Soo-dhawayntii M/weynaha JSL Ee Dalka Guinea

Somaliland’s lessons in peace for Africa

“A place that has made something out of virtually nothing” is how former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo describes the progress made by Somaliland.

His trip there this month was the first by an African president, current or past, since the territory re-declared its independence in 1991. In June 1960, Somaliland gained its independence from its colonial master Britain before making an ill-fated decision to join former Italian Somaliland five days later in a union that was envisaged ultimately to include French Somalia (now Djibouti), the Somali-dominated Ogaden region of Ethiopia (now Region 5) and a chunk of northern Kenya.

Read More:

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-05-08-somalilands-lessons-in-peace-for-africa/ 

Safarkii M/weyne Biixi Ee ETHIOPIA:*Daawo

Saudi Arabia Plans Red Sea Pact

 "Ethiopia and the breakaway republic of Somaliland, two countries with which the U.A.E. has good relations, also appear to have been excluded." Abbas Al Lawati/Bloomberg

- Saudi Arabia wants to bring several states lining the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden into a bloc to improve trade and maritime navigation, according to state-run media.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz met at his Riyadh palace with foreign ministry officials from Egypt, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and Jordan “to look into establishing an entity for Arab and African states on the Red Sea coast,” Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. They discussed ways to promote commerce and investment, as well as to protect shipping, Al Ekhbariya said.

Geedbalaadh: Dugsiga Hoose dhexe

The Inspiring Story Behind the Man Transforming the Global Remittance Industry: Meet Ismail Ahmed

 "If anyone needs to know how to build an empire from little other than a good brain, an incorruptible value system, and a vision, Ahmed is just the man." Tatenda

- From one of Africa’s most unlikely countries hails an unlikely hero whose story is equally inspiring. Ismail Ahmed, now known for founding WorldRemit, a global money transfer service, could have been killed in a civil war in his birth-country of Somaliland. Fortunately, he was able to make the then dangerous trek through Djibouti and eventually to London before his town was decimated during the war.

Emiratis plough millions into a country that no one recognises: Somaliland

"Somalia’s federal government can do little to stop the project  (DP WORD- Somaliland)"

- THE ancient port town of Berbera in Somaliland, a breakaway state in northern Somalia, is generally a sleepy place. The heat, which can reach 50 degrees Celsius in the summer, stifles even the dogs. Yet visitors will find it buzzing at the moment. Near the edge of town, sand and rubble fill the space where, until recently, there were 19th-century Ottoman traders’ houses. New buildings are springing up. A little out to sea, as half a dozen ships idle in the sun, a barge from Dubai hauls a colossal crane towards the shore.

Somaliland's Dr. Edna on statehood..

The Strategic Implications Of A Possible Russian Base In Somaliland

- If the unconfirmed reports about a possible Russian base in the breakaway region of Somaliland are to be believed, then Moscow is finally flexing its military muscles beyond Eurasia and signaling its eagerness to return to Africa. 

The typically trustworthy Alt-Media information portal South Front republished the claims that have been circulating for the past couple of days about a possible Russian military base in the breakaway region of Somaliland, a development that initially caught many observers off guard but is entirely explainable in hindsight if it actually comes to pass. The report alleges that Moscow has beenin talks with the self-proclaimed authorities in Hargeisa to build a small multiuse air and naval facility in the Djibouti-bordering town of Zeila in exchange for formally recognizing the region’s “independence”. 

 

Read more;

https://orientalreview.org/2018/04/06/the-strategic-implications-of-a-possible-russian-base-in-somaliland/

How the crisis in the Gulf could spread to East Africa

- Somaliland's port town of Berbera is sleepy and somewhat scruffy. Paintings of fish, crabs and sailboats adorn the faded buildings. Tangled nets lie in the sandy streets.

It is hard to imagine that this charming seaside town is at the centre of an almighty row between Somalia and this self-declared republic which broke away in 1991 but has not been recognised internationally. This dispute is part of a far wider problem. A crisis in the Gulf is playing out in dramatic form in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa. Some argue it could tear the whole region apart.

After nearly 30 years of conflict and instability, Somalia is particularly vulnerable.

Read more;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-43585814

Somaliland’s location is its wealth, says president Mouse Bihin

- The first priority for me is the question of statehood ¬– gaining recognition for Somaliland" The President

Hargeisa, Somaliland: “We are seeking to exploit what belongs to us: our natural resources,” said Muse Bihi Abdi, the President of Somaliland, a self-declared independent republic in the Horn of Africa. “And we are trying to make massive use of our strategic location.” Abdi, who was elected president in November 2017, was speaking to reporters at his presidential palace, and took questions on a range of issues – from domestic challenges and relations with Somalia to business dealings with the Gulf states and leveraging the strategic location of his republic. Excerpts:

Somaliland minister: ‘Somalia can’t interfere in port deal’

“Had you come a day earlier, you’d have seen us loading camels onto ships heading to the Middle East. Somalia as a whole has the world’s largest number of camels, at six million,” said Ali Esmail Mahmoud, Head of Operations at DP World Berbera, as he took visiting journalists on a tour of the port.

“Since DP World took over the running of the port, there have been many changes,” Mahmoud said. “We’ve added a lot of equipment. We’ve ordered three mobile harbour cranes. Six reach stakers have been added, with three more on the way, along with empty container handlers, mobile cranes, internal terminal vehicles and forklifts.”

Wasiir C/raxmaan Guri-barwaaqo, ma waxa uu la mid noqday Filosoofar Marcus Garvey?! Aheey ah!

  "C/raxmaan Guri-barwaaqo, waxa uu ka mid yahay dadka tiroda-yar ee maskaxdiis, magaciisa, maalkiisa iyo muruqiisaba u huray dadka, dawlada iyo dalka J. Somaliland ee...... " Cali

 

- Aduun-yooy Xaalkaa ba'e, Ninkii odayga ahaa ee Guri-barwaaqo ma tanaa u dambaysay!!!! Yaabka yaabkiisa, waxan is-waydiiyaa oo aan kas iyo fahmo-ba u waayay, sababta dadka reer Somaliland ay ugu dhiiran yihiin baabiinta iyo baqsida nin-regeedkooda? Ee taas bedelkeedase ay uga maagaan inay laba-eray ku tuuraan cadawgooda iyo kuwa cidhbaha gooya???

Exclusive: 'Somaliland's $442m port project with DP World and Ethiopia will go ahead'

- In April 2016, the Republic of Somaliland, an African nation situated in the Horn of Africa, proudly announced a $442 million international public-private partnership that represented the largest investment into the country since it declared independence from its neighbour, Somalia, in 1991.

The government of Somaliland and DP World, a leading multinational terminal operator, established a joint venture company which will manage and invest in the Port of Berbera. Construction of the quay extension is expected to start by the middle of this year and will take 18 to 24 months to complete.

Somaliland leader slams "senseless hostility" of opposition to DP World deal

 Muse Bihi Abdi says Somalia "overstepped the line" by criticising Ethiopia agreement

- The president of the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland issued a fresh condemnation of Somalia’s government’s “senseless hostility” to its tripartite agreement with Ethiopia and Dubai-based port operator DP World on the development of Berbera Port.

 Writing exclusively for The National, Muse Bihi Abdi said that Somalia has “overstepped the line” in its criticism of an agreement earlier this month by Somaliland and DP World to grant a 19 per cent stake in the port development project to Ethiopia.

Al Arabiya Exclusive Interview With Somaliland Foreign Minister Sa'ad Al...

Somaliland refutes claims by Somalia on port deal with DP World

- The Somaliland Government has refuted claims by Somalia nullifying an agreement signed between the UAE ports operator DP World and the Ethiopian Government to acquire a 19 percent stake in Berbera Port.

The Somaliland Minister of Information, Abdirahman Abdillahi Farah, said in a statement that the government of President Musa Behi Abdi worked to conclude the agreement with DP World and the Government of Ethiopia. and added that the Republic of Somaliland is a “sovereign and independent and does not allow others to prejudice its sovereignty”.

Tacsi: Geerida "Caasha Bide Buux-AHUN

" Inaa Lilaahi Wa Inaa Ilayhi Raajicuun"

- Aniga oo ah Cali Cumar Xasan oo ku hadlaya magacayga, ka qoyskayga, ka walaaladay, ka dadkii badnaa ee kala duwanaa ee ay Caasha Bide Buux soo korisay ee ku kala filiqsan daafaha aduunyada, ka asxaabtayda, ka dadwaynaha reer Somaliland ee ku dhaqan dalka UK, waxan tacsi tiiraanyo leh halkan uga dirayaa Kayse Ibraahim Siciid, Xasan Ibraahim Siciiid iyo Mahdi Yuusuf oo ay shalay (06-02-2018) hooyadood Caasha Bide ku geeriyootay dalka Sweden.

Somaliland: The Horn of Africa’s Breakaway State

Introduction - Somaliland has been a self-governing region of Somalia for more than two decades, but its claim of independence is not recognized by Mogadishu or any foreign government. While this has limited Somaliland’s access to international markets, it has not prevented the breakaway state from making steady democratic gains and attracting foreign investment. 

Some analysts say Somaliland, which has a distinct history and remains more stable than the rest of Somalia, has a strong case for independence. Others fear that international recognition would encourage other secessionist movements in Africa. 

Read more:  https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/somaliland-horn-africas-breakaway-state

Seawater Greenhouse reaps first Somaliland veg crop grown with just sea water

EXCLUSIVE: Pioneering project in Somaliland delivers first harvest of lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers - all grown using only sea water 

- A ground-breaking project to grow vegetables with seawater has produced its first harvest in Somaliland, green tech start-up Seawater Greenhouse announced today.

The UK firm has reaped a successful crop of lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions from the 'greenhouse' - a shade net covered with cardboard pads. Seawater is trickled over the pads to keep the air damp and cool for the plants, cutting the need for irrigation by up to 90 per cent.

M/weyne Muuse Biixi: "War-saxaafadeedkii 1aad

Ethiopia, Somaliland Agree to Strengthen Cooperations

- The newly-elected president of Somaliland, Musa Bihi Abd, held an audience with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn and a slew of Ethiopian government officials highlighting the importance of the relationship in areas of security, economic, trade engagement and educational cooperation.

“Ethiopia is working aggressively to dismantle Al-Shabaab from the surrounding regions since it’s our common enemy,” Prime Minister Hailemariam stated.

President Musa Bihi Abdi & Prime Minister Hailemariam Desaleg

- Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn held discusion with Somaliland President Musa Bihi Abdi here in Addis Ababa yesterday.

During the meeting, the Premier and the President discussed on ways to further strengthen peace and security, economic, trade and educational cooperation between Ethiopia and Somaliland.

Prime Minister Hailemarim said Ethiopia considers the development of its neighbors as its own development, adding “it would continue offering scholarship for Somaliland youth.”

Somaliland is a beacon of democracy in an unstable region: Ali Mohamed

- LEWIS CENTER, Ohio -- In November, the voters of the unrecognized Republic of Somaliland in the volatile Horn of Africa region went to the polls to elect a new leader. It would be the second time since 2010 that an elected leader of Somaliland handed over power peacefully to another one. 

It would be the first time an incumbent president, in this case Ahmed Silanyo, decided not to run, which is very rare in the Middle East or Africa.

The Somaliland National Election Commission, to combat fraud, deployed the world's first-ever iris recognition technology to all polling stations. During the election campaign, all political parties had free access to state and private media and campaigned freely to conduct get-out-the-vote efforts. 

Rapists in Somaliland will no longer be allowed to marry victims under new law

- The self-declared state of Somaliland has introduced a bill to outlaw rape and other violent sexual crimes for the first time in its history, which would see rapists imprisoned for up to 30 years. 

Under the new law, all forms of sexual offences would be criminalised, including rape, gang rape, sexual assault, child marriage and trafficking. 

And Africa News reports that rapists who infect their victims with HIV would be handed life sentences.