The cost of Hosting the TFG...was it worth it..?

[Jumatatu]

Kenya pays Sh1 billion for hosting Somali government

Kenya sunk Sh1 billion into the Somali peace talks and is yet to pay Sh630 million to hotels which rolled out princely accommodation to the 4000 delegates.

 

The price Kenya paid included the sharing out of President Kibaki’s elite guard — drawn from the General Service Unit — with the Somali leader Dr Abudillahi Yusuf ( ) who left the country last week for his country. It later turned out he was in the neighbouring Djibouti from where he later flew out to Qatar before going to Yemen where he was yesterday reported to be.

 

Kenya in addition provided armed security for 260 Somali MPs, including the Prime Minister. Some of the members were yesterday, however, yet to relocate to the battered city of Johar that Dr Yusuf chose as the seat of his government because the situation in Mogadishu is still unpredictable.

 

Regional Co-operation Assistant Minister Joseph Nyagah told The Standard the amount could be higher since the Government was still offering security to the families of the Somali President and Prime Minister.

 

"It is the responsibility of any hosting State to offer security to foreign government officials legally in its jurisdiction. It is an international practice that we in Kenya have an obligation to honour," said Nyagah.

 

He confirmed the Treasury had paid out at least Sh500 million, but Sh630m was still owed to hotels and other service providers. The figures would further go up when the billions pumped into the process by the international community and regional states under the umbrella of the Inter-Governmental Authority on development (Igad) are factored in.

 

Apart from the limousine Kenya bought for Dr Yusuf, he also enjoyed the escort of two chase cars, a police vehicle and six personal bodyguards.

 

Even in his travel Kenya continues to pay for the security of Dr Yusuf’s family at the Kitisuru home that the Government set aside. The presence of the family is a pointer that he will be a regular quest. Prime Minister Prof Mohammed Ali Ghedi’s family, left behind at Spring Valley, Nairobi is also under Kenya’s security. The officers repulsed attackers at Dr Yusuf’s home during a fierce gun battle last November.

 

Rent in Kitsuru area for houses such as Dr Yusuf’s average Sh250,000 per month, dealers in real estate and homes told The Standard. This translates to Sh3 million per year for rent alone.

 

At his home, the Somali president was also provided with staff, including cooks and gardeners.

 

Among hotels owed money in Nairobi are the SixEighty, Grand Regency, Hilton, Meridian and The Stanley, where delegates taking part in the peace process and MPs stayed. A source said the PM stayed at Serena Hotel but it was not clear whether it was also left with unsettled bills.

 

The peace talks took off in Eldoret in October 2002, but were later moved to the Kenya College of Communication and Technology, Mbagathi (KCCT), Nairobi.

 

Others owed money are tour operators who have been offering transport to delegates to attend peace talks. KCCT is also owed millions of shillings in unpaid accommodation and catering services incurred during the stay of delegates that were participating in the two-year-long peace talks.

 

In the entire period they held talks in Eldoret and in Nairobi, the MPs wallowed in comfort. By virtue of being long-term clients, the delegates enjoyed handsome offers by the top-of-the-range hotels including free visits to saunas, state-of-the-art health clubs, and laundry and subsidised local and international telephone calls.

 

The talks were chaotic, and moving them from Eldoret to the college in Mbagathi did not help matters. On many occasions, the delegates left the comfort of their hotels only to engage in shouting matches, walkouts, name-calling and bakora (walking-stick) fights at the venue of the peace talks. This significantly delayed progress and the delegates were accused of deliberately turning the forum into a talk shop.

 

However, Nyagah defended the Government’s spending on the delegates, saying: "Kenya stands to benefit immensely from a stable Somalia. We shall no longer have a problem of small arms originating from Somalia, meaning bandit and terrorism activities will be easy to monitor."

 

He also said Somalia will employ thousands of Kenyan teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers, and civil servants. "These professionals will repatriate their salaries and allowances meaning the economy will gain a lot. I am sure the Somalia government will need at least 30,000 Kenyan professionals as it seeks to train its own citizens," explained Nyagah.

 

The minister urged Kenyan traders and investors to develop a keen interest in Somalia as well as Sudan. "It is important that we take advantage of the opportunities emerging in these two states that have been in war for many years," said Nyagah during a telephone interview.

 

By Ken Ramani

East African Standard

[Sky]

That was interesting. I think there never was such a large group of Somalis that lived more luxuriously than the 250 xildhibaans.

 

I think it's great if Kenyan knowhow will be available to us to revive what was once known as Somalia. They have a lot of educated people that could do a lot for us. And who better than the Kenyans? I really think that Somalia should focus it's economic policy on it's trade links with our neighbours, especially the relatively wealthy Kenya.

[wind.talker]

That's a highly-misinformed article, referring to Col Yeey as 'Dr. Abdullahi Yusuf.' Did he magically attain his doctorate on Oct. 10, 2004?

 

Now, to answer the question: I know Kenya paid a heavy price - and I wonder how long it'll take us Somalis to realize that there aren't that many neighbors as nice as the Kenyans. Their efforts in uniting Somalia's warring factions is commendable and will hopefully reflect positively in East African history.

 

Was it worth it? Remains to be seen. I mean the freaken' president has been to a lot of international capitals - except Somalia's. Let's list them: Nairobi, Kampala, Addis Ababa, Cairo, Doha, Yemen's capital, London, etc.

[Coloow]

Juma, I am intimidated by your signature sxb. It says my location

 

Windtalker,

I don't think kenya helped reconcile somalis. Kenyans have the goal of making sure a lame somali exists. The Doofaarey process was not a reconciliation process. It was a process of making sure somalis would NEVER threaten Ethiopia and Kenya.- and they have achieved that. Moi was the one who initiated the doofaarey process and it would go into the history books as the greatest achievement for kenya- and the icing on the cake for somali humiliation.

 

The kenyan economy is built to a greater extent on somalia. NFD towns have never seen the economic dynamism created by the collapse of somalia- Kenya benefits in terms of hard currency, entrepreneurship and cost reductions in its military budget.

 

Our so called president, PM, speaker and parliamentarians are guilty of treason. They are political stooges.

 

The only "peace" process that somalis engaged in was the ARTA process, initiated by a somali and where for the first time grievances were heard from all walks of somali society- and where for the first time a president (later on turned thug) and a PM were nominated not because they massacred children, women and the elderly but because were deemed fit to lead.

 

Unfortunately, they failed because of several reasons.

 

On the other hand, the Doofaarey process brought together outcasts of the somali political spectrum. Looking at the minsterial positions, one begins to wonder how somalis accepted the likes of Yusuf, Yalaxow, Caato, Morgan, Shatigaduud, Hiraale and the WHO IS WHO list of murderers to lead them.

 

Returning to this subject, if kenya and Ethiopia were honest they would have arrested the thugs for crimes against the somali nation- and possibly arraigned them in Arusha,

 

Instead, what kenya did was feed them, cloth them and facilitated the rape of our nation.

 

Death to the madax korankor and their extended somali arms.

[STOIC]

Caaqil,Peeved by your response about Kenya i decided to respond to you.Caqil,Unlike some previous attempt at Somali nation building, this particular transitional government included most of the people who "mattered" to somali politics,you name it,the warlords,the elders,the clan leaders,and even some "intellectuals".I think it will be unfair for you to charge Kenya with the popular Somali sentiment of finger pointing "Kenya doesn't want the peace of Somalia".Somalia's problem is not Kenyan's goal,Kenya has been for a long time Somalia's external life support.Kenya has been that Doctor who putted 24/7 at the attendance of it's frail patient.Somalia has been unenviable burden to Kenya ever since the collapse of Somali government.The expense of hosting a vast number of delegates like that created many problems for Kenya.Kenya decided to host Somalia out desperation to save Somalia from its wreckage.Yes there are for sure some of the neighbouring countries who have their own particular agenda in hosting any Somali reconstruction effort but i think Kenya is not one of them .It is not Kenya that violates this agreements between the warlords,it is the Somalis themselves.Unlike Ethiopia,Kenya has no history of fomenting discord in Somalia.I think Kenya is a honest peace broker in Somalia.The economy issue about Kenya depending on Somalia is baloney!.Kenyan economy has been always independant of Somalia(check the difference between the two country).It is Somalia that failed to disarm itself and stop the influx of weapons.

**excuse me folks i got carried away by nationalistic itch***

[Paragon]

^^^ I will agree with you that Kenya seemed like an honest broker of Somalia's peace, but only to a certain extent. 'Honesty' being the operative word here, I believe Kenya's honesty did not come on its own, and that it had been largely encouraged by Ethiopia. What we must remember is that from Somalia's independence to the days of Ethio-Somali war, Ethiopia and Kenya had several times signed military and political accords, which were aimed at Somalia. That said, these accords and the role that they've played in Kenya's initiative to host the peace process shouldn't be under-estimated.

 

Ethiopia and Sudan also played a great role in facilitating the meeting, and of course these two countries could have their own geopolitical interests. However, I'd like to believe that Kenya was the fool in the game and that Museveni of Uganda was the closest to being the honest peace broker. These sorts of meetings are geopolitically charged and each meeting has significance importance for either frontline states of Ethiopia and Kenya or other states such as Egypt, Eritrea and Sudan. I’d like to concentrate on Ethiopia's interests in Somalia and give support to Caaqil's reasoning.

 

My take on this is that geopolitical conflicts between Ethiopia and her adversaries have become reflected into internal Somali politics. Egypt and Eritrea are also involved in Somali Politics. Looking at the tension within Somalia/Somaliland reveals a somewhat familiar pattern of allegiance. To show what I mean, let me begin with the so-called Somali leaders. Because of Ethiopian pressures, C/yusuf, our supposed president, has already made clear that he has altogether abandoned the 'Greater Somalia' concept. This isn't surprising as C/Yusuf is himself a product of Ethiopia while in rebellion against Said Bare (AUN). C/Yusuf was quoted several times dismissing the old idea and saying (to paraphrase it): Somalis and Ethiopians are brothers'. Moreover, and briefly state it, the Puntland state, which he was the founder, is the closest friend of Ethiopia. Ethiopia has strategic interest in puntland and visa versa. I shall not go deeper into this, because I am hoping you already know of this connection.

 

On the other hand, Somaliland is similarly in good terms with Ethiopia. I shouldn't use 'good terms' to describe the relationship between Somaliland and Ethiopia, since Ethiopia has for the last few years refused to recognize Somaliland as an independent state. This refusal is however strategic. While Ethiopia allows Somaliland representatives to officially visit her country or even sign agreements, Ethiopia is wickedly refusing to go that extra mile of recognizing Hargeysa.

 

Why? Because, as far the strategic game of Ethiopia is concerned, both Somaliland and Puntland are baits. Baits against the possibility of re-instatement of central Somali government that doesn't suck up to Ethiopia. If Somalia gains anti-Ethiopia government, this will mean that such a government will end the links between Puntland regions and Ethiopia. Currently, both Puntland and Somaliland are clients of Ethiopia, and the tensions over Sool and Sanaag regions will not escalate – at least Ethiopia won’t allow that to happen. If tension turns to war, it means Ethiopia has to finance both sides, and that creates a sort of ‘Berlin Question’. Furthermore, if it uses Somaliland and Puntland against themselves, strategically Ethiopia stands at a loss. It is bound to lose its bargaining chips, and by the time a central Somali government is installed, it would have exhausted its energy and support. That should be avoided and the war should remain a ‘cold’ war. The real victims of those who are supported by Ethiopia are those who live in Sool and Sanaag region. They will not engage in a war or get lasting peace.

 

At the moment, there is also another reason why Ethiopia will not recognize Somaliland. Let me explain this a bit further. Ethiopia faces some resistance within the Ogden region and therefore makes absolutely sure that the freedom fighters are cut off from outside help - from example Eritrea. Logistically thinking, in order to receive external help, the freedom fighters have only two passages through which aid could be channeled. The first passage is the port of their brethren of Boosaaso, Puntland. But the problem is, their brethren's very state came to exist, more or less, through Ethiopia's support! To the freedom fighters, this unfortunate fact hinders their chances of getting support of their brethrens. Therefore such support is out of the question!! Very Sad.

 

The second passage should've come from their Hargeysa brethrens, because Hargeysa is seeking succession from Somalia which puntland is still part. The freedom fighters therefore believe they share a cause with Somaliland! Both are seeking succession! Soon enough, the families and some relatives of the freedom fighters feel save in thought to locate to Hargeysa. Unfortunately this was a miscalculated move, and a deadly one too. They walked into a trap. A trap that comes with a shocking realization when Ethiopia makes promises to Hargeysa (in the form of recognition and economic agreement), in exchange for the few freedom seekers located in Hargeysa. An exchange that took place two times successfully and had seen the extradition of freedom fighters to Ethiopia . This means the second passed falls into the same category as the first.

 

While c/yusuf regards as the ‘brother’, similarly Riyaale says: "It's good. We have no better friend than Ethiopia; they always treat us as brothers, as young brothers. They help us better than any other country in the area" (Source). This proves that these leaders have done the unexpected and surrendered themselves to the all time enemy. The politics of south also has similar allegiance with Ethiopia or its enemy Eritrea. In Mogadishu, there are those who are backed by Ethiopia, and there are those who use Somali Nationalism as a vehicle to further their own greed. All over sudden those who prosecuted the poor for their individual gains have turned, like a chameleon, to ‘nationalists’. Their allegiance can be bought and sold by anyone with enough cash, so I shouldn’t waste time on them. I should only concern myself with Ethiopia and Kenya’s interests in Somalia.

 

It is interesting how the inhabitants of Somali regions that border Ethiopia and Kenya, have become allies to those in Mogadishu. In Kismaayo, this is apparent. These allied militias ousted Gen. Morgan who holds support from both Kenya and Ethiopia. Kenya has for several accounts supplied weaponry to Gen. Morgan. Ethiopia has done the same. And as Caaqil pointed out, Kenya’s interests in Somalia are firstly economic and secondly, political. It is involvement in Southern Somalia means that it can help restore old economic arrangements of land trade between the two countries. This land trade supported large number of people in NFD, and a significant percentage of export from Kenya to Somalia. During the pre-war years, Somalia imported a large number of manufactured goods from Kenya. After the war, all export to Somalia was curtailed and those who relied on it displaced economically.

 

…will continue later on IA

[Coloow]

Guhaad, intresting analysis. The bottom line is that both Ethiopia and Kenya have the goal of making sure a strong somalia never evolves. A strong somalia would threaten the stability of both of them because these two countries colonise western somalia and the NFD.

 

To be able to do this, they have to use proxy strategy. Fund and arm somalis factions, give their backings to a warlord, arrange some kind of process, hamper peace process like that in Djibouti.

 

Stoic,

 

Let me admit that I hate Kenya with PASSION. My hatred is not one that has come the last 14 years of the somali civil war. I have at first hand witnessed what kenya's did to somalis- and It is naive to blv that it is an honest broker. Put it simply, Kenya is the number 1 enemy of somalis. I could relate to several episodes of kenyan's 40 year history to make my point; Give you a clue of the kenyan constitution, give you the names of somalis who were massacred simply because they were somalis, give a background of the kenyan hatred towards somalis.

 

There are some people who want to limit their analytical spheres of the somali-kenyan relationships to the 4 years- but that is futile and unfair.

 

On the economic front, I think we are speaking about two different borders; From my perspective the border between somalia and kenya goes south of Isiolo . I don't recognize the sovereignty of Kenya in the NFD. This are somali territories robbed by successive kenyan government. The NFD contributed alot to the kenyan economy in terms of GDP but never got a cent back! There is lack of infrastructure, they lagg behind in every aspect of development because the kenyan colonial government made sure it never develops. To make sure they retain this, kenya has always encouraged inter-tribal conflicts and made sure those somalis in the NFD who questioned it went into exile or are imprisoned.

 

Any student of economics would tell you that one of the major problems in the developing countries like kenya is getting the hard currency needed to clear debt and purchase goods. In this respect, somali remittances, and the entrepreneurship rampant in the eastleigh area would give you an impression of how somalis are contributing to the kenyan economy.

 

There was no inclusive parliament formed in Kenya. There was no peace process if we put aside the tribal-politics of contemporary somalia/somalia. Look at the list of ministers and you agree that it contains murderers and ppl who are responsible for the demise of our identity. yalaxow, yey, morgan, caydid, caato, et al. We should be ashamed to call these people leaders. They are stooges, bootlickers to the kenyan agenda.

 

The Djibouti peace process was an inclusive one. For the first time in somalia's history, every group was allowed to air its grieviances.

 

sorry guys, markaan maqlo madax canbuulo dhiiga ayaa i kara.

 

P.s Kenya did not shoulder the cost of hosting the conference. Different UN agencies, western and arab governments and NGO paid for it.

[Nomadic Activist]

On the other hand, the Doofaarey process brought together outcasts of the somali political spectrum. Looking at the minsterial positions, one begins to wonder how somalis accepted the likes of Yusuf, Yalaxow, Caato, Morgan, Shatigaduud, Hiraale and the WHO IS WHO list of murderers to lead them.

Excuse me people for getting out of "subject," but I would like to tell Caqil that Mudane Barre Aden shire (Hiiraale) is in now way a "murderer" and to compare him to the likes of those men is astonishing. And would you care to tell me when he murdered people?

[STOIC]

Caaqil Kenyan-Somali conflict during the British colonial period was about principle of teritorial integrity and self-determination.Territorial integrity on Jomo Kenyatta government who were scared of dismemberment of newly acquired state and self-determination for the Somalis.Caaqil, My grandfather was a British soldier who was relocated to NFD in the early 1930,s.He took part in the demonstration to convince the British to allow the NFD to join the rest of Somalia.The British failed people like my grandfather when they failed to recognize their wishes.People demonstrated all over somalia especially places like Berbera where there was a British consulate.This was all done when Somalis were united and nationalistic.This was the time when the name Somali was able to get you the free ride of trust and walaltinimo.The somali government tried even to break ties with British when they formed the seven Kenyan province(NFD).Now when i look back at the effort of people like my grandfather who were nationalistic by blood the only thing that comes to my mind is thanks god that my grandfather and others never succeeded in their succesion agenda.Today Somalia is at a stage where it needs not to finger point(my favorite description of my people)all their problems at external enemies.Kenya and Uganda were the first country who imediately pledged their support to the nascent somali adminstration that was formed.Here you are both of you guys telling me the only reason Kenya did what they did was because of economic interest.Offcourse every countries will want a neighbour that it can do business peacefully with!.Caaqil you mentioned NFD contributing to the Kenyan economy without any returned incentives.The whole province is not that much different from Somalia.They are suffering from tribal animus just like their brothers.Yes there are some injustice done to them but can't they overcome this injustice with emphasing on self reliance and hardwork.The biggest tax contribution they bring to Kenyan government is tax collected from Khat.Isn't that shameful when you don't emphasis the value of education and instil that in your kids.The contribution made by other small cities in Kenya is more than what the whole province contribute as a GDP.You mentioned that Kenya doesn't want Somalia peace because of the remittance money Somalis contribute to the economy.This is the most absurd notion i heard from someone.How will a country want to keep you in limbo just because of couple make shift shops you contributed to their economy ?(Garisaa lodge in Eastleigh).

 

**I am busy now but i promise to contribute more over the weekend-Insha-Allah***

[wind.talker]

Originally posted by Guhaad:

Moreover, and briefly state it, the Puntland state, which he was the founder, is the closest friend of Ethiopia.

Puntland exists because of Ethiopia? What's next: Reer Puntland are Ethiopians? The essence of Ethio-Puntland relations (and therefore Ethio-Somaliland) is driven by simple economics. Ethiopia is a land-locked country - what's wrong with Puntland and Somaliland providing a trade route through their Red Sea ports? They get currency and maintain neighborly relations with a nation that could easily dismember these regional admins had they been Ethiopia's enemies.

 

Secondly, Abdullahi Yusuf is not the founder of Puntland - that's great disrespect to the honest work of hundreds of delegates, including traditional elders, the business community, civil society etc. If you need me to re-fresh your short-span memory, Puntland came into existence after a long peace process between the Somali peoples of northeastern Somalia. Abdullahi Yusuf won a hotly-contested election and therefore was voted into office as Puntland's first president. So, how is he the founder of Puntland? No single man could found an entire nation or an entire region. It was a process driven by the need to reconcile and to co-exist in peace. They have achieved that.

 

Originally posted by Guhaad:

The

first

passage is the port of their brethren of Boosaaso, Puntland. But the problem is, their brethren's very state came to exist, more or less, through Ethiopia's support!

First, Abdullahi Yusuf founded Puntland. Now, Puntland exists because of Ethiopia? Its good to know Reer Puntland are citizens of Ethiopia. So, will their get their Ethiopian passports by mail or by camel transport? The premise that Puntland was created to divide Somalia and make it weaker doesn't fit. Puntland came into existence after its leaders joined many all-Somali peace processes and came back empty-handed. Was northeastern Somalia supposed to remain in disunity and chaos while we await a peaceful Mogadishu? Puntland leaders took the right step in making an autonomous regional government that would constitute a federal region in a future Somalia. Remember, Puntland's flag is still Somalia's national flag. For Puntland - its people and its leaders - Somali unity is sacred. Please, spare us the Ethiopian conspiracy card.

 

Show me facts where Ethiopia played a role in the creation of Puntland. Moreover, give me evidence showing Abdullahi Yusuf is the founder of Puntland. If anything, men such as the late and great Islan of Nugaal - Islan Max'd Islan Muse (Allaha u naxaristo) - played a major role in the creation of Puntland so that his people could get a chance to self-govern and to live in peace. Hate it or love it, Puntland is here to stay.

[Coloow]

double post

[Coloow]

Audacious, yeah, every leader in somalia is a saint- who are the warlords? and why is it that somalia is burning?

 

Stoic,

You and I have alot in common. My maternal grandfather was also killed fighting kenyans in the early sixties. And I am glad that he died fighting for a just cause- both our grandparents were mujahids and uncorrupted by tribalism- great somaliweyn guys- and it is their spirit which any sane somali should promote. I have lived in the NFD and Kenya - I have witnessed at first hand what has become of our people; How somalis were humiliated, how young girls were raped because they were somalis, how kenya encouraged tribal wars between the different clans etc.

 

The fact of the matter is that kenya has still some laws in place that specifically target somalis (I have the names of this acts in my office and I would provide them to you). There is officially a state of emergency in the NFD and a person like me cannot go back to my birthplace!

 

The red carpet treatment for the somali warlords is uncommon and is a ploy sxb. Any analysis should explore beyond the rehtorics, discourse and history of the current kenyan government.

 

Let me turn to the economic front- you argued that the NFD is no different to somalia- I hope this a flip of the tongue (finger) because the somali economy (centrus peribus) has fared well the last decade despite the human cost.

 

You are right though the NFD is still backward in terms of infrastructure and education. But this is where we part company. Again, from my way of looking at it, this is because Kenya is not interested in improving infrastructure. The motto is that development in the NFD would lead to cries for independence! This is not a new strategy- a classical one that has been inherited from colonial rulers- and in my eyes kenya is a colonial power.

 

Qaad earns kenya hard currency- but when we are talking about the NFD, you forgot that the NFD accounts for the lion share of kenyan exports of live livestock and hides and skins. A friend of mine, Farah, Mohamed I, did his thesis on the NFD and I would insha allah provide figures and facts to show you and others there has been a huge surplus in (GRP) gross regional product in NFD's favour. Actually, having read that insightful and fact filled dissertation I concluded that the NFD is viable economic wise. (INSHA ALLAH; when my leave is over, I would provide some excerts from it).

 

 

p.s the full name of the thesis is: From ethnic response to clan identity. A study of state penetration among the Somali nomadic pastoral society of northeastern Kenya

Mohamed I Farah.

[Nomadic Activist]

Audacious, yeah, every leader in somalia is a saint- who are the warlords? and why is it that somalia is burning?

I din't want a statement with sarcastic remarks, I want a reasonable replay that proves Mudane Bare Aden Shire is a murderer.

[Coloow]

Aud, Every somali I meet and discuss somali issues with is in a denial of our history.

My aim of engaging in this particular discussion was to discuss the role of kenya. Somalis would go nowhere if we try to hide the various genocides committed because the perpetrator descends from our tribe. We should be able to condemn the actions of our relatives. If we don't do that , there would be no peace.

 

 

I am not a lawyer, but would you take this as an evidence? Or do you want me to dig deeper?

http://www.puntlandpost.com/News.php?id=2590

[Paragon]

Wind.talker, sxb ma indhahaad istireysaa, MISE wax kalaa muuqqaalka kaa qaadey?