Muqdisho (Caasimada Online)- Madaxweyne Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo ayaa xarunta madaxtooyada casho sharaf iyo soo dhoweyn ugu sameeyey golaha amniga qaranka ee madaxda maamul goboleedyada iyo maamulka gobolka Banaadir. Madaxda maamul goboleedyada ee xubnaha ka ah guddiga amniga qaranka ayaa magaalada Muqdisho u yimid ka qeyb gelitaanka shirka amniga qaranka oo maanta ka furmi doona Muqdisho. Xubnaha kasoo qeybgalay casho sharafta ayaa waxaa ka mid ahaa ra’iisul wasaaraha xukuumadda federaalka Soomaaaliya, Xasan Cali Kheyre, ku Xigeenkiisa, Mahdi Maxamed Guuleed, guddoomiyaha Aqalka Sare, Cabdi Xaashi Cabdullaahi, Guddoomiye ku xigeenka koowaad ee Golaha shacabka, Cabdiwali Ibraahim Muudeey, Madaxweyneyaasha maamul goboleedyada Puntland, Cabdiwali Maxamed Cali Gaas, Galmudug, Axmed Ducaale Geele Xaaf, Jubaland, Axmed Maxamed Islaam, Koonfur Galbeed, Shariif Xasan Sheekh Aadan, Hirshabeelle , Maxamed Cabdi Waare, Guddoomiyaha Gobolka Banaadir, Cabdiraxmaan Cumar Cismaan Yariisow, wasiiro iyo xubno kale oo ka tirsan madaxtooyada Villa Somalia. The post Sawirro: Madaxweyne Farmaajo iyo madaxda maamul goboleedyada oo ku kulmay Villa Somalia appeared first on Caasimada Online.

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online) – Hogaamiyaha maamulka Jubbaland Axmed Madoobe ayaa ka hadlay shirka Golaha Amniga Qaranka oo ay ku kulmayaan Madaxda Qaranka iyo kuwa maamul Goboleedyada ka jira dalka. Axmed Madoobe ayaa sheegay inay muhiim tahay in mar waliba ay iska warqabaan Golaha Amniga Qaranka, isla markaana sameystaan shirar ay uga wadatashanayaan xaalada uu ku jiro dalka. Axmed Madoobe,waxa uu sheegay inaanu macquul aheyn in iyadoo dhaqaale xoogan lagu bixinaayo shirarka Golaha Amniga Qaranka, hadana aan la qaadan qodobada kasoo baxa shirarka qabsooma. Waxa uu Madoobe sheegay in heerka amni daro ee ka taagan dalka uu gaaray heer Caasimadaha maamul Goboleedyada ay xiliyada qaar ay qalqal galiyaan al-Shabaab, waxa uuna cod dheer ku sheegay in taa ay ugu wacantahay gaabis ku yimid ka dhabeynta talaabooyinka lagu sugaayo amniga. Waxa uu Axmed Madoobe sheegay in dowlada laga doonaayo inay la imaado qorsho cad oo looga gaashaamankaro dhagarta ay al-Shabaab u maleegayaan dadka shacabka ah, waxa uuna ku taliyay in xili hore leyska kaashto ka hortaga al-Shabaabka. ‘’Shirka waa inuu yeeshaa qorsho fulineed, waxba masoo kordhineyso in dhaqaale lagu bixiyo shir ceynkaan ah, hadana aanu kasoo bixin wax natiijo ah, waxaan dooneynaa in la dhaqan galiyo wixii kasoo baxa shirka’’ ‘’Waad aragtaan al-Shabaab waxa ay gudaha u galayaan deegaano aysan horay u heysan marka aaway qodobadii kasoo baxay shirarkii hore ee amniga, ma waxay aheyd in la diiwaangaliyo oo keliya, waa inaan yeelanaa awood aan isaga soo afjari karno shabaabka’’ Sidoo kale, Madoobe ayaa wacad ku maray in Jubbaland ay Naf, Dhaqaale iyo Hubka ku bixineyso iska xoreynta al-Shabaab, hase yeeshee dowlada laga doonaayo isgarabtaag. Haddalka Axmed Madoobe ayaa u muuqanaaya mid lagu duraayo dhammaan xubnaha qeybta ka ahaa shirkii hore ee Golaha Amniga Qaranka oo iyagu u muuqda kuwo aan weli qaadin wax talaabo ah, waxa uuna hadalkaan kala dhantaalay rajada Xubnaha. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com The post Axmed Madoobe oo kala dhantaalay niyada xubnaha golaha amniga qaranka appeared first on Caasimada Online.

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online) – Iyadoo inta badan baraha bulshada lagu faafiyay warar sheegaya in la sumeeyay fannaanka caanka ah Cali Dhaanto, ayaa waxaa wararkaasi ka hadlay Fannaanka. Cali Dhaanto, ayaa sheegay inuu yahay mid caafimaad qaba isla markaana ay soo gaaren warar sheegaya in lagu sumeeyay magaalada Kismaayo, hase ahaatee wararkaasi ay been yihiin. Cali Dhaanto oo u waramaayay Idaacada Dalsan ee magaalada Muqdisho, ayaa sheegay in laga faafiyay warar been ah, isla markaana magaalada Kismaayo uu ku sugnaa muddo todobaad ah. ‘’Wey isoo gaaren warar sheegaya in leygu sumeeyay xaflad ka dhaceysay Kismaayo waxaas ma jiraan anigu waan caafimaad qabaa dantii aan u aaday Kismaayo waan soo gaaray’’ ‘’Waxaa jira dad aad uga faa’iideysta dhibaatooyinka dadka anigu dhibaato lama kulmin waxaana taageerayaasheyda u sheegayaa inaan caafimaad qabo’’ Fannaan Cali Dhaanto, waxa uu hadalkiisa intaa raaciyay in xaaladiisa Caafimaad ay tahay mid wanagsan, waxa uuna ugu baaqay dadka baraha Bulshada isticmaala in aysan faafin wararka been abuurka ah. Haddalka Cali Dhaanto ayaa imaanaya xili inta badan dadka isticmaala baraha bulshada ay iska wareysanayaan wararka la faafiyey ee la xiriira in Fannaanka lagu sumeeyay Xaflad uu uga qeybgalaayay magaalada Kismaayo. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com The post Maxaa ka jira wararka sheegaya in Fannaanka Cali Dhaanto lagu sumeeyey Kismaayo? appeared first on Caasimada Online.

Mogadishu, 5 February 2018 – The top United Nations envoy in Somalia today praised the work of the Aamin Free Ambulance Service in responding to the urgent medical needs of Mogadishu’s residents, and called for more support for the 24/7 volunteer-run service. Source: Hiiraan Online

For More than a quarter of a century the state of Somalia is experiencing a protracted conflict, this prolonged conflict which lasted for a generation now has negatively impacted all groups in Somalia's population but one group's impact stands above all with the exception of women and children, that group is Somali youth. The population of Somali youth is estimated at 70% of the general population of Somalia, two-thirds of them were born after the overthrow of Siad Barre government in 1991. This period marked the downward spiral, disintegration and collapse of the state of Somalia. Source: Hiiraan Online

Hargiesa—-27 of the 59 senior officials appointed to senior positions by President Musa Behi Abdi are carry overs from his predecessor Statistically this figure which is 46% of his entire appointments so far made through a number o decrees issued from the presidency indicate that a large number of policy formulators and implementers are exactly as they were before elections of November 2017. MINISTERS Of the current 32 appointments to the cabinet, Five full ministers and four deputies are Silanyo carry overs. Similarly the minister of sportsis also a carry over having served the past administration as the governor of maroodi-Jeeh Region. DIRECTOR GENERALS and PARASTATAL HEADS Of the fourteen below minister level appointments made by President Behi which include DGs, parastatal chiefs, presidential advisors and presidency spokesperson have nine of them as past officials in the Silanyo administration. REGiONAL GOVERNORS With a total of 13 regional administrations a recent shake saw President Behi make changes through injection of new faces, transfer of others and restitution of some in their post Silanyo administration stations Of the seven appointments made last Wednesday to governorship positions , three were Silanyo carry overs while five were retained in their offices as was post November 2017. So what can we deduce here inspire of the fact that Both President Behi and his predecessor are from the same Kulmiye party. First is the fact that maintaining almost half of past administration is not the norms in Somaliland though not illegally. With a citizenry that believes a new president must bring in new faces thence desired changes or a semblance of change the large number of Silanyo officials still in office raise eyebrows. Horn

Hargiesa —Attributing the out of control inflation in Somaliland to electronic bs King services is not only a fallacy but poor strategic thinking This was stated by politician Ismail Mohamed Buba Hurre during a Briefing to Geeska Afrika in Hargeisa from where he was reacting to recently announced plans by the government towards arresting inflation. In the announcement the administration of President Musa Behi ordered the two electronic money providers, namely Telesom and Somtel to limit dollar transfer in their Zaad and edahab platforms to only over hundred “Any amount below a hundred dollars should be translated in the local currency” the order read Terming this move as erroneous the Opposition politician and senior member of the Wadani party urged government to dig deeper for the root cause of the huge devaluation to the local currency since it is obvious that electronic banking services are not the culprit “Rather than put in place policies that might injure local business adversely it is better to deal with the root problem which is the out of control minting of new currencies”said Buba According to the politician the outgoing administration of president Silanyo printed large sums of money which were dumped in the market as a gimmick to hide the clearing of foreign currencies in the central coffers by unscrupulous officials Urging caution Buba said the good will given President Behi should not be marred by hasty policies Stressing on the importance of protecting the Zaad and edahab platforms of banking Ismail Buba reminded on the international acclaim that Somaliland has accrued from popularity of the two services A Somaliland shilling is transacting a 10,000 to a dollar which is almost 40% increase to the rate of 2 years ago Horn

BELEDWEYNE (HOL)----Unidentified gunmen have killed the former mayor of Buloburde - a town in the central Hiran region of Somalia, 220km north of the capital Mogadishu - in Beled Weyne on Monday evening. Source: Hiiraan Online

BELEDWEYNE (HOL)----Unidentified gunmen have killed former mayor in the central Somali town of Bula Burte on Monday evining. Source: Hiiraan Online

Mogadishu (HOL) - A commercial ship carrying millions of dollars worth of cargo has run aground near Bosaso port in Puntland. Source: Hiiraan Online

Madaxweynaha Dowlad Goboleedka Jubbaland Mudane Axmed Maxamed Islaam ayaa maanta gaaray Magaalada Muqdisho ee Caasimada Soomaaliya. Safarka Madaxweynaha waxaa ku weheliyay xubno katirsan labada gole ee Dowlada iyo masuuliyiin kale. Masuuliyiin katirsan Dowlada Federaalka ah iyo dadweyne kale ayaa Madaxweynaha kusoo dhaweeyay garoonka diyaaradaha Aadan Cade ee Magaalada Muqdisho. Madaxweyne Axmed Maxamed Islaam wuxuu sheegay in ujeedada socdaalkiisu uu yahay shirka dhawaan ka dhacaya Magaalada Muqdisho ee lagaga hadlayo amaanka Soomaaliya. “Maanta Cadowga kaliyah ee aan leenahay ee dadkeena dilaya waa Shabaab sidaas oo ay tahay wali waxaan rajaynayaa in loo midoobo oo si dhab ah loola dagaalamo” ayuu yiri Madaxweynahu. Madaxweynahu wuxuu sheegay in dagaalka Argagixisadu uu u baahan yahay wadajir in loo wajaho oo aan cid gaar ah lagu halayn si dhibaatada dadka looga dulqaado. PUNTLAND POST The post Madaxweynaha Jubbaland oo soo gaaray Magaalada Muqdisho appeared first on Puntland Post.

In 1932, the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) conducted an experiment in Tuskegee, Alabama. Source: Hiiraan Online

Garoowe (Caasimada Online)-Sida ay wararku sheegayaan waxaa xeebta Magaalada Boosaaso Xarunta Gobolka Bari ee maamulka Puntland kusoo caariyey Dooni u rarneyd Ganacsato Soomaali ah. Doonidan ayaa la sheegayaa inay soo food saartay cilad dhanka matoorka ah, waxaana la xaqiijiyay inay ka imaaday dalka Isutaga Imaaraadka Carabta. Saraakiisha maamulka ayaa sheegay in Doonida ay siday raashin iyo gawaari nooca raaxada ah, hase ahaatee ay sababsatay cilad. Doonta ayaa ku dhex xumaatay badda dhaxdeeda, iyadoo xaaladeeda liidato ayeeyna soo gaartay Dakadda Magaalada Boosaaso, balse maamulka Dakadda Boosaaso ayaa diiday in Doontaan ay ku xirato dakadda, waxayna ugu dambeyn sababtay Doonta inay ku caariso aaga Nekfish, halka loo yaqaan. Sidoo kale, kala bar agabkii saarnaa Doonida ayaa qaarkood dul sabeynaaya Badda, waxaana suuragal ah in inta harsan ay sii degto, waa haddii aan la helin gurmad. Dhinaca kale, Maamulka Dekadda ayaa gurmad xooli ah u diray Doonida, waxaan iminka socda badbaadinta agabka badqaba. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Garoowe Caasimada@live.com The post Dooni siday rar culus oo kusoo caarisay xeebta magaalada Boosaaso appeared first on Caasimada Online.

ADDIS ABABA: Clashes between two of Ethiopia’s largest ethnic groups have forced around one million people to leave their homes, according to a UN report seen by AFP. Source: Hiiraan Online

Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo” will mark his one year in office on February 8, celebrating a few successes that eluded his predecessor. Unlike his predecessor, President Farmajo has remained popular across clans, with observers saying having a prime minister for over 10 months is good for the continuity of government. Sakariye Cismaan, a writer and political analyst based in Cadaado, Galmudug in Somalia, told The EastAfrican that the ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund to secure debt relief for the country’s $5.3 billion external debt would be a major achievement for the president. “His popularity, although briefly dented by the rendition of a Somali national to Ethiopia where he was wanted for terrorism charges, has not diminished. On the contrary it has increased as seen in his 16-day ‘peace trip’ to towns in Puntland and Galmudug states,” said Mr Cismaan. President Farmajo has made progress in breaking the Galmudug deadlock after Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama, based in Dhusomareb, made concessions to work with Mogadishu. He has also made efforts to reduce corruption, which was one of his main campaign slogans. He eliminated ghost workers and reduced wastage in the finance ministry. However, Liban Ahmad, a political commentator, said corruption will remain a major challenge until the country starts employing on merit rather than for regional balance. The unemployment rate for those aged 14 to 29 is at 67 per cent. Another major challenge for the president is getting donors and development partners to honour their pledges. During the Somalia International Conference in London in May last year, world leaders pledged $1.3 billion to support the new government and its security and economic reforms. He has to convince the international community to pump in more funds and investments that would enable Somalia to tackle challenges of insecurity, economic growth, corruption, constitutional reforms and strengthening regional federal states. According to Mr Cismaan, apart from Turkey, which has implemented projects like building roads, hospitals, a new terminal at Aden Abdulle Airport and improving the Mogadishu Seaport, other development partners who made pledges at the London conference have been slow to deliver. The European Union — the biggest donor for Somalia — pledged to invest $1.03 billion this year, which will bring total support to $4.5 billion until 2020. This includes support for the African Union Mission for Somalia, salaries for police, development aid, and $596 million for humanitarian assistance to tackle the devastating effects of the drought. The United Kingdom pledged $27 million to be spent over the next two years to be spent training and mentoring the country’s army and improving security. President Farmajo’s grand “National Security Architecture” suffered a major blow last October when a truck bomb exploded near market in Mogadishu, killing over 500 people. It was considered the biggest terrorist attack in the country’s history. The National Security Architecture involves creating an 18,000-strong army and a 32,000-member police force to be trained and distributed across all federal member states. Another challenge for the president is achieving universal suffrage in 2021. The formation of federal states has gone on smoothly and the National Independent Electoral Commission is travelling across the country educating the public about the elections and preparing the local electoral commissions. Source: – The East African The post President Farmajo Remains Popular appeared first on Caasimada Online.

Extremist groups have turned Kenya’s polarised political landscape into fertile recruitment and breeding grounds for the next generation of terrorists in the region. A study by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) reveals that terrorists and other extremists group continue capitalising on the country’s highly ethnic and political differences to lure vulnerable individuals. STRATEGIES The study argued that terrorists radicalise and recruit through the same strategies used by online tribal groups in Kenya to promote tribalism and violence. The 16-month study on online extremists’ threats and responses in Kenya indicated that local terrorists learned the tactics from Isis and others who exploited social, political and economic challenges facing countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria to advance their activities. “These strategies have developed rapidly, many Kenyan Internet users have not yet responded in kind,” added the report. ELECTIONS The study further revealed that extremist groups exploited political and tribal differences among Kenyans throughout the electioneering period. “Extremists in Kenya increase their activity during election periods, exploiting and sometimes co-opting the political process. “Data from the campaigns, including responses by Kenyan social media users, incorporated themes and narratives from Islamists, promoters of tribal violence, and holders of political grievances,” added the report. HISTRICAL INJUSTICES The ISD study pointed out similar reasons that past studies found to be the underlying factors behind hundreds of Kenyan youth particularly those from Coast counties crossing into Somalia to join Al-Shabaab and travelling as far as Libya and Syria to join Isis. The historical land injustices and marginalisation in Lamu, Mombasa and Kwale have been identified as reasons why youth from the Swahili, Bajuni and Mijikenda communities joined Al-Shabaab and Isis. The ISD study recommends that: “Kenyans of all backgrounds need to begin a process of safely and effectively countering the divisive messages of extremists, particularly during the times of political uncertainty which extremists exploit.” CAMPAIGN The agency trained over 50 community service organisations to counter the influence of extremists among Kenyans online. At least 29 other community service organisations were facilitated to create 18 video counter-narrative campaigns, which were disseminated in the midst of a volatile election period that included an annulled vote in August and a boycotted follow-up vote in October. The counter-narrative campaign online reached over 4.4 million Kenyans during the campaign period. Source: – Daily Nation The post Extremists use political crisis, ethnic differences to recruit: Study appeared first on Caasimada Online.

In 2017, the ICRC continued to help the people of Somalia affected by over 35 years of armed conflict and harsh climatic conditions like droughts and floods. At the onset of the drought in Somalia, the ICRC assisted over 2.3 million persons of which 1.3 were assisted with financial, food, essential households, and livestock treatment. Over 480,000 persons received medical assistance and more than 700,000 people received clean water and better sanitation. The detention teams made 43 visits to places of detention. Highlights of our work in Somalia in 2017 Provided economic support to 581,500 people through cash relief, cash for work, and cash grants Distributed emergency food and essential household items to 606,510 people Exchanged 71,300 Red Cross Messages to connect people separated from their loved ones Provided medical supplies that benefited over 410,800 people in primary health care Improved access to clean water for nearly 295,000 people through borehole and well projects Assessed the living conditions of 2,700 detainees to ensure they are treated humanely and with dignity. Source: – ICRC The post Somalia: Assisting people affected by conflict and drought in 2017 appeared first on Caasimada Online.

Somali leaders at the federal and regional level are expected to hold a High-Level forum on security, which is scheduled to begin on Monday in Somalia’s capital. The conference which will be chaired Somali President, Mohamed Abdullahi convenes leaders from the Federal Member States of Somalia and the Benadir Regional Administration. The security forum will focus on the progress made by federal and state governments and Benadir region. Some of regional states leaders arrived in Mogadishu. Jubbaland and Southwest presidents are expected to arrive in the capital today. Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali ‘Gaas’ has arrived in Mogadishu on Sunday for the two-day event. The forum comes barely hours after an overnight explosion occurred in the Daynile District of Mogadishu which killed two people. It is reported that an explosive device went off while being assembled, killing the two men who are suspected to have been wiring the bomb and killing another woman. Somalia has promised to make security sector reform a priority since the political agreements reached in the National Security Architecture in April 2017, and the Security Pact at the London Conference on Somalia in May 2017. A similar meeting held on December 4th concluded with the participants agreeing that three priorities of “immediate action” were 1.Implementation of the National Security Architecture; 2.Urgent development of realistic conditions -based transition plan with clear target dates to transfer security responsibility from AMISOM to Somali security forces; the completion and implementation of which will be essential to enable sustainable and predictable financing for AMISOM. This plan must be guided by the rule of law, respect for human rights and should include countering violent extremism, stabilization and governance. 3.Continued international support to build the capacity of Somali security forces and institutions targeted in line with needs emerging from progress on the above priorities. The plan also calls for checks to the distribution of forces among the regional states and the integration of forces into Somali army. Puntland recently announced the integration of 2,400 Puntland Troops into the SNA. Somalia still faces the threat from Al-Shabaab militants who continue to hold large swathes of land in the south and central Somalia; using it as a base from which to launch attacks against civilian and government installations. Source: Hol The post High-level security meeting expected to begin in Mogadishu appeared first on Caasimada Online.

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online)-Dowlada Somalia ayaa gaadiid nooca casriga ah kala wareegtay dowladda Talyaaniga ee uu kala dhexeeyo xiriirka fog. Gaadiidka lagu wareejiyay dowlada Somalia ayaa la sheegay inay yihiin laba gaadiid nooca gaashaaman ee casriga ah. Gaadiidka ayaa waxaa lagu wareejiyay Wasaaradda Amniga Xukuumadda Somalia iyo Booliska, waxaana halkaa ku gudoomay Wasiiraka Amniga Xukuumada Somalia Maxamed Abuukar Islow. Dowladda Talyaaniga ayaa deeqdaan Gaadiidka Gaashaaman Soomaaliya u soo marsiisay Ururka Midowga Africa, waxaana lagu biirin doonaa gaadiidkii uu Talyaaniga horay ugu wareejiyay Somalia. Wakiilada ka socday Talyaaniga ee goobjooga ka ahaa wareejinta ayaa sheegay inuu socdo qorsho Somalia lagu soo gaarsiinaayo gaadiid hor leh. Wadanka Talyaaniga ayaa kamid ah wadamada ay Somalia ka joogan ciidanka isla markaana kaalin weyn ka qaata isgarabtaaga Hay’adaha amaanka. The post Sawirro: Dowlada Somalia oo lagu wareejiyay Gaadiid nooca casriga ah appeared first on Caasimada Online.

The Minister of Transport and Roads Development Mr. Abdillahi Abokor Osman along with the General Manager of Roads Development Authority Mr. Ibrahim Saed Elmi opened a consultative workshop on Axle Load Control Act (ALCA) today in Hargeisa. The workshop, which was funded by GIZ and organized by Somaliland Y-PEER, were attended by participants from the Roads Development Authority, representatives from transport companies, truck owners and drivers, poets and communications specialists. According to the Minister of Transport and Roads Development Mr. Abdillahi Abokor, who spoke at the opening session of the workshop, the ALCA Act will soon be implemented but awareness raising among key stakeholders including track owners, drivers and transport companies will first be undertaken before the law is being fully enforced. “As the Act is new to Somaliland transport industry, it could only be implemented effectively if we inform and educate the target groups well before it is in effect” Minister Abokor said. The General Manager of Roads Development Authority Mr. Ibrahim Saed Elmi who also provided speech during the workshop told participants that the meeting was held to give stakeholders opportunity to participate in the planning process and provide their recommendations related to how best could ULCA Act be communicated across Somaliland. He added that the project will officially be inaugurated in late February. Ibrahim Saed Elmi, General Manager of Roads Development Authority Mohamed Mahad Dama, Director of Somaliland Y-PEER, implementing partner of the project, told the media that workshop participants will develop communications plan for ALCA Act and select appropriate core messages for the campaign. Eng. Yasin Ali Adan from RDA also stressed the importance of the ALCA Act for the highways of Somaliland. “Every year, we spend a lot of money on the maintenance of roads damaged by overloaded trucks. This law will help the Ministry, RDA and enforcement authorities to prevent trucks from crossing allowed limits of axle load while traveling on certain roads in Somaliland” Eng Yasin said. ALCA Act is the first of it’s kind to be implemented in Somaliland as part of initiatives the Government want to improve safety and sustainability of Somaliland main roads.

This part is about the dynamics of SNM’s ‘operation liberation’ effort of the North from occupied troops of Siad Barre’s the dictatorial regime. Having signed the truce discussed previously, the SNM found itself in a desperate situation. Nevertheless, the SNM political and military leadership were never distressed of the frantic situation. The SNM had only two options with no third one to choose from: The SNM had to choose either to go for the option of buckling down and reducing itself to a toothless tiger or otherwise to go for broke. They went for the latter. It was immediately after the agreement, that the SNM chairman (Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo), the Central Committee members and the SNM command and military leaders met at a place called ‘Dhoobo-guduud’. A decisive and final decision was reached there as an alternative left which was to wage war and take on a frontal headlock with the government troops stationed and spread along the border but in the agreed and specified demilitarized buffer zone, about 13 kilometres inside and from the border with Ethiopia, according to the peace accord. For the SNM chairman, the politicians and the commanders there was no retreat for them but only to go forward to meet the enemy either to achieve victory or to perish in total annihilation. The chairman urgently left the scene (the meeting place) and within few days departed for London for safety and security purposes and, therefore, to avoid retribution by the government of Ethiopia since the decision of the SNM was a breach of the terms of the agreement. A full attack by the SNM forces became imminent. The SNM consumed not much time to regroup its forces dividing them into two main divisional command fronts fronts, i.e, the Madina and the Makka and prepared to march forward towards the border to fulfil targets. Each front had its military targets and objectives. The Makka front forces had to take its military target objectives in the eastern parts of the country initially attacking and capturing Buroa. The division was by Colonel Ahmed Mire Mohamed as the commander and Colonel Adan Suleiman as deputy commander. Countless number of other officers took part and include: Colonels Handulle, Mohamed Kahin, Jama Ali Elmi, Hassan Kayd, Abdirahman Ahmed Hersi ‘Hunsho’, Ismail Aden, Abulhakim Sumuli, Musa Hassan Dhunkal (Musa Bidar), Hassan Abokor, Bidhiid, Ibrahim Jama Dhiif, Jama Digaale Duale, Omar Dhaka Finish, Hassan Kayd and many others. The Western divisional front (Madina) was further divided into two sub-divisions with divergent targets. A sub-divisional command (the Central front – Sayid Ali) with its targets to attack the Adadley garrison. It was led by a dynamic Colonel, Hussein Dheere, as the Commander with Ahmed Hassan Waysa Ade (who is alive today) as the deputy Commander. The other commanding officers who led the attack on the Adadley military garrison included Mohamed Ali (leading an own unit fighting together with the Sayid Ali forces), Colonels Ahmed Janan Oogo, Mohamed Ismail, Ali Mohamed Yussuf (Ali Gurey), who was originally a civilian intellectual but promoted to a commander and many others. The main western divisional front forces were led by colonel Ibrahim Husssein Dhegaweyne as the commander (who is alive today) and Dayib Gurey (vice commander) together with many other officer commanders such as many other Colonels (Abdillahi Askar, Mahdi Ali, Adan Shine, Aden Abdi Abyan – Adan Ade who led the Sanaani unit, Mohamed Elmi Samatar (aka Mohamed Elmi Galan leading the Sayid Omer unit), Colonel Gamadheere, Hussein Dheere, Abdirahman Aw Ali Farah, Ahmed Dhagah, Mohamoud Haybe Omer, captain Weerar, and many others. The command control of SNM forces was held by Hassan Yonis Habane, Hassan Gurre and Musa Bihi Abdi. The target was to attack Hargeisa starting the onslaught first on the 26thSector HQ and Birjeex Centre and Hargeisa the airport. The Madina front started moving from its base but days later after the Makka front. There was a problem in the procurement of fuel which proved difficult especially for the western command (Madina) front batallions. There was petrol rationing situation at the time. The Eastern front (Makka) had its share of fuel before the western front which was all what was in hand in the hope to get petrol from Ethiopians for the Madina division. But that never came. In fact, the plan to get fuel from Jigjiga but the Ethiopians turned that hope down land left Madina front forces without petrol. Nevertheless, the Makka forces went according to the plan. But the Eastern divisional front (Makka) had petrol just enough to reach destination (Buroa). The forces started moving days earlier than the Madina divisional front forces. On 26 May 1988, at dusk the Makka front left Samatar Ahmed village. The forces consisted of 1,200 fighters altogether with minimum rounds of ammunition, vehicles etc. By sunset they reached at the town of Dhoqoshay. In the early morning of the next day they were at a popular place just outside Buroa known as the Barta/Badhka (a place where the Barre’s regime’s army used for shooting and execution of the people). Passing the Barta, the SNM forces went straight to Buroa with no resistance. At ‘Bar Siigo’ restaurant the forces were divided into two part forces. One front headed towards the bridge, the other to the Buroa military HQ. There was not much resistance as the government forces literally ran off without fighting leaving behind huge ammunitions, weaponry and tanks which were taken and used by the SNM forces. The SNM forces commander (Colonel Ahmed Mirre) was wounded in the head. Colonel Handulle, also wounded in the arm, had to replace him and took the command. In sum, Buroa was liberated within few days of the fighting though later on the SNM met a strong counter-attack from the enemy and counter-attacks from forces dumped at Buroa airport straight from South Somalia. The Madina division finally secured fuel though with difficulty but the wittiness and patience of Mohamed Hashi Elmi who raised fuel donations to fill a tanker hidden in the bush. The western divisions front (Madina) eventually moved couple of days behind than the Eastern front which started the March on 27 May, i.e., on 30 May 1988 and started marching to cross the border from a place named the Masajidka. A noteworthy to mention that Colonel Ga’amadheere, Yousuf Gadhle and Mohamed Abdi Ali were already secretly in Hargeisa few days before the move for reconnaissance purposes and for intelligence gathering. On departure, the Madina front forces were about 1,500 fighters with a modest amount of transport vehicles. They started the march from ‘Masajidka’ at 12:00 p.m. While on mobility or move the SNM forces were spotted by a surveillance MIG Hunter plane of government Air Force piloted by a South-African mercenary pilot. Continuous reinforcements and replenishment of weapons for the government forces steadily poured for the government from their western battalions and from Berbera port. The SNM forces had scuffles in the late evening before they reached the Command of the 26th Sector. The processions marched to Sheikh Mowdhle at around 5:00pm. From thereon they continued to ‘Sheikh Omer camp’ outside Hargeisa. From thereon they took a rough path made by Sheikh Omer himself years ago called the Halgan path (Waddo Halgan) then down to ‘Adrosh’ village, and then to ‘Hagal’. At about 7:30 pm the SNM forces camped just about 300 meters away from the Command and Control HQ ‘Taliska Fooqa’ (now the Ministry of Defence) of the government forces in the North (the 26th sector). The SNM were ready in defence manner but equally in attack mood to attack too. At the 26 Sector Military HQ and command Centre of the ‘Faqash’, before the SNM started assault they were attacked, according to the plan, the SNM forces were prepared for fighting and they wanted the fighting to happen in the night as they knew by experience that they the SNM forces were stronger in fighting during the night. In that same night the 26 Command and Birjeex Military Base were captured and most of Hargeisa was in the SNM hands. However, in the morning of 31 may 1988, the fighting proved difficult. The government troops regrouped themselves with an entire brigade from the West. The fighting was taking place inside the city. The strong defences of Hargeisa had fallen within that same night and in the first few days of fighting. The defeated government forces withdrew to the outskirts of Hargeisa and started to fight from second echelon of defensive positions,, i.e., from the Airport and from the hills in the East of the city. Ruthless artillery shelling by the government’s inventory troops was coupled by relentless aerial bombardment by the Air Force destroying the city (detailed in elsewhere by the author ‘Rebirth of Somaliland’). The government army was shelling the residential areas and public buildings and centres (schools, mosques, markets etc.) indiscriminately. The SNM sustained heavy human casualty. According to Musa Bihi (the present president) the SNM lost 60% of its original trained force though young men were joining in hundreds. On 28 May 1988, Colonel Mohamed Ali (leader of Sayid Ali unit) crossed the border to assist SNM’s other central command forces attack on Adadley. These operations were followed by attacks on the coastal areas. However, there was a great resistance at Hargeisa. On 29 May the SNM forces led by Colonel Hussein Ahmed (Hussein Dheere) captured Adadley military garrison with ease and with less resistance. On 30 May 1988, Mohamed Ali Captured Madera prison and Colonel Ibrahim Hussein (Dhegaweyne), commander of the Makka Division (western battalions) and other commanders such as Colonel Aden Adde, Musa Bihi, Mohamed Elmi Samatar, Hussein Dhere, Abirahman Huunsho, Aden Shine and many other officers of the western front division entered Hargeisa with some resistance. Colonels Ga’amadhere, Mohamoud Haybe Goodaad, Abdillahi Uddo were already in Hargeisa before the forces’ incursion for surveillance and secret mission. From May to September 1988 Hargeisa was under evil forces of destruction of Siad Barre. After having significant casualties, the SNM’s remaining fighters were forced to retreat to the outskirts of the city. By then Berbera and Hargeisa airports were open for the enemy as the life line for the government’s troops which were holding on to areas captured and determined to fight to gain control of Hargeisa. The battle of Hargeisa was severe. Hargeisa was seen strategically meaningless for the SNM since the life line of the enemy was still operational. The SNM’s military commanders and strategists made that tactical judgement and a calculated decision to attack Berbera. SNM forces attacked Berbera. Continuous reinforcements and replenishment of weapons for the government forces were steadily streaming and pouring from the Berbera port and their west army battalions. But Berbera was the life line for the enemy. But to hold on to the captured areas and fight to gain control of Hargeisa was seen meaningless so long as the life line of the enemy was alive and operational. The SNM military commanders and strategists eventually made a tactical judgement and a calculated decision to attack Berbera. The SNM organized a strong force to launch the attack. The SNM force was led by Arab Duale and Abdillahi Hussein (Dhegaweyne) under the operation code named ‘Adan Sueliman’. Both of them were some of the top and brave SNM commanders. Berbera eventually fell in the hands of the SNM. The SNM’s surprise attacks resulted in the capture of the main towns and villages that fell into the hands of the SNM liberation fighters. In general analysis, the SNM forces which crossed the border met no resistance on the way and the all-out offensive they took on the government forces on major towns was surprising and paid dividends. The attacks were lightening and carefully planned. The decision of the SNM was suicidal in nature it was extremely a bold one. It was a matter of life and death and a choice between hope and despair. It was either the decimation or the end of SNM and the end cause of the struggle or a victory and success. But it was the best option for a committed SNM liberator to take. It was characteristics of a real terminator. In the process of liberation struggle civilians turned military leaders and many of them became part of the best commanders and leaders. The SNM operations ended with major successes. Barre had a kick in the teeth. The opportunity for the SNM proved that the strong armed force of Somalia (one of the strongest in Africa) which was weakened by the 1977/78 and defeated with the help and assistance by Soviet Union and Cuba and other Socialist countries had no chance or morale to fight with the SNM liberators. The SNM easily defeated and humiliated the Somali government forces affected by low morale. The SNM’s weaponry or arsenal was insufficient due financial constraints. The SNM faced the strength and might of the Government’s regular government force which was then considered as one of the largest and strongest in black Africa. Yet most often than not the SNM forces had the upper hand. The peace agreement was beneficial for the Somali troops in getting relived from the SNM pressure. But it ended to be, in a way, a blessing in disguise for the SNM forces. It was a wake-up call for the SNM as there were some standing differences between groups during the time of the truce signing. But nevertheless, when the news was heard, all of a sudden hatches were buried, differences were forgotten buried and the groups became united as if sharing a single soul. With sheer determination, emotion and patriotism the government forces were easily defeated. In desperation the government forces resorted to killing and massacring innocent civilians, bombarding and shelling public places, schools, hospitals, mosques, markets, and made efforts to erase building to the ground and reduce the city to rubble. Water and electricity supplies were cut off. More than 50,000 civilians of men, women and children were killed. Torture of civilians and massive arrests of people became routine, which existed even well before the eruption of the fighting as reported by international human rights organisations. The surprise attacks and the SNM invasion caused a difficult period for the people of Somaliland origin inside the South (Somalia) particularly in Mogadishu. Many high ranking officers from the North who originally contributed to formation of the SNM military wing were still trapped inside the country. The politicians, civil servants and intellectuals such as Jama Mohamed Ghalib, Ahmed Hassan Musa, Omer Mohamed Handulle (Omer Bobe), Mohamed Hawadleh Madar (Jiir), Mohamed H Hassan Salah, Osman Ali Jama (Osman Kaluun) who were behind the formation of the SNM and facilitation of the departure missions of military officers to join the SNM in Ethiopia were still in Mogadishu. Women were the backbone and the machinery at the back of the forces by helping the wounded as paramilitary, medical staff and also. Apart from their significant auxiliary roles many of them fought alongside men. Details of SNM’s attacks on the Hargeisa have been provided officers, commanders as well as the SNM liberators. Before SNM entered the country, SNM attacks were only sporadic. The SNM, during its struggle, lost important commanders such as Colonel Mohamed Hashi ‘Lixle’ and others as well fighters in some attacks such as those on Ballay Gubadle and Buroa-Duuray in 1984. By December 1988 the entire of Hargeisa fell in the hands of the SNM forces. However, in September 1988 the SNM forces withdrew purely for safety of the population and for tactical reasons. Some argue that was because of differences within the SNM commanders and politicians. That was exactly a military tactic and nothing with politics. After all, politicians were not on ground. However, Hargeisa was not liberated for a quite along until around the time Bare regime fell. The SNM lost thousands of fighters and many of our cream, trained and talented soldiers and commanders while many lost their lives or wounded (like myself) in the fierce fighting and battles. Thousands of government soldiers and commanders were killed or wounded in the battle with the SNM forces. The commanders of the government troops (some of them were killed) included: Generals such as Mohamed said Hersi (Morgan), Ahmed Warsame, Osman Gaab, Ali Kediye, Kahiye, Cadceed, Hirane, Siyad Daud, Abdulaziz Ali Barre, Yousuf Tallan, Anaboodhe and colonels such as Ina Ma’allin, Codweyn, Fardojan, ina Kora Jan, Awes Gedow, Munye Aby Munye and others. The SNM had the upper hand and defeated the government forces but the SNM chose to consider the humanity aspect of the war with the defeated soldiers and their Commanders. Instead of taking prisoners of war (POW) and resorting to inhumane treatments, the SNM gave a special treatment to the war prisoners of the defeated armed troops and associated militia groups in the hands of the SNM. Over 10,000 soldiers and the militias fighting alongside the government forces were given safe passages by the SNM to cross the border with Ethiopia safely to find their own routes back to the South. That took place without torture or carrying revenge contrary to the regimes atrocities to civilians in the north. Until now there no monuments erected for the SNM war heroes with the exception of two erected by Mohamoud Wadad, an ex-SNM fighter for two brave fallen heros (Mohamed Haji Muse ‘Haragwafi’ at Aw Barkahdle and for Hamud Ibrahim Yasin at Dhibato which stands right on where he died on 25 May 1988 while fighting with the government forces and Dubato village. As a matter of fact, Hamud died in 1984 at Buroa-Duray with Lixle. The fierce and surprise attacks of the SNM and the successful consequent achievements the SNM forces made in which thousands of SNM fighters lost their lives has been described by the following lines (in communication with the SNM leaders and fighters who died during the entire period of struggle): Sargaal iyo Midah Siyaasi (whether an officer or a politician) Barbaar sooc ahoo aqoon lihi (selected young and educated) Suldaan iyo caaqilkiisa (A sultan and his chief) Raggii surmiga cadceediyo (the men who suffered in scorched sun) Saraaraha noo maraayay (for us those who were went inside the gulleys and gorges Soomalilaand way xorowdoo (Know that Somaliland is free). (Composed by Ali Rabi Seenyo). The enlightening success of the SNM’s invasion was described as a successful accomplished mission as described by the following poetic line in Jamal Ali Hussein’s 2009 poem ‘Abaal Gud’: [“Halgankii Gobanimo Doonkii SNM, Guul ku soo Khatimye”) which means “The SNM Struggle Ended with Success”]. For an account of the atrocities and government reprisal practices by the government forces on the civilian population as a result of the SNM’s surprise attacks and invasion until the last moments of fighting and defeat read next part (Continued).

ADDIS ABABA – An Ethiopian court sentenced a senior opposition leader to six months in jail for contempt of court on Monday because he raised his hand when addressed by the judge rather than standing, his lawyer said. The court ruling came despite a government push to release politicians jailed after mass protests broke out three years ago in the Oromiya region over accusations of land grabbing. More than 2,000 political prisoners have been released since January as part of a package of reforms announced to try to calm lingering tensions. Bekele Gerba, secretary general of the opposition group Oromo Federalist Congress, was arrested in December 2015 and charged with involvement in terrorism. The charge was later reduced to inciting violence. “He had raised his hand when called upon by the judge. The judged deemed that as contempt of court as he did not rise and delivered a six-month sentence,” his lawyer Ameha Mekonnen told Reuters. Last month, the court had also sentenced him for a similar period after Bekele and other opposition party members sang a protest song during the trial. A separate verdict on his incitement charge is expected on March 7. Hundreds died in the violence in the Horn of Africa country in 2015 and 2016, as protests broadened into demonstrations against political restrictions and perceived human rights abuses. The government in Addis Ababa is often criticised by rights groups for using security concerns as an excuse to stifle dissent and media freedoms. It denies the charges. Last month the United Nations human rights body called on Ethiopia to review the status of a “large number of people” still behind bars. The total number of people that remain imprisoned for taking part in the demonstrations is unknown. The body said the government should review anti-terror legislation and laws “to ensure that they are neither interpreted nor implemented too broadly, thereby resulting in people being arbitrarily or wrongfully detained”. Laws placing “undue restrictions” on non-governmental organisations and restricting the media should also be revised, the U.N. said. Merera Gudina, the leader of Bekele’s Oromo Federalist Congress, is among those recently released. The group is a member of Ethiopia’s largest opposition coalition. Reuters

By Ahmed Abdi Hargeisa— As Somaliland is suffering a currency-related economic problem, high inflation, infighting local tribes and droughts, private relief workers warned diverting international food aid to the open markets would worsen the humanitarian situation of the drought-impacted people. Tens of thousands of people are probably in need of emergency food, relief workers and Somaliland officials have concluded. One of Somaliland’s relief organizations warned that any attempt to divert food aid to open markets could worsen the humanitarian situation for the people in the affected areas by the droughts including to Sahel and Maroodi-Jeeh regions. “Food aid theft and corruption will risk pushing more than 40 percent Somalilanders into famine,” said Faisal Ali Sheikh, Head of Disaster Preparedness and Food Storage Agency on Sunday. According to Sheikh, more than 1 million people are in need of emergency food which forced the government to declare a humanitarian emergency.