The incumbent president, His Excellency Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo wrapped up his one-day official visit to Ethiopia by paying a courtesy call on Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn later on Friday. Somaliland president leading a high level delegation met with Ethiopia’s Prime minister and foreign minister, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu. The essence of the talks were aimed at bolstering cooperation and a farewell to SL outgoing president who is about to transfer power once new president is elected. Somaliland FM who accompanied President Silanyo one day official working visit to Ethiopia has said that in a press briefing.The FM of SL Dr. Sa’ad Ali Shire has said that Ethiopian government gave a warm and cordial welcome upon arriving in Addiss Ababa, Ethiopian capital. The red carpet has been rolled out for Somaliland delegation. First, President Silanyo met with Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Ethiopia’s foreign minister where the two discussed ways of enhancing the bilateral ties between the two countries. Later, the president met with Ethiopia’s premiere, Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn. The two leaders discussed on the cooperation, SL election and president Silanyo thanked Ethiopian PM for his cooperation during Silanyo’s tenure as president which is about to finish. Source: Somalilandinformer.com

Now that we have listened to all the political augments, rhetoric and even fake news, it is time we sit back and ponder what the three candidates mean for the future of Somaliland. It is time that despite the outward expression of solidarity with those from our clan background, we reflect inwardly on the decisions we have to make. We need to ask ourselves, is our vote decided by others or by ourselves? Are we going to vote for no other factor other than the candidates’ clan identity? Political Realism Before I ask you to think about your decision, I would like to make some confession on our individual and collective state of affairs. Yes I appreciate the simple fact that clans are aligned with different formations and that it is socially not clever to be seen to go against the grain. Most of us are supporting candidates not because we are convinced of their abilities and realistic agenda as contained in their manifestoes but rather because a preponderant number of our visible clan leaders have declared our wholesale support for a particular candidate without any consultation with us. We seem to be bond to these declarations that we did not partake in their drafting. Yes we have been forced to accept the idea of merry go round – hagbaad where the top seat is rotated around the ‘clans’ for them to have a chance to ‘eat’. We have accepted this despite the fact that we are as far away from the feasting table as one can be. It seems that we derive a sort of weird psychotic slaking if we see one of our own feasting on ill-gotten public resource at our own collective expense. This hallucinating concept of ‘we’ clouds our vision of the poverty that is debilitating us. We sing and shout hoarse in support of a small click that squander our taxes with impunity and grieve to the point of surrendering our precious lives if the same click that live in gated mansions complain of exclusion. Yes the political elites have their hordes that spread fake sense of grievance calculated against the competing political grouping. These campaign loudmouths know us very well. They don’t bother to pretend to work or do good, all the they need is to arouse our passion – tolaaaaahii, anago reer beheel ……and like poodles we rush to their defence even at the risk of our limbs and lives. They ask us to hate and we hate without question and in the blink of an eye, if their interest changes, they unashamedly ask us to love the very same individuals they made us writhe with consuming hate. In short they have our switches and they can turn it on or off with the full expectation of our unqualified rallying to them. Audacity of mental Independent I appreciate that we have been knotted, entangled and leashed and we have little room to manoeuvre and regain our free will and freedom of thought. It is hard to keep afloat above the deluge of fakery, populism, and clannish politics. Regaining physical independence for those who have suffered physical injuries normally requires, at time painful exercises and a tough will to persevere the discomfort and pain. Mental independence is even harder for those who have been socialized to group subservience. Amorphous clans or its never ending subdivision have a total control of our outlook, our thinking, our action and our identity. Wrestling ourselves off these powerful cultural shackles will take time and pain. It is sad that despite suffering the painful ramification of politics of clans we are yet to accept them as such. Economic woes, illiteracy, poor health, corruption, insecurity, malfunctioning public institutions, municipalities in disarray, famine, to name a few are not seen as the results of this mental slavery but effects of some flimsy factors listed by the beneficiaries of the current system. We are never able to see that these politicians never suffer these ills. They water their gardens while the rest of us use pebbles to clean ourselves in the toilets. Their kids are in foreign universities while those of us who dare move are awaited by the torturing magafeey, the cooking sun of the Libyan Desert and sharp cold arrows of the freezing Mediterranean Sea waters and its hungry sharks. Their waste bins were full of pasta and minced meat while the rest of the country withered in the unrelenting droughts. They wear $200 macaawiis while our thin second hand hudeey shirts are tearing on our backs. In short these politicians are immune from our sufferings. Their world sustained by our collective imbecility and taxes is far away and we can only dream off. Small Steps of Recovery As all recoveries from injury, sickness or addiction take small steps, our quest for mental independence needs such small steps. We can take these steps by looking at key issues that are on the table in this election. Key Issues I am not suggesting here drastic and or revolutionary disentanglement from mental slavery that I have painted in the preceding paragraphs but rather some very basic steps that will help us achieve this freedom of thought and will. The mundane list is: Somaliland National Security and Somaliland’s Economy. All other factors are icing on the cake and can never be achieved in the absence of security and economic wherewithal. I will ask you and especially those of you who claim to have receive some education to take time and ponder on these two factors. I preferably will beg your indulgence to think about them when you are alone on your bed, when all the histrionics are off and there are no clan honchos to reprimand, cajole or command you to toe the line. National Security Remember we are surrounded by a sea of violence, insecurity and threats of terrorism. These are factors that call for a man with a steel backbone, one who will not dither, delegate or whimper. Now that you know the personalities of the three candidates and their key supporting actors, who do you trust to ensure the security of your families, properties and country? Ask yourself who amongst the three pretenders to the throne can ensure sustainable security. Who has the ability, the will to take tough unpopular decision on matters of security? National Economy Any economy requires resources, security and probity to prosper. Natural resources are plenty in the country – livestock, marine, extractive resource such as coal, limestone, precious minerals, and even oil; a young ambitious and fairly educated manpower and a growing market. In terms of probity there are two fundamental factors – institutions and individuals. Our institutions are still very small, weak and fragile to enforce trust in our public finance management. The legal environment is still at its cradles, and despite the existence of a National Plan and Vision, we are yet to get the administration that will operationalize them. What we are grossly lacking is the existence of individuals of impeccable character who can be entrusted with the management of our economy. All the three parties have made their economic case or rather dreams and they sound great on paper but we know that the key enemies of any economy are corruption and insecurity. Hence the question I want to ask you is very simple – can you entrust your shop to individuals whom you have heard mentioned in corruption? If the answer is no, then you have to look around and see where the notorious characters are hibernating. Does defection from one party to the other absolves a politician’s economic sins? Once you have properly analysed these, try to ask those close to you and reason with them. This is risky but worth the effort as it will help us get independence of mind and will and make Somaliland a great democracy. Whatever your decision, be the vanguard of peace and unity. Vote sensibly and let us all pray for our young Fatherland. VIVA SOMALILAND Faisal Kenadid faisal.kenadid@gmail.com Hargeisa, Somaliland

People work in a printing studio as they prepare materials to mark the break-away of Somaliland from Somalia in Hargeysa, May 16, 2015. © 2015 Reuters On November 13, the self-declared autonomous state of Somaliland will be holding presidential elections, the third since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991. The incumbent is stepping down and the elections are pitting the ruling party’s candidate against two opponents, in what commentators describe as a close race. Today, the national electoral commission announced at a press conference that it will be imposing a shutdown of social media from November 13 until the election results come out. While governments have sought to justify such bans on the grounds that election commentary may spark violence or the proliferation of “fake news,” the public’s access to information is key to free and fair elections. A May 2015 joint declaration by inter-governmental experts on freedom of expression states that shutting down entire parts of communications systems, “can never be justified under human rights law.” Government restrictions should be law-based and a necessary and proportionate response to a specific security concern, not simply to curtail the flow of information. The proposed Internet shutdown would be a first in Somaliland, but not in the region. In several countries, including Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, telecommunications authorities have deliberately blocked the Internet for days or longer during periods of social unrest and elections. In November 2016, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights raised concerns over, “the emerging practice of State Parties of interrupting or limiting access to telecommunications services such as the Internet, social media, and messaging services, increasingly during elections,” and called on governments to guarantee, respect, and protect citizens’ rights to freedom of information and expression through access to Internet services. Somaliland officials should acknowledge the critical role the Internet plays in its development and democratization process. And, if they are concerned about the spread of “fake news” and social unrest, they can disseminate accurate information and discourage violence. Somaliland has the chance to conduct elections in a manner that promotes genuine participation. It should step back from taking measures that would thwart this. HRW

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online)-Dowlada Jabuuti ayaa shaaca ka qaaday in Somalia ay usoo direyso ciidamo xoogan oo ka garab dagaalama kuwa dowlada Somalia. Jabuuti ayaa sheegtay in ciidamadaasi ay ka qeybqaadan doonaan dagaalka ka dhanka ah Alshabaab oo ay qaadeyso dowlada Somalia. General Zakariye Sheekh Ibraahim oo ah Taliyaha Ciidamada xoogga dalka Jabuuti, ayaa sheegay in Somalia ay u dirayaan ciidamo hor leh. Taliyaha ayaa sheegay Ciidamadan ay u soo dirayaan Somalia in ay codsatay Xukuumadda Federaalka Somalia, wuxuuna tilmaamay Ciidamadan in ay si gaar ah uga howlgeli doonaan magaalooyin ay kamid tahay Cadaado. Waxa uu intaa raaciyay in qeybta 5aad ee Ciidamada Hiil walaal ay soo dhameysteen tababar muddo ay ku soo jireen, waxaana dhowaan ay soo gaari doonaan magaalada Muqdisho ee caasimadda Somalia. Sidoo kale, dalabka lagu keenaayo Somalia ciidamadan ayaa waxaa horay u jeediyay Madaxweynaha Somalia Maxamed C/laahi Maxamed ”Farmaajo” oo dhawaan booqasho ku tagay wadamo ay ka mid yihiin Jabuuti, Uganda iyo Ethiopia. Dhinaca kale, dalalka uu Farmaajo weydiistay ciidamada ayaa kamid ah wadamada ay ciidamada ka joogan Somalia. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

Ahead of the meeting with Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn a delegation led by Somaliland President Mohamed Silanyo meets with Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh this morning (November 10). Mentioning the warm welcome accorded to him and his delegation, President Mohamed commended the government of Ethiopia for its unwavering commitment in being accessible to the requests of the people and the government of Somaliland more than any other country. President Mohamed noted with satisfaction the success of cooperation between the two governments and urged the need to scale up collective efforts in widening and deepening the ties in arrays untapped before. Given the shared aspiration, language, culture and history between the people of Somaliland and Ethiopia, Dr. Workneh emphasized the need to lift up the people to people relationship to a high gear. Naming Somaliland an “Oasis of Peace”, the Foreign Minister expressed his hope that the country will witness another free, fair and peaceful election as the country is gearing towards its third presidential election on November 13 in which 704, 089 registered voters are expected to elect a new president. Dr. Workneh noted his Government’s readiness to hold up the exemplary democratic and economic developments in Somaliland. The election is expected to mark a milestone in Somaliland’s electoral development as it will be the first time that the incumbent, President Silyano, has not challenged for the top job. MOFA Ethiopia

ABDISHAKUR AHMED The dramatic decrease in the cost of renewable energy technologies seen in recent years presents an unprecedented opportunity to improve our access to energy—and create employment in the process. This is especially true in Somaliland, where more than 80% of the local population of 3.5 million does not have access to modern electricity. Somaliland’s small economy cannot afford large investments in the infrastructure needed for generating energy in the more traditional, 20th century sense. Running electricity lines over long distances to reach a geographically dispersed, off-grid population is simply uneconomical. Moreover, at US$0.85 per kilowatt, the cost of electricity in Somaliland is among the highest in the world. The alternative is to promote renewable energy innovations, such as pico-solar products, off-grid and on-grid small-scale solar systems, and solar-powered irrigation systems. This will create considerable employment opportunities for the large number of Somali youth (comprising 67% of the population), particularly in distribution, sales, installation, and maintenance. Affordable and reliable electricity is an indispensable prerequisite for economic development: if families can get affordable and reliable electricity, economic activities will increase, incomes will rise, and more money can be invested in local businesses and education. This fosters hope in locally sourced energy solutions as a means of employment, and deters youths from migrating to urban areas or fleeing to Europe along dangerous routes purely for the sake of social and economic advancement. Personal Experience I was raised in a rural village and the lack of access to modern electricity has affected me personally. This later inspired me to start my own renewable energy company, which I did in December 2014. SomLite is a solar product, distribution and financing social enterprise that focuses on bringing economic advancement to rural and peri-urban communities through access to renewable energy. We provide good quality solar lanterns, sourced from proven manufacturers, and make these units affordable for rural customers through daily payment instalment plans, made via local mobile money services. Most importantly, our market entry strategy includes recruiting sales agents local to the communities in which we operate. As of today, SomLite has directly created 29 jobs (5 managers and 24 sales agents), of which 15 have gone to women. Somlite is also currently piloting solar-powered water pumps for irrigation that will reduce the cost of energy for rural farmers and increase agricultural productivity. This will lead to domestic agricultural growth and create jobs in the agricultural industry. Although most of Somlite’s jobs have been created in rural areas, we plan to roll out this successful model in urban areas by commercializing on-grid, rooftop solar. Our five-year plan is to continue to expand, in order to generate both energy and jobs for all Somalis in surrounding regions. Overall, promoting access to energy, and channelling investment to off-grid and on-grid renewable energy technologies, will catalyse the economy and create jobs for Somali youth. Investing in local and innovative solutions can reduce rural poverty, increase productivity, and curb unsafe migration to urban areas in Somaliland and beyond.

Balcad (Caasimada Online) – Ururka Al-shabaab ayaa dagaal kula wareegay degaaanka Basra oo ka tirsan Gobolka Shabeelaha Dhexe iyo deegaano kale, kadib dagaal ay la galeen ciidamada Dowladda Soomaaliya, oo ay maalmahan isku hayeen halkaas.. Dagaalkan oo bilowday duhurnimadii maanta ayaa labada dhinac waxa ay isku adeegsadeen hubka nuucyadiisa kala duwan, waxaana ka dhashay khasaare nafeed xooggan, sida ay wararka sheegayaan. Ilaa hadda si dhab ah looma oga khasaaraha rasmiga ah ee ka dhashay dagaalka, balse waxaaa jira khasaare kala duwan oo labada dhinac soo gaaray. Warar kale oo madax banaan ayaa sheegaya Shabaabka sidoo kale in ay la wareegeen degaanka Alifoow. Xaalada degaanka Basra ayaaa kacsan, waxaaana mar kale la filan karaa, sida ay sheegeen dadka degaaanka. Al-Shabaab ayaa sidoo kale baraha ay ku leeyihiin Internet-ka waxa ay ku soo qoreen in ay la wareegeen deegaanadii lagu dagaalamay gaar ahaan deegaanada Basro iyo Daniga Baalow oo hoostaga degmada Balcad. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

HARGEISA— Voters in Somaliland will go to the polls on Monday ( 13th Nov.) to vote for the country’s next president in what is considered to be the most competitive election since the advent of multiparty politics in early 2000. Once voters woke up and go to cast their ballots, Somalilanders in nationwide will find access to social media will be blocked as National Electoral Commission announced. The decision to disconnect social media was jointly announced in a press conference by NEC chairman and Hon. Said Ali Muse, NEC member. The main objective behind the shutting down of all social media the likes of Facebook, twitter, whatsitup, Imo, Viber, Linkedin, and Google plus is to avoid the dissemination of fake news and will be disconnected starting from 13th November and the blockade will be in effect till election results will be released by NEC on 23rd November, 2017.NEC confirmed that the it instructed the internet providing companies to block social media access in the country.The biggest fear for internet disconnection is that individuals will spread false news on the basis of inciting violence before results released by NEC. There are three presidential contenders who are contesting in this election where political analysts say that it will be tough to predict who is going to win it. According to public opinion poll showed the race tightening with Musa Bihi garnering 50% support with Irro 35% and Faisal 15%. The expectation is Musa Bihi likely to come out on top.

Dad yar oo banaanka ka jooga dalka Sucuudiga ayaa horey u maqlay magaca Amiir Maxamed Binu Salmaan oo ah dhaxalsugayaha boqorka dalkaas ka hor intii uusan aabihiis noqon boqorka sanadkii 2015-kii. Amiirkan oo 32 jir ah ayaa noqday shaqsiga ugu awoodda badan ee dalka Sucuudiga oo ah kan ugu horeeya adduunka ee dhoofinta shidaalka. Bishii June ee sanadkan ayaa loo dalacsiiyay in uu noqdo ninka leh dhaxalka boqortooyada , isaga oo xilkaas looga qaaday ninka lagu magacaabo Maxamed Bin Nayef, talaabadaas oo ahayd mid loogu talogalay in lagu weeciyo dariiqa uu dalka markii hore uu ku socday. Amiir Maxamed waxa uu dhashay 31-dii bishii Agoosto, 1985-dii, waana wiilka ugu weyn ee Boqol Salmaan, waxaana dhashay Fahdah Bintu Falax binu Suldaan. Markii uu shahaadada koowaad ka qaatay jaamacadda Boqor Sucuud ee Riyadh ayuu ka shaqeeyay dhawr shirkadood oo ay dowladda leedahay, isaga oo markii dambe loo magacaabay in uu la taliye u noqdo aabihiis sanadkii 2009, marna waxa uu noqday barasaabka gobolka Riyaadh. Dalacaada Maxamed waxa ay bilaabatay sanadkii 2013-kii, xiligaas oo loo magacaabay madaxa maxkamadda boqortooyada, xilkaas oo ah mid wasiirnimo, sanadkii ka horeeyay kaas Aabihiis Salmaan ayaa u dalacay darajada Dhaxalsugaha kadib dhimashadii Nayef Binu Cabducasiis oo ah aabaha Maxamed Bin Nayef oo sidoo kale booska looga qaadi doono Maxamed. Bishii Janaayo 2015-kii waxaa dhintay Boqor Cabdullaahi Binu Cabdicasiis, waxaan dhaxlay boqor Salmaan oo 79 jir ah. Markiiba boqorka cusub wuxuu sameeyay go’aano aad uga yaabiyay dadkii u dhuun duleelay arrimaha Sucuudiga, waxaa ka mid ahaa in uu wiilkiisa u magacaabo wasiirka gaashaandhigga. Talaabadii ugu horeysay ee uu qaaday Amiir Maxamed Binu Salmaan ayaa ahayd in uu hawlgal dagaal ku qaado dalka Yemen bishii Maarso sanadkii 2015-kii kadib markii kooxda Xuutiyiinta ay soo eryeen madaxweynihii Yemen Cabdu Raboow Haadi Mansuur. Dagaalkaasi horumar badan oo la taaban karo lagama gaarin sanadihii lasoo dhaafay, waxaana dhacday in Sucuudiga iyo xulafadiisa lagu eedeeyay ku xad gudubka xuquuqda aadanaha iyo in dagaalka ay ka dhalatay dhibaato bini’aadanimo. Boqor Salmaan intii uu xilka hayay ayaa waxa uu ku dhawaaqay qorshe hiigsi sare ah oo loogu magacdaray Hiigsiga 2030-ka, kaas oo ujeedka yahay in marka la gaaro sanadka 2030-ka Sucuudiga uu ka maarmo ku tiirsanaanta shidaalka. Qorshaha ayaa waxaa sidoo kale qeyb ka ahaa in la badalo manhajka waxbarashada, dumarkana laga qeybgaliyo siyaasadda iyo qeybaha kala duwan. Amiir Maxamed ayaa hormuud ka noqday go’doomintii lagu sameeyay dalka Qadar, iyada oo sababta lagu sheegay in Qadar ay taageerto argagixisada, eedaas oo ay Qadar diiday. Bishii June ee sanadkan boqor Salaam ayaa si rasmi ah amiirka dhaxalka leh ugu magacaabay wiilkiisa Maxamed Salmaan, isaga oo xilka ka qaaday Maxamed Bin Nayef oo dhaxal sugaha ahaa, waxaa sidoo kale Maxamed Bin Nayef laga qaaday xilkii ahaa wasiirka arrimaha gudaha Sucuudiga. Wixii markaas ka dambeeyay Amiir Maxamed Binu Salmaan waxa uu ku dadaalayay in uu adkaysto awoodiisa, dalkana u jiheeyo halka uu isaga doono, isaga oo qaaday talaabooyin isbadal ah oo xagga dhaqaalaha iyo arrimaha bulshada. Talaabadii koowaad ee la qaaday waxa ay ahaayeen in laga noqday dhimistii mushaaraadka iyo lacagaha gunnada ah ee la siin jiray shaqaalaha dowladda iyo ciidammada, go’aankaas oo horey loo sameeyay sanadkii 2016-kii. Bishii Sabtembar waxaa in la baacsado dadkii loo arkay in ay kasoo horjeedaan siyaasadaha Amiirka cusub, waxaana lasoo xiray illaa 20 dad caan ah oo ay ka mid yihiin waddaado diinta faafiya kuwaas oo lala xiriiriyay ururka Ikhwaanka iyo dowladda Qadar. Bil kadib waxaa Amiirka loo tiiriyay in uu isaga ka dambeeyay go’aankii ahaa in dumarka loo fasoxo in ay baabuurta kaxeeyaan. Bishan waxaa iyadana dhacday in lagu dhawaaqo talaabo lagu sheegay in ay tahay la dagaalanka musuqa, waxaana la xiray afar wasiiro, 11 amiir iyo ganacsato caan ah. Dadka la xiray waxaa ka mid ah bilyan dheerka Calawiid Binu Talaal kaas oo daafaha adduunka ku leh ganacsiyo waaweyn oo uu maalgashaday. Isha: BBC

TOKYO, Japan, November 10, 2017 —On November 1, 2017, the newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Djibouti, H.E. Mr. Koji Yonetani, paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Mr. Ahmed Araita Ali at the Djiboutian embassy in Japan. The Ambassador congratulated his counterpart, H.E. Mr. Yonetani on his appointment and welcomed him to the diplomatic corps. The discussions between both ambassadors were centered on the bilateral relations between Djibouti and Japan and the various ways and means in which the cooperation in the sectors of health, energy and infrastructure could be strengthened.

In a breakthrough for the campaign against female genital mutilation, the three candidates in Somaliland’s presidential election — all of them men — have said they will seek to ban the practice. Almost all women in Somaliland have undergone female genital mutilation. On Monday, the self-declared state in east Africa will elect a new president — and all the candidates have pledged to outlaw the barbaric practice following a campaign backed by the Standard. About 98 per cent of women in the former British colony, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, have undergone FGM. London campaigner Nimco Ali travelled to Somaliland to lobby the three main political parties on the issue. They all met her and promised to bring in legislation to end the procedure. Frontrunner Musa Bihi Abdi writes today in this newspaper that ending FGM in Somaliland will “complete the circle of a campaign that the Evening Standard has done so much to highlight over the last five years; the campaign to end the practice of FGM or female genital mutilation”. Ms Ali said: “I can’t explain how beautiful it is or how overwhelmed I am that these things are materialising. “When I first started campaigning there was a lot of shame, stigma and fear, but now there is hope, conviction and pride. I am so honoured they met me and what a level of respect I have for each and every one of them.” Ms Ali met Faisal Ali Warabe of the UCID party, a representative for Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi of the Waddani party, and Mr Abdi of the Kulmiye party. She offered to work for free for 100 days as a gender adviser to whoever becomes president. She was so shocked by the men’s positive responses that she “high-fived them in delight”. Musa Bihi Abdi Presidential Candidate of Kulmlye Party In the next few days, I hope and believe that I will become the fifth president of the Republic of Somaliland. If I do, I will lead an administration that will complete the circle of a campaign that the Evening Standard has done so much to highlight over the last five years; the campaign to end the practice of FGM. Despite amazing successes against the odds, Somaliland continues to have among the highest rates of girls undergoing FGM. But the country is on the cusp of genuine and profound change that could end this. Why? Firstly there is a broad social movement on this issue of activists, health workers, educationalists and Islamic scholars who are educating rural and urban communities about FGM and advocating for its end. It’s having a real impact. Women who have been “cut” are now saying they will not do it to the next generation. This is remarkable, given how much of a taboo this was until recently. Nimco Ali, who was born in Somaliland, was instrumental in getting the law on FGM changed in the UK. She has worked with all three political parties in Somaliland. But this is a campaign with roots here, which is why I believe it can succeed. The remarkable Edna Adan, an African health pioneer and former foreign minister of Somaliland, has worked on this issue for over 40 years. Now many midwife students are not only being taught about the health complications of FGM but how to spread the word about ending it. In August, 180 of our religious leaders took part in a conference exploring the medical details of FGM and its grave risks for girls. Ending FGM in Somaliland will also complete the circle in another way. Having been outlawed in the UK, it will make it harder for anyone from the diaspora to come to Somaliland to have it carried out here. What is needed now is the political leadership to bring focus and clarity to this campaign led by Somaliland’s hundreds of activists and campaigners. If I am elected president, I will do exactly that. FGM is about gender equality. For such a young nation like Somaliland to be so committed to ending it also shows it is committed to genuine democracy and is a rare example in such a troubled region. The presidential election is seen as one of the few genuinely positive events in the region at the moment. Nearly 800,000 voters have been registered for the first election in Africa to use iris-recognition software to prevent electoral fraud. Ms Ali said: “The candidates were incredibly busy travelling from one city to another campaigning. For them to make time and speak so patiently and openly about something so deeply-rooted and stigmatised was amazing. “We are meant to be ashamed of this thing, but by talking about it it showed how progressive they are. “They were all super-informed about FGM but were waiting for someone to give them the legitimacy to talk about it.” She admitted that speaking to the men about the issue was daunting, but added: “Ending FGM through legislation is the key thing for a place where prevalence levels are so high. “It is fundamental to the success of Somaliland. It cannot be successful if the women are repressed.” Standard

Livestock traders chat in front of a row of camels in the livestock market of Hargeisa, the capital of the Somaliland autonomous region. (Paul Schemm for The Washington Post) On Nov. 13, Somalilanders will vote for a new president. The campaign kicked off in dramatic fashion in October with Somaliland’s first-ever presidential debate shown live on national television, and large campaign rallies. Here’s what you need to know: Somaliland has a long history of elections and executive turnover A former British protectorate, Somaliland enjoyed five days of sovereign independence before uniting with Somalia in 1960. Following a brutal civil war, Somaliland dissolved its union with Somalia in 1991 and continues to exist as an unrecognized de facto state. With 4 million people and a territory of 68,000 square miles, Somaliland impresses outside observers with its sustained process of electoral democracy and a hybrid blend of traditional and modern state institutions. Somaliland’s stability stands in contrast to the insecurity and poor governance in neighboring Somalia. And unlike Somalia’s uneven transition record, Somaliland has seen peaceful leadership transitions for decades. The first president, Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur (1991-1993), accepted defeat in an indirect election in 1993. President Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal (1993-2002) then led Somaliland for nearly a decade. Vice President Dahir Riyale Kahin (2002-2010) ascended to the presidency after Egal’s death and remained in office after winning an election in 2003. Riyale accepted defeat and peacefully transferred power in 2010 to Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud “Silanyo” in accordance with Somaliland’s constitution. Silanyo opted not to seek reelection in 2017, and there are three contenders in the current election. To be sure, democracy depends on more than regular executive turnover. Recent presidential elections have seen extensive delays. There have been no parliamentary elections since 2005, and journalists and independent media experience arrest and harassment. International election observers found widespread multiple voting during 2012 local council elections but accepted those elections as “largely free and credible” — though they were not fully free and fair. There have been a series of electoral delays Somaliland was supposed to hold joint presidential and parliamentary elections in 2015. Severe drought and several political controversies led to multiple postponements. Droughts then forced pastoralists in the country to migrate, which meant that the March 2017 target election date would not be possible after delays in voter registration. Ultimately, complicated negotiations between the political parties and the National Electoral Commission and an intervention by the upper house of parliament led to the decision to hold the presidential ballot Nov. 13, and then hold a separate parliamentary poll in April 2019 in combination with local government elections. The decision to delay both elections, then separate them and further delay the parliamentary elections, greatly angered Somaliland’s Western supporters. One of the opposition candidates has repeatedly expressed concerns over the fairness of the electoral process, yet there is every reason to hope that Somaliland’s presidential elections will be peaceful and ultimately widely accepted. One concern, of course, is the possibility of disruption from the al-Shabab terrorist group. Somaliland’s system of limiting each political party to campaigning only on certain days of the week has calmed nerves and minimized pre-election violence in past elections. The iris-based biometric voter registration processwas largely successful and generally accepted by the electorate. This should obviate many of the problems noted in the 2012 local council elections. Who is running for president? Three parties are fielding presidential candidates. Musa Bihi Abdi is the presidential candidate of the ruling Kulmiye Party. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” represents the Waddani Party. Faysal Ali “Warabe” represents the UCID Party. Both UCID and Kulmiye competed in the 2003 and 2010 presidential elections, but this is the first election for the Waddani Party, which earned the right to field a candidate based on its performance in the 2012 local elections. During the October presidential debate, all three candidates agreed on the need to improve education, combat unemployment and pursue international recognition — no countries have officially recognized Somaliland. Abdi pledged to increase the representation of women in politics and to introduce compulsory national service for high school and university graduates. Irro was emphatic that he would not allow term extensions or delayed elections — and he promised to strengthen the powers of the Central Bank to combat inflation. Warabe promised more government intervention in the economy and to devote 15 percent of the government’s budget to health care. Somaliland’s most pressing challenges come after the election Whoever wins the presidential election will inherit a fragile political economy— one that is highly dependent on diaspora remittances and livestock exports in a drought-prone region. The new president will also take over what political scientist Kenneth Menkhaus has termed a “functional failed state” with a few “clusters of competence.” In other words, the state functions, and maintains public order and a degree of economic growth, but has limited government capacity, low levels of institutionalization, and modest budgets. An overriding concern is that Somaliland has limited state capacity — though the National Election Commission seems to be one area that works. Somaliland’s 2017 budget of $362 million represents about $100 per person of government spending, which is significantly lower than the sub-Saharan Africa average and also that of other conflict states. More than half the budget typically goes to security, leaving little room for education, health, infrastructure or development spending. To date, this has been accepted practice because Somalilanders are “hostages to peace” who value the maintenance of peace and stability above all else. The human development costs, however, are vast, and popular demands on the government to address these needs are growing. Members of Somaliland’s Guurti, or upper house, have not been elected or selected since 1997. They have extended their own terms in office, with some members being replaced by immediate offspring. Scholars now raise questions that Somaliland’s attempt to blend traditional and modern governance may be a “crippled hybrid” in which neither institution functions well. If lower house parliamentary elections are held in 2019, parliamentarians will have served nine years beyond their constitutionally mandated five-year terms of office. Despite these and other challenges, there are reasons for optimism. With comparatively little international assistance, Somaliland has survived two livestock export bans that decimated its leading industry, the sudden and unexpected death in office of President Egal in 2002 and various electoral crises. A new president with a fresh electoral mandate offers the prospects of renewed electoral progress, necessary institutional reforms and incremental improvements in the daily lives of its citizens. If all goes to plan, Somaliland’s fifth president in 26 years will be inaugurated Dec. 13 — and assume responsibility for Somaliland’s continued peace and security. Scott Pegg is professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and is serving as an international election observer for Somaliland’s presidential elections. Michael Walls is senior lecturer in the Development Planning Unit at University College London and is coordinating the international election observer mission for Somaliland’s presidential elections. Washington

Xoghayaha arrimaha dibedda Mareykanka Rex tillerson ayaa maanta sheegay inaysan jirin “wax tilmaamo ah” oo muujinaya in ra’iisul wasaarihii is-casilay ee Lebanon Saad al-Hiriri ay xabsi geliyeen Sacuudiga. Hariri, ayaa sabtidii lasoo dhaafay isaga oo ku sugan dalka Sacuudiga ku dhawaaqay inuu iska casilay xilkii ra’iisul wasaare ee dalka Lebanon. Tillerson ayaa sheegay in wasiirka arrimaha dibedda Sacuudiga Adel al-Jubeir uu u xaqiijiyey in go’aanka is-casilaadda ee Hariri uu ahaa mid isaga u gaar ah. Tillerson iyo al-Jubeir ayaa wada hadlay talaadadii. “Sida aad ogtihiin Hariri wuxuu haystaa laba dhalasho oo kala ah Lebanon iyo Saudi. Qoyskiisa waxay Sacuudiga ku noolaayeen muddo, marka wasiirka arrimaha dibedda ayaa ii xaqiijiyey in go’aanka uu yahay mid u gaar ah isaga” ayuu yiri Tillerson. Tillerson ayaa intaas ku daray in Saad Hariri looga baahan yahay “inuu dib ugu laabto dalka Lebanon” si uu is-casilaadda uga dhigo mid rasmi ah, si dowladda dalkaas ay ugu shaqeyso si sax ah. Saraakiil ka tirsan dowladda Lebanon oo ku sugan magaalada Beirut ayaa sheegay inay rumeysan yihiin in Hariri uu lahayste u yahay Sacuudiga. Sacuudiga ayaa muddo taageerayey Hariri iyo xulafadiisa oo loolan adag uu kala dhaxeeyo kooxda Hezbollah, oo Iran ay taageerto. Isha: VOA

The post Madaxweynaha Dawladda Puntland oo U Hambalyeeyey Garsoore Cabdulqawi Axmed Yusuf. appeared first on Puntland Post.

13-ka bishan November, Somaliland waxaa ka dhici doonta doorashadii saddexaad oo dadku ay dooranayaan madaxweyne iyo madaxweyne ku-xigeen. Codbixiyeyaasha: Doorashadan oo laba jeer oo hore dib u dhacday ayaa waxa codayn doona 704,089 (todoba boqol iyo afar kun iyo siddeetan iyo sagaal qof). Waxa ku tartamaya saddex xisbi oo midkiiba ay ka socdaan laba musharrax oo kala ah madaxweyne iyo ku-xigeen. Murashaxiinta Madaxweynnimada iyo Ku-xigeennada: Xisbiga UCID: Waxaa ka sharraxan Faysal Cali Waraabe oo ah musharraxa madaxweynaha iyo Axmed Cabdi Muuse (Abyan) oo ah musharraxa madaxweyne ku-xigeenka. Xisbiga KULMIYE: Waxaa ka sharraxan Muuse Biixi Cabdi oo ah musharraxa madaxweynaha iyo Cabdiraxmaan Cabdillaahi Ismaaciil Saylici oo ah musharraxa madaxweyne kuxigeenka. Xisbiga WADDANI: Waxaa ka sharraxan Cabdiraxmaan Maxamed Cabdillaahi Cirro oo ah musharraxa madaxweynaha iyo Maxamed Cali Aw Cabdi oo ah musharraxa madaxweyne kuxigeenka. Murashaxiinta Halkee Ka Soo Jeedaan? Saddex musharrax madaxweyne ayaa kasoo kala jeeda gobollada Maroodi-jeex iyo Saaxil. Halka saddexda musharrax madaxweyne ku-xigeenna ay kasoo kala jeedaan gobollada Awdal iyo Sool. Tirada goobaha laga codayn doonno ayaa gaadhaya 1, 642 goobood kuwaasi oo la sheegay in ay yihiin Taleex illaa Lawyo-caddo. Shaqaalaha Iyo Korjoogayaasha Doorashada: Tirada shaqaaaha ka hawl-gali doonna doorashadan ayaa ah in ka badan 18,000 oo qof – kuwaasi oo guddida doorashooyinka Somaliland ay kala geeyeen 21 degmo doorasho. Tirada goobjoogayaasha kormeeri doonna doorashadan ayaa ah 690 goobjooge oo iskugu jira kuwo caalami ah iyo kuwo maxalli ah. Goobjoogayaasha caalamiga ah oo ka kooban 60 goobjooge ayaa ka socda 24 dal waxaana maalgalinaysa dawladda ingiriiska. Kuwa maxalliga ah ayaa iyaguna tiradoodu tahay 630 goobjooge. Ammaanka doorashada waxa sugi donna ciidamo iskugu jira Millatari iyo Boolis. W/Q: Khaalid Ismaaciil

Militariga Maraykanka ayaa sheegay in dhowr ka tirsan Al-shabaab lagu dilay weerar ay diyaaradahooda aan duuliyaha lahayn ka fuliyeen Somaliya,iyadoo maamulka madaxweyne Trump uu siyaadiyey beegsiga mintidiinta xagjirka ah ee gobolka. Weerarka ayaa laga fuliyey degaan ku yaalla gobolka Baay oo qiyaastii 160KM galbeed uga beegan caasimadda Soomaaliya ee Mogadishu,mana jiro khasaare soo gaaray dadka rayidka ah,sida lagu xusay qoraal uu soo saaray Taliska Ciidanka Maraykanka ee Afrika. In ka badan 20 weerar ayaa diyaaradaha Maraykanka ee drones-ka sannadkaan ka fuliyeen Soomaaliya,kuwaasoo lagu beegsaday xubno ka tirsan Al-shabaab iyo Daacish,kadib markii madaxweyne Trump kordhiyey hawlgalka ka dhanka ah mintidiinta,sida laga soo xigtay Waaxda Dicaafa Maraykanka ee Pentagon. Bishii hore, qarax weyn oo gaari loo adeegsaday ayaa caasimadda Soomaaliya Mogadishu ku dilay ugu yaraan 358 ruux,kaasoo lagu tilmaamay weerarkii ugu xumaa ee soo maray Taariikhda Soomaaliya,waxaana lagu eedeeyay ururka Al-shabaab. Al-shabaab ma sheegan qaraxaas oo ay ka dhalatay masiibo ballaaran,laakiin laba todobaad kadib weerar kale oo lagu qaaday hoteel ku yaalla Mogadishu oo ay ku dhinteen ku dhowaad 30 qof,tiro kalena ku dhaacantay,ayaa Al-shabaab durbadiiba sheegatay. PUNTLAND POST The post Dhowr ka tirsan Al-shabaab oo ku dhintay duqayn Maraykanku ka fuliyey Soomaaliya. appeared first on Puntland Post.

Hargeysa (PP) ─ Wararka naga soo gaaraya Magaalada Hargeysa oo ah xarunta maamulka Somaliland, ayaa sheegaya in ciidamada ammanka ay gacanta ku dhigeen kooxo la sheegay inay doonayeen inay falal amni-darro geystaan inta lagu jiro doorashada madaxtinimada ee Somaliland oo lagu wdo inay dhacdo toddobaadka soo socda. Hawl-gal ay ciidamadu sameeyeen ayaa waxay kusoo qabteen toddoba qof oo la sheegay inay qorsheynayeen inay falal amaan-darro ah ay ka fuliyaan deegaannada maamulka, iyagoo markiiba xabsiga u taxaabay. Sidoo kale, Ciidamada ayaa waxay gudaha Suuqa Hargeysa ku qabteen laba nin oo la sheegay inay wateen hub, kuwaasoo la sheegay inay xiriir dhaw la lawhaayeen todoba qof ee ciidamadu ay hawlgallada ku qabteen. Mid ka mid ah saraakiisha booliiska Somaliland ayaa warbaahinta u sheegay in ciidanka amniga Somaliland ay adkeeyeen amaanka guud ee deegaanada Somaliland, iyagoo ka cabsi-qabo in weerarro ay ka dhacaan deegaannada maamulkaas inta ay socoto doorashada madaxnimo. Ugu dambeyn, Deegaannada maamulka Somaliland ayaa haatan waxaa laga dareemayaa diyaar-garow ku aaddan doorashada madaxtibnimada ee lagu wado inay toddobaadka soo socda dhacda, maadaama lasoo gaba-gabeeyay ololayaashii doorashada ee ay xisbiyadu sameynayeen. PUNTLAND POST The post Ciidamada Somaliland oo Xir-xiray Kooxo la sheegay inay Qorsheynayeen Falal Amni-daro appeared first on Puntland Post.

Muqdisho (PP) ─ Madaxweynaha Somalia, Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo ayaa xalay kulan gaar ah la yeeshay in ka badan 50-xildhibaan oo ka tirsan baarlamaanka Galmudug, kuwaasoo sheegay inay Madaxweyne Xaaf xilkii ka qaadeen. Madaxweyne Farmaajo oo ka hawlan in lasoo af-jaro khilaafaadka ka taagan Galmudug, ayaa xildhibaannadii uu la kulmay ka wareestay xaalada ka jirta deegaanka iyo go’aankii ay qaatayn 26-kii Bishii September ee sanadkan ee la xiriirtay xil ka qaadistii Madaxweyne Xaaf. Sidoo kale, Xildhibaannada ayaa Madaxweynaha u sheegay sababaha ay go’aanka u qaateen, waxaana markii dambe la isku raacay in la raadiyo xalka maamul-goboleedka Galmudug oo dhawaanahan ay dhibaato aad u weyn ka dhex-jirtay. Farmaajo ayaa xildhibaannada ka dalbaday in qoorta ay dhiibtaan kuna qancaan dadaallada uu wado ee xalka Galmudug lagu radinayo, iyadoo la sheegay inay ka ogolaadeen soo jeedintan. Dhanka kale, Kulan kale oo si rasmi ah loogu soo af-jarayo xiisadda iyo khilaafka ka taagan Galmudug ayaa lagu ballamay, waxaana kulankaas iclaamiyay Madaxweynaha Somalia. Ugu dambeyn, Madaxweyne Farmaajo ayaa horay ula kulmay dhammaaan madaxda Galmudug, waxayna arrimahaan oo dhan muujinayaan sida ay uga go’antahay Madaxweynaha Somalia in xal loo helo Galmudug iyo Soomaaliya oo dhan. PUNTLAND POST The post Farmaajo oo xalay la kulmay Xildhibaanadii sheegay inay xilka ka qaadeen Madaxweyne Xaaf appeared first on Puntland Post.

Hargeysa (PP) ─ Idaacadda BBC-da laanta afka Soomaaliga ayaa shalay u qabtay dood kulul musharraxiinta doorashada madaxweyneha ee saddexda xisbi ee ka jira Somaliland, kuwaasoo lagu weydiiyay su’aalo isugu jira kuwo xasaasi ah iyo kuwo kale. Dooddan ayaa waxay u dhexeysa Inj. Faysal Cali Waraabe oo u tartamaya xisbiga UCID, Muuse Biixi Cabdi oo u tartamaya xisbiga KULMIYE ee hadda talada haya iyo weliba C/raxmaan Maxamed C/llaahi [Cirro] oo WADDANI u tartamaya. Qodobbada sida aadka ah looga dooday ayaa waxaa ka mid ah hanaanka ay u marayaan musharraxiinta ictiraaf raadinta Somaillland, Sidoo kale sadexda musharrax ayaa ka hadlay la-safashada ay Somaliland la safatay Wadamada Imaaraadka iyo Sucuudiga. Haddaba, DAAWO; Doodda ay BBC-du u qabtay Musharraxiinta Somaliland; PUNTLAND POST The post BBC-da oo Murashaxiinta Saddexda Xisbi ee Somaliland u Qabatay Dood Xasaasi [DAAWO] appeared first on Puntland Post.

The US military announced Thursday it had killed “several militants” in an airstrike against Al-Shabaab jihadists in Somalia. The attack took place early Thursday in the Bay region in the center of the country, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Mogadishu. The strike was carried out “in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia,” the US Africa Command said in a statement. “Al-Shabaab has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and is dedicated to providing safe haven for terrorist attacks throughout the world,” it said. Al-Shabaab was blamed for the October 14 truck bombing in Mogadishu that killed 358 people, and an attack on a hotel on October 29 that left 27 dead. On Saturday the US mission to Somalia urged all non-essential staff to leave Mogadishu immediately following a specific threat against them. That was one day after the US Africa Command launched drone strikes that targeted an Islamic State base in the country’s northeast. Source: AFP

FILE – In this Monday, Feb. 13, 2012 file photo, an armed member of the militant group al-Shabab attends a rally in support of the merger of the Somali militant group al-Shabab with al-Qaida, on the outskirts of Mogadishu, Somalia. The defections of two American Islamic extremist fighters in Somalia highlight tensions within the insurgent group al-Shabab over whether it should remain affiliated to al-Qaida or switch allegiance to the Islamic State group, according to an al-Shabab commander Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015. (AP Photo, File) WASHINGTON— Troops under the African Union Mission in Somalia, or AMISOM, have begun a steady withdrawal of forces from the region, amid increasing violence and threats from resurgent Al Shabab militants. The drawdown of AMISOM forces from the region could have dire impacts on the U.S. mission there, where just over 500 U.S. troops are currently serving. The withdrawal of forces from the five troop contributing countries of Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti — has been scheduled for some time as a result of caps placed by UN Security Council Resolution 2373, according to a U.S. State Department official. The UN Resolution authorized the AMISOM mission to continue until May 31, 2018 with a cap on forces at 21,626 by Dec. 31, 2018. AMISOM has routinely said its withdrawal will be conditions based with a turnover to competent Somali security forces capable of maintaining security stability in the region. “Over the coming weeks, AMISOM’s strategic troop movements will continue, without disrupting the provision of the existing security services, to ensure the safety of the people of Somalia, who remain at the core of AMISOM’s operational consideration,” reads a recent statement from AMISOM about upcoming troop withdrawals from the region. However, AMISOM’s withdrawal from the region appears anything but conditions based as the country has been plagued with a spate of vehicle bombings and killings over the last several months. In mid-October, a truck bomb killed several hundred people and wounded over 500, according to a report from the Guardian. It was one of the deadliest terror attacks in Somalia’s history. Moreover, the withdrawal, especially anything beyond the UN cap, is likely to impact the U.S. mission in Somalia which is dual focused on training Somali forces but also counterterrorism and targeting of high valued Al Shabaab and just recent ISIS targets. U.S. forces carried out a strike against ISIS targets for the first time just last Friday. Officials at U.S. Africa Command won’t comment on future U.S. force posturing in the region as a result of AMISOM’s drawdown, citing operation security issues. But currently, there are over 500 U.S. troops serving in the war-torn region, according to Robyn Mack, a spokesperson for U.S. AFRICOM. According to AFRICOM’s 2017 posture statement presented before lawmakers earlier this year by Marine Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, AFRICOM has supported efforts to push AMISOM’s mission into 2019. “From a security perspective, we view the presence of AMISOM as absolutely vital to maintaining security in Somalia until conditions allow for a gradual withdrawal,” Mack recently told Military Times. Though Somali forces have shown progress “international support will remain a key enabling factor for the Somali National Security Forces,” Mack added. Overall, the security situation in Somalia looks bleak. According to assessments by AFRICOM, there are 3,000 to 6,000 Shabaab fighters and roughly 250 ISIS militants operating in the country. Though, AMISOM forces have been successful in driving militants out of major urban areas, Shabab dominates areas of the rural countryside, using the ungoverned spaces as a springboard to harass and target Somali and AMISOM forces. “Al-Shabab controls roughly 20 percent of Somalia, primarily in southern Somalia where they have maintained historical presence.” Mack told Military Times “ISIS-Somalia doesn’t control any territory but maintains influence and a very small presence in Somalia in northern Puntland. And the Federal Government of Somalia controls less than 50 percent of its territory,” Mack explained. The drawdown of AMISOM forces without an increased U.S. footprint could lead to further loss of territory by Somali forces. “This will depend on how a withdrawal of AMISOM is conducted and highlights the importance of a well-thought out, conditions-based hand-off between Somali National Security Forces and AMISOM,” Mack told Military Times, in response to a question about expected territorial losses by Somali forces as a result of AMISOMs drawdown. Nevertheless, U.S. forces in the region gace already stepped up strikes against militants in the country. In early September, U.S. forces launched a series of 3 airstrikes against Al Shabab from the period of Sept. 5-13th. And on Nov. 9th, U.S. forces conducted another strike killing several Shabaab militants, according to a recent AFRICOM press release. “The operation occurred in the Bay Region of Somalia, about 100 miles west of the capital, Mogadishu,” the press release reads. Officials at the State Department don’t support any further withdrawals below the UN mandated caps. “We do not support further drawdown of forces beyond that level at this time, due to ongoing security concerns, a State Department official told Military Times. “The United States supports a conditions-based AMISOM drawdown that is tied to the standup of capable, professional Somali security forces.” Since 2007, the U.S. has committed more than $1 billion to to provide training, equipment, logistics support, and advisory support, to Somaila and nearly $400 million to “to build capable Somali forces to operate alongside and eventually replace AMISOM,” the official added. Source: – Military Times

The Port of Berbera’s future may depend in part on the results of Somaliland’s upcoming presidential election. Opposition party candidate Abdirahman Irro has criticized the current government’s $440 million deal with DP World for a 30-year lease on the port, and he has promised to review the agreement – along with other privatization efforts – if he should win the election. “Our party is welcoming of all investment projects in Berbera, but investment deals shouldn’t be conducted under the table,” Irro said. “We promise to review all the deals that were signed by the [current] administration.” Faisal Ali Waraabe, the candidate of incumbent party UCID, is broadly supportive of the port concession and the economic opportunities it brings. “The port will be expanded and upgraded, we are currently entering the first phase. The second phase of its expansion will follow,” he said in a speech on November 2. “When I am elected president, I will complete these projects for you all, god willing.” On November 6, one week before election day, DP World announced that it would invest in the development of a four square kilometer free trade zone at Berbera, which will be modeled on its own Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) in Dubai. The proposed Berbera Free Zone (BFZ) would target a wide range of businesses, including warehousing, logistics, import/export, manufacturing and related industries. The details of the BFZ would be negotiated with Somaliland’s new government after the elections. DP World said that under its management, container volumes at Berbera have hit record levels. In September, the port posed a 40 percent increase over the same period last year. DP intends to continue its investments in its Berbera master plan, including an additional container terminal. It has already purchased two reach stackers, 10 internal transfer vehicles (ITVs) and five forklifts to the port. In a statement, the firm said that the first new cranes are scheduled to arrive next year. Source: The maritime Executive

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online)-Madaxweynaha Somalia Maxamed C/llahi Farmaajo ayaa xalay kulan gaara Villa Somalia kula qaatay tiro Xildhibaano ah oo dhawaan sheegay inay xilka ka qaaden Hogaamiye Xaaf. Madaxweyne Farmaajo ayaa Xildhibaanada kala hadlay xiisada kala dhexeysa Hogaamiye Xaaf oo ay dhawaan sheegen inay ka qaaden xilka uu hayo. Farmaajo oo ku howlan xal u helida xiisada taagan ayaa Xildhibaanada uu la kulmay ka wareestay xaalada deegaanka iyo go’ aankii ay qaaten 26kii Bishii sagaalaad ee xilka looga qaaday Xaaf. Xildhibaanada ayaa Farmaajo u sheegay sababaha ay go’aanka u qaateen waxaana markii dambe la isku raacay in la raadiyo xalka Galmudug. Farmaajo ayaa xildhibaanada ka dalbaday inay qoorta dhiibtan isla markaana ku qancaan dadaalada ay wadaan si looga dhabeeyo xalka Galmudug. Yuusuf Axmed Ciyow oo kamid ah Xildhibaanada baarlamaanka Maamulka Galmudug ayaa sheegay in Madaxweynaha ay kala hadleen xil ka qaadistii ay ku sameeyeen Xaaf iyo wadada ay u mareen. Xildhibaan Ciyow, wuxuu sheegay in Madaxweyne Farmaajo uu soo jeediyay in xiisada Galmudug laga galo dib u heshiisiin. Sidoo kale, kulan kale oo si rasmi ah loogu soo afjarayo Xiisada iyo khilaafka Galmudug ayaa lagu balamay waxaana kulankaas Iclaamiyay Madaxweynaha Soomaaliya. Si kastaba ha ahaatee, Madaxweyne Farmaajo ayaa hore ula kulmay dhamaaan Madaxda Galmudug waxayna arimahaan oo dhan muujinayaan sida ay uga go’antahay Madaxweynaha Daganaanshiyaha Soomaaliya gaar ahaan buuqa ka taagan Galmudug. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online)-Hay’adda Qaramada Midoobay ayaa mar kale Garsoore Cabdulqawi Axmed Yuusuf u dooratay inuu noqdo garsoore ka tirsan maxkamadda cadliga adduunka ee loo yaqaan ICJ. Cabdulqawi Axmed Yuusuf, ayaa muddo badan ka shaqeynaayay Maxkamada, waxaana xusid mudan in sanadii 2015kii loo doortay guddoomiye ku-xigeen. Garsoore Cabdulqawi Axmed Yuusuf, waxa uu sidoo kale Maxkamada ka tirsanaa tan iyo 2009-kii, waxaana lagu amaanaa inuu leeyahay khibrad fog. Safiirka Somalia u fadhiya QM, Abuukar Daahir Cusmaan ayaa sheegay in Garsoore Cabdulqawi uu ku guuleystay cod aqlabiyad leh. Safiirka waxa uu tilmaamay in guusha Cabdulqawi ay si wada jira u bogaadiyeen dhammaan wakiillada 193-ka waddan ee ka qayb galay doorashadaasi. Sidoo kale, Garsoore Cabdulqawi horay usoo ahaa Guddoomiye ku xigeenka,waxaana lagu wadaa in horraanta 2018-ka uu noqdo Guddoomiye sida uu sheegay Amb:Abuukar Cusmaan. Geesta kale, Wasiirka arrimaha dibadda Somalia Yusuf Garaad Cumar ayaa qoraal uu soo dhigay bartiisa Facebook ku sheegay in Cabdulqawi Axmed Yuusuf uu heerkaasi ku gaaray aqoontiisa, isla markaana dowlada Federaalka ah ee Somalia ay ku bixisay Juhdi. Yuusuf Garaad waxa uu carab dhabay in dowlada Federaalka ah ee Somalia ay cadaadis diblomaasiyadeed saartay 193-ka waddan ee ka qayb galay doorashadaasi. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com