Carafaat's travel and observations in the Somali region in the Horn of Africa

[Carafaat]

The last month I have been travelling the Somali region in the Horn of Africa. I travelled first to the to the Somali district of Nairobi(Eastleigh), Somaliland, Somalia and the North Eastern region of Kenya(former NFD). The last time I was in the region was 4 years ago back in 2008.

 

In 2008 Somaliland was still under the leadership of Riyaale, Abdullahi Yusuf was the President of Somalia(Cadde Muuse in Puntland), Kenya was ruled by the PNU and ODM was in opposition and Eastleigh was a Kikuyu district/constituency. Since 2008 the region went through some major political changes. So I was curious how life has changed, how people perceived the current situation and adapted to the changes and most of all what their hopes and aspiration is for the future.

[Che -Guevara]

I thought you were gonna your experience there.

[Carafaat]

NFD and Nairobi

 

 

Eastleigh

Somalis seem to have taken full control of the Eastleigh district. Most ploys and buildings have been bought by Somalis. And the ones still owned by Kikuyu's have big bords stating that their plot is 'Not for Sale or Rent'. The district is now represented by a Somali MP. This part of Nairobi is booming, and has even its own skyline with many new towers and luxury hotels build. Due to the military airport next to Eastleigh, buildings are not allowed to exceed 8 floors. The Kenyan Airforce is now engaged in a lawsuit against a Somali Hotel that exceeds the maximum, and is 11 storeys high! The Somali MP's should lobby the goverment for the airport to be relocated to another location, so Eastleigh can expand.

 

Little bit of the taxes collected in Eastleigh are now pouring back. The roads are improving, but still there is no seawage and Eastleigh continues to stink! Security is still a big issue, the Kenyan Police and CID(dharcad) are quite present. And this part of Nairobi still saver then other parts.

 

 

Business

There are signs and talk of many people returning to Muqdisho. I have been 4 times to the Nairobi Airport, and you see Somalis everywhere, sometimes 2 or 3 flight an hour going to Somalia, even new Airlines(jetblue, East African Airlines, etc next to the existing Daallo, Jubba, African Express Airways). The Somali middle class have even spread to other parts of Nairobi(South B, South C, Pangani). The business disctrict in down town Nairobi is now flooded by Somali businesses they cater not only to Somalis but more and more to Kenyan and international customers. Many young Somali kenyans are employed by the Goverment and Kenyan businesses. The Somalis seem to have broken the Indian Business monopoly in Kenya.

 

Aid industry

The Aid industry (INGO's and UN agencies) seems to be a bit nervous and under pressure. Most of them are still not (fully) working in Somalia, and are operating from Nairobi. Most of them have no plans to relocate to Somalia. Aid budgets are declining or directly and the aid agencies have run out of creativity and ideas how they can extort donors from their comfortable Nairobi base. Even some of the donors opened offices, and some even Embassies or Consulates in Hargeysa and Muqdisho. They fear that a deal between Somaliland and Somalia on how to deal with the International organisations might weaken them and force them to relocate to Hargeysa or Muqdisho.

[Carafaat]

North Easthern Districs and Politics

Kenya adopted a new constitution last year following the post election violance and revolt against the central goverment. The new constition is highly decentralised and gives considerable political power, mandate and budget to the new County goverments. According to the new Constitution the North Eastern Province(former Somali NFD region) will get three regional administrations(out of the total 46 districs in Kenya). These are Garissa, Mandera and Wajir. People will elect a Regional Council and County Governor for each districs. In the past people elected an MP to the Kenyan Parliament, never to hear anything back again from the central goverment nor from their respective MP's. So the new situation gives hope to the Somalis in those regions to run their own affairs and take control of their own local and regional goverments.

 

So far so good would one think. But there are some hugh problems in the region and risks that it might even become worser. First, the are some little clan fighting that regularly return, second the region is tormented by bomb attacks(goverment blames Al Shabaab). These little conflicts are difficult to understand, nor what they are fighting about. And hardly nobody knows how to solve things. The Kenyan goverment placed the region under military curfew and The region looks like a military base. Some are even saying the goverment is behind the attacks and clan tentions and will try to use the violance as excuse and won't allow elections to take place.

 

The people in the region are extremely divided and there is lack of leader that looks at the bigger interest of the region. Eventhough there are many young and smart Somali's leaders from the regions. But It's difficult for them to represent the region, because they risk being 'labeled' with clan favouritism. There is quite some unnecessary polarization among clans. Many blame the Somali who fled from Somalia for spreading the clan virus. And lack of the traditional clan structures that could resolve tensions or conflicts.

 

Even if the election take place, some might fear that it will inflame more clan conflicts. Because clans might fight over the 'political' control of districts. During the post election violance that hit Kenya, North Eastern was spared from it. This time some might have an interest in creating an uproar. This hasnt stopped some of the candidates for the district administration to start their campaigning early.

 

The political tension in Kenya are high and might further increas towards the election date of march 2013. Let's hope Somalis unite and make use of the opportunities arising.

[Carafaat]

Che -Guevara;864074 wrote:

I thought you were gonna your experience there.

Have patience, mon ami.

[MoonLight1]

keep them coming Arafaat.

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Carafaat tell me about Somaliland hurry hawl badan ba ii sugeyse eeh igu dhakhso

[MoonLight1]

Xaaji Xunjuf;864119 wrote:

Carafaat tell me about Somaliland hurry hawl badan ba ii sugeyse eeh igu dhakhso

 

Xaaji SL news must be boring, Habar X baa habar Y eryaneysa, Xuduudii waa la xidhay, Koodhbuudh baa la xusay, Afar faq-ash baannu dillay. must be the same old story.

 

 

Carafaat did you visit LA or you chickened out? and how did the people saw the boiling politics of the south?

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Waryaa no one stays stuff like F@qash baanu dilnay any more thats something of the late 80s.

 

But i was talking more about development and how the people are in Somaliland.

[Alpha Blondy]

Waar naga daa politics-ka, give us the really juicy tribal politics and the behind the scenes activities!

[Carafaat]

Alpha Blondy;864206 wrote:

Waar naga daa politics-ka, give us the really juicy tribal politics and the behind the scenes activities!

The tribal politics as the Somali dialect of the North Eastern is difficult to understand. You have the G's, the O's and the D's. Each of them being dominent in one of the 3 districts(Mandera, Garisa and Wadjir). During the last MP election in Eastleigh, the Habro sijui candidate was supported by the G's. But the O's got support from other Somali's by labelling Johnny as a Somalilander and saying that his campaign is financed with 3 day revenue from the Berbera ports. Its dirty tribal politics.

 

I will elaborate more on the tribal politics of Somaliland. That is way more interesting.

[Jacaylbaro]

Faan weynaa ,,

[Jacaylbaro]

MoonLight1;864121 wrote:

Carafaat did you visit LA or you chickened out?

He was even afraid to see me ,,, let alone LA

[Juxa]

no no, Alpha said wiilka waad marti qaadi weyday

[Jacaylbaro]

Qof dhuumanaya lama marti qaado ,,,