Bacaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaac

This road we're talking about is not only between Hargeisa & Berbera ....... It connects Berbera to Togwajaale. at the border with Ethiopia.

End of the story ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Arsenal is a roasted rat

Don't mind the women haters ,,,,,, hadhow baad arki iyagoo qaawan ,,, just for a woman ,,

8th March: A day to appreciate Somaliland women’s contributions By: Ahmed M Ibrahim (Nagashe) The international women’s day is an event that turns attention to the third world in general and the Muslim world in particular, with the perception that women freedom and rights are totally denied. Unfortunately, the essence of this day disappears in the argument between those with this view and the others who disagree. The two groups, in pursuit of their agendas, deal women plight as a tool to realize such agendas. And the showdown between these factions reaches to a point where we lose the human respect women deserve. On one side we have the advocates of the cruel cultures and the narrow, literalist understanding of Islam that regard our women as a decoration objects for the houses only. On the other hand, we have those who exploit women’s bodies in the name of freedom without respecting their intellect and choices. Also, Western media and feminists go to great length in presenting only the negative side of the Muslim women’s life disregarding all the other positive aspects and socio-cultural distinctiveness of the Muslim societies. In the West, the Muslim women are presented as oppressed and weak who have no say in their lives. The mere fact that they chose to wear headscarves is the sign of their oppression and lack of freedom, forgetting that those women have willingly opted to cover their bodies. The other claim by the western media, though it has some element of truth in it, is the lack of education of the women and their absence in the political arenas. This shows how selective their claims can be ignoring that Muslim women headed governments and states while it took, for instance, the United States of America more than two centuries for a woman to be the chief diplomat of her country let alone being the head of state. Whereas some Muslims in disguise of being anti western influence, term every lawful movement by our women to attain their rights as western and un-Islamic attempts intended for disintegrating our family values and social fiber of Umma. With all these contradictions surrounding this great day, in Somaliland we are celebrating at a time when our women are not only the bread winners of the majority of the families but are holding key offices in the government and the bicameral parliament. Unlike most of the leading women politicians in the Muslim world, our sisters are not from political backgrounds and influential families. This is a sign that, though hurdles remain in their way, the ground is being leveled enough for women to have courage and get involved in politics. And it is a great honor for us and adds not only to our democratic credentials but to our genuine understanding of Islam as well, which indeed is something that deserves to take pride in it. Though the ruling party’s promise to give a thirty percent share of the government to our women did not fully materialize, the wise decision of the president to appoint two ladies to head sensitive and major ministries is praise worthy. The ministries of social services and education are so important for nation building efforts and the input of kind hearted women is necessary. The appointment of Her Excellency Samsam Aden, a veteran educationist and a mother who’ve practically lived in molding children into responsible human beings, has reminded me painful situation I experienced in Somaliland schools when this ministry was exclusively under the leadership of men. Dr. Edna Aden, the former foreign affairs minister, touched by the dire need of students for text books managed to collect a donation of 2000 books and believing every official had a heart for our children, she handed those books over to the ministry of education officials for distribution. Unfortunately, those books found their way into Ethiopian markets. The people who stole those books were men claiming to be responsible Muslims who passionately insisted that women have no place in the leadership of our country. They had denied our students not only the books but the opportunity to buy for those who could afford; this incident is among the reasons that made me believe that we need our women to lead our country since I can’t easily trust men who have failed our students when they needed most. The other incident is that after finishing school their certificates had been confiscated for a collection fee of USD 25 which most of the students could not afford then, and some including mine were kept in the ministry of education for about three years. I am sure had a woman minister been in charge it would not have taken us so long to collect our certificates merely because we were unable to raise the money needed for the Qat expenses of the ministry’s top male officials. Lastly, let’s take our responsibility in encouraging our sisters to achieving their potentials in every aspect of life. And we must at the same time accept that our country cannot afford to waste their contributions in nation building and leadership. It is high time to realize that it is not Islam in its pure essence that forbids women from participating in the leadership and contributing to the betterment of their societies, but rather a fear driven excuse that women might out smart men as they did sometime in the course of history when people preferred women queens over men as happened during the reign of Queen Radia of the Muslim empire of India. Congratulations to the women of Somaliland on this auspicious day for their continued sacrifices of making Somaliland the best country it can be, we value and will never forget your contribution to our nation thanking Almighty Allah for giving us the best women in the world. As we do, you must also believe that your country needs you and that the unenlightened voices cannot pull you down, keep up the good work and the courage to get what you deserve.

London2010;700389 wrote: Why don't they develop capital from tax revenue. Growing their gdp so that the private internal market can take up the work. The EU should say no. If you won't help yourself, don't come begging to us. That is a process already undergoing ,,, but will take time before it is fully in place. This project is only for one road at the Berbera corridor

Source: http://www.chaihousechatter.org/chai-opinions/2011/3/8/offensive-inshallah-launched-so-what.html

After months of threatening or promising depending on your loyalties and where you live, the TFG have finally done what they said they would. They have attacked Al Shabaab forces in Mogadishu and along the border between Mandera (Kenya) and Beletweyne (Ethiopia) ASWJ plus Ethiopian forces and a miscellany of old and not so bold Warlords - or as they now are more politically correctly referred to "tribal forces" have taken a number of villages/town from Shabaab. We are told that in the Galgadud area the ASWJ & Ethiopian forces are even on the doorstep of Ceel Bur. There have been reports of tanks and helicopters, reports of Kenyan military involvement to Ethiopian forces operating from Kenyan territory and newly trained Somali forces from Ethiopia joining ASWJ in Galgadud. Of course, in all of this details appear to be alarmingly deficient. A cynic once said that the "truth is an interesting but irrelevant part of any good story", Now, not that we at CHC want to be considered cynics if indeed the good folk of the TFG and company are finally doing their job, we do however wonder at what appears to be some lacking in substance as well as what can best be described as a "cleft stick" that the TFG may be putting themselves into. That fighting is heavy in Mogadishu is clear. From AMISOM casualty rates (wounded being treated in all neighbouring countries) to Shabaab reports of dead and captured Burundian soldiers, this is clear. CHC sources have informed us of a number of occasions where AMISOM forces were on the verge of being over-run by Shabaab in counter attacks and had to be reinforced by Ugandan Special Forces. Heavy fighting yes - ground taken? Of course conspicuously absent in this narrative is what the TFG forces are actually doing. Even if they are fighting alongside the AMISOM forces, if AMISOM want to avoid falling even further into the trap of comparison with the Ethiopians who they replaced, TFG forces must replace them and hold any ground taken. With General Yusuf Mohammed Siad AKA Indha’ade now back in the TFG fold, they do have some seasoned and effective military commanders, sadly that does not necessarily equate to effective and motivated soldiers. In theatres outside of Mogadishu the picture is even less clearly substantiated by evidence. CHC sources are inclined to believe that Shabaab forces are doing what they have repeatedly done in the past when Ethiopian forces of any strength have come across the border - they simply vacate and wait for another day and time to return and fight. Given that past behaviour is the best indicator of future behaviour, one would not be completely wrong to believe that the same problem faces the Ethiopians along the border that now faces the AMISOM forces - if they remain they are once again occupiers and yet if they leave, can ASWJ and others hold the ground against Shabaab? In all of this the question beyond those identified already is the biggest of all - so what? For an offensive this one to date appears to lack coordination and common purpose. And so the question begged is why now? Why are we seeing this offensive at this time? Effective or ineffective as it may be. CHC sources have varied on some elements but there is agreement on a number of salient points. * The TFG needs to desperately convince the international community that they are viable and relevant. With an August deadline the TFG needs to demonstrate what they have been incapable of to date. * AMISOM and all related activities are seen as an effective "revenue generating" entity by many Somalis - just not for Somalis. Each "offensive" makes money for an extended grouping. * Ethiopia wants to see the Kenyan "Jubba Land" project scuttled as they fear it would provide a safe operating base for the ONLF. * Kenya has received international donor dollars to train Somali forces and need to produce some results, while of course pursuing the Jubba Land buffer zone concept. Whether any of the above is valid remains to be seen, however even a cursory examination of the points demonstrates nothing close to mutually compatible objectives. It is therefore with interest that we watch as results unfold over the upcoming days and weeks. It is unfortunate that while we can observe the developments safely there are untold numbers of Somalis who yet again are going to have to respond to conflict at a time when they are already overwhelmed by the current drought.

Allah ha u naxariisto ....................

Roads are too costly and only one KM can cost up to 200,000 US Dollars ... so u can imagine 150kms or even more ,,,,, It is one of the first things waiting for the recognition. The Dahabshiil building is huge ,, and still under construction ...................

They're just taking the advantage of the International Women's Day ,,,

Baarqab bilaa nigisa ,,,

Baarqabka maxaa dharka dumarka u xidhay tolow ? Iyo kabaha green ka ah ,,,,

Still not convinced .........

Walee inaad qooqday ,,,

Been badanaa ,, bismilaaah

I just realized now that I turned to a BIG number maalin dhaweyd, something and BIG zero at the END. 80 ...

That is part of the project now ................... in due time, that road will be like wooooooow

and Where is the "end of the world" ???

The Somaliland government plans to privatize the port and currently is holding discussions with Chinese firms. The Somaliland Foreign Minister, Dr Mohamed Abdullahi Omar is currently in Beijing, China, for the last four days. Barrier his visit to China, he was in the Ethiopian capital where he held talks with Ethiopian officials over the port and other key areas including security. Both governments are pushing for foreign firm to invest in the port. According to sources close to the government a number of firms expressed interest including the Hong Kong based, Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), France’s Bolloré Africa Logistics and Holland-based, APM Terminals. The first phase of the project, already approved by the EU, will be to conduct a study on how to develop the Berbera Corridor, a 850 km road. According to the foreign minister, Berbera Corridor will be connected to the North-South Corridor (Cairo-Gaborone highway). The second phase will be finding a reliable contractor for the job and investors. At the moment, its at the second phase and both Ethiopia and Somaliland have been in talks with a Chinese firm in Addis Ababa that is already constructing roads and highways in Ethiopia. The Chinese seem to be more proactive than the Western firms. The current trip by the foreign minister to Beijing will be the fourth such talks between Somaliland and Chinese investors in the last year alone. The President, Mr Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo might also fly to Beijing according to sources close to the government. The current talks are four-way discussion between Somaliland-Ethiopia and EU, Somaliland-Ethiopia and China. Berbera port sits on a strategic location along the red sea and plans to become a major port in the region for Somaliland, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somalia. The current government has an aggressive foreign policy and foreign investment. It plans to rehabilitate roads between Berbera and Togwachale, Berbera and Hargeisa airports and the port it self to improve its network and connection with neighboring countries. So far it has secured $10 million to rehabilitate the airports from the Kuwaiti government. Somalilandpress

ADDIS ABABA — The government of Ethiopia and Somaliland are trying to solicit fund from the European Union (EU) for the construction of the road that connects Ethiopia with Berbera, the Somaliland port. Samson Wondimu, corporate communications head with the Ethiopian Roads Authority, told The Reporter that the Ethiopian and Somaliland governments were trying to secure the funds from the EU that would be used to rehabilitate the 245 km long Togochale (boarder town)-Berbera road. Some 50 kms from the Ethiopian border, the road is rough and the asphalt road begins near the capital city, Hargeissa and goes up to Berbera. Officials of the EU were not immediately available for comment. A diplomat at the Somaliland’s Consulate in Addis Ababa told The Reporter that there are still ongoing negotiations between Somaliland, Ethiopia and the EU over the rehabilitation of the Berbera corridor. “Things are progressing,” the diplomat said. The ageing asphalt road from Hargeissa to the port is in a very poor condition and it needs urgent rehabilitation. Berbera is an alternative gateway to Ethiopia. Mostly food aid is imported via Berbera to Ethiopia. But the Ethiopian government plans to import parts of the country’s import via Berbera. The port also needs to be developed and it needs a substantial amount of investment. With the view of using the Berbera Port, the Ethiopian government is developing the infrastructure along the Berbera corridor. Samson said the government is finalizing work on the Jijiga-Togochale 67 km. road construction project launched three years ago. The contractor, a local construction firm, Akir Construction, is expected to finalize the work after two months. Samson said Somaliland has good diplomatic and trade relations with Ethiopia adding that the new road will enhance bilateral trade between the two Countries. By Kaleyesus Bekele Source The Ethiopian Reporter

Ahhhhhhhhhh ,, Not again ! ! ! !

Marka la eryaday yidhaahdaan anaga may ahayn ,,,,,,,,,