Ambassador Mohamed Ali Nur I was at a restaurant in Mogadishu in 2014 when a man approached me and unexpectedly confessed to having been part of the gang that attacked my home in Mogadishu in 1992 in which my 18-month-old daughter, Yasmin, was brutally killed. The man then fervently and remorsefully begged for my forgiveness, saying the matter had troubled him for many years. Initially, I felt so much anger with memories of my lifeless daughter flooding back to my mind. I felt like killing him on the spot to revenge my daughter’s death. But after some moments of silence, I felt some calm return to my heart. I then told him I had forgiven him. The man hugged me and we both couldn’t hold back tears. Immediately after the incident, I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt whole again. This personal incident, if nothing else, strengthened my conviction about the need for reconciliation to heal Somalia. No doubt, Somalia is making modest progress in rebuilding itself from the destruction wrought by decades of catastrophic civil war but the crucial agenda of grassroots truth, justice and reconciliation is not receiving the attention it desperately deserves. The civil war not only precipitated the meltdown of state institutions and destruction of infrastructure and the economy, but also the unravelling of the social and cultural fabric of the country. Without deliberate efforts to rebuild the shattered trust and goodwill and address deep-seated grievances between individuals, families and communities at the grassroots level, reconstruction efforts will not be sustainable and durable. Somalia is one of the few countries in Africa with a homogenous population that shares language, religion, bloodlines and culture but the widespread violence, human rights violations and injustices during the civil war exacerbated social divisions and disharmony mainly along clan lines. Until now, not much has been done to repair those relationships, build bridges and address underlying grievances thus eliminating common spaces for dialogue, accommodation and coexistence. There have been many conferences since the early 1990s ostensibly to bring about reconciliation between various segments of the Somali population but they have hardly had any impact in the grassroots. This is partly because the initiatives have largely been dominated by politicians and clan leaders, including warlords, without much involvement of the people in the grassroots who should be the main drivers of such initiatives in a bottom-up way. In fact, the conferences have been more about power-sharing between clan leaders than fostering genuine grassroots truth, justice and reconciliation. Searing The searing impact of the Somali civil war has been so widespread that it is difficult to find a Somali national who is not nursing deep-seated grievance and trauma due to the killing of loved ones or loss of property or dignity. That’s why the time for Somalia to have its own indigenous process of truth, justice and reconciliation is long overdue. ALSO READ: Al Shabaab IDPs accuse State of denying them food The process will give space to the people to explore the full extent of the crimes and violations that occurred in the civil war and continue to occur; come to terms with the pain, anger and grief as well as look into appropriate avenues of justice, compensation, forgiveness and reconciliation. When the incident was reported by local media, similar incidences also emerged in various parts of the country. That’s why since then I have been keen to use that personal story with a hope of promoting grassroots reconciliation in Somalia. However, there is a pressing need for a more structured process so that the Somali nationals can explore the dark past together and come to terms to it. Somalia can benefit from the experiences of countries such as Rwanda which deployed traditional methods of justice and reconciliation to address the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. Somalia too has rich traditional and religious systems that can be tapped to successfully address to rebuild the shattered social fabric in the war-torn country. Before Somalia can take its rightful place in the community of nations, it must bravely face and address the horrors and dark corners of its history during the civil war through a grassroots truth, justice and reconciliation process. Ambassador Nur (Americo) is a former Presidential candidate in Somalia (2017) and former Somalia envoy to Kenya (2007-2015) nabad1012@gmail.com

Murtida Caawa : ” MEEL NABDI TAAL BAA, NARUURO LEHOO, NAFTU U HILOWDAA ”

Former Commerce and Investment minister under president Silanyo’s administration, Hon. Omar Shuaib has become preoccupied with the growing of his commercial fruit and vegetable farming which locates in the outskirts of the port city of Berbera. The former minister who was excluded from council of ministers after his party won the presidential polls said that he is encouraging local farming production. Mr. Shuaib told Horn Cable TV that he planted onions, tomatoes and the papaya. Most of former cabinet ministers are idle after the incumbent president has excluded from the council of ministers. Most of them have gone abroad while the rest waste their time in tea shops and have Khat sessions. The ex-minister said that the only obstacle that he faces is that he lacks agriculture knowledge. He urged the government to improve the knowledge of farming community in Somaliland.

By Caroline Kenny, CNN Updated 1801 GMT (0201 HKT) January 12, 2018 Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump on Friday denied describing certain nations as “shithole countries” during a meeting in which he rejected a bipartisan deal on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. He also denied demanding that Haitians be removed from negotiations about protected status for people from certain countries. “The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made – a big setback for DACA!” Trump tweeted. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 White House spokesperson Raj Shah did not deny the “shithole” remark on Thursday evening, but instead said in a statement that Trump “is fighting for permanent solutions that make our country stronger by welcoming those who can contribute to our society, grow our economy and assimilate into our great nation.” Trump later tweeted Friday morning that he “Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said ‘take them out.’ Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings – unfortunately, no trust!” — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 A source familiar with the meeting told CNN’s Jake Tapper the President did not refer to Haiti as a “shithole” country but Trump did ask why the US needs more Haitians and pushed to “take them out” of the deal. In a separate part of the conversation about the diversity visa lottery, the source said, Trump referred to people coming from Africa as coming from “shithole countries.” Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake, who was briefed by Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin and a fellow GOP Senator who attended the meeting, confirmed that version of events to CNN. Durbin, a key negotiator in DACA talks, recounted the meeting on MSNBC Friday, saying, “He said, ‘Haitians. Do we need more Haitians?’ Then he went on and started to describe the immigration from Africa that was being protected in this bipartisan measure. That’s when he used these vile and vulgar comments, calling the nations they come from ‘shitholes.’ The exact word used by the President. Not just once but repeatedly. That was the nature of this conversation.” Separately, Durbin told reporters he had not seen a single news report about the President’s words that was false. “I’ve not read one of them that’s inaccurate,” Durbin said. “He said these hate-filled things and he said them repeatedly.” DACA protects hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children from deportation. Trump on Thursday rejected a pitch from a bipartisan team of senators on a compromise immigration deal to protect DACA participants while increasing border security. “Why do we want all these people from ‘shithole countries’ coming here?” Trump told senators in the Oval Office, according to a source briefed on the meeting, the comments from which were first reported by The Washington Post. Tweets threaten deal Trump’s denial came among a series of other tweets in which he defended his immigration stance. “The so-called bipartisan DACA deal presented yesterday to myself and a group of Republican Senators and Congressmen was a big step backwards. Wall was not properly funded, Chain & Lottery were made worse and USA would be forced to take large numbers of people from high crime…..,” Trump tweeted. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 He continued: “….countries which are doing badly. I want a merit based system of immigration and people who will help take our country to the next level. I want safety and security for our people. I want to stop the massive inflow of drugs. I want to fund our military, not do a Dem defund…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 “….Because of the Democrats not being interested in life and safety, DACA has now taken a big step backwards. The Dems will threaten ‘shutdown,’ but what they are really doing is shutting down our military, at a time we need it most. Get smart, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 He also said: “Sadly, Democrats want to stop paying our troops and government workers in order to give a sweetheart deal, not a fair deal, for DACA. Take care of our Military, and our Country, FIRST!” The tweets suggest that Trump is interested in a system that would only accept individuals from certain countries and backgrounds in exchange for a DACA deal — as well as a much more substantial border investment than one year of funding and technology upgrades the lawmakers had presented. Democrats have made clear they would not consider some of the suggestions and the demands risk exacerbating already tense talks as both sides are entrenched in negotiating position. While some Republicans hope to gain leverage by dragging out negotiations and increase the risk that DACA recipients could lose status and even be deported, advocates have made clear to Democrats they should feel empowered to reject a deal that benefits DACA immigrants at the expense of scores of others and their families. Trump’s agreement has always been essential to any immigration deal. Sen. John Cornyn, the No. 2 Senate Republican, reiterated on Thursday after the White House meeting that a deal would only move for a vote with a clear message from the President that he would sign it. This story has been updated to reflect Sen. Dick Durbin’s most recent comments and additional reporting. CNN’s Tal Kopan and Lauren Fox contributed to this report.

An 11-year-old Toronto girl says a man approached her while she was walking to school on Friday morning and attempted twice to cut off her hijab with scissors. Source: Hiiraan Online

Somaliland delegation led by the foreign minister & international cooperation, Dr. Sa’ad Ali Shire is in the UK. The FM attended a meeting held at the British parliament which was organized by friends of Somaliland within in the parliament. Mr. Sa’ad Ali Shire has spoken about the way Somaliland election was conducted.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag (C-R) and his Somalian counterpart Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid (C-L) sign the Turkey-Somalia Joint Economic Commission meeting protocol at the Ministry of Economy in Ankara, Turkey on January 12, 2018. ( Hayati İkizoğlu – Anadolu Agency ) ANKARA–Turkey and Somalia on Friday signed a pact to boost their strategic economic partnership. “We wish to deepen relations with Somalia. Turkey’s investment in Somalia stands at over $100 million,” Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag told a signing ceremony alongside his Somali counterpart Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid. “This figure forms a foundation to prompt bigger cooperation in the days to come.” He predicted that the bilateral trade volume would rise to $200 million from about $120 million in 2016. He spoke at the opening of a Turkey-Somalia Joint Economic Commission meeting in the capital Ankara co-chaired by himself and Gulaid. Akdag added that both countries should carry through 2016 memorandums of understanding in such areas as energy, mines, electricity, higher education, agriculture, and maritime affairs. He added an expected free trade agreement between the two countries would boost trade ties. Gulaid, for his part, said the meeting would maintain bilateral economic ties and bolster strategic cooperation in the years to come. The countries also inked a memorandum of understanding on fishing and fisheries, signed by Turkey’s Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Ahmet Esref Fakibaba and Somali’s Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi Hashi. “Now we have started work on the development of Somalia as well as [it] becoming a major economic power with the support of Turkey,” Hashi said following the signing ceremony, adding that the pact would be the beginning of numerous future cooperation deals between the two countries. Under the deal, Turkish fishermen will be able to fish in Somalia’s territorial waters. Turkey and Somalia have long enjoyed friendly relations, as Turkey has invested in many areas to help modernize Mogadishu, the capital of the Horn of Africa country. Last September, Turkey opened its largest military training academy abroad in Somalia. Located south of Mogadishu, the training facility took some two years to build. The facility spans over 4 square kilometers (1.54 square miles), and can train more than 1,500 troops at a time, according to the Somali government. AA

Dyane Epstein, IOM Somalia Chief of Mission during the opening ceremony of the renovated Garowe International Airport in Somalia. Photo: UN Migration Agency (IOM) 2018 Garowe – The newly renovated Garowe International Airport opened its doors on 8 January in the capital of Puntland state, Somalia. The airport had been closed since 2013 and now aims to make Garowe a hub for international travel. IOM, the UN Migration Agency, supported the renovation efforts led by the Puntland authorities, in full coordination with the federal government and international partners. “A well established and functioning airport in Garowe is a step in the right direction towards the vision of secure and humane migration within, from, and to Puntland and the greater Somalia,” said Dyane Epstein, IOM Somalia Chief of Mission during the opening ceremony. “With the concerted efforts of all dedicated stakeholders, including those present here today, I believe that we can look forward with optimism,” she added. The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo attended the event. Other government representatives present included the President of Puntland State, Vice President of Puntland State, the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of the Federal Government of Somalia, the Deputy Minister of Aviation and Airports of Puntland State and federal and state directors. Also present were representatives from the EU, World Bank and the UN, as well as government delegations from Ethiopia and Turkey. Equipment and furnishings to support the smooth functioning of the airport was donated to the Government through the generous funding of the EU under the Better Migration Management (BMM) Programme, which aims to strengthen immigration and border management capacities. Additionally, IOM’s support for the airport through the BMM programme will increase capacities in data management, reception of passengers and queue management. “The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports commends the dedicated collaboration between the Puntland Government, the Federal Government of Somalia and our international partners including UN members such as the UN Migration Agency for ensuring successful re-operationalization of Garowe Airport,” said Suad Salah Nurm, Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation and airport. With the support of IOM, Garowe International Airport will be able to collect passenger information using the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), IOM’s border management information system. This information is critical to a well-functional border management, as migration trends can be analysed by immigration authorities to improve services and inform policy. MIDAS is operational in over 19 countries globally, with its largest presence in Somalia. BMM is funded by the EU Trust Fund for Africa and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and coordinated through the German Corporation for International Cooperation GmbH (GIZ). It aims to improve migration management to reduce the trafficking and smuggling of migrants, within and from the Horn of Africa. IOM is one of the implementing partners within the programme. IOM

Wakaaladda Wararka Soomaaliya ee SONNA ayaa sheegtay in sarkaal ka tirsan Al-shabaab uu isu dhiibay Ciidanka Xoogga dalka qeybtooda ku sugan degmada Buurhakaba ee gobolka Baay. Sarkaalka oo magaciisa lagu sheegay Ibraahim Xasan Cali,ayaa in muddo ah ka tirsanaa ururka Al-shabaab,waxaana Wakaaladdu ka soo xigatay sarkaalkan,in Al-shabaab khilaaf ka dhex abuurmay,kadib markii ay kala shakiyeen,islamarkaana haatan ay dhexdooda is-dilayaan. Sida Wakaaladda SONNA sheegtay ninkaan ayaa Al-shabaab ka soo goostay,kadib markii uu la kulmay dhibaatooyin kala duwan oo ka soo wajahday dhinaca Al-shabaab. Ma jirto cid ka madax-bannaan SONNA oo warkaan xaqiijisay. PUNTLAND POST The post Sarkaal ka tirsan Al-shabaab oo la sheegay in isu dhiibay dowladda Soomaaliya. appeared first on Puntland Post.

Ankara (PP) ─ Xukuumadda Turkiga ayaa uga digtay shacabkeeda inay ka taxadaraan safarrada ay ku aadayaan dalka Mareykanka sababo la xiriira dhanka amniga, sida ay baahisay wasaaradda arrimaha dibadda Turkiga. Bayaan maanta oo Jimco ah ay soo saartay wasaaradda Arrimaha Dibadda Turkiga ayaa lagu sheegay inay kordheen cabsida iyo walaaca laga qabo weerarro argagaxiso ee Mareyaknka iyo xarig sharci-darro ah oo lagula kaco Turkida iyo saaxiibbadooda galbeedka. “Waxaanu ogaanay inay kordheen khatartaha weerarrada argagaxiso ee la filan karo inay ka dhacaan Mareykanka,” ayay wasaaraddu ku tiri bayaanka ay soo saartay, iyadoo intaas ku dartay inay jireen dilal dhawr ah oo dalka Mareykanka ka dhacay dhawrkii bilood ee lasoo dhaafay. Sidoo kale, waxaa bayaanka lagu yiri. “Waxaa jira weerarro loo adeegsado gaadiidka oo dad badan lagu laayo, weerarro toos ah iyo kuwo bambooyin loo adeegsado iyo in la beegsado goobaha ay dadku isugu tagaan; kuwaas oo ay ka mid yihiin; faras-magaalaha, goobaha dalxiiska, maxadooyinka ay tareennadu ka baxaan, dhismayaasha waaweyn, goobaha cibaada iyo sidoo kale iskuullada.” Wasaaradda ayaa dhacdooyinkii ugu dambeeyay ee dhacay waxay ka xustay weerarkii xarunta jaamacadda Ohio, Masjidka Dar Al-Faruq oo Minnesota ku yaalla, Kaniisad ku taalla gobolka Texas iyo weerar lagu qaaday bishii lasoo dhaafay xarun tareen oo ku taalla New York. Dhanka kale, Wasaaradda ayaa ka digtay xarigga aan sharciga ahayn ee loo geysto muwaadiniinta iyo shaqaalaha Dowladda Turkiga ee safarrada kala duwan ku aadan dalka Mareykanka. Ugu dambeyn, Digniintan kasoo baxday dowladda Turkiga ayaa waxay kusoo beegmaysaa xilli Arbacadii lasoo dhaafay ay Xukuumadda Washington kasoo saartay dingiin safar oo ku aaddan dalal uu Turkiga ka mid yahay, kuwaasoo ay sheegeen inay ka jiraan khatarro dhanka ammaanka ah, waxaana ka mid ah dalalkaan; Sudan, Pakistan and Guatemala. PUNTLAND POST The post Muwaadiniinta Turkiga oo looga digay inay u safraan Mareykanka, Maxay tahay Sababta? appeared first on Puntland Post.

Sida ay Goobjoog News u xaqiijiyeen ilo wareedyo lagu kalsoon yahay oo ku sugan magaalada Dhuusa-mareeb, Guddoomiyaha guddiga madaxa bannaan ee doorashooyinka qaranka Xaliimo Ismaaciil Yarey iyo illaa 10 shaqaale ah ayaa ku jira xabsi guri magaalada Dhuusa-mareeb ee xarunta Galgaduud. Guddiga oo ujeedkiisa ahaa wacyi-gelin la xirirta doorashada ayaa ku sugan magaalooyin ay ka mid yihin Cadaado, Cabdud-waaq, Guri-ceel iyo meelo kale, waxaana la sheegayaa in Xalimo Yarey iyo saraakiil kale loo diiday in ay dib ugu noqdaan Guri-ceel si ay u aadaan Galkacyo kadibna Garoowe. Guddiga madaxa bannaan ee doorashooyinka qaranka waxa sanadki hore shaqadan u diray baarlamaanka Soomaaliya. Wararkan kala soco, Goobjoog News Source

Ankara ( Sh. M. Network )-Dowladaha Soomaaliya iyo Turkiga ayaa heshiis Ganacsi ku kala saxiixday magaalada Ankara ee xarunta Dalkaasi. Heshiiskan ayaa waxaa uu dhexmaray Ra’’iisul wasaare ku xigeenka dalka Mahdi Maxamed Guuleed “Khadar” iyo dhigiisa dalkaasi Turkiga. Qodobada ugu muhiimsan ee heshiiskan ayaa waxaa ka mid ah dhoofinta Muuska, Liinta qalalan, Sisinta iyo Kalluunka, taas oo muhiim u ah Soomaaliya. Turkiga iyo Soomaaliya ayaa waxaa ka dhaxeeyo xiriir soo jireen ah, waxaana Turkiga Soomaaliya uu ka taageeraa dhinacyo kala duwan, sida dhismaha Ciidanka, Caafimaadka, Waxbarashada iyo arrima kale. Hehiiskan cusub ayaa fursad siinaya Beeraleyda dalka, oo ka faa’ideysan doono Mashruucan, iyadoona wax soo saarka dalka loo iib geyn doono dalkaasi Turkiga. Source: Shabelle News Network

Mogadishu (HOL) - The United Nations has announced that their agencies working in Somalia will launch the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan on January 17th which details the priorities for humanitarian response in the country. Source: Hiiraan Online

(CNN)When Donald Trump lashed out at people coming to the US from "shithole countries," it was a reaction to a plan to cut the number of people entering the country through the visa lottery program. Source: Hiiraan Online

Ethiopian Oromo refugees fleeing to Kenya to escape persecution say they are finding life on the streets of Nairobi no better than the insecurity they left behind, as they are targeted by bribes and harassment and forced into vast camps with few prospects or protections. Source: Hiiraan Online

Mogadishu (HOL) - A Somali military officer was shot dead on Friday by Kenya as Somali National Army and Kenya's Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) clashed in Elwak town, Somalia's border Kenya. Source: Hiiraan Online

Mogadishu (HOL) - A Somali military officer was shot dead on Friday by Kenya as Somali National Army and Kenya's Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) clashed in Elwak town, Somalia's border Kenya. Source: Hiiraan Online

Wasaarada Deegaanka, Duurjoogta iyo Dalxiiska DPL ayaa maanta biyo xireen ka dhagax dhigtay togga Hoodaal oo kuyaala duleedka magaalada Garoowe ee caasimada Puntland, Biyo xireenkan ayaa kamid ah qorshaha wasaarada Deegaanku ay ugu jirto latacaalida saamaynta isbedelka cimilada oo ay kamid tahay Biyo-yaridu, Waxaana dhagax dhiga biyo xireenka cusub ka qaybgalay madax ka socotay wasaarada Deegaanka iyo maamulka gobolka Nugaal. Agaasimaha waaxda la tacaalida isbedelka cimilada ee wasaarada Deegaanka Maxamed Ciise Maxamed oo ka hadlay dhagax dhiga biyo xireenkan cusub ayaa sheegey in biyo xireenkan la rajanayo inuu halkii marba qabto in kabadan 15Milyan oo Litir oo biyo ah kuwaas oo awal khasaari jiray, Maxamed Ciise dhanka kale wuxuu sheegey in biyo Xireenkan ay ka faa’iidaysan doonaan dadka ku dhaqan dhulka miyiga ah, barkacayaasha ka dhow deegaanka iyo dadka magaalada Garoowe iyadoo loo samayn doono qaab wanaagsan oo biyaha lagu maamuli doono. Gudoomiye kuxigeenka gobolka Nugaal Cali Salaad ayaa siwayn usoo dhaweeyey in wasaarada deegaanku ay Biyo-xireenkii Sadexaad ka dhisayso gobolka Nugaal waxaana ay sheegeen inay ilaashan doonaan Biyo Xireenka islamarkaasna ay rajaynayaan inay si wayn uga faa’iidaystaan. Agaasimaha guud ee wasaarada Deegaanka, Duurjoogta iyo Dalxiiska Mudane, Cabdicasiis Nuur Cilmi (Koor) ayaa sheegey in biyo xireenkan si degdeg ah dhismihiisa loo bilaabi doono waxaana uu sheegey in dhismaha biyo xireenkani uu waxkabadali doono nolosha dadka, xoolaha iyo Duurjoogtaba waxaana uu dadweynaha deegaanka kula dardaarmay inay ka fogaadaan waxkasta oo waxyeeli kara dhismaha biyo xireenkan, Agaasimaha wasaarada Deegaanku dhanka kale wuxuu sheegey in wasaarada deegaanku ay sii laba jibaari doonto qorshaha ay ka leedahay in bulshada biyaha loo qabto si looga boxo biyo yarida iyo oonka. Puntlandi.com

Ciidanka dowladda Soomaaliya ee ku sugan degmada Ceelwaaq ee Gobolka Gedo ayaa dagaal kala horyimid askar ka tirsan Ciidamada Kenya oo ka soo gudbay Xadka,sida ay sheegeen goobjoogayaal. Dagaal ayaa bilowday,kadib markii askar ka tirsan ciidamada La-dagaallanka Aragagixisada ee dalka Kenya oo afka soo duubtay ay ka soo tallaabeen soohdinta degmada Ceelwaaq ay la wadaagto waddanka Kenya.Ciidanka Soomaalida ah ayaa ka shakiyey kuwa kenya,sida ay wararku sheegayan. Dadka degmada Ceelwaaq ee Gobolka Gedo ayaa soo sheegay in Ciidamada kenya oo ku hubaysan saddex kamid ah gaadiidka dagaalka ay magaalada ka soo galeen dhinaca Xadka,kadibna ay rasaas is-weydaarsadeen ciidanka dowlada. Shacabka ayaa sidoo kale xaqiijiyey in Ciidamada Kenya ay wateen Calanka Al-shabaab xilliga ay ka soo tallaabayeen Xadka. Khasaare dhimasho iyo dhaawac leh ayaa dagaalka ka dhashay,inkastoo aan si rasmi ah loo ogayn,balse waxaa la xaqiijiyey in halkaasi u ku dhintay sarkaal ka tirsan Ciidanka dowladda oo magaciisa lagu sheegay Maxamed Yuusuf (Ilka Case). Dowladda Kenya oo war ka soo saartay dagaalka ayaa beenisay Ciidankeeda ay mas’uul ka yihiin dagaalkaas. PUNTLAND POST The post Dowladda Kenya oo dishay Sarkaal ka tirsan Ciidamada Xoogga dalka Soomaaliya. appeared first on Puntland Post.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — One of Ethiopia’s most prominent opposition politicians has been sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court along with three others after they sang a protest song during proceedings. Bekele Gerba, former deputy head of the Oromo Federalist Congress party, protested after the court withdrew a previous ruling requiring Ethiopia’s prime minister to appear as a defense witness. The state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate says Bekele and the other defendants “wreaked havoc.” Bekele had been arrested in December 2015 after anti-government protests erupted in parts of the East African country. He was charged with terrorism offenses that later were changed to criminal charges. He was among the opposition figures expected to be released as part of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn’s recent announcement to free some imprisoned politicians. AP

Since November 2015 unprecedented protests have been taking place in Ethiopia: angry and frustrated at the widespread abuse of human rights and the centralization of power in the hands of the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) tens of thousands have taken to the streets. The ruling party’s response to this democratic outpouring has been consistently violent; hundreds have been killed and beaten by security forces, tens of thousands arrested and imprisoned. In an attempt to gag the people, a highly repressive State of Emergency was imposed in August 2016. It failed, the protests continued, the movement strengthened. The regime then tried to inflame ancient ethnic differences amongst various groups by staging attacks using plain clothed security personnel. In the border region of Oromo and the Ogaden Tesfaye Robela of the Ethiopian Parliament claims that over 10,000 people have been killed. ESAT News (the sole Ethiopian independent broadcaster) quotes the findings of a parliamentary report into the ethnic clashes, which concluded that: “based on interviews with victims of the violence, squarely puts the blame on Somali Region Special Police, local police and militia for perpetrating the killings.” The Liyu Police is controlled by the Ethiopian military. Despite these attempts to extinguish the movement for change, the people of Ethiopia are continuing to demand freedom, justice and democracy; this time they will not be silenced. The minority powers within the ruling EPRDF coalition – The Oromo Peoples’ Democratic Organization (OPDO) and the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM) have been empowered by the popular uprising and there are signs that they are at last standing up to the majority TPLF members. Under pressure from the OPDO and ASDM and in a further attempt to distract attention from the protests and undermine the protestors’ claims, on 3rd January the government put out a convoluted statement relating to political prisoners. The Prime-Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said that the regime would release “some political prisoners”, prisoners that for the last 27 years they have denied even existed. ESAT News (which is based in Europe and America) reports he went on to announce that, “members of political parties and other individuals would be released to widen the political and democratic space” and that “the government would review the cases of certain individuals affiliated with political parties, including party leaders, [and] in some cases, charges would be dropped or people would be released or pardoned, depending on investigation results.” His words, which have been widely reported in mainstream media, were not only disingenuous, they were ambiguous and inconclusive. He failed to acknowledge that those imprisoned for expressing political dissent had been falsely incarcerated; repeatedly stating they were behind bars because they were guilty of breaking the law. Whilst the release of any political prisoners at all would be a move in the right direction, in its present form the policy, if indeed it is a policy and not simply a public relations exercise aimed at international benefactors, is an insult to the thousands languishing in prison for no other reason than they disagree with the ruling TPLF. The statement is inadequate and needs clarification: who will be considered for release and when? Does it include opposition politicians charged with fictitious terrorist offences under the universally condemned Anti-Terrorist Proclamation of 2009? Will this long-overdue gesture mean that politicians who have been forced to live in exile for fear of arrest and imprisonment can safely return home? These and other pressing questions need to be raised by opposition groups and human rights organizations, and indeed Ethiopia’s major donors — America, Britain and the European Parliament, all of which have allowed the TPLF to trample on human rights and the people for decades. Intense pressure must be applied on the government to articulate its intentions and, for once in their tyrannical reign, do the right thing and release all political prisoners, including journalists, bloggers, protestors and activists of all kinds. It was also announced by the PM that Maekelewi prison in Addis Ababa, which has been used as a torture chamber by the TPLF for years, will be closed down, and rather bizarrely, turned into a modern museum, unless common sense prevails and it is demolished. This is a positive development but is again short on detail. There has been no mention of what will happen to the inmates. All political prisoners held there should be released unconditionally, and an independent international monitoring group established to oversee the release and or transfer of all other detainees. The current of change Despite being enshrined as rights within Ethiopia’s liberally worded constitution, for over two decades all forms of freedom of speech and political dissent have been virtually outlawed. Anyone who openly disagrees with or questions the ruling party is seen as a threat, and persecuted, arrested, imprisoned and, commonly, tortured. The Anti-Terrorism Act, together with The Charities and Societies Proclamation (CSP), both passed in 2009, are the primary tools of suppression within the regime’s Arsenal of Control. Both laws have been widely criticized by Human Rights groups; responding to the CSP in 2012 Amnesty International said that, “The law has had a devastating impact on human rights work, both in terms of the practical obstacles it creates for human rights defenders, and in exacerbating the climate of fear in which they operate.” This is, of course, precisely what it was intended to do. Commenting on the Anti-Terrorist Proclamation when it was drafted, Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that it provided “the Ethiopian government with a potent instrument to crack down on political dissent, including peaceful political demonstrations…It would permit [indeed has facilitated] long-term imprisonment and even the death penalty for ‘crimes’ that bear no resemblance, under any credible definition, to terrorism.” For 27 years the TPLF group within the coalition have dominated all life in the country and like all such tyrannical regimes they have ruled through violence and fear. But we are living in new times; the days of tyrannical regimes are all but over, those that persist are sustained by the polluted energies of the past and are on their death bed. The people of Ethiopia sense that this is their time, that change is not only possible, but is coming. The government’s half-baked move to release a few political leaders will not appease anyone, but should embolden many. It reveals a crack in the democratic facade presented by the regime, which must be split open under the force of sustained political activism, civil disobedience and public protest. The minority members of the coalition — the OPDO and ANDM — now have an opportunity, indeed a responsibility, to act boldly, to stand up and take a lead. As representatives of the two largest ethnic groups in the country they are in a position to do a number of things: demand The Anti-Terrorism Act, and The Charities and Societies Proclamation be immediately repealed, compile a comprehensive list of all political prisoners (working in cooperation with Amnesty International or The Ethiopia Human Rights Project), and vigorously press for their immediate release. Then, providing opposition politicians are released and political groups outside the country — including Ginbot 7 — are allowed to operate freely, work vigorously to campaign for fair and open elections (such a thing has never taken place in Ethiopia) to be held sometime in late 2019. This is a moment of significance in the country. There is an unstoppable force for justice and freedom sweeping across the world and Ethiopia is firmly within that current of change. Graham Peebles is a freelance writer. He can be reached at: graham@thecreatetrust.org.

The tribalistic officials and surrogates of Puntland Administration of Somalia routinely claim in the media that Somaliland Borders are “Colonial Borders”. This blind, habitual denial of Somaliland Republic borders indicates that these individuals are either ignorant of the historical origin of the current borders of African states or intentionally mislead listeners (For being hypocrites) for obsessively pursuing unattainable clan-based statehood that does not exist in Africa or elsewhere. The United Nations, African Union, or African States did not draw or make the current borders of African States. All the borders of African independent states had been drawn by the colonial powers of Europe at the end of the 19th century, mainly during The Partition of Africa held in Berlin in 1884. The statehood, independence, and diplomatic recognition of each African State are based on its own colonial borders. Likewise, all the borders of the Arab World, Asia, and South America also emerged from colonial borders drawn mainly by Britain , France and Spain. Similarly, the statehood, independence, and the expected diplomatic recognition of Somaliland Republic are based on its own colonial borders drawn during British Somaliland Protectorate era. In the East, Somaliland border runs along Growe and Bosaso. In the West, it runs along Lowya’addo. In the South, Somaliland shares border with Ethiopia, and in the North, Somaliland border runs along the Red Sea. The borders of Somalia, Somaliland, and Djibouti have the same international status and legitimacy because they were all drawn by European Colonial powers. Anyone who opposes the legitimacy of Somaliland borders, its statehood, its independence, and its diplomatic recognition is challenging the borders and sovereignty of all African independent states (54 states) whose borders rose from their colonial borders or demarcations. African borders are not based on lineage or clans but are based on land only. There are no tribal borders or tribal states in Africa or anywhere else in this world, and there will never be one. There are only national borders of states whose nations make-up consists of many tribes or clans that share common borders and sovereignty. The following African Tribes clearly show of how same African clans are distributed over different countries. The inhabitance or residence of some African clans is as follows: – Fulani Tribe: This tribe inhabits in Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon etc. – Tuareg Tribe : This tribe has inhabitance in Senegal, Nigeria, Mali, Niger etc. – Lunda Tribe: This tribe inhabits in Congo, Zambia, and Angola. – Yoruba Tribe: This tribe has inhabitance in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. – Maasai Tribe: This tribe resides in Kenya, and Tanzania. – Afar Tribe: This tribe inhabits in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. – Berber Tribe: This tribe has inhabitance in Morroco, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria. – Isaaq Tribe: This tribe inhabits in Somaliland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti. – Samaroon Tribe: This tribe inhabits in Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. – Hawiye Tribe: This tribe inhabits in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. – Darood Tribe: This tribe inhabits in Somalia, Somaliland, Kenya, Ethiopia. – Rahanwein Tribe: This tribe has inhabitance in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. – Essa Tribe: This tribe inhabits in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somaliland. – Gabooye Tribe: This tribe inhabits in Somaliland, Somalia, Ethiopia. All other continents have also tribes and clans similar to Africa who have inhabitance in different countries. The internal security and peace of Africa rest on respecting, recognizing, and implementing its current borders that rose from colonial borders. If an African country would claim the tribe and its land located in another African Country, the continent would fall to endless devastating, bloody clan wars, violence and anarchy. The African continent would not exist as we know it today. The peace and stability of African states (or Asia and South America) depend on respecting and recognizing colonial borders. Some people confuse Somaliland Republic with Puntland Region of Somalia for either not knowing the history of Somalis or for irrational political reasons. Puntland is an integral, inseparable part of Somalia because it is located within Somalia’s historical borders with which Somalia achieved independence on July 1st, 1960 from Italy while Somaliland Republic emerged from British Somaliland Protectorate and achieved separately its independence from Britain on June 26, 1960. Somaliland Republic has undeniable rights to claim independence, statehood, and diplomatic recognition based on its own unique colonial borders like any other African country while Puntland can not have such rights because it is part of Somalia and shares colonial borders and nationhood with it. Somaliland and Somalia are not the first two countries in this world whose union ceased to exist. The Soviet Union that had 15 Socialist Republics created by the Bolshevik Revolution led by Lenin in 1917 broke up after social upheavals and political discontent ended its existence peacefully in 1989 with new countries emerging from it such as Georgia, Ukraine, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia etc. They are all recognized by the UN and international community on the basis of their original borders existing before the union. The federation of former Republic of Yugoslavia that had 8 countries broke up too after bloody civil wars between 1991-1995 and new countries such as Serbia, Croatia , Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo etc emerged from its ashes. All are recognized diplomatically too for their original borders existing before the federation. This shows that the unity among countries that share a union is not sacred anymore if they disagree. Some Somalis believe that Somaliland can not withdraw from the union with Somalia or even be recognized claiming that Somalis share same language, religion, color, and culture. If this claim were true for achieving union, the Arab World which has nearly 17 independent countries such as Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Sudan, and that also share same language, religion, culture, and color would not have separate independent sates. They do not have any federal or union for disagreeing to share one. Independent Republic of Somaliland was the first to pioneer the unification between Somaliland and Somalia on July 1, 1960 in quest for Greater Somalia in the Horn of Africa. The union was doomed after Somalia hijacked the governments for the thirty years of its existence (1960-1990) and then committed atrocities against Somaliland people when they rebelled against injustices and humiliation perpetrated against them. Only justice and fair power-sharing are the most important factors for a union to survive and that is what Somalia failed to understand in the years of the union. The idea of “Greater Somalia” emerged in the middle of the Second World War [1939-1945] and the main objective was to liberate the five Somali Territories and bring them together under the same banner and government in the Horn of Africa. That idea of “Greater Somalia” (Somaliweyn) is as elusive as “Greater Arab” today and no one knows when it will come true. Only Somaliland and Somalia do not constitute “Greater Somalia” while excluding the other three ( 3 ) Somali territories. The tribalist dictatorial regime of Siyad Barre buried the hope for “Greater Somalia” for committing unforeseen atrocities and human rights abuses in Somaliland and turning native tribes against one another. Siyad’s brutal military tribalistic regime is solely responsible for the pains and disasters that Somalis face in the Horn of Africa and around the world. Many who were responsible for the atrocities in Somaliland are calling today for the restoration of the failed union that they ruined just for opportunistic, tribalistic reasons. Somaliland people will not be deceived again with false umbrella of “Greater Somalia” to restore the doomed union. Non-existent “Greater Somalia” will not be used again to have Somaliland people victimized again by refugees and Southerners who want to rule their land at expense of its own people. Somaliland belongs to Somalilanders only and will remain so forever. The Federal Government of Somalia and Puntland Administration of Somalia are strongly advised that peace and good neighborly relations between Somaliland Republic and Somalia will only depend on respecting, recognizing, and implementing the border between Somaliland and Somalia. Somaliland will stay independent of Somalia, and Somaliland people will not throw their destiny away again but will defend it. Somaliland Borders are unalterable as any African Borders are. Ibrahim Hassan Gagale

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A Somali military officer says one Somali soldier has been killed in brief clashes between Somali and Kenyan troops in a border town. Mohamed Ahmed says the Somali soldiers fought Friday morning with Kenyan soldiers on patrol in Elwak, a town near the Kenyan border. He says the Kenyan soldiers mistook the Somali soldiers for al-Shabab extremists and that the clashes lasted more than 20 minutes. The Somalia-based al-Shabab has carried out numerous deadly attacks inside Kenya in recent months. Kenya is one of several regional countries contributing troops to an African Union force in Somalia fighting al-Shabab. AP

Ahmed Yusuf. ®HornCable TV The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned about the dangerous escalation of attacks on freedom of the media in Somalia after the authorities have tightened the noose on freedom of expression following imprisonment and reckless attacks on journalists during the past week. On 4 January 2018, Ahmed Yusuf Suleman, reporter of Horn Cable Television, survived an attempted murder, after men armed with pistols who are believed to be plainclothes security officials fired four shots towards him, chased and caught him, and pointed a pistol at his head. The police reportedly intervened to release the journalist from the plainclothes officials though Suleman sustained wounds on both hands, legs, shoulders and hips. On 7 January 2018, journalists Ahmed Dirie Iltire and Mohamed Abdullahi Hussein of xeegonews.com were accused by Somaliland prosecutors in Borame in the Awdal region and sentenced to 2 years in prison. The prosecutors indicted the two journalists for “spreading propaganda against the nation, degrading the nation, and disgracing national flag and symbol of a foreign country”. “We condemn this brazen assault on journalists in the strongest possible terms”, said IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger. “Gun touting men cannot be allowed to commit violence and cause bodily harm with impunity in Somalia. The Somali Government must demonstrate the required political will and show full commitment in its fight against impunity.” The IFJ is deeply troubled about the continued imprisonment of journalists in Somaliland for expressing their right to freedom of expression. “The last few months have seen a sharp escalation in attacks by the Somaliland authorities through the judiciary on journalists and the media in general in a bid to silence dissent. This is a chilling setback for freedom of expression in Somaliland,” said Bellanger. The IFJ reiterates its support to its Somalia affiliate, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), for its adamant stance to defend media freedom and journalists’ rights in the face of renewed and unwarranted attacks against Somali journalists and their union which is engineered by the Ministry of Information of Somali government. “Somali leaders must not allow perpetrators of these attacks go unpunished,” added Bellanger. IFJ

UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia (SRSG), Michael Keating, speaks alongside Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Saad Ali Shire, at a press conference in Hargeisa, Somaliland, on January 10, 2018. UN Photo / Tobin Jones 11 January 2018 – The top United Nations envoy for Somalia has called for calm and dialogue amid reports of clashes between security forces from ‘Somaliland’ and neighbouring Puntland. “Our position is to try and reduce tensions [and] to increase dialogue very quickly between both sides, so that if there are misunderstandings, these are clarified,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Michael Keating, while in Hargeisa, the capital of ‘Somaliland.’ “If there are genuine differences, then they have to be subject to immediate discussion,” he added. “But resorting to military solutions and to violence is not the way to resolve these problems.” The UN envoy was speaking at a joint press encounter yesterday with ‘Somaliland’s’ Foreign Minister, Saad Ali Shire, after having met with ‘Somaliland’s’ President Muse Bihi Abdi – their first meeting since the latter was elected late last year. Earlier this week, there were reports of clashes between security forces in the Sool region, part of a disputed area claimed by both ‘Somaliland’ and Puntland, located on the north-eastern tip of the Horn of Africa. In their meeting, Mr. Keating and Mr. Bihi Abdi discussed the new government’s priorities, as well as the latest security issues. “I was very impressed by and grateful to the President for his commitment, borne from his many decades of personal experience, of the importance of finding peaceful solutions to problems, “ he said, “and that a priority must be to try and prevent violence of any kind, whether in ‘Somaliland,’ or, indeed, between ‘Somaliland’ and others.” While in Hargeisa, the UN envoy also met with several cabinet ministers to discuss various topics, including education, health, security, the impact of drought and employment, and how the United Nations can best provide support in addressing humanitarian and development challenges in these areas. Similar meetings were subsequently held with civil society representatives. Part of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) – which Mr. Keating also heads and which has an office in Hargeisa – is to support ‘Somaliland’ efforts towards a politically stable and democratic system that adheres to the principles of good governance. A local guide shows the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Michael Keating, some of the ancient rock art at Laas Geel, located near the capital of Hargeisa, Somaliland. UN Photo/Tobin Jones UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Michael Keating (right), meets with President of Somaliland, Muse Bidi Abdi and others at the start of a meeting in his offices in Hargeisa, Somaliland. UN Photo/Tobin Jones N Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Michael Keating, walks with representatives of the Somaliland government on his way to meet with the Minister of Interior, Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, in Hargeisa. UN Photo/Tobin Jones UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Michael Keating, attends a meeting with cabinet ministers at the office of the Somaliland’s Minister of Interior, Mohamed Kahin Ahmed, in Hargeisa, Somaliland,. UN Photo/Tobin Jones UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Michael Keating, views some of the ancient rock art at Laas Geel, located near the capital of Hargeisa, Somaliland. The paintings are estimated to date from somewhere between 3,000 and 9,000 BC and are some of the earliest cave paintings to have been found in the Horn of Africa. UN Photo/Tobin Jones A close-up of the Neolithic paintings at the Laas Geel rock art site, located some 50km outside of Hargeisa in Somaliland, The paintings are estimated to date from somewhere between 3,000 and 9,000 BC and are some of the earliest cave paintings to have been found in the Horn of Africa.UN Photo/Tobin Jones Visit to Laas Geel highlights rich heritage and economic potential The Special Representative also visited the Laas Geel rock shelters, located an hour north-east of Hargesia, and the location of Neolithic paintings dating back several thousands of years. “One of the reasons I wanted to come here is because it’s good to be reminded that [while] the image of this part of the world is about conflict and so much despair and suffering, and yet it’s also one of the cradles of civilization,” Mr. Keating said. “So while it’s a resource for the world, it’s also very important for Somalis to know that they are living in a land with great history and traditions and that is changing and is dynamic,” he added. French researchers came across the site during an archaeological survey of the area in 2002, and it is considered to be one of the oldest rock art sites in Africa and the most important ancient site in ‘Somaliland.’ The paintings depict wild animals, decorated cattle and herders. According to local authorities, up to 200 hundred visitors, from the region and abroad, make the trek to the site each month, despite access difficulties and concerns over security. “That would suggest that the potential is indeed enormous, and not just limited to rock caves, “ said Mr. Keating. “There’s the natural environment, the coast and the beaches are incredible, the potential for tourism is enormous.” There have been concerns over recent years that the site’s paintings are under threat of serious deterioration from their exposure to the elements as well as local animals. The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) sent a team to review the site in 2016. It has made recommendations on how to best safeguard it, and is working with local authorities on putting those measures in place. UN.Org