Gulf investors eyes lured by high return Business Venture In Somalia

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, Jan 27 (Reuters)
Gulf Arab investors are considering opportunities in war-torn Somalia in areas including energy and livestock, lured by high return possibilities.

Participants at a U.N.- sponsored conference on the role of the private sector in Somalia expressed hope on Monday that their investments could also help stability in the Africa country.

"What we're trying to do is promote stability by generating revenue for the state so it doesn't have to depend on aid and would have its own resources," said Sara Akbar, chief executive of Kuwait Energy, an independent exploration and production company which is looking to invest in Somalia's oil and gas sector.

"When you invest in high risk, you get high return," she told Reuters on the sidelines of the conference in Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates.

KEC is 40 percent-owned by Kuwait's Global Investment House (GLOB.KW: Quote, Profile, Research), Aref Investment Group (AIGK.KW: Quote, Profile, Research) owns 37 percent, while a Chicago-based company owns 15 percent and the rest is held by small shareholders, Akbar has said.

Ahmad Bahafzallah, consultant for Saudi Arabia's private al-Jabri company which imports cattle from Somalia, said the country presented a competitive advantage.

"Our profit margin in Somalia is bigger than in Sudan for example as prices of cattle there are lower," Bahafzallah said.

"But also doing business in Somalia helps to create stability because we are paying taxes to Somaliland and Puntland, which go to building infrastructure, hospitals and school."

Somalia's Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein earlier this month named a new cabinet to replace one that fell apart in December over clan bickering.

Mired in anarchy since warlords toppled military leader Mohamed Siade Barre in 1991, Somalia lacks adequate legal framework and infrastructure and does not have a banking system.

"The lack of security and stability is a big challenge but we try to work in areas that are safe," Akbar said.

"What could be done is that a law has to be drafted to regulate the relationship between the government and investors and be fair to the people so they can get their share."

Conflict killed 6,500 civilians in the capital Mogadishu in 2007 and wounded 8,156 more, a local human rights group says. More than 600,000 people have fled their homes due to fighting that erupted when President Abdullahi Yusuf's government, with the aid of Ethiopian troops, unseated an Islamist movement. (Reporting by Ola Galal; Editing by Ron Askew)

US HOA Commander Prepares Mission to Deploy the Army in the Coastal port of Berbera

By Al Pessin

The U.S. military hosted an international exercise last week to help prepare the new commander of a coalition task force in East Africa for his deployment. The commander says his main goal is to help East African countries solve their own problems. VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.

The Pentongon, 25 January 2008 - The exercise, involving hundreds of U.S. troops and several African liaison officers, was designed to help Rear Admiral Philip Greene and his staff prepare for their new assignment.

"I see our role as to enable African solutions to African problems," he said.

Admiral Greene will head the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, based in Djibouti, providing training for African military forces and conducting humanitarian missions in 13 nearby countries. He told reporters in a conference call the goal is to help improve security and governance, and end poverty, in order to indirectly fight terrorism.

"Those play to creating a level of transparency and information sharing and, clearly, opportunities that get at undermining those elements that fuel extremism," said Admiral Greene. "And that's the approach that connects our mission set with the counterterrorism piece."

The current deputy commander of the U.S.-led Horn of Africa Task Force, Brigadier General Sanford Holman, says Admiral Greene's plans coincide with what the task force is already doing.

"The development side is the side that we emphasize with the drilling of the wells, the building of the schools and clinics, and we're trying to get at countering terrorism in that manner," he said.

General Holman says the Djbouti base facilitates some other military activities he won't talk about. There have been reports of U.S. special operations forces working from the base on counter-terrorism missions in Somalia and elsewhere. But the general says those activities are not the base's main purpose.

Admiral Greene says main goal is to develop partnerships and forge relationships, and he says that approach is the model for the new United States Africa Command. The command, which was established in October, is spending a year preparing to take responsibility for all U.S. military engagement throughout the continent.

"There is, I think, great synergy between what CJTF-Horn of Africa does now and what we're about and what AFRICOM will represent as a combatant command," said the commander.

The admiral expresses the mission as "the three Ds," development, defense and diplomacy," said Admiral Greene.

"In the end, our objective is to be participants in developing those partnerships and forging the relationships that help us improve the security and the stability, and help the Africans, in that sense, to address these very tough issues and own the solution sets to these problems."

Within a few weeks, Admiral Greene will take command of the five-year-old Task Force, made up of nearly two thousand troops and civilians from the United States and several coalition countries. He says one priority will be to try to help develop a standardized disaster response plan so African countries can work together better to respond to natural disasters themselves, and with international help when necessary.

But he says he will also be watching some of the region's hot spots for potential seeds of instability. He says those include the situations in Kenya, Somalia and Sudan's Darfur region, as well as tension on the Ethiopia-Eritrea border and piracy along the Indian Ocean coastline.

Source: VOA

Somali Soldiers in Puntland Storm Central Bank

Press TV
Monday, January 28, 2008

Somali soldiers loyal to the authorities of the semi-autonomous Puntland region have seized the central bank demanding their salaries.

The heavily-armed soldiers stormed the bank cutting off all roads leading to and from the building, claiming they had not been paid for several months.

This comes a week after Puntland locals staged protests in the region's administrative capital Garowe, marking the return of President Mohamud "Adde" Muse.

Protestors expressed their opposition to several major issues, including hyperinflation and the false currency scandal, rising insecurity and the Puntland administration's ineffective policy on Las Anod - a disputed town now controlled by the neighboring rival state of Somaliland.


Source: Press TV, Jan 28, 2008

Two Foreign Doctors Killed in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Two foreign doctors and a Somali driver died Monday when their vehicle hit a land mine in the southern Somali town of Kismayo, police said. Another foreign doctor and three Somalis were injured.

All the victims worked for the Dutch branch of Medecins Sans Frontieres, the international medical aid organization, said Kismayo police chief Ibrahim Kalif Shanfol. He said the doctors killed were French and Kenyan.

They had been working at the town hospital for four months, said Mohamed Abdirashid Dure, who also works at the hospital.

TELCOM opens a new office in Las Anod

Written by Qarannews
Jan 27, 2008 at 02:09 AM

Las Anod(QARAN)-

The private Somaliland telecommunications company, TELCOM has opened a new branch in Las Anod to serve the needs of the residents of the Sool region and Eastern Sanaag.

TELCOM which is the leading provider of telecommunications and energy provider in Somaliland and the Horn of Africa region will have the following services available to the residents of Las Anod and its environs:-

- GSM mobile and land lines
- Internet
- Electricity

TELCOM is currently providing these services in Las Anod, Buhodle, Erigavo and all the other major districts in the region.

Some of the services provide by TELCOM to its customers include, competitive prices on all its telecommunications features, including international SMS and internet, reliable connections, and knowledgeable and friendly staff.

The new TELCOM office in Las Anod began operations on the 19th of January, 2008; and will include all the previous staff of SOMTEL which has merged with TELCOM in Las Anod. As part of the inauguration of the new office in Las Anod, TELCOM is offering an introductory rate of additional 20% extra time all its new numbers at $1 per card.

Jama Mohamud Ismail.
Qarannews

Djibouti Government Awards Highest Cultural Medal to Hassan Sh Mumin posthumously

Awdalnews Network, ABU DHABI - Djibouti government decided to award the highest medal of culture posthumously to Hassan Sheikh Mumin, a celebrated Somali playwright who died in Oslo on 16th January 2008, when his body arrives at Djibouti airport on Saturday morning, 26 January 2008, according to Hashi Abdillahi Orrah, Djibouti President’s Advisor on Cultural Affairs.

Speaking to Awdalnews Network on telophone, Mr. Orrah said full ceremonial reception would be held for Mumin’s body including awarding him posthumously the highest medal of culture, known in Somali as Baal (feather), and draping the coffin with Djibouti national flag.

“We wanted to give him an official funeral in Djibouti but Mumin has requested to be buried in his fathers mausoleum in Borama. His will has to be respected,” said Orrah.

Djibouti Minister of Culture, Ali Abdi Farah, will decorate the body with the medal on behalf of President Ismail Omar Guelleh. Also present at the ceremony will be Saeed Barkahd, Minister of Justice, Orrah, Faisal Mohammed Haddi, from Djibouti Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Mohammed Dahir Afrah, President of Somali PEN and others.

Meanwhile, Djibouti Ambassador to the UAE, Idriss Chirwa, described Mumin as a legendary and talented playwright who had left a wealth of beautiful literature for the Somali speaking people.

Talking to Awdalnews in Abu Dhabi, Chirwa said “Mumin had been involved in the Somali theatre over the last 52 years and had left a great legacy.” He extended his condolence to Mumin’s family, relatives and all the people who loved his works.

Air France flew the body of Mumin Thursday afternoon, 24 January, after ritual prayers were offered on him at Oslo Grand Mosque. A number of Somaliland community members had seen the body off at Oslo airport..

Family members with whom Awdalnews has spoken said Mumin’s elder son, Mohammed and a relative Abdirashid Anshrar, have left Oslo today and will accompany the body from Paris via Air France to Djibouti. The flight will land at Djibouti Airport at 7 a.m local time.

A special private jet will carry the body from Djibouti to Borama. Djiboutian officials accompanying the body will include Hashi Abdillahi Orrah, Faisal Mohammed Haddi , Abdi Farah Ahmed Good, businessman and nephew of Mumin as well as Dr. Afrah.

The Somaliland government has requested the body to be dispatched to Hargeisa where arrangements have been made to give him official honoring. However the organizers of the funeral were forced to accept a direct flight from Djibouti to Borama due to barely passable rough road between Borama and Dilla, which during the rainy season has the potential to become even worse. The fact that the body has been in a morgue for a long time and the lack of mobile refrigerated morgues in Hargeisa has also contributed to the family’s decision.

Mumin’s body will be laid to rest in his father’s mausoleum in the Ahmed Guray area of Borama. Hundreds of Borama people are expected to attend the funeral. Awdalnews learned that several Somaliland Ministers would attend the funeral, while some people expect the President himself to be present.

The Awdalite community in Oslo has donated 100,000 Norwegian Kroner (18,221.2 US Dollar) to cover the cost of the body transport. Also other Somaliland communities in Oslo have raised 24,714.0 Norwegian Kroner (US$ 4,500 US Dollar) as support to Mumin’s family.

Somaliland Community in Oslo also plans to organize a night to remember Hassan Sheikh Mumin and discuss his legacy and listen to some of his works.

Hassan Sheikh Momin was a talented playwright whose plays were dominated by satirical and paradoxical language typical of which were “Dawo bukootay, Dab dhaxmooday, Durdur oomay”in his famous “Shabeel Nagood” play. Shabeel Nagood was the first and only Somali play ever translated into English. He was famous for borrowing a lot of his language from the rich Somali folklore literature, thus reviving the dead language and popularising it. One good example is the song “Waxan ahay wahdiga dugsiyada, waxan ahay waanada macallinka” which he wrote as part of the Somali government’s awareness campaign to popularize the Somali script. His other works include “Gaaraa bildhaan”, other plays and dozens of songs.

Coming from a religious family, Hassan Sheikh Momin learned Quran and took a clerical career early in his life. He became a religious teacher and was prepared to follow in his father’s footsteps as a religious scholar when he joined the Somali struggle for independence in the early 1950s.

Many of poems and lyrics had become a rallying cry for the independence campaigners

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL :PRESS RELEASE

Kenya:

Government must protect people from politically-motivated and ethnic attacks
Amnesty International today called on the Kenyan government to take all appropriate steps to protect people from human rights abuses caused by politically-motivated and ethnic attacks, which continue in different parts of the country in the aftermath of December’s disputed presidential elections.

“The government has an obligation to protect its citizens from politically-motivated and ethnic attacks – but in doing so must only use force that is both necessary and proportional,” said Erwin van der Borght, Director of Amnesty International’s Africa Programme.

International standards on law enforcement stipulate that firearms should not be used except to defend people against an imminent threat of death or serious injury and only where less extreme means are insufficient.

“Kenyan politicians must not implicitly or explicitly encourage politically-motivated or ethnic violence,” said van der Borght. “They should particularly avoid making any statements that may constitute or, in the current climate, be construed as advocating ethnic hatred or incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, as such statements are prohibited by international human rights law.”

Politically-motivated and ethnic killings by armed gangs continue in several parts of Kenya. Most of the violence has targeted members of communities from which President Kibaki was perceived to have drawn his support, particularly members of the Kikuyu community.

Recent cases of violence have been both spontaneous and organized, particularly in parts of the Rift Valley.

On 22 January, seven people from the Kikuyu and Kisii communities were killed in Kipkelion and 70 houses were burned in the Aldai area of Rift Valley province by armed gangs.

Organised attacks have also taken place targeting internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were seeking refuge in places close to the homes they had fled as a result of the violence. On 19 January, at least five internally displaced people who had sought shelter in an IDP camp near a monastery were killed in an attack by a group of youth armed with bows, arrows and spears in Kipkelion district in the Rift Valley.

There have also been organized attacks against members of communities perceived to have supported opposition candidate Raila Odinga in the disputed December elections. Such attacks have been reported in parts of Nairobi, particularly in informal settlements of Mathare and Kibera and in Molo in the Rift Valley province.

Amnesty International called on the Kenyan government to establish an independent and impartial public inquiry into the violence. Those responsible for killings or other human rights abuses should be brought to justice in proceedings that comply with international fair trial standards. Victims and their families must benefit from the right to redress and reparation, including compensation.

Background information

According to official government statistics, about 680 people have been killed since 30 December -- although other sources indicate that the figure could be much higher. Those killed include dozens who were shot dead by the police, who were deployed to quell the violence or break up mass protests called by the opposition against the election results.

The UN estimates that over 255,000 people have become internally displaced as a result of the violence and that more than 6,000 others have fled to Uganda as refugees.

____________________

Eliane Drakopoulos

Press Officer

Amnesty International

Tel: +44 207 413 5564

Mobile: +44 7778 472 109

Finding Calm in the Most Unexpected Place.

By: Louise Norman

My fascination with this place began last year when I was asked to come to make an assessment as to whether PSI should start a programme. Until that point I was also in the ‘…where?!’ category. But as soon as I arrived at airport I knew this place was different.

This is a country where the language was not written down until 1972 and the oral tradition is still strong – which may also explain why the phone network is as cheap as it is. Social and clan relationships are paramount. The strength of the private sector is due in large part to the strength of these social relationships – no-one would dare default on a transaction, as they would be ostracised by the entire community. There are no banks for instance but the informal system of money transfer works with extraordinary efficiency and money can be transferred to and from almost anywhere in the world to anywhere in the country within 24 hours. I remember a friend telling me some years back ‘if you want to move money, trust a Somali’ and its true.

There is virtually no crime here. The same social networks that control financial transactions, also ensure that theft is in no-one’s interests either. When I first arrived here I sat down with the NGO Security Officer and asked him to tell me what crimes had been committed in the last 12 months. He sat back, put his hands behind his head, thought for a while and said ‘well…last year someone stole some solar panels’. And really that was all he could think of. So, it is fairly ironic that friends in Nairobi and Johannesburg worry about my safety. Mogadishu is geographically closer to Nairobi than Hargeisa and about a million miles away culturally from the place I experience on a daily basis.

There is a drive and sense of potential here that I have rarely come across before. With very little donor support, the country largely operates on an entrepreneurial spirit and remittances from the large Somali diaspora. The flip-side of this is that, supported by these same remittances, Khat chewing is endemic. Nothing much happens in the afternoon when most of the men are indulging in this expensive habit which can cost between $2-$20 a day.

We have a beautiful office which is featured on a local poster of ‘New Hargeisa’ (copies available on request!) and has the best IT I have ever had anywhere: fast, dependable internet, an excellent wireless network, zippy little scanners and the cheapest phones in the world. We even have power 24 hours a day provided by the local hotel. So, no more power cuts or noisy generators, no more excuses to Washington about not being able to deliver reports on time, and no more faxing the monthly financials at midnight. That’s an adjustment in itself. Now, several months after arriving, the office is slowly filling up with staff and the compound with tortoises that the guards find on the street and re-house with us.

I have just moved out of the hotel I have been living in since I arrived and into a house with a huge compound which has bananas, papaya, guava, pomegranate and oranges. The house took 2 months of fairly intense project management to renovate, but it was worth it for the garden alone. As I write this my cleaner has just walked in and handed me sweetcorn that the guards have been growing at our office. It’s a fair swap, so tomorrow I will bring in some papaya from my garden.

OK, I admit, its not paradise. There are certainly downsides: entertainment is limited so it helps to be very low maintenance; we cannot buy alcohol or retire to the bar at the end of a long day; and the small expat community is still paying the price for the murders of foreigners four years ago with an overly cautious security policy and 24 hour armed guards. This is generally not as daunting as it sounds - until you go to the beach and find yourself prancing about in a bikini while Kalashnikov-toting guards in boots and fatigues look on in amusement. At least I think its amusement. Luckily my prancing and bikini days are just about over. Still, it makes for some good stories at parties (yes, we have them too).

I came here because in my ignorance, I thought there might be some danger to feed the disaster junky in me but instead I found something else. Life is about balance and I think the disaster junky may finally and unexpectedly have found some kind of equilibrium here in this dry, dusty spot. My friends and I regularly congratulate ourselves on discovering one of the world’s more misunderstood hardship posts.

Come to think of it, I’m not sure I should have just openly admitted any of this where my boss will see it – he still thinks it’s a hardship posting.

This article first appeared on PSI Impact.

By: Louisa Norman.

Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa Mission Rehearsal Exercise prepares forces to help “Africans solve African problems”

U.S. Joint Forces Command continued its Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Mission Rehearsal Exercise this week at the Joint Warfighting Center in Suffolk, Va. using realistic scenarios to train personnel to conduct joint operations within the Horn of Africa.

• Listen to the podcast
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Narrated by Robert Pursell, USJFCOM Public Affairs
Featuring: Navy Rear Adm. Phil Greene, the CJTF-HOA commander

Pursell: U.S. Joint Forces Command continued its annual Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa or CJTF-HOA Mission Rehearsal Exercise or MRX here today at the Joint Warfighting Center in Suffolk, Va.

The MRX, also supported by U.S. Central Command, trains personnel to conduct joint operations within the Horn of Africa using realistic scenarios. Most of the scenarios are taken from real life situations and provided by personnel already stationed in the region.

The mission of the CJTF-HOA is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in east Africa and Yemen through humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, consequence management, and civic action programs.

Navy Adm. Phil Greene, the CJTF-HOA commander, explained the CJTF focus.

Greene: The focus is developing partnerships and forging relationships with our African friends. We’re there because they want us there and we’re in the business of helping them solve African challenges. In the end it’s about Africans solving African problems and how we contribute to their efforts and capacity and capability to do that.

Pursell: Over 250 participants, including the Standing Navy Joint Command Element Command Staff and individual augmentees, subject matter experts from USCENTCOM and several interagency organizations, are on hand for in the event. Multinational participation includes representation from Djibouti, Republic of Mauritius, United Kingdom and France.

Once the MRX wraps up, senior leadership will conduct an after action review to summarize everything the happened over the course of the exercise. Greene said the hope is that efforts of the exercise will help to increase security, improve stability and enable sovereignty in the HOA.

For more information on this and other ways U-S Joint Forces Command is supporting the warfighter, visit us on the web at www.jfcom.mil.

For U.S. Joint Forces Command, I’m Robert Pursell.

African Union Unveils Road Map for Peace in Somalia

By Peter Heinlein
Mogadishu
24 January 2008


The African Union's top security official has presented Somalia's leaders a four-point plan for creating stability in the war-ravaged country. From the Somali capital, Mogadishu, VOA's Peter Heinlein reports the plan's ultimate goal is to entice the United Nations to take over peacekeeping duties from beleaguered Ethiopian and African Union troops.

African Union soldiers in Mogadishu, Somalia, 16 June 2007
African Union soldiers in Mogadishu, Somalia, 16 June 2007
During a four-hour visit to Mogadishu Wednesday, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Said Djinnit said Somalia is becoming Africa's biggest security challenge. He described his stopover as a symbolic show of support for Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein, just days after the prime minister moved his government back to the embattled capital from the more secure city of Baidoa.

But as if to underscore the continuing tensions, suspected Islamic insurgents fired four mortar rounds within a few hundred meters of Mogadishu's airport runway while Djinnit's plane was on the ground. Several other rounds landed just outside the prime minister's residence shortly after Djinnit left.

The commissioner's visit also came days before an African Union summit, at which the issue of Somalia's security will be high on the agenda.

Djinnit said he outlined to Mr. Hussain a proposal to initiate a road map that would be developed by Somali leaders in partnership with the international community.

Its four components would include strengthening the fractured nation's political process through reconciliation, greater international involvement in peacekeeping operations, creating a safe environment for humanitarian aid deliveries, and building the capacity of federal government institutions to face the immense challenges ahead.

The commissioner expressed frustration at what he called the lack of international support for efforts to bring a stable peace to Somalia. He told reporters his eventual goal, and biggest concern, is persuading the U.N. Security Council to re-establish the peacekeeping mission it abandoned in the face of uncontrolled violence 13 years ago.

"It is the issue at the heart of our concerns," said Said Djinnit. "We believe Somalia has been abandoned for so long , and the Security Council remains the principal body in charge of the maintenance of international peace and security, and Somalia is becoming the biggest challenge for security in Africa. And therefore the Security Council cannot but assume its responsibility vis a vis Somalia."

Djinnit chided the Security Council for its recent statement saying it was "reiterating its commitment to considering the possibility of deploying" a Somalia peacekeeping operation.

"If you look to ideal situation where peace is prevailing before deploying a peacekeeping operation, you might not get that ideal situation," he said. "So we are therefore calling for flexibility on the part of the United Nations in considering the situation in Somalia and in deciding as early as possible on the deployment of the peacekeeping operation to come and take over from the African Union."

The African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, known as AMISOM, has an authorized strength of 8,000. But nearly a year after it was formed, less than one-quarter of the troops are in place. Officials say that is far too few to stop the raging violence in and around Mogadishu.

A larger contingent of Ethiopian army troops is backing Somali's military in its campaign against Islamic insurgents. The presence of Ethiopian soldiers, however, has become a rallying point for insurgents, fueling more violence.

Ethiopia's prime Minister Meles Zenawi has repeatedly said he wants those troops replaced by a strong international force. But with Somalia among the world's most violent and gun-infested countries, and the United Nations balking at sending a peacekeeping mission, Prime Minister Hussein told reporters it is premature to set a date when Ethiopean troops could withdraw.

"To set a time maybe today it's not so easy, but you can see the efforts of the African Union, you can see the efforts of AMISOM [African Mission in Somalia] from time to time increasing their troops, and this will definitely set a way for us to discuss when and how the Ethiopian troops will be reduced," said Hussein. "So what we will try to do is have a very well-elaborated exit strategy."

Somalia's parliament chose Prime Minister Hussein last November to replace his predecessor Ali Mohamed Gedi, who was forced out in a dispute with President Abdullahi Yusuf. A career public servant and former head of Somalia's Red Crescent Society, Hussein is widely seen as a neutral figure who might be able to bring unity to a country that has been considered virtually ungovernable since 1991, when former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted.

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Energy Crisis in Ethiopia

Written by Hormoodnews
Friday, 25 January 20

We reported that it is difficult to get cylinders with gas to cook on. This weekend we came to know that, there is a shortage too in kerosene supply.

What the reason for this shortage is, remains to be guessed,It seems that the Crime Minister has noticed, that the government in Ethiopia is running out of foreign currency/credits and cannot afford to remain in Somalia much longer. Most of the time this kind of remarks have to put the begging machine in full swing. Just one year ago, the language was about crushing the “terrorists” within two weeks and peace efforts as a contribution to the development of the whole Horn of Africa. Now it is starting to look like that the poor and needy in Ethiopia are paying the bill.

And still other African countries are not prepared to take over. Rwanda and Nigeria are sending some, but this is just window dressing. They rather do not want to be involved in the human rights abuses that the TFG-Somalis under command of the TPLF-Ethiopians are committing over there. The Ugandans too are remaining in their barracks and avoid becoming involved.

So Ethiopia is facing an energy crisis, because valuable resources are wasted in a senseless occupation and repression of our neighbor Somalia. And as usual the international community is requested to solve the problem. Not one moment they even consider that they- the TPLF and Affiliates- have caused this problem in the first place. But what is new?

The national interest of Ethiopia has never been on top of the agenda of this regime. And even just a few months ago, Legesse ‘the name thief’ Zenawi, crime minister of Ethiopia and scion of a traitorous family ( this complete different to the patriotic ancestors of Seye Abraha, a personality quite respected by me, in spite of all the mistakes/blunders he made and admitted, as my readers will remember ) dared to defend the fact that our country became landlocked when Eritrea became “independent”. This while negotiators of our northern neighbors were willing to give our Country the port of Aseb and a sufficient safe corridor to it.

Btw, the harder the illegitimate rulers of Ethiopia are shouting and insulting, just as the illegitimate rulers up north, the more they are hiding their own failures.

The good news is that finally a decree was issued by the Minister of Trade & Industry to force the distribution Companies of oil to make available blended fuel. (Mixed with ethanol from the sugarfactories). It always amazed me why this mix was not introduced at the time of the coming up stream of the Finchaa sugar factory. The technology and advantages together with some possible risks were all known for which we refer to the Brazilian and Indian know how all available even on the internet when it works.

Source: Nazret

Strong Statement From Malloch Brown

Dear Lord Malloch-Brown,

A few days ago the Prime Minister welcomed the President of Somaliland and his colleagues who were on a visit to Britain,.amd said we would help them build the institutions of democracy. As a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Somaliland, I am pleased to know that we are so active in promoting democracy in Somaliland, but I wonder if the Prime Minister said anything to the President about the continued bar on the Qaran Political Association, following the prolonged arbitrary detention of its three leaders, which I raised with you in my letter of December 26.

The coup by which the government took over Shuro-Net last October is also a signal that there are severe constraints on freedom of expression.

I am very much in favour of engagement with Somaliland, and of helping their government to forge links with the EU, but that doesn’t mean we should be silent when they make serious mistakes.

The Rt Hon the Lord Malloch-Brown KCMG,
Foreign & Commonwealth Office,
London SW1A 2AH

The Real Situation of Borama Municipality

Preface: This piece of writing is a scientific research which I have conducted recently, the sources of information is from of course different areas, including interviews with intellectuals and educated persons, UN reports and as well as observations from Borama Municipality.

I am not a writer but in order our people to make use the fallout we generate, I came up with this excellent piece of script, its not a history, or a opinion rather it’s a tangible and precise research.

I am Abdi-asis Sheikh Farah doing my undergraduate study at Universal Medical College in Addis Ababa. Needles to say we need to familiarize ideas and instruction already printed in the textbooks of Psychology and Philosophy explaining positive and negative attitudes, and as well as mentality, because you can find from the libraries in Saudi Arabia, Addis Ababa and of course in Amoud University.

Defining the problem, obtaining expert judgment, making research decision, formulating hypotheses, selecting a research design, preparing a sample frame, constructing a research instrument, editing, coding, tabulation, interpretation, testing the hypothesis, and making presentation is the process of developing an excellent piece of writings.

Borama Municipality is an autonomous agency. The role of the municipality is to develop and manage metropolitan and countryside sectors that are unable to be self-sufficient. However, development of Borama Municipality has been significantly hindered by its history of civil turbulence. As a result, social services are very weak in most of the main villages within the district and the municipality services have knowledgeable great difficulties in responding to the needs of the population concentrated in both rural and urban areas.

Although I am very much delighted the way every thing is going on at present in the region of Awdal, and would like to pay special gratitude to the Mayor of Borama Abdi Shide Bile who made possible and showed to our people how we can do every thing without getting much hand from outside. But on the other hand I am really very distress for the previous Mayors who destroy the whole system of Borama Local Government, and this formula is illustrating us that the community should nominate persons like the present Mayor for such kind of positions, because what I feel is the prior system has not been operational for over 15 years and has negative impact on the town.

for instance revenue collection was weak and recovery figures were also very low. Several revenue areas were not measured, collections were not executed correctly and it was found that many street vendors do not pay, financial systems were not correctly recorded, and there were no internal audits. . In the annual accounts, income and expenditure did not match deficit or savings. Overstaffing is a major obstacle for municipal agencies. As a result, overstaffing has reduced the mean salaries per month, per staff member. Employment is not allocated on merit but on a tribal basis. These dynamic and other contributing factors were the main reasons of the theory of backwardness by the Borama Municipality

On the other hand still there is a challenge that the new Mayor may came across, there is no effective registration of street vendors for daily collection or of their licenses and property for planning purposes This has consequences for work productivity. The Statistical and Planning unit is not functioning at present. Consequently, no baselines have been established and no needs assessments have taken place which would advise on how to advance the development process.
Improvement in social services in urban and rural sectors is consequently lacking.

Social and Economic Factors Borama is considered to be one of the poorest urban settlement areas in Somaliland. The urban poor are the predominant socio-economic group in the town. Business settlers are mainly involved in petty trade and casual work. Recent surveys indicate that women engaged in petty trading on a daily basis earn household incomes. This has affected urban tax collection. The lack of a Statistical and Planning Unit has contributed to misadministration of the working mechanism of the Municipality.

The establishment of this unit will improve and support the efficiency of the Municipality. The UN, EC and International Agencies are required to present a clear institutional framework to cope with the type of support that could be assisted and implemented in Borama district. This will help to streamline the various interventions of the International Agencies operating in the district.

* To provide for the core principles, mechanisms and processes that are necessary to enable Borama municipality to move progressively towards the social and economic upliftment of local communities, and ensure universal access to essential services that are affordable to all:

* To define the legal nature of a municipality as including the local community within the municipal area, working in partnership with the municipality’s political and administrative structures.

* To provide for the manner in which municipal powers and functions are exercised and performed; to provide for community participation; to establish a simple and enabling framework for the core processes of planning, performance management, resource mobilization and organizational change which underpin the notion of developmental local government.

* To provide a framework for local public administration and human resource development.

* To empower the poor and ensure that Borama municipality put in place service tariffs and credit control policies that take their needs into account by providing a framework for the provision of services, service delivery agreements and municipal service district.

* To provide for credit control and debt collection; to establish a framework for support,, monitoring and standard setting systems in order to progressively build local government into an enticement, frontline development agency capable of integrating the activities of municipality for overall social and economic upliftment of communities in harmony with their local natural environment; to provide for legal matters pertaining to local government.

* And to provide for matters incidental thereto. The truth of the matter is the new system of local government, which requires an efficient, effective and transparent local public administration that conforms to constitutional principles.

Whereas there is a need to set out the core principles, mechanisms and processes that give meaning to developmental local government and to empower municipality of Borama to move progressively towards the social and economic strengthen of communities and the provision of basic services to all our people, and specifically the poor and the disadvantaged;

* To make my long story short, I want to be grateful with the praiseworthy Mayor of Borama for his accomplishment, UN-habitat for its support of urban planning in the town and for its continuous training to the staff of Borama Municipality. Along the lines of this I am also thanking to individuals for their outstanding contribution and organizations like Amoud Foundation for their concrete efforts for funding projects like, Health, Droughts and Al-Hayat Hospital in the region. I am also obliged to individuals who contribute their skills and their piece of writings to publicize the needs of the region.

Finally, as good if not better then, I am also going to take this opportunity to show appreciation my older brother Mohamed Sheikh Farah, who without his support I could have never been attempt to write this article, for his support of paying tuition fees for the University I am studying and living allowances. My Allah gives you the reward of this al of you.

By Abdi-asis sheikh Farah
Universal Medical College
Department of Pharmacology
Pharmacist Technician

Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia

Will New Oil Fields Avert the Peak Oil Crisis?

By Keith Kohl | Tuesday,
January 22nd, 2008

A few of you wrote to me last week asking what my thoughts were concerning world oil production. Specifically, the majority of you wanted to know whether I felt new oil field production will be enough to save global production. (On a side note, some of your comments were a bit more colorful than others.)
Regardless of how the question is phrased, do I feel new production is going to save us?
The simple answer is: Not a chance in hell.
But, as usual, your questions got me obsessed. I couldn't think of anything else the entire weekend. It wasn't enough for me to simply look at the new fields coming o­nline. After all, we've had a number of positive discoveries lately. In 2007, China discovered a nice offshore oil field that could hold up to could hold up to 2.2 billion barrels in reserves. Also remember the discovery of the Tupi field off the shores of Brazil, which is estimated to have between five and eight billion barrels of oil.
With news like this coming out, how can I be so critical?
Well, there are actually several reasons for my skepticism . . .
New Oil Fields to the Rescue?
To answer your questions, let's first take a look at the decline rate. CERA (Cambridge Energy Research Associates) reports that production from the world's oil fields is declining at an annual rate of 4.5%.
If world production is around 85 million barrels per day, that comes out to just under four million barrels per day we'll need to make up to offset decline. Remember, that number is coming from a survey of approximately 800 oil fields and is more than half of the 8% decline other analysts are predicting.
Let's also forget for a minute that the largest producers like Saudi Arabia refuse to disclose their field data.
Even CERA's low prediction of 4.5% is still a significant amount of new oil the world will need to make up. That's like finding a new Iran every year.
What if the decline rate is up to 8%? That would mean we'll need to find the equivalent of o­ne new Saudi Arabia each year!
Stop for a second and take a look at some of the world's producers. Saudi Arabia is in serious trouble. The fact is that 65% of their oil production from 1948 to 2000 has come from the massive Ghawar field, which comes out to roughly 65 billion barrels. Now that Ghawar is in decline, the Saudis are going to be hard pressed to make up the difference.
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At least they had a good run.
Perhaps Ghawar is o­n its way to being the next Cantarell. As you know, the giant Mexican field is in a major decline, falling more than 20% per year. The U.S. is well aware of how serious this is. Oil imports from Mexico have dropped around 11% in 2007.
I can't blame the Saudis for hiding their field data.
If we found out how bad it really is over there, do you honestly think the U.S. wouldn't start looking elsewhere? We actually have begun easing our dependence o­n Saudi oil, but I'll save that for next week.
Cantarell and Ghawar are just two examples, and out of the world's ten largest oil fields, o­nly o­ne is expected to raise production.
Why am I so worried about the giant fields?
It's because we're no longer finding them.
The major offshore discoveries last year in Brazil and China together boast more than 10 billion barrels of reserves. But let me ask you this: "What do 10 billion barrels of reserves mean to us right now?"
Absolutely nothing.
Reserves mean next to nothing if you don't have the means to produce them.
These offshore fields, the best discoveries of 2007, are going to take a tremendous amount of investment dollars as well as years of development to bring into production. The Tupi field off Brazil's coast could cost up to $100 billion dollars to develop.
The truth is that we're drilling farther and deeper than ever before, and all for lesser quality oil. Over the next five years, people are going to get a very real understanding of how peak oil will affect our world because the impending energy crisis is coming and coming quickly. To read more o­n peak oil and how it will impact you, click here now.
Until next time,
Keith Kohl
www.energyandcapital.net

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From the Archives...
Election-Year Stocks
2008-01-21 - Nick Hodge
Solar's Downslide Presents an Upside
2008-01-18 - Nick Hodge
Questioning the End of Cheap Oil
2008-01-17 - Keith Kohl
China Market Slumps as Oil Weighs
2008-01-16 - Sam Hopkins
Our Emerging Oil Crisis
2008-01-15 - Keith Kohl

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Somaliland's Search for Independence Will Continue

Written by Abdulkadir Idan
Jan 21, 2008 at 10:48 PM

To suppose that Somaliland and Somali Lander's will surrender their international right to independence because of a few externally perceived set backs is not only a insult to the intelligence of readers but for people who have any basic common sense. The recent trip to Washington and London although being dismissed by Somaliland's enemies as a lost opportunity, was actually the beginning of a greater goal. As the president of Somaliland highlights the intention was not for recognition but to continue to develop ties between Somaliland and her western allies and in this sense the trip was a success.

The reality is at every international trip the president goes on, the enemies of Somaliland hold their hearts with fear that can only be described as a child witnessing the boggy man, in this sense the growing momentum towards Somaliland's recognition has created for them a permanent state of paralysis in effect created a psychological coma within their consciousness and this is Somaliland's greatest gift in regards to her enemies. Although they live in this rollercoaster existence the reality of the ancient saying pops to mind.

That of ‘ who laughs last laughs best'. What Somaliland is fighting for is not a one-day victory that passes with time, what Somaliland is fighting for is the ultimate prize ultimately the last laugh. This will happen eventually and of that there is no doubt regardless of time. During that time Somaliland's relationship will solidify and grow, today's invitation leads to tomorrows and ultimately tomorrow's success.

To put it into context 16 years ago we didn't exsists, politically, infrastructure or otherwise. Today we are a democracy with amongst the fastest growing cities in Africa being welcomed in every capital of significance in the world. While those who work against us lay aimlessly in hospitals, organising venues were 4 women show up. The reality is you are no threat, you are only a threat to yourself. Somaliland is in this for the long haul, its people have chosen the peaceful way of obtaining their interests, and I think all those who oppose them should be thankful at least for that. For if they shared the same mentally which you harbour not only would your villages be on fire, but they would have had their recognition by now, in my view.

Somaliland is engaged in multiple struggles, militarily, economically and politically. In regards to economics, it has a stable economy, which continues to grow pioneered by private business and investment from the Diasporas. Sitting the fact that it doesn't receive the large handouts that Ethiopia receives from the U.S. of around 2 billion dollars, or French aid, which Djibouti receives, or the non-existence fantasy economy of Somalia or its Daforgig suburb.

Somaliland is continuing to gain and there is no doubt in its continued economic growth. In terms of military it has expanded to the boundaries of its borders completely removing the child and elderly militia of Puntland (majertenia) showing the true reality of were power really is. I have no doubt that Somaliland will continue its march of economic and political growth and march forward and similar to the situation in las anod, it is when the international community is ready that we will have our way, similar to las anod we don't know but we know it will come. By that time, our institutions of government should be able to handle it, and a process that can work created and that process continues to be improved. In conclusion, this is not the end but only the beginning of something greater of that I have no doubt.

Abdulkadir Idan
Abdulidan@hotmail.com
London, England

President Rayale's Delegation Return to Somaliland

Written by Qarannews
Jan 22, 2008 at 04:30 AM
After a two week succesful visit to the United Kingdom and the United States, the Somaliland delegation led by President Dahir Rayale Kahin returns to Hargeisa.

Hargeisa(QARAN)

The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mudane Dahir Rayale Kahin and his delegation returned to Somaliland on Monday, January 21st, 2008 after a two week official visit to the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The President and his delegation were welcomed at Egal International Airport in Hargeisa by the Somaliland Vice-President, Mudane Ahmed Yusuf Yasin, Ministers from the Somaliland government, Senior officers from Somaliland's armed forces, the Mayor of Hargeisa, senior officials from UDUB and members of the public.

After taking the salute from a guard of honour from the Somaliland Defence Forces, President Rayale gave a press conference at the Presidency in Hargeisa.

President Rayale stated in his press conference that "My delegation departed from Somaliland and our first stop was in the United Kingdom. There we met with the new British minister for African Affairs, Lord Mullach-Brown who received us with all the necessary protocol.

Our discussion with Lord Mullach Brown was not limited to the question of recognition but other areas of mutual interest, and I can confirm there are substantial developments from these discussions..You may have also heard that the Somaliland delegation was received at the Houses of Parliament, and we met with the All Party Somaliland Group, including Allun Michael MP and Cathy McCarthy, MP. Both who have shown great determination and dedication in furthering the case of Somaliland.

You have also heard Prime Minister Brown answering questions from Mr. Michael in the Parliament and Mr. Brown extending his welcome to our delegation from Somaliland"

President Rayale also gave a summary of the visit to the United States of America, in which he stated "We arrived in the United States to a warm welcome from senior officers from the State Department, and whilst there met with, the Pentagon, the State Department, USAID, the Congressional committee on African Affairs, and the National Security Council advisers to the American President, and let me say, that in all the meetings with these seniors officers our issues; recognition, democracy, security, aid and development were discussed and I feel that the American officials were receptive to our point of view"

President Rayale went to highlight some of the other aspects of the visit, "Our hosts arranged meetings on a department to department basis, the members of our delegation met with their respective departments, and we had the opportunity to discuss the needs of Somaliland, and how the United States can be of help, in conclusion the meeting we had the United States government was one of understanding and co-operation. I am hopeful that this visit will lead to a more comprehensive engagement with the United States, and we are expecting the results of these discussion to bear fruit in the next few months and years"

President Rayale also took the opportunity to thank the members of the Somaliland community in both countries for the role they had played in making the visits a great success " Wherever I go, I am heartened by the dedication and efforts of the people of Somaliland"

Prior to the delegations return to Somaliland, President Rayale met with the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Mr. Meles Zenawi to discuss issues of mutual interest to both countries and the strengthening the relationship between Somaliland and Ethiopia.

The Presidents' delegation included, Marwo Huda Barkhad, the Somaliland ministers for Foreign Affairs, Health and Justice, Mudane Abdillahi Mohamed Duale, Mudane Abdi Haibe Mohamed and Mudane Ahmed Hassan Ali, along with the deputy minister for Planning, Mudane Ahmed Hashi and the President's private secretary, Mudane Ahmed Mohamed Isse.


Omar Mohamed Farah
Qarannews, Hargeisa

Press Release from the US State Dept.

Written by Hormoodnews
Monday, 21 January 2008
ImageVisit of Somaliland Delegation A high-level delegation from Somaliland, led by President Dahir Kahin Rayale, departed Washington January 19 after an eight-day
visit. While here, the delegation met with senior officials of the State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of Defense, and National Security Council staff, among others. This cordial and constructive visit demonstrated U.S. engagement with Somaliland in furtherance of our common interests in the areas of regional peace and security, economic development, and democratic reform. 2008/041

Released on January 20, 2008
Press Statement
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
January 20, 2008

President Rayale's interview with Voice of America

Written by Qarannews
Jan 20, 2008 at 02:48 AM

Q: Mudane President, what are positive outcome from your visit to the United States of America thus far?

A: First of all, if it is a political or economic question, in economic terms Somaliland is a peaceful and stable country which needs assistance from the developed nations of the world. This is one of the issues we discussed with senior members of the United States and British governments. However, we didn’t expect to receive everything we desire, but I am certain that we have left a positive impression and await future developments with a great deal of optimism.

Q: Mudane President, are there any concrete result from your discussion with both the United States and British governments?

A: I am certain that Somaliland’s issue has been welcomed and taken aboard by both governments, but results will come at their own time. I believe that people must communicate face to face, and I am certain by engaging both the United States and the British government we have made them aware of the facts in Somaliland, and have removed any misconceptions. I know that we have presented our case to both governments and we are certain of a positive outcome.

Q: Was the question of recognition for Somaliland an issue presented? A: It was one of our requests. Q: The State Department has stated in a press briefing that nothing has changed in terms of the United States policy to Somaliland, which is that Somaliland is part of Somalia. How do you see this?

A; First of all, this comment was made by a spokesman , and it is not an official communiqué issued by the State Department, however this comment is true, because when we went to the State Department yesterday were not given an automatic recognition, but the issue was discussed and a final decision was not reached at the talks. So, it is correct, nothing has changed in terms of the United States policy towards Somaliland.

Q: Therefore, Mudane President, are you saying that there are new developments in the works?

A: No, however let us see what the future brings. I am certain that our requests have been heard, the discussions have been free and frank, how the United States sees the situation and how Somaliland sees it.

Q: Mudane President, when we take a deep look at the comments of the State Department spokesman, along with your meetings with the White House Security Council, the Pentagon, the State Department and the USAID, there is speculation that there are other issues on the table between Somaliland and the United States which are not in the public domain?


A: This is the first time that I have met with members of the United States many departments and other government offices, but, I was not under the impression that we will attain all that we had hoped for in the first meetings, What I can say is that this the beginning of our engagements, and I am hopeful that it will not be the last, but the first of many to come, which will eventually yield concrete results. However, at this time, I am not prepared to go into any details.


Q: If the governments keep stating that they see Somaliland as part of Somalia, are you prepared to talk with any entity in the south regarding the question of recognition?

A: Firstly, I encourage the politicians in Somalia to restore peace and stability to their country, and maybe they can achieve what we have achieved in Somaliland, but considering the current situation, if we had to talk to anyone, who can we? Even if its to talk about being good neighbours?

Q: But, discussion at a senior level are possible? A: No, because Somaliland is an independent country and no other country has any claims to it. Somaliland and Somalia are two nations, and the union was one of desire and not one of claim, and let me remind you that it was Somaliland who championed the ill fated union.





Source: VOA, Washington, DC

Dhakhaatir ajnebi ah oo u yimid maxjarka Berbera

Written by Faysal Cabdilaahi
Saturday, 19 January 2008
Berbera-(hormoodnews)

Saddex dhakhtar oo ajnebi ah oo aqoon u leh caafimaadka xoolaha ayaa madaarka Berbara ka dhoofay, ka dib markii ay xaqiijiyeen in tayada caafimaadka Karantiinka xoolaha berbara uu la mid yahay heerarka caalamiga ah.

Dhakhaatiirtaasi waxay sidaasi ka sheegeen mar ay shaley ka qayb galeen xaflad xadhiga lagaga jarayay maxjarka Berbara oo dhawaan dayac tir lagu sameeyay, oo uu maal galiyay Ganacsadaha Al-Jaabiri oo u dhashay dalka Sucuudiga oo xukumada Somaliland la galay heshiis ganacsi oo ku wajahan dhoofka xoolaha.

wakiilka ganacsade Al-jaabiri ayaa sheegay in Maxjarka ay dayac tireen, isla markaana ay dhawaan bilaabayaan Dhismaha Macjar cusub.

Wakiilkaasi isaga oo ka hadlaya u jeedada dhakhaatirtu u timid dalka waxa uu yidhi " dhakhaatiirtu waxay dalka u yimaadeen sidii ay u hubin lahaayeen tayada karantiinka, waxaana rajaynayaa in Maxjarkani waxtar u yeesho Somaliland".

Maxjarkan dib u dhiska lagu sameeyay ayaa qaadaya xoolo gaadhaya afar boqol oo Kun oo neef, xafladii xadhiga lagaga jarayay waxa goob joog ka ahaa Isu duwaha Wasaarada Xanaanada Xoolaha Axmed Haybe Warsame

Top US envoy for Africa meets Somaliland leader

Written by Hormoodnews
Friday, 18 January 2008

WASHINGTON - The top US diplomat for Africa has met with the president of Somaliland, but the talks do not mean Washington is ready to recognize the breakaway region of Somalia, US officials said Thursday.

US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer had lunch with Somaliland president Dahir Riyale Kahin at the State Department on Monday, a US diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

But State Department spokesman Sean McCormack stressed that the meeting did not imply US recognition of the northwestern coast region, which split from Somalia in 1991.

"There's no change in our policy position vis-a-vis recognition of Somaliland. We are not on the verge of recognizing Somaliland," McCormack told reporters.

"There is a process under way that the AU (African Union) is engaged in and we are going to be watching very closely that situation, but there's no change in our policy," he said.

McCormack said the meeting is part of Washington's policy of speaking with key players in Somalia in order to build democracy in the east African country, which has been plagued by civil unrest since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

"We think it's important to have as many political contacts as we can with responsible individuals in Somalia who have an interest in building up the democratic structures and institutions of Somalia and trying to take it from where it is to a much more hopeful future," he said.

"Certainly, Jendayi's meetings ... fall solidly in that category and it's a policy that we are going to continue to pursue," he said.

"We have interest in fighting terrorism in Somalia, as well as in the Horn of Africa. ... Anybody who has an interest in a more peaceful and democratic Somalia has a role to play in this process."

A former British protectorate, Somaliland united with the Italian Somalia in 1960. But the region unilaterally broke away five months after Barre was ousted in 1991.

The Washington Post reported last month that US officials were debating whether to shift US support from the fragile Somali government to the less volatile region of Somaliland.

But State Department officials oppose such a move, putting them at odds with Defense Department officials who say that forging ties with Somaliland could help bring stability to the region, the Post said.

The region of 3.5 million people, which adopted a provisional constitution in 1997 and ratified it four years later, boasts its own president, government, parliament, police force, penal code and currency.

Source:AFP

Oil Deal Signed in Ethiopia

Written by Hormoodnews
Thursday, 17 January 2008
ImageEthiopia has signed an oil exploration deal with the British firm White Nile for a 29,500 square kilometre block in the south of the country, the government announced. The Ministry of Mines and Energy has signed here on Tuesday an agreement with White Nile Limited, an England-based Petroleum Company that would enable (it to) later explore and develop petroleum in South Ethiopia Peoples’ State," a statement said.

"The Southern Ethiopian rift basins in the Omo and Chew Bahir areas were considered to be some of the petroleum potential areas in Ethiopia," the statement added.

In recent years, Ethiopia has signed 12 different exploration deals with foreign companies for blocks along the border with Sudan, in the troubled southern Ogaden region and in the northern Nile Basin region.

White Nile, which was founded by former cricketer Phil Edmonds and also operates in northern Kenya and southern Sudan, confirmed that a production sharing agreement was signed with Ethiopia.

"The agreement in Ethiopia is part of White Nile’s strategy of building a regional oil company, which I believe we have the ability to achieve," he said in a statement.

"The geology seems to connect Uganda, Ethiopia and southern Sudan so our land positions are in ideal locations to take advantage of this situation," he added.


Source: AFP.

Recognition of an independent Somaliland is an essential strategy for containment

Written by M. Jama

Jan 16, 2008 at 08:07 PM

In May 2007 the European Parliament called upon the Council and Commission to investigate Somaliland's request for independence. This northern part of Somalia already declared itself independent in 1991. Somaliland is making an effort to pursue good governance and stability. The parliamentary elections in 2005 were relatively orderly and transparent, and the region presents itself as a young and active democracy. However, there are still a few human rights problems, and the Government of Somaliland also recently blotted its copybook with regard to the protection of refugees from Somalia.

Has the Council considered this matter?

It was recently reported in the press that growing numbers of members of the Bush administration are in favour of independence for Somaliland. In military circles in particular, the view is said to be held that there is not enough support for the Transitional Government of Somalia and that it would be better to apply a strategy of containment for Somalia. Recognition of an independent Somaliland is essential for this purpose.

Will the EU continue to await recognition of Somaliland by countries in the region and/or by the Somali Transitional Government before recognising Somaliland's independence, or could a change in the US position lead to a review of the European position?

Source:Eurpean parliment

Press Release by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Written by Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Jan 16, 2008 at 03:38 PM

Home


LORD MALLOCH – BROWN HAS TALKS WITH SOMALILAND MINISTERS (10/01/08)

During his visit to the UK, the Leader of the Somaliland Authorities, His Excellency Dahir Rayale Kahin had talks with the Minister for Africa, Lord Malloch-Brown on the 8th January. They discussed the situation in Somalia and areas of mutual cooperation between the UK government and the Somaliland Authorities. He was accompanied by the Somaliland Foreign Minister, Abdillahi Mohamed Duale, and other Ministers. Mr Rayale also met officials of the Border and Immigration Agency of the Home Office and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Somaliland during his visit.

The Prime Minister welcomed the visitors during Prime Ministers Question Time in Parliament on 9th January.

The government and Somaliland Authorities stressed their commitment to promoting peace, stability and democratic governance in the Horn of Africa, so that the humanitarian and developmental needs of the region's people can be addressed. The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and to continue their cooperation in order to advance these commitments and help build on the progress made in Somaliland in recent years.

Medical team provides services to CJTF-HOA personnel

Written by Air Force Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente
CJTF-HOA Public Affairs
Jan 15, 2008

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – Navy Lt. Cmdr. (Dr.) Michael J. Barker (left) inserts a laparoscope into a patient’s abdomen to repair hernias and views a television monitor to see what the camera views inside the patient’s abdomen. Barker, a Camden, N.Y., native, is the general surgeon and senior medical officer for the Seth Michaud Emergency Medical and Dental Facility at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. Barker is deployed from National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Medical professionals at the EMF provide medical services to servicemembers supporting the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa mission to prevent conflict, promote regional stability, protect coalition interests and prevail against extremism. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente (RELEASED)
(Large Image. Hi-Res Image.)

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – The primary mission of Expeditionary Medical Force 12 is to provide medical services to more than 1,800 personnel assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa at the Seth Michaud Emergency Medical and Dental Facility at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.

“The primary function of the EMF in this deployed environment is to provide acute medical and dental care to CJTF-HOA and Camp Lemonier personnel,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. (Dr.) Michael J. Barker, EMF 12 general surgeon and senior medical officer. “We also provide emergent and limited elective surgical care. In support of this mission, we provide preventive medicine services, physical therapy, pharmacy, laboratory and radiological services.”

In a given week, the EMF, staffed by 35 Sailors, sees an average of 315 patients for medical services.

“The most common medical service provided is military sick call, which usually treats respiratory infections, gastro-intestinal illness, dermatologic conditions and orthopedic injuries,” said Barker. “The EMF is not equipped to provide specialty care due to limited resources such as diagnostic equipment.”

When servicemembers require more assistance than what is available at Camp Lemonier patients are seen at Bouffard French military hospital in Djibouti, which has the equipment to treat their symptoms appropriately.

EMF 12 is able to assist not only fellow Sailors, but their fellow servicemembers as well.

“All special operations personnel depend on conventional military units like the Camp Lemonier EMF to provide surgical care and support for our warriors,” said Army Col. (Dr.) Michael P. Mouri, Special Operations Command flight surgeon and diving medical officer. “We are most fortunate and appreciative to have a medical and nursing staff commanded by Navy Capt. (Dr.) Julie L. Miavez to care for our operators, other joint forces and contractors stationed here.”

Recently a patient assigned to SOCCE had an elective surgery, which enabled him to not only stay in the deployed location, but the capabilities of the EMF provided him a short recuperation.

“Laparoscopic surgery offers many advantages over older, traditional techniques,” he said. “For the patient, it is minimally invasive, meaning less trauma to the tissues, reduced pain and faster recovery time with a decreased chance of infection.

“If Dr. Michael J. Barker, who completed a laparoscopic surgical fellowship, was not here, we would have had to evacuate our senior enlisted advisor back to the United States for surgery and lost his services for two to three months.” said the SOCCE surgeon. “Instead, he gets all four hernias repaired in a combat zone theater and returns to work in two days. That kind of service is invaluable for a tactical line commander, especially in special operations where our staff is traditionally very small in number.”

Being able to assist patients and their commanders, like the SOCCE community, is part of the many pleasures the EMF 12 staff share, but there are other enjoyments this deployment has brought to the staff as well.

“I like the camaraderie that you get with the medical team, which entails corpsmen, doctors and nurses from all over,” said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew E. Thompson, EMF 12 hospital corpsman. “It’s a job of constant learning and evolving to become a better technician or a better corpsman.”

As with similar enjoyments, EMF 12 also share their dislikes of being away from their family, which included the holiday season during the six-month deployment, but the medical professionals understand it is a part of the serving their country.

“The chance to serve in a location where people are truly making a difference in the lives of others, and hopefully, those changes will be such that all of our contributions will help to increase the security of our nations and contribute to the welfare of all humanity,” said Chief Petty Officer Shane O. Chung, an EMF 12 independent duty hospital corpsman.

CJTF-HOA’s mission is to provide support in preventing conflict, promoting regional stability, protecting coalition interests and prevailing against extremism in east Africa.

Somaliland Agriculture minister and the community in Norway.

Written by Qarannews.
Jan 15, 2008 at 04:09 PM

Oslo(Qarannews)-A meeting was held on Sunday, Jan.13th in which the Somaliland minister for Agriculture Mudane Aden Ahmed Ilmi met with members of the Somaliland community in Norway.

The meeting which was organised by the umbrella group for the Somaliland community in Norway was chaired by Hussein Aden Adib. The purpose of the meeting was to give the members of the Somaliland community a chance to meet, share and exchange ideas with senior members of the Somaliland government.

The minister, Mudane Ahmed Ilmi gave a briefing of the current economic, developmental and political situation in Somaliland. Mudane Ahmed Ilmi highlighted some of the projects currently under way in Somaliland which are predominately funded by the Norwegian government, particular under the purview of his Agriculture department, and the minister praised the members of the Somaliland community in Norway for their continued lobbying on behalf of Somaliland.

Also speaking at the meeting was the Somaliland representative to Norway Mudane Mohamed Aden "Lenin", representatives from the opposition parties Kulmiye and UCID, Ahmed Barud and Ali Idin.




Abdirisaq Osman Fadal

US Debating Shift of Support in the Horn of Africa.

US debating shift of support in the Horn of Africa.

Written by Washinghton Post
Jan 14, 2008 at 01:00 AM

An Artilce in the Washington Post.
copyright The Washington Post/2008.

An article appearing in the Washington Post (US Debating Shift of Support in Somali Conflict) mentions that the United States is considering granting diplomatic recognition to the autonomous region of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia.
Although establishing diplomatic ties with breakaway states arguably sets a bad precedent, there are clearly special circumstances in which adherence to the international norm of respecting a regime’s full and complete territorial sovereignty over the land within its official borders must be bypassed.
The case of Somaliland is a strong example. Somaliland was an independent state between 26th of June 1960 until a voluntary union with Italian Somaliland on 1st July 1960.


To set the context, Somalia is shaped like the number seven and is divided into roughly three main regions. The first and most often discussed area falls on the diagonal portion of the seven and is legally ruled, in name only, by the recognized official transitional government of Somalia.
This region is home to Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu, the site of the infamous Black Hawk Down incident of 1993, and has experienced the bulk of Somalia’s civil war. In the corner of the seven is the semi-state of Puntland, which comparable to Iraqi Kurdistan, desires to remain part of Somalia as a whole while wielding a significant degree of autonomy. This also holds true for Somalia’s lesser known autonomous regions. Finally, on the majority of the horizontal portion of the seven is Somaliland.

Unlike Somalia’s other major regions, Somaliland does not recognize the authority of the Transitional Federal Government and sees itself as a fully independent state. Despite receiving limited foreign aid, as breakaway states rarely receive money from governments with whom they do not share diplomatic ties, Somaliland has done surprisingly well.
In his February 27, 2007 article for the New York Time’s entitled A Land of Camel Milk and Honey, renowned scholar Nicholas Kristof described Somaliland as a tranquil and democratic state with a fully functional and freely elected democratic government and a reliable public service sector including schools, hospitals and even a library.
In contrast to Mogadishu, where one might feel naked without full body armor and an automatic rifle, Somaliland’s capital of Hargeisa is home to a “thriving jewelry and financial market [where] scores of vendors, most of them women, are hawking millions of dollars worth of gold, precious stones and foreign currency out in open air.”

So if Somaliland is a bastion of freedom in the middle of hell, why would the United States think twice about establishing diplomatic ties with the unrecognized state? Well, it’s not that easy, and the process would be mired by red tape and technicalities.
Furthermore, there is disagreement within the US government as to what direction to take. Whereas the Pentagon wants to push through with establishing ties with Somaliland, which is seen as a step in the right direction in the fight against al-Qaeda and Islamic extremism, the State Departments wants to continue its full support of the transitional government and its claim over the whole of Somalia.

Although the State Department’s reasoning is not without merit and works as a generally good rule of thumb in most situations, it runs counter to the interests of the United States and the democratic world as a whole.
While a good number of African countries continue to fail miserably despite being on the receiving end of heavy foreign aid packages, Somaliland has thrived with little funds, and as a result, should be rewarded for its efforts and established as a model of independence. After all, the West wants nothing more than to shatter Africa’s dependency on its money and resources, and if it takes a breakaway state to set an example, then so be it.
The more states in Africa that are like Somaliland, the less other African countries will be able to use the excuse “we are failing because we aren’t getting enough resources from the West.”

More importantly, however, is Somaliland’s location and the context in which it finds itself. The horn of Africa is an often overlooked yet critical front in the war on terror and Islamic extremism.
It is one thing to continue to defeat the terrorists and insurgents on the battlefield, and the allies of the United States, particularly Ethiopia, have done a tremendous job of defeating Somalia’s former Islamist regime, but military victories are not enough to win this war.
This is a war of ideology, a war between democracy and Islamism, and nothing will unsettle the Islamists more than establishing free governments in the territories that they wish to control. The future of Somalia is uncertain compared to Somaliland, and as they say “a bird in hand is better than two in the bush.”

Certainly, if Somalia were a stable democratic state whose government freely and fairly governed the whole of its territory, Somaliland’s independence from Somalia would be unnecessary. There is no reason to break apart an already functioning democratic state. Far from this, however, Somalia is a collapsed state, and there is little utility for the State Department’s passing up a significant opportunity for the growth of democracy in order to protect the “legitimacy” of a government who rules in name only.
Instead, the United States should focus its efforts on ensuring a complete military victory of our allies in Somalia and encourage the transitional government to be realistic by cutting its losses and counting its blessings.
Source Washinghton Post
Last Updated ( Jan 14, 2008 at 01:21 AM )