President of Ethiopia’s Somali regional state has reportedly ordered the release of all political prisoners held in the region’s notorious jail facility. According to Harun Maruf, a Voice Of America journalist who extensively covers the Horn of Africa region said Abdi Mohamud Omar, known as Abdi Illey released detainees including opponents and former security officials. Other journalists stressed that relatives of the inmates had queued at the premises of Jail Ogaden officially known as Jijiga Central Prison. The current move comes on the back of a scathing report on Jail Ogaden released by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The group called on Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to probe widespread rights abuses routinely carried out on inmates. The 88-page report asserted that “Prison officials and security forces have arbitrarily detained and tortured prisoners for years in the notorious regional prison known as Jail Ogaden. “Ethiopia’s new prime minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, should urgently order investigations into the horrific situation, and the government should ensure regional security forces and officials are held accountable. “The prison’s security forces, including the Somali Region’s notorious paramilitary force, the Liyu police, are implicated. The unit reports to the Somali Region president, Abdi Mohamoud Omar, known as Abdi Illey. “Most prisoners are accused of some affiliation with the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), a banned opposition group, but most never face charges or trials.” Barely a week ago, Ethiopia’s Attorney General fired heads of prisons in the country, accusing them of failing to respect prisoners’ human rights in the discharge of their duties. State broadcaster Fana BC reported at the time that Attorney General Berhanu Tsegaye called on their replacements to respect and protect human rights in accordance with the constitution. “Those responsible for the abuse of human rights will face justice after the necessary investigations are completed,” he said. Reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is on record to have said that the state had in the past sanctioned torture of political opponents in a move he described as unconstitutional. Mass release of political prisoners – regional and federal level Ethiopia’s federal government has released thousands of political prisoners since the beginning of the year as part of reforms to open up the democratic space and revert to constitutionalism in the country. Regional administrations especially Oromia, Amhara and Tigray, have all released political prisoners as part of the process of increasing political inclusion. The notorious Maekelawi detention and investigation center was closed in April this year. The former prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn had announced in December last year that that the Maekelawi prison would be converted into a museum, and that a new center compliant with the national parliament’s guidelines on human rights and international standards would replace it. Human rights activists and organisations have for a long time accused the Ethiopian government of torturing and mistreating its political opponents, who in the past have been detained en masse during periods of turmoil like the state of emergencies instituted in 2016 and early this year. Source: – Africanewss

President Uhuru Kenyatta held a meeting with General Thomas Waldhauser, the US-Africa Command Commander Wednesday morning where they discussed regional security including the situation in Somalia and South Sudan. During the meeting, President Kenyatta who has been at the forefront in the efforts to restore peace and stability in the two East African countries told General Waldhauser that Kenya is firmly committed to the cause of finding peace in Somalia, an aspiration that has in the past been negated by lack of adequate capacity, and proper military commands. Political turmoil in South Sudan, said President Kenyatta, has been made worse by unwarranted fear and mistrust between supporters of President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar. President Kenyatta however said hope to restore stability in both countries is not lost and partner-states working towards peace in the region will remain committed to the cause. “We shall give it everything we can. But it is not going to be easy”, President Kenyatta said in reference to South Sudan. President Kenyatta said Somalia faces further challenges of mistrust and internal politics between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and regional governments. “The deteriorating relationships between the TFG and the regional governments is of major concern to us,” said President Kenyatta adding that the conflict is a major security threat to Kenya and the region. He called for structures that will enable the TFG to work with the regional governments. The President counselled that for peace and stability to be restored in Somalia, its leadership needs to refocus its attention and energies into addressing issues that cause national divisions and avoid being drawn into partisan distractions. On his part, General Waldhauser underlined the need for Somalia to strengthen its leadership structures adding that the instability is partly due to indirect interference from certain Gulf countries. “We are ready to continue assisting the country so long as the federal government is willing to accept our support”, said Gen Waldhauser who called for neutrality from the Gulf countries that are extending their differences to the Horn of Africa nation. “The differences and clashes in these Arabian countries are playing out in Somalia. We call for their neutrality”, said the top Us military officer. The General said the US will continue its training programmes for the Somalia National Army (SNA) with the expectation that the Federal Government will work on the requisite structures for the trained personnel to operate effectively. Turning to the situation in South Sudan, President Kenyatta said there is need to make both President Kiir and Machar to truly appreciate the benefits of working together. The President said that the IGAD partner states are committed to keeping pressure on the two leaders to work together for the benefit of the people of South Sudan. President Kenyatta regretted that the South Sudan problem had taken an ethnic dimension between supporters of the two leaders. Gen Waldhauser said the US is committed to continued partnership with Kenya and lauded President Kenyatta’s upbeat economic agenda. Responding to a question raised by the military leader, President Kenyatta said he Big 4 Agenda aims at creating social harmony among Kenyans to create a favourable environment for wealth and job creation through manufacturing, affordable housing, universal healthcare and food security. President Kenyatta further said that the aim of his government is to establish an irreversible trajectory of growth and development that is totally dependent on robust institutions. General Waldhauser was accompanied to the meeting held at State House Nairobi by Brigadier General James Craig, the US Horn of Africa Commander and US Ambassador Robert Godec.

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online)-Waxaa maanta magaalada Muqdisho lagu qabtay kulan lagu wareejinaayay qeybtii ugu horeysay ee howlaha dib u-eegista Dastuurka dalka. Waxaa kulanka goobjoog ka ahaa Xildhibaanada guddiga la socodka Dastuurka ee labada aqal ee Baarlaamaanka,Gudoomiyaha Aqalka sare iyo wasiirka Dastuurka. Maxamed Daahir Afrax oo ah Gudoomiyaha Gudiga Dibu eegista Dastuurka ayaa sheegay in Guddiga uu bilaabay dadajinta howlaha loo igmaday ee dastuurka. Waxa uu yiri “Waxaa leygu wareejiyay qeybtii ugu horeysay ee dib u-eegista labaad ee cutubyada Dastuurka Qeybtaas oo ah shanta cutub ee ugu horeysa Dastuurka KMG” Senator Xuseen Sheekh Maxamuud oo ah Xoghayaha Guddiga Dib u eegista Dastuurka ee labada Aqal ee Baarlamaanka Somalia ayaa si kulul uga hadlay faragelin uu sheegay in lagu hayo shaqadii loo Igmaday Guddigooda. Waxa uu sheegay Senatorka in loo Gacan dhaafay Howshii loo xil saartay Guddiga, Isagoo dhinaca kalena sheegay ineysan Jirin cid wax ka qabaneysa Cabashadooda oo mudooyinkanba soo taagneyd, dhowr jeerna ay Gaarsiiyeen Cida ay quseyso. Xoghayaha Guddiga Dib u eegista Dastuurka Baarlamaanka labadiisa Aqal, ayaa sidoo kale sheegay ineysan lamid eheyn Xukuumadaha Heer Federal iyo Dowlad Goboleed, balse iyagu ay yihiin Guddi Shaqo loo dirsaday islamar ahaantaasina aaney heysan wixii ay ku shaqeyn lahaayeen. Si Kastaba, Guddigan uu Gudoomiyaha u yahay Senator Cabdi Xasan Cawaale Qeybdiid ayaa dhowr jeer oo hore soo bandhigay Caqabado Shaqadooda heysta, iyadoo wali loo dhag raaricin la’yahay. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

Jigjiga (Caasimada Online) – Madaxweynaha Dawlad Deegaanka Soomaalida Itoobiya ayaa ballan qaaday in la sii dayn doono maxaabiista ku xiran Xabsiga Dhexe ee Jigjiga oo ku magac dheer “Jeel Ogaadeen”, wuxuuna sheegay in masaajid loo badali doono. Isbedelada Cusub ee Ra’iisul Wasaare Abiy Axmed ayaa sababtay in ay isku-soo dhawaadaan Ururka ONLF iyo dowladda Itoobiya oo mudo Sanado ah wada dagaalamayey,waxana sidoo kale Xabsiyo ku yaalla dowlad deegaanka Soomaalida Itoobiya laga siidaayey Boqolaal ruux oo ay ku jiraan dad ka tirsanaa Jabhada ONLF. Cabdi Maxamuud Cumar Madaxweynaha Deegaanka Soomaalida Itoobiya oo daba socda qorshaha isku-soo dhawaasha iyo isbedelada ka jira dalka Itoobiya ayaa shaaciyey in lasiideyn doono dadka ku xiran Xabsiga dhexe ee Magalada Jigjiga kaas oo loo yaqaano “Jeel Ogaadeen”,. Warbixinta ka kooban 88 bog islamarkaana ay dhawaan soo saartay hay’adda u dooda xuquuqda aadanaha ee Human Rights Watch ayaa ku eedeeynaysa tacadiyo saraakiisha Itoobiya iyo booliiska deegaanka ee loo yaqaano Liyuu ay ka geysteen “jeel ogaadeeniya” . Inta badan maxaabiista ayaa xabsiga la dhigay iyaga oo aan wax maxkmad ah la soo taagin sida ku cad warbixinta. Hay’adda Human Rights Watch ayaa warbixinteeda ku sheegtay in inta badan dadka lagu xiro xabsiga “jeeyl Ogaadeeniya” ay yihiin kuwa lala xiriiriyo in ay ka tirsan yihiin jabhadda ONLF oo ah mucaarad dalkaasi laga mamnuucay. Tallaabada lagu siideynayo dadka ku xiran Xabsiga dhexe ee Magalada Jigjiga iyo isbedelada Ra’iisul Wasaaraha Itoobiya Abiy Axmed ayaa waxaa aad u soo dhaweeyey dadka ku nool dowlad deegaanka soomaalida Itoobiya iyo meelahaa ka baxsan intaba. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Addis-Ababa Caasimada@live.com

Single mother Hawo Osman Abdi and her nine children have been sleeping outside under a tree for several days and night since running away from their home in Aad, in central Somalia’s Galmudug state, after conflict erupted between local people and Al-Shabab fighters. Source: Hiiraan Online

President Uhuru Kenyatta held a meeting with General Thomas Waldhauser, the US-Africa Command Commander Wednesday morning where they discussed regional security including the situation in Somalia and South Sudan. Source: Hiiraan Online

President of Ethiopia’s Somali regional state has reportedly ordered the release of all political prisoners held in the region’s notorious jail facility. Source: Hiiraan Online

Landlocked Ethiopia wants to make the re-opening of two roads connecting it to two of Eritrea’s Red Sea ports a priority in the two nations’ reconciliation process, a government spokesman said on Wednesday. Source: Hiiraan Online

he surprising sounds of a late evening in Mogadishu: surf on the beach, laughs of revellers, clinking of cups and glasses, oaths of harassed waiters and the soft melodies of the oud of Aweys Kabanle. Source: Hiiraan Online

Shacabka Puntland oo si weyn uga dhiidhiyey duulaankii Somaliland ku qabsatay deegaanka Tukaraq ee gobalka Sool iyo hanjabaadii ka timid Maamulka Muuse Biixi ayaa su’ aalo badan iska weydiinaya hakadka ku yimid dhaq dhaqaaqii Puntland dooneysay inay ku xoreyso dhulka horey loo qabsaday gaar ahaan gobalka Sool. Tan iyo 8dii bishii Janaayo ee sanadkan oo ku beegnayd xiligii ciidamada Somaliland dagaal kula wareegeen deegaanka Tukaraq oo ahayd kastamkii Puntland xili shacabka Puntland ku mashquulsanaayeen soodhaweyntii wafdigii Madaxweynaha Dowlada Federaalka Soomaaliya Maxamed Cabdullahi Farmaajo ayaa waxaa socday dhaq dhaqaaq ciidan oo ay xoogiisa wadeen beelaha ku dhaqan gobalada Puntland oo iskood isu abaabulayey, kuwaasi oo ciidamo badan geeyey gobalka Sool iyo waliba xoolo ay ugu deeqeen ciidamada Puntland. Dadaalkaasi ka yimid beelaha Puntland ayaa ahaa kii sababay in isbedal ku yimaado dhawaaqii kasoo baxayey Maamulka Muuse Biixi oo horey ugu hanjabad in ay tagi doonaan caasimada Puntland iyo Garowe. Xukuumada Puntland oo iyadu ku dhawaaqday in dagaal ay u geli doonto xoreynta gobalka Sool ayaa baaqyo kala duwan u dirtay shacabka Puntland inay garab istaagaan ciidamada difaaca, baaqyadaasi oo ay shacabka si mugleh uga jawaabeen, iyagoo ku deeqay hub, ciidan, saanad iyo xoolo. Sidoo kale shacabka ku dhaqan magaalooyinka ay ciidamada Somaliland qabsadeen sida Laascaanood ayaa ka jawaabay baaqyadii kasoo baxay xukuumada Puntland, iyagoo dhigay banaanbaxyo ay ka dhasheen dhimasho iyo dhaawac oo looga soo horjeedo Somaliland kuwaasi oo ka dhacay xarunta gobalka Sool, ciidamada Somaliland ayaa xabsiga dhigay tiro badan oo dad rayid ah oo ay ku jiraan haween iyo caruur ku sugan magaalada Laascaanood. Waxaa iyaguna jiray weeraro hubeysan oo ka dhacay gudaha magaalada Laascaanood oo ay fuliyeen maleeshiyaad kasoo jeeda magaalada oo taageersan dhaq dhaqaaqa Somaliland looga saarayo gobalkaasi. Hadaba xiligan ayey shacabka Puntland su’ aalo badan iska weydiinayaan dib u dhaca ay keentay xukuumada Puntland oo ay hogaamiyaan Madaxweyne Cabdiweli Maxamed Cali Gaas iyo Kuxigeenkiisa Eng.Cabdixakiim Camey oo xiligan u muuqda inay ka gaabsadeen duulaan xiligan lagu qaado fariisimaha Somaliland ka sameysatay deegaanka Tukaraq oo wax ka yar 80km u jirta caasimada Puntland ee Garowe. Dadka qaarkiis ayaa aaminsan in arrintan ay la xariirto culeyska Beesha Caalamka ay ku saartay dowlada Puntland in la joojiyo dagaalka gobalka Sool, balse waxaa iyaguna jira warar isa soo taraya iyo tuhumo la xariira in xukuumada Madaxweyne Gaas sida ay daacad uga tahay qorshahii xoreynta Sool, arrimahan oo ay shacabka Puntland billabeen inay si weyn ugu falanqeeyaan baraha Bulshada ku sheekaysato. Muddo Kororsi? Madaxweynaha Puntland oo la doortey shan sano ka hor yaa lagu doortey barnaamij siyaasadeed oo uu wax ka qabanayo Amniga, hagaajinta dhaqaalaha, dhismaha ciidanka, daryeelka arrimaha bulshada, la dagaalanka Musuqmaasuqa,hirgelinta nidaamka Xisbiyada badan iyo midnmada Puntland ee dib u soo celinta magaalooyinka xukuumadihii hore lagala wareegay ee ka tirsan Puntland. Haddaba iyada oo la marayo malamihii u danbeeyey ee xilka loo dhaariyey ayaa la is weydiinayaa waxa ka hirgalay ballan qaadkiisi iyo dhartii uu shacabka u qaadey, sida Dhaqaalaha Puntland heerka uu maanta taagan yahay, Amniga, dhismaha ciidanka, la dagaalanka Musuqa, so celinta deegaanada maqan iyo hirgelinta nidaamka Dimoqraadiyadda. Xiriir kala duwan oo lala sameysey saraakiisha ciidamada ee ku sugan aaga Tukaraq oo waxna looga weydiiyey dareenka shacabku ka qabaan hakinta hawlgalka ayaa waxay sheegeen in xukuumadda baaqeedi si weyn looga jawaabey, loona diyaar garoobey in Sool laga xoreeyo Somaliland, laakiin aysan ka soo dhamaan Madaxtooyada Garoowe, iyagoo ka gaabsaday inay ka hadlaan in arrintan la xariirto arrimo siyaasadeed iyo dano kale. Dadka falanqeeya siyaasadda Puntland ayaa aaminsan in Madaxweyne Cabdiweli Cali Gaas markii horeba aanu dagaalka diyaar u ahayn, taas oo ay tusaale u tahay qaabka dagaalku ku bilowdey 15 May 2018, isaga oo ku maqan magaalada Baydhabo. Gaas ayaa docda kale ku argagaxay cududa militari iyo hubka ay ku jiraan gaadiidka dagaalka ee badan oo ay keeneen beelaha Puntland kuwaasi oo hadda noqday ciidamo ka baaxad iyo cudud badan ciidamadii ay dowlada Puntland geysay Tukaraq, isla markaana u arkeen xubnaha Xukuumada talada heysa in hawlgalkan uu waji kale yeelan karo hadii qaabkan lagu dagaal galo iyo cidda hantiyi doonta guusha xoreynta Sool oo hubaal ah inay saameyn weyn ku yeelan doonto Doorashada 2019. Waxaana la rumeysan yahay in dhaq dhaqaaqa ciidan ee ka madax banaan xukuumada talada heysa ay sidoo kale caqabad iyo jidgooyo ku noqotay qorshe la hadal hayey oo ahayd in xukuumada Gaas iyo Camey codsadaan muddo kordhin ku aadan xaalada dagaal ee lagu jiro. Mucaaridka damacsan inay u tartamaan doorashada 2019 ayaa sidoo kale ku lug yeeshay abaabulka ciidan ee socday isla markaana ka qeyb qaatay ololaha ay wadaan beelaha ciidamada ku deeqay, middaasi oo cabsi dheeraad ah ku abuurtay hogaanka sare ee dowlada Puntland. Xogta Muddo kororsiga ee Madaxweyne Gaas oo si weyn isu soo taraysa inkasta oo isagu aanu ku dhawaaqin ayaa keeni karta cawaaqib xumo ku habsata Puntland, marka la eego ciidamo beeledyada aadka u tirada badan ee Dowladdu durbaanka u tuntey, marka la eego xiisadahii ka dhashay isku dayayadii muddo kororsiga ahayd oo ay damceen xukuumadihii ka horeeyey tan hada joogta iyo waxybaaihii ka dhashey ayaa la oran karaa maanta ayeyba ka sii khatar badan tahay, marka la eego dhanka amniga, dhaqaalaha iyo siyaasadda. LASACO QAYBTA LABAAD EE MAQAALKAN W/Q: Hussein Farah Horseed Media

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online) – Wasiirkii hore ee arrimaha dibedda Soomaaliya Yuusuf Garaad Cumar ayaa ka hadlay qunsuliyado ay dowladda Kenya qorsheyneyso inay ka furato ka furato magaalooyinka Kismaayo iyo Hargeysa ee Soomaaliya. Caasimada Online ayaa sideeddii bishan shaacisay faahfaahin ku saabsan qorshaha Kenya ee qunsuliyadahan. Halka akhri warbixintaas. Qoraal uu facebook soo dhigay ayuu Yuusuf Garaad ku yiri:- “Kenya waxay Afrika iyo Asia ka fureysaa 16 Xafiis Ergo-Diblomaasiyadeed oo hor leh. Waxay isugu jiraan Safaarado midkood laga furayo caasimadda Djibouti, Qunsuliyado iyo laba xafiis oo ay ka fureyso Hargeysa iyo Kismaayo. Diblomaasiyiin culus oo lix ka mid ah ay hore u ahaan jireen Wasiirro ayaa qaban doona xilalkaas, sida ay ay qorayaan Wargeysyadu. Dhankeenna Soomaaliya dhowr iyo tobanka Safaaradood ee Danjire laawayaasha ah waxaan rajeynayaa in iyagana dhowaan la buuxin doono oo labada mas’uul ee waaxda Fulinta ee dalka ugu sarreeyaa ay howlmaalmeedkooda mashquulka ah ay ku darsan doonaan magacaabidda Danjirayaal na matala. Xiriirka laba waddan ka dhexeeya meesha ugu horreysa ee laga akhrisan karo waa wejiga uu leeyahay xiriirka diblomaasiyadeed ee labada dal. Safaarad sannad ku-dhowaad amaba ka badan ahayd Danjire la’aan, iyo Safaarado ku yaal caasimado muhiim ah laakiin aan xataa hal diblomaasi joogin ma ahan sida ugu qurxoon ee lagu kobciyo xiriir wax wadaqabsi oo laba dal dhex mara.” Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

Mobile money platform Zaad is booming in Somaliland, but there is concern its reliance on the dollar is damaging the economy. “The ex-governor of the Bank of Somaliland, Abdi Dirir Abdi, says Zaad “causes inflation and offends the dignity of our legal tender.” Grasping his mobile phone, Abdirizak Yussuf Mahmoud prowls the Mohamud Haybe livestock market outside Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. A camel catches his eye and the bargaining begins. He shakes the hand of the trader, haggling in a silent code. Pinching an index finger adds 1,000 dollars to the price; grabbing a hand means 5,000 more. Once agreement is reached, the handshake is broken. A quick chat confirms the details, before the sale is completed by mobile phone. No cash changes hands, no papers are signed. Instead, Yussuf Mahmoud types into his handset, the seller’s phone chirps, and the deal is done. Such scenes are commonplace in Somaliland, where innovation and technology are filling the void left by the absence of international commercial banks and formal banking infrastructure. In the past, a purchase like Yussuf Mahmoud’s would have required a signed letter authorising the withdrawal of cash from one of Hargeisa’s many money transfer operators. Now the favoured transaction mechanism is Zaad, a pioneering mobile money platform inspired by Kenya’s M-Pesa service. Zaad, launched in 2009 by mobile network operator Telesom, has boomed in Somaliland. More than 10% of the region’s 3.8 million people are subscribers, and Zaad account numbers are displayed on walls and shop signs. Its usage ranges from livestock trade to commerce, university fees to electric bills. Money transfer operators continue to dominate international transactions, but in Somaliland they have lost ground to Zaad. Abdikarim Mohamed Eid, chief executive of Telesom, says people were initially sceptical about the service. “We had to win their trust. So we convinced employers to pay salaries through Zaad and created an ecosystem. If everybody accepted Zaad, everybody would pay with it.” Within a year, the strategy began to work. Subscriptions increased, and in 2011 Telesom launched Salaam, an Islamic financial institution offering services – including savings accounts, current accounts and small loans – accessible through Zaad. The financial community began to take notice, and promises of a “cashless economy” and “branchless banking” in the Horn of Africa soon followed. Adbullahi Hassan, 24, a money vendor in Hargeisa, says Zaad has changed the way he works. “We turn paper money into ‘Zaad money’, so people can walk safe and carry [it] with them.” A stroll through the capital shows that cash still matters, however. The legal tender in Somaliland is the shilling, but Zaad deals in US dollars. Consequently, those most likely to use it are private sector employees, development workers, and recipients of international remittances. “We civil servants are paid in Somaliland shilling,” said Wali Daud Egal, director of planning at the finance ministry. “By accelerating the dollarisation of the economy, Zaad props up prices, and this affects us in particular.” The governor of the Bank of Somaliland, Abdi Dirir Abdi, says Zaad “causes inflation and offends the dignity of our legal tender. In Kenya or Tanzania, mobile money companies use the local currency. Why here is it different?” There are no published studies linking Zaad to inflation, though the service does fall within a regulatory vacuum: Zaad has implemented practices compliant with international anti-money laundering standards, but there is no state regulatory framework and parliamentary discussions about a commercial banking law have dragged on. While celebrating the usefulness of Zaad, many in Somaliland acknowledge Telesom’s unchecked influence on the economy. Meanwhile, Telesom’s rival, Dahabshiil, is launching its own mobile money service, E-Dahab, for Somtel users in June. Dahabshiil, often cited as one of Africa’s brightest business stories, acquired Somtel in 2008. Dahabshiil’s foray into mobile money will have the benefit of a far-flung network of money transfer agents, allowing Somalilanders abroad to send money home by mobile phone. In response, Zaad is going international. After striking a deal with Tawakal and WorldRemit, two money transfer operators, it promises to shake up the remittance business. Some say the brewing competition between Telesom and Dahabshiil has laid bare the failure of Somaliland’s authorities to monitor or regulate mobile money. Others argue this focus does little to help expand access to financial services. Company bosses believe real financial inclusion will happen only when Somaliland is properly integrated into the global banking system. Safyia Cisman Taani, a local consultant for the International Labour Organisation, points to the challenges women face in rural areas. “They have no collateral to apply for a loan, whatever the means, either in cash or in mobile money,” she says. “Often they cannot even open a Zaad account because they lack an ID. Financial inclusion should go hand-in-hand with political inclusion.” Guardian

Press Release Brussels, 11 July 2018—The European Union has released €89.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Somalia and Djibouti, as millions are grappling with the consequences of prolonged extreme weather conditions. The funding comes ahead of the Somalia Partnership Forum co-hosted by the European Union taking place next week over 16-17 July. “The devastating effects of two years of drought and the recent intense flooding are taking their toll on the livelihood of millions of people in Somalia,” said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides. “Our aid will target the most vulnerable and provide life-saving support to those affected by climatic shocks and internal conflict.” Out of the aid package, €89 million in emergency assistance will be channelled in Somalia to reach communities displaced by severe drought, focussing on the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, water supply and livestock protection, as well as health measures against epidemics. A further €500,000 is going to Djibouti to support refugees in the country (mostly fleeing the conflict in Yemen, but also from Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea) by providing water, sanitation and protection to the communities living in the Ali Addeh, Hol Hol and Markazi refugee camps. With €119 million allocated to Somalia in 2017 alone, the EU has drastically scaled up its humanitarian assistance to the country, helping to avert a catastrophe similar to the 2011 famine which resulted in 260,000 deaths. Background About half of Somalia’s 12 million inhabitants are food insecure and in need of humanitarian assistance, while an estimated 1.2 million children are expected to be acutely malnourished during the course of 2018. The country has 2.6 million internally displaced people, and the situation worsened following the April 2018 floods, which affected 427,000 people and left 175,000 displaced. In addition to climate shocks, conflict remains at the centre of the humanitarian crisis in Somalia with insecurity and violence taking a heavy toll on civilians for decades, affecting livelihoods and hampering economic progress and development. In Djibouti, the European Union provides humanitarian aid to the refugee population as well as the host communities. Since 2012, over €10 million in emergency assistance has been allocated to the country. Humanitarian funding from the European Union provides refugees with access to clean water and sanitation as well as, protection. Emergency assistance links up with longer-term development strategies to mitigate the impact of climate shocks and promote resilience among the affected communities.

A CELEBRATION of Henley’s friendship link with Borama in Somalia will take the form of a fund-raiser this year. Traditionally residents of the city in the nation’s Awdal region visit to showcase their culture and customs with singing and dancing. But this has been deemed inappropriate this year after a tropical cyclone devastated the area in May. Up to 60 people were killed, livestock was drowned and crops, homes and infrastructure were destroyed. Next Saturday the Samason’s Relief charity, which was set up by Somali refugees living in the UK, will have displays in Market Place and Mill Meadows with information about the cyclone and will carry out a collection from 2pm to 5pm. Borama is on the western boundary of the former British protectorate of Somaliland, now the unofficial republic of Somaliland. Brigadier Malcolm Page, who lives in Ancastle Green, Henley, founded the Henley Borama Friendship Association in 1983. Henley Standard

Young Somalis enjoying a relaxed moment on Mogadishu’s Lido beach. Photograph: Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP/Getty Images The surprising sounds of a late evening in Mogadishu: surf on the beach, laughs of revellers, clinking of cups and glasses, oaths of harassed waiters and the soft melodies of the oud of Aweys Kabanle. Kabanle, a 45-year-old former dressmaker turned musician, is playing traditional Somali music at the luxury Mogadishu Beach View hotel at the city’s Lido to a smartly dressed audience in one of the world’s most dangerous cities. “This is Mogadishu. We laugh and sing. We play music. Music is for peace so we no longer live in fear,” Kabanle says, sipping a cappuccino. There are few cities with contrasts as stark as those of Mogadishu. Swollen by hundreds of thousands of people displaced by famine, drought and conflict in rural areas, its outlying districts resemble a vast refugee camp. Authorities are incompetent, corrupt or simply absent. It is seven years since the Islamic militants of al-Shabaab withdrew but many streets bear the scars of more than two decades of incessant warfare. Mogadishu’s inhabitants have long been known for their resilience, but a new wave of activists, entrepreneurs and artists are now trying to improve their city. Two years ago, Kabanle survived an al-Shabaab gun attack and suicide car bombing close to where he now performs every evening. The attack left at least 10 dead, including three of Aweys’s friends. The oud player was forced to jump over the wall of the hotel where he was playing to escape. “For several months following, there was no show,” he says. “People were unwilling to come back but I was committed to come here again. I started the first night by myself alone playing music and resumed hosting the show. Thanks be to God, people got confidence and now they are coming back for my show.” Despite the ongoing violence in the Somali capital, the economy is growing, hundreds of expatriates are returning from the west or African nations, scores of colleges are opening to cater for the young population and there is growing investment from the diaspora. Estate agents thrive: a two-storey house can cost nearly £100,000. Mogadishu has hosted a TEDx conference. Ahmed Hassan Sheikh decided to return to Mogadishu from Kenya a year and a half ago. He started his own arts company inside the fortified Mogadishu airport complex, where thousands of diplomats, United Nations staff and regional troops from the African Union stabilisation force are based. There is no shortage of demand for Sheikh’s paintings. “I do not need to fight with a gun. I have a powerful pen with which I draw my feelings. I believe through it I can bring change. I can make Mogadishu peaceful,” the 48-year-old artist says. His paintings call for young people to take up pens and books instead of arms, to warn against illegal migration and its devastating effects on Somali families. Other drawings recall life in old Mogadishu before the civil war, a time when the city was known as the most beautiful city in Africa. “When people see my artworks of former Mogadishu and how it used to be like, they appreciate how peaceful and prosperous Mogadishu was,” Ahmed says. The Upside – sign up for our weekly email Read more Then there is Ubaxa Caasimadda (Flowers of the City), a group of students who, 18 months ago, set out to smarten scruffy city streets and mark roads to increase public safety. They started with the safest roads such as those near the presidential palace, because some had already received death threats from al-Shabaab. “When we started, we did not even know what will come out. It was just, go and do and then see. We knew the dangers we were facing but we took that risk,” says Amira Mahad Abdulle, a 24-year-old university student. Abdulle wears a burqa to conceal her identity and does not respond to phone calls from unknown people for her safety. “There are a lot of threats coming in but I try to stay safe. I do not fear. I want to serve Mogadishu,” she says. The group decided to act “because nobody else was willing to do it” and the government in Mogadishu is focused on fighting al-Shabaab. “We could not sit behind and wait for someone else to do this for the people of Mogadishu. We are the youth of this country and we decided to stand up for it,” Abdulle says. So far the group has painted dozens of zebra crossings and have planted flowers on pavements. “We are committed. We were born in Mogadishu and we want to help our city become developed, beautiful and safe like other cities in the world,” Isse Hassan Ibrahim, a 23-year-old typographic graduate, says. FacebookTwitterPinterest An art installation in Mogadishu. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo Though his best friend, a government employee, was assassinated by al-Shabaab last year, Ibrahim never stopped working as a volunteer in Mogadishu. “When my friend was killed, I got scared but I decided not to quit. I want to help my people and my capital city,” Ibrahim says. “We now have new youth groups joining us from other cities.” In the last 18 months, US and Somali forces have intensified the battle against al-Shabab, though without achieving decisive success. Last week US officials said a new airstrike killed 14 militants. Though the increased military activity has weakened the extremists, it also led to more civilian casualties. Kabanle believes his country will soon be at peace. “Somalia is no longer a war zone. It is a love zone,” he says, pointing to a group of young men and women sitting on the warm white sand of Mogadishu’s beach. Guardian

Gaarisa (Caasimada Online) – Taliyaha Boliska Garissa, David Kerina ayaa sheegay inay la’ yihiin Sarkaal la waayey, kadib, markii ay Dagaalamayaal Alshabaab habeen hore weerar ku qaadeen Bar ay Boliska Kenya ku leeyihiin Tuulladda Hamey oo ku dhow xuduudka Kenya iyo Somalia. Waxa uu intaasi ku daray inay Alshabaab horey u kaxeysteen Sarkaalkaasi, kadib, markii uu dhacay weerarkaasi oo uu xusay in 4 Askari lagu dhaawacay. Dhinaca kale. Taliyaha Boliska Garissa, David Kerina waxa uu tilmaamay inay socdaan Hawlgal lagu baadi-goobayo Sarkaalkaasi oo la rumeysan yahay inay Alshabaab kala soo gudbeen Xuduudka. Ugu yaraan 20 dagaalamayaal Alshabaab aad u hubeysan ayaa la sheegay inay dhowr jiho ka weerareen Xeradda Boliska Kenya ku leeyihiin duleedka Garissa, waxayna Alshabaab burburiyeen Taawarka Shirkadda Isgaarsiinta ee Safaricom oo ku taalla meel aan ka fogeyn Xeradda Boliska Kenya ku leeyihiin Xuduudka. Al-Shabaab waxaa kaloo la sheegay inay gaari ay lahaayeen Boliska ku qabsadeen dagaalkaasi. Isbuucii la soo dhaafay, weeraro iyo qaraxyo ay Alshabaab ka geysteen gudaha Kenya waxay ku dhaawaceen 9 ka tirsan Boliska dalkaasi. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Nairobi Caasimada@live.com

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online) – Magaalada Muqdisho waxaa kulan ku yeeshay safiirka Imaaraadka u jooga Soomaaliya Maxamed Axmed Al-Cuthmaan iyo ergayga gaarka ee xoghayaha guud Qaramada Midoobay u qaabilsan Soomaaliya Michael Keating, iyaga oo ka wadahadlay arrimo dhowr ah. Warbaahinta dalka Imaaraadka ayaa sheegay in Labadan mas’uul ay ugu horreyn ka wadahadleen arrimo ku saabsan xoojinta xiriirka ka dhaxeeya safaaradda iyo sidoo kale xafiiska UNSOM. Sidoo kale, waxay Labadan dhinac ka wadahadleen sidii looga shaqeyn lahaa in Soomaaliya laga taafeero amniga, degnaanshiyaha iyo sidoo kale horumarka. Wakaaladda wararka ee Imaaraadka Carabta (WAM) ayaa sheegtay in Keating uu ku booriyey Imaaraadka iney sii wadaan teegeerada ay siiyaan Soomaaliya sida dhinacyada Bini’aadannimo, gargaarka iyo horumarinta. Ugu dambeyn, Safiir Maxamed Al-Cuthmaan ayaa uga mahadceliyey Michael Keating sida uu ugu soo booqday xafiiskiisa. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

Madaxweynaha Jamhuriyadda Federaalka Soomaaliya Mudane Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo, oo ka qeyb galay caleema saarka Madaxweynaha dalka Turkiga iyo shirka Madasha Iskaashiga Afrika iyo Shiinaha oo ka dhacay magaalada Jabuuti, ayaa maanta dalka dib ugu soo laabtay. Madaxweynaha ayaa intii uu ku sugnaa magaalooyinka Jabuuti iyo Ankara waxa uu si gaar ah ula kulmay Madaxweynayaasha qaar ka mid ah dalalka Afrika iyo ka qeyb galayaal Caalami ah, waxa ayna ka wada hadleen danaha kala dhexeeya Soomaaliya iyo sidii loo xoojin lahaa. Madaxweynaha iyo wafdigiisa ayaa dalkaTurkiga loogu soo dhaweeyay hab-maamuus sare, isagoona ka mid ahaa 20 hoggaamiye oo ka qeyb galay caleema saarka Madaxweyne Rajab Dayib Ordogaan. Wafdiga Madaxweynaha waxaa ka mid ahaa Wasiiru Dowlaha Arrimaha Dibadda iyo Iskaashiga Caalamiga ah Mudane Cabdulqaadir Axmed Cabdi, Wasiirka Ganacsiga iyo Warshahada Mudane Maxamed Cabdi Xayir Maareeye iyo Wasiiru Dowlaha Gaashaandhigga Mudane Maxamed Cali Xagaa. PUNTLAND POST The post Madaxweyne Farmaajo oo dalka dib ugu soo laabtay appeared first on Puntland Post.

Around 1,800 impoverished internally displaced families living in four camps in Ari-adeye, 32 km north of Lasanod in the northern Somali region of Sool, have not received any food aid in the last six months because of a power struggle among the camp leaders. On four occasions, aid agencies tried to bring assistance to the struggling families but they were barred from delivery by the 12 camp leaders, representing competing clans, who could not reach a consensus among themselves on how to distribute the aid among the four camps. The Ari-adeye administration convened a meeting with the camp leaders to seek a solution. According to the commissioner of Ari-adeye, Abdirisaq Abdikadir Abdirahman, they agreed to share the aid based on the clan system. As a result of the agreement, a small number of 250 families judged to be in the worst situation received some food supplies ion 4 July. Fadumo Ali Ismail, a mother of 12, said she received 60 kg of food including flour, rice, sugar, and cooking oil. She said it would end the hunger they have faced for the last six months, during which time they were sharing food with neighbours, who were fortunate to receive remittances from relatives abroad. Fadumo told Radio Ergo she has been living in the camp for a year and half after their entire herd of 180 goats died in the drought in Dhiir-goobo village, 20 km east of Ari-adeye. Her husband is unemployed and has no skills to find a job. Amina Jama Dirir, 25, lives in the camps with her 75-year-old blind father, who is also suffering from mental ill health. Amina said he became ill when the drought killed all his 300 goats and 13 camels. The livestock were the family’s lifeline. “I don’t know how to help him, I can’t go to work since he needs continuous care. He even needs monitoring to protect him from injuring himself on sharp spiky fence around the house,” Amina said. Amina also received 60 kg of food on 4 July that is enough for a month. They have been relying on gifts of food from relatives in town. The IDP families blame the committee of camp leaders for serving their own interests at the expense of the community members. They say the camp leaders’ priority is holding on to power and using it to try to negotiation for more aid, even whilst the people suffer. Camp leaders are self-appointed officials who wield enormous power across Somalia and normally dictate the terms of distribution of relief supplies. Baashe Mohamed Canshur, one of the 12 camp leaders overseeing Sihowle camp, told Radio Ergo the last time aid reached them was on 28 May. He said that leaders on the committee could not agree on how to distribute it so it did not reach the needy families. Radio Ergo

Muqdisho (PP) ─ Danjiraha Xukuumadda Isu-tagga Imaaraadka Carabta u jooga Somalia, Maxamed Axmed Al-Cuthmaan ayaa kulan qaas ah la qaatay ergayga QM ee Somalia, Michael Keating, sida lagu sheegay war ay baahisay Wakaallada Wararka Imaaraadka ee WAM. Al-Cuthmaan iyo Keating oo kulankoodu ka dhacay dhismaha safaraadda ay Imaaraadka ku leedahay Muqdisho ayay kaga haldeen xiriirka u dheexeeya Imaaraadka iyo xafiiska QM ugu qaabilsan Somalia ee UNSOM iyo qaabka ay labada dhinac uga wada-shaqeyn karaan taageerida amniga, horumarinta iyo Deganaanshaha Soomaaliya. Safiirka Imaaraadka ee Somalia, Maxamed Axmed Al-Cuthmaan iyo ergayga QM ee Somalia, Michael Keating ayaa waxay kulankoodaan ku lafa-gureen xaalladad Somalia iyo dadaalka Dowladda Imaaraadka iyo QM ka geystaan taageeridda Dowladda Somalia iyo xasilinta dalka. Dhinaca kale, Wakaalladda Wararka Imaaraadka ee WAM ayaa sheegtay in Michael Keating uu ku booriyey xukuumadda Imaaaraadka Carabta inay sii waddo taageeradda ay siiso Somalia, gaar ahaan; Dhinacyadda Samafalka bani’aadamnimo iyo horumarinta waddanka. Kulanka labada dhinac ayaa kusoo beegmay maalmo kaddib, markii uu soo saaray baarlamaanka Midowga Yurub qaraar ay ku cambaareynayaan dowladaha Imaaraadka iyo Sacuudiga inay fara-gelin ku hayaan arrimaha Soomaaliya. Ugu dambeyn, Tan iyo markii uu dillaacay khilaafka Khaliijla Sannadkii hore, waxay dowladaha Imaaaraadka iyo Sacuudiga hakiyeen taageeradii ay siin jireen hay’addaha dowladda Somalia, kaddib khilaaf soo dhex-galay DFS iyo Imaaraadka Carabta. PUNTLAND POST The post Qaramada Midoobay iyo Imaaraadka Carabta oo ka hadlay sidii Somalia looga caawin…. appeared first on Puntland Post.

We are pleased to announce that the Hargeysa International Book Fair (HIBF) will held 21-26 July 2018 in Hargeysa, Somaliland. Last year, we celebrated the festival’s 10th anniversary with our chosen theme of Connectivity, this year we start the next decade with our theme of Wisdom. As an organization we have always sort to promote a “connected, open, creative and tolerant society led by wisdom”, and not by emotions; a society that has survived within its own mechanism, culture, heritage and knowledge production. From the 9th century BeytulHekmi (or Dar’ulHekma) in the Islamic Golden Age in Bagdad to the Somali wise men and women who guided the society in the traditional judiciary system, and who governed with authoritative leadership, the virtue of having wisdom as attribute, always gave few people a distinguished mandate to lead. What happened to that virtue? Who are our chosen vanguards today? What do the literature, the traditional oral poetry and arts had to do with the wisdom? Are men of literature loosing their appeal? Do the radical transformation of the Somali society in the recent time deteriorated the essence of wisdom of the ordinary people? These are the questions that we will seek to answer collectively. Intertwined with this, HIBF2018 will be hosting Somali Studies International Association 23-25 July 2018 (SSIA18), with Somali knowledge production filled by foreign people (something we often ignore) during a period of difficulties of war – it is important to consider how that factor changed Somali literature and how with a young Somali scholars emerging once again to claim their space within Somali knowledge production- this yet again will change and shape our understanding. Last year we had the privilege of hosting South Africa as our guest country- this year we will welcome Rwanda, a country which less than three decades ago was embroiled in horrific genocide, but which has reemerged as a proud, progressive and leading country in Africa. Rwanda is also reclaiming its narrative and knowledge production and we are pleased to welcome writers, poets and film-makers, but also policy makers and influential people that shaped the recent history of Rwanda. The parallel between Somaliland’s own difficult recent history and road recovery are many- and with Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame elected as the 2018 chairperson for African Union, it seems that their futures are also intertwined. We look forward to welcoming each and every one of you to Hargeysa International Book Fair 2018. Hargeysa Cultural Center 20th March 2018

Gaarisa (PP) ─ Taliyaha boliiska Magaalada Garissa ee dalka Kena, David Kerina ayaa sheegay inay waayeen sarkaal ka tirsan booliiska, kaddib markii ay xoogag ka tirsan Al-shabaab ay habeen hore weerar ku qaadeen bar-koontarool oo ay booliisku ku leeyihiin tuulladda Hamey oo ku dhow xadka ay wadaagaan Somalia iyo Kenya. David Kerina ayaa intaas ku daray in xoogagga Al-shabaab ee weerarka soo qaaday ay horey u kaxeysteen sarkaalkaas, weerarkaas oo uu sheegay inay ku dhaawacmeen afar sarkaal oo ka tirsan booliiska. Sidoo kale, Taliyaha ayaa tilmaamay inay socdaan hawl-gal lagu baadi-goobayo sarkaalkaas oo la rumeysan yahay inay kooxda Al-shabaab ay kala gudbeen xuduudda labada waddan ay wadaagaan. Taliyaha ayaa sheegay in ugu yaraan 20 dagaalyahan oo ka tirsan Kooxda Al-shabaab oo aad u hubeysan ay dhawr jaho ka weerareen xerada booliiska Kenya ay ku leeyihiin duleedka Garissa, isagoo xusay inay dhulka la simeen taawarka shirkadda Isgaarsiinta Safaricom ay ku lahayd meel aan ka fogeyn xeradda la weeraray. Waxaa kaloo la sheegay in Kooxda Al-shabaab ay qabsadeen ayna wateen gaari ay leeyihiin booliiska Kenya, iyadoo weerarkan uu ka mid noqonayo kuwa ay kooxda ka dagaalanta Somalia ka geysanayaan gudaha Kenya iyo deegaannada xuduudaha ku dhaw. Dhanka kale, Kooxda Al-shabaab ayaa weli ka hadlin weerarkan la sheegay inay ku qaadeen saldhigga booliiska ee Hamey oo ku yaalla dulleedka is-maamulka Gaarisa ee dalka Kenya. Ugu dambeyn, Toddobaadkii lasoo dhaafay ayay kooxda Al-shabaab waxay ka geysteen Gudaha dalka Kenya, waxay ku dhaawaceen sagaal Askari oo ka tirsan booliiska dalka Kenya. PUNTLAND POST The post Taliska Booliiska Kenya oo Sheegay in Weerar dhacay lagu Waayay Sarkaal Booliis ah appeared first on Puntland Post.