I never knew of this man until i read this article but it is quite supplementary to NFD's history. It surfaced after long legal tussle of who is the right beneficiary as to the multitude of wives and children that survived him.

Yes Alleubaahne,you right. i agree wholeheartedly

Former royal family reduced to poverty as property row drags on -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Victor Obure Sultan Omar Shuria may not have featured prominently in the history of this country, but his contribution in the northern frontier districts during the colonial days speaks volumes. Unknown to many, the little known Sultan played a major role in stopping Kenyan Somalis’ plan to secede to Somalia Republic shortly after independence in the late 1960s. The secession quest reached fever-pitch in the early 70s when locals staged one of the longest uprisings in the history of the country, dubbed the "Shifta war" THE STANDARD

Somalia looking forward to cordial cooperation with China'' , Interview On February 1, the organs with the Somalia's transitional government in exile started moving back to their own country's capital -- Mogadishu, Somali from Nairobi, capital of Kenya. Before departure, Somalia Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi and its deputy prime minister and information minister expressed in their exclusive interview with a People's Daily reporter that the Somalia government is looking forward to a cordial cooperation with friendly China in the process of their peaceful reconstruction. The government will be relocated in three groups and face unprecedented challenges. Through two and half years of peace talks the Somalia transitional government set up a new parliament, which selected chairman, president, prime minister, and cabinet from last September to January this year. Prime Minister Ali told the reporter, "We do not want a government in exile. Now the time is ripe for the new government to move back home. Starting from February 1 we will return home in batches and start to build our country peacefully''. According to their introduction, the new government will be back home in three batches: in the first batch, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Geri will lead a team of Cabinet members and lawmakers based in Kenya back to Mogadishu, Somalia on February 1. The first group of members of parliament of the Kenyan-based Somali government left Nairobi on Tuesday (February 1) for Mogadishu in a move that marked the beginning of the new administration's relocation back home and at the same time set up a liaison center for the country in the capital; the main tasks for the second batch will be responsible for the return of parliamentarians and all the representatives attending the peace negotiations. They will be back at the suitable time; those who are left over at Nairobi will be back in the third batch. The deputy minister will be in charge of the work. They will be in charge of the necessary liaison and coordination work for the final return of the new government. It will be also convenient for the new government to get in touch with the international society. The deputy prime minister stressed that in view of the present situation in Somalia it is impossible for the new government to return home completely. So it will take about half a year to complete the process. People are generally concerned about the security problem in Somalia. Now the United Nations and the African Union have agreed to send peacekeeping force to Somalia and Uganda has first agreed to offer 2,000 peacekeepers to Somalia so as to guarantee the return of the new government. Judging from the present situation, the citizens in Mogadishu will welcome the return of the new government in order to end the 14-year-long anarchy. The people throughout the country long for living a stable and normal life and they are in the hope that the country will be put on an orderly development track. That is a favorable factor for the new government to return home. When talking of the new challenges facing the new government, the deputy prime minister pointed out that the new government would face all new challenges, which the new governments of any other countries in the world have never met before. He said, "Through years of war there are no troops and police in Somalia and the country is in anarchy. All the infrastructure facilities have been destroyed and it is hard for the new government to find an area to live at the Somalia's capital''. According to estimates, it will take at least half to one year for Somalia to be on the right track of peaceful development and reconstruction. It is the prime task for Somalia to restore domestic peace and collect the weapons scattered among the Somalia people and create a sound environment for the country's reconstruction. At the same time, the new government will be introduced to the people and peaceful importance will be publicized. Local governments at all levels will start to be set up while managerial institutions at all levels will be improved and a new national system will be established. International support will be needed and China's assistance wins universal praise. The two leaders expressed that the Somalia's peace and construction cannot be separated from the support of the international society. "China is a big and influential country in the world we are very grateful to China for its support in offering the United Nations peacekeeping force to Somalia and have expressed the heartfelt thanks to the Chinese government and people for their assistance in Somalia tsunami disaster. Unfortunately Somalia becomes one of the countries suffering Tsunami disasters. And the disasters are more severe than expected. We cherish the Chinese sympathy for Somalia people and the assistance given by friendly China''. They pointed out that Somalia-China friendship goes back to the ancient times. More than 600 yeas ago Zheng He led his fleet to visit Somalia. After the founding of new China, The Chinese government has built a series of projects in Somalia involving the Grand National Theater, Capital Gymnasium, Capital Hospital and highways leading to the west and north parts of the country. The quality of the projects has won Somalia praise, becoming the best evidence for the friendship between the two countries. The senior people in Somalia have still clearly remembered the scenes when Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai visited Somalia 41 years ago. Among the representatives attending the peace talks many have greeted Premier Zhou Enlai and Chinese Marshal Chen Yi on the streets of Mogadishu even if they were children at that time. "Facts prove that China is a partner worthy of our reliance. China's construction levels and quality of commodities have won recognition from the people of Somalia. Somalia is on the way towards peace and development. Due to the 14-year-long civil war in Somalia, all infrastructure facilities and industrial and agricultural production were destroyed and it is very hard for Somalia to rebuild the country. As a result, a great amount of funds is required for the reconstruction. We are looking forward to the cooperation with friendly China in our national peaceful reconstruction and to the assistance and support from the Chinese government and people once again. By People's Daily Online

Somalis slowly rebuild from ruin By Alexandra Zavis, Associated Press | February 3, 2005 HAFUN, Somalia -- In this remote, northeastern corner of Somalia, villagers have long believed the world will end when the sea runs dry and the ground shakes. When the tsunami struck Dec. 26, many thought that day had come. In some ways, the world did indeed end for those who lost everything in the killer waves that reached thousands of miles across the Indian Ocean to Africa. Gone are their homes, their livelihoods, and their tenuous security in the midst of factional fighting. More than a month after the tsunami struck, fishermen are still patching boats, shopkeepers are trying to salvage what they can from ruined businesses and schoolchildren huddle under a green tent to shout out vowels in English. Hafun, a large fishing village at the end of a spit of land jutting into the Indian Ocean, was the worst hit in Somalia. The tsunami, triggered by an earthquake off the Indonesian coast, raced 2,800 miles across the sea and slammed into 400 miles of Somali coastline. Estimates of the number killed range from 100 to 300, with thousands of others affected. The overall death toll is between 156,000 and 178,000 across 11 nations, with an estimated 26,500 to 142,000 missing, most of whom are presumed dead. Lives are slowly being rebuilt in Somalia, but nothing eases the fear from the day a wall of water from half a world away came crashing down on them. "I thought it was the end of the world," said teacher Khalid Said. She was not alone. Drawing on a mix of traditional myths and Muslim teachings, the people here believe the world will end much the same way that events unfolded last month: with the sea receding and the ground shaking. "The water ran away . . .leaving fish in the sand," said Hadia Khalaf, 55, standing in the rubble of her flattened home. Curious villagers ran to the beach to watch, some scooping up the unexpected catch of lobsters and fish. Suddenly the water came back -- three giant waves of it, each more devastating than the last. The waves tossed small wooden fishing boats into trees more than half a mile inland, smashed concrete block homes to pieces and flooded wells with sea water. "I thought my day had come," Khalaf said. "I was grabbing things inside my house, which I thought I could run with, but all I could save was my life." Running and swimming through the churning water, buffeted and bruised by debris, she clambered to safety on top of a nearby hill. At the two-room school, Said screamed to his students -- ages 6 to 14 -- to also run to the hills, saving all their lives. Others weren't so lucky. For days, body parts washed ashore. Villagers confirmed 19 dead among their own. But they say many others were in town or at sea that day. Many Somalis have died or lost their homes in years of factional fighting that has left the country without a central government since 1991. But this remote northeastern corner had been spared most of the violence, and the people quietly prospered. The tsunami struck at the height of the fishing season, which draws people from across Somalia and as far away as Tanzania and Zanzibar. They erect temporary shelters along the shore, which were all swept away. Fearful a tsunami could strike again, villagers have built a rickety wall of rusting metal sheeting and pieces of wood between them and the vast blue sea. Behind its flimsy protection, they are piecing together their lives as best they can. When officials from the UN Children's Fund arrived two days after the tsunami, they found many villagers still in the hills, too fearful to come down. But when they saw humanitarian workers pitch their tent on the shore, they started to come back. Those who lost their homes initially sheltered in the school. But UNICEF supplied plastic sheeting with which they have patched together makeshift homes amid the ruins of what was once the capital of Somalia under Italian rule. Other agencies also have arrived, distributing food, medicine, water and other aid. Mohammed Ismail, 40, searched the debris of his tiny grocery store along what was the main road, salvaging concrete blocks with which to rebuild. When the tsunami hit, it swept away bags of flour, rice, and sugar. "I grabbed my son and ran," he said. "But my wife couldn't swim. When I came back for her, I found her balanced on top of a pile of rice bags." BOSTON GLOBE

Looking the pictures, I thought these were real African troops before i read the little description at the bottom .

OG-Girl, though you more younger than all of these fellas, you discuss in a diplomatic manner. keep it that way.

Originally posted by AYOUB_SHEIKH: quote:CAAMIR : Sanaag (The Third largest region of Somalia) and over 37.9% of Somaliland map has five districs, four of which belong to the H.A.R.T.I Care to name which four? Aight: check the bold ones and count. Districts of Somalia According to a document purporting to describe the Somalia National Peace Conference, these were the districts of Somalia as of 1990-12-31: District HASC Abdi Asis SO.BN.AA Adan Yabal SO.SD.AY Afmadow SO.JH.AF Alula SO.BR.AL Badhadhe SO.JH.BA Badhan SO.SA.BA Baki SO.AW.BA Ballcad SO.SD.BA Bardhere SO.GE.BA Baydhaba SO.BY.BA Beletweyne SO.HI.BW Beletxawa SO.GE.BE Bender Bayla SO.BR.BB Berbera SO.WO.BE Bondhere SO.BN.BO Boramo SO.AW.BO Bosaso SO.BR.BO Braawe SO.SH.BR Buale SO.JD.BU Bulo-Burte SO.HI.BB Burco SO.TO.BR Burhakaba SO.BY.BU Burtinle SO.NU.BU Buuhodle SO.TO.BH Caadale SO.SD.CA Cabudwaaq SO.GA.CB Cadaado SO.GA.CD Caynabo SO.SO.CA Ceelafyeyn SO.SA.CL Ceel Barde SO.BK.CB Ceelbur SO.GA.CE Ceeldeer SO.GA.CR Ceelwaaq SO.GE.CE Ceerigabo SO.SA.CR Dangoryo SO.NU.DA Darkeynle SO.BN.DA Dhahar SO.SA.DH Dhusa-Mareb SO.GA.DM Dinsor SO.BY.DI Dolow SO.GE.DO Eyl SO.NU.EY Galhareeri SO.GA.GA Galkacyo SO.MU.GA Garbaharey SO.GE.GA Garowe SO.NU.GA Gebiley SO.WO.GE Goldogob SO.MU.GO Hamar Weyne SO.BN.HA Haradhere SO.MU.HA Hara Jabjab SO.BN.HJ Hargeysa SO.WO.HA Hawle Wadaag SO.BN.HW Heliwa SO.BN.HE Hobyo SO.MU.HO Hodan SO.BN.HO Hudur SO.BK.HU Iskhushuban SO.BR.IS Jalalaqsi SO.HI.JQ Jamame SO.JH.JA Jeriban SO.MU.JE Jilib SO.JD.JI Jowhar SO.SD.JO Karaan SO.BN.KA Kismayo SO.JH.KI Kurtunwaarey SO.SH.KU Lascaanood SO.SO.LA Las Qorey SO.SA.LQ Lughaya SO.AW.LU Luuq SO.GE.LU Mark Afgooye SO.SH.MA Odwenyen SO.TO.OD Qandala SO.BR.QA Qansadhere SO.BY.QA Qardho SO.BR.QR Qoryoyley SO.SH.QO Sablaale SO.SH.SA Sakow SO.JD.SA Shangani SO.BN.SH Sheik SO.TO.SH Shibis Waberi SO.BN.SW Telex SO.SO.TE Tiyeglow SO.BK.TI Wadajir SO.BN.WA Wajid SO.BK.WA Wanlaweyne SO.SH.WA Wardhiglye SO.BN.WD Xudun SO.SO.XU Yaqship SO.BN.YA Yeed SO.BK.YE Zeylac SO.AW.ZE HASC: Hierarchical administrative subdivision codes. The middle two letters identify the region. For key, see "Administrative Subdivisions of Countries". Copyright © 2001, 2003 by Gwillim Law. All rights reserved. SOURCE:

The man is aspiring. I have often wanted to learn Oud and other musical instruments. In the interview, he said he has passed his skills to most of his children and some extended relatives. Do you think we would see a whole musician family like the blessed Reer Naaji in the future. Where is Fulham?

I love this discussion.

I hope we would have goad roads to tour places near to our islands. Haafuun should be made historical city , the OLD TOWN of Somalia.

Foolish remarks!

It was already posted by Libaax-Sankataabte? But thanks for the post.

The size of people won't make a whit of difference. What counts is the massive territories and major towns in Eastern part of North Somalia. Sanaag (The Third largest region of Somalia) and over 37.9% of Somaliland map has five districs, four of which belong to the ******** Almost Sool, and District of Buhoodle and Beyond. If they were not blinded by bigotry, they won't have come with this laughable Pop. estimate. one more thing, who said the major cities like Hargeisa and Berbera are exclusive settlement for ****** Easterners reside in great number in all of these cities. Who can deny that? [ February 04, 2005, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: Libaax-Sankataabte ]

woow. thanks xirsi.

walaahi sheekadan wa ka helay, laakiin afsoomaligeysa maanan hormarin. waa inaan dhulkii aadaa keep it going guys, Alle_ubaahne, Jamaal-11, Baashi and others. You guys can write stories. I applaud you verily.

I have got to share with you enjoyable play written by the great African author, Wole Soyinka. It is just one part. I changed the characters. It is between Faarax (the young teacher influenced by western ways) and Xaliimo (a true nomad sista) The Lion and The Jewel Faarax: A prophet has honour except in his own home. Wise men have been called mad before me and after, many more shall be so abused. But to answer you, the measure is not entirely of my own coinage. What i boast is known in Mogadisho, that city of magic, where Somali women bathe in gold, even in smaller towns less than twelve miles from here. Xaliimo: Well go there. Go to these places where women would understand you. If you told them of your plans with which you oppress me daily. Do you not know what name they give you here? Have you lost shame completely that jeers pass you over. Faarax: No. I have told you no. Shame belongs only to the ignorant. Xaliimo: Well, i am going. shall i take the pail or not? Faarax: Not till you answer to marry me. (Takes her hand instantly soulful.) xaliimo, a man must prepare to fight alone. But it helps if he has a women to stand by him, a woman who can understand---like you. Xaliimo: I do? Faarax: xalimo, my love will open your mind like the chaste leaf in the morning, when the sun first touches it. Xaliimo: If you start that i will run away. I had enough of that nonsense yesterday> Faarax: Nonsense? Nonsense? do you hear? Does anybody listen? Can the stones bear to listen to this? Do you call it Nonsense that i poured the waters of my soul to wash your feet. Xaliimo: You did what! Faarax: Wasted! Wasted! xalimo, my heart bursts into flowers with my love. But you, you and the dead of this village trample it with feet of ignorance. Xaliimo: (shakes her head in bafflement.) If the snail finds splinters in his shell He changes house. Why do you stay? Faarax: Faith. Because i have faith . Oh xalimo, vow to me your own undying love and i will scorn the jibes of these bush minds who know no better. Swear, xaliimo, Swear you will be my wife and i will stand against earth, heaven, and the nine Hells.... Xaliimo: Now there you go again. ONe little thing and you must chirrup like a cockatoo. You talk and talk and deafen me with words which always sound the same and make no meaning. I have told you, and i say it again, I shall marry you today, next week or any day you name. But my pride-price must first be paid. Aha, now you turn away. But i tell you, faarax, I must have the full bride-price. Willl you make a laughing stock? Well, do as you please. But Xaliimo will not make herself a cheap bowl for the village spit. Faarax: On my head let fall their scorn. Xaliimo: They will say i was no virgin that i was forced to sell my shame and marry you without a price. Faarax: A savage custom, barbaric, out-dated, rejected, denounced, accursed, excommunicated, archaic, degrading, humiliating, unspeakable, redundant, retrogressive, remarkable, unplatable. Xaliimo: is the bag empty? Why did you stop? Faarax: I own only the short companion Dictionary, but i have ordered the longer one--you wait! Xaliimo: Just pay the price. Faarax: (with a sudden shout.) An ignoble custom, infamous, ignominious shaming our heritage before the world. Xaliimo, i do not seeka wife to fetch and carry, to cook and scrub, to bring forth children by the gross... Xaliimo: Heaven forgive you ! do you now scorn Child-bearing in a wife. Faarax: Of course i do not. I only mean... Oh xaliimo, i want to wed because i love, i seek a life-companion..(pulbit-declamatory) And the man shall take the woman. And the two shall be together as one flesh. Xalimo, i seek a friend in need. An equal partner in my race of life. Xaliimo: (Attentive no more. Deeply engrossed in counting the gold on her neck) Then pay the price. Faarax: ignorant girl, can you not understand? To pay the price would be to buy a 'camel' off the market stall. You'd be my chattel, my mere property. No xalimoo! (very tenderly) When we are wed, you shall not walk or sit tethered, as it were, to my dirtied heels. Together we shall sit at table. Not on the floor--and eat, not with fingers, but with knives, and forks, and breakabe plates like civilized beings. I will not have you wait on me till i have dined my fill. No wife of mine, no lawful wedded wife shall eat the leavings off my plate--That is for the children. I want to walk beside you in the street, side by side and arm in arm just like the Mogadisho couples i have seen, high-heeled shoes for the lady, red pain on her lips. And her hair is stretched like a magazine photo. I will teach you the waltz and we'll both learn the foxtrot. Oh, i must show the grandeur of towns. We'll live there if you like or merely pay visits. So choose. Be a modern wife, look me in the eye and give me a little kiss--like this. (kisses her) Xaliimo: (backs away) No, don't! I tell you I dislike this strange unhealthy mouthing you perform. Every time, your action deceives me making me think that you merely wish to whisper something in my ear. Then comes this licking of my lips with yours. It's so unclean And then, the sound you make---'Pyout!' Are you being rude to me? Faarax: (wearily.) It's never any use. Bush-girl you are, Bush-girl you'll always be; Uncivilized and primitive---Bush-girl! I kissed you as all educated men kiss their wives. It is the way of civilized romance. Xaliimo: A way you mean, to avoid payment of lawful bride-price. A cheating way, mean and miserly. Faarax (violently) It is not. (Xaliimo bursts into laughing. Farax changes his tone to a soulful one, both eyes dreamily shut.) Romance is the sweetening of the soul with fragrance offered by the stricken heart.

such a beautiful lyrics, thanks Wiilo. I really enjoyed reading it. Nuune, thanks for the other song. I am still waiting the lyrics, just try. My somali in listening classic somali music is not that good, but i can see the direction of their meaning once i read.

Originally posted by nuune: Nassir, sxb thanks for that correction, I also like Giriig's songs, the famous one's like Boodhari sidiisi and Timaheeda dheeriyo , the latter song is my favorite as well, the music is realy what i like about the song, I don't think they can do that music nowadayz. When it comes who is classic, Mooge or Giriig, I would say Giriig, the two got different tone of music, and I like Giriig's music more, that is how I classify Qaraami songs Timahaaga dheeree Boodhari sidiisi the lyrics for Boodhari Sidiisi jacayl waa balaayoo waa baaxad sooroo waanigan basteeyee markaan bilan helaabuu iga bilaayo ayadaa i bogsiisee bar wadnaha ku taaloo igu baahday weeyee boodhari sidiisii barashada jacalykana ayadaa igu beertee been laguma heeso runta lagama beydhee waa loo badheedhaa cilmi kuu la balan balay ee qaas la baa ba'ay baa ana igu balaadhee bar wadnaha ku taalo igu baahday weeye boodhari sidiisii barashada jacalykana ayadaa igu beertee ayadoo habeen badha intaan soo baraarugay baalaha ka eego marka bixiyo faynuus ileen baabah weeyee barkimada dagaaloo bar wadnaha ku taalo igu baahday weeye boodhari sidiisii barashada jacalykana ayadaa igu beertee basarka iyo jaahiyo bilicda iyo nuurkaa haa waa midaan u bogayoo aan u beer raqaayoo biyo nimay u keentaa bil ku soomanaadee bar wadnaha ku taalo igu baahday weeye boodhari sidiisii barashada jacalykana ayadaa igu beertee Thanks nuune, but i need timadheer's lyrics. I got somehow into the website you provided and i got these songs . You can listen as you click as before. I couldn't find the link to so many other classic songs. Maahee Soomar Soomar Ubaxii Baxaay----So Sweet

Thanks Muad, you really provided some needed pictures.

I CAME ACROSS THIS LINK, IT IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL INTERVIEW. IT WILL REALLY TEACH YOU THE ORIGIN OF SOMALI MUSIC, YOU WILL HEAR INSTRUMENTS BEING PLAYED, SONGS, AND ETC. ABDILAHI QARSHE AND XUDEEDI. BBC, INTERVIEW AND SONGS. WardheerNews When I was 14 years old, my father took me to a party in Aden where I heard an Arabic man playing an oud. I liked it and knew I wanted to learn how to play myself. XUDEEDI

EC and UNICEF join hands to support education in Somalia Nairobi, 31 January 2005 - Education prospects for Somali children are to benefit from a European Commission grant of 4.5 million euros, UNICEF Somalia Representative, Jesper Morch, said today following the signing of an agreement between the two bodies. UNICEF will use the funds to promote pupil enrolment and to ensure quality teaching and learning under initiatives spanning a two year period from 2005. Part of the funds will be used in a major education enrolment campaign through UNICEF Somalia's Every Child Counts Initiative. Community education committees which manage schools in most of Somalia will also be targeted under specific interventions to ensure they are better able to manage schools under their supervision. Currently only about 19.9% per cent of Somali children are in school. According to the 2003/2004 Survey of Primary Schools in Somalia, 285,574 children were enrolled in primary schools. This was a 5.7% increase from the previous year. Of those enrolled only 35% are girls. As per the latest survey there were 9,088 teachers of whom only 1,210 (13%) were female with one teacher having about 31 students per class in average. There are 1,172 operational schools in Somalia. Since 1997 UNICEF, its partners and local authorities have been collecting data on primary education through annual school surveys, made possible in part by funding support from the EC. Without a central government for most of the last 14 years, the task of running schools has mostly fallen on community education committees established in 94% of the schools in Somalia. UNICEF in collaboration with local authorities has trained and will under the new agreement, continue to support the committees. "UNICEF intends to use the EC grant to continue the in-service training of teachers, rehabilitate schools and equip them with adequate water and sanitation facilities," said Noel Ihebuzor, UNICEF Somalia Education Officer. ''Training for local education authorities and ministries is also to be undertaken under this partnership. UNICEF will also use the funds to create community learning centers where less privileged Somalis will be able to access primary education." The support's net effect will be to ensure 80,000 more Somali children go to school and thus acquire the necessary skills that will make them live healthier and happier lives. A particular beneficiary group in this partnership project is the girl child, who is specifically identified for special support in the areas of enrolment and retention and quality learning in primary school. Most primary schools now use the new lower primary national curriculum developed by UNICEF, UNESCO and other partners. Previous support from the EC and other partners made it possible to develop curricula and materials for the primary school system. The present funding is further testimony of EC commitment to broadening access to quality basic education services for all and for girls in particular. UNICEF welcomes this renewal of EC support to the education sector in Somalia which has since 2000 seen major improvements in access and quality. For further information contact 1. Noel Ihebuzor, Education Officer, UNICEF Somalia. Email: nihebuzor@unicef.org. Tel: +254-20-623950/53/55/70. Mobile: +254-734-400-080. 2. Robert Kihara, Assistant Communication Officer, UNICEF Somalia. Email: rkihara@unicef.org. Tel: +254-20-623950/53/55/70. Mobile: +254-721-244-800. RELIEFWEB

SOMALIA: EC funds primary school projects 31 Jan 2005 14:51:10 GMT Source: IRIN NAIROBI, 31 January (IRIN) - The European Commission (EC) granted the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) €4.5 million (US $5.86 million) on Monday for education projects in Somalia, the agency and the EC said in a joint statement. "UNICEF will use the funds to promote pupil enrollment and to ensure quality teaching and learning under initiatives spanning a two-year period from 2005," according to the statement. Part of the money, they said, would be spent on a major education enrolment campaign through UNICEF Somalia's Every Child Counts Initiative. Community education committees, which manage schools across most of Somalia, will also be targeted under specific interventions to ensure they are better able to manage schools under their supervision, they said. "Currently," according to the statement, "only about 19.9 percent of Somali children are in school." According to the 2003-2004 survey of primary schools in Somalia, 285,574 children were enrolled - a 5.7 percent increase from the previous year. Of those enrolled 35 percent are female. The latest survey says there were 9,088 teachers, of whom 1,210 (13 percent) were female, with an average of one teacher per 31 students. There are 1,172 functioning schools in Somalia. Somalia has had no functioning central government since 1991 and the task of running schools has mostly fallen on community education committees. UNICEF, in collaboration with local authorities, has trained and supported the committees. "UNICEF intends to use the EC grant to continue the in-service training of teachers, rehabilitate schools and equip them with adequate water and sanitation facilities," Noel Ihebuzor, UNICEF education officer for Somalia, said. "Training for local education authorities and ministries is also to be undertaken under this partnership," he added. "UNICEF will also use the funds to create community learning centres, where less privileged Somalis will be able to access primary education." The new funding is expected to help 80,000 more Somali children go to school. A particular beneficiary group in this partnership project will be girls, who are specifically identified for special support in enrollment, retention and quality learning in primary school. Most primary schools now use the new lower primary national curriculum developed by UN

Somalia`s "back to school" plan gets European backing Nairobi, Kenya, 02/01 - The European Commission has given a 4.5 million euro grant to support the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) educational initiatives in Somalia. The UN agency`s Somalia Representative, Jesper Morch said in Nairobi Monday the funds will be used to promote pupil enrolment and ensure quality teaching and learning under the initiatives over a two year period from 2005. Part of the money would be used in a major education enrolment campaign through UNICEF Somali dubbed "Every Child Counts Initiative," he said. Community education committees that manage schools in most of Somalia would manage the project. The village committees will also be targeted under specific interventions to improve the management of schools under their supervision, UNICEF said. Currently, only about 19.9% of school age Somali children are in school. According to the 2003/2004 survey, some 285,574 children were enrolled in primary schools. This was a 5.7% increase from the previous year. Out of these, only 35% were girls. The latest survey indicates there were 9,088 teachers, out of whom only 1,210 (13%) were female with one teacher having an average of about 31 students per class. There are 1,172 operational schools in Somalia. Since 1997 UNICEF, its partners and local authorities have been collecting data on primary education through annual school surveys partly funded by the EC. "Without a central government for most of the last 14 years, the task of running schools has mostly fallen on community education committees established in 94% of the schools in Somalia," Morch said. The UNICEF said it plans to use the EC grant to continue the in- service training of teachers, rehabilitate schools and quip them with adequate water and sanitation facilities, said Noel Ihebuzor, UNICEF Somalia Education Officer. Ensuring the enrolment of 80,000 more Somali children in schools in the main objective, he added. The girl child is specifically identified for special enrolment, retention, and quality learning in primary schools. Previous support from the EC and other partners made it possible to develop curricula and materials for the primary schools. UNICEF welcomed the renewal of EC support to the education sector in Somalia, which has since 2000 seen major improvements in access and quality. AngolaPress

Europe gives UNICEF 4.5 million euros for education in Somalia Document Actions 31/01/2005 The European Commission (EC) has given the UN children's agency 4.5 million euros (5.9 million dollars) to promote education in the war-shattered Horn of Africa country of Somalia, officials said Monday. United Nations Children Fund's (UNICEF) envoy to Somalia Jesper Morch said in a statement released here that the funds would be used to improve educational prospects in Somalia this year. The grant is to be used for teacher training and rehabilitation of schools, including providing them with adequate water and sanitation facilities, said UNICEF's education officer for Somalia, Noel Ihebuzor. Of about 1.4 million children who have reached school-enrolment in Somalia, only 285,574 managed to start classes last year, according to a 2003/2004 survey in the country's primary schools, the agency said. Struggling to recover from 14 years of anarchy, Somalia has about 1,172 operational schools with 9,088 teachers, it said. The nation of 10 million people plunged in a round of bloodletting in 1991, shortly after strongman Mohammed Siad Barre was toppled. Subsequent fighting ruined infrastructure, with many schools converted into makeshift camps for fleeing population. Since late 2004 when warlords and clan elders agreed on a parliament, appointed a president, prime minister and cabinet -- all based in Kenya because of insecurity in Mogadishu -- the European Commission has been the leading donor to the shattered country.