ISTANBUL–Ethiopia inaugurated its consulate general offices in Istanbul in a ceremony on Thursday. Delivering an opening and welcome speech during the ceremony, Consul General Wondimu Gezahegn said Ethiopia and Turkey had a longstanding relationship of more than a hundred years. “The diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia and Turkey began in 1896 with the exchange of delegates, during the rule of Sultan Abdulhamid II and the Emperor of Ethiopia Menelik II,” Gezahegn said. He said this symbolic relationship had grown through high-level visit exchanges, outbound Turkish investment to Ethiopia, as well as through trade volume and technical cooperation, particularly in human resources development. Ethiopia is located in East Africa, with a population of 100 million. It is one of the world’s fastest growing economies, according to the IMF. Turkey and Ethiopia are key economic partners in many areas. Trade cooperation between the two countries is on the rise. Turkish firms continue to invest in various sectors in the country. “If you look at the Turkish investment in Ethiopia, currently more than 165 Turkish companies with a capital of more than $2.5 billion are investing in Ethiopia. And some others are in the process,” Gezahegn said. Fight against FETO The consul general said the office in Istanbul was opened to respond to a request of Turkish companies, Ethiopian business travelers as well as Ethiopian nationals residing in Turkey. “I candidly would like to extend my invitation to all Turkish businesses, communities, to which my country is opening its arms and [stands] ready to welcome you to do business together in all sectors[…],” Gezahegn added. The consulate general office will also provide visa services for all Turkish citizens. Former Turkish Ambassador to Kuwait Salih Murat Tamer also delivered a speech during the ceremony, thanking the Ethiopian government for supporting Turkey’s fight against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO). Tamer said Addis Ababa had handed over the FETO-linked schools to Turkey’s Maarif Foundation. The foundation was established in 2016 to take over the administration of overseas schools linked to FETO. It also establishes schools and education centers abroad. To date around 30 African countries have handed over FETO schools to Maarif or closed them at Ankara’s request. FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured. Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary. FETO also has a considerable presence outside Turkey, including private educational institutions that serve as a revenue stream for the terrorist group. AA

In early October a federal policeman stands guard between the Oromo regional flag (left) and Ethiopia’s national flag at the ceremony marking the opening of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway. Credit: James Jeffrey/IPS ADDIS ABABA, Jan 26 2018 (IPS) – Ethiopia’s most notorious prison lurks within the capital’s atmospheric Piazza, the city’s old quarter popular for its party scene at the weekend when the neon signs, loud discos and merry abandon at night continue into the early hours of the morning. The troubling contrast is one of many in this land of often painful contradictions. The Ethiopian Federal Police Force Central Bureau of Criminal Investigation, more commonly known by its Amharic name of Maekelawi, has for decades been associated with torture and police brutality—a symbol of the dark underside of the authoritarian nature of the so-called Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The EPRDF has long been criticised for using draconian anti-terrorism charges to detain political prisoners, and then in true Orwellian fashion arguing those charges mean there are no political prisoners in Ethiopia. But this January 3, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced the government would close the detention centre and release prisoners, including those from political parties. An unprecedented action by a government not known for compromise rather for its stubborn intransigence to criticism of its oppressive methods, it took most by surprise, resulting in guarded praise from even the government’s staunchest critics such as international human rights organisations. Since the announcement, though, subsequent proclamations from the government have muddied the issue and led many to question the government’s sincerity amid general confusion on all sides regarding the practicalities and terms of prisoner release. What most observers seem more sure of is that the episode illustrates the speed and scale of change occurring among the four parties that constitute the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) party. “The decision was a concession to the very strong demand made by the Oromo People Democratic Organisation (OPDP) which governs the Oromia regional state,” says Awol Allo, an Ethiopian lecturer in law at Keele University in the UK, who can’t return to Ethiopia for fear of arrest. The EPRDF was the brainchild of the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a Marxist-Leninist movement that spearheaded the defeat of Ethiopia’s former military dictatorship the Derg to liberate the Tigray region, whose Tigrayan ethnic group constitute only about 6.5 percent of Ethiopia’s more than 100 million population today. In the final days of Ethiopia’s civil war, the TPLF orchestrated the creation of three satellite parties from other elements of the rebel force: the OPDO, the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), and the Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM) to ostensibly represent their respective ethnic groups but which enabled the TPLF to consolidate its grip on power after the Derg fell in 1991. That grip became vice like over the years—the TPLF dominates business and the economy as well as the country’s military and security apparatus—much to the consternation of Ethiopia’s other ethnic groups, especially the Oromo. Constituting 35 percent of Ethiopia’s population, the Oromo are its largest ethnic group. They also constitute the largest proportion of inmates at Maekelawi and in the rest of country’s federal and regional prisons. This, Allo notes, cannot be explained simply by the numerical size of the Oromo population. “There is a disproportionate and indiscriminate repression of the Oromo because they are suspected to pose a threat by virtue of their status as the single largest ethnic group in the country,” Allo says. That perceived threat has only increased in the government’s eyes—as well as among some of the other ethnic minorities in the country such as the Somali—since November of 2015 when Oromos took to the streets at the start of a protest movement that continues to this day. And since the protesting Oromo were joined by the Amhara in 2016—the two ethnic groups representing 67 percent of the population—the government has had to recognise the depth and scale of anger against it. Hence it is now trying to appease the groundswell of discontent in the country that poses the greatest threat to the country’s stability—perhaps even the survival of the Ethiopian nation state itself—since 1991; the risk of state failure in Ethiopia saw it ranked 15th out of 178 countries—up from 24th in 2016—in the annual Fragile States Index by the Fund for Peace. The problem, though, with such mollifying efforts by the government, as with the current announcement, is they usually don’t go the necessary distance. “The EPRDF has taken responsibility for the political crisis in the country and has apologised for its leadership failures and undemocratic actions,” says Lidetu Ayele, founder of the local opposition Ethiopia Democratic Party. “But it has not accepted the presence of political prisoners in the country. These are contradictory outlooks and a clear manifestation that the ruling party is not ready to make genuine reform.” The EPRDF has long been criticised—domestically and internationally—for using draconian anti-terrorism charges to detain political prisoners, and then in true Orwellian fashion arguing those charges mean there are no political prisoners in Ethiopia. Human rights groups have estimated political prisoner numbers in the tens of thousands. The Oromo are proud of their cultural traditions and enjoy opportunities to celebrate that heritage. They also share a common language, Afaan Oromoo, also known as Oromoiffa, which belongs to the Cushitic family, unlike Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia, which is Semitic. A different language is only one of many sources of tension the Oromo have within the Ethiopian federation. Credit: James Jeffrey/IPS With the announcement about Maekelawi and the prisoner release, however, it initially appeared the government was making a clear break with the past and acknowledging the existence of political prisoners. But soon afterwards it tried to backtrack, with government spokespersons vacillating about what had been meant by political prisoners. “The announcement of the release of prisoners is highly symptomatic of the disorganization, if not the cacophony, among the leadership,” says René Lefort, who has been visiting and writing about Ethiopia since the 1974 revolution that ended emperor Haile Selassie’s reign and brought in the Derg military dictatorship that would fall to the EPRDF. “This decision could have been the most resounding proof of the sincerity of the EPRDF to launch a democratizing process. But as it has been announced in successive versions lacking essential points—who exactly is effected; when will they be freed, and will it be unconditionally or, as in the past, only having apologized—this decision has largely lost the impact it could have had.” Related IPS Articles Ethiopia’s New Addiction – And What It Says About Media Freedom Ethnic Violence in Ethiopia Amid Shadowy Politics “We Can’t Protest So We Pray”: Anguish in Amhara During Ethiopia’s State of Emergency Such political flip-flopping and indications of infighting in the government leave some with little confidence about the significance of the promise to end Maekelawi’s history of torture and ill-treatment, as documented in chilling detail by Human Rights Watch. “The closure of the torture chamber does not signify anything because the government will undoubtedly continue the same practise at other locations,” says Alemante Selassie, emeritus professor at the William and Mary Law School in the US. Others are less sceptical of the government’s motives. “It’s not a smokescreen, it’s been under discussion within the context of the interparty dialogue ever since the parties stated their wish lists of issues at the beginning of 2017,” says Sandy Wade, a former European Union diplomat in Addis Ababa. “It is a necessary step in the run-up to the 2018 and 2020 elections—and for the future of the country—if [the government] wants opposition participation, which they do.” On Jan. 15, Ethiopian Attorney General Getachew Ambaye gave a briefing saying that charges at a federal level brought against 115 prisoners had been dropped as part of the first phase to release jailed politicians and other convicts. Although the attorney general did not mention names of prominent political figures imprisoned, Merera Gudina, leader of the Oromo Federalist Party arrested in 2016, is expected to be among those released by Jan. 17, according to local media. The attorney general added that the Southern Ethiopia Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State—a region of more than 58 ethnic groups—had dropped charges against 413 inmates also, and that other regions would follow suit in the next couple of months, with political figures in jail who have been “convicted” of crimes given amnesty. At the same time, though, it appears the jury remains very much out on whether the government is genuinely committed to democratization and achieving a national consensus in the longer term. “If they are, this would be a transformative moment for Ethiopia,” Awol says. “Either way, Ethiopia cannot be governed in the same way it has for the last 26 years.” Which leaves the big—possibly existential—question facing Ethiopia: whether the government can and will come up with the necessary strategy and then implement it successfully in time for the 2018 local and 2020 national elections. “If the EPRDF wants to rescue itself and the country from total collapse, what we need is genuine and swift political reform that will enable the country to have free and fair elections,” Lidetu says. “Anything less than that will not solve the current political crisis.” IPS

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - The largest Somali community in the United States is centered just blocks from the site of this year's Super Bowl, but that is too close for comfort for some of the mostly Muslim residents of the "Little Mogadishu" neighborhood in Minneapolis. Source: Hiiraan Online

Faahfaahin dheeri ah ayaa ka soo baxaysa diyaarado la sheegay in dowladda Kenya ay ku joojisay Garoonka diyaaradaha magaalada Nairobi oo lagu eedeeyay in ay badeeco sharci-darro ah u sideen dalka Soomaaliya. Wargeeska Daily Nation ee ka soo baxa magaalada Nairobi ayaa ka soo xigtay guddoomiyaha ururka ganacsatada Qaadka Miroowga,Kimathi Munjuri in 3o tonne oo Qaadka Miraa uu ku xannibanyahay Garoonka diyaaradaha Jomo Kenyatta ee magaalada Nairobi,kadib markii dowladda Kenya diidday in loo dhoofiyo dhinaca Soomaaliya. Guddoomiyaha ayaa sheegay in Qaadkaan loo waday magaalooyin ku yaalla Soomaaliya oo ay kamid yihiin;Garoowe,Gaalkacyo,Muqdisho,Jowhar Laascaanood iyo Hargeysa,wuxuuna intaas ku daray in ganacsatadu ay halis ugu jiraan in ay lumiyaan malaayiin shilin-ka Kenya ah. Mas’uuliyiinta Duulista Hawada dalka kenya ayaa khamiistii maanta joojiyey laba diyaradood oo lagu eedeeyay in ay badeecooyin sharci-darro ah u dhoofinayeen dhinaca Soomaaliya. Agaasimaha guud ee Hay’adda Duulista Hawada Kenya,Gilbert Kibe ayaa sheegay in sidoo kale rukhsaddii laga qaaday labadii shirkadood ee lahaa diyaaradahan oo aan magacooda la shaacin. Dhinaca kale faahfaahin lagama bixin badeecooyinka sharci-darrada ah ee shirkadahan lagu haysto,balse arrintaan ayaa ku soo beegmatay xilli Hay’adda Qaramada Midoobay u qaabilsan Duulista Hawada ee(ICAO) ay baarayso awoodda dowladda Kenya u leedahay bad-qabka duullimaadyada. Wixii ka soo kordha kala soco:Puntlandpost.net The post Faahfaahin: Dowladda Kenya oo joojisay Mirow loo soo waday Garoowe. appeared first on Puntland Post.

Somalia's government says it will send 35 children rescued from an Al-Shabab camp last week to rehabilitation centers for ex-militants before reuniting them with their families. Source: Hiiraan Online

Several tonnes of miraa (khat) destined for Somalia are grounded in Nairobi as Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) cracked down on passenger aircraft operating as cargo planes. Source: Hiiraan Online

Dowladda Soomaaliya mar kale codsatay in laga qaado xayiraadda hubka ee saaran tan iyo sannadkii 1992,xilligaasoo uu dalku galay dagaal sokeeye,sida ay ku warrantay Wakaaladda Wararka Turkiga ee Anadolu . Safiirka Soomaaliya ee dalka Ethiopia Cali Nuur Hagi ayaa Anadolu ka soo xigtay in dowladda Soomaaliya ay codsatay in laga qaado xayiraadda hubka ee mudada dheer saaran,waxaana safiirku sheegay in haatan aanay jirin qabaa’il Soomaaliyeed oo is-laynaya,taasoo qiil u siinaysa Maraykanka iyo Qaramada Midoobay in ay cuna-qabateynta hubka ku sii hayaan Soomaaliya. Danjiraha ayaa sheegay in Soomaaliya ay hadda leedahay dowlad qaran oo ilaalinaysa nidaamka iyo heshiisyada caalamiga ah ee Dunida uga yaalla hubka,sidaasi darteedna aanay jirin sabab loogu sii hayo xayiraadda hubka ee saaran. Mudane.Hagi ayaa xusay in Al-shabaab ka hub fiicantahay ciidanka Xoogga dalka Soomaaliya,islamarkaana aan gebi ahaanba la jebin karin ilaa hub casri ah loo helo. PUNTLAND POST The post Dowladda Soomaaliya oo mar kale codsatay in laga qaado xayiraadda hubka. appeared first on Puntland Post.

Heshiis cusub oo looga dan leeyahay in lagu dhaqan geliyo nidaamyada caddaaladda iyo asluubta ee Soomaaliya ayay ansixiyeen Dowladda Federaalka ah ee Soomaaliya iyo maamul goboleedyada ka jira dalka. Heshiiska waxaa ka soo baxay hab-dhismeed ay dowladda federaalka iyo maamul goboleedyada ay ku taageeri karaan dib u dhiska nidaamka caddaaladda iyo asluubta ee dalka,kuwaas oo ka mid ah hay’adaha muhiimka ah ee burburay xilligii ay socdeen dagaallada sokeeye. Munaasabadda lagu saxiixay heshiiskan waxaa goob-joog ka ahaa Wasiirka Caddaaladda ee dowladda Federaalka ah,Mudane. Xasan Xuseen Xaaji iyo dhammaan wasiirrada caddaaladda ee maamul goboleedyada,waxaana bixiyay taageerrada farsamo ee lagu sameeyay hab-dhismeedka Barnaamijka Horumarinta ee Qaramada (UNDP). “Tani guul ayay u tahay Soomaaliya,” ayuu Wasiir Xasan Xuseen Xaaji ka yiri xafladda, asaga intaas raaciyey“Waa heshiis ku saabsan sida aan u qaabeyn karno nidaamkeenna caddaaladda iyo asluubta.” Heshiiskan siyaasadeed oo loo arkoo in uu muhiim u yahay geeddi-socodka dhismaha maamullada Soomaaliya iyo hannaanka Federaalka ah, waxaa uu yimid kaddib labo sano oo wada-tashi dhanka farsamada iyo wada-xaajood u dhaxeeya dowladda Federaalka ah iyo maamul goboleedyada. “Waxaan ka soo baxeynaa colaad loogu guuleysan waayay in lagu xalliyo khilaafka. Waxaan boogaadinayaa dadaalka badan ee wasaaradaha caddaaladda ee dowladda federaalka ah iyo kuwa maamullada si ay heshiiska uga dhigaan mid dhab ah,” ayuu xusay Madaxweynaha HirShabelle Maxamed Cabdi Waare, oo martigeliyay xafladda saxiixa. Madaxweyne Waare ayaa rajo wanaagsan ka muujiyay in nidaamka cusub ee caddaaladda iyo asluubta ay soo afjari doonaan caddaalad darrada ay bulshada u dhabar adeygayeen muddo ka badan labaatan sano. Habkan Cusub ee Booliska oo loo dajiyay qaab-dhismeedka mustaqbalka ee adeegyada booliska ayaa waxaa bishii Maarso 2016-kii ku heshiiyay wasiirrada amniga ee dowladda Federaalka ah iyo maamul goboleedyada,Waxaana lagu meel-mariyay Madasha Hoggaanka Qaranka, taageerradanna waxaa lagu xaqiijiyay heshiiskii qaab-dhismeedka amniga qaranka oo la gaaray bishii Abriil, 2017-kii. PUNTLAND POST The post Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya iyo dowlad goboleedyada oo heshiis cusub saxiixay. appeared first on Puntland Post.

Reformation of both the health and education which primarily requires a massive restructuring in terms of quality and upgrading to attain the satisfactory standards, while politically post presidential elections campaign reconciliation and institutionalizing Legal tender of Somaliland should be the unit currency of Somaliland shillings ate the main social, political and economic priorities This is according to Ali Sh. Mohamed Abdi (Adami) Member of the Kulmiye Party Campaigners and for,Dr Somaliland minister in a letter of advice to Somaliland President Musa Behi Abdi, below Verbatim ADVICE TO THE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF SOMALILAND Economics • Create a system of transparent revenue collection throughout Somaliland, as there is no possibility of achieving national development strategies without income generation • Create anatmosphere of local investment opportunities by encouraging local entrepreneurs to produce agricultural products, fishing, livestock and mining by offering a wide package of incentives and other facilities as well. • The government has to open up new markets for our livestock • The government has to set up specialized agencies whose main targets are on how to overcome the high prevalence of extreme poverty and by lowering at least 35% in the next 5 years • Lowering taxes for business traders, and small scale traders by offering “tax breaks” as part of business promotions • Reformation of the Central Bank of Somaliland which is indispensably necessary for the national development of the nation to be able to combat the inflationary pressure which is currently in place • Legal tender of Somaliland should be the unit currency of Somaliland shillings, there should be no two parallel currencies as we frequently use in all business transactions. This system of parallel currencies will involve an unbearable inflation as a result. • There should be 2-5 years of “economic development plan” based on the government’s priority programs i.e. (having baseline, indicators and targets to be achieved) • Barter exchange system should be used in the areas where we haveabundant natural resources i.e. “salt” – to be exchanged salt for qat, this will obviously reduce the outflow of hard currency to Ethiopia. Somaliland Politics • To put a special emphasis on how Somaliland will acquire a complete recognition from the International Community • To reconcile the Somaliland communities with different political views mainly due to the political campaigns which have consequently created deepening social cleavages among the community. • To establish a good cordial relationship with the neighboring countries of Somaliland • To establish a confined type of government with a high caliber of personal integrity • All appointed Cabinet Ministers and high ranking officers should be declared their personal assets before they assumed responsibility of the office • To revive the anti-corruption agencies to combat the spreading corruptions among the government offices which has now become part and parcel of our cultural life. Corruption is the key obstacle to the viability of economic success if not immediately intervened. The respective recommendations of 2015 and 2017 by the UN Monitoring Group indicates how the corruption has paralyzed the smooth functioning of a government machinery • The selection ofthemembers of the House of Community Elders (Guurti) should become ones guided by a role model and be based on a clear criteria. Social • Reformation of both the health and education which primarily requires a massive restructuring in terms of quality and upgrading to attain the satisfactory standards • To establish Vocational Training Centers (VTC) to produce the young generations of professional cadres for future developments • The government should take mandatory measures to promote the level of both the literacy and numeracy rates among the population • The rapid growth of our urbanization system, in recent years is a complex one which often baseson clansettlements, and it has to be reshaped, and created an “integrated urbanization” which could bring together different settlements of our community into single settlements. Ali Sh. Mohamed Abdi (Adami) Member of the Kulmiye Party Campaigners

Mas’uuliyiinta Duulista Hawada dalka kenya ayaa khamiistii maanta joojiyey laba diyaradood oo lagu eedeeyay in ay badeecooyin sharci-darro ah u dhoofinayeen dhinaca Soomaaliya. Agaasimaha guud ee Hay’adda Duulista Hawada Kenya,Gilbert Kibe ayaa sheegay in sidoo kale rukhsaddii laga qaaday labadii shirkadood ee lahaa diyaaradahan oo aan magacooda la shaacin. Dhinaca kale faahfaahin lagama bixin badeecooyinka sharci-darrada ah ee shirkadahan lagu haysto,balse arrintaan ayaa ku soo beegmatay xilli Hay’adda Qaramada Midoobay u qaabilsan Duulista Hawada ee(ICAO) ay baarayso awoodda dowladda Kenya u leedahay bad-qabka duullimaadyada. Wixii ka soo kordha kala soco:Puntlandpost.net The post Kenya oo rukhsaddii ka qaadday laba kamid ah shirkadaha diyaaradaha ee Somalia u duula. appeared first on Puntland Post.

WORCESTER, MASS. – A Portland, Maine, police officer arrested at a recent concert at the Palladium was arraigned Thursday in a Worcester courthouse on charges that included assault and battery and resisting arrest. Source: Hiiraan Online

Somali security forces on Thursday seized liquor and other drugs after they have launched inspections to hunt down drug traffickers in Somali capital Mogadishu. Source: Hiiraan Online

Madaxweyne Gaas, ku xigeenkiisa Camey iyo golihiisa wasiiradda ayaa maanta xarunta madaxtooyada ku yeeshay shir xasaasi ah oo si gaar ah looga tashanayay arrimaha Tukaraq. Sarkaal katirsan madaxtooyada Puntland ayaa warsidaha Puntland u sheegay in shirkaan dowladdu ay ku gaartay go’aano culus oo looga tashanayay sida loo wajahayo xaalada gobolka Sool ka taagan, loogana jawaabayo duullaanka maamulka Hargeysa. Xafiiska warfaafinta madaxtooyada Puntland looma gudbin go’aanada iyo macluumaadka kasoo baxay shirkaan, mana jirto wax warbaahin ah oo looga yeeray xarunta madaxtooyada. Wasaaradda warfaafinta Puntland ayaa la sheegay in loo xilsaaray inay warbaahinta ugudbiso go’aanada dowladda kasoo baxa ee ku saabsan xaalada haatan lagu jiro ee difaaca Puntland. Puntlandi.com

Waxaa maalin ka hor magaalada Hargeysa ka dhoofey Siyaasi Cali Khaliif Galeyr oo bilihii lasoo dhaafey wada hadal kula jirey maamulka Somaliland ka dib isku soo dhawaansho dhexmarey hogaankii Khaatumo iyo Madaxtooyadda Hargeysa ka hor intii aan Somaliland loo dooran Madaxweyne Muuse Biixi. Wararka PUNTLAND POST ka helayso magaalada Hargeysa ayaa sheegaya maalin ka hor inuu ka duulay Garoonka Diyaaradaha Egal Siyaasi Cali Khaliif Galeyr oo muddo ka dib kusii jeeda dalka Mareykanka oo uu dhalasho ka haysto. Socdaalka Mudane Galeyr ayaa kusoo beegmaya xilli la hadal hayo inay fashil kusoo dhamaadeen shirar iyo kulamo wacyigalin ah oo uu todobaadkii horre u tagey deegaano ka tirsan Gobolka Sool. Dr Galeyr oo salaamaya Taliye Mahad Cambaashe Siyaasi Cali Khaliif Galeyr oo maalmo ka hor gaarey magaalada Laascaanood oo uusan muddo dheer cag soo dhigin ayaa ka gaabsadey inuu la hadlo Warbaahinta, wuxuuna 2 cisho ka dib ku laabtey magaalada Hargeysa oo uu horey uga soo bilowday socdaalkii uu ku yimid Gobolka Sool iyo Laascaano, Isagoona maalin ka dib Hargeysa uu uga sii gudbay dalka Mareykanka. Si rasmiya looma oga natiijada ay kala soo kulmeen waftiga Siyaasi Galeyr kulamo iyo shirar dhexmarey qeybaha kala duwan ee bulshada, wallow ilo wareedyo madax banaan oo soo gaaraya warbaahinta ay sheegayaan inaysan jirin wax natiijo ah ay halkaas kala noqdeen. KHILAAFKA CIIDANKA TUKORAQ. Dhinaca kale wararka laga helayo Madaxtooyadda Hargeysa ayaa sheegaya tuhun gudaha oo ka dhex jira saraakiisha ciidamada Somaliland ee ku sugan jiida ka dib qabsashadii magaalada Tuko raq oo 70 KM u jirta magaalo madaxda Puntland ee Garowe. Mahad Cambaashe oo muddo dheer ahaa sarkaalka ugu sareeya ciidamada Somaliland ee Gobolka Sool ayaa wararku sheegayaan jiritaanka khilaaf soo kala dhexgalay saraakiil ka tirsan maamulka Somaliland tan iyo intii ka dambeysay maalintii Ciidamada Somaliland la wareegeen gacan ku haynta kastamka Tuko raq. Wariye diidey inay magaciisa shaaciso Warbaahinta PUNTLAND POST ayaa sheegay Korneyl Mahad Cambaashe iyo Ciidamo ka amar qaadanaya oo kasoo laabtey Tuko raq inay kusoo ruqaansadeen fariisimo horrey ay ugu lahaayeen duleedka magaalada Laascaano. Sidoo kale dadka qaar la socda dhaq dhaqaaqa Somaliland ka wado Gobolka Sool ayaa ku sababeynaya khilaafka saraakiisha mid ay sahlan tahay in xal laga gaaro islamarkaana tani aysan waxba ka bedeli doonin duulaankii labo todobaad ka hor Somaliland ku qabsatey magaalada Tuko raq oo ay iminka isku horfadhiyaan ciidamo xoog leh oo ka amar qaadanaya maamulka Puntland. Abshir Dhiirane PUNTLAND POST The post Somaliland oo khilaaf wajahaysa iyo Siyaasi Galeyr oo ka tagey Hargeysa. appeared first on Puntland Post.

Security Council Considers Situation in Somalia Michael Keating, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), briefs the Security Council. Mr. President It is now almost one year since Somalia underwent a peaceful transition of power and the election of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmajo’. Like many new governments, his has been through a steep learning curve. In the process, it has crafted a commendable national agenda embracing financial reform, job creation, inclusive politics, conflict resolution and reform of the security sector. The focus now is on the essential task of developing a plan for security transition. In implementing this multi-pronged agenda, the federal government faces a number of major challenges. One is the mobilization of adequate technical and financial capacity. Another is ensuring coherent and coordinated approaches by both national and international actors. A third is success in managing the powerful constituencies that need to be on side. These include federal member states, parliamentarians, clan power brokers, the private sector and international partners. It is encouraging, Mr. President, that following a period of tension between the Federal Government and Federal Member States late last year, the relationship has stabilised. The form and structure of Somalia’s federal system is still a matter of vigorous debate, but the renewed commitment of the Federal Government and Federal Member States to cooperate to address Somalia’s needs, is essential in order to make progress on all fronts. Also encouraging is the improving relationship between government and the private sector, as evidenced by the passage of the Telecommunications Act, a milestone in public regulation of the economy, and by an increase in business confidence and domestic revenues. In December, the IMF commended the Somali authorities on their progress on policy reforms and its successful completion of the country’s first Staff Monitored Programme since the end of the civil war. This is setting the country on a pathway that leads both to debt relief, increased public and private sector loans and investment, and more money for basic services and infrastructure. Somalia’s relationship with international partners remains strong, was apparent at the Security Conference and Partnership Forum held in Mogadishu in early December, and the government believes that it needs and deserves greater financial support to implement its reform agenda, even if this involves some calculated risks by donors. But Somali politics remain turbulent. In December, tensions were sharply raised in Mogadishu by the violent arrest by the National Intelligence and Security Agency of a prominent opposition politician and the raid on the house of a leading parliamentarian. The recent replacement of the Mayor has also created waves. These incidents have highlighted basic problems that need to be addressed, such as inadequate rules and safeguards governing the conduct of politics, including impeachment procedures; blurred roles and lines of accountability of the many security actors; and the perpetuation of corrupt practices and of untraceable money in the political marketplace. Corruption is a blight, undermining reform efforts, limiting the confidence and trust of Somalis in their leaders and institutions. The effects can be seen in all areas of public life from business to politics, justice to security, playing into the hands of extremists. The government has declared its determination to develop plans to address corruption in the coming year. In the meantime, all Somali actors need to respect the rule of law and resist the use of violence against their political opponents. Otherwise the risk is that the many positive developments underway will be overshadowed, and the Government’s ability to implement its broader agenda and improve the lives of the population will be undermined. Mr. President, The scale of the challenges facing the country are daunting. Chronic poverty and persistent humanitarian needs cast an ominous shadow over Somalia. The risk of famine still looms after four consecutive failed rainy seasons. The 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan calls for $1.6 billion. While famine was averted in 2017 thanks to national leadership, collective humanitarian action and historic levels of donor support, food security needs are nearly double the five-year average, and an estimated 6.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Malnutrition reached emergency levels in many locations and is expected to rise. Drought and conflict have displaced over 2 million people within the country, up to a million of them in the last 12 months, including many children and more than 80,000 pregnant women. Given the recurrent nature of droughts in Somalia, an imperative is to address the root causes of Somalia’s fragility and to build resilience to shocks. This is needed to prevent further refugee flows and displacement. Humanitarian interventions must be complemented by investment in job-creating public works and infrastructure. The basis for this will be the Drought Impact Needs Assessment and Recovery and Resilience Framework being developed by the Federal Government with support from the UN, the World Bank and European Union. Continued support will be needed to help Somalia break the cycle of recurrent crises that cause so much suffering and undermine the peacebuilding and state-building process. Central to that process is gaining political agreement as to how power will be exercised, shared and accounted for. This requires progress in three key areas: review of the Provisional Federal Constitution; preparation for elections in 2020/21; and conflict resolution and reconciliation. The National Constitutional Convention earmarked for March/April is expected to launch the next phase of the constitutional review process, focusing on resource and power-sharing between the Federal Government and the Federal Member States, the status of Mogadishu and harmonisation of Federal and Member State constitutions. In December 2017, the National Independent Electoral Commission launched its strategic plan to achieve universal elections. This needs sustained political support and donor funding. Registration of political parties will help stabilize politics. So far, seven have been registered, including one led by a woman. Registration is also an essential step towards holding universal elections. Immediate priorities include the development and adoption of the Electoral Law by the Parliament, reaching agreement on the system of representation, decisions on voter registration, and ongoing capacity building and institutional development of the NIEC, including in Federal Member States. Regarding conflict resolution and reconciliation, the federal government plans to launch a national strategy in the coming months, recognising the multifaceted nature of the many disputes and grievances in the country. On the ground, there has been some significant progress. Since 2015, Galmudug has been split between the state authorities and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a, with the state administration displaced to Adaado. On 18 January in Dhusamareb, President Farmajo oversaw a ceremony to mark an agreement between the two to merge assemblies, constitutions and security arrangements and return the state administration to Dhusamareb, an agreement reached through political dialogue. This bodes well for efforts to resolve other disputes including in Galkacyo. Several continue to simmer, both creating space for and distracting attention from the bigger threat posed by Al Shabaab. There is a serious danger that long-standing disputes between Puntland and “Somaliland”, and in particular an armed stand-off in Sool, could erupt into violence in the coming days, with potentially grave consequences. This comes very soon after delayed presidential elections and the orderly and peaceful transfer of power that took place in “Somaliland” late last year. With the support of international partners including many on this Council, I have urged the leaders of Puntland and “Somaliland” to declare a cessation of hostilities, withdraw their forces, restore the status quo ante, and open channels of communication. Mr. President, Al Shabaab remains a potent threat, despite or perhaps because it is on the back foot as a result of financial pressures, counter terrorism operations and air strikes. On October 14th, Mogadishu suffered the most deadly IED attack ever perpetrated, with an estimated 512 people killed, nearly all civilians. On 10 December, UNSOM launched its first public Protection of Civilians Report covering an 18-month period to October. It documented a total of 2,078 civilians killed and 2,507 injured, the large majority of which are attributable to Al Shabaab. Al Shabaab abducted civilians, conducted targeted assassinations and summary executions. In addition, 729 civilians were abducted by Al Shabaab, of whom 403 were released. Five days ago, SNA ‘DANAB’ special forces rescued 36 children from an Al Shabaab training camp, many of whom were forcibly recruited into the movement. Defeating Al Shabaab requires both a military and political strategy, the use of both sticks and carrots, as well as sustained efforts to address deficits that lend extremists a degree of credibility. These include corruption, lack of education and job opportunities for young people, weak national justice and corrections capacity, and grievances arising from unresolved disputes. AMISOM remains fundamental for security in the country, and can take credit for having created the space to allow Somalia’s political progress over the last decade. I pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of its troops, and am grateful to the Troop and Police Contributing Countries for their commitment to Somalia. AMISOM cannot stay indefinitely. 2018 will require dedicated effort by the Somali leadership, the African Union and international partners to build political acceptability and operational capability of the Somali security sector. This should enable AMISOM gradually to hand over responsibility to Somali security forces, and to enable the federal and state governments, as per the agreements in the National Security Architecture, to exercise a monopoly over the use of force. The current situation whereby security responsibilities are fragmented, often privately controlled and unaccountable is both dangerous and untenable. To that end, on 4 December the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States, agreed to develop a transition plan in the first quarter of this year, working closely with international partners, most importantly the African Union, Troop and Police Contributing Countries and major international investors in Somalia’s security, including the European Union. They agreed to create a conditions-based plan with clear milestones and target dates. This will be rooted in the Comprehensive Approach to Security to ensure that planning focuses not only on military handover but also on policing, rule of law and strengthening basic local governance, all of which are essential to sustaining security gains and to the credibility of the state. This transition plan will be the basis for securing future support for Somalia’s security sector, and for AMISOM. The starting point for this plan is not ideal. The Federal Government of Somalia has undertaken an Operational Readiness Assessment of the Somali National Army and Somali Police Force, providing a much clearer understanding of their capability. These have revealed multiple deficits and the enormous challenge ahead in translating the National Security Architecture into reality on the ground. AMISOM’s continued presence will therefore be essential. Premature drawdown of AMISOM forces will be a gift to Al Shabaab and risks undermining the gains that have been made, at great human and financial cost, over the last decade. The UN will continue to work closely with the African Union and key security investors to explore sustainable, predictable funding mechanisms for AMISOM and to support AMISOM to effectively fulfil its mandate. Progress is being made. The 2,400 Puntland Defence Forces have been integrated into the Somali National Army, a possible model for integration in other parts of the country. There is agreement on the allocation of police numbers for each state, for Mogadishu and the Federal Government. Each Federal Member State has developed a State Police Plan. A harmonized Justice and Corrections Model has been endorsed by the National Security Council which provides the basis for the establishment of an independent and impartial justice system. Action plans have been developed to implement the National Strategy to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism. The human rights situation continues to be of great concern. The rule of law is weak and capacities and mechanisms to protect and promote basic rights are lacking. Forced evictions, sexual violence and repression of freedom of expression are among many indicators, with marginalized and minority groups particularly vulnerable. The UN is supporting the Federal Government to strengthen frameworks, institutions and measures for upholding human rights, to address impunity and improve the protection of women and children, and to take action to end the involvement of children in armed conflict. The formation of the national Human Rights Commission is a positive step forward. Mr. President, Somalia is making definite progress, though the risks remain real. It is fortunate to have a government that is committed to reform, to resolving conflicts and to meeting formidable social, economic and security needs of the population. Continued progress is dependent not only on the strong political will and skill of the Federal Government, but also cooperation and partnership with Federal Member States, parliament, clan elders, business and international partners. When all of these constituencies cooperate, huge strides can be made. I strongly encourage Somali stakeholders to unite to tackle these priorities and to make 2018 a year of implementation. Allow me to take this opportunity to encourage the international partners to continue their financial generosity, their support for strengthening technical capacities and to be transparent and coordinated in their assistance. Thank you, Mr. President.

Ciidanka difaaca dowladda Puntland ee(PSF) ayaa maanta hawlgalka ku tegay tuulooyinka Karin iyo Yalho ee gobolka Bari iyo dhulka Buuraleeyda ah ee hoostaga tuulooyinkaasi. Saraakiisha ciidanka difaaca dowladda Puntland ee(PSF) ayaa kulan amniga la xiriira la yeeshay odayaasha,waxgaradka iyo ciidamada dowladda ee ku sugan tuulooyinka Karin iyo Yalho. tuulooyinka Karin iyo Yalho oo qiyaastii 45KM Koonfur kaga beegan magaalada Boosaaso ee xarunta gobolka Bari,ayaa waxa saldhigyo ku leh ciidamada difaaca dowladda Puntland oo dagaalka kula jira argagixisada Al-shabaab iyo Daacish ee ku dhuumaaleysta Buuraleeyda Cal-madow iyo Cal-miskaat ee gobolka Bari. Sawirro PUNTLANDPOST The post Ciidanka difaaca Puntland ee PSF oo hawlgal ku tegay tuulooyinka karin iyo Yalho ee gobolka Bari+Sawirro. appeared first on Puntland Post.

Among the 35,000 people evicted from Kaxda District, Mogadishu, a man holds on to the last of his property as he takes a look at the destruction around him. © Shakur Ali/NRC In Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu, land disputes cause internally displaced people to be evicted from their settlements. On 29 and 30 December 2017, the worst single mass eviction incident of 2017 occurred in Mogadishu. After a dispute between local landlords about land ownership, close to 35,000 people living in 38 settlements for internally displaced people were forcefully evicted. “We were awakened early in the morning by the sound of a bulldozer as several groups of uniformed men were ordering us to leave. Though I am glad that my children and I escaped, we had to witness our belongings, shelters, shops and schools being destroyed,” says one of those evicted in Mogadishu’s Kaxda district. Following the eviction, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has provided 3,000 people with unconditional cash assistance through funding support from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operation, known as ECHO. This support and collaboration with ECHO will keep people safe and help them get back on their feet. Evictions put people in harm’s way Forced displacement is a long standing problem in Somalia. Issues of violence, and the degraded security and physical environment have caused Somalis to have been displaced within their own country for decades. In the current era, as they escape the grip of al-Shabab ruled towns or flee from places affected by drought, internally displaced people are yet again faced with being forcibly removed and evicted from the place they call home. “Forced evictions continue to affect people in Mogadishu and this is the largest single mass eviction we have seen this year,” Abdirisak Ahmed, NRC’s head of information, counselling and legal activities’ in southcentral Somalia reports. Forced evictions like these interrupt and undermine the work and services being provided by humanitarian organisations that seek to reintegrate internally displaced people into host communities. “On average, about 11,000 people are evicted per month, and in 2017, more than 150,000 people were evictedin Mogadishu alone,” Ahmed adds. Back to square one Out of the 38 settlements affected by the recent evictions and unrest, 25 were completely destroyed. This has left many people without a roof over their head. In addition, a great number of people have lost their livelihood and assets during the eviction process. In two days, 25 learning facilities were destroyed. This has disrupted the academic school year and left many children without access to education. Families need a permanent solution as evictions continue to bring them back to square one. Contributing to solutions for the future When the armed group al-Shabaab came to her village in Gosha, Hawa Noor, a 50-year-old single mother of seven, fled from her home and sought safety in Kismayo, a town 500 km south-west of Mogadishu. Since the father of her children died several years ago, she has been the sole breadwinner in her family. To make a living, she sells sweets and other homemade snacks around the city. Noor is among 550 internally displaced people and poorer residents who have been granted land tenure through the district authority and our programme’s support. “I have documentation now that proves I own this land, and things are much easier,” Noor says. “I no longer have to worry about evictions.” Land titling and permanent shelter ensure that families are protected, and they dramatically decrease the chance of eviction. We have also helped over 2,000 families to secure their land rights in Baidoa, a city 400 km north of Kismayo, and we continue our work to prevent further evictions in Kismayo. “This has made a part of my life better because we have a permanent roof on top of our head,” says Noor. Lessons to be learned Kismayo and Baidoa serve as a model for the rest of Somalia for the resolution of housing, land and property rights issues for displaced people. There are many lessons to be learned from our programme successes in these two cities, as we foresee evictions to continue throughout 2018. Read here the post-eviction report carried out by NRC and partners. Reliefweb

The US conducted a joint raid with Somali forces last week, Thursday, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) told MEMO. “On Jan. 18, US forces accompanied Somali National Security Forces on a mission in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia resulting in the recovery of 30 male children from an Al-Shabaab indoctrination centre,” Major Karl J Wiest told MEMO. “During the mission, the Somali National Security Forces received hostile fire. The Somali forces returned fire in self-defence. In the ensuing firefight, five enemy combatants were killed and six were wounded. Some of those killed in the engagement appear to have been under the age of 18. US personnel were in an advisory capacity, and did not fire their weapons.” US AFRICOM did not mention what precisely “advisory capacity” means on an operational level. The US government considers all military-age males in its targeted killing or capture operations to be classed as combatants, according to several administration representatives, though they have deliberately targeted young children in these operations without any transparency or accountability. “We support the Federal Government of Somalia and UNICEF efforts to reunite these children with their families,” Wiest continued. Ali Dhere, Al Shabaab’s spokesperson announced on Telegram that the target was a legitimate school rather than an indoctrination centre: “American forces attacked a legitimate school. Four children were killed and their teacher in the attack, kidnapping others after torturing them. They [US-Somali forces] took them to one of their military bases in the country”. Last week, several open source networks affiliated with the Al-Shabaab group reported on the raid that took place in the village of Jalili, in the Juba administrative region in southern Somalia. Former US President Barack Obama previously warned high risk counter-terrorism operations should be used sparingly and only after internal review. Trump has sidestepped that rule and provided the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the US military broader powers in Somalia, considering parts of the country “areas of activity hostilities” or temporary battlefields. The US has some 500 personnel stationed in Somalia, including soldiers that fight alongside Somalia’s forces. US drones and manned aircrafts are stationed in Djibouti, north of Somalia, where AFRICOM coordinates its missions across the country. On 25 August 10 civilians were reported killed in a US-Somali counter-terrorism raid in Bariire, southern Somalia. The villagers were running to hide under banana trees when they were shot dead by US-Somali forces. Al-Shabaab fighters, who were the target of the raid, were not at the village. Al-Shabaab seeks to dislodge the Somali government and implement a strict version of Islamic law across Somalia. In 2012 the group pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda. The US has killed some 712 Somalis and injured 54 since 2007, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, an organisation which tracks US strikes across the world.

The term Khat can be defined as a flowering evergreen shrub that is abused for its stimulant-like effect, it has two active ingredients, cathine, and cathinone. It is native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where the use of it is an established cultural tradition for many social situations, Common street names for Khat include: Abyssinian Tea, African Salad, Catha, Chat, Kat, and Oat, Khat is a flowering evergreen shrub. On the other hand, Khat that is sold and abused is usually just the leaves, twigs, and shoots of the Khat shrub. (Drugs of Abuse 2015). Prior to my writing of this article, I had been to some extent keen on having a say in the extensive costs of the Khat in the society and as part of that was enthusiastically attracted to the statement of the Somaliland president’s interview with the VOA, towards the explicit concerns the Khat brings about in the macroeconomic level, in which he deliberately emphasized on the causal-effect relations by directly linking the huge amount of the money disbursed on the leaf shrub and the concurrent effects of the inflation it leaves behind without visible return. Moreover, I am also convinced that the correlation of the Khat abuse to the undeniably associated impacts on the individuals, families and communities is greatly enhanced by the mere absence of the social moral conciseness and the incapability of the government to come up with strategic programs to tackle down the great extent of the syndrome within the youth and the elites of the society in particular. Despite the different means used for and the benefits gained as it is supposedly claimed to make the users feel calm and happy, but there are other numerous consequences to the consumption of it. In this regard, it is generally known that the Khat is rapidly becoming a custom particularly in Somaliland, its consumption seems to be deceiving routine that impacts negatively on thousands of users whereby the associated consequences for the family has reached its epidemic proportions of the population. Its consumption has masses of financial burdens, family issues and negative psychological legacies which can be a central basis to the negative accompanying effects on the families of the working middle class and allow-income level as a special case in focus. In many ways, the use of Khat has a lot to do with the performance at work in a negative manner as less productivity and loss of many working hours are usually reported, all these factors can generate problems to the users at the workplaces and might eventually lead to the loss of the jobs (Sometimes Unemployment Risks). Consequently, as per the medical professional’s reports indicate that the Khat can cause confusion and insomnia, loss of appetite, sometimes anxiety, even depression, and psychosis. Conclusion & Recommendations: Taking into considerations of the above mentioned associated consequences in relative to the consumptions of the Khat, It might be more likely if the overall proposed recommendations adopted, will it be sooner or later serve a strategic solution for the suspension of the prevalent usage of the stimulant leaf of Kat The government should persistently establish a designated commission of Anti-Drugs that is strategically labeled for the sensitization, combat, the research and developments of the proper mechanisms in the fight against the all kinds of drugs (Khat in particular), The government should be playing a vital role in raising the awareness of the harmful consequences of the Khat by formulating the necessary policies in order to challenge out the flow in of the commercialization of the khat (e.g. should levy a heavy tax on the khat imports in order to increase the sale of price values in the markets) The Societal fire and fury for the consumption of the Khat will only be settled if collective understanding to wage the epidemic is realized despite the baseless claims of those involved. By: Abdifatah Hussein Dahir fataax11@gmail.com

NAIROBI, KENYA: Two planes were Thursday grounded at the Wilson Airport over claims of engaging in illegal activities. The planes were headed to Somalia and it is said they were carrying passengers instead of cargo. Although he did not name the affected airlines, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia warned passenger airlines licensed to carry passengers only not to also operate as cargo airlines contrary to the license conditions. Macharia who spoke at the airport urged agencies charged with licensing the airlines to take firm action on airlines contravening regulations Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) had moved in to crack the whip on the planes for going against what they have been licensed to do. KCAA director-general Gilbert Kibe said the two airlines had removed seats on the aircraft and instead created space for cargo. Standard Media

Participants during a workshop session on peacebuilding and conflict resolution mechanisms in Mogadishu, Somalia on May 7, 2017. Somalia can benefit from the experiences of countries such as Rwanda, which deployed traditional methods of justice and reconciliation to address the aftermath of the catastrophic conflict between communities that resulted in genocide. PHOTO | AMISOM Somalia is making modest progress in rebuilding after the destruction wrought by decades of civil war, but the agenda of grassroots truth, justice and reconciliation is not receiving the attention it deserves. The civil war not only precipitated the meltdown of state institutions and destruction of infrastructure and the economy, but also the unravelling of the social and cultural fabric. Without a comprehensive plan to rebuild the shattered trust and goodwill and address deep-seated grievances between individuals, families and communities at the grassroots, reconstruction will not be sustainable. Somalia is one of the few countries in Africa with a homogenous population that shares language, religion, bloodlines and culture, but the widespread violence, human-rights violations and injustices during the civil war exacerbated social divisions and disharmony, mainly along clan lines. Until now, not much has been done to repair those relationships, build bridges and address underlying grievances, thus eliminating common spaces for dialogue, accommodation and coexistence. There have been many conferences since the early 1990s, ostensibly to bring about reconciliation between segments of the Somali population, but they have hardly had any impact in the grassroots. This is partly because the initiatives have largely been dominated by politicians and clan leaders, including warlords, without much involvement of the people in the grassroots, who should be the main drivers of such initiatives. In fact, the conferences have been more about power-sharing between clan leaders than fostering genuine grassroots truth, justice and reconciliation. The searing impact of the Somali civil war has been so widespread that it is difficult to find a Somali national who is not nursing deep-seated grievance and trauma due to the killing of loved ones or loss of property or dignity. That’s why the time for Somalia to have its own indigenous process of truth, justice and reconciliation is long overdue. The process will give safe spaces for people to explore the full extent of the crimes and violations that occurred in the civil war and continue to occur, come to terms with the pain, anger and grief as well as look into appropriate avenues of justice, compensation, forgiveness and reconciliation. I have always felt the need for such a process, and a personal tragedy in September 2014 strengthened my conviction regarding it. I was in a restaurant in Mogadishu when a man approached me and unexpectedly confessed to having been part of the gang that attacked my home in Mogadishu in 1992 in which my 18-month-old daughter, Yasmin, was brutally killed. The man then remorsefully begged for my forgiveness, saying the matter had troubled him for many years. Initially, I felt so much anger, with memories of the body of my lifeless daughter flooding my mind. I felt like killing him on the spot to avenge my daughter. But after some moments of silence, I felt some calm return to my heart. I then told him I had forgiven him. The man hugged me and we both couldn’t hold back tears. Immediately after the incident, I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt whole again. When the incident was reported by local media, similar actions emerged in various parts of the country. Since then, I have been keen to use that personal story with a hope of promoting grassroots reconciliation in Somalia. However, there is a pressing need for a more structured process at the grassroots to realise truth, justice and reconciliation so that the Somali nationals can explore the dark past together and come to terms with it. Any such process should not be led or controlled by politicians or clan leadership, but by the people without interference and manipulation. In this regard, Somalia can benefit from the experiences of countries such as Rwanda, which deployed traditional methods of justice and reconciliation to address the aftermath of the catastrophic conflict between communities that resulted in genocide. Somalia, too, has rich traditional and religious systems that can be tapped to successfully rebuild the shattered social fabric. Before the country can take its place in the community of nations, it must bravely face and address the horrors of its history. Mohamed Ali Nur (Americo) is a former presidential candidate in Somalia (2017) and former Somalia envoy to Kenya (2007-2015). Email: nabad1012@gmail.com

Wasaaradda Warfaafinta Isgaarsiinta Hiddaha iyo Dhaqanka dowladda Puntland ayaa maanta soo saartay qoraal ku socda dhammaan Warbaahinta ka hawlgasha degaannada Puntland iyo Tv-ga dowladda. Qoraalka oo uu ku saxiixanyahay Wasiir ku xigeenka Warfaafinta,Cabdirasaaq Cumar Ismaaciil(Shiikh Aduunyo),ayaa lagu wargeliyey dhammaan saxaafadda madaxa-bannaan iyo PuntlandTV in ay yimaadaan xarunta dhexe Wasaaradda Warfaafinta Isgaarsiinta Hiddaha iyo Dhaqanka dowladda Puntland,27/1/2018 oo ku beegan maalinta Sabtida. Qoraalka laguma shaacin arrimaha Saxaafadda loogu yeeray,sidoo kale xiriir aan la sameynay Wasaaradda nooma suurta-gelin in aan faahfaahin dheeri ah ka helno. Halkaan ka akhriso qoraaalka. The post Akhriso:Wasaaradda Warfaafinta Puntland oo qoraal deg deg ah soo saartay. appeared first on Puntland Post.

Madaxweynaha Dowlad Goboleedka Jubbaland ee Soomaaliya Mudane Axmed Maxamed Islaam ayaa maanta dhagax dhigay dhismaha Xaafad Cusub oo laga hirgalinayo Magaalada Kismaayo. Xaafadan oo loo bixyay Bilan ayaa ka koobnan doonanta guryo caadi ah oo la dago iyo Suuqyo goobo Waxbarasho iyo Adeegyada kale ee muhiimka u ah deegaanka. Madaxweyne Axmed Maxamed Islaam ayaa sheegay in Xaafadan ay qayb ka qaadanayso dib u dhiska Magaalada iyo koboceeda isagoo ugu baaqay qurba joogtu in ay dalka maalgashadaan. ” Xaafadan oo kale Qurba joogta dibada kasoo laabanaysa haka faa’iidaystaan oo haku daydaan dib u dhiska dalku inaga ayuu ina sugayaa” ayuu yiri Madaxweynahu. Cid walba oo dhismaha Xaafadan ka qayb qaadanaysa ayuu Madaxweynahu u mahad celiyay isagoo hoosta ka xariiqay in aysan jirin wax ka wanaagsan in dalka la maalgashado oo ah hanti raasamaal ah. Puntlandi.com

Norway, Switzerland and Sweden are to play role as mediators in the stalled talks between Somaliland and Somalia. Center for Humanitarian Dialogue which facilitated the telephone conversions between the president of Somaliland and Somalia counterpart has initiated the proposal that new mediators should join the brokering of Somalia-Somaliland talks which Turkey used to be the mediator and the host.The center is in talks with the aforementioned countries to spearhead the mediation efforts between the two states.The two leaders have expressed their commitment to pursue the talks.Both leaders said that they will lead the teams that will represent the delegations at the talks for the first time once the dialogue resumes. The talks kicked off in March 2015 but both sides have dragged their feet to proceed with the talks. Somalia & Somaliland signed agreements including the airspace but all that agreements were not carried out.

UNITED NATIONS — The top U.N. official for Somalia said Wednesday that while al-Shabab remains a serious threat, the terror group is on the decline, and the continued deployment of African Union troops in Somalia is essential to its ultimate defeat. “Al-Shabab remains a potent threat, despite — or perhaps precisely because — it is on the back foot as a result of financial pressures, counterterrorism operations and airstrikes,” U.N. envoy Michael Keating told Security Council members. A truck bomb attack Oct. 14 in the capital city of Mogadishu killed more than 500 civilians and demonstrated the al-Qaida-linked group’s ability to stage a large-scale attack, despite an intensive military offensive against them. FILE – Somalis gather and search for survivors by destroyed buildings at the scene of a blast in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia, Oct. 14, 2017. Keating said defeating the group requires both a military and political strategy and serious efforts to address issues that terrorists exploit, such as corruption and the lack of jobs and education opportunities for youth. The more than 22,000-strong African Union force, known as AMISOM, receives a logistical support package from the United Nations, and gets additional funding from the European Union. “AMISOM’s continued presence will therefore be essential,” Keating said. “Premature drawdown of AMISOM forces will be a gift to al-Shabab and risks undermining the gains that have been made, at great human and financial cost, over the last decade.” But Keating acknowledged that it is not viable for the force to stay indefinitely, and said the Somali security sector needs to prepare for a gradual handover of responsibility. FILE – African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) soldiers from Burundi patrol on the outskirts of Mogadishu, Somalia, May 22, 2012. Somalia’s U.N. envoy, Abukar Dahir Osman, urged council members to ease the arms embargo in place for more than two decades on the country. “The existing arms embargo framework on Somalia is a major obstacle to an effective implementation of our ambitious security sector reform,” Osman said. The government has previously argued that the embargo needs to be fully lifted so the army can get the heavy weapons it needs to defeat al-Shabab. Keating also warned of potential violence between two autonomous regions in the country. “There is a serious danger that long-standing disputes between Puntland and Somaliland, and in particular an armed standoff in Sool, could erupt into violence in the coming days, with potentially grave consequences,” he said. Both regions claim Sool as their own, which has previously led to violence. The country is also grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis. Persistent drought and conflict have left 6.2 million people in need of assistance. More than 2 million people have been displaced from their homes. “The risk of famine still looms,” Keating warned. The U.N. is seeking $1.6 billion to cope with the crisis this year.