Puntland's Image Problem

[Mintid Farayar]

Puntland Maneuvers for Bigger Role

 

20 March 2013

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Puntland Maneuvers for Bigger Role

 

Joe DeCapua

 

Last updated on: March 20, 2013 6: 24 AM

 

The semi-autonomous Somali region of Puntland is perhaps best known for its pirates. They've hijacked many ships and crewmembers demanding millions of dollars in ransom. But efforts are underway to develop Puntland and improve the quality of life for its people.

 

Listen to De Capua report on Puntland (http://www.voanews.com/audio/Audio/267896.html)

 

Besides being home to many Somali pirates, Puntland is also known for its smugglers. They're often hired by Somali and Ethiopians wanting to cross the Gulf of Aden to Yemen. Many migrants are robbed or killed in the process.

 

It's a tough image to shake, but Puntland is a work in progress, according to Paul Crook, who's chief technical advisor in Somalia for the International Labor Organization.

 

"We see the power of the negative. The negative image is one of piracy -- that lovely word that conjures up so much and the influence of international criminality and extremist organizations, which still are around. Al Qaeda manifests itself with al Shabab, for example."

 

Al Shabab is the main militant group in Somalia. It's been the target of a long offensive by AU, Somali and Kenyan forces. Much territory has been retaken, but the group has not been defeated.

 

Poverty and piracy are linked and young, unemployed men see it as a way to improve the quality of their lives and that of their families. Crook said that the international community should do more to break that link by offering alternatives.

 

"I think it's very important that we support all the governments in the entire region to enable young people, particularly young men, to feel part of society in terms of employment being a major element of this," he said.

 

Puntland is in northeastern Somalia. Its leaders declared it an autonomous state in 1998. The self-declared independent Somaliland lies to the west and has been lobbying for international recognition as a separate nation.

 

Crook said that it's unclear whether Puntland would reunite with Somalia once peace returns.

 

"The opinion changes on an almost monthly basis as we see the vacillations of political processes. Clearly, the case is people see that they are part of a greater nation, if not state, and see the need for collaboration. And this is where the International Labor Organization clearly has a key role in terms of sponsorship of employment-led economic development -- because micro states will have to coalesce to take on the challenges that come with a very fragile environment and the need to create employment on a very large scale."

 

Some observers have sad Puntland does indeed want to reunite with Somalia, but wants assurances it would play a major role.

 

One potential area for employment is oil and gas exploration, which is underway.

 

"That's where the international community must come in - and our ability to work with the other international partners - to ensure that whatever the setting that the resources are used for the greater Somali people. And some people will continue to want the status quo where government is still not strong and they can exploit the situation because people can't hold people accountable," said Crook.

 

Recent oil and gas exploration, however, has had disappointing results.

 

The ILO technical advisor said he recently chaired a meeting in the Puntland capital Garowe of the U.N. Joint Program on Local Governance. The program, he says, supports effective management in district councils.

 

He added that open debate and dialogue is important for Puntland's population.

 

"If you engage openly then people will respond. We just had a Facebook page running in piracy and also on women's rights. Some of the comments were very, very good. Unfortunately, some people have seen their culture denuded by being part of the Diaspora and use some rather obnoxious language. But the sense is that everybody is able to express a view and will express a view," he said.

 

Once people in Puntland agree to something, he said, there is usually a strong commitment to deliver.

 

"In a sense, it's taking us back to what we saw many years ago in terms of a handshake and a gentlemen's agreement."

 

However, desire for open debate among the people of Puntland has recently run into a government ban on three radio stations. The Ministry of Information says they lacked the proper licenses. The National Union of Somali Journalists calls the bans and other government action attacks on press freedom.

 

U.S. Government

[Mintid Farayar]

Yet, Xiin and co. would have us believe that Puntland is held up in the same light as Somaliland

 

Meanwhile, Somaliland is held up as the positive potential of what the rest of the former Somalia should aspire towards in terms of stability and governance.

 

Every once in a while, a hard reality check is needed.....

[Salahudin]

VOA?

[Mintid Farayar]

VOA English not Somali.

 

In case you're interested,

http://www.voanews.com/content/puntland-development-20mar13/1624991.html

[Che -Guevara]

How's being positive working out for Somaliland?

[Mintid Farayar]

Pretty well, considering the obstacles. Somalis from the diaspora are primarily investing in 2 areas: Somaliland and Mogadishu(the city). The only difference is you won't get blown up in Hargeisa while sipping a cappucino.

[Mooge]

Some observers have sad Puntland does indeed want to reunite with Somalia, but wants assurances it would play a major role.

lool. if these guys write like this, then the whole article is garbage.

[Mintid Farayar]

Whether you agree with the article or not is irrelevant. The larger point is the daunting image problem Puntland faces ever since some of its more enterpresing sons got involved in international piracy.

[Somalia]

LOL@does indeed want to reunite.

 

Credible stuff

[xiinfaniin]

LOL@Mintids's come back to counter news articles about Somaliland's political problems.

 

Check: The fact your enclave cooperates with Puntland says a lot of Puntland's position in the region

[Che -Guevara]

Mintid Farayar;928652 wrote:

Pretty well, considering the obstacles. Somalis from the diaspora are primarily investing in 2 areas: Somaliland and Mogadishu(the city). The only difference is you won't get blown up in Hargeisa while sipping a cappucino.

You are measuring yourself against a war-torn city which might soon left you in the dust should peace takes hold and money keeps pouring not in the international recognition and diaspora.

 

Hargeysa has been peaceful for 20 yrs, surely it should be light years ahead of Mogadishu?

[Carafaat]

Despite Puntlands efforts to potray itself as another 'Somaliland', international media seem to be more and more aware of the regions anarchism (piracy, smuggling, terrorism). Of course this something we Somalis knew all along.

[Che -Guevara]

^The world has always been aware, it's you who thinks they are not. How does all this matter anyway?

[Carafaat]

Che -Guevara;928670 wrote:

^The world has always been aware, it's you who thinks they are not. How does all this matter anyway?

Adeer, if the world was aware as you say it. Would VOA dedicate a news report on it. I suggest you listen to the audio news report before letting your emotions getting in the way. http://www.voanews.com/audio/audio/267896.html

 

[Che -Guevara]

^Dear boy, countries send their navies to fight piracy off coast of Puntland and shipping companies pay higher insurance premiums because of piracy emanating from Puntland. Again, tell us something world doesn't know!