Somaliland: “Every Person in the World has a Right to Self-determination”-Hirsi

Minister Hirsi interview with Fred Oluoch of Kenya's the eastafricanPresidency Minister Hirsi H. AliPresidency Minister Hirsi H Ali

The Somaliland Minister for Presidential Affairs spoke to FRED OLUOCH on the various challenges facing the self-declared independent state as it continues to be denied international recognition despite 22 years of relative peace and democratic leadership.

How has Somaliland managed to remain peaceful while surrounded by chaos?

Actually the secret of Somaliland is that people came together led by elders and decided that they will maintain peace.

One of the things that helped us is that the Somali National Movement (SNM), the rebel group that fought the regime of Siad Barre in the 1980s, constantly changed its leadership every four years through democratic elections; those democratic principles have been maintained since then.

Why do you think the international community has not recognised Somaliland 22 years on?

I don't know why the international community is not recognising our declaration of independence because every person in the world has a right to self-determination. The people of Somaliland have spoken. Our people are determined to maintain their independence and it is up to the rest of the world to accept our position.

We have all the requirements of a republic — regular elections; working institutions such as the judiciary, the police and the army; we have maintained peace and security and the people have voted for separation in a referendum.

What do you say to the United Nations recent decision to turn over the control of Somaliland airspace to Somalia?

The UN is not ruling Somaliland, but it is an international institution made up of the international community. We have agreed to be part of that international community but their decision was not wise and it was taken without serious consideration of what is happening on the ground.

Somaliland has a functioning government that manages its land, air and sea. How can the UN say that our airspace should be managed by a government that is not yet fully operational and which cannot fully secure its borders, leave alone its airspace? But talks are going on between us and the UN and the mistake will be corrected.

What is the current relationship between Somaliland and Somalia?

We recently began bilateral talks on economic and security co-operation. However, they are yet to accept our Independence. Somalia should accept that the people have a right to self-determination.

We put this question to a referendum in 2001 and it is clear that people do not want to go back to the union. Somalia must lead the way in recognising us so that other countries may follow.

Why did Somaliland skip the London Somalia Conference held in May despite having participated in 2012?

Our president met with UK Prime Minister David Cameron, and it seemed that we did not have any role to play in as far as the conference was structured. It was basically concerning Somalia because the country's president and prime minister were co-chairing the conference

Source: Somalilandsun

Somalia: Key International Investor Baffled By Rumours of Cancellation of Airport Contract.

Mogadishu - SKA an international company which has invested millions of dollars in Mogadishu's Adan Ade international Airport is deeply baffled by rumours in Mogadishu which say that the Somali government has revoked a license which the company was managing the airport's logistical and handling services.

A copy of statement from SKA , which Shabelle obtained, reads: "We have heard rumors that our contract for the airport management may be cancelled for no apparent reason, however we have not received anything official from the Somalia Federal Government and if this were to happen it would be very bad for the people of Somalia after all the efforts we have made to rehabilitate the Aden Adelle International Airport. We sincerely hope this will not happen and we are very much committed to supporting the Somalia Federal Government and developing the aviation and logistics business in Somalia"

SKA was the first international corporate which has dared to come to Mogadishu during one of the hardest times in the capital when the whole city was at risk of overrun by Islamist militants and the company has invested millions of dollars in renovating and re-employing all neccessary logistic services which made the airport operational again after many years of disuse and destruction.

The invesment which SKA poured into the airport has meanwhile created hundreds of jobs to the local people.

The rumours of that Somali government revoking SKA's license emerged in Some Somali media outlets but there is no official statement from the Somali government and Shabelle tried to contact the Somali government but it didn't succed to get hold of any government official on this matter.

Local analysts in Mogadishu, who spoke to Shabelle believe that if these rumours turn out to be true, it would damage Somalia more than SKA because many Somalis would lose the job, other international investors who might follow SKA's way o finvesting Somalia, would be discouraged to come and invest in the country so they have called on the Somali government to issue a clear statement which can reassure SKA's confindence to continue its investment in Somalia.

Shabelle news desk

Somali-Canadian community condemns ‘Project Traveller’ raids

Erin Criger

Members of the Somali-Canadian community publicly condemned last week’s ‘Project Traveller’ raids, saying Tuesday that the raids were not executed in a lawful manner and that officers destroyed property that belonged to “impoverished” people.

“In the aftermath of the raids, many community members feel victimized, vilified and traumatized as a result of the reckless manner in which officers forcibly entered their homes,”  Mahad Yusuf, executive director of Midaynta Community Services, said in a statement.

“Community members are angered by the destruction of property and disrespectful remarks made by some officers and the police brutality that they were subject to,” he said.

Toronto police as well as officers from across southern Ontario raided several apartment buildings on Dixon Road on Thursday as part of a year-long investigation into illegal gun trafficking and other crimes.

The raids saw 19 people arrested in Toronto and nine in Windsor, and in the investigation overall, 44 people now face 224 charges.

However, the Dixon raids unfairly targeted the Somali community and portrayed them all as possible criminals, argued the executive director of the African Canadian Legal Clinic.

“The community has been further stigmatized by the careless actions of some officers involved in the raid, and the irresponsible conduct of Toronto’s disgraced mayor,” Margaret Parsons said.

Parsons added the community was already dealing with racism and Islamophobia, and the raids portrayed the entire community as possible criminals.

Indian EXIM Bank to Provide Loan for Ethiopian Railway Project

Written by Meraf Leykun

Ethiopian Business News - Banking and Finance

The Export-Import Bank of India has provided USD 300 million loan to the Ethiopian Government railway project. The loan term entail concessional funds at an interest rate of 1.75 per cent.

The fund will be used to construct the railway project to connect the Ethiopian city of Asaita to the port city of Tadjourah in Djibouti. About 50 km of the 210-km long railway will be in Djibouti, while the rest of it lies in Ethiopia.

“Ethiopia being a landlocked nation, the railway link to a port city will provide impetus to growth, particularly in the northern region of our country,” Ahmed Shide Mehmad, the  Ethiopian State Minister for Finance and Development, said.

T.C.A Ranganathan, Chairman and Managing Director of EXIM Bank of India, said after signing of the agreement in New Delhi on Thursday.

Indian Exim Bank has preexisting loan agreements with the Ethiopian Government for the development of sugar factories.

A detailed project appraisal is being prepared by RITES, an Indian public sector enterprise, and it is expected to be submitted within two months, according to Ranganathan.

After financial closure, the Ethiopian Government is expected to call Indian companies, both public and private, for procurement.

Source: The Hindu Business Line

Diyaaradii Ugu Horaysay Ee Ogolaansho Ka soo Qaadatay Dawladda Muqdisho Oo Laga Celiyay Hawada Somaliland

HARGEYSA - Xukuumadda Somaliland ayaa Hawadeeda ka Eriday Diyaaradii u horeysay ee ogolaansho ka soo qaatay dawladda Muqdisho ee dalka Soomaaliya, sidaasna waxa lagu shaaca ka qaaday war-murtiyeed ka soo baxay wasaaradda Duulista hawadda Somaliland.
Sidaasi waxa lagu sheegay war-saxaafadeed uu maanta soo saaray Chief of Protocol-ka wasaaradda Duulista Hawadda iyo Gaadiidka Cirka Somaliland Cabdilaahi Axmed Caarshe, waxaanu u dhignaa sidan:-

“Xukuumadda Somaliland waxay hawadeeda ka eridey diyaaradii ugu horeysay ee ogolaanshiiyo ka soo qaadada magaalada Muqdisho ee dalka Somalia ee aynu jaarka nahay, diyaaradan nooceedu ahaa SS34 ayaa isku dayday in subixii hore ee saaka ay ka soo degto garoonka caalamiga ah ee Igal International Airport, balse markii uu Tower-ka Somaliland ogaaday in ay hawada Somaliland ay soo gashay diyaarad Permission ka haysato Muqdisho, ayay masuuliyiinta Wasaarada Duulista Hawadu ku amreen in ay ka baxdo hawada Somaliland, (Somaliland Air space).

Hadaba waxaanu halkan ku cadaynaynaa in dowladda Somaliland ay awood buuxda u leedahay in ay control adag ku samaysa haweeda, Permission ama ogolaansho laga soo qaatay magaalada Muqdishona aanay diyaarada sidadaa soo geli Karin hawada Somaliland soona fadhiisan Karin garoomada jamhuuriyada Somaliland.

Somaliland waxay leedahay xuduudo hawo iyo kuwo dhuleed oo u gaar ah kuna qotonta qaranimada iyo madax bannaanida Somaliland, sidaa darteedna aanay Somaliland cidnaba aanay ka aqbalayn in ay hawadeeda ku soo xadgudbaan diyaarado aan fasax ka haysan dowladda Somaliland, gaarana ahaana Wasaarada Duulista Hawada oo xukuumadda madaxweyne Axmed Siillaanyo ugu wakiil ah arrimaha duulimaadyada iyo ilaalinta hawada Somaliland.

Waxaanu u sheegaynaa kuwa ku riyoonaya in permission laga bixiyey magaalada muqdisho lagaga degayo Somaliland, ay tahay riyo been ah ayna ku cimro qaataan tan maanta Somaliland hawadeeda kaga eridey diyaarada muqdisho ka soo qaadatay ogolaanshiiyaha beenta ah.”

WAR DEGDEG AH: Ruux Haweena oo Xalay lagu Dilay Hargeysa

Ruux haween ah oo daganayd Xaafada Jig jiga yar ayaa xalay lagu dilay magaalada Hargeysa.ilaa hadana ma jirto cidloo hayo dilkaasi, hase yeeshee warar soo baxaya ayaa sheegaya inay dileen Rag baska la soo raacay oo daba socday ku waasi oo loo aanaynayo inay tuug ahaayeen, balse ilaa hada wax war ah lagama hayo Booliska Somaliland.

ALLE haw naxariistee Haweenaydan la dilay ayaa sida uu baahiyay Wargeyska Waaheen waxa uu ku sheegay in uu adeer u ahaa Abwaan Maxamed Warsame Hadraawi.


Waa gabadhii labaad ee todobaad gudihiis lagu dilo Hargeysa, ilaa hadana Boolisku labada Gacan ku dhiigle midna umay qaban Gacan ku  dhiiglayaashii falalkaasi gaystay.

National Cement Commence Exporting to Djibouti and Somaliland

Written by Meraf Leykun

Ethiopian Business News - Construction

National Cement S.C (NCSC), located in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, has started exporting cement to neighboring Djibouti and Somaliland.

National Cement, the previously state owned Dire Dawa Cement Factory, commenced export after it began production with its full capacity following completion of   expansion at a cost of 2 billion Ethiopian birr.

According to Sisay Kebede, National Cement’s Assistant General Manager, the plant has managed to increase its production capacity to 45, 000 quintals per day from 500 quintals before its expansion.

National Cement is also planning to export its product to other neighboring countries soon, Sisay indicated.

The company is currently supplying cement for the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a government hydro-electric power plant on the blue Nile river in Ethiopia.

Source: Walta

Wargeyska Haatuf oo ay saaka Ciidamo Booliis ahi galeen

Ciidan iskugu jira CID-da oo wata askar Bilays ah, isla markaana ay ku lamaan yihiin Koox Kal-kaaliyayaal ah oo ka hawlgala Maxkamadda Hargeysa oo uu u horkacayo Sarkaal ka tirsan Ciidanka Dambi baadhista oo magaciisa la yidhaahdo Cali Aadan (Cali Qodaal) ayaa Maanta galinkii hore Weerar kadis ah ku soo qaaday Xurunta Wargeyska Haatuf ee Xaafadda Shacabka ee Magaaladda Hargeysa.

Ciidankan iyo Kalkaaliyayaashan isku soo xulufaystey Weerarkaas ayaa iyaga oo aan wax Waaran qabasho amaba Xayiraad ah midna Maxkamadda ka sidanin khasab ku soo galay xarunta Wargeyska Haatuf, kuwaas oo halkaas gacanta ku saaray Suxufi ka hawlgala Jariidada oo magaciisa la yidhaahdo C/laahi Xasan Budul, kaas oo ay markii hore khasab inay ku kaxeeyaan ay isku dayeen ka dibna markii uu waydiiyey sababta loo kaxaynayo iyo waxay ka rabaan ayaa Cali Qodaal oo Ciidankaas hogaaminayey uu ku wargaliyey in xarunta CID-da loogu sheegi doono waxa laga doonayo iyo sababta loogu kaxaynayo Waaran la’aan.

Sidoo kale Ciidanka galay saaka Xarunta Wargayska Haatuf ayaa markii hore isku dayey inay khasab ku kaxeeyaan Suxufigaas oo aan ahayn Tafatire iyo Guddoomiye midna balse isagu ah Reporter goobtaas ay kula kulmeen ka dibna markii ay isku dayeen inay kaxeeyaan ayaa waxa goobtaas ku soo gaadhay dadwayne buuqa ku soo baydhay iyo Suxufiyiin kale oo Ciidankii u sheegay inay talaabada ay qaadayaan ay sharciga baal-marsan tahay, isla markaana ka codsaday inay sharciga u soo maraan hawlgalkooda.

Dhinaca kale inkasta oo aanay Ciidanka xooga ku galay Xarunta Wargeysku iyo Kal-kaaliyayaashoodu aanay sheegin sababta ay hawlgalkaas sharciga baalmarsan u qaadayaan ayaa hadana dhacdadaas lala xidhiidhinayaa inay ka danbaysay Article uu Maanta oo Isniin ah uu Wargeysku ka qoray Guddoomiyaha Maxkamadda Hargeysa Faysal C/llaahi Ismaaciil (Faysal Dhaga-Dhago), Warbixintaas oo ay Jariidada Haatuf ku Faalaysay dhaqamada iyo hawlaha shaqo ee Garsoorahaas oo inta badan sharciga baalmarsan.

WAR Dil Aar-goosi ah oo ka Dhacay Degmadda Xariirad ee Gobolka Selel

Degmada Xariirad

Xariirad - War hordhac ah oo Waaheen soo gaadhay ayaa sheegaya in goor dhaweyd badhtmaha magaaladda Xarriirad lagu toogtay nin magaciisa lagu soo koobay Taraysa Liqe.

Warkan ayaa sheegaya in uu isla goobtii ku geeriyooday ninka la dilay oo ahaa Jaadle ku iibiya qaadka magaaladda Xariirad.

Dilkan ayaa loo aanaynayaa in ay fulisay beesha Samaroon ee uu ka soo jeeday Ninkii hore ee beesha Ciise ku dishay magaaladda Xariirad, kaasoo aan ilaa hada wax natiijo ah laga gaadhin dilkiisa.

Xukuumadda Somaliland ayaa ku guul daraysatay in ay xaliso mushkiladda ka taagnayd magaaladaasi, waxaanay taasi sababtay in ay kala Aar-goostaan dadkii shicibka ahaa ee dhiigu dhex yaalay.

Xaaladda magaaladda Xariirad ayaa kacsan waxaana la wareegay Ciidan xoogan oo ilaalinaya in dagaal ka dhex qarxo labada Beelood ee labada Dil kala qaba.

Badhasaabka Gobolka Salal oo ku sugnaa dhinaca Hargeysa oo maalmahanba u joogay ciyaaraha Goboladda ayaa Hargeysa ka cararay iyadoo lagu wado in uu aroorta gaadho.


Source: Waaheen

UNDP Seeks Security Firms in Somaliland, Kay Won't Say If UNSOM Leaves

Matthew Russell Lee

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, June 15 -- While one part of the UN, Mogadishu-based Nicholas Kay as new head of the UNSOM, purports to be wooing Somaliland to accept his mission there, another part of the UN is soliciting bids for "professional security firms" to operate in Hareisa and Burao in Somaliland.

Seeking such services, with bids still open until June 20, is the UN Development Program.

This is the same UNDP involved in handing over Somaliland's air space to Somalia, leading to the suspension of some UN flights in and out of the country, as Inner City Press reported.

Inner City Press has asked the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and WFP Logistics, What's the status of UN flights into Somaliland?

Now on the "UN Global Marketplace" UNDP is inviting, until June 20, qualified professional security firms to submit their interest for security guarding services at the United Nations Common Compounds (UNCC) in Hargeisa and UN Facility in Burao." UNDP specifies:

"The UNCC comprises of five blocks and open spaces covering a total of 13,849 sqm and serves as the sub-office for UNDP and other UN agencies. There are approximately 70 staff members in the compound at any one time. Security is also extended to the nearby UN dispensary in Hargeisa and the Joint UN facility in Burao. The Burao facility has 3 self-contained rooms two conference rooms and is enclosed in a perimeter wall.

The proposer will be responsible for enforcing UN rules and regulations governing the access to UN compounds and facilities under UNDPs control. The proposer should have knowledge of safety and security issues including experiences in operation of fire fighting equipment, assessment of potential threats and crime prevention, operating communication equipment, access control, guarding compounds, patrolling, handling incoming suspicious parcels and dealing with crowds."

To understand these seemingly different approaches from two parts of the UN -- which talk a lot under Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about being "One UN" -- Inner City Press has asked Nick Kay himself, through the Digital Diplomacy social media on which Kay responds for example to UK-based Somalis who claim that even asking about Somaliland makes one a lobbyist for separatism.

How much of the UK's interest in Somalia is as a matter of domestic politics?

Inner City Press asked Kay, did Somaliland's foreign minister tell you UNSOM "should close"? What are the next steps? (One might add, how does this impact the procurement above, including staffing levels?)

The larger point is, there are long-standing and legitimate claims in Somaliland, but the UN or at least parts of it simply ignore them. Is it a matter of bureaucracy? Of the "love of states"? Is it a double standard when compared to the UN's solicitude to other group's claims? These are questions the UN, in the first instance Nicholas Kay, should answer.