International Office of Migration (IOM) IOM Press Briefing Wednesday, February 02, 2011 DJIBOUTI, Djibouti - IOM Director General William Lacy Swing is in Djibouti for meetings with senior government officials on ways to address the humanitarian needs of vulnerable migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa on their way to Yemen via the Gulf of Aden. Today, he will travel to the port town of Obock, on the northern shores of the Gulf of Tadjoura, to open the first Japanese-funded Migration Response Centre in Djibouti. The centre, which is located on the outskirts of Obock, aims to provide direct humanitarian assistance and referral services to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers who are currently living is miserable conditions in and around Obock. It will also provide unbiased information on the dangers of irregular migration across the Gulf of Aden and offer the option of voluntary return and reintegration for stranded individuals and families. "This centre is a milestone in our joint efforts to address the humanitarian needs of vulnerable individuals, including victims of trafficking and unaccompanied minors," says Mr. Swing. "It will hopefully prevent more suffering and tragedies at sea by offering a way out for all those who currently have no one to turn to but ruthless human smugglers." Obock and the Gulf of Tadjoura are increasingly used by smuggling networks that regularly put the lives of thousands of Ethiopians, Somalis and Eritreans at risk. Last year, more than 30,000 people boarded smugglers boats in the region of Obock, including women and children. Many have suffered terrible abuse at the hands smugglers, including beatings, rape and people being thrown overboard. Djibouti has a unique set of migration challenges owing to its location at the crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa. It is also a gateway from the Horn of Africa to the Middle East and although not documented, is increasingly becoming a source and transit country for movements across the Gulf of Aden and beyond. As part of this Japanese-funded initiative, IOM recently trained 60 coastguards from Djibouti, Yemen and Somalia's Puntland to equip them with the necessary skills to protect and assist particularly vulnerable groups such as victims of trafficking. IOM Djibouti also organized in December a meeting for high-level government officials from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen, to find ways to jointly address the needs of irregular migrants en route to Yemen. Source: IOM

Hay'adda CCD oo Odayaal-dhaqameeyo ugu furay Muqdisho siminaar ku saabsan Nabadda Arbaco, 02 Feberaayo, 2011 (HOL) – Hay'adda CCD, ayaa maanta uga furtay hotel Saxafi ee Muqdisho 150 oday-dhaqameed siminnaar ku saabsan nabadda. Waxaana furitaanka siminnaarkaas kasoo qayb-galay xildhibaanno baarlamaan, iyo marti sharaf kale, kuwaasoo khudbado kala duwan u jeediyay ka qaybgalayaashii siminnaarka. Siminnaarkan, ayaa waxaa khudbado ka jeediyay xildhibaannada kala ah: Xasan Cali Warento, Salaad Cali Jeelle iyo C/llaahi Axmed Garuun, kuwaasoo xusay in oday-dhaqameedyadu ay yihiin kuwa keliya ee qayb ka qaadan kara nabadda iyo in lagu soo hago jidka wanaagsan dhallinyarada dagaallada wada, waxayna xildhibaannadu ku boorriyeen odayaashii kulankaas soo xaadiray, inay xaafadaha Muqdisho ku qabtaan wacyi-gelinno loga ku saabsan in dagaallada la joojiyo, lana horumariyo nabadda. Xildhibaan Salaad Cali Jeelle, oo khudbad jeediyay, ayaa sheegay in odayaashu ay udub dhexaad u yihiin dhalinta nabadda iyo ka hortagga colaadaha, isagoo sheegay in haddii odyaashu ay isku duubni muujiyaan inay kooxaha iskasoo horjeeda ku qancin karaan inay dagaallada joojiyaan. C/llaahi Axmed Garruun, ayaa isna sheegay in dhallinyaraa ay yihiin kuwa loo adeegsanay colaadda dalka ka taagan, ayna oday-dhaqameeyadu yihiin kuwii ku guuleysan lahaa inay isbadal ku sameeyaan dhallinyarada, wuxuuna xusay in dhibka dalka ka taagan uu yahay iyadoo isbadal muuqda lagu sameeyay dhaqankii Soomaalidu ay lahayd, sidaasi daraadeedna looga baahan yahay oday-dhaqmeedka inuu taas ku baraargo. Nabadoon Khaalid Cabdi Jimcaale, oo ka mid ahaa odayaashii kulanka ka qaybgalay oo hadlay, ayaa isaguna sheegay in odayaashu yihiin awooddii dhallinyarada ka duwi lahayd jidka ay ku taagan yihiin ee lagu hurinay colaadaha, wuxuuna sheegay in sidoo kale odayaashu ay awood u leeyihiin inay dhallinyarada ka dhaadhiciyaan inay nabadda ka shaqeeyaan. Gabagabadii furitaanka siminaarka, ayaa waxaa kaloo ka hadlay nabaddoon Shariif Xuseen Jilacow, Sheekh Muuse Caga-weyne, Ugaas Warsame Cali Suuley, nabaddoon Mahad Axmed Xaashi iyo Sheekh Axmed Maxamuud Jilicow oo dhammaantood siyaabo kala duwan uga hadlay baahida maanta loo qabo in dalka iyo dadka lagu soo dabbaalo nabad iyo xasillooni waarta, taasoo horseed u noqon kara in la helo dhallinyaro nabadda ka shaqeysa. Maxamed Xaaji Xuseen, Hiiraan Online maxuseen@hiiraan.com Muqdisho, Soomaailya

Strategic location Djibouti has long exploited the advantages of its position on the Bab El Mandeb straits, at the entrance of the Red Sea, halfway between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. The port of Djibouti is neighboring Ethiopia’s only access to sea. And the country’s location has made it a major strategic outpost, hosting French and U.S. military bases as well as international anti-piracy operations, such as the European Union’s operation Atalanta. The Djibouti authorities have accelerated economic expansion in recent years by successfully undertaking a foreign investment-financed transformation of their economy, the IMF report notes. A new container terminal at Djibouti’s port built recently by Dubai World and the Djibouti government in a public-private partnership expanded the port’s capacity many times over, while the new five-star Djibouti Palace Kempinski—owned by Nakheel, a Dubai World company—has given a boost to tourism and business. Broadening the benefits of growth Despite progress on infrastructure development, Djibouti’s high growth has thus far not succeeded in significantly reducing poverty or unemployment. High production costs faced by domestic companies—relating mainly to energy, telecommunications, and labor—have limited the benefits of foreign investment. Economic activity has been largely confined to the free trade zone and the port, with limited positive spillovers on the rest of the economy. To address these challenges, both old and new, and successfully develop its regional hub strategy, Djibouti must now diversify the investor base and develop a strong local private sector by improving the economy’s competitiveness through better business environment and lower production costs. At the same time, the authorities should work closely with official donors to secure the needed concessional financing to support social spending and infrastructure investment, the IMF says. These efforts will be supported by the $20 million, three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) IMF loan secured by Djibouti in September 2008. The ECF program includes measures aimed at improving the economy’s competitiveness through lower input costs and a better business environment. More fundamentally, the ECF is helping foster macroeconomic stability and improve fiscal discipline. This latter objective will be an important focus for 2011, IMF economists note. The authorities incurred a larger-than-expected fiscal deficit in 2009 to address security issues stemming from a border conflict with Eritrea and a social emergency arising from a prolonged drought. The authorities are now taking corrective measures to strengthen their fiscal shortcomings, particularly by enhancing the budget process. Banking potential Djibouti’s banking sector has expanded rapidly since 2006, say IMF economists, with increased competition leading to a wider offer of financial products, more attractive deposit terms, and strong credit growth (see Chart 2).

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Wednesday, February 02, 2011 Workers at Djibouti’s port, which lies at the center of the country’s strategy for becoming a regional hub (photo: Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images) The Red Sea country of Djibouti has achieved strong growth in recent years through large foreign direct investment inflows and brisk port activity. But the country must become more attractive to private investment—while maintaining macroeconomic stability—if it is to realize the ambitious goal of becoming a regional transport, trade, and financial hub, IMF economists say. Djibouti’s growth remains strong despite the global economic crisis, the IMF says in its latest country analysis, with only a modest decline—from 5 percent to 4.5 percent—expected in 2010 (see Chart 1). But the former French colony is now seeing the indirect effects of the global crisis through lower foreign direct investment and a possible decline in aid flows, the IMF said. Moreover, unemployment remains stubbornly high, at 60 percent, and poverty is pervasive. “The authorities have a vision of becoming an important logistical and strategic hub for the region,” said Carlo Sdralevich, IMF mission chief for Djibouti. “Djibouti should seize the opportunity to build on recent achievements to attain sustainable growth, decrease unemployment, and reduce poverty.” Djibouti’s service-based economy has considerable potential, but the country faces many serious problems, Sdralevich noted. Lagging in many social indicators, the country ranked 147th out of 169 countries in the United Nations Development Program’s Human Development Index for 2010. The drought-prone country has seen its food security situation deteriorate sharply owing to low rainfall over the past four years, and malnutrition has risen. --- Cont'd

tolka tolka!

Xaaji Xunjuf;692402 wrote: The security of the president is high priority you should know that ,Somalina awoow adna maxaad la dhoola cadeyneysa. Xaji, askariga maxuu u kor taaganyahay?. Aawey kuwii suits-ka xirnaa otherwise known as "men in black"? Siilanyo looks good.

The propagandist By Patrick Ross Wednesday, February 02, 2011 Canadians were captivated by the plight of Amanda Lindhout in 2008 and 2009. She was an Albertan freelance journalist taken captive in Somalia. Speaking in Edmonton this week, Lindhout recounted her experiences in Somalia, and spoke about the plight of women there. However, she did not omit any silver lining to the misogynistic cloud hanging over Somalia; hope remains. Al-Shabaab translates as “The Youth”. This militia group has been credited as having taken control of vast portions of Somalia, and has begun imposing a Taliban-esque interpretation of Sharia law wherever they can. Al-Shabaab would later claim that Lindhout had given birth to a child while in captivity, allegedly fathered by one of their members. They claimed to have named the baby “Osama”. (Apparently, nothing in Al-Shabaab’s favoured version of the Koran forbids rape.) So one thing quickly becomes crystal-clear about Al-Shabaab. They’re a very classy bunch. (Note that they made the claim after Lindhout had been released. There is no evidence to suggest that Lindhout ever gave birth to such a child, and she has never herself reported that she had been raped during captivity.) Lindhout certainly has great insight to the plight of women in Somalia, a land where no law would protect the rights of women, even if any such law existed in any significant form. She nonetheless perceived many hopeful glimmers during her experience as a kidnapping victim; in the rare kindnesses offered to her by her captors (such kindness became more and more sparse following an escape attempt), from the efforts that a Muslim woman went to try to save her from her captors, and even in the youthful enthusiasm of Somali children. “I’ve always been inspired by the dignity of the people there, and before I had ever even set foot in Somalia, I already felt great admiration for the Somali people, for enduring what appears to be insurmountable hardship on a daily basis,” Lindhout remarked. “I’ll never forget my first glimpse of the country, flying in over the sunny coastline, white sand beaches below, the turquoise water of the Indian Ocean, and the breathtaking effect it had on me,” Lindhout recounted. “From the sky, it looked like paradise.” “During my first days in Somalia the sight of young barefoot children running throughout Mogadishu’s war-torn streets was incredibly heart-warming, especially considering that one out of three children is severely malnourished. I was really fascinated by their ability to transcend the overwhelming difficulties of their daily lives through laughter, play and imagination.” “I was deeply moved on my second day in Somalia when I visited a World Foot Programme feeding centre, the place where 8,000 women and children go for food supplies, to see how kind and generous Somali women are,” she recalled. “Even in the midst of famine, a young woman with an emaciated baby on her lap shyly asked if I was hungry, and if I would like to share some of her food. The watery porridge in the pail was all the food she would have for the next two days’ time, until she and her baby would again risk their lives walking through a war zone to stand in the blazing sun, waiting in a line for hours for that tiny bit of nourishment. You never forget a moment like that.” Lindhout’s early enchantment with Somalia would soon be wiped away by her kidnapping. On day three, she and her photographer, Nigel Brennan, left to visit a refugee camp. On the way there, they encountered a car pulled over on the side of the road as if broken down. The car was merely bait. Gunmen emerged from their hiding place, and took control of their vehicle. The youngest of Lindhout’s kidnappers was only 14. Lindhout at first hoped that her empathy for Somalia would convince her captors to set her free. “I was still clinging to the hope that there was some confusion and we’d be let go,” she said. “That they’d realize that I really cared about their country, their people, and the war that was happening there. But they didn’t care.” “What Nigel and I represented to them, besides just money, was the western world that had failed them... They wouldn’t have been able to represent Canada on a map, but they knew that it was one of ‘those countries that had supported the Ethiopian invasion of 2006. I would later learn that several of my captors’ parents had been killed during that war.” The leader of Lindhout’s kidnappers was not what one would expect. Approximately 25 years old at the time, this individual was well-travelled and seemingly well-educated. Lindhout noted that the leaders of Al-Shabaab – like the leaders of so many Islamic extremist organizations – used their knowledge of the world to manipulate their followers, who Lindhout noted were “incredibly bright”. “I was curious: what events in their lives had led them to fighting in such a militia group? The stories I heard from them were sadly common.” The life story of each shared common threads: each of them born into war, having never known peacetime. Violence, hunger and disease have remained a constant throughout their lives, in a land that offers no peaceful job opportunities, and no opportunities to receive an education. "Innocent young children become both the victims and perpetuators of violence," Lindhout remarked. The comparisons between Al-Shabaab and the Taliban are far from spurious. As Lindhout herself noted, the ideology that animates Al-Shabaab is similar to that which motivates the Taliban in both form and origin: Islamist extremists import to Somalia not only their weapons to arm Al-Shabaab, but also their warped interpretation of Islam. Lindhout seems to believe that the extreme poverty and war that Somalia have been subject to has made it a breeding ground for fundamentalist Islamic extremism. There is certainly a case to be made for this, but there should almost certainly be debate over whether or not the Somali historical scenario is more of a chicken-or-the-egg scenario. Does Somalia breed Islamic extremism because of poverty and war? Or is Somalia wrought with poverty and war because of Islamic extremism? It’s not an easy question to answer. Lindhout’s experiences in Somalia may also shed some light on what the greatest challenge for women living under the thumb of groups like the Taliban and Al-Shabaab actually is: in Lindhout’s view, the greatest challenge is that of preserving the human spirit. "The most difficult times were when my faith in human decency were lost,” Lindhout said. ”I could not understand how some people could reach those depths to inflict that kind of pain upon another." For Lindhout, the answer turned out to be learning how to forgive her captors for the abuses they heaped upon her. She seems to feel that this has changed her for the better, and perhaps it has. However, Somali women don’t really have the same option. It’s one thing for Amanda Lindhout, a foreigner who can be liberated by the payment of a ransom – and for the record, she agrees with the Canadian government’s policy of refusing to pay these ransoms – to adopt this stance. For Somali women – and Afghan women – who cannot be liberated by any such means, forgiveness does not deliver them from the abuses they suffer under groups such as Al-Shabaab and the Taliban. It may help them preserve their human spirit, but it does not set them free. Some of Lindhout’s current work with the Global Enrichment Foundation offers Somali women some light at the end of the tunnel. Through education scholarships and now micro-finance, the GEF offers them the opportunity to bring hope back to what is otherwise a hopeless land. But it’s important to remember that Al-Shabaab, if allowed to spread its malignant dominance across Somalia, would turn out that light in a heartbeat. Amanda Lindhout is now doing wonderful work for Somalia – a land she can never return to – but Al-Shabaab poses a clear and present danger to her ability to continue helping a land that desperately needs it. The question of what to do about Al-Shabaab is not one that is easily answered. If the western world were to deploy troops in every corner of the globe where this vile brand of Islamic militancy runs rampant we would quickly run out of troops. Canada’s role in Somalia – which once included a peacekeeping mission (however poorly-planned and equipped) – is now miniscule. Somalia is not on the Canadian International Development Agency’s list of beneficiary states. Even if the government decided to amend this egregious oversight, it’s questionable if Canada could muster enough troops to protect any CIDA presence on the ground in Somalia. Perhaps especially when Afghanistan desperately needs the presence of Canadian troops as well, and the Sudan may quickly need them even more urgently. There are no easy answers. But Somalia doesn’t need easy answers. It needs answers, period. The Somalia in which Lindhout’s admirable humanitarian work can best be successful is one in which Al-Shabaab is marginalized and contained. Even if it’s easier said than done, it still needs to be done. If it isn’t, Amanda Lindhout’s experience will have been in vain. ----------- Patrick Ross is a Contributing Writer for The Propagandist

Thankful;692396 wrote: Is it that dangerous for him that he needs armed militia around him with Pkm machine guns? The message I think that sends is that he is not safe and needs a lot of security. It might explain why he doesn't leave the triangle.

Cawaale, stay safe bro.

Xaaji Xunjuf;692362 wrote: oo waan fahmay awoow calanka ayaa dhib kugu haya wayahay calanka ad u luli meyno 18 may marka la gaadho uun banu ad u luli how about that.sure he waves the blue and the white, but he also waves the Kisa isaga u gaarka ah wa iska caadi anba waan ku luli the blue flag hadaad rabtiid. ka waran taas that seems fair somaha ,, LOL...Wave the blue and white first, kadibna kiina babiya. Seems fair enough.

Xaaji Xunjuf;692350 wrote: somalina why awoow, anba Somali baan ahay Somali dee wa Ethnic group maha Nationality Zack wa Somali dhalasho ahaan laakin Nationalitygusu wa Ethiopian. qoloyinki reer nfd na way joogaan iyana , How do we bother you Somalina awoow bal inoo yara faah faahi lol...Zack's president is Sheik Sharif and his PM is Farmaajo, more importantly he waves the blue and white. Awoowe, bal tusaale aan ku siiyo: haddii aanan rabin inaan galo guri deriskeyga oo uu Xabashi or Kenyan leeyahay oo haddana maalin walba aan iridisa bell-ka u soo yeerinaayo. Markuu iga furo iridana aan ku dhaho "i don't want to come to your house"...dee maxay ka dhigantaa taas... Haddii aadan na rabina, ka socda meesha...maxaad maalinba "wadan ayaan nahay, idinma dooneyno" noogu celcelisaan? It don't make sense. Peace out awoowe, it is really simple. I don't see Djiboutians or Kenyans waving their flags around here. lol@Taleexi..it never stops, does it.

A truck makes its way through the blowing snow on North Talbot Road near Essex

Zack is Somali for the last time. Mid yaroo xabashi ayaa soo galgala laakiin bro Thiery ayaa gogol ugu fadhiya. There is no one else that bothers us except you.

Ontario struggles with 'toughest storm' in three years CTV.ca News Staff A powerful winter storm bringing strong winds and near whiteout conditions has snarled traffic and caused hundreds of flight cancellations in southern Ontario. The system, which made its way north from Texas on Tuesday and overnight, began dumping snow on the region early Wednesday morning. Environment Canada Senior Climatologist Dave Phillips said Wednesday morning the storm would likely wind down around midday in southern Ontario. But it would leave its mark before moving east. "We have a few more hours to go -- strong winds, lots of snow, maybe 15 centimetres probably in the Toronto area," Phillips told CTV News Channel. "It has been the toughest storm in three years and we've been out of practice, this is going to make us veterans again." Phillips said strong winds have amplified the effect of the storm, making it a true winter gale. "In some parts of the lower Great Lakes winds are gusting up to 70 kilometres an hour and really blizzard conditions, we saw them in Toronto...certainly in the Niagara area and the London area," Phillips said. Roads quickly became hazardous Wednesday morning and commuters were warned that all unnecessary travel should be avoided. Sgt. Dave Woodford, of the Ontario Provincial Police, warned Wednesday morning that conditions were universally bad on roads from the Niagara region right through to Barrie, Ont. "There are no good areas," Woodford said, noting that a number of vehicles have slid off the slippery roads and the situation will likely get worse as people try to get to work. At Toronto's Pearson International Airport, 300 of the 1,200 scheduled flights were cancelled Wednesday morning. Scott Armstrong, a spokesperson for the Greater Toronto Airport Authority, said most travellers called ahead before driving to the airport. However some international travellers were caught unaware. "It's quite a big surprise to me to end up in this kind of weather because I wasn't expecting it and no one told me before," said Constanze Hettlage, 35, of Germany, after spending the night at the airport. In the hard-hit London area some secondary roads were drifted in and virtually impassable, while others were closed altogether, Woodford said. Phillips said the storm will affect a massive area before it is finished. "100 million people are going to be affected by this storm. From New Mexico to New England from Windsor, Ont. to Windsor, N.L. and Labrador we're talking about this blizzard," he said. The centre of the storm was in northern Ohio as of Wednesday morning, and was expected to move to New York by the afternoon and Cape Cod by evening, Phillips said. In Canada, he said the storm will move to eastern Ontario and Quebec, then New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland will all be "pummelled by this particular event." The storm marks the first time since 1999 that both the Catholic and public school boards in Toronto have cancelled all classes. In Durham and York regions buses were cancelled but classes were still going ahead as scheduled. In London and Windsor most schools were closed and buses cancelled. Most universities and colleges were closed, including York University and McMaster University. At the University of Toronto's Scarborough and Mississauga campuses classes were cancelled. However at U of T's downtown St. George campus, classes were going ahead as scheduled. George Brown, Seneca, Sheridan and Humber colleges were closed. Classes were cancelled at Centennial and Seneca colleges but the campuses were still open.

SomaliaOnline-na maxaad ka soo doontaan?

Fiqi is everywhere!