Exclusive: Eritrea pays warlord to influence Somalia - U.N. experts

UNITED NATIONS

Isaias Afewerki Eritrea, President

By Louis Charbonneau

(Reuters) - Eritrea is undermining stability in conflict-ravaged Somalia by paying political agents and a warlord linked to Islamist militants to influence the Mogadishu government, U.N. sanctions experts said in a confidential report.

The Eritrean government has long denied playing any negative role in Somalia, saying it has no links to Islamist al Shabaab militants fighting to overthrow the Somali government. It says the U.N. sanctions imposed on it in 2009 for supporting al Shabaab were based on lies and has called for the sanctions to be lifted.

The latest annual report by the U.N. Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea to the Security Council's Somalia/Eritrea sanctions committee casts fresh doubt on Asmara's denials, undermining its case for lifting the sanctions against it.

"The Monitoring Group has received numerous reports about the warming of relations between Asmara and Mogadishu, and has obtained evidence of Asmara's control of political agents close to the Somali presidency and some of the individual spoilers," the group said in the report, seen by Reuters.

One such operative, the monitors said, is "Eritrean agent of influence Abdi Nur Siad 'Abdi Wal,' ... who is reported to have a close relationship with a senior al Shabaab commander."

The monitors describe Abdi Wal as a "warlord."

"Abdi Wal is now a close ally of former ARS-Asmara (a Somali Islamist network in Eritrea) leader Zakaria Mohamed Haji Abdi, for whom he provides security in Mogadishu," the monitors said. "He is known to command the allegiance of about 100 fighters in Mogadishu and is involved in contract killings."

The monitors said in their report that they have "obtained direct testimonies and concrete evidence of Eritrean support to Abdi Wal and Mohamed Wali Sheikh Ahmed Nuur." The Monitoring Group has reported on Ahmed Nuur in the past, describing him as a "political coordinator for al Shabaab" and a recipient of funds from Eritrea.

"A source on the Eritrean payroll in direct contact with Abdi Wal has confirmed that Abdi Wal has admitted in closed-door meetings that he is acting as an agent for the Eritrean government," the group said in its latest report.

Eritrea's U.N. mission did not respond to a request for comment.

RUSSIAN AND ITALIAN COMPLAINTS
The latest report said that Ahmed Nuur, also known as Ugas Mohamed Wali Sheikh, has repeatedly held meetings in Khartoum with Mohamed Mantai, Eritrea's ambassador to Sudan and, since December, Iran.

"During these meetings, options for Eritrean financial support to Ahmed Nuur were discussed," the report said.

"Mantai, a former military intelligence officer, has a history of operating in Somalia and was expelled from Kenya in 2009 after he returned from Somalia following meetings with al Shabaab agents," the monitors said.

In addition to their nearly 500-page report on Somalia and Eritrea, the Monitoring Group produced a separate report of around 80 pages focusing solely on Eritrea.

Council diplomats said the longer Somalia/Eritrea report will be made public soon, but the shorter Eritrea report will not be published because of Russian objections.

According to a letter the Russian delegation sent to Ambassador Kim Sook, chairman of the Somalia/Eritrea sanctions committee, Russia "objects to the publication of the (Eritrea) report due to the biased and groundless conclusions and recommendations contained in it."

Italian Ambassador Cesare Maria Ragaglini also wrote to Kim complaining about the report because of "misleading information and undocumented implications of violations of the arms embargo." Reuters has obtained both letters.

According to diplomats familiar with the U.N. monitors' shorter Eritrea report, an Italian helicopter exported to Eritrea for mining survey purposes was seen at a military facility there, raising the possibility of a sanctions breach.

The monitors said Italian authorities failed to provide additional information as requested, the diplomats added.

Ragaglini dismissed that allegation, saying "we did provide the information they requested (e.g. on financial flows), but there is no evidence whatsoever of military assistance from Italy to sustain the undocumented claims of the experts."

China, diplomats say, is annoyed about references in the Eritrea report to Chinese machine tools procured for a large government depot in Eritrea that houses tanks, missiles and dual-use civilian trucks. But the envoys said there was no suggestion the Chinese government was violating U.N. sanctions.

(Editing by Mohammad Zargham)

Source: Reuters

AU High-Level Panel for Egypt holds inaugural meeting

• Written by  zeryhun kassa

The African Union (AU) High-Level Panel for Egypt on Tuesday held its inaugural meeting. According to AU’s statement, the panel is established by the Chairperson of the AU Commission in response to the situation in that country.

The meeting was attended by the three members of the Panel, namely former President of Mali and former Chairperson of the AUC Alpha Oumar Konare, Former President of Botswana, Gontebanye Festus Mogae and Former Prime Minister of Djibouti Dileita Dileita Mohamed.

Alpha Oumar Konare chairs the panel. The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security also participated in the meeting.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the modalities of interaction with international partners, notably the League of Arab States to facilitate a coordinated and effective support for an inclusive transition leading to a rapid return to constitutional order.

Ethiopia works for equitable use of Nile waters

Ethiopia lower house speaker Aba Dula Gemada reminds Egypt that treaty removing colonial-era water rights now ratified into Ethiopian law. This is a report by ahramonline, a leading Egyptian news outlet.

Ethiopia is committed to guaranteeing the water interests of both Nile basin states and Egypt, said Aba Dula Gemeda, Ethiopia’s lower house speaker, according to the report this Wednesday.

"Some elements on the Egyptian side publish inaccurate information about the Renaissance Dam, but Ethiopia is gaining the international community’s support," Gemeda said.

Gemeda emphasised Addis Ababa’s eagerness to achieve economic cooperation with Egypt along with an "equitable sharing of water resources," pointing out that the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) has been signed into Ethiopian law.

The CFA replaces a colonial-era agreement that granted Egypt and Sudan the majority of water rights, preventing upstream countries from implementing irrigation and hydropower projects without first seeking Egypt's approval.

Signatory countries include Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. The Democratic Republic of Congo and the newly independent South Sudan have said that they also intend to join.

For decades, Egypt held veto rights over all upstream projects, following powers granted by a 1929 colonial-era treaty with Britain.

Egypt's subsequent 1959 deal with Sudan gave the two downstream countries more than 90 percent control of Nile waters.

Ethiopia signed the CFA in May 2010, and its June ratification this year in parliament comes amid rising tensions between Addis Ababa and Cairo over Ethiopia's construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile.

Ethiopia began diverting the Blue Nile in May paving the way for its $4.2 billion hydroelectric dam that is set to become Africa's largest once completed.

The Horn of Africa country has pledged to press ahead with the dam, despite Egypt's reservations.

Source: ahramonline

Addis Ababa to host African Banking, ICT conference

A major continent-wide conference on banking and ICT will be held in the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa on 2 August, as the horn of African country emerges as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

The Ethiopian Banking & ICT Summit 2013, which will highlight technical and business opportunities in the country’s growing ICT sector under the theme “Harnessing Africa’s Digital Future”, has been organised by Cyber Security Africa, a UK-based IT security solutions provider.

The one-day event will bring together business players from both public and private sectors, including government officials, international organisations and local business leaders, Sammy Kioko, Cyber Security Africa Alliance Manager, said. It will feature expert speakers from local, regional and international markets.

Ethiopia has emerged as one of the continent’s most exciting new markets in the world, being the fastest growing non-oil economy on the continent at an average annual rate of 11 percent in recent years.

This optimism is supported by IMF’s projection of Ethiopia as the third fastest growing economy from 2011 through 2015, trailing only China and India. With continued market reforms, global integration, and pro-business reforms, Ethiopia is positioned for many more years of rapid growth.

“Africa's second most populous nation is emerging as an important investment destination,” said Kioko.  “Almost non-existent before 2006, activity has picked up in recent months on the back of government efforts to open the country's economy.”

Investment in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Ethiopia is considered to be one of the highest in the world, taking into consideration the prevailing poverty levels. Currently, Ethiopia's "committed" investment in ICT accounts for 10 percent of overall GDP, and the government has invested over $14 billion in this sector for over the last decade.

Kioko says such huge investments require banks to understand the opportunities, risks and Security challenges in ICT services and products as they are the biggest consumers of technology. “Likewise, ICT practitioners need to know how they can work with bankers to protect their infrastructure.”

Source: www.biztechafrica.com

Gambella Regional State Supplied 1160kg Gold to National Bank of Ethiopia

Written by Meraf Leykun  

Gambella Regional State of Ethiopia has supplied over 1160kg pure gold worth over US$50 million to the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) during the just ended Ethiopian fiscal year, the regional mines agency said.
The Agency told Ethiopian News Agency that the gold was supplied to the Bank by traditional miners. It said over 90 per cent of the stated amount of gold was supplied from Dimma Woreda.

More than 30,000 citizens are engaged in traditional mining including those organized in associations in the state, according to the Agency.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Somalia: Xabsiyo Qarsoodi ah oo Mareykanku ku leeyahay Muqdisho

Wargeys ka so baxa Dalka Maraykanka ayaa Dabacay in Sirdoonka Maraykanka ee CIA da ay xabsiyo Qarsoodiya ay ku leeyahiin Magaaladda Muqdisho, xabsiyadaasi oo ay ku xiran yahiin Xubno ka mida dagaalyahanada Al-Shabaab.

Jariidada The Nation ayaa sheegtay in xabsiyadaasi ay ku yaallaan agagaaraha garoonka Diyaaradaha caalamiga gaar ahaana dhinaca Badda, xabsigaas oo ay jariidadu xusatya in lagu Xiro Ragga ka tirsan xarakada Shabaab ama Xiriirka la leh.

Wargeyska ayaa intaa ku dartay in xabsigaas CIA-da Maraykanka ay ku leedahay nawaaxiga Garoonka Diyaaradaha Caalamiga ee Muqdisho xitaa lagu xiro Rag laga soo qabto meelo ka baxsan Somaliya sida Kenya kuwaas oo looga shakiyo in ay damacsan yihiin in falal qaraxyo iyo kharbudaad ahba u geysataan danaha Mareykanka ee caalmka gaar ahaanna Somaaliya iyo dalka deriska la ahba.

Jariidada oo hadalkeeda sii wadata ayaa sheegtay in xabsiyadaan uu ogolaadey madaxweynihii hore ee ku meelgaarka ahaa Shiikh Shariif Shiikh Axmed kaas oo ay jariidadu ku tilmaamtey inuu ahaa nin ay daacad ka tahay dagaalka saaxiibadiisii hore oo uu markiisii horeba siyaasada ku soo galay waa Shabaabka ee.

Jariidada ayaa waxay kaloo sheegtay in shaqada ka socota xabsiyadaas gudaheeda aanan lagala tashan dowlada hadda jirta ee uu hogaanka u hayo Xasan Sh Maxamuud iyadoo welibana qortey in dayaaradaha ay maamulaan CIA-da Mareykanka anan lala socodsiinin waxa ay dalka Somaaliya geeyaan iyo weliba waxa ay ka soo qaadaanba.

Dowladda Maraykanka ayaa si weyn u taageerta ciidamadda nabad sugida Dowladda Faderaalka, HoraY ayaa dhawaan warar soo baxay ay sheegayeen in ciidamo Maraykan ah ay xarumo ku leeyahiin Muqdisho gaar ahaan dhanka badda ee Garoonka aadan Cade.

ICC President’s Message - Day of International Criminal Justice

 

Judge Sang-Hyun Song © ICC-CPI/ Hans Hordijk

As the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), I am proud to celebrate the Day of International Criminal Justice on 17 July 2011.
Thirteen years ago, the international community came together at a historic conference in Rome to adopt the Rome Statute of the ICC. States and civil society from all continents joined forces to put an end to impunity for the gravest crimes known to humankind. In 2002, the ICC opened its doors in The Hague, Netherlands.

Today, the ICC is a major international institution securing justice for victims when it cannot be delivered at the national level. Investigations in six country situations concern shocking allegations such as mass murder, rape, torture and the use of child soldiers. The total number of suspects that have appeared before the judges has doubled in the last six months. The first trial is concluding with the closing arguments set to be heard next month.

Support for the ICC is growing around the world. 114 nations have already joined the Rome Statute and Grenada and Tunisia will become the next two States Parties later this summer. Several other countries have announced their intention to follow in the near future.

During the past year, I have met with representatives of governments, civil society and regional organisations in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe and most recently the Arab world. Time after time, I have found the goals of the Rome Statute resonate strongly regardless of culture, language or nationality.

Everywhere, people want peace, justice, rule of law and respect for human dignity. The ICC represents the gathering of nations in a community of values and aspirations for a more secure future for children, women and men around the world.

Let us remember our spirit of solidarity while we celebrate our achievements. Let us remind ourselves that while much progress has been achieved, the road ahead remains long and demanding.

We must be united in our resolve to defeat impunity and the lawlessness, brutality and disdain for human dignity that it represents. We must persevere.

In the name of all people working for the International Criminal Court, I am proud to be part of the global justice movement. I call on States and people everywhere to join this common cause.

Dowladda Ireland oo magangelyo siisey qaxooti Soomaali ah

War saxaafadaed kasoo baxay xafiiska R/wasaaraha jasiirada Malta ayaa lugu caddeyey in tiro ka mid ah Soomaalida qaxooti ku ah Malta inay magangelyo ka helen dowladda Ireland.

Illaa 10-qof oo ka socdey saddex qoys ayaa maanta ka ambabaxay dalka Malta kaddib markii ay dowladda Ireland u ogolaatay in ay siiso magangelyo,qoyosaskaan ayaa ka mid ahaa kuwo muddo ku jirey xaro ku taala jasiirada Malta.

Manuel Mallia wasiirka arrimaha gudaha iyo amniga qaranka ee dalka Malta ayaa sheegey inay ka mahadcelinayaan magangelyo siinta ay ufudisey Ireland qoxootiyada Soomaalida ah,waxana uu ugu baaqey in dowladda caalamka ay soo dhugtan shacabka Soomaaliyed ee dhibta badan u soo marey inay helan nolal dhanta tan Soomaaliya taala.

“Waxaa caalamku dhan uu ka dharagsan yahay dhibta iyo amnidarada ka jirta Soomaaliya,marwalba waxana Tv-yada iyo wargesyadda ka aragna inay dhibaateysan yihiin qoysas Soomaali ah waa in ay helan caawinad si ay nolal wanagsan u helan”ayuu yiri Manuel Mallia wasiirka arrimaha gudaha iyo amniga qaranka ee dalka Malta.

Ireland ayaa noqonaysa inay markeedi saddexad siiso magangelyo qaxooti Soomaali ah oo ku nool dalka Malta.

Waxaa wali ku nool dalka Malta kumaanan Soomaali ah kuwaaso qoxooti ah ujooga dalka iyagoona kusoo safra badda,waxana ay Malta ka mid tahay dalalka dadka Soomaali ah ay ka galan wadamada reer galbeedka.
Kadib markii warkaan u kasoo baxay safaaradda Ireland ayaa waxaa markiba ka jawaabey wasiirka arrimaha gudaha iyo amniga qaranka ee dalka Malta Manuel Mallia kasoo ku tilmamey talaabadan mid farxad galineysa shacabka Soomaaliyed ee dhibatoyinka dalkood ka jira kasoo cararey si ay u helaan nolal dhanta tan hadda dalkooda ka jirta.

Egypt Cabinet has women, Christians; no Islamists

Associated Press/Egyptian Presidency - This image released by the Egyptian Presidency on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 shows interim President Adly Mansour, center, with his new cabinet ministers at the presidential palace in Cairo. (AP Photo/Egyptian Presidency)

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's interim leader swore in a Cabinet on Tuesday that included women and Christians but no Islamists as the military-backed administration moved swiftly to formalize the new political order and present a more liberal face that is markedly at odds with the deposed president and his supporters.

The changes came at a time of deep polarization and violence in Egypt, including new clashes that killed seven people as part of the continuing bloodshed that has marked the days following the armed forces coup that swept President Mohammed Morsi from office and cracked down on the Muslim Brotherhood.

Egypt's military already wields great influence behind the scenes, and the army chief, Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who ousted Morsi on July 3, was given a promotion in the Cabinet. He became a first deputy prime minister in addition to keeping his post as defense minister.

For most of the two years since the overthrow of autocrat Hosni Mubarak, the country has been split into two camps — one led by Morsi, his Muslim Brotherhood and its Islamist allies, and another led by secular Egyptians, liberals, Christians and moderate Muslims.

The fault lines remain, except that the Islamist camp is no longer in power. It does not include members of any Islamist parties — a sign of the enduring division that follows the removal of Morsi, Egypt's first freely elected president.

The interim president's spokesman had earlier said posts would be offered to the Muslim Brotherhood, but the group promptly refused, saying it would not take part in the military-backed political process and would continue protests until the legitimately elected Morsi is reinstated.

"We refuse to even discuss it," a senior official of the Muslim Brotherhood's political arm, the Freedom and Justice party, told The Associated Press. "What is built on illegitimacy is illegal," he said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media before the party issued a formal statement on the formation of the Cabinet.

The only Islamist party that supported Morsi's ouster — the ultraconservative Salafi el-Nour party — was not represented and criticized the leadership as "biased," lacking inclusion and repeating "the same mistake the last government was blamed for."

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said he had talked with el-Sissi about 10 times in the past week.

"We have encouraged publicly and privately the leaders of Egypt, including the interim president, the interim vice president, and the prime minister in particular, to be inclusive, to bring all political parties in, to allow them to participate in the writing of the constitution and the elections," Hagel told reporters in Florida. "That's the only way it will work. We've been very clear on that."

Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi, an economist in his 70s, leads the government of 33 other ministers. Sworn in by interim President Adly Mansour, it reflected the largely liberal, secular bent of the factions who brought millions into the streets at the end of June calling for Morsi to step down and backed el-Sissi's removal of the president.

Women have a somewhat higher profile in the government, with three ministries — including the powerful information and health ministries. Most past governments for decades have had at most only two women.

The Cabinet also includes three Christians, including one of the three women, Environment Minister Laila Rashed Iskander. That is also a first, since successive governments had no more than one or two Christians.

Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim, appointed by Morsi, remains in his post, which oversees the police. Nabil Fahmy, who was Egypt's ambassador to the U.S. from 1999-2008 and a nuclear disarmament expert, becomes foreign minister.

In a nod to the revolutionary youth groups that engineered the 2011 uprising and this year's massive protests, Mansour renamed the Justice portfolio the Transitional Justice and National Reconciliation Ministry and gave it to Mohammed el-Mahdi, a career judge.

The groups have been campaigning to bring to justice those responsible for the killings of hundreds of protesters since Mubarak's fall. Reconciliation is a longstanding demand by most political forces to end Egypt's polarization, which often spills over into street violence.

At least three senior figures from the National Salvation Front — the main opposition group during Morsi's year in office — were included in the government. In addition, the new deputy prime minister in charge of international cooperation, Ziad Bahaa-Eldin, is a member of the Social Democratic Party, which is part of the Salvation Front.

Mohamed ElBaradei, one of the Front's top leaders and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has already been installed as Mansour's vice president.

In a first, Mansour also swore in a leading figure in Egyptian soccer as sports minister. Midfielder Taher Abu Zeid starred in Cairo's el-Ahly club and the national team in the 1980s. He was a member of the national squad that won the African Nations' Cup in 1986.

The Cabinet is to run the country during a transition period announced last week by Mansour. The plan includes the formation of panels to amend the Islamist-drafted constitution that was passed under Morsi, then elections for a new parliament and president early next year.

After the swearing-in ceremony, the Cabinet held its first meeting and set the government's priorities as reviving the economy, bolstering public security and improving services, according to a palace statement.

El-Beblawy and his team face the formidable task of showing they are more efficient and resourceful than their predecessors. Egypt's economy has been worsening in the past two years with flight of capital and investors, slumping tourism and high unemployment among its 90 million people.

A $12 billion aid package from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates should help, but harsh reforms — such as lifting or gradually phasing out fuel subsidies — are still needed to put the economy on solid ground.

The new government will also have to tread carefully as it begins to deal with almost-daily street protests and violence by Morsi supporters if it is to revive the vital tourism industry and lure back investors.

Morsi's supporters are holding sit-ins in cities around the country, including two in Cairo. They accuse the military of carrying out a coup that has destroyed Egypt's democracy.

Riots broke out overnight with police firing volleys of tear gas at protesters, who burned tires, threw rocks and blocked traffic on a main road running through the heart of the capital. The Brotherhood said police used birdshot and live ammunition.

At least seven people were killed and 261 injured in the clashes in four different sites in Cairo, according to Khaled el-Khateeb, the head of the Health Ministry's emergency and intensive care department. Four of the seven were killed in fighting between residents and Morsi supporters staging a sit-in near Cairo's main university, according to security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Egypt's state news agency said 17 policemen were injured and 401 people have been arrested.

Violence between Islamists and security forces on July 8 left another 54 people dead — most of them Morsi supporters.—

Tuesday's violence broke out a day after Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, the most senior U.S. official to visit Egypt since Morsi's ouster, concluded talks with Mansour, el-Beblawi and el-Sissi in which he called for the Brotherhood to be included in the political process.

Burns also spoke by telephone with a representative of the Muslim Brotherhood, State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell told reporters. Ventrell would not identify the Brotherhood representative or give details on the call.
___

Associated Press reporters Sarah El Deeb in Cairo and Deb Riechmann in Washington contributed to this report.

Shuruudaha wadanka cusub ee raba xubinimadda Qaramadda Midoobey fiiri xeer hoosaadka Qaramadda Midoobey: Xubinimaduna waa mid u furan

Tampere, FINLAND - Warkgeyska maalinlaha ah ee AAMULEHTI oo ka soo baxa gobolka Pirkanmaa magaaladda Tampere ee dalka Finland ayaa cadadkiisii (15.07.2013) maanta ku soo qaatay dowladaha aduunka ee ku dhawaaqay inay goosteen ama madaxbanaanyiin, balse aan weli beesha caalamka wax aqoonsi ah ka helin kuwaas oo ay ku jirto somaliland. Hadaba maqaalkan oo cinwaankiisu ahaa ´Thaiwn iyo Transnistria waxay weli sugayaan ictiraaf´ ayaa u qornaa sida tan:

Aduunka   waxa jira 10 deegaan/dal oo iyagu isugu dhawaaqay inay ka xoroobeen oo ay go´een, balse aduunka aan weli laga ictiraafin. Proffessor Ilkka Saraviita oo ah barre jaaacadeed oo ku takhasusay shuruucda iyo xeerarka caalamiga ah ee wuxuu yidhi ?sharciga caalamiga ahi si cad uma qeexayo, waxa looga jeedo xoriyadda madaxbanaanida buuxda ee dowladi leedahay?, balse marka loo sii raadiyo jawaab cad ee la falanqeeyo waxay ku dhamaaneysa xalka Montevideo, kaasoo sheegaya calamado sadex ah oo lagu garan karo dal madaxbanaan ama Sovereign state, kuwaas oo kala ah:

• Waa inay jiraan koox dad ah, kuwaas oo si (autonomous) ah isu maamula, balse aan hoos tagayn koox kale oo dad ah oo iyaga maamusha.
• Kooxdaas dadka ahi waa inay haystaan dhul ay asal u leeyihiin oo ay igau uga taliyaan si aan muran lahayn oo aanay cid kale ku haysan.
• Waa inay kooxdaas dadka ahi adeegsataa awoodaa ay ku leedahay dhulkeeda.

Intaa waliba waxa la raaciyaa wadankaasi inuu xubin ka noqon karo qaramadda midoobey. Hadaba marka ay halmar wada jiraan calamadahaa kor ku xusani, waxa loo arkaa inay dhalatay dowlad xor ahi/ madaxbanaan, balse taas caksigeeda waxa ah hadii ay dowladdaasi lumiso mid ka mida calamadahaas inay sidoo kale luminayso dowladnimadeedii ama jiritaankeedii. Barre jaamacadeed Saraviita wuxu sheegayaa laba tusaale oo ku saabsan sadexda calaamadood ee kor ku xusan. - Ahvenanmaa oo ah gobol gaarkiis isu maamulo bal se Finland hoos yimaada maaha mid madaxbanaan waayo ma isticmaalo awoodii dowlad madaxbanaan, taas waxa la mida Filistiin.

Ictiraafka waxa loo sameyn karaa siyaabo kala duwan. -Ictiraafku kuma xidhnakaliya miyay dowladaha kale u ictiraafeen dowladda cusub si rasmi ah oo ku dhawaaqid leh, ama ula dhaqmeen si dowlad madaxbanaan oo xor ah, tusaale ahaan inay la galaan heshiis xidhiidh siyaasaded ah. Sida wax leh Barre sare saraviita. Dowlad cusubi waxay aalaaba isku daydaa inay icitiraaf ka hesho dowladdaha sameynta ku leh aduunka, iyadoo ka duulaysa xidhiidhadeeda iyo danaheeda siyaasadeed. Ictiraafka dowladi had iyo jeer waa farsamooyinka ay dowladuhu u adeegsadaan siyaasadahooda dibadda. Dowaladaha qaar waxay adeegsadaan farsamada ah inay ictiraafaan dowladdaha qaar ku jira dagaalo sokeeye, balse Finland ma isticmaasho farsamadaas. Dowladwaliba oo madaxbaani iyadaa u madaxbanaan siday ula dhaqmayso dhulalka isku dhan ee sheeganayaa inay buuxiyeen calaaadihii madaxbanaanida ama goosashadda.

In aan dawlad la ictiraafin shardi uma aha jiritaankeeda. Tusaale ahaan Finland may muddo dheer may ictiraafsaneyn DDR:tii inkastoo guud ahaan loo yaqaanay dowlad madaxbanaan oo xor ah. Barre sare Saraviita wuxuu xusayaa in xubinimadda qaramadda midoobey ay tahay signal muhiim ah oo ka turjumaya madaxbanaanida dawaladnimo, balse shardi uma ah dawladnimadda. Tusaale ahaan Finland muddo dheer ayey dibadda ka joogtay qaramadda midoobey. Saraviita wuxu sheegayaa ta ugu dhibta badan laakiin ugu muhiimsan savereign state nimada ama madaxbanaanida dawladnimo inay tahay xornimo asal ah, taas oo macnaheedu tahay in wadanka ama dhulka cusubi ahayn mid ku hoos jira ama hoos taga awooda maamul kale oo jaarkiisa ah. Gaar ahaan waxyaalaha ugu ad adag waxa ka mida ah dagaalada sokeeye, taasoo inta badan aanay jirin dhulbadhayaal cadcad.

Dawladda la ictiraafo waxa u danbeysa Koonfurta-Sudan. Aalaaba dhulka go´aaya iyo dhulweynaha laga go´aayo waxa dhexyaal carqalado iyo iska hor imaadyo qoto dheer iyo murano dhuleed. Ugu dhawaan dhamaan dhulalka ku dhawaaqay inay madaxbanaanyiin ama goosteen waxay aaduunka ku leeyiin qunsuliyaddo siyaasadeed oo aan rasmin ahayn iyo wufuud matasha. Aduunka waxa jira 195 dowladood oo madaxbanaan kuwaas oo 193 ka midi ay xubno buuxa ka yiin qaramadda midoobay. Sanadkii 2011 wadanka xoroobey ee Koonfurta-Sudan waa dowladii ugu curdinsaneyd ee ay beesha caalamku si balaadhan u ictiraafto.

Waa noocee wadanka la ictiraafi karo?

Dr. Juhani Perttunen oo aqoon durugsan u leh cilmiga sharciga iyo garyaqaanimadda ayaa buugiisii qalinjabinta ku qeexay in ictiraafka dowladnimo looga jeedo cabir/ qiyaas caalami ah oo ku salaysan cadaalad oo ay dawladdo ku aqbalayaan dowlad cusub sidii mid ay simanyihiin oo heshiisa, iyagoo u diyaara inay la saxeexdaan xidhiidho caalami ah. Isagoo sii wata wuxuu yidhi ictiraafku wuxuu u baahanyahay shuruudo, kuwaas oo ah waa inay dowladu yeelato dhul cayiman oo qeexan/cad oo ay deganyihiin dad deegaan ku ah. Sidoo kale dowladdu waa inay lahaataa haykal dowladnimo/siyasadeed (madaxweyne, wasiiro,baarlaman,ururo,maxkamaddo iwm.) iyo awood ay kula xidhiidho oo ay heshiisyo kula gasho dowladaha kale. Sidoo kale isagoo sii wata Dr. Juhani wuxuu yidhi waa inay leedahay awood ay ku difaacato xuduudeeda kaligeed ama iyadoo cidkale xulafeysanaysa.

Shuruudaha looga baahanyey wadanka cusub ee raba xubinimadda qaramadda midoobey waxay ku qeexanyiin xeer hoosaadka qaramadda midoobey waana sida: Xubinimadu waa mid u furan ?dhamaan dowladdaha jecel nabadda ee aqabalsan commitments-ka ku xusan xeer hoosaadka qaramada midoobey lagu aasaasay, dowladahaas oo raba tixgalinta commitments-ka haayada qaramadda midoobey?. Golaha amaanka ee qaramadda midoobay ayaa soo jeediya aqbalista wadan cusub, waxaana lagu go´aamiyaa shirweyne guud.

Xataa waxa jira dowladdo aan ictiraafin dowladdo xubin ka ah qaramadda midoobay oo aan ictiraaf ilaa hadda ka helin dowladaha kale la ictiraafsanyey ee ku jira qaramadda midoobey. Israel waxaynay ictiraafsaneyn 32 dowladood oo xubin ka ah qaramadda midoobey. Koonfurta-Kuuriya iyo Japan ma ictiraafsana Woqooyiga-Kuuriya oo iyadun aan ictiraafin Koonfurta-Kuuriya. Turkigu ma ictiraafsana Qubrus sidoo kale Pakistan ma ictiraafsana Armeeniya, waayo Pakistan waxay caawisay Asarbijaan murankii gobolka South-Caucasus.

Wadamadda aan la ictiraafsanayn aduunka ee tobanka aha ee aan bulshada caalamku sida rasmiga ah u aqoonsan waxay kala yihiin:

1. Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland (1991 ka goosatay Somalia), cid ilaa hadda ictiraaftay ma jirto. Waxa ku nool 3.5 milyan oo qof.

2. Jamhuuriyadda Kosofo (2008 ka goosatay Serbia), waxa aqoonsaday 102 dowladood oo xubin ka ah qaramadada midoobay. Waxa ku nool 1.7 milyan.

3. Jamhuuriyadda Woqooyiga-Quburus ee Turkiga (1983 ku dhawaqday madaxbanaanida), waxa ictiraafay Turkiga. Waxa ku nool 294 900 qof.

4. Sahara Democratic (waxay ku dhawaaqday 1976), waxa aqoonsaday 85 dowladood oo xubin ka ah qaramadda midoobay, kuwaas oo 33 ka midi ay kala noqdeen aqoonsigii sababo kala duwan awgood. Waxa ku nool 500000 qof.

5. Jamhuuriyadda Abkhazia (1999 ka goosatay Georgia), waxa aqoonsaday 5 dowladood oo ku xubin ka ah qaramadda midoobay. Waxa ku nool 2428000 qof.

6. Jamhuuriyadda South Ossetia (1991 ka goosatay Geogria), waxa aqoonsaday 5 dowladood oo xubin ka ah qaramadda midoobay. Waxa ku nool 55000.

7. Falastiin (1988 ku dhawaaqday inay madaxbanaantahay), waxa aqoonsaday 132 dowladood oo xubin ka ah qaramadaba midoobay, waxa ku nool 4.5 milyan qof.

8. Jamhuuriyadda China ama Taiwan (1912), waxa aqoonsanaa 22 dowladood oo xubno ka ah qaramadda midoobay, waxa ku nool 23.3 milyan qof.

9. Transnisteria (1990 ka goosatay Moldoven), Dowlad kaliya oo aqoonsatay ilaa hadda ma jirto, waxa ku nool 51800.

10. Jamhuuriyadda Nagorno-Karabakh (1992 ka goosatay Asarbajan), dowlad kaliya oo ilaa hada aqoonsatay ma jirto, waxa ku nool 143600.

Xigasho: Antti Korhonen Aamulehti

Wasiirka Waxbarashada Somaliland Oo Daboolka Ka Qaaday Inay Jaamacadii Ugu Horaysay Albaabada U Xidheen

Wasiirka Wasaaradda Waxbarashada
iyo Tacliinta sarre
Marwo Samsam Cabdi Aadan

Wasiirka Wasaaradda Waxbarashada iyo Tacliinta sarre Marwo Samsam Cabdi Aadan, ayaa markii ugu horeysay sheegtay inay jiraan Jaamacado aan buuxin karayn qiimayntii lagu sameeyey, isla markaana loo baahan yahay in albaabada loo laabo Jaamacada ka soo bixi kari wayda heerka laga doonayo Jaamacad.

Wasiirka Waxbarashada iyo Tacliinta sarre Marwo Samsam Cabdi Aadan oo galabta ka hadlaysay Barnaamijka waxbarashada ee Idaacada laanta afka soomaaliga ee BBC-da, waxaanay tilmaantay jaamacado tiro badan oo Somaliland ka hawl-galla, kuwaasoo ay sheegtay inay Dhalinyarada kala dagaalamaan jahliga.

Waxa kale, oo ay Wasiirku sheegay inay jiraan Guddi ku hawlan qiimaynta jaamadaha dalka, iyadoo ka dhawaajisay inay jaamacadii ugu horaysay ee buuxin wayday shuruudaha ay xidheen, taasoo ay ku sheegtay Jaamacadda Fairland oo ku jirtay Jaamacadaha ugu dhaqdhaqaaqa badan.

Wasiirku waxa ay shaaca ka qaday in Jaamacadan oo ay wax ka barteen dhalinyaro badan ay buuxin weyday waxyaabihii looga baahnaa, isla markaana ay noqotay in la xidho, taas oo aan layska xidhayn  ee ay tahay in la jeheeyo,ardaydii wax ka baranaysaay,kuwaas oo aanu mudo ku hawlanayn in loo helo jaamacad ay ku sii wataan waxbarashadooda, si ay u niyad jabin ,taasina meel wanaagsan ayay maraysaa, ayay tidhi marwo Samsam.

Hassan Mahmood stabbed to death in Birmingham Park

A 15-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed after a fight in a park had a bright future ahead of him, his headteacher has said.

Hassan Mahmood died after being stabbed in a Birmingham park following a clash between two groups.

Sohail Aslam, headteacher at the Rightrack independent school in Saltley, Birmingham, said Hassan had only joined the school six-weeks-ago, but settled in very quickly and was well-liked by staff and students.

"He was very respectful towards everybody, we'd had no problems and he had a bright future," he said.

He added that the teenager had been working towards his GCSEs and loved "sports and singing".

Mr Aslam said the school was considering some form of tribute to Hassan, in conjunction with the boy's family.

Hassan was attacked in Oaklands Park, off Wash Lane, in the South Yardley area of the city, at about 5.55pm on Monday.

Four teenage boys were arrested a short while later on suspicion of murder.

A 15-year-old and 17-year-old have since been released without charge, while two 16-year-olds are still being questioned.

Emergency services attended the scene, and further searches of the area were continuing today.

Hassan was taken to hospital but doctors were unable to save him. A post mortem examination is due on Wednesday.

A teenager who saw the fight and was the first to break the news to the victim's family said there was a desperate attempt to save Hassan after he was left fatally wounded.

He said: "Hassan was down the park with three other mates. There was a fight. He was stabbed with a huge knife and there was a lot of blood. And as soon as I saw that blood I just started running.

"I ran to my friend's house, and they came and put Hassan on his side, in the recovery position, wrapped his wound, and put some water on it.

"Then I had to go and tell his (Hassan's) family what had happened - I think I was the first one to tell them. It was awful."

Floral tributes by a steady stream of mourners have been laid at the scene.

One bunch of flowers, from his girlfriend, read: "Hassan RIP - Baby I will never forget you - best boyfriend ever.

"I love you more everyday, my soldier, your princess - Jess."

Hassan's brother and sister also arrived to tie up two star-shaped balloons at the park's gates, with the words "RIP Hassan" written in glitter. They declined to talk to the media.

Detective Inspector Tom Chisholm said: "This was a tragic incident and our deepest condolences go out to the young man's family.

"A murder investigation was immediately launched. We have a team of detectives working with local officers to gain an understanding of what happened.

"We are aware that there were groups of young people in the area, some of whom may have left the scene before the police arrived.

"There is some suggestion that this was a fight which has tragically gone too far.

"I would ask that people who were in the park or anyone else with information to contact us immediately."
Officers are examining CCTV cameras which may have captured the stabbing.

:: Anyone with any information about the incident should contact DI Chisholm on 101. Alternatively those who don't want to speak to the police can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Sky News

PLEASE SIGN Petition to stop Barclays from closing its account with Somali Money Service Business

Barclays bank plans to close about 100 UK accounts held by cash transfer businesses. These services have provided a vital lifeline for an estimated 42% of the Somali population that depend on remittances sent from families living abroad.

The funds sent to Somalia are used for food, education and medical expenses and one third of recipients said that without this support, they would not be able to afford basic food supplies.

On Wednesday 17^th July, British MPs will campaign in Parliament for the UK Government to find a durable solution to the humanitarian crisis that will invariably follow the closure of transfer business accounts.

Please sign this petition in order to encourage the UK Government to solve Somalia’s financial crisis.

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-barclays-uk-decision-on-the-somali-msbs-accounts-barclays-to-reconsider-its-decision?utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition

Edward-Snowden Basaaskii ka fakaday Maraykanku Waxuu hayaa Macluumaad daqiiqad gudaheed waxyeelayn kara Ameerika

London - Wargayska Dalka Britain ee Guardian ayaa todobaadkan waxa uu baahiyey in basaaskii hore ee u dhashay dalka Maraykanka Mr Edward Snowdon uu hayo warbixino iyo xogo dheeraad ah oo ka khatarsan kuwa uu ilaa hadda sii daayey

“Snowdon waxa uu hayaa macluumaad badan oo muddo kooban oo daqiiqado ah waxyeelooyin hor leh gaadhsiin kara xukuumadda maraykanka, xogtaas oo ah mid aanu helin qof kale marka dib loo eego  taariikhda dalka maraykanka”.

Wargayska Guardian waxa uu soo qaatay xogo uu ka helay weriyaha reer Argentin ee lagu magacaabo Girinold oo ah weriyahii Mr Snowdon ka qaaday wareysigiisii hore ee uu ku kashifay sirta ku saabsanayd dhegaysiga taleefoonada dadka ee ay sameeyaan hay’adaha ammaanka ee dalka maraykanku ayaa weriyahasi waxa uu sheegay in Mr Snowdon aan ujeedadiisu ahayn inuu kashifo sir uu leeyahay dalka maraykanku laakiin waxa uu soo bandhigayaa ay tahay macluumaad ku saabsan barnaamijyo ay isticmaalaan dad badan oo caalamka ku kala nool, dadkaas oo aan la socon ama ogayn in isticmaalka barnaamijyadaasi ay xadgudub ku tahay arimo muhiim ah oo u gaar ah shaqsiyadooda.

Weriyaha reer Arjantin waxa uu u sheegay wargayska Guardian in Mr Snowdon uu warbixinaha uu hayey ku kaydiyey meelo kala duwan isla markaana hadii isaga wax la gaadhsiiyo la baahin doono xogahaas oo noqon doona  faylashii ugu xumaa ee taariikhda dalka maraykanka laga baahiyo.

Statement from the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator on the occasion of his first official visit to Somaliland

16 July 2013, Hargeisa – “A key priority for the United Nations to better respond to local needs is enhancing collaboration with Somaliland authorities,” United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator Philippe Lazzarini said during his first official visit to Somaliland today.

Lazzarini will meet with His Excellency President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo and the Ministers of Planning and National Development, Foreign Affairs, Commerce and International Investments and Interior. He will also have discussions with civil society, humanitarian actors and UN personnel.

On his arrival in Hargeisa, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator commended the contribution of the people of Somaliland to maintaining stability and ensuring sustainable development for all – women and men.

“Somaliland is an inspiring example of peace and stability in the region. The United Nations is committed to working with authorities, civil society and communities to build on this progress,” he said.

“I understand that the situation of Somaliland is unique and has its own specific development needs. I am looking forward to discussing with His Excellency President Silanyo and other senior government officials on how we can strengthen collaboration to more efficiently fulfill people’s rights. It is also of high importance for the UN that all programmes and activities are in line with development priorities as outlined by the government – it is essential that these priorities are supported by the international community.”

The UN will continue to work closely with the international community to support authorities to strengthen economic development, increase employment opportunities and ensure humanitarian needs in Somaliland are met.

***

For further information, please contact:

Mustafe Khaire, RCO, in Hargeisa at mustafe.khaire@one.un.org or + 252 2 4423574

Minneapolis: Ali charges in death of bicyclist explained

 

OFFICE OF THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY
MICHAEL O. FREEMAN  

COUNTY ATTORNEY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ali charges in death of bicyclist explained 

Abdirahman Abdi Ali of Minneapolis was charged on July 9 with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide, including leaving the scene of an accident, after striking and killing a young woman riding her bicycle, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced.

The following day Ali, 25, made his first court appearance and bail was set at $50,000 without any conditions and only $10,000 if he followed certain conditions including no violations of his driver’s license and not using drugs or alcohol. He posted the $10,000 bond and was released on July 11. His next court appearance is Aug. 15.

“We have had a number of these car-bicycle and car-pedestrian cases over the past two years and we have treated them pretty much the same,” Freeman said. “It’s important that drivers understand that they must obey the traffic laws and if they do strike someone with their car or truck, they absolutely must stop and help the victim.”

According to the criminal complaint filed by the county attorney’s office, the victim, Jessica Hanson, was riding her bicycle after dark on July 3. She was at the intersection of Pleasant Avenue South and West 28^th Street when witnesses reported that a car that was speeding and did not have its lights on failed to stop at the intersection and collided with Hanson.

Ali did not stop to help her but sped away, the criminal complaint states. Hanson was seriously injured and died at the Hennepin County Medical Center two days later.

A witness to the accident gave police the license plate number to the car. Police went to the address registered for the car and his sister acknowledged they had a blue Toyota Camry with that license number and her brother currently was using it, according to the criminal complaint.

At 7:30 p.m. on July 5, Ali called police and said he would turn himself in. He told police he had hit someone on Pleasant Avenue, but he didn’t know what or who because someone was shooting at him and he kept going, the complaint states.

Unless Ali pleads guilty, a court date will be set, probably for early next year, and a jury will decide whether he is guilty or innocent of the charges.

Contact:
Chuck Laszewski
Email: Chuck.Laszewski@co.hennepin.mn.us

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Vaccine Innovation Award

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Wants Innovators in Vaccine Delivery

Hundreds of thousands of lives each year could be saved by improved access to vaccines. Vaccines are cost-effective, safe, and proven to protect children from disease.

Continued innovation is essential to overcoming persistent challenges in reaching more children with vaccines.

The Gates Vaccine Innovation Award will celebrate revolutionary ways children in the poorest parts of the world are immunized. The winning innovation will be recognized with a US $250,000 prize.

Submit a nomination now.

The Gates Vaccine Innovation Award is open to individuals from any discipline. Candidates from academic institutions, governments, health care facilities, research institutions, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies may be nominated.

Criteria

We recognize that innovation in the delivery of vaccines can take many shapes. We are looking for ideas big or small that have resulted in tangible improvements in immunization coverage in developing country communities.  

Nominees will be assessed on three broad criteria:

• Developing country impact – The nominee should have contributed to the prevention, control, or elimination of vaccine-preventable disease through significant improvements in immunization quality and coverage among mothers and children in developing countries. 
• Innovation and creativity – The nominee should have applied imaginative and pioneering approaches to overcome difficult challenges to immunizing children and achieving impact. Innovation is not the same as invention. Even simple ideas applied in creative ways to overcome real-world challenges can be considered innovative.
• Scale – The nominee’s innovation should be at scale or suitable to be implemented at scale within the nominee’s country and around the world.

Submit a nomination now.

If you are unable to complete the online nomination form, please send an email to vaccine-innovation-award@gatesfoundation.org to request a Word version of the nomination form. Please submit these nominations via email to vaccine-innovation-award@gatesfoundation.org, or via fax to +1-206-494-7042.
 

Nominations will be accepted through 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time on July 31, 2013.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for consideration:

• Nominations must be related to vaccine delivery and meet the criteria above
• Nomination forms must be completed in English 
• The three essay questions should be answered within the font and word-limit requirements

Please note that nominations focused on innovation in research & development are not eligible for consideration. This award is focused only on achieving impact through innovative systems, processes, tools, and technologies leading to better immunization.

To get started, read the Rules and Guidelines document (PDF). It contains detailed information on all aspects of the Gates Vaccine Innovation Award. You may need to download Adobe Reader to view PDF documents. Please also read the Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy. Any information submitted by you or on your behalf with respect to the Gates Vaccine Innovation Award (including your nomination, contact information and any related documentation and communications) will be subject to and handled in accordance with the provisions outlined in these three documents.

Tips for Nominators

 

Following are some tips for those wishing to submit nominations:

• Nominations must represent an innovative approach to vaccine delivery work that has demonstrated impact. Note: There are other avenues of funding for equally important research. See current Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant opportunities here.
• Nominations will be reviewed by a panel with broad expertise and a track record in identifying innovations. These reviewers may not be deep experts in your field. Ideas should be described in clear language without the use of technical jargon unique to a particular field.
• Documentation of the innovation does not need to be sent with the initial nomination form. However, credible evidence supporting the validity of a project or sufficient proof of innovation may be requested at a later date. We will need to contact the nominee prior to the prize being issued.
• Nominators should review the policies, guidelines, terms, and conditions associated with this award.

Submit a nomination now.

Please contact: vaccine-innovation-award@gatesfoundation.org for additional information.

More than a dozen arrested in protests against Zimmerman verdict

July 14, 2013: Demonstrators cross Marietta Street as they march in protest the day after George Zimmerman was found not guilty in the 2012 shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin, in Atlanta. (AP)

Thousands of people staged demonstrations in cities across America Sunday and into Monday --  resulting in more than a dozen arrests in New York City and Los Angeles -- as they voiced their disappointment and anger at the decision by a Sanford, Fla. jury's to acquit George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

The 29-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer, on Saturday, was found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the shooting of Martin in February 2012.

Most of the protests were peaceful, but some of the most dramatic scenes occurred in Los Angeles, where protesters clashed with police Sunday night and Monday morning, with one group of protesters blocking a major freeway.

Police in Los Angeles said they arrested six people on Monday, mostly for failure to disperse.

The Los Angeles Times reported that a splinter group from a larger protest walked down an on-ramp to the Interstate 10 freeway in the Mid-City section of Los Angeles and stood in the eastbound lanes, closing portions of the traffic artery for approximately 25 minutes, which prompted a Los Angeles Police Department citywide tactical alert.

The Times also quoted an LAPD spokesman who said that at least one arrest was made after rocks and D-cell batteries were thrown at officers at the corner of Washington Boulevard and 10th Avenue. Police also fired non-lethal rounds at the demonstrators. No injuries were immediately reported.

The city's mayor, Eric Garcetti, took to Twitter to ask city residents to "Exercise [the] 1st Amendment and practice peace in City of Angels tonight."

Early Monday, the Times reported that more than 100 officers in riot gear converged on around 80 protesters in front of the CNN building on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood and made arrests. The protesters had marched to the CNN building from the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue.

In New York City, more than a thousand people marched into Times Square on Sunday night, zigzagging through Manhattan's streets to avoid police lines. Sign-carrying marchers thronged the busy intersection, chanting "Justice for! Trayvon Martin!" as they made their way from Union Square, blocking traffic for more than an hour before moving on.

Some tempered their anger, saying they didn't contest the jury's decision based on the legal issues involved.

But "while the verdict may be legal, a system that doesn't take into account what happened is a broken legal system," said Jennifer Lue, 24, an Asian-American resident of Harlem.

The New York Police Department said it arrested at least a dozen in the Times Square protest.

At a march and rally in downtown Chicago attended by about 200 people, some said the verdict was symbolic of lingering racism in the United States. Seventy-three-year-old Maya Miller said the case reminded her of the 1955 slaying of Emmitt Till, a 14-year-old from Chicago who was murdered by a group of white men while visiting Mississippi. Till's killing galvanized the civil rights movement.

"Fifty-eight years and nothing's changed," Miller said, pausing to join a chant for "Justice for Trayvon, not one more."

Protesters also gathered in Atlanta, Miami, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., along with a host of other cities.

In Miami, more than 200 people gathered for a vigil. "You can't justify murder," read one poster. Another read "Don't worry about more riots. Worry about more Zimmermans."

Carol Reitner, 76, of Miami, said she heard about the vigil through an announcement at her church Sunday morning. "I was really devastated. It's really hard to believe that someone can take the life of someone else and walk out of court free," she said.

Fears of mass and violent protests proved unfounded Sunday in South Florida the face of a highly-visible police presence.

"I haven’t seen any evidence of problems yet, and hopefully there won’t be any," Ed Shohat, a Miami-Dade’s Community Relations Board member, told The Miami Herald. "We do not believe (violence) will happen. Frankly, Miami is a … more mature community than … 25, 30 years ago when we had violent reactions to criminal court verdicts."

In Philadelphia, about 700 protesters marched from LOVE Park to the Liberty Bell, alternating between chanting Trayvon Martin's name and "No justice, no peace!"

"We hope this will begin a movement to end discrimination against young black men," said Johnathan Cooper, one of the protest's organizers. "And also to empower black people and get them involved in the system."

In Atlanta, a crowd of about 75 protesters chanted and carried signs near Centennial Olympic Park.

"I came out today because a great deal of injustice has been done and I'm very disappointed at our justice system; I'm just disappointed in America," Tabatha Holley, 19, of Atlanta said.

Civil rights leaders, including the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, urged peace in the wake of the verdict. Jackson said the legal system "failed justice," but violence isn't the answer.

But not all the protesters heeded those calls immediately after the verdict.

In Oakland, Calif., during protests that began late Saturday night some angry demonstrators broke windows, burned U.S. flags and started street fires. Some marchers also vandalized a police squad car and used spray paint to scrawl anti-police graffiti on roads and Alameda County's Davidson courthouse.

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan said Martin's death "raised powerful, incredibly difficult issues" surrounding racial profiling, but she criticized vandals who "dishonored the memory of Trayvon by engaging in violent activities that hurt our growing economy and endangered people."

"We will not tolerate violence in our city," Quan said.

The Oakland demonstration followed a raucous but largely peaceful rally in San Francisco. Police say officers escorted demonstrators as they marched on the city's Mission District. The group was dispersed by 10 p.m.

Meanwhile, Mark O'Mara, who defended Zimmerman at trial, suggested his client’s safety was at risk. "There still is a fringe element that wants revenge," O'Mara said. "They won't listen to a verdict of not guilty."

O'Mara told ABC News that Zimmerman will be entitled to get his Kel Tec 9 pistol back, and his client would likely arm himself again.

"[There's] even more reason now, isn't there? There are a lot of people out there who actually hate him, though they shouldn't," he said.

O'Mara said Zimmerman wears a protective vest when he goes out in public, but he did not wear it in court.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.