house.
The sources say that the killing of the villagers was a mistake which led Al Shabab to be alerted and prepare for the French commandos.

Somaliland: Poverty and Discrimination Causes New HIV/Aids Infections

By: Liban H Rabi & Yusuf M Hasan

Hargeisa (THT) - Proper Welfare to people living with HIV/Aids is the best way of deterring new infections in the country.

Ms Hodan Dahir positive mother

women living with HIV/Aids have asked the government to enhance the support of those infected and affected by the virus as prelude to reducing the growing rate of new infections reported which stands at around 58 on a monthly basis.

The plea was made by Ms Hodan Ibrahim and Hodan Dahir during a visit to the Dawan Media Group offices in Hargeisa where they informed that they are both infected and mothers who are disturbed by the increasing number of reported new infections in the country.

The two who informed that poverty among people infected with Aids and the prevalent massive discrimination practiced by the community against PLWAs needs urgent redress thus reduce the ever increasing number of new infections in the country.

"Poverty and discrimination pushes PLWAs to engage in acts that exacerbate new infections nationwide" said MS Dahir

While justifying her argument Ms Dahir a mother of two and a member of a local Community based organization fronted by PLWAs in Hargeisa informed that when she was diagnosed as HIV positive a three years ago she was registered as PLWA #468 while a recent visit to the hospital revealed that current registration at the Hargeisa group hospital shows over 5000 infected.

While terming proper welfare and cessation of discrimination as the only remedy against new HIV infections Ms Hodan Ibrahim the other infected single mother of six said "I'm sure that HIV/AIDS will affect every household in the country if our officials don't act now"

She further argued that the government ruled by President Ahmed Mohamed Mahmud Silanyo which knows how to solve conflicts between clans can easily solve the current trend as pertains to the livelihoods of people living with Aids as well reverses the prevalent high rate of new infections nationwide.

The mother of six pleaded with all stakeholders to act informing saying, "we can't get any jobs among the society, and we are very weak and poor people who are enable to provide for our children'
.
The two infected motHealth Minister Dr Hussein Hog hands $500 to a PLWA beneficiary during WAD 2012hers who spoke on  behalf of their group pointed out that the First Lady Hon Amina Haji Mahmud "Amina Waris" was their best ambassador as she is the mother of the nation and the country,

While addressing the first lady Ms Amina Weris the two infected mothers said "you are the one who can feel our problems, we want to you to play a great role for in order to assist we feed our children as well as prevent the increasing spread of HIV/AIDS in the country".

While thanking the PLWA organization of RAHMA and Talowadag coalition two mothers castigated the Somaliland National Aids Commission-SOLNAC for failure to fulfill its mandate thus the lack of welfare to those infected and affected by HIV/Aids as well failure to address discrimination and the spread of new infections.

"The head of SOLNAC is completely unresponsive to HIV/Aids related issues in the country" Said Ms Ibrahim

They also thanked the Committee for the promotion of good deeds and deterrence of vice, a nationwide religious body which they termed as having been very helpful especially with psychosocial support.

On the other hand the SOLNAC Director of Admin Mr. Abdikarin Ahmed Hinif whom we queried on the accusations of disregard by his body said SOLNAC always assist people living with HIV/AIDS in all parts of the country with favour.

He informed that SOLNAC plays a great part in the ensuring availability and distribution of the ARV drugs used by the HIV/Aids infected while trying to harmonize activities of the various local and international organizations whose activities are geared towards supporting PLWAs.

Mr. Hinif also pointed out that SOLNAC is at the fore front of ensuring the welfare of the PLWAs and their families through the solicitation and subsequent distribution of food and other donations.

Though the national HIV/Aids prevalence is 1.3% the Somaliland National Aids Commission-SOLNAC reports that the country records an average of 58 new HIV/Aids infections on a monthly basis.

According to the Executive director of SOLNAC Mohamed Dahir these figures are derived from Voluntary Counseling and Testing-VCT that have seen an intensified campaign with a specific focus on males since most of the data has always from women who secure the services during pre-natal check-ups.

Since inception in 2004 of the free VCT services that are provided in most public heath institutions in the country 1,572 case of HIV/Aids infection have been discovered out 20,738 citizens tested. Of the 20,737 voluntarily tested persons 13,271 were women who incidentally have the lion's share of infections.

During commemorations of the world Aids day on December 1st 2012 whose theme was "Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero deaths from AIDS-related illness. Zero discrimination." The following proclamations were made

 the government reiterates its commitment to ensure effective leadership and support in halting and reversing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in tAmina an infected person pleads for Zero discrimination at WAD 2012 meeting in Hargeisahe country- Dr Hussein
Hog, minister of health

 58 new infections monthly-SOLNAC

 Information ministry committed to continued HIV/Aids awareness- Mohamed Osman Mire Sayid

 We plead for none discrimination of people living with Aids-Amina (PLWA)

 SAHAN is committed to the zero tolerance on discrimination of PLWAs- Anwar A Warsame

Speaking on behalf of people living with Aids-PLWAs at the WAD 2012 function Miss Amina who is herself infected and the chairperson of Rahma a local organization formed by PLWAs said that those infected or affected by HIV/Aids continue to encounter massive discrimination from members of society especially the youth.

Pleading to the youths to stop this discrimination Miss Amina (not her real name) who is the leader of Al-Rahma a local NGO whose membership of is of 36 women infected with HIV/Aids, said, "We request the youth to stop mistreating us because we are your sisters who happen to have the misfortune of being infected with HIV/Aids"

While commenting the Somaliland HIV/Aids Network-SAHAN for continued support since inception Miss Amina lamented the lack of support from donor organizations who pour millions of dollars into other local organizations dealing with Aids while neglecting Al-Rahma which is the best conduit for such support.

She also wondered why Talowadag a local organizations that supports PLWAs provides its beneficiaries with half the food supplied by donor organizations, while wondering where the other half is used for or given to. She also revealed that the WFP rations availed PLWAs at the group hospital are always expired and thus not consumable.


In conclusion the Al-Rahma organization said that People living with HIV/Aids in fully support this year's World Aids day theme of "Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero deaths from AIDS-related illness. Zero discrimination" for the attainment of these objectives is significant as it will lessen the number of Somalilanders who have to persevere the difficulties related to the infection.

Amina an infected person pleads for Zero discrimination at WAD 2012 meeting in Hargeisa

First paper factory opens in Hargeisa, Somaliland

By Barkhad Dahir in Hargeisa

A factory that produces paper, boxes and student notebooks -- the first such industry to be in operation in Somalia in two decades -- opened in Hargeisa this past weekend.

An employee works at the newly opened AADCO Paper Factory in Hargeisa. [Barkhad Dahir/Sabahi]

Employees assemble books, office paper and packaging cartons at the AADCO Paper Factory.


Establishing the AADCO Paper Factory has been in the works since 2009, owner Aden Barado said at the opening ceremony on Saturday (January 5th).

"It took so long because we are in a country that was destroyed," Barado said, adding that it is difficult to start a factory in Somalia where there is little support to ease the process.

The factory began construction in January 2012 and finished in December.

The factory has 50 employees, including women, and more people will be hired soon, according to Director of Technology Mohamud Abdullahi Ahmed, who said some of the workers had been trained in China.

Every 16 hours, the plant produces 70,000 books that are ready to be sold in the market, he told Sabahi. The factory is environmentally friendly and uses a system that limits excess noise and smoke, he said.

This is the first factory of its kind to open in Somalia since the collapse of the central government two decades ago, factory General Manager Hassan Nur said. The total cost of the project was about $5 million.

During the first phase, the factory is slated to print exercise books for students, factory General Manager Hassan Nur told Sabahi. Within the first few months of 2013, it will also produce A4 office paper, notebooks and packaging cartons, Nur said.

In an effort to stop importing factory materials from abroad, the company will at the end of the year manufacture its own materials to make paper. "We want to be self-sufficient with the printing materials that our production requires, which we currently buy from China," Nur said.

"Our aim is to sell our products across Somalia and to neighbouring countries such as Djibouti and Ethiopia," he said.
Improving conditions for local manufacturing

The new paper plant will help people in the region save a lot of money that they spend on imported books and office paper, said Mohamed Shukri Jama, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.

"It will increase job creation, knowledge and investment, and we welcome it," he said.

From 2000 to 2012, he said his agency licensed 58 factories in Somaliland that produced various goods, but only 18 of them currently operate. He said the defunct factories each received between $1 and $5 million from private investors, but failed to be profitable and eventually closed.

He said negative conditions, such as lack of government support, loan access and technological support, can hinder local production. To support local manufacturing, taxes should be increased on imported products so that people will buy locally produced goods, he said.

Minister of Commerce, Industries and Tourism Abdirizak Khalif Ahmed, who addressed the opening ceremony, said his ministry is planning to do just that. Ahmed said he recently forwarded to the Ministry of Finance a plan to increase taxes on imported products that are similar to locally manufactured goods in order to support and protect local manufacturing.

Somaliland regional President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo cut the ribbon at the ceremony, promising that his administration is committed to promoting investment in the region and increasing job creation through policy and technical support.

Aaron Swartz dead: Internet activist and programmer was 26

Internet activist and computer prodigy Aaron Swartz, who helped create an early version of the Web feed system RSS and later played a key role in stopping an online piracy bill in Congress, has committed suicide at age 26, authorities said on Saturday.

Internet activist Aaron Swartz, pictured at a Wiki Meetup in Boston in 2009, has reportedly committed suicide. (Flickr/Wikimedia Commons / January 12, 2013)

Police found Swartz's body hanging in his Brooklyn apartment on Friday, according to the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, which ruled the death a suicide.

Swartz, a native of north suburban Highland Park, is widely credited with being a co-author of the specifications for the Web feed format RSS 1.0, which he worked on at age 14, according to a blog post on Saturday from his friend Cory Doctorow.

RSS is a format for delivering to users content from sites that change constantly, such as news pages and blogs.

Online tributes to Swartz have been posted at a number of top websites in the technology world.

"Aaron had an unbeatable combination of political insight, technical skill and intelligence about people and issues," Doctorow wrote on his blog at Boing Boing.

Swartz also played a role in building the news sharing website Reddit, but left the company after it was acquired by Wired magazine owner Conde Nast.

In 2011, he was indicted on computer fraud and other charges related to the unauthorized download of academic journal articles at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He pleaded not guilty. His trial was due to start in April.

Doctorow wrote that Swartz had "problems with depression for many years."

Swartz himself described his struggles with dark feelings.

In an online account of his life and work, Swartz said he became "miserable" after going to work at the San Francisco offices of Wired after Reddit was acquired by Conde Nast.

"I took a long Christmas vacation," he wrote. "I got sick. I thought of suicide. I ran from the police. And when I got back on Monday morning, I was asked to resign."

Swartz later founded the group Demand Progress and led a successful campaign to block a bill introduced in 2011 in the U.S. House of Representatives called the Stop Online Piracy Act, which generated fierce opposition in the technological community.

The bill, which was withdrawn amid public pressure, would have allowed court orders to curb access to certain websites deemed to be engaging in illegal sharing of intellectual property.

Swartz and other activists objected on the grounds it would give the government too many broad powers to censor and squelch legitimate Web communication.

Swartz also had been a fellow at a Harvard University research lab on institutional corruption, according to his website.

Tim Berners-Lee, who is credited as the most important figure in the creation of the World Wide Web, commemorated Swartz in a Twitter post on Saturday.

"Aaron dead," he wrote. "World wanderers, we have lost a wise elder. Hackers for right, we are one down. Parents all, we have lost a child. Let us weep."

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles and P.J. Huffstutter in Chicago; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Doina Chiacu)