POSITION LETTER MAWQIFKA Dhaqdhaqaaqyada Dimuquraadiyad-doonka Somaliland ee KU LUG LAHAANSHAHA SAXAAFADA GAARKA AH LOOLANKA BAADHISTA SHIDAALKA somaliland

POSITION LETTER

MAWQIFKA Dhaqdhaqaaqyada Dimuquraadiyad-doonka Somaliland ee KU LUG LAHAANSHAHA SAXAAFADA GAARKA AH LOOLANKA BAADHISTA SHIDAALKA somaliland

Anagoo ah Dhaqdhaqaaqyada Dimuquraadiyad-doonka Somaliland oo ka kooban Difaacayaasha madaxabanaan ee xuquuqda aadamiga, ururrada bulshada rayidka ah, kooxaha u dhaqdhaqaaqa dadka laga tirada badan yahay, Ururada Naafada, waxa aanu guud ahaan bulshada caalamka, iyo shacabka Somaliland halkna maanta ugu iftiiminaynaa mawqifka wadajirka ah ee ku saabsan dagaalka ka dhex oogan Xukuumada Somaliland iyo warbaahinta gaarka loo leeyahay ee Haatuf (HMG).

Todoba sanadood ka hor markii sidan oo kale Ciidamo ka tirsan booliska Somaliland ay galeen isla markaasina xabsiga u taxaabeen mulkiilaha warbaahinta Haatuf Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, Tafatirihiisii Sare Cali Cabdi Diini iyo Wariyihii uga soo waramijiray gobolka Awdal Maxamed Cumar, waxanu si buuxda taageerada difaac u siinay lana hawlwadeenada sare ee Warbaahinta Haatuf iyo Mulkiilaheeda, iyadoo xiligaasi dadaal badan u samaynay sidii eedaysanihii afraad Maxamed Rashiid oo markaa dhuumasho ku joogay Hargeysa dalka looga saari lahaa ee uu u heli lahaa dal kale oo uu si nabadgalyo ah ugu noolaado isla markaasina u fududaynay sidii uu bilkasta u heli lahaa dhaqaalihii uu ku noolaan kari lahaa, taasi oo u socotay ilaa markii Madaxwaynihii hore Mud. Daahir Rayaale Kaahin u cafiyay dhamaan Hawlwadeenadii Saxaafada Haatuf. 

Laakiin maanta Warbaahinta Haatuf iyo Mulkiilaheedu may mutaysan taageerada iyo u doodista Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland, sababtoo ah markii aanu si qoto dheer uga baaraandegeen arinta runta ah ee uu salka ku hayo dagaalka Haatuf iyo Xukuumada Somaliland waxa noo cadaatay in Warbaahinta Haatuf warbaahintoodii in ay ka dhigteen mid ay uga faa'iidaystaan masaalix gaar ah sidaasina ku lumiyeen mabaadii'dii aasaasiga ahayd ee ay ku heli lahayd taageerada, iyo hiilka difaacayaasha xuquuqda iyo xoriyadaha aadamaha ee Somaliland. 

Sababta kali ah ee sanadkii 2007 suxufiyiintii warbaahinta Haatuf ku heshay taageerada ururada xuquuqda aadamiga Somaliland ayaa ahayd, kadib markii aanu si buuxda ugu qancnay warbaahinta Haatuf in aanay jirin wax dan gaar ah ama maslaxad ah nooca ay doonto ha ahaatee oo ugu jirtay faafinta falalka musuqmaasuq oo ay ku  baahin jireen wargaysyadooda xiligaasi oo aan ka ahayn gudashada waajibaadkooda masuuliyada saxaafadeed oo ah la socodsiinta shacabka Somaliland ficilada ay ku kacaan masuuliyiinta xilka ay u igmadeen. 

Nasiibdaro haatan waxa si buuxda noogu cadaatay dagaalka ka dhex oogan Warbaahinta Haatuf iyo xukuumada Somaliland in aanu shuqul ku lahayn xoriyad saxaafadeed iyo madaxbanaanideed balse uu salka ku ahyo warbaahinta haatuf oo shantii bilood ee ugu dambaysay u xuubsiibatay mid si toos ah loogaga aargoosto ashkhaas iyo masuuliyiin ay u arkaan in ay ka horyimaadeen masaaliix dhinaca baadhista shidaalka ah oo dabada uu ka riixayay Mulkiilaha Warbaahinta Haatuf kuwaasi oo uu watay mid ka mid ah qaraabadiisu.

Baadhayaasha ururada xuquuqda aadamiga Somaliland ayaa helay dhukumenti[i] ku taariikhaysan 25 Oct. 2012 kana soo baxay shirkada baadhista Macdanta ee lagu magacaabo Boulle Mining Group[ii], kaasi oo ujeedadiisu tahay Codsi Ogolaanshaha Baadhitaanka Shidaalka Somaliland (Expression of Interest to secure Petroleum Exploration and Development Licenses within Somaliland), qoraalkan oo shirkadu ugu magacawday wakiilkooda buuxa ee Somaliland in uu yahay Mr. Yusuf Abdilahi Omar ugana masuul yahay shirkada meelmarinta codsigooda ay ku rabto dhul ay ka baadho shidaal waxan lagu socodsiiyay qoraalkan wasaarada Macdanta iyo Tamarta Somaliland kuna rabto ogolaanshaha dhul ay ka sahimiso batroolka. 

Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland oo waxay kale oo ay ogaadeen si ay u dhacdayba in Wasaarada Macdantu ay ishortaagtay ogolaanshahaaasi, iyadoo ku sababaysay in shirkadu buuxin wayday shuruudaha Somaliland ku xidho shirkadaha raba in ay shidaal ka baadhaan dalka. Waxa kale oo baadhayaasha xadgubyada xuquuqda aadamiga Somaliland la kulmeen kana qaadeen waraysiyo qaar ka mid ah ergooyin Wasaarada Macdanta iyo Tamarta ku cadaadinayay meelmarinta codsiga shirkadaasi, kaasi oo ku soo gabogaboobay natiijo la'aan.

Intaasi kadib Kadib Warbaahinta Haatuf waxay bilowday dagaal toos ah oo dhinaca warbaahinta ah oo ay la bartilmaameedsanayso Wasiirka Macdanta iyo Tamarta Somaliland. Ururada Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland ayaa diiwaangaliyay qoraalo iyo warar tirobadan shantii bilood ee ugu dambaysay oo wargaysyada warbaahinta Haatuf si shaqsi ah ugu weerarayso magacsamida, karaamada iyo sharafta uu aadamiga EEBE siiyay dastuurka Somalilandna uu damaano qaaday. Sidoo kale eedo musuqmaasuq oo tirada badan oo dhamaantood si gaar ah Warbaahinta Haatuf ugu eedaynaysay Wasiirka Tamarta iyo Macdanta Somaliland ayay si joogto ah u baahinayeen.

Aqlabiyada hawlwadeenada Saxaafada Madaxabanaan ee Somaliland ayaa qiray in Mulkiilaha Warbaahinta Haatuf seddexdii sano ee ugu dambeeyay oo ay talada dalka haysay xukuumada Kulmiye isaga iyo warbaahitiisu ay ahaayeen kuwa u janjeedha dhinaca xukuumada, kuna qabay masaaliix gaar ah,

Ku lug lahaansha hay'ad warbaahineed oo madaxbanaan loolanka ay ugu jiraan shirkadaha baadhista shidaalka sidii ay u heli lahaayeen ogolaanshaha dhul ay shidaal ka baadhaan, iyo u isticmaalka mihnadii iyo waxsoosaarki saxaafada ayaa noqonaysa caqabad hor leh oo haatan uun ka bilaabantay dalka Somaliland. Caqabadan ayaa u muuqata mid aanu dalka Somaliland lahayn siyaasad iyo qaanuuno lagu xalin karo, iyadoo ku abuuri karta khalkhal hawlaha muhiimada wayn u leh qaranka gaar ahaan baadhitaanada shidaalka iyo soo jiidashada maalgashadayaal caalami ah oo tan iyo markii ay xukuumada Siilaanyo talada dalka la wareegtay sanadkii 2010 dadaal balaadhan kadib ku guulaysato bilowga sahaminta shidaalka dalka Somaliland.

Dagaalka warbaahineed ee Saxaafada Haatuf sida shaqsiga ah warbaahintooda ay kaga aargoosanayaan cid kasta oo ay u arkaan in ay ishortaageen hawlaha la xidhiidha baadhitaanada shidaalka oo meelmarintooda Mulkiilaha Haatuf uu dabada ka riixayay waxa Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland u arkaan mid dhabarjabka ku ah Anshaxa iyo Milgaha Saxaafad xor ah, kuna lid ah dhaqanka suuban ee Islaamka iyo mabaadii'da xuquuqda iyo xoriyadaha dastuuriga ah, sababtoo ah waxa si shaqsi ah waxsoosaarka Warbaahinta Haatuf dhaawacyo laagu gaysanayay magacsamida qof ahaaneed iyo karaamada uu Eebe siyay ashkhasta ay sida gaarka ah ugu weerayaan ceebaynayeen warbaahintooda, oo la odhan karo  waxay gaadhay ilaa xad ay gaadhay heer la mid ah kalay keerlay.

Gabogabadii Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland waxay si xooggan uga soo horjeedaan isla markaana uga digayaan ururo sheeganaya xuquuqda aadamiga iyo saxaafada oo shacbiga Somaliland ka duudsiyay xaqii ay u lahaayeen in ay helaan xaqiiqada runta ah ee sababta dhacdo kasta oo ay warinayaan, tusaale ahaan ururka suxufiyiinta Somaliland iyo urur wata magaca xuquuqda aadamiga ah ayaa si dhamaystiran daboolka u saaray kana qariyay shacabka Somaliland waxa ay tahay sababta dhabta ah ee uu salka ku hayo dagaalka wargaysyada Haatuf oo kali ahi in ka badan 150 maalmood kula jiro Wasiir kali ah oo ka tirsan xukuumada Somaliland, kaasi oo ah kan ay u arkaan in uu yahay ka ishortaagay masaaliixdoodii gaarka ahayd iyo/ama tii dad ay qaraabo yihiin, iyagoo taasi bedelkeeda warbaahinta Haatuf si badheedh ah ugu sheegay in mashaqda Xukuumada Somaliland iyo Warbaahinta Haatuf ay tahay cabudhin xukuumada ku hayso saxaafada madaxabanaan. 

Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland waxay la yaaban yihiin sababta warbaahinta madaxbanaan ee Somaliland ka soo baxda sida jaraa'idka, mareegaha internetka, kuwa maqalka iyo muuqaal baahiyaa ay ugu yaraan hal mid oo ka mid ahi Haatuf ugu soo labayn wayday musuqa Haatuf aragto ama loo waayay warbaahin kale oo ku wehelisa cayda Kanlay keerlay. 

Arinta werwerkeeda leh, ayaanu u aragnaa in ay tahay marka ragii ugu aqoonta saxaafada badnaa dalku da'ahaana ka midka ahaa wayeelka xirfadlayaasha warbaahinta Somaliland ay ka dhiganayaan warbaahintii mid danahooda shaqsiga ah iyo tan qaraabadooda ay ku suubistaan maxaa laga filan karaa jiilalka suxufiyiinta da'yarta ah ee casharada ka baranaya falalkaasi guracan, Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland oo aaminsan in dal kastaba suxufiyiintiisu in ay yihiin kuwa saamaynta ugu badan ku leh saqaafada iyo tadawurka xadaaradeed iyo horumarka dhaqan dhaqaale oo dadkiisa kasbadaan. 

Sidaasi darteed, Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland, iyagoo ilaalinaya mabaadii'da dhexdhexaadnimo ee ay u abuuran yihiin waxa ay halkan cid kasta oo danaynaysa ugu sheegayaan in aanay iyagu noqonaynin salaan ay cid gaar ahi dantooda ku gaadhaan waxana aanu u aragnaa xaaraan in aanu difaacno, una doodno ama u hiilino, cid kasta oo dantooda gaarka ah ku fushanaya mihnada Saxaafada, kuna aargoosanaysa, arinta kali ah ee taageerada difaacayaasha xuquuqda aadamiga lagu heli karaa waxa ay tahay haddii saxaafadu aanay dano u gaar ah mulkiilayaasha iyo tafotirayaasha u  lahayn balse hadii Mulkiilayaasha warbaahintu ama tafatirayaasheedu u isticmaalayaan warbaahinta mid ay kaga aargoosanayaan cid kasta oo ka hor timaada danahooda taasi waxa aanu u aragnaa mid la mid ah xanuun dilaa ah oo dal iyo dad midna aan habaynaynin.

Difaacayaasha Xuquuqda Aadamiga Somaliland waxay u arkaan xalka kiiskani inuu ku jiro dacwad si madani ah loogu oogo madaxda ama maamulka wargeyska, balse aannu ahayn in gebi ahaanba la xayiro shaqadii soo bixida wargeysyadaasi. Waxaannuna ku baaqaynaa in xayiraada laga qaado haddii maamulka Haatuf ogolaanayo in waxsoosaarka saxaafadoodu in aanay ka gudbaynin xaydaabka anshaxa iyo milgaha aasaasiga ah ee mihnada saxaafada, iyo dhaqanka suuban ee islaamka

Waxa aanu ugu baaqaynaa sharcidajinta iyo xukuumada Somaliland in siyaasada iyo shuruucda warbaahinta dalka dib loogu noqdo lana curiyo Siyaasad iyo Qaanuun ku khasbaya suxufiyiinta dalka in ay kor u qaadaan aqoontooda saxaafadeed iyo dhinac farsamo iyo dhinac aqooneed, iyo anshaxba, qaanuunkaasi oo ah mid warbaahinta ka ilaaliya in dhaawac u gaysato maslaxada umadda jiritaanka qaranka, masaaliixdiisa dhaqaale ganacsi iyo maalgashi. 

Kiiskan iyo kuwo kale oo badan ayaa khasab ka dhigaya dib u habayn balaadhan oo lagu sameeyo siyaasada iyo shuruucda warbahinta dalka, haatan waxa muuqata in wali saxaafada Somaliland aan hubka dhigis togan lagu samaynin, taasi oo keenaysa in ay mulkiilayaasha saxaafadu sida ay rabaan in ay u istimaalaan. 

Wasaarada Tamarta iyo Macdanta Somaliland, iyo dhamaan wasaaradaha iyo hay'adha kale ee dakhliga leh oo ay ku jiraan kuwa dawladaha hoose ee dalku waxa aanu ugu baaqaynaa in bulshadu xaq ugu leedahay in ay xogogaal u noqoto xadiga dakhliga ay soo xareeyaan iyo shilinkastaaba sida uu ku baxo. Sidaasi darteed, wakhtigan xaadirka ah waxa aanu u aragnaa in qaabka ugu sahlan ee habkan lagu suurtogalin karaa in uu yahay iyadoo hay'adaha xukuumadu sameeyaan baro internetka ah oo bulshada ay ku siiyaan xogta ay uga baahan tahay, iyadoo aanu soo dhawaynayno hay'adaha mar hore sameeyay baro internetka ah sida barta internetka ee hay'ada wadooyinka, oo lagu daalacda cid kasta oo bixisa qaadhaanka wadada ceerigaabo/burco iyo xadiga dhaqaale ee ay ku dareen.

Talo soojeedintayda ugu dambaysay, waxanu ka digaynaa in dad gaar ahi isku koobaan dheefta dhaqan dhaqaale ee qaranka Somaliland, arimaha dhacaya haatan ayaa noola muuqda in dadka dega gobolada dhexe ee dalku u dhaqmayaan in dalka aanay cid kaleba la lahayn, waxanu si xoogan u rumaysanahay in habka noocaas ahi aanu horseedaynin meel marinta qaran cadaalad bulsho ku dhisan oo dadkiisuna isku duuban yihiin. 

Madaxwaynaha Jamhuuriyada Mud. Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud 'Siilaanyo', golahiisa xukuumada golaha sharcidajinta, waxanu ugu baaqaynaa in si wadajir ah looga shaqeeyo sidii siyaasada qaranka ee wadajirka, midnimada iyo xoojinta isdhexgalka is aaminka ummada Somaliland in ay ku iman karta oo kali ah marka si siman oo cadaalad ah loo qaybsado khayraadka dalka, iyo dheefta qaranimo oo ah mid nimcooyinkeeda haddii cadaalad lagu saleeyo umadda Somaliland wada deeqi karta, waa in xukuumaddu samaysaa dadaalo ay isku soo gaadhsiinayso awooda ganacsi ee bulshada Somaliland iyadoo fursad siinaysa beelaha darafyada sidii ay u gaadhi lahaayeen faaiida ku jirta ganacsiga xoolaha nool iyo qandaraasyada la xidhiidha sahaminta shidaalka iyo macdanaha ee dalka sida xawliga leh ugu soo badanaya. 

Dadwaynaha Somaliland waxay xaq ugu leeyihiin xukuumada in ay si joogto ah uga haqabtirto hawlaha ay umadda u hayso dakhliga iyo qaabka ay u qorshayso ee uu ku baxo.

Wasaarada Macdanta iyo Tamarta waxanu ugu baaqaynaa iyadoo kaashanaysa hay'adaha duwaliga ah ee kale ee ay khusayso in sida ugu dhakhsaha badan ugu gudbiso Golayaasha Baarlamaanka dhamaan heshiisyada ku saabsan sahaminta baadhista shidaalka iyo macdanaha dalka, si sharcidajintuna masuuliyadooda qaran uga gutaan, tani waxay xoojinaysaa la xisaabtanka dawlada iyo hirgalinta mashaariicda maalgashi ee dalka iyo sidoo kale maamul wanaaga.

Ururada iyo Hay'adaha Caalamiga ah ee Xuquuqda Aadamaha iyo Madaxbanaanida Saxaafada ka hawlgala ee qoraalkan oo u baahda faahfaahin ama raba in lala socodsiiyo geedi socodka saxaafada Somaliland, xadugubyada laga galo warbaahinta, iyo tan ay iyadu gaysato labadaba waxa ay la soo xiriiri karaan xuquuq@gmail.com, hornwatch@yahoo.com, ama nagu soo booqo xafiiskayaga oo ku yaal faras Magaalaha caasimada Hargeysa Tel: 5147777

Suleiman ismail Bolaleh

Speaker of Somaliland Pro-democratic Movements

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[i] Find the attached Boulle Mining Group's letter dated on 25 Oct. 2012 with subject: Expression of Interest to secure Petroleum Exploration and Development Licenses within Somaliland

[ii] Find more information about the Boulle Mining Group's website: www.jboullemininggroup.com/

Security Council extends mandate of United Nations Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara, unanimously adopting resolution 2152 (2014)

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April . Security Council/162nd Meeting (AM)  The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April 2015. Unanimously adopting resolution 2152 (2014), the Council reaffirmed the need to accord full respect to military agreements reached with MINURSO with regard to the ceasefire, and called upon all parties to adhere fully to them. The Council supported, within existing resources, the Secretary-General’s request for an additional 15 United Nations military observers. It also urged Member States to provide voluntary contributions to fund confidence-building measures agreed between the parties, including those relating to visits between separated family members. Council members had before them the latest report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara (document S/2014/258), in which he states that the work of MINURSO remains relevant as an instrument for ensuring stability in the event of continuing political stalemate; as a mechanism to support the implementation of successive Security Council resolutions relating to the Mission’s mandate; and as a source of independent information on the conditions on the ground for the Security Council, the Secretariat and the international community. The meeting began at 10:04 a.m. and ended at 10:10 a.m. Resolution The full text of resolution 2152 (2014) reads as follows: “The Security Council, “Recalling and reaffirming all its previous resolutions on Western Sahara, “Reaffirming its strong support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to implement resolutions 1754 (2007), 1783 (2007), 1813 (2008), 1871 (2009), 1920 (2010), 1979 (2011), 2044 (2012), and 2099 (2013), “Reaffirming its commitment to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and noting the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect, “Reiterating its call upon the parties and the neighbouring States to cooperate more fully with the United Nations and with each other and to strengthen their involvement to end the current impasse and to achieve progress towards a political solution, “Recognizing that achieving a political solution to this long-standing dispute and enhanced cooperation between the Member States of the Maghreb Arab Union would contribute to stability and security in the Sahel region, “Welcoming the efforts of the Secretary-General to keep all peacekeeping operations, including the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), under close review and reiterating the need for the Council to pursue a rigorous, strategic approach to peacekeeping deployments, and effective management of resources, “Expressing concern about the violations of existing agreements, and calling on the parties to respect their relevant obligations, “Taking note of the Moroccan proposal presented on 11 April 2007 to the Secretary-General and welcoming serious and credible Moroccan efforts to move the process forward towards resolution; also taking note of the Polisario Front proposal presented 10 April 2007 to the Secretary-General, “Encouraging in this context, the parties to demonstrate further political will towards a solution including by expanding upon their discussion of each other’s proposals, “Taking note of the four rounds of negotiations held under the auspices of the Secretary-General and welcoming the commitment of the parties to continue the negotiations process, “Encouraging the parties to continue cooperating with the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees in implementing the January 2012 updated Plan of Action on Confidence-Building Measures, “Stressing the importance of improving the human rights situation in Western Sahara and the Tindouf camps, and encouraging the parties to work with the international community to develop and implement independent and credible measures to ensure full respect for human rights, bearing in mind their relevant obligations under international law, “Encouraging the parties to continue in their respective efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara and the Tindouf refugee camps, including the freedoms of expression and association, “Recognizing and welcoming, in this regard, the recent steps and initiatives taken by Morocco to strengthen the National Council on Human Rights Commissions operating in Dakhla and Laayoune, and Morocco’s ongoing interaction with Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council, including those planned for 2014, as well as the planned visit of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in 2014, “Also welcoming the implementation of the enhanced refugee protection programme developed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in coordination with the Polisario Front, which includes refugee and human rights training and awareness initiatives, “Reiterating its request for consideration of a refugee registration in the Tindouf refugee camps and inviting efforts in this regard, “Welcoming the commitment of the parties to continue the process of negotiations through the United Nations-sponsored talks, “Recognizing that the consolidation of the status quo is not acceptable, and noting further that progress in the negotiations is essential in order to improve the quality of life of the people of Western Sahara in all its aspects, “Affirming support for the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara Ambassador Christopher Ross and his work in facilitating negotiations between the parties, and, welcoming to that effect his recent initiatives and ongoing consultations with the parties and neighbouring States, “Affirming support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara and Head of MINURSO Wolfgang Weisbrod-Weber, “Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 10 April 2014 (S/2014/258), “1. Decides to extend the mandate of MINURSO until 30 April 2015; “2. Reaffirms the need for full respect of the military agreements reached with MINURSO with regard to the ceasefire and calls on the parties to adhere fully to those agreements; “3. Calls upon all parties to cooperate fully with the operations of MINURSO, including its free interaction with all interlocutors, and to take the necessary steps to ensure the security of as well as unhindered movement and immediate access for the United Nations and associated personnel in carrying out their mandate, in conformity with existing agreements; “4. Welcomes the parties’ commitment to continue the process of preparation for a fifth round of negotiations, and recalls its endorsement of the recommendation in the report of 14 April 2008 (S/2008/251) that realism and a spirit of compromise by the parties are essential to achieve progress in negotiations; “5. Calls upon the parties to continue to show political will and work in an atmosphere propitious for dialogue in order to enter into a more intensive and substantive phase of negotiations, thus ensuring implementation of resolutions 1754 (2007), 1783 (2007), 1813 (2008), 1871 (2009), 1920 (2010), 1979 (2011), 2044 (2012), and 2099 (2013), and the success of negotiations; “6. Affirms its strong support for the commitment of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy towards a solution to the question of Western Sahara in this context and calls for renewed meetings and strengthening of contacts; “7. Calls upon the parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General without preconditions and in good faith, taking into account the efforts made since 2006 and subsequent developments, with a view to achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and noting the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect; “8. Invites Member States to lend appropriate assistance to these talks; “9. Requests the Secretary-General to brief the Security Council on a regular basis, and at least twice a year, on the status and progress of these negotiations under his auspices, on the implementation of this resolution, challenges to MINURSO’s operations and steps taken to address them, expresses its intention to meet to receive and discuss his briefings and in this regard, and further requests the Secretary-General to provide a report on the situation in Western Sahara well before the end of the mandate period; “10. Welcomes the commitment of the parties and the neighbouring States to hold periodic meetings with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to review and, where possible, expand confidence-building measures; “11. Urges Member States to provide voluntary contributions to fund confidence-building measures agreed upon between the parties, including those that allow for visits between separated family members; “12. Notes the Secretary-General’s request for an additional 15 United Nations military observers and supports this request within existing resources; “13. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take the necessary measures to ensure full compliance in MINURSO with the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action including predeployment awareness training, and other action to ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel; “14. Decides to remain seized of the matter.”     reliefweb.int

POSITION LETTER: SOMALILAND MEDIA MAY UNDERMINE THE COUNTRY'S FRAGILE DEMOCRACY

 

 Public Release: Somaliland-018

We, the undersigned pro-democracy movements in Somaliland, comprising of independent civil society networks and umbrellas ranging from human rights defenders and minority rights lobbyists, the disabled people’s activists, wish to present our findings and position on the dispute between the Government of Somaliland and pravite owned Haatuf Media Network (HMN).

 

Seven years ago when the Somaliland security forces rounded up the owner of HMN, the editor-in-chief of Haatuf Somali newspaper, Ali Abdi Diini, and the HMN Awdal correspondent, Mohamed Omer, the Horn Watch organizations spared no effort to stand by them and pressure the government to unconditionally release them. The Organizations, at the same time, succeeded to spirit away to safety a fourth suspect on the government list, Mohamed Rashid, finding him asylum and living means in the neighboring country of Ethiopia.

In 2007, the Somaliland impartial human rights defenders were fully satisfied that HMN was responsibly dispensing its media commitment honestly and to the letter, and that the corruption scandals they exposed had no ulterior motives and was in line with their exercise of independent media obligations in a democratic, pluralistic society.

Today, HMN and its owner have not earned the unequivocal support of the Somaliland human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists. Following a comprehensive investigation we carried out to identify the bases of the dispute between HMN and the government, we found out that the owner of HMN used the media facilities under his disposal for personal gains which is a clear departure from the principles and obligations governing the protection of freedom of expression thus understandably losing the unstinted support of local human rights groups.

Unfortunately, it has become clear to pro-democratic movements in Somaliland, following its in-depth investigation of the matter from all possible angles, that the current disagreement between the government of Somaliland and HMN was borne from a sustained defamatory coverage against Somaliland Minister of Energy and Minerals as retaliation for a perceived opposition to an expressions of interest that the HMN owner and his brother-in-law, Mr. Yussuf Abdullahi Omar, submitted to the government which according the Somaliland Ministry of Energy and Minerals did not measure up to government standards required for active involvement pertaining to the grant of concessions to petroleum exploration blocks. The principal company, Boule Mining Group[i], through a letter signed by one Audrey Richardson, “Corporate Secretary”, appointed Mr. Omar, to submit an Expression of Interest to secure Petroleum Exploration and Development Licenses within Somaliland[ii] to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on their behalf. The communication between the Ministry, on one side, and the appointee with the owner of HMN, Mr. Yussuf Abdullahi Gaboobe, was confirmed to the human rights investigators by respectful individuals who tried to arbitrate the issue on behalf of HMN owner and his brother-in-law.

Following the rejection of the aforementioned Expression of Interest by the Ministry on technical grounds, the HMN owner started to continuously and intentionally publish highly defamatory material and slander against the Somaliland Minister for Minerals which grossly violated his constitutional rights without a shred of evidence accompanying it. The HMN coverage had the potential to yet have catastrophic consequences on the newly introduced natural resources exploration programs and their exploitation.

It is noteworthy that not a single other newspaper has taken up the HMN hue and cry of the past five months.

The rest of the independent media in Somaliland are of the belief that the HMN owner largely sided with the government protecting own personal interests.

Getting actively involved in business and broker-ship relating to the oil exploration initiatives in Somaliland, attests to the fact that the HMN and its owner have turned their backs on the impartiality and objectivity associated with independent media  and the constitutional exercise of a freedom of expression.

The Somaliland human rights defenders are gravely concerned that the owner of Haatuf Media Network can use his resources for personal vendetta tools which can set a highly questionable example for the more impressionable ranks presently practicing journalism in Somaliland.

On the same token, the Somaliland human rights defenders are equally disturbed that some of newly established human rights and media organizations are deliberately covering up actual facts surrounding this issue from the public obviously fulfilling agendas of their own. 

In conclusion, we, the pro-democratic and human rights movements in Somaliland, believe that the HMN case can be tried in a civil court. Prior to this, we urge the government to lift the ban from HMN on condition that it acts responsibly and with propriety within the realms of the rights set forth by the Constitution of Somaliland.

On a similar vein, we ask the residents of areas where the oil exploration affects not to claim sole proprietorship of consequent resources and to see the programs on their true, national perspective.

It is clear, that the current Somaliland media law is not sufficient mechanisms to guarantee adherence to professional standards and principles. Most important, Somaliland media industry needs policy and regulation upgrades, which can further develop their professionalism, independence and ethics. 

Somaliland journalists is not expected to solicit financial satisfaction or personal interest as a precondition for publishing a story. It is also advised that journalists should strive to employ honest and genuine means gathering information. Although, where public interest is at stake, media practitioners should go the extra mile to obtain information. And apart from educating the people, the press has another social responsibility that of promoting human rights, democracy and peace. This is what the Somaliland press should address in this era of security threat and terrorism turmoil in Horn of African region.

Somaliland Pro-democratic and human rights groups strongly advise the Somaliland government to submit all oil and minerals exploration agreements with foreign firms, to parliament for ratification in order to foster an environment of transparency, unity and cooperation on national issues. 

Furthermore, we call on the Somaliland government to uphold the Declaration of the Human Environment adopted by the Stockholm Conference stated in part that: 

“The natural resources of the earth must be safeguarded for the benefit of     present and future generations through careful planning or management, and that the capacity of the earth to produce vital renewable resources must be maintained and wherever practicable, restored or improved.”

We call all Somaliland stakeholders on all matters relating to national resources, to jointly create an environment in which all Somaliland citizens get the profit underlying the country’s oil and minerals exploration and development projects in an equal manner. 

All interest individuals/institutions for detailed information about this case can contact: xuquuq@gmail.com, hornwatch@yahoo.com, Tel. +252-63-5147777.

Suleiman ismail Bolaleh

Speaker of Somaliland Pro-democratic Movements

Organizations Endorsed This Position Letter

-          Horn of Africa Human Rights Watch Committee (HORNWATCH) Hargeisa

-          Somali Rights Watch       Hargeisa      Togdheer region

-          Saaxil Handicap Organisation (SHO)   Saaxil region

-          ALXANAAN women organization         Saaxil region

-          VAYS Youth Organization                   Saaxil region

-          BILAN Women Organisation                Saaxil region

-          Disability Children Association            Hargeisa region

-          Laas-anod Youth Voluntary Organization LAYVO  Sool region

-          Las-anod Handicap Association in       Sool region

-          Muruq iyo Maskax Women Umbrella   Saaxil region

-          AL Ixsaan Development Organization Hargeisa region

-          Non State Actors                                Nationwide

-          Daami Youth Organization (DYdO)      Hargeisa region

-          Network for Disabled Persons             Nationwide

-          Young Minority Women Activists   Awdal, Togdher, Saaxil & Mordijeex

-          Displaced Community Concerns         Awdal region

-          Center of Research & International Studies   Hargeisa

-          Barwaaqo Farmers Union          Gabiley

-          Social Walfere Organization                Hargeisa

-          Human Rights Monitors Volunteers     Hargeisa

-          Welfare Tumaal Organization (WAAB) Gabiley

-          Tumaal Development Foundation (TDF)        Awdal

-          Women Minority Organization (ISIR)   Awdal

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[i] Find the attached Boulle Mining Group's letter dated on 25 Oct. 2012 with subject: Expression of Interest to secure Petroleum Exploration and Development Licenses within Somaliland

[ii] Find more information about the Boulle Mining Group's website: www.jboullemininggroup.com/