Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Ahmed Muhammad Isse Says Somali Language In Danger
Ahmed Muhammad Isse Says Somali Language In Danger
Hargeysa, Somaliland, February 27, 2010 (SL Times) – One of Somaliland’s intellectuals, Mr. Ahmed Muhammad Isse (Ina Aw Salawaad) warned that the Somali language is in danger of being overwhelmed by foreign languages.
Mr. Ahmed Isse revealed his fears about the Somali language in a conversation with Haatuf newspaper in Hargeysa on Wednesday. He blamed the Somali people for preferring foreign words to Somali words. He gave as an example the names of menu items served in restaurants which are often in English when there are equivalent Somali words are available. Similarly, Mr. Ahmed Isse criticized businesses who adopt foreign names instead of Somali names.
Hargeysa, Somaliland, February 27, 2010 (SL Times) – One of Somaliland’s intellectuals, Mr. Ahmed Muhammad Isse (Ina Aw Salawaad) warned that the Somali language is in danger of being overwhelmed by foreign languages.
Mr. Ahmed Isse revealed his fears about the Somali language in a conversation with Haatuf newspaper in Hargeysa on Wednesday. He blamed the Somali people for preferring foreign words to Somali words. He gave as an example the names of menu items served in restaurants which are often in English when there are equivalent Somali words are available. Similarly, Mr. Ahmed Isse criticized businesses who adopt foreign names instead of Somali names.
Somaliland Minister Of State For Education Says Spread Of Private Universities Could Pose A Problem
Somaliland Minister Of State For Education Says Spread Of Private Universities Could Pose A Problem
Hargeysa, Somaliland, March 13, 2010 (SL Times) – The Minister of State for Education Mr Mohamud Muhammad Garad said that the rapid increase in the number of private universities could pose a problem for Somaliland’s educational system when it comes to the quality of education and the standardization of the curriculum. The minister gave this warning in a conference at the University of Hargeysa.
The minister pointed out that very often these private universities are established without permission from the ministry of education and then when the government tries to close them the government is accused of hampering education.
The purpose of the conference was to evaluate the curriculum of the university’s various departments. Among the participants in the conference were the president of the university, the vice president, the chairmen as well as the deputy chairmen of the university’s departments. The conference took place in the new building of the University of Hargeysa and was scheduled to go on for five days.
Hargeysa, Somaliland, March 13, 2010 (SL Times) – The Minister of State for Education Mr Mohamud Muhammad Garad said that the rapid increase in the number of private universities could pose a problem for Somaliland’s educational system when it comes to the quality of education and the standardization of the curriculum. The minister gave this warning in a conference at the University of Hargeysa.
The minister pointed out that very often these private universities are established without permission from the ministry of education and then when the government tries to close them the government is accused of hampering education.
The purpose of the conference was to evaluate the curriculum of the university’s various departments. Among the participants in the conference were the president of the university, the vice president, the chairmen as well as the deputy chairmen of the university’s departments. The conference took place in the new building of the University of Hargeysa and was scheduled to go on for five days.
UN: No Side Strong Enough to Stabilize Somalia
UN: No Side Strong Enough to Stabilize Somalia
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Photo: AFP - Somali government soldiers man a position near frontline of heavy clashes in northern Mogadishu, 11 Mar 2010
A United Nations report on Somalia says no side in the country's conflict has the strength to impose its will on the others and stabilize the chaotic, war-torn nation.
The report, compiled by the U.N. Monitoring Group on Somalia, was presented to the U.N. Security Council Tuesday after portions were leaked to news organizations last week.
The authors say the Somali transitional government is weakened by corruption "at all levels" and that its soldiers are mainly loyal to individual government officials or military officers.
They say insurgent groups like al-Shabab and Hizbul Islam are better organized and disciplined but lack popular support and are equally likely to suffer internal divisions.
The report makes recommendations for improving the situation, including sanctions against designated individuals and entities, and a review of a 1992 arms embargo that the authors say is routinely violated.
The Monitoring Group also calls on Eritrea to stop subsidizing members of Somali opposition groups and allow the inspection of any facilities allegedly used for training Somali insurgents.
The U.N. and United States have repeatedly accused Eritrea of arming the insurgents. Tuesday's report said Eritrea appears to have scaled down its military assistance while continuing to provide political, diplomatic and possibly financial support.
The Security Council discussed the report in a closed-door session Tuesday. Afterward, the chair of the council's Somalia Sanctions Committee, Mexican ambassador Claude Heller, said the council generally backs the report but has not taken any decision yet on the authors' recommendations.
He said there is a consensus for an independent probe into allegations of corruption in the World Food Program's Somalia operations. The report says up to half of all food aid for Somalia is diverted to militants, corrupt food transporters, and local WFP personnel.
The report also warns that the conflict is having an increasing impact abroad. It says Somalia's neighbors are already involved in the conflict or soon will be, and that al-Shabab is recruiting funds and fighters in Somali diaspora communities.
It says the "most obvious" symptom of the war and its economic effects is Somali piracy. The report accuses senior figures in Somalia's Puntland region of allowing the pirates to remain free and says some have accepted campaign contributions from pirate leaders.
The report also says weapons continue to enter Somalia at a steady rate despite a 1992 arms embargo. It says the primary sources of supply are Yemen and Ethiopia, but that U.S. and Ugandan contributions to the government have also entered Somali arms markets.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Photo: AFP - Somali government soldiers man a position near frontline of heavy clashes in northern Mogadishu, 11 Mar 2010
A United Nations report on Somalia says no side in the country's conflict has the strength to impose its will on the others and stabilize the chaotic, war-torn nation.
The report, compiled by the U.N. Monitoring Group on Somalia, was presented to the U.N. Security Council Tuesday after portions were leaked to news organizations last week.
The authors say the Somali transitional government is weakened by corruption "at all levels" and that its soldiers are mainly loyal to individual government officials or military officers.
They say insurgent groups like al-Shabab and Hizbul Islam are better organized and disciplined but lack popular support and are equally likely to suffer internal divisions.
The report makes recommendations for improving the situation, including sanctions against designated individuals and entities, and a review of a 1992 arms embargo that the authors say is routinely violated.
The Monitoring Group also calls on Eritrea to stop subsidizing members of Somali opposition groups and allow the inspection of any facilities allegedly used for training Somali insurgents.
The U.N. and United States have repeatedly accused Eritrea of arming the insurgents. Tuesday's report said Eritrea appears to have scaled down its military assistance while continuing to provide political, diplomatic and possibly financial support.
The Security Council discussed the report in a closed-door session Tuesday. Afterward, the chair of the council's Somalia Sanctions Committee, Mexican ambassador Claude Heller, said the council generally backs the report but has not taken any decision yet on the authors' recommendations.
He said there is a consensus for an independent probe into allegations of corruption in the World Food Program's Somalia operations. The report says up to half of all food aid for Somalia is diverted to militants, corrupt food transporters, and local WFP personnel.
The report also warns that the conflict is having an increasing impact abroad. It says Somalia's neighbors are already involved in the conflict or soon will be, and that al-Shabab is recruiting funds and fighters in Somali diaspora communities.
It says the "most obvious" symptom of the war and its economic effects is Somali piracy. The report accuses senior figures in Somalia's Puntland region of allowing the pirates to remain free and says some have accepted campaign contributions from pirate leaders.
The report also says weapons continue to enter Somalia at a steady rate despite a 1992 arms embargo. It says the primary sources of supply are Yemen and Ethiopia, but that U.S. and Ugandan contributions to the government have also entered Somali arms markets.
EU personnel to train Somali security forces.
EU personnel to train Somali security forces.
By Toby Vogel
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The European Union is on the brink of launching a new military mission, to train around 2,000 Somali security forces in Uganda. A decision is expected from member states in the coming weeks, and the EU Training Mission (EUTM) could start as soon as 1 May.
Around 150 military personnel – with between 20-30 planners and trainers each from France, Spain, Germany and Italy – will provide training in urban warfare and the search for improvised explosive devices to recruits on the side of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government, which is resisting Islamist insurgents.
A mission of this sort was proposed almost a year ago by France, which has already trained Somali forces in Djibouti. But planning was held up by member state concerns – including over the risks of trainees deserting to better-paying militias, misappropriation of funds, or human rights abuses by trained soldiers.
Concerned aid workers
Since January, when member states' foreign ministers approved the mission's broad outlines, details have been refined on vetting of trainees, monitoring and mentoring of soldiers once they return to Somalia, and the funding and payment of salaries. But aid agencies with headquarters in the EU have expressed anxiety that their staff could become a target for insurgent attacks once the EU starts training government troops.
Source: EuropeanVoice.com
By Toby Vogel
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The European Union is on the brink of launching a new military mission, to train around 2,000 Somali security forces in Uganda. A decision is expected from member states in the coming weeks, and the EU Training Mission (EUTM) could start as soon as 1 May.
Around 150 military personnel – with between 20-30 planners and trainers each from France, Spain, Germany and Italy – will provide training in urban warfare and the search for improvised explosive devices to recruits on the side of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government, which is resisting Islamist insurgents.
A mission of this sort was proposed almost a year ago by France, which has already trained Somali forces in Djibouti. But planning was held up by member state concerns – including over the risks of trainees deserting to better-paying militias, misappropriation of funds, or human rights abuses by trained soldiers.
Concerned aid workers
Since January, when member states' foreign ministers approved the mission's broad outlines, details have been refined on vetting of trainees, monitoring and mentoring of soldiers once they return to Somalia, and the funding and payment of salaries. But aid agencies with headquarters in the EU have expressed anxiety that their staff could become a target for insurgent attacks once the EU starts training government troops.
Source: EuropeanVoice.com
Galgadud villages abandoned as water shortage bites
Galgadud villages abandoned as water shortage bites
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
NAIROBI (IRIN) - An acute water shortage after a prolonged drought in central Galgadud region of Somalia has forced thousands of people to abandon their villages, say officials.
"A prolonged drought, coupled with a drying-up of wells and barkads [water pans], is forcing many people to leave their homes," said Abdirahman Mohamed Adawe, the district commissioner of Adado, one of the areas hardest hit.
However, some parts of the region are receiving the Gu (long) rains.
More than a dozen villages around Adado town, housing an estimated 35,000 people, are affected. Those with livestock are moving in search of pasture and water, while those who lost their livestock, the economic mainstay of the area, are moving to towns.
Many rural people are arriving almost every day "with nothing and camping on the outskirts of town”, he said.
"In February alone, over 500 families [3,000 people] arrived in Adado town [some 620km north of Mogadishu]," he said.
The problem was most acute in Baá Dheer, 75km north of Adado; Goryale, 40km northwest of Adado; Hin Jilaabo, 40km southwest; and Ada kibir, 70km southeast.
"In many of these villages the wells and barkads have dried up and the only other option is water trucking, which is difficult and expensive," Adawe told IRIN. "Some villagers are going as far as 100km to get water."
Moalim Hassan, an elder in the village of Baá Dheer, told IRIN: "The closest water point is 75km away and a drum of trucked water costs 120,000 Somali shillings [about US$4], a sum of money most cannot afford.”
The area has not had any rain for the past two years and the Gu rains – which should have begun – have failed.
In Ada Kibir, the situation is even worse. "We have been in a drought situation for a few years. We had very little rains or none at all in the last two years," Abdullahi Moalim, a resident, told IRIN.
Many residents have left the town. The one borehole had dried up and water was being trucked in from a borehole 60km away. "Those who are left in Ada Kibir are paying the equivalent of $4 or $5 for 200l of water."
Authorities in Adado were setting up a committee to deal with the influx of drought displaced, said DC Adawe.
"We are appealing to aid agencies and Somalis in the diaspora to come to the rescue of the people," he added.
He said there had been no reports of people dying, "but it is just a matter of time if the situation is not addressed soon".
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
NAIROBI (IRIN) - An acute water shortage after a prolonged drought in central Galgadud region of Somalia has forced thousands of people to abandon their villages, say officials.
"A prolonged drought, coupled with a drying-up of wells and barkads [water pans], is forcing many people to leave their homes," said Abdirahman Mohamed Adawe, the district commissioner of Adado, one of the areas hardest hit.
However, some parts of the region are receiving the Gu (long) rains.
More than a dozen villages around Adado town, housing an estimated 35,000 people, are affected. Those with livestock are moving in search of pasture and water, while those who lost their livestock, the economic mainstay of the area, are moving to towns.
Many rural people are arriving almost every day "with nothing and camping on the outskirts of town”, he said.
"In February alone, over 500 families [3,000 people] arrived in Adado town [some 620km north of Mogadishu]," he said.
The problem was most acute in Baá Dheer, 75km north of Adado; Goryale, 40km northwest of Adado; Hin Jilaabo, 40km southwest; and Ada kibir, 70km southeast.
"In many of these villages the wells and barkads have dried up and the only other option is water trucking, which is difficult and expensive," Adawe told IRIN. "Some villagers are going as far as 100km to get water."
Moalim Hassan, an elder in the village of Baá Dheer, told IRIN: "The closest water point is 75km away and a drum of trucked water costs 120,000 Somali shillings [about US$4], a sum of money most cannot afford.”
The area has not had any rain for the past two years and the Gu rains – which should have begun – have failed.
In Ada Kibir, the situation is even worse. "We have been in a drought situation for a few years. We had very little rains or none at all in the last two years," Abdullahi Moalim, a resident, told IRIN.
Many residents have left the town. The one borehole had dried up and water was being trucked in from a borehole 60km away. "Those who are left in Ada Kibir are paying the equivalent of $4 or $5 for 200l of water."
Authorities in Adado were setting up a committee to deal with the influx of drought displaced, said DC Adawe.
"We are appealing to aid agencies and Somalis in the diaspora to come to the rescue of the people," he added.
He said there had been no reports of people dying, "but it is just a matter of time if the situation is not addressed soon".
Djibouti president hopes for third mandate starting 2011
Djibouti president hopes for third mandate starting 2011
* Sees Somalia situation improving
* Expects up to 6 pct GDP growth in 2010
* Chinese to transform port into region's shipping hub
By Martina Fuchs
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh - Photo A. Kahin
DJIBOUTI, March 21 (Reuters) - The president of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh signalled in an interview that he was prepared to run for a third six-year term if lawmakers amend the constitution in the small Horn of Africa nation.
The national assembly is expected to decide next week on an extension of presidential terms in office and speculation has surrounded his plans to run for a third mandate.
"This is a demand from our population and this will be next year. Let us wait for the outcome of the national commission that is working on the subject," Guelleh said in an interview on Saturday at the 19th century French colonial presidential palace on the shores of the Indian Ocean.
Asked if he would accept the parliament's decision to approve a third term, he said: "If it's God's will."
Guelleh took office in 1999 and his second mandate expires in April 2011.
Djibouti, a former French colony which separates Eritrea from Somalia, hosts France's largest military base in Africa and a major U.S. base. Its port is used by foreign navies patrolling busy shipping lanes off the coast of Somalia to fight piracy.
Guelleh said he believed the situation in Somalia was improving.
"I think the situation is better than before. There is some sort of fed-up (mood) among the Somali people especially of Mogadishu's citizens which suffer from this opposition. I think that (President) Sheikh Sharif (Ahmed) will prevail," he said.
Since 2007, fighting between pro-government militia and the Islamist al Shabaab group -- which Washington sees as al Qaeda's proxy in the region -- has killed more than 21,000 Somalis and driven 1.5 million from their homes.
Ahmed joined a Western-backed peace process and was voted president of Somalia in January 2009 in an election which took place in Djibouti.
Guelleh said he was not planning to send more troops to Somalia on top of the 450 Djibouti has pledged to boost a 5,000 strong African Union force there.
Relations between Djibouti and neighbouring Eritrea under President Isaias Afwerki remain hostile.
The U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on Eritrea in December, accusing it of destabilising the region by providing funds and arms to Islamist insurgents in Somalia. Eritrea has denied the allegations.
"We are now in the process of implementation of the resolution which we hope will make this guy more flexible to the international community," Guelleh said, referring to Isaias. "He must abide by international law."
Guelleh said he expected Djibouti's 2010 gross domestic product (GDP) to come in above a 5.4 percent estimate by the International Monetary Fund.
"We have not so much been affected by the financial crisis. We hope that there will be an influx of foreign direct investment which will boost our economy. We hope that we will achieve 5.7 or even 6 percent," he said.
Chinese will be Djibouti's biggest investors next year and in 2012, Guelleh said. "The Chinese will help make the port of Djibouti the biggest hub in this region. That will cost nearly half a billion U.S. dollars," he said.
"We'll have an electrified railway from Djibouti to Addis Ababa -- also by the Chinese. And we'll have geothermal energy. And we are in discussions with French investors (about) wind farms."
(Reporting by Martina Fuchs; Additional reporting by Abdourahim Arteh; Editing by Noah Barkin)
* Sees Somalia situation improving
* Expects up to 6 pct GDP growth in 2010
* Chinese to transform port into region's shipping hub
By Martina Fuchs
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh - Photo A. Kahin
DJIBOUTI, March 21 (Reuters) - The president of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh signalled in an interview that he was prepared to run for a third six-year term if lawmakers amend the constitution in the small Horn of Africa nation.
The national assembly is expected to decide next week on an extension of presidential terms in office and speculation has surrounded his plans to run for a third mandate.
"This is a demand from our population and this will be next year. Let us wait for the outcome of the national commission that is working on the subject," Guelleh said in an interview on Saturday at the 19th century French colonial presidential palace on the shores of the Indian Ocean.
Asked if he would accept the parliament's decision to approve a third term, he said: "If it's God's will."
Guelleh took office in 1999 and his second mandate expires in April 2011.
Djibouti, a former French colony which separates Eritrea from Somalia, hosts France's largest military base in Africa and a major U.S. base. Its port is used by foreign navies patrolling busy shipping lanes off the coast of Somalia to fight piracy.
Guelleh said he believed the situation in Somalia was improving.
"I think the situation is better than before. There is some sort of fed-up (mood) among the Somali people especially of Mogadishu's citizens which suffer from this opposition. I think that (President) Sheikh Sharif (Ahmed) will prevail," he said.
Since 2007, fighting between pro-government militia and the Islamist al Shabaab group -- which Washington sees as al Qaeda's proxy in the region -- has killed more than 21,000 Somalis and driven 1.5 million from their homes.
Ahmed joined a Western-backed peace process and was voted president of Somalia in January 2009 in an election which took place in Djibouti.
Guelleh said he was not planning to send more troops to Somalia on top of the 450 Djibouti has pledged to boost a 5,000 strong African Union force there.
Relations between Djibouti and neighbouring Eritrea under President Isaias Afwerki remain hostile.
The U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on Eritrea in December, accusing it of destabilising the region by providing funds and arms to Islamist insurgents in Somalia. Eritrea has denied the allegations.
"We are now in the process of implementation of the resolution which we hope will make this guy more flexible to the international community," Guelleh said, referring to Isaias. "He must abide by international law."
Guelleh said he expected Djibouti's 2010 gross domestic product (GDP) to come in above a 5.4 percent estimate by the International Monetary Fund.
"We have not so much been affected by the financial crisis. We hope that there will be an influx of foreign direct investment which will boost our economy. We hope that we will achieve 5.7 or even 6 percent," he said.
Chinese will be Djibouti's biggest investors next year and in 2012, Guelleh said. "The Chinese will help make the port of Djibouti the biggest hub in this region. That will cost nearly half a billion U.S. dollars," he said.
"We'll have an electrified railway from Djibouti to Addis Ababa -- also by the Chinese. And we'll have geothermal energy. And we are in discussions with French investors (about) wind farms."
(Reporting by Martina Fuchs; Additional reporting by Abdourahim Arteh; Editing by Noah Barkin)
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