President Trump’s attorney Rudolph W. Giuliani publicly pressed Trump’s expansive view of executive power this weekend, arguing on two Sunday TV shows that the president probably has the sweeping constitutional authority to pardon even himself. Source: Hiiraan Online

Sahal, a dairy farmer, is CEO of Bovine Industry, an urban dairy farm in central Mogadishu. The company cross-breeds Somali cattle with Jersey cattle to produce higher-quality milk. Source: Hiiraan Online

Not only were Canadian officials scrambling to limit problems for travellers, they were simply trying to grasp what was going on when the Trump administration issued an executive order last year banning people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Source: Hiiraan Online

HARGEISA–Renowned Sheikh Mustafa Haji Ismael Harun and Sheikh Mohammed Omar Dirir have called on the Somaliland government and Puntland administration of Somalia authorities to stop the war and spilling of Muslims blood in the holy month of Ramadan, and instead do righteous deeds and Fear Almighty Allah. The two Mullahs were speaking in their respective mosques during the Friday congregation prayers. They called on both sides to cease hostilities and sit on the negotiation table. Sheikh Dirir was speaking from Rusheye Mosque situated at the heart of Hargeisa he said that Muslims blood is sacred and should not be spilled because of clans or governments wars. Sheikh Dirir requested the government not to allow a third party to mediate the war and instead initiate talks with the Puntland and Somalia administration directly. “You can see that whenever there is a war the transport network between the two countries is compromised. The people are not fighting so the politicians should clear these mess once and for all. In another development Sheikh Mustafa speaking from Ambassador Mosque stated “These people who have standing and respect in the society should know that if they stop this war they will get reward in the hereafter and in this world. Please stop the senseless war whereby Muslim blood is being spilled for no reason and fear Allah Almighty.” horn

Established in 1957 by the British to speak to the Somali-speaking region in the Horn of Africa, the BBC Somali Service was one of the most trusted Somali radio in history. Being neutral was the custom of the radio, which attracted the hearts and minds of the most Somali community both in the region and beyond. Raphael Cohen-Almagor (2001) in his book “Speech, Media and Ethics, the Limits of Free Expression: Critical Studies on Freedom of Expression, Freedom of the Press and the Public’s Right to Know” argues that freedom of the press and media lies at the heart of the liberal doctrine and is formulated in all democratic constitutions. The freedom granted to the media is widely believed to mean to allow the expression of society’s various sub-cultures and classes, to voice a public opinion, and to serve as a means of transmitting messages between the public and their elected representatives. Basically, some might think that democracy should tolerate all forms and types of speech. But, and interestingly, democracy itself places careful limitations upon freedom of action and freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is a guiding principle and one of the foundations of democracy, but at the same time, freedom does not necessarily imply anarchy, and the right to exercise free expression does not include the right to do unjustified harm to others. The BBC is one of the institutions founded by a liberal country to advocate freedom of speech and expression in which objectivity or objective reporting is one of its principles. Unfortunately, the BBC Somali Service regarded by many as the only neutral radio station within the Somalis seems missing objective reporting. This isn’t an easy criticism, but, established to provide news services to all Somalis without biasing; the BBC Somali Service is usually seen servicing to the Somalia fledging government, its allies and its interests, and on the other hand exaggerating any negative news against Somaliland to damage its reputation. Some may argue that Somaliland is a democratic state and democracy should tolerate all forms and types of speech. But, this argument isn’t necessarily valid; harming the hard-won peace and stability for the sake of foreign actors is unacceptable. The BBC Somali Service isn’t objective in their reporting because it failed to avoid selecting the negative news against Somaliland and interpret it the way it wants and it wishes. This radio was the house of the most respected Somali journalists and reporters who served both of Somalia’s civil administrations and the military government (1960–1991). Those journalists by respecting the ethics of the media distanced their emotion and impression from their profession. Not only the objectivity they adhered to, but also, they were introducing Somali vocabularies equivalent to the other world vocabularies in meaning. This effort was important to the radio and contributing to the improvement of the Somali language and literature as well. This is contrary to the current BBC Somali Service staff in which most of them if not all can’t convince their audiences due to their poor Somali language let alone introduce new vocabulary. For this reason, it is valid to raise this question which could seem critical: why the nature of the BBC Somali Service is changing in terms of quality staff and objectivity. This could be linked to a number of factors include, a) lack of proper employment, and, b) widespread nepotism and favoritism, to name but a few. These two factors are the major factors which hamper the quality and neutrality of the BBC Somali Service in the recent years. Giving the emphasis on this argument, one of the major challenges facing the current Somali Service of the BBC is lack of professional journalists and reporters, and indeed, such an institution should have responsible journalists as it has before. Missing the professional ethics led the BBC reports to bias and go against Somaliland interest. There are wealthy of examples to mention in regards to BBC’s conspiracy not only against Somaliland statehood but also clearly demonstrate how the BBC is destabilizing the peace and stability of Somaliland and lacking objectivity in their reporting. One of the most negative and intentionally aired news was the one transmitted in September 2017; when the Somalis in the Somali region in Ethiopia and their neighbour, the Oromos, have had a conflict. The BBC knowingly stated that killing two Oromo people by Somaliland Police in Hargeisa prompted the Somali–Oromo conflict in Ethiopia. This was absolutely an unprofessional lying. This type of news from one of the most trusted Somali radio station has shocked the hearts and minds of those who had a little sympathy and trust to the BBC. This isn’t the only war of the BBC against Somaliland, but, before a month, they deliberately translated an interview from the Emirates State Minister for Foreign Affairs, which rocked the Somaliland citizens and created mistrust between the citizens and the state. This interview, which instigated the debate within Somaliland, was aired by the BBC Arabic Service a year before. This is a valid question: why the BBC Somali Service has translated this interview and aired it after a year. The current BBC Somali Service staff is lacking two essential elements: a) critical thinking, and, b) sense of objectivity. An absence of a critical thinking with intellectual depth and the necessary tools to think independently, to question and criticize, engage in collaborative work and be open-minded about alternative points of view in the media is their major problem if not the sole factor. This could be linked to the argument that the BBC Somali Service staff has been employed by the Somali Service without following the proper procedure and channel. Thus, fail to present the public neutral and constructive ideas. Another fundamental factor is lacking an objective reporting which is a necessary component of media ethics to narrate an unbiased reporting and cover a given story in a fair and accurate manner. These are the fundamental elements of the media ethics which the current staff is entirely missing. Therefore, the BBC is expected to address those challenges and bring back the trust it has had within the Somalis once upon the time as many Somali citizens are nostalgic about the old days of the BBC. In doing so, it should generate responsive and responsible journalists to serve the Somali people without bias. This is what the old BBC reporters and journalists have managed to do and had won the hearts and minds of the Somali people in the entire region and beyond. It is clear that the BBC has its own weaknesses and challenges; however, one can never downplay the role of the BBC in the war against Somaliland and being one of the tools of Somalia’s fledgeling government to destabilize the peace and stability of Somaliland. To overcome this challenge and discourage such those institutions, the Somaliland Ministry of Information mandated to preserve the national security and interest through the media should: Establish a monitoring Office. This Office should closely monitor the coverage of the radios and the TVs, including the BBC Somali Service and the VOA. If this Office does exist, it should allocate a budget and increase its staff to monitor those radios and privately-owned TVs. The Somaliland Ministry of Information should give an ultimatum to any institution that is against the peace and stability of Somaliland and its political interest, including the BBC, the VOA, and the privately-owned TVs. The Somaliland Diaspora whose role has been positive since the 1980s, 1990s, and until today should also take their role in challenging this dying radio station, the BBC Somali Service, and any other radio station or TV which is against the interest of Somaliland. By Nasir M. Ali

Before I look at the budget in detail, I must say a word or two about the definition of budget. Budget is a financial plan that articulates the objectives and goals of a government for a certain period of time usually a year. In other words, it is the government’s economic strategy for that period. But there are occasions when planning, instead of helpful, becomes harmful and sinful. According to Wikipedia “government budget is a government document presenting the government’s proposed revenues and spending for a financial year that is often passed by the legislature, approved by the chief executive or the president and presented by the Finance Minister to the nation. On 31st March 2018, the Somaliland Minister of Finance presented long-delayed 2018 National budget to House of Representatives, in this article using budget data from the 2018 Financial Year, I will make a number of analysis regarding the budget source of revenues, allocations, mismatches, and budget priorities. This will allow us to understand how the 2018 Government Budget allocations differ from the National Development Plan II and realities on the ground. Somaliland Budget 2018 revenue is 156,857,142.9 USD, going forward, the picture is rosy. A Government which allocates close to one-third of its income to security 31.24% and also neglects production sectors is a bad image. It is a government, which never wants to turn out to be a fully and effective working nation. The 2018 Budget which has been approved by House of Representatives in April has major faults. Even though the country is reeling from various issues/complication which are not limited but included: long electioneering year, recurrent droughts, regional instability, and Skye rocketing inflation but with these all-important issues in our calendar, the budget hardly has any meaningful or evocative relation or correlation with current realities on the ground or the so-called National Development Plan. This budget shows clear gaps of not only tax collection at large but also the large discrepancy of income lines, even though it was expected the dividend of Berbera port 2017 and 2018, as well as 10% income tax for 2017 and 2018 years, will be shown; that expectation now seems as remote as ever. The overall income contains $156,857,142 Customs account largest amount 67.6% while Inland Revenue contributes only 16.1% and the rest contain 16.3%. Nevertheless, building the capacity of finance ministry will enable to increase the revenue collection without increasing the exchange rate and tariffs because our GDP has been estimated 1.4 billion in 2012 adding only 5% each year will put us on 1.87 billion; developing countries on average tax 15 to 20% of their GDP which can make our revenue to tilt approximately 300 to 400 million dollars. Telecommunication and Financial sectors seem to the least under taxed and have limited contribution of overall income despite handling at least Billion dollar. The current budget has generously allocated the presidency more than its share. The Presidency which includes: Presidential guard, office of the President and the Vice has more budget than; 11 paramount Ministries and four magnificent institutions which includes: Ministry of Justice 0.4%, National Planning 0.7%, Commerce and Industry 0.9%, Energy & Minerals 0.4%, Agriculture 0.8%, Sports 0.7%, Environment 0.8%, Water 0.9%, Investment 0.3%, Labor and Social Affairs 0.6%, Religious Affairs 0.3%, Auditor General 0.7%, Civil Service Commission 0.6%, Attorney General 0.4% and the Tender Board Committee 0.1%. Presidential guard has been lavishly allocated $2, 271,584 while the entire Intelligence community has been billed merely $1,230,403 this is not only shocking and ill-advised but counter productive and outrageous! Despite the close to 160 million dollar budget, Education and Health has been ear marked only $20,085,161 which is little more than 20 million dollars, or in other words, it is 12.8 percent which is roughly 5 dollars per citizen per annum Apparently, the government prefers propaganda than the fundamental bona fide issues related to livelihood and survival of the nation. Take, for instance, Ministry of Information has been allocated the gigantic amount of $3,893,348 while the neglected Foreign Ministry which couples our diplomatic offices abroad, the cost of lobby groups that greatly help us and our miss-treated recognition has been allocated less than 3 million dollars (2,962,262) isn’t that astonishing. To make, matters worse, the nformation Ministry has more budget than the combined Ministry of Agriculture andLivestock and Fishery. In other words, the allocation of huge resources for a non-productive Information Ministry while at same time, abandoning crucial productive Ministries shows the mismatch of plans and budgets. It is unambiguous that there is not an only little consultation for the budget crafting plenary meetings but also little relation of budgets and the much-taunted National Development II. Frankly speaking we have upside down priorities! The price of stable diets increased dramatically, and the government loathes to attempt to take a remedial action start a fresh plans which are realistic, attainable, reliable, consistent and sustainable economically to add on that, there has been tremendous economic calamity, the taxation was on the rise, this year alone, official exchange rate has been increased 40% which will likely make life harder to the poor. Any, thing I admired? Yes, the production of tree planting, construction of subsurface dams and earth Dams, prevention of erosion, Rig drillings and funding the printing of school text books which will be expected to be freely distributed pupils are studying government-managed school’s country wide. Finally, Somaliland budget has not attracted the attention of, Academia, Civil Society, Opposition Parties, and Media and there was no meaningful debate at parliament floor. That is the price we are paying profoundly. It not astonishing to miss chance but clearly this is another missed opportunity which will have an spillover effect for the years to come. Yassin Abdillahi ahmed Yassin_abdillahi@hotmail.com 4476758

HARGEISA— The party of justice and development boss Mr.Faisal Ali Warabe has spoken about has spoken abou8t the war between Puntland and Somaliland in Tukaraq. He said that whoever tries to attack Somaliland will never succeed. The opposition called on the people of Somaliland to unite and fend off any violation of their countries sovereighty. The party of justice chief was speaking during an exclusive interview with the Horn Newspaper in Hargeisa. He called all and sundry to take part the campaign to assist the cyclone Sagar victims who are languishing in destitution following loss of their livelihood. “The border of Somaliland is well known it is a few kilometer from Garowe the capital of Puntland. Tukaraq is in Somaliland furthermore the Puntland administration has encroached into Somaliland territorial borders. Puntland and Somalia have conspired to attack Somaliland in many however in every encounter they have suffered heavy defeat at the hands of brave Somaliland soldiers. The opposition boss called on all citizens of Somaliland in the country and abroad to help their brothers and sister who have suffered the brunt of cyclone Sagar. It is the holy month of Ramadan so I hope you take advantage of its reward and help those affected population of Awdal, Selel and Sayla’a. Horn

Since the collapse of the Somali central government in 1991, the United Nations intervention in that troubled part of the Horn of Africa has never been successful. From Boutros Boutros-Ghali to the newly appointed Secretary–General António Guterres they were and still remain dishonest about resolving Somalia’s agony and tragedy. Since the UN intervention, there is an office “the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia” which closely monitors the situation in Somalia and provides periodic briefings and written reports to the UN Security Council. What I can describe the “Commercialization” or “Commoditization” of the Somali state became the custom of those representatives and have never been honest about restoring peace and reconciliation within the Somalis in particular the south–central Somalia. One of the most disgusting practices of the SRSG Office is being part of the Somalia’s problem and ally with one political segment of the Somalis for political and economic ends. This is jeopardizing the neutrality of the UN philosophy. The most recent example is the conflict and confrontation that are happening between the national army of the Republic of Somaliland, which is defending its territorial integrity and the boundaries it inherited from the United Kingdom of the Great Britain on 26 June, 1960, and the Puntland State of Somalia, an autonomous region within the Somalia’s Federal Government which is getting support from the Somalia’s fledgling federal government enslaved by Al Shabaab and AMISOM. Keating, whom I believe is part of the conflict has never expressed his objection against the aggression that Puntland is threatening the peace and stability of the entire region. I strongly denounce the behavior of Keating for not being neutral in this situation and once again I try to recall him that the UN has failed to understand the complexity of the situation on the ground and the legal argument of Somaliland. I am sure that your unbalanced policy and strategy against Somaliland will never discourage the Somaliland citizens who built this great nation which is the only functioning constitutional democracy in this troubled region without an international engagement and assistance. But, you will take the responsibility for what is happening in the region and its consequences as well. I wonder if I call you Keating, but I prefer to say “Cheating” as your policies and strategies are going badly wrong direction and not helping the Somalis in general and this great nation (Somaliland) in particular. Nasir M. Ali Hargeisa, Somaliland

The defined territory is one of the physical elements of the state enshrined in the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States in 1933. Each state should have its own defined territory which distinguishes it from its neighbors and any other state, a permanent population, capacity to enter into relations with others and a functioning government. Somaliland has one of the best demarcated boundaries in the world, and its boundaries are defined in separate treaties reached by the colonial masters who ruled once upon the time the colonies and protectorates in the Horn of Africa and elsewhere in the Third World. The colonial treaties signed between the British on the one hand, and the French (1888), Italians (1894) and Ethiopians (1897) on the other clearly demarcate the Somaliland boundaries. Understanding the past is essential for resolving the current problems. Somaliland history isn’t a genetically modified history, rather, is an existing reality which can be accessed to the world archives and libraries, for instance, the British Library. Somaliland, where the peace, rule of law and stability prevails, its independence neither violates the OAU nor that of the AU Charters, which is against any alteration of the African political borders inherited from the European powers. Certainly, Somalis are one ethnic group with one religion, language and culture. But they became the victim of the colonial powers who divided them into five different political entities in which each entity has its own political definitions and demarcations. In this case, if the legitimacy of the Somaliland territory was questioned, the same will also apply to the other parts of the region. Somaliland isn’t the only entity which shares blood with Somalia, but, Somaliland people also have blood ties with those in Djibouti and the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia. But, this blood ties don’t necessarily legitimize that Somaliland could claim those people because of blood affinity. Not only Somaliland, but also, Somalia has a blood similarity with those in the Somali Region in Ethiopia and the Northeastern Region of Kenya, but they can’t claim because of obvious reasons. Serving as the proxy of Somalia, Puntland repeatedly claims the Sool and Sanaag regions of Somaliland because of a blood affinity with those living in Somaliland. But, my question is: why they are hesitant to claim those who are living in Korahe and Wardheer Zones in the Somali Region in Ethiopia as well. Because they know the reality on the ground, and the consequences it entails if they do so. I ask myself, why the international community represented by Keating or “Cheating” is still silent about this aggression against Somaliland. The role of Keating, who has the ultimate decision to denounce this aggression has remained missing or has never said a mumbling word about the illegitimate claim of Somalia. Keating is part of the conflict and the war against Somaliland. Because he has always been reluctant about referring Somaliland as an independent entity from the rest of Somalia even he failed to conceal his discontent to Somaliland statehood and its success stories. Mr. Keating you may deny this fact-based criticism, but, the way you put Somaliland into ‘Quotation Mark’ shows your dissatisfaction and the war against the Somaliland’s claim as an independent entity from the war and terror-infested Somalia. Keating and his colleagues in Villa Somalia can’t cover the sun on the palms of their hands; Somaliland is an existing reality, and it existed before Keating and it will exist without Keating. But, sometimes I question the authenticity of the Keating profile and if he is a genuine diplomat who served the UN and also represented his country in different world countries and stages. I also question if he fully grasped the history of his country and the colonies and protectorates once upon the time ruled by the Empire, which the sun never sets, the British Empire which he belongs to. Or the benefit he is getting from this project has blinded him. I wonder if Keating is still responsible the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia. Because he neither criticized the aggression against the Somaliland territory nor requested the cessation of the hostility between the defender and the aggressor, Somaliland and Somalia respectively. This is a clear indication that he is part of the problem and upset about what happened to his favorite squad as they lost the battlefield. This is true when we see how he masked his face and the role of his office within the press release from what he described as the “Somalia Partners”. Concealing the role of SRSG is an indication that he and his office aren’t neutral to what is happening between this great nation (Somaliland) and the war and terror-infested Somalia. It is unfortunate to see that Somalia has become the victim of Keating and his colleagues who neither has an interest to restore peace and stability nor ending the prolonged conflict and crisis of Somalia. I want to tell you Mr. Keating that we aren’t a ghost, we are great people who have a great country called Somaliland, but, I assure you that defending our country and its territorial integrity is an obligation not an option until the last person is lost.Nasir M. Ali The opinion expressed here does not necessarily reflect to any institution rather it is my personal view and impression. Nasir M Ali PhD Candidate

A soldier of Somalia’s breakaway territory of Somaliland stands guard during an Independence day celebration parade in the capital, Hargeisa on May 18, 2016. / AFP / MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB (Photo credit should read MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/Getty Images) HARGEISA, Somaliland — How do you root out a ruthless terror group? How do you anticipate its every move, counter its indoctrination campaigns, occupy its territory and deprive it of the air it breathes? “I was contemplating these questions while standing in the inner courtyard of the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, when the man who knew the answers walked up to me and introduced himself. “I am Ali Waran Ade, the lionkeeper of Somaliland,” he said. Waran Ade received that name because of the lions he owns. He keeps them in his farm by the dry river bed in the east of the city. A few years ago, one escaped and killed a woman at the livestock market in the capital. Gray-haired and gray-bearded, Waran Ade is a security adviser to Muse Bihi Abdi — the recently elected president of the self-declared independent republic that broke away from Somalia in the early 1990s. But Waran Ade has also served as interior minister under three of Abdi’s predecessors. No one knows better than him the underworld in which the terror group al-Shabab likes to operate. The group has wreaked terrible violence in neighboring Somalia, where it basks in an aura of invincibility that has eluded al-Qaeda and ISIS. The United States-led international contingent in Somalia seems impotent against them. After years of conflict, al-Shabab continues to operate with impunity in Mogadishu, where the government and foreign aid workers keep to a small cordoned-off area. And yet, in Somaliland, al-Shabab has no presence — even though part of its leadership originally came from Hargeisa. So how has this small, impoverished, internationally unrecognized state on the Gulf of Aden succeeded where everyone else has failed? What does it know that everyone else is unable to understand? The old lionkeeper knows the answer — but it’s not what you’d think. Yes, his efforts and those of the interior ministry are important. Security consumes almost half the state budget, the borders with Somalia are carefully guarded, and more than a few dangerous characters have disappeared into state prisons. But credit for Somaliland’s success doesn’t belong to the security services, Waran Ade told me. It belongs to the people. No security service can know everything its enemies are up to, but the people are everywhere. They know everything, hear everything, spy on everything. Only the people can become one with the people. I am told numerous stories to illustrate the point. Once, two old ladies near the Ethiopian border spotted a group of young men carrying weapons; they immediately reported them to the police. Even mothers are not above reporting their sons if they see a call from Mogadishu registered on their cell phones. Thirty years ago, in a drawn out civil war with Somalia, Hargeisa was razed to the ground. Everyone in the region is willing to pay any price to preserve what has since been built: an open democracy and a thriving new landscape of small businesses filling every street in the capital. Life feels so safe now that local merchants in the bazaar leave their piles of shilling — inflation is a problem — unattended when they go to pray in the nearby grand mosque. Democracy in Somaliland is a living organism, not a system built after foreign invasions, erected according to the prescriptions of think tanks and political consultants. It is old — much older than its European cousins, lost in a distant past of nomadic freedom and independence. And it is built on the foundations of a clan system which, far from subjugating the individual to archaic traditions, actually gives him or her the power to stand up to the state and preserve its limits. Somaliland is the only place in the Horn of Africa where the clans have survived intact. The British colonial presence was very light, and for the past few decades the country has lived in isolation. In Somalia, the clans were uprooted by the Italian occupiers and now resemble political cliques. A young man in Somalia is easy prey for al-Shabab. His social status is given an enormous boost if he joins the group. He will be given a cell phone, a monthly salary and a pick of beautiful women, who are coerced into marriage. If he says no, he will have to pay a tax or offer his services for free. And if he says no again, he is killed. In Somaliland, a young man who is found out to have any connection to al-Shabab will have to run away and remain a fugitive all his life. His clan will make sure of that, because the association will be a stain on the honor of the whole clan. To be a clan member is to be able to recite one’s ancestors 20 or 30 generations back. The system links everyone to the past. As someone told me, people in Somaliland feel sorry for Europeans, who are alone in the world and have to drag themselves through life without present or past. So picture this: two formidable political creatures. One is a terrorist group more than 10 years old, renowned for cruelty, indiscriminate executions and the power to hold an entire country in its grip. The other is a small state, unrecognized by the international community and so impoverished that its capital is still unable to afford traffic lights. Remarkably, the latter has won the war. Or put it more prudently: It is winning the war. Before I walked in to meet the president, Waran Ade told me that his successor in the ministry had gone to the north to try to put an end to a bloody clan dispute. Regrettably, these things sometimes get out of control. One death is avenged with another and the cycle can go on forever. So the government and the House of Elders — a house of parliament representing the clans — have sent delegations to mediate the conflict. A written document will be signed and peace may perhaps return. And that, Waran Ade told me, is the last part of the secret: Clans are not social clubs, they are not tame and gentle. They can be violent and bloody and fierce. But this is a land of blood and violence. You don’t defeat the devil if you are not fierce yourself, if your blood is not of the same land. Bruno Maçães, a former Europe minister for Portugal, is a senior adviser at Flint Global in London and a nonresident senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington. His book “The Dawn of Eurasia” was published by Penguin in January. Politico Europe Edition

The U.S. wastes blood and treasure propping up Somalia while denying its neighbor’s sovereign aspirations. Why? In 1991, following the collapse of the authoritarian Somali government, the northwestern region of war-torn Somalia became a de-facto republic called Somaliland. Every year on May 18, millions of people take part in Somaliland’s independence rallies. Though Somaliland is imperfect, it has all of the attributes of a functioning nation: a legitimate political order that has the consent of the people, a court system that enforces the rule of law, a security force protecting its people and denying sanctuary for terrorists, and a political process to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. In fact, last November, Somaliland had a free and credible presidential election, as certified by international observers. Yet 27 years after declaring independence, Somaliland still struggles to be recognized as a member of international community, or even acknowledged for its transformation into a fledging democratic country in the Horn of Africa. The problem for Somaliland, which has plenty of valid reasons to be considered a sovereign state, has to do with the politics of accepting new states into Africa. The African Union (AU), run by despotic regimes, has an unjust veto over Somaliland independence. The AU charter prohibits changing Africa’s borders that were inherited from the colonial powers. However, the African Union’s argument to deny Somaliland sovereignty is not valid because Somaliland was an independent state in 1960 before Somalia was. It had defined colonial borders that were established at the time of independence. The 4 million Somaliland people made their voices clear in a May 2001 referendum. Thousands drove or walked miles to polling stations, stood patiently in the scorching sun, and voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence. In contrast, the Somali government that the United States recognizes is riddled with corruption, and is struggling to govern, protect its people, and deliver basic services. It does not have support among ordinary Somalis. Its top leadership is constantly fighting over factional interests and the spoils of foreign aid. Without the support of African Union troops it would collapse. Despite billions in foreign aid, U.S. counter-terrorism efforts, and some 22,000 AU troops, Somalia is still unstable and dangerous. Many African and UN soldiers, including U.S. Rangers and Delta soldiers, have lost their lives to bring peace and order to that sad country. Senator Jack Reed, top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, recently assessed that “not much has changed about Somalia’s prospect for long-term stability” since he first visited 25 years ago, after a trip to Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, last March. The reason Somalia remains ungovernable is that its governance is a racket and a fraud. Its power-hungry politicians, businessmen, elders, and even clergy are mostly corrupt, profiting from human disasters and promoting chaos and manufactured political crises to serve their narrow self-interest. In fact, America’s aid is inadvertently maintaining the culture of impunity and predation that prevails in Mogadishu. As long as the U.S. and others are rewarding bad actors—entrenched rivals clans and warlords—and cajoling with terrorists, defeating al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda’s affiliate group, and securing peace in Somalia will remain elusive. The United States treats Somalia as a sovereign country, as though United Nations body membership somehow confers legitimacy. Yet democratic Somaliland, which manages its own affairs, is regarded as a pariah state. Somaliland’s biggest challenges are its economy, dilapidated infrastructure, rudimentary health care system, and recurring droughts due to climate change, which have decimated its livestock. It has been sustained by the export of mutton and sheep to the Middle East, and the remittance of the diaspora in North America and Europe. Yet with its legal status uncertain, those who might invest and develop Somaliland’s resources—such as fishing, mining, oil, and agriculture—are not able to do so. Somaliland’s economy did receive a huge boost after the Dubai-based DP World, one of the globe’s largest seaport management companies, agreed to invest $442 million to expand the deep sea port of Berbera on the Gulf of Aden, a busy shipping lane. This will develop a free-trade zone in Berbera modeled on the one in Dubai’s Jebel Ali. The new project will also help landlocked Ethiopia, the region’s largest economy, get alternate access to shipping lanes. So far, DP World’s investment is the largest single foreign investment Somaliland has received. Instead of dictating Somaliland’s political outcome and risking more American lives and treasure, the U.S. should use its diplomatic muscle to broker a negotiated settlement between Somaliland and Somalia, to end the legal fiction that the former is part of the latter. I believe the only viable solution is an independent, democratic, free Somaliland trading with its neighbors, and helping maintain peace and stability in a region crippled with violence, despotism, and terror. For the rest of Somalia, the best hope is for the international community to unite behind Turkey and others who want to bring peace and order to that troubled country. Most Somalis in south Somalia trust Turkey: unlike their nation’s self-interested neighbors, it has no territorial ambition on Somalia, has significantly contributed to the security and rebuilding of their country, and has operated a vast military base and a port in Mogadishu. I have no doubt these corrective actions alone will not end Somalia’s tragedy. But keeping the status quo will only lead more terrorism, chaos, and disintegration. It will also deny Somaliland’s people a chance to control their own political destiny. Ali Mohamed is the founder and editor of Gubanmedia.com, an independent online source of news and commentary covering the Horn of Africa region. He can be reached at aliadm18 at gmail dot com. The American Conservative

Communities in the coastal areas of Somaliland and major portions of Awdal district, as well as some coastal communities in Puntland are still reeling from the impact of tropical cyclone Sagar. The cyclone, one of the strongest storms ever recorded in Somalia, left an entire year’s worth of rain in a matter of hours, according to SWALIM. It left in its trail death, floods and strong winds, as well as the destruction of farmland and infrastructure. Thousands of livestock were killed and civilians displaced. The impact of the cyclone has affected communities that were still recovering from prolonged drought. Somaliland’s Lughaya, Zeylac and Baki districts, in Awdal region, bore the brunt of the impact; some 51 villages in five districts were affected overall. The disaster management authority, NADFOR, estimates that 49 people were killed and 70 others are still missing. Nearly 168,000 people were directly affected. Some 277 hectares of land have been destroyed in the affected villages. Key infrastructure, including roads, fishing boats, medical facilities, boreholes and water wells were damaged. Over 80 per cent of community shelters have been destroyed and 33 schools were affected. Priority needs include food, WASH, health services, shelter and non-food items. The heavy rains and disturbance of tracks have hindered humanitarians’ ability to access some affected areas. In Puntland, flash floods in Bari left three people dead and damaged the road linking the town of Bossaso to areas in the south. Humanitarians have reported that 3,600 families were affected. The worst-affected areas include the coastal towns of Bareeda, Caluula, Gumbax, Murcanyo, Xaabo and some parts of Qandala. Houses and fishing boats were washed away. Agricultural land was also swamped. Access to most of the affected areas is a challenge. Another tropical storm, Cyclone Mekunu, formed in the northern Indian Ocean on 21 May but did not cause much damage in the coastal areas of the Bari region of Puntland where it was felt. Meanwhile, armed clashes in Tukaraq town in Sool region have displaced nearly 2,500 households. This, is compounding the humanitarian situation and further hampering assistance. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Baydhabo (PP) ─ Madaxweynaha Somalia Maxamed C/llaahi Farmaajo ayaa goor-dhaw Baydhabo ka furay shirka Golaha Amniga Qaranka oo ay ka qayb-galaan madaxda dalka, Maamul-goboleedyada, wasiirro ka tirsan xukuumadda iyo maamulka gobolka Banaadir. Tan iyo saakay waxaa socday kulammo gaar ah oo ay yeelayeen guddi gaar ah oo u gogol-xaarayay ajandayaasha shirka looga hadlayya, waxaase ugu dambeyn uu Madaxweynuhu shirkan furay duhurnimadii maanta. Qodobbada shirkan looga hadli doono ayaa waxaa ka mid ah; Amniga Dalka, Hanaanka doorashooyinka 2020-ka, Federaaleynta, isku-dhafka Ciidamada, Tayeynta Dastuurka iyo Qodobo kale oo ay ku jirto dagaalka ka dhanka ah Al-shabaab. Sidoo kale, Shirkan ayaa noqonaya kii ugu adkaa ee ay isugu yimaadaan Golaha Amniga Qaranka oo ay xubno ka yihiin Madaxda dowladda Somalia, kuwa maamul-goboleedyada iyo Hoggaanka Gobolka Banaadir. Dhanka kale, Arrinta ay diiradda saari doonaan madaxda shirkaan ka qayb-galaya oo xilligan xurguf siyaasadeed u dhaxeyso ayaa noqonaysa sidii ay u mideyn lahaayeen ciidamada dowladda Somalia, si Al-shabaab looga saaro dhammaan dalka oo dhan. Ugu dambeyn, Shirkan ayaa loo diiday inay saxaafaddu ka qayb-gasho, taas oo keentay inay si aad ah wariyeyaashu uga cawdaan sida madaxda shirkan ka qayb-galaya ay ula dhaqmeen. PUNTLAND POST The post Madaxweynaha Soomaaliya oo Furay Shirka Amniga Qaranka ee lagu Qabanayo Baydhabo appeared first on Puntland Post.

Dimishiiq (PP) ─ Madaxweynaha Dalka Suuriya, Bashaar Al-Asad ayaa la qorsheynayaa inuu booqasho rasmi ah ku tago Dalka Waqooyiga Kuuriya, sida ay xaqiijiyay Wakaalada Wararka ee Waqooyiga. Tani ayaa noqon doonta markii u horeysay ee Hoggaamiyaha Waqooyiga Kuuriya Kim Jong-un uu Madax dowladeed marti geliyo, tan iyo markii uu awooda la wareegay sanadkii 2011. Hoggaamiyaha Waqooyiga Kuuriya ayaa muddooyinkii u dambeeyay qaaday tallaabooyin siyaasadeed, isagoo la kulmay Madaxweynayaasha Shiinaha iyo Koofur Kuuriya, waxaana la filayaa in bishan uu la kulmo Donald Trump. Suuriya iyo Waqooyiga Kuuriya ayaa ah xulufo, waxaana horay labada dal lagu eedeeyay inay iska kaashadaan hubka kiimikada, balse waa ay beeniyeen. Illaa hadda wax waqti ah lama sheegin booqashada Madaxweyne Assad ku tagao Waqooyiga Kuuriya, sidoo kale wax war ah kama soo bixin Waqooyiga oo ku aadan xilliga la qorsheeyay. Balse, Madaxweyne Assad oo Arbacadii waraaqaha aqoonsiga ee Safiirnimo ka guddoomay Safiirka cusub ee Waqooyiga Kuuriya Amb. Mun Jong-nam ayaa laga soo xigtay inuu doonayo inuu la kulmo Kim Jong-un. Madaxweynaha Suuriya ayaa dhowr jeer oo hore booqasho ku tagay dalka Ruushka oo ay xulufo yihiin, tan iyo markii sanadkii 2011-kii uu bilowday dagaalada sokeeye ee Suuriya. Ugu dambeyn, Xiriirka u dhaxeeya labada dal ayaa soo bilowday sanadkii 1966, waxaana horay ciidamo iyo hub ugu dirtay xilligii uu socday dagaalkii Carabta iyo Israa’iil sanadkii 1973-kii. PUNTLAND POST The post Madaxweynaha Dalka Suuriya oo lagu wado inuu dhawaan booqdo Waqooyiga Kuuriya appeared first on Puntland Post.

KSrelief distribution of Ramadan food baskets in Somaliland King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) distributed in the 13th day of the holy month of Ramadan 900 Ramadan food baskets in the province of Einya, Somaliland, benefiting 5400 displaced people who came to the directorate because of the drought, which caused a severe shortage of food. This distribution comes within the framework of humanitarian projects being implemented by KSrelief to support all needy countries, including those affected by drought in Somaliland. SPA

Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab on Sunday killed six traders and burnt eleven trucks which were carrying food to Hudur town, the headquarters of Bakool region in southwestern Somalia, a local official has said. Source: Hiiraan Online

Muqdisho (Caasimadda Online) – Nin meyd ah oo la garan waayay ayaa maanta lagu arkay Xaafada Maxfalka degmada Shibis ee gobolka Banaadir. Warar kala duwan ee soo baxaya ayaa sheegaya in Ninka meydka ah ee la garan waayay uu asaga is dilay, halka warar kalane ay tilmaamayaan in la dilay Ninkaas meydka ah. Dad deris la ah Odaygaas ayaa waxa ay sheegeen in saakay Waaberigii Odaygaas lagu dhex arkay gurigiisa isaga oo qoorta ugu jiro Xarig uu isku-daldalay,iyaga oo Magaciisa ku soo koobay Showki,kaas oo da’diisa lagu qiyaasay 50 jir Meydka marxuumka la garan waayay ayaa la geeyay xarunta laanta dambi baarista CID-da ee magaalada Muqdisho. Dad goobjoogayaal ah oo la hadlay Idaacada Kulmiye ayaa sheegay in arintaan ay ku abuurtay argagax iyo cabsi xoogan. Masuuliyiin ka tirisan Maamulka degmada Shibis ayaa waxa ay sheegeen in Ninkaas uu dhawaan ka yimid dalka Sweden, isla markaana sababta ugu weyn uu isku-daldalay ay tahay arrimo Qoys oo heystay. Dhacdooyinka noocan oo kale ah ayaa ah kuwo naadir ku ah dalka balse sanadihii u dambeeyey lagu arkay qeybo badan oo ka mid ah Gobolada dalka Soomaaliya. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

Garoowe (Caasimadda Online) – War kasoo baxay taliska Ciidamada Amaanka Puntland (PSF) ayaa lagu soo bandhigay sawirada meydadka la sheegay inay yihiin maleeshiyaadkii Alshabaab ee weerarka gaadmada ah ku qaaday saldhig ciidanka badda Puntland (PMPF) ay ku leeyihiin deegaanka Bali Khadar ee buuraha Galgala. Saraakiisha ciidanka PSF ayaa hore u sheegay inay dilleen 41 ka mid ah kooxda Alshabab kadib markii dagaal dagaal rogaal celin ah uga daba tageen maleeshiyaadkii Alshabab ee habeen horre soo weerarey saldhigooda degaanka Bali Khadar. Meydadka sawirrada iyo muuqaallada ka muuqda ayaa ka yar tirada ay ciidamada Puntnad sheegeen inay ka dileen kooxda Alshabaab ee ka howlgasha buuraha Galgala, iyadoo aanay jirin cid dhexdhexaad ah oo xajiijisay arrintan.

Hargeysa (Caasimada Online)- Qaar kamid ah Wargeysyada caanka ah ee kasoo baxa magaalada Hargeysa ee xarunta maamulka Somaliland ayaa qoray in Dowlada Somalia ay Hub ka dajisay magaalada Garoowe ee xarunta maamulka Puntland. Hubkaan ayaa la sheegay in Garoonka Aadan Cadde ee magaalada Muqdisho looga raray Diyaarad khaas ah isla markaana laga dajiyay Garoonka magaalada Garoowe toddobaadkii dhammaaday. Wargeyska Geeska Afrika oo kamid ah kuwa ugu afka dheer ee kasoo baxa deegaanada Somaliland, ayaa sheegay in Hubka markiisa hore ay Dowlada Somalia ka gudoontay Dowlada Sacuudiga oo bilihii ugu danbeeyay uu xiriir wanaagsan kala dhexeeyay Somalia. Hubka oo noocyo badan ka koobnaa ayuu Wargeesku qoray in Garoonka Garoowe laga dajiyay toddobaadkii dhammaaday xili barqo aheyd, iyadoo mudada Hubkaasi uu dagaayay hakat la galiyay isku socodka Garoonka waxaana gabi ahaan diyaarada isku gadaamay ciidamo aad u hubeysnaa, sida uu qoray Geeska Afrika Diyaaradan oo laga ilaaliyay in dadka shacabka ahi u dhawaadan markii shixnada hubka ah laga dejinaayay ayaa waxa la sheegay in hubkaasi yahay hub uu Sucuudigu siiyay dawladda Soomaaliya, oo ay dawladda Soomaaliyana deeq u siisay maamulka Puntland. Ujeedka Hubka laguma sheegin mid loogu tallo galay in Puntland ay kula dagaalanto maamulka Somaliland iyo in lagu bixiyay taageero, hase ahaatee uu Hubkaasi gaaray Puntland. Dowladaha Somalia iyo Sacuudiga ayaa horay u wada galay Heshiis ah in Sucuudigu hub ku taageero Somalia si loola dagaalamo xagjiriinta al-Shabaab waxa uuna Heshiiskaasi dhexmaray Dowladii hore ee uu hogaaminaayay Xasan Sheekh iyo Dowlada Sacuudiga. Hoggaamiyaha maamulka Somaliland Muuse Biixi Cabdi, ayaa horaanta asbuuci tagay muddo dhowr jeer ku celcelshay in Madaxweyne Maxamed Cabdullahi Farmaajo taageero u muujiyay maamulka Puntland, hase ahaatee Dowlada Somalia ayaa iska fogeysay eedaasi. Dhinaca kale, Madaxweyne Maxamed Cabdullahi Farmaajo, ayaa dhankiisa marar kala duwan ku baaqay in si dhaqsi ah lagu joojiyo dagaalka Tukaraq ee u dhexeeya maamulada Somaliland iyo Puntland. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Hargeysa Caasimada@live.com

Baydhabo (Caasimada Online)- Qaraxyo kala duwan ayaa bishii May 2018 ee lasoo dhaafay ka dhacay magaalada Muqdisho ee caasimada Somalia. Qaraxyadan oo khasaaro kala duwan geystay ayaa galaaftay nolosha muwaadiniin aan waxba galabsan. Qaraxyada Bishii May ka dhacay Muqdisho ayaa tirro ahaan ka yar Qaraxyadii dhacay bishii kasii horeysay, waxaana xusid mudan in Qaraxyada dhacay May ay yihiin 11 Qarax. Qaraxyada dhacay Bishii May 2018 ayaa u badnaa kuwa lagu xiro gaadiidka raaxada oo ay leeyihiin shaqaalaha iyo ciidamada dowlada. HOOS KA AKHRISO QARAXYADA BISHII MAY 2018 KA DHACAY MUQDISHO: 1-May 4, 2018, Maleeshiyaad ka tirsan al-shabaab ayaa Bam gacmeedyo ku weeraray Saldhiga degmada Wadajir ee gobolka Banaadir oo ay ku sugan yihiin Ciidamo ka tirsan kuwa Booliska Soomaaliya, waxaana ka dhashay Khasaaro kala duwan. 2-May 6, 2018, Qarax Gaari lagu xiray ayaa waxa uu ka dhacay meel aan ka fogeyn Isgoyska Maana booliyo ee Gobolka Banaadir, waxaana loogu xiray Xubin ka tirsan Jaaliyada Yemeniinta ee jooga Muqdisho, kaa oo lagu magacaabi jiray Cabdala Axmed Cabdala Sheekh Nuur ‘’Codey’’oo geeriyooday. 3- May 8,2018, Maleeshiyada al-Shabaab ayaa Hoobiyayaal ku weeraray Xarunta Xisbiga ee Degmada Wardhiigley oo hadda Xarun ciidan u ah Ciidamada NISA iyo kuwa Xasilinta Caasimada. 4- May 12, 2018, Maleeshiyada Alshabaab ayaa weerar Hoobiyayaal ah ku qaaday Saldhiga uu Turkiga ku leeyahay duleedka magaalada Muqdisho. 5- May 16, 2018, Maleeshiyaad ka tirsan al-Shabaab ayaa Bamgacmeed ku weeraray Guriga Guddoomiyihii hore ee degmada Hawlwadaag Maxamed Abuukar Jacfar. 6- May 16, 2018, Maleeshiyaad ka tirsan al-Shabaab ayaa Bam gacmeed ku weeraray Xarunta Degmada Waaberi ee Gobolka Banaadir, waxaana ka dhashay Khasaaro kala duwan. 7- May 19, 2018, Qarax lagu xiray Gaari ayaa waxa uu ka dhacay Degmada Wadajir, gaar ahaan Xaafada loo yaqaan Tarabuush, waxaana gaariga loogu xiray Sarkaal sare oo katirsan Ciidanka uu Tababaro Mareykanka ee loo yaqaano Bangraft, kaa oo lagu magacaabi jiray Cali Maxamed Cadoow (Cali Raage), oo u dhintay dhaawac soo gaaray. 8- May 21, 2018, Maleeshiyada al-Shabaab ayaa Qarax nooca dhulka lagu aaso waxa ay la eegteen gari ay wateen Ciidamo ka tirsan kuwa dowladda xilli uu marayey meel u dhow Isgoyska Ex-koontorool Afgooye ee Magalada Muqdisho. 9- May 28, 2018, Qarax lagu soo xiray Gaari nooca raaxada ah oo uu watay Askari ka tirsanaa dowlada ayaa waxa uu ka dhacay isgooska Maana booliyo degmada Shibis ee gobolkan Banaadir, waxaana ka badbaaday Askariga wadaha ahaa. 10- May 28, 2018, Maleeshiyaad ka tirsanaa al-Shabaab ayaa Bam gacmeedyo ku weeraray Xarunta Wasaarada Gaashandhiga xili halkaa ay ku sugnaayeen Saraakiil ciidan, waxaana Bambooyinka lagu dhuftay Koontaroolka laga galo Xarunta. 11- May 29, 2018, Maleeshiyaad ka tirsanaa al-Shabaab ayaa Bam gacmeedyo ku weeraray ciidamo ka tirsanaa Xasilinta oo ka howlgalaayay Carwo Iidka oo ku dhaw isgoyska Baar-ubax ee Gobolka Banaadir. Si kastaba ha ahaatee, Qaraxyada ka dhaca magaalada Muqdisho ayaa intooda badan lala eegtaa Gaadiidka dowlada iyo kuwa shaqaalaha, waxa ayna u badan yihiin Bam gacmeedyo iyo kuwa lagu xiro gaadiidka. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Baydhabo Caasimada@live.com

Beledweyne (Caasimada Online)-Wararka naga soo gaaraya magaalada Beledweyne ee xarunta Gobolka Hiiraan ayaa sheegaya in Maleeshiyaad ka tirsan al-Shabaab ay toogasho ku dileen Lix ruux oo ganacsato caana ay ku jiraan. Maleeshiyada ayaa dilka kadib gubay 11 gaadiid xamuul ah oo ka anbabaxay magalada Beledweyne kuna sii jeeday degmada Xudur ee gobolka Bakool. Gaadiidkan ayaa la gubay xili ay marayeen inta u dhaxeysa Xudur iyo deegaanka Qurac Joome, iyadoo maleeshiyadu ay ku qabsatay weerar la sheegay inuu ahaa dhabagal. Mid kamid ah Ganacsatada ay u rarnaayeen Gaadiidka ayaa xaqiijiyay in 2 kamid ah gadiidka waddada loo galay ay dib ugu soo laabteen magaalada Beledweyne, iyadoo sidoo kale dab la qabadsiiyay 11 kale oo ay wada socdeen kuwa ay dabka qabadsiiyeen al-Shabaabka. Lixda ruux ee la dilay marka laga soo tago dadkii kala ee la socday gadiidkan xamuulka ah ayaa la sheegay inay u firxadeen dhulka howdka ah ee ka agdhaw halka uu weerarku ka dhacay. Ganacsato caan ka ah deegaanka Xudur ayuu sheegay inay ku jireen kuwa furxaday iyo kuwa la dilay. Sidoo kale, Gaadiidka la gubay oo noocooda ahaa kuwa xamuulka ee waaweyn ayaa waday allaabo u rarnaa qaar kamid ah Ganacsatada Xudur. Dhinaca kale, Saraakiisha amaanka maamulka Hiiraan ayaa sheegay in la baadi-goobayo ragga ku firxaday Howdka ee la socday gaadiidka. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Beledweyne Caasimada@live.com

Tunisia’s Defense Ministry says at least 46 migrants have died after their boat sank off the country’s southern coast and 67 others were rescued by the coast guard on Sunday. The rescue operation was ongoing, the ministry said in a statement. The migrants were of Tunisian and other nationalities. In a separate incident, nine people, including six children, died Sunday after a speedboat carrying 15 refugees sank off the coast of Turkey’s southern province of Antalya, the Turkish coast guard said in a statement. Reducing the flow of migrants into Italy is one of the aims of the anti-immigrant League party in Italy and its leader Matteo Salvini, who was sworn in as the country’s new interior minister on Friday. Salvini and his party have promised to block the arrival of boat migrants from Africa and to deport up to 100,000 illegal immigrants per year. “Italy and Sicily cannot be Europe’s refugee camp,” he told a crowd of supporters in the port town of Pozzallo, a migration hotspot. “Nobody will take away my certainty that illegal immigration is a business… and seeing people make money on children who go on to die makes me furious.” Meanwhile, Spain’s maritime rescue service said it rescued 240 people, with one person apparently drowning, while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa. The service said it rescued the migrants from 11 small boats attempting the perilous crossing from African shores to Spain between Saturday and Sunday. The International Organization for Migration, the U.N. agency for migration, reported last week that 30,300 migrants and refugees entered Europe via sea in the first 147 days of 2018. The arrivals are at this point in 2018 less than half those seen last year and less than 15 percent of those seen in 2016 at the same point. IOM had reported 69,219 refugees had arrived from January through May in 2017 and 198,346 during the same period in 2016. IOM said 655 people have lost their lives at sea since the beginning of 2018, at least 1,000 fewer than the recorded deaths in the same period last year. Source: – VOA

The world should stand up to Washington’s bullying behavior, Iran’s foreign minister was quoted as saying on Sunday by state media in a letter to counterparts, as the top diplomat intensifies efforts to save a nuclear deal after a U.S. exit. U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out last month from the 2015 accord between Iran and world powers that lifted sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs to its nuclear program. The remaining signatories of the deal – France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China – still see the international accord as the best chance of stopping Tehran developing a nuclear weapon and are trying to salvage it. In a letter from Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to his counterparts last week, he asked “the remaining signatories and other trade partners” to “make up for Iran’s losses” caused by the U.S. exit, if they sought to save the deal. “The JCPOA (nuclear deal) does not belong to its signatories, so one party can reject it based on domestic policies or political differences with a former ruling administration,” Zarif was quoted as saying in the letter, parts of which were published by the state news agency IRNA on Sunday. The nuclear deal was the result of “meticulous, sensitive and balanced multilateral talks”, Zarif said, and could not be renegotiated as the United States has demanded. He said U.S. “illegal withdrawal” from the deal and its “bullying methods to bring other governments in line” with that decision have discredited the rule of law in international arena. Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has set out a series of conditions on for European powers if they want Tehran to stay in the nuclear deal, including steps to safeguard trade with Tehran and guarantee Iranian oil sales. The remaining parties to the nuclear deal have warned the United States that its decision to withdraw from the pact jeopardizes efforts to limit Iran’s ability to develop atomic weapons. Trump abandoned the agreement on May 8, arguing that he wanted a bigger deal that not only limited Iran’s atomic work but also reined in its support for proxies in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon and that curbed its ballistic missile program. Source: – Reuters

North Korea’s top three military officials have been removed from their posts, a senior U.S. official said on Sunday, as U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un prepare to meet on June 12 in Singapore. The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was commenting on a report by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency that all three of the North’s top military officials were believed to have been replaced. Trump on Friday revived the summit after cancelling it a week earlier. The United States is seeking a negotiated end to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. U.S. officials believe there was some dissension in the military about Kim’s approaches to South Korea and the United States. The U.S. official did not identify the three military officials. Yonhap identified them as defence chief Pak Yong Sik; Ri Myong Su, chief of the Korean People’s Army’s (KPA) general staff; and Kim Jong Gak, director of the KPA’s General Political Bureau. Trump wants North Korea to “denuclearize,” meaning to get rid of its nuclear arsenal, in return for relief from economic sanctions. North Korea’s leadership is believed to regard nuclear weapons as crucial to its survival. Citing an unnamed intelligence official, Yonhap said No Kwang Chol, first vice minister of the Ministry of People’s Armed Forces, had replaced Pak Yong Sik as defence chief, while Ri Myong Su was replaced by his deputy, Ri Yong Gil. The White House, State Department, CIA and Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to requests for official comment. South Korea’s unification and defence ministries declined to confirm the report, while an official at the Unification Ministry said the government was watching the leadership situation in the North very closely. All of the newly promoted officials are younger than their predecessors, according to Yonhap, especially Ri Yong Gil, 63, who is 21 years younger than Ri Myong Su. “This points to two things: the consolidation of Kim Jong Un’s power as the sole leader of North Korea and strengthened cooperation between the North’s party and military as the country works towards further economic development,” said Yang Moo-jin, professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. “They’re all young but capable people,” Yang added. Army General Kim Su Gil’s replacement of Kim Jong Gak as director of the KPA’s General Political Bureau was confirmed in a North Korean state media report last month when Kim Su Gil accompanied North Korea’s Kim Jong Un on a field guidance trip to a beach tourist zone with other officials. Lower-level U.S.-North Korean talks to prepare for the summit are continuing but have made only “halting progress,” according to a second U.S. official briefed on the discussions. That official said U.S. negotiators’ efforts to press for definitions of immediate, comprehensive, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation by North Korea had run into opposition from the White House. In a remarkable shift in tone eight days after cancelling the summit, citing Pyongyang’s “open hostility,” Trump welcomed North Korea’s former intelligence chief, Kim Yong Chol, to the White House on Friday, afterward exchanging smiles and handshakes. Source: – Reuters

Relatives of people who have disappeared mysteriously in the border town of Liboi, Garissa, have asked the government to locate their whereabouts. The residents, who claimed their loved ones were picked by people identifying themselves as police officers, also accused the government of being involved in the disappearances. They said their loved ones are yet to be traced despite numerous attempt to locate them. At least 14 people have gone missing in a span of one year. Liboi is 18km from the Kenya- Somalia border. Residents at the porous border told Nation they are caught between a rock and a hard place since they are neither safe from terror groups nor security agencies. ROADSIDE ATTACKS The town has witnessed roadside attacks targeting security officers, with assailants escaping to the neighbouring Somalia. Some of the relatives said the government should release their loved ones or charge them in court if they are suspected to have committed any criminal offence. The following are the missing persons, according to relatives: Sheikh Abdullahi Mohamed Yussuf A prominent cleric and imam of a mosque in Liboi. He is also a head teacher of madrasa in the town. According to his wife Uwah Bundid, the cleric was picked up at the mosque while waiting for breakfast with two others in a Land Cruiser by people who identified themselves as police. The two were, however, released although their mobile phones were confiscated. “He was a religious man. He has never done anything that violates the laws of this land. He had not wronged anyone. We must be told where he is and whether he is safe,” she said on Sunday. Mohamed Salat Hassan According to his father, Mr Salat Hassan, masked men broke into his son’s house, beat up his wife and ordered him to board a Land Cruiser before vanishing in the dark on May 6. He said his son’s case was unique since he was earlier kidnapped by Al-Shabab militants, who accused him and seven others of being government informers. Four of his colleagues were killed while three of them escaped. “If Al-Shabab kidnapped him and nearly killed him, how can he again be accused of being one of them? It pains me seeing his children suffer as the whereabouts of their father remain unknown,” he said amid tears. Abdullahi Murshid Iman According to Mr Murshid Iman, his son, who was a conductor in Garissa, was picked at his work station. The father of three, he said, has been missing for a year. “We believe the security agencies are behind my son’s disappearance. I want to be told whether he is alive of dead,” he said on Sunday. Also missing is Farah Yussuf, Dekow Mohamed Khalif, Noor Abdullahi, Sahal, Hussein Jamaa among others. Local leaders said the cases of mysterious disappearances hinder the fight against terrorism due to mistrust between security agencies and locals. Source: Daily Nation