(Garowe)
25 May 2008
Posted to the web 26 May 2008
Exploration equipment reportedly contracted by a Canada-based oil company undocked at the port of Bossaso Sunday, but emerging reports tell Garowe Online that disgruntled militia have already launched their first strike.
The equipment included construction trucks of the old variety, along with trucks transporting water and petroleum to a location east of Bossaso where Africa Oil Corp. has set up an operations camp in the self-governing Puntland province of northeastern Somalia.
A Bossaso port source privately told Garowe Online that some of the trucks were "old and looked to be in bad condition," but that the contractor had "repainted" the trucks to give them a newer look.
Photographs of the equipment were splashed across Puntland government-affiliated Web sites, showing older trucks being unloaded as heavily-armed soldiers kept watch.
Hassan "Allore" Osman, Puntland's oil minister, told the media that Africa Oil will begin exploration activities in the region soon - marking the first such endeavor to be undertaken in the lawless Horn of Africa country since the late 1980s when American and European companies collected exploration data.
The bold exploration effort - engineered under the leadership of Puntland President Adde Muse - has faced numerous political and security obstacles since its inception in mid-2005.
Violence
On Sunday night, three of the trucks that were unloaded from a container ship docked at the port of Bossaso underwent mechanical problems and became stuck inside Bossaso, witnesses reported.
The trucks reportedly stopped working somewhere between Hotel Panorama and the Golis telecommunications company headquarters.
At around 11:30pm local time, unidentified militiamen attacked the location where there were reports of an exchange of gunfire.
Emerging reports have indicated that the attackers successfully hit one of the trucks with a rocket launcher, setting the truck on fire.
Reports of any casualties were difficult to obtain, since it was late during the night and there is limited movement of citizenry.
It was also immediately unclear who the attacking militiamen were, but the strike comes on the heels of widespread reports that unhappy clans have organized militias to counter the Puntland-Africa Oil drive to dig for Somalia's unproven oil reserves.
In unrelated development, an armored vehicle traveling between Bossaso and the Africa Oil operations camp 90km east exploded yesterday, wounding five militiamen on board.
Medical sources confirmed that the wounded militiamen were transported to Bossaso under a shroud of secrecy and are being treated for their injuries.
The cause of the explosion could not be independently ascertained, but some reports indicated that the vehicle hit a landmine secretly planted along the vital road.
Other reports said one of the militiamen accidentally dropped a grenade inside the vehicle.
As reported by Garowe Online last week, Africa Oil and its partners in the government of Puntland have established a private militia force to safeguard the Canadian company's operations in Somalia. [ READ: Oil firms recruit private militia for Puntland exploration]
The wounded men are part of that private militia, which remains untrained and ill-prepared to deal with the daunting security challenges ahead.
Challenges ahead
Exploration in Puntland is a nationally-sensitive topic across Somalia, as discord lingers within government halls in Mogadishu and Garowe, the capital of Puntland.
Most recently, Somali lawmaker Asha Abdalla openly criticized interim President Abdullahi Yusuf for endorsing the Puntland-Africa Oil deal.
MP Abdalla hails from Sanaag, a northern region etched between Puntland and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland.
In early 2006, Sanaag was the scene of fierce fighting between clan militia opposed to exploration and Puntland security forces. The violence forced Africa Oil's joint venture partner, Australian mining firm Range Resources, to suspend operations in Puntland.
But even with President Yusuf's endorsement, serious challenges lay ahead for any meaningful exploration effort in Puntland.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Somaliland Appeals Justice to the Regional and International
IM. Abdi Halim M. Musa
Organizations Somaliland (Ex-British Somaliland Protectorate) is situated on the eastern horn of Africa and lies between the 08°00' - 11°30' parallel north of the equator and between 42°30' - 49°00' meridian east of the Greenwich. It shares borders with Republic of Djibouti to the west, Federal Republic of Ethiopia to the south and Somalia to the east. Somaliland has a coastal line to the north of the country which extends 460 miles along the Red Sea. Somaliland lies on an area of 137,600km² (68,000 sq. miles).
The bulk of Somaliland's exports are of livestock. In 1996, 3 million heads of livestock were exported to the Middle East alone but Saudi Arabia which was the main market has banned imports of livestock from Somaliland and this has badly affected the economy as a whole. Other exports include hides, skins, myrrh and frankincense.
Somaliland has confirmed deposits of petroleum, natural gas, world's largest gypsum, lime, mica, quartz, lignite coal, lead, gold and sulphur and many different of precious and semi precious stones The Population of Somaliland is 3.5 million. There is a low inflation, growing economy and a balanced budget.
Somaliland achieved independence from Great Britain on 26th June 1960 and became first independent Somali UN recognized state as a full member of the United Nations but very hastily entered union with Somalia (Ex-Italian colony) which Somaliland suffered 30 years of anarchy, long humiliation, dereliction, injustice, repression, atrocities and destruction through indiscriminate heavy bombardment on civilians, cities (Hargeisa and Burao) towns, and rural areas by warplanes, tanks and artillery. It was motivated by both tribal hatred and desire for land expansion and devised to ethnic cleanse an entire people, either by massacring or expelling in order to resettle refugees from Ethiopian-ruled Western Somali Province and others in their motherland.
The valiant armed struggle of SNM (1981-1991), supported by its courageous people, rescued Somaliland and its people from the well plotted statelessness in January 1991. This liberation facilitated the victorious national reconciliation, the immediate withdrawal from the disastrous union with Somalia, and the reclamation of Somaliland sovereignty in the Pan-Somaliland Conference held in Burao, capital of Togdheer region, in May 1991. Subsequently, law and order were restored, clan militias were disarmed, and democratic institutions were established.
Somaliland has fulfilled the fundamental condition for diplomatic recognition: An existing independent nation with its own colonial-drawn borders- a legal basis for diplomatic recognition. Somaliland fulfils the criteria of statehood according to Article 1 of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of State: Somaliland has a permanent population; a defined territory (the former British Somaliland) with clear international boundaries of which it has an effective control; a democratic government, and a capacity to enter into relations with other states. Somaliland fulfils the criteria for recognizing new states, according to the guidelines set out by the European Union (EU) in 1992, even though they only apply to European nations. Article 4 of African Union charter asserts that the organization respects and recognizes independence of African countries based on colonial borders. The diplomatic recognition of all the 53 current African states is based on these colonial borders.
Somaliland is not a breakaway or a separatist country. The UN, the African Union, and the Arab League know undisputedly that Somaliland achieved independence before Somalia on June 26, 1960 within its colonial borders, and was one of the 17 African countries that obtained independence in 1960 from Europe. However, it had un-ratified merger with Somalia for 30 years (July 1960- January 1991) but withdrew from that union due to the above mentioned atrocities and destruction. The day after independence and before the merger, 35 countries recognized Somaliland diplomatically including Egypt, Israel and the five Permanent Members of the Security Council. Why not now? What is the difference between then and now? Somaliland is not the first country that withdrew from a union. Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia withdrew from the Soviet Union collapse in 1989, Bosnia and Macedonia withdrew from the Federation of disintegrated Yugoslavia in 1990s and East Timor from Indonesia 20 Feb 2002. All these new countries were automatically recognized by the United Nations. Somaliland is not exception as it fulfilled the same criteria. We are by no means the first African State to have entered into a voluntary union with another state and subsequently withdrawn from that union intact. Egypt and Syria, Senegal and Gambia, and Senegal and Mali, Rwanda and Burundi have all done likewise. Nor is Somaliland the first African colonial entity to have asserted its separation and independence from another; Eritrea and the Sahrawi Republic are today both full members of the African Union.
The Somalilanders, almost unanimously, ask what more they can do when the AU and the international community continues to recognize some anarchic, violent places in the west and central Africa as sovereign units. It is time to give them an answer.
Besides the withdrawal decision of May 1991, the landmark referendum held in Somaliland on May 31, 2001, overwhelmingly approved Somaliland constitution and reaffirmed, in the presence of international election monitors, the will of the Somaliland people to have independent, sovereign state of their own. Neither the UN nor the regional organizations (African Union and Arab League) have the right to nullify the decision of Somaliland people in that referendum.
Since more than 97% of the total voters of Somaliland have voted 'yes' in that referendum and since Somaliland was historically an independent and separate country from Somalia Proper with the overwhelming majority of the Somalilanders rejecting the 1961 constitution which was supposed to be the bedrock for the so-called reunion of Somalia and Somaliland and since Somalilanders have witnessed what amounts to genocide in the hands of their fellow southerners, it is time that the international community stopped its hypocrisy and began respecting the basic human rights of the people of Somaliland and therefore recognized Somaliland as an independent country which it deserves. Anything less than that, will plunge the whole region into further civil strife and more bloodshed, as any attempt towards re-unification with Somalia proper will sow the seeds of hatred and will ignite a long protracted civil war.
Is it fair to hold back a nation who made their choice yes for Somaliland? If we don't respect basic human rights for freedom of choice as in the case of the Somaliland referendum outcome, then the alternative will be long civil war without end. It's very hard to ignore that Somaliland saved itself from the anarchy of Somalia, and without help from the international community made peace, government, and a better system of conflict resolution based on their own culture.
In December 2002, we held our First Local Government elections. Five months later in April 2003 we followed it by our very first Presidential elections where three political parties, peacefully contested the seat of the President of Somaliland and the simple majority won by our President H.E Dahir Rayale kahin.
Somaliland's system of government is multiparty electoral democracy featuring a bicameral parliament. The president, MP's of the house of representatives and local councils have all been chosen through peaceful, fair and transparent elections witnessed and confirmed by international observers.
Somaliland is a nation that believes in democracy, peace and human rights. Because of these they want to separate from their own brothers who do not recognize these moral values. People who love peace and democracy should have given Somaliland a chance to show the world that they are a nation in their own right. The world has neglected and has turned a blind eye on the people of Somaliland. It's about time the world gives these people who want to be recognized for many reasons a recognition so that they can shut off their past and move on with life.
The lack of recognition has been depriving the people of Somaliland during the last 16 years of the opportunity to exercise their universally recognized human rights in terms of trade, traveling, learning and socio-economic development. The United Nations however are mistaken to believe that Somaliland will eventually be a part of "Somalia". The freedom being currently enjoyed in Somaliland cost its people the loss of tens of thousands of their sons and daughters and the total destruction of their towns and villages.
Why on earth would anyone in the international community deny Somaliland this, and plunge it into the bloody chaos of Somalia proper?
Somaliland people have paid a huge price to reinstate their independence and sovereignty. Rivers of blood have flowed and heaps of dead bodies have been witnessed in the streets of Somaliland. Therefore, it is about time that the international community recognized Somaliland and made operational the expression of the people to control their destiny and not to be arrested for the warlords who lost their sense of humanity and direction. Moreover, Africans, in general, have being criticized that they do not manage their affairs; however, Somaliland has refuted that biased notion by creating an oasis of peace, prosperity, and good governance. Somaliland's deed is shining in Horn of Africa and the peace-loving people of world should open their eyes and support.
Those who oppose the recognition of an independent Somaliland state should be very careful of the alternative that they are advocating which is the denial of the right to exist as a nation. Suppression is not the solution in here, the peaceful separation of the two states (Somaliland and Somalia) is, and its time the world should face the reality and recognize Somaliland as an independent state.
The neglect of Somaliland by the international community exposes its shocking double standard that on one hand advocates for peace, stability, and democratic institutions, and, on the other hand, ignores peaceful, stable, democratic Somaliland by denying it of diplomatic recognition. This denial has no legal basis in the court of international law. The delay is just a mere hope by the UN and regional organizations that Somaliland may return to the union with Somalia one day. This political gambling at the expense of Somaliland people for 16 years is irresponsible. It is also perpetuation of lawlessness, despair, famine, violent, terrorism spread and factional fighting in Somalia. There is no doubt that Somalia would be peaceful and stable country today led by its own government if Somaliland were recognized long time ago. Now, neither Somaliland is recognized nor Somalia has peace, both peoples are punished equally in the hands of UN and AU. The policy of keeping both countries at bay is not working any more. The sooner Somaliland is recognized the better chance to restore peace, law, and order in Somalia.
In conclusion, After more than 30yrs of abuse, torture, mass killing and humiliation, it is unfair to the Somaliland people that the international community goes against the will of the Somaliland people after they have done everything a state could do, and therefore recognition
Organizations Somaliland (Ex-British Somaliland Protectorate) is situated on the eastern horn of Africa and lies between the 08°00' - 11°30' parallel north of the equator and between 42°30' - 49°00' meridian east of the Greenwich. It shares borders with Republic of Djibouti to the west, Federal Republic of Ethiopia to the south and Somalia to the east. Somaliland has a coastal line to the north of the country which extends 460 miles along the Red Sea. Somaliland lies on an area of 137,600km² (68,000 sq. miles).
The bulk of Somaliland's exports are of livestock. In 1996, 3 million heads of livestock were exported to the Middle East alone but Saudi Arabia which was the main market has banned imports of livestock from Somaliland and this has badly affected the economy as a whole. Other exports include hides, skins, myrrh and frankincense.
Somaliland has confirmed deposits of petroleum, natural gas, world's largest gypsum, lime, mica, quartz, lignite coal, lead, gold and sulphur and many different of precious and semi precious stones The Population of Somaliland is 3.5 million. There is a low inflation, growing economy and a balanced budget.
Somaliland achieved independence from Great Britain on 26th June 1960 and became first independent Somali UN recognized state as a full member of the United Nations but very hastily entered union with Somalia (Ex-Italian colony) which Somaliland suffered 30 years of anarchy, long humiliation, dereliction, injustice, repression, atrocities and destruction through indiscriminate heavy bombardment on civilians, cities (Hargeisa and Burao) towns, and rural areas by warplanes, tanks and artillery. It was motivated by both tribal hatred and desire for land expansion and devised to ethnic cleanse an entire people, either by massacring or expelling in order to resettle refugees from Ethiopian-ruled Western Somali Province and others in their motherland.
The valiant armed struggle of SNM (1981-1991), supported by its courageous people, rescued Somaliland and its people from the well plotted statelessness in January 1991. This liberation facilitated the victorious national reconciliation, the immediate withdrawal from the disastrous union with Somalia, and the reclamation of Somaliland sovereignty in the Pan-Somaliland Conference held in Burao, capital of Togdheer region, in May 1991. Subsequently, law and order were restored, clan militias were disarmed, and democratic institutions were established.
Somaliland has fulfilled the fundamental condition for diplomatic recognition: An existing independent nation with its own colonial-drawn borders- a legal basis for diplomatic recognition. Somaliland fulfils the criteria of statehood according to Article 1 of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of State: Somaliland has a permanent population; a defined territory (the former British Somaliland) with clear international boundaries of which it has an effective control; a democratic government, and a capacity to enter into relations with other states. Somaliland fulfils the criteria for recognizing new states, according to the guidelines set out by the European Union (EU) in 1992, even though they only apply to European nations. Article 4 of African Union charter asserts that the organization respects and recognizes independence of African countries based on colonial borders. The diplomatic recognition of all the 53 current African states is based on these colonial borders.
Somaliland is not a breakaway or a separatist country. The UN, the African Union, and the Arab League know undisputedly that Somaliland achieved independence before Somalia on June 26, 1960 within its colonial borders, and was one of the 17 African countries that obtained independence in 1960 from Europe. However, it had un-ratified merger with Somalia for 30 years (July 1960- January 1991) but withdrew from that union due to the above mentioned atrocities and destruction. The day after independence and before the merger, 35 countries recognized Somaliland diplomatically including Egypt, Israel and the five Permanent Members of the Security Council. Why not now? What is the difference between then and now? Somaliland is not the first country that withdrew from a union. Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia withdrew from the Soviet Union collapse in 1989, Bosnia and Macedonia withdrew from the Federation of disintegrated Yugoslavia in 1990s and East Timor from Indonesia 20 Feb 2002. All these new countries were automatically recognized by the United Nations. Somaliland is not exception as it fulfilled the same criteria. We are by no means the first African State to have entered into a voluntary union with another state and subsequently withdrawn from that union intact. Egypt and Syria, Senegal and Gambia, and Senegal and Mali, Rwanda and Burundi have all done likewise. Nor is Somaliland the first African colonial entity to have asserted its separation and independence from another; Eritrea and the Sahrawi Republic are today both full members of the African Union.
The Somalilanders, almost unanimously, ask what more they can do when the AU and the international community continues to recognize some anarchic, violent places in the west and central Africa as sovereign units. It is time to give them an answer.
Besides the withdrawal decision of May 1991, the landmark referendum held in Somaliland on May 31, 2001, overwhelmingly approved Somaliland constitution and reaffirmed, in the presence of international election monitors, the will of the Somaliland people to have independent, sovereign state of their own. Neither the UN nor the regional organizations (African Union and Arab League) have the right to nullify the decision of Somaliland people in that referendum.
Since more than 97% of the total voters of Somaliland have voted 'yes' in that referendum and since Somaliland was historically an independent and separate country from Somalia Proper with the overwhelming majority of the Somalilanders rejecting the 1961 constitution which was supposed to be the bedrock for the so-called reunion of Somalia and Somaliland and since Somalilanders have witnessed what amounts to genocide in the hands of their fellow southerners, it is time that the international community stopped its hypocrisy and began respecting the basic human rights of the people of Somaliland and therefore recognized Somaliland as an independent country which it deserves. Anything less than that, will plunge the whole region into further civil strife and more bloodshed, as any attempt towards re-unification with Somalia proper will sow the seeds of hatred and will ignite a long protracted civil war.
Is it fair to hold back a nation who made their choice yes for Somaliland? If we don't respect basic human rights for freedom of choice as in the case of the Somaliland referendum outcome, then the alternative will be long civil war without end. It's very hard to ignore that Somaliland saved itself from the anarchy of Somalia, and without help from the international community made peace, government, and a better system of conflict resolution based on their own culture.
In December 2002, we held our First Local Government elections. Five months later in April 2003 we followed it by our very first Presidential elections where three political parties, peacefully contested the seat of the President of Somaliland and the simple majority won by our President H.E Dahir Rayale kahin.
Somaliland's system of government is multiparty electoral democracy featuring a bicameral parliament. The president, MP's of the house of representatives and local councils have all been chosen through peaceful, fair and transparent elections witnessed and confirmed by international observers.
Somaliland is a nation that believes in democracy, peace and human rights. Because of these they want to separate from their own brothers who do not recognize these moral values. People who love peace and democracy should have given Somaliland a chance to show the world that they are a nation in their own right. The world has neglected and has turned a blind eye on the people of Somaliland. It's about time the world gives these people who want to be recognized for many reasons a recognition so that they can shut off their past and move on with life.
The lack of recognition has been depriving the people of Somaliland during the last 16 years of the opportunity to exercise their universally recognized human rights in terms of trade, traveling, learning and socio-economic development. The United Nations however are mistaken to believe that Somaliland will eventually be a part of "Somalia". The freedom being currently enjoyed in Somaliland cost its people the loss of tens of thousands of their sons and daughters and the total destruction of their towns and villages.
Why on earth would anyone in the international community deny Somaliland this, and plunge it into the bloody chaos of Somalia proper?
Somaliland people have paid a huge price to reinstate their independence and sovereignty. Rivers of blood have flowed and heaps of dead bodies have been witnessed in the streets of Somaliland. Therefore, it is about time that the international community recognized Somaliland and made operational the expression of the people to control their destiny and not to be arrested for the warlords who lost their sense of humanity and direction. Moreover, Africans, in general, have being criticized that they do not manage their affairs; however, Somaliland has refuted that biased notion by creating an oasis of peace, prosperity, and good governance. Somaliland's deed is shining in Horn of Africa and the peace-loving people of world should open their eyes and support.
Those who oppose the recognition of an independent Somaliland state should be very careful of the alternative that they are advocating which is the denial of the right to exist as a nation. Suppression is not the solution in here, the peaceful separation of the two states (Somaliland and Somalia) is, and its time the world should face the reality and recognize Somaliland as an independent state.
The neglect of Somaliland by the international community exposes its shocking double standard that on one hand advocates for peace, stability, and democratic institutions, and, on the other hand, ignores peaceful, stable, democratic Somaliland by denying it of diplomatic recognition. This denial has no legal basis in the court of international law. The delay is just a mere hope by the UN and regional organizations that Somaliland may return to the union with Somalia one day. This political gambling at the expense of Somaliland people for 16 years is irresponsible. It is also perpetuation of lawlessness, despair, famine, violent, terrorism spread and factional fighting in Somalia. There is no doubt that Somalia would be peaceful and stable country today led by its own government if Somaliland were recognized long time ago. Now, neither Somaliland is recognized nor Somalia has peace, both peoples are punished equally in the hands of UN and AU. The policy of keeping both countries at bay is not working any more. The sooner Somaliland is recognized the better chance to restore peace, law, and order in Somalia.
In conclusion, After more than 30yrs of abuse, torture, mass killing and humiliation, it is unfair to the Somaliland people that the international community goes against the will of the Somaliland people after they have done everything a state could do, and therefore recognition
SOMALILAND MINING LAWS
Under 130(5) of the Somaliland, laws which were in force in Somaliland in 1991 when the republic re-asserted its independence are still in use so far as they do not conflict with fundamental human rights or Islamic Sharia until new laws are promulgated. Somaliland, therefore still uses some of the major Codes used in the former Somali Republic, but with the relavant modifications relating to the sovereignty of the Republic.
The Somaliland Mining Code and Regulations is therefore essentially the 1984 Code & Regulations and covers all minerals and mining. The full text of the Code and the regulations, as well as the accompanying forms can be accessed here:
The Somaliland Mining Code: 100 Articles
The Somaliland Mining Regulations: 57 Regulations
The Schedules to the Regulations & Forms (large pdf file)
The Republic of Somaliland has not yet issued a separate Oil or Petroleum Law, and the Mining Code & Regulations general provisions and those provisions relating to “hydrocarbons” govern the prospecting and mining of oil/petroleum. Despite its claims, the recent 2007 SOMALIAN Petroleum Bill DOES NOT APPLY TO THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND which re-asserted its independence as a sovereign state in May 1991. The neighbouring Somalian region - Puntland - has recently issued its own Mineral Resources & Petroleum Development Law (March 2008).
The Republic of Somaliland has developed its own policies with regard to pre 1991 exploration concessions in the territory of Somaliland, which have been relinquished by the relevant companies. There is no clear information, so far, about exploration concessions entered into by the Somaliland, but there are have been reports of concessions in respect of Blocks 35, M10A, 32 and 26 (see below for the concessions map).
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Somaliland Ministry of Minerals (MMWR) Press Release 10/04/2008: The Ministry “.. pleased to announce that TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company recently completed an on-shore program of 34,600 kilometres of aeromagnetic data and a 2D seismic survey of offshore Somaliland , consisting of 5,100 KM of modern seismic data” ... Read More.
TGS Press Release 11/04/2008: TGS Acquires Acquires Multi-Client Seismic And Aeromagnetic Programs in Somaliland: TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) announced today that it has completed acquisition of two new multi-client programs in Somaliland. Offshore, TGS has acquired approximately 5,100 kilometers of 2D seismic, gravity, and magnetic data covering both shallow and deep water areas. Processing and interpretation of the data should be available to clients by the third quarter of 2008. Onshore, TGS has acquired approximately 34,000 kilometers of high resolution aeromagnetic data covering all known Somaliland petroleum basins. The aeromagnetic data is currently in processing and should be available to clients by mid-2008. Both programs have been acquired in cooperation with the Ministry of Water and Natural Resources and are marketed exclusively by TGS. The Somaliland government has announced its intent to conduct an open bid round later in the year after the data become available. The seismic and aeromagnetic programs being acquired by TGS will provide data needed to define the principle structural elements of the area and allow for the development of leads, plays, and structural highs for further investigation. The area is geologically analogous to Yemen where several oil fields have been discovered to date. Both programs are supported by industry prefunding.
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The proposed Republic of Somaliland concession blocks for hydrocarbon exploration are as follows:
(For more information contact the Somaliland Ministry of Water & Mineral Resources (MWMR) at Hargeysa, Somaliland or any of the Somaliland legations abroad)
The pre- 1991 and still current (?) Concession Blocks were as follows:
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Oil Factor In Somalia and Somaliland
According to documents obtained by The Times, nearly two-thirds of Somalia was allocated to the American oil giants Conoco, Amoco, Chevron and Phillips in the final years before Somalia's pro-U.S. President Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown and the nation plunged into chaos in January, 1991. Industry sources said the companies holding the rights to the most promising concessions are hoping that the Bush Administration's decision to send U.S. troops to safeguard aid shipments to Somalia will also help protect their multimillion-dollar investments there.
Officially, the Administration and the State Department insist that the U.S. military mission in Somalia is strictly humanitarian. Oil industry spokesmen dismissed as "absurd" and "nonsense" allegations by aid experts, veteran East Africa analysts and several prominent Somalis that President Bush, a former Texas oilman, was moved to act in Somalia, at least in part, by the U.S. corporate oil stake.
But corporate and scientific documents disclosed that the American companies are well positioned to pursue Somalia's most promising potential oil reserves the moment the nation is pacified. And the State Department and U.S. military officials acknowledge that one of those oil companies has done more than simply sit back and hope for pece.
Conoco Inc., the only major multinational corporation to mantain a functioning office in Mogadishu throughout the past two years of nationwide anarchy, has been directly involved in the U.S. government's role in the U.N.-sponsored humanitarian military effort.
Conoco, whose tireless exploration efforts in north-central Somalia reportedly had yielded the most encouraging prospects just before Siad Barre's fall, permitted its Mogadishu corporate compound to be transformed into a de facto American embassy a few days before the U.S. Marines landed in the capital, with Bush's special envoy using it as his temporary headquarters. In addition, the president of the company's subsidiary in Somalia won high official praise for serving as the government's volunteer "facilitator" during the months before and during the U.S. intervention.
Describing the arrangement as "a business relationship," an official spokesman for the Houston-based parent corporation of Conoco Somalia Ltd. said the U.S. government was paying rental for its use of the compound, and he insisted that Conoco was proud of resident general manager Raymond Marchand's contribution to the U.S.-led humanitarian effort.
John Geybauer, spokesman for Conoco Oil in Houston, said the company was acting as "a good corporate citizen and neighbor" in granting the U.S. government's request to be allowed to rent the compound. The U.S. Embassy and most other buildings and residential compounds here in the capital were rendered unusable by vandalism and fierce artillery duels during the clan wars that have consumed Somalia and starved its people.
In its in-house magazine last month, Conoco reprinted excerpts from a letter of commendation for Marchand written by U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Frank Libutti, who has been acting as military aide to U.S. envoy Robert B. Oakley. In the letter, Libutti praised the oil official for his role in the initial operation to land Marines on Mogadishu's beaches in December, and the general concluded, "Without Raymond's courageous contributions and selfless service, the operation would have failed."
But the close relationship between Conoco and the U.S. intervention force has left many Somalis and foreign development experts deeply troubled by the blurry line between the U.S. government and the large oil company, leading many to liken the Somalia operation to a miniature version of Operation Desert Storm, the U.S.-led military effort in January, 1991, to drive Iraq from Kuwait and, more broadly, safeguard the world's largest oil reserves.
"They sent all the wrong signals when Oakley moved into the Conoco compound," said one expert on Somalia who worked with one of the four major companies as they intensified their exploration efforts in the country in the late 1980s.
"It's left everyone thinking the big question here isn't famine relief but oil -- whether the oil concessions granted under Siad Barre will be transferred if and when peace is restored," the expert said. "It's potentially worth billions of dollars, and believe me, that's what the whole game is starting to look like."
Although most oil experts outside Somalia laugh at the suggestion that the nation ever could rank among the world's major oil producers -- and most maintain that the international aid mission is intended simply to feed Somalia's starving masses -- no one doubts that there is oil in Somalia. The only question: How much?
"It's there. There's no doubt there's oil there," said Thomas E. O'Connor, the principal petroleum engineer for the World Bank, who headed an in-depth, three-year study of oil prospects in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia's northern coast.
"You don't know until you study a lot further just how much is there," O'Connor said. "But it has commercial potential. It's got high potential . . . once the Somalis get their act together."
O'Connor, a professional geologist, based his conclusion on the findings of some of the world's top petroleum geologists. In a 1991 World Bank-coordinated study, intended to encourage private investment in the petroleum potential of eight African nations, the geologists put Somalia and Sudan at the top of the list of prospective commercial oil producers.
Presenting their results during a three-day conference in London in September, 1991, two of those geologists, an American and an Egyptian, reported that an analysis of nine exploratory wells drilled in Somalia indicated that the region is "situated within the oil window, and thus (is) highly prospective for gas and oil." A report by a third geologist, Z. R. Beydoun, said offshore sites possess "the geological parameters conducive to the generation, expulsion and trapping of significant amounts of oil and gas."
Beydoun, who now works for Marathon Oil in London, cautioned in a recent interview that on the basis of his findings alone, "you cannot say there definitely is oil," but he added: "The different ingredients for generation of oil are there. The question is whether the oil generated there has been trapped or whether it dispersed or evaporated."
Beginni 1986, Conoco, along with Amoco, Chevron, Phillips and, briefly, Shell all sought and obtained exploration licenses for northern Somalia from Siad Barre's government. Somalia was soon carved up into concessional blocs, with Conoco, Amoco and Chevron winning the right to explore and exploit the most promising ones.
The companies' interest in Somalia clearly predated the World Bank study. It was grounded in the findings of another, highly successful exploration effort by the Texas-based Hunt Oil Corp. across the Gulf of Aden in the Arabian Peninsula nation of Yemen, where geologists disclosed in the mid-1980s that the estimated 1 billion barrels of Yemeni oil reserves were part of a great underground rift, or valley, that arced into and across northern Somalia.
Hunt's Yemeni operation, which is now yielding nearly 200,000 barrels of oil a day, and its implications for the entire region were not lost on then-Vice President George Bush.
In fact, Bush witnessed it firsthand in April, 1986, when he officially dedicated Hunt's new $18-million refinery near the ancient Yemeni town of Marib. In remarks during the event, Bush emphasized the critical value of supporting U.S. corporate efforts to develop and safeguard potential oil reserves in the region.
In his speech, Bush stressed "the growing strategic importance to the West of developing crude oil sources in the region away from the Strait of Hormuz," according to a report three weeks later in the authoritative Middle East Economic Survey.
Bush's reference was to the geographical choke point that controls access to the Persian Gulf and its vast oil reserves. It came at the end of a 10-day Middle East tour in which the vice president drew fire for appearing to advocate higher oil and gasoline prices.
"Throughout the course of his 17,000-mile trip, Bush suggested continued low (oil) prices would jeopardize a domestic oil industry 'vital to the national security interests of the United States,' which was interpreted at home and abroad as a sign the onetime oil driller from Texas was coming to the aid of his former associates," United Press International reported from Washington the day after Bush dedicated Hunt's Yemen refinery.
No such criticism accompanied Bush's decision late last year to send more than 20,000 U.S. troops to Somalia, widely applauded as a bold and costly step to save an estimated 2 million Somalis from starvation by opening up relief supply lines and pacifying the famine-struck nation.
But since the U.S. intervention began, neither the Bush Administration nor any of the oil companies that had been active in Somalia up until the civil war broke out in early 1991 have commented publicly on Somalia's potential for oil and natural gas production. Even in private, veteran oil company exploration experts played down any possible connection between the Administration's move into Somalia and the corporate concessions at stake.
"In the oil world, Somalia is a fringe exploration area," said one Conoco executive who asked not to be named. "They've overexaggerated it," he said of the geologists' optimism about the prospective oil reserves there. And as for Washington's motives in Somalia, he brushed aside criticisms that have been voiced quietly in Mogadishu, saying, "With America, there is a genuine humanitarian streak in us . . . that many other countries and cultures cannot understand."
But the same source added that Conoco's decision to maintain its headquarters in the Somali capital even after it pulled out the last of its major equipment in the spring of 1992 was certainly not a humanitarian one. And he confirmed that the company, which has explored Somalia in three major phases beginning in 1952, had achieved "very good oil shows" -- industry terminology for an exploration phase that often precedes a major discovery -- just before the war broke out.
"We had these very good shows," he said. "We were pleased. That's why Conoco stayed on. . . . The people in Houston are convinced there's oil there."
Indeed, the same Conoco World article that praised Conoco's general manager in Somalia for his role in the humanitarian effort quoted Marchand as saying, "We stayed because of Somalia's potential for the company and to protect our assets."
Marchand, a French citizen who came to Somalia from Chad after a civil war forced Conoco to suspend operations there, explained the role played by his firm in helping set up the U.S.-led pacification mission in Mogadishu.
"When the State Department asked Conoco management for assistance, I was glad to use the company's influence in Somalia for the success of this mission," he said in the magazine article. "I just treated it like a company operation -- like moving a rig. I did it for this operation because the (U.S.) officials weren't familiar with the environment."
Marchand and his company were clearly familiar with the anarchy into which Somalia has descended over the past two years -- a nation with no functioning government, no utilities and few roads, a place ruled loosely by regional warlords.
Of the four U.S. companies holding the Siad Barre-era oil concessions, Conoco is believed to be the only one that negotiated what spokesman Geybauer called "a standstill agreement" with an interim government set up by one of Mogadishu's two principal warlords, Ali Mahdi Mohamed. Industry sources said the other U.S. companies with contracts in Somalia cited "force majeure" (superior power), a legal term asserting that they were forced by the war to abandon their exploration efforts and would return as soon as peace is restored.
"It's going to be very interesting to see whether these agreements are still good," said Mohamed Jirdeh, a prominent Somali businessman in Mogadishu who is familiar with the oil-concession agreements. "Whatever Siad did, all those records and contracts, all disappeared after he fled. . . . And this period has brought with it a deep change of our society.
"Our country is now very weak, and, of course, the American oil companies are very strong. This has to be handled very diplomatically, and I think the American government must move out of the oil business, or at least make clear that there is a definite line separating the two, if they want to maintain a long-term relationship here."
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
UN Trusteeship for Italian Somalia is the only Solution
By Abdulazez Al-Motairi
April 28, 2008
Transitional Government of Somalia (TGS) failed to restored law and order in southern Somalia, including the vicious Mogadishu that paralyzed the country for about two decades. IGAD and Arab League also failed to install government in Somalia after 14 Peace Conferences in Arab and IGAD territories. It is likely that UN Trusteeship System that worked in the Italian Somalia for about ten years in 1950´s will again restore order in Mogadishu.
Effective from January 27th 1950, General Assembly adopted a resolution recommending that Italian Somalia be placed under an international trusteeship system, and requested the Italian government to be administrator of Italian Somalia until further recommendations to lift the resolution.
The decree worked fine between 1950 to 1960 and established local administration for the Italian Somalia until the failed unity betweeen Italian Somalia and British Somaliland on 1st July 1960. UN has necessary legitimacy, to impose trusteeship system on vicious areas around the world including Italian Somalia; this will help the civilians to live in peace.
We can say, during trusteeship, Italian Somalia passed best of its history and the people in Mogadishu today named as "Golden era of Italian Somalia". A lot of development and basic social services like education were founded.
Whereas, the General Assembly adopted a resolution recommending, with respect to the territory formerly known as Italian Somalia, that the territory shall be an independent and sovereign state; that its independence shall become effective at the end of the ten years from the date of approval of the Trusteeship Agreement by the General Assembly with Italy as Administrating Authority, aided and advised by an Advisory Council composed of representatives of Colombia, Egypt and the Philippines. Italian Somalia remained under the trusteeship for ten years of prosperity and peace.
However, it is recommended that UN must act upon its duties to maintain international peace and security more aggressively then it has in the past. UN should support the government that failed to restore domestic peace and human rights respect in their areas like that of TGS, as well as to promote the political, economic, social, and educational advancement of all the peoples in the world.
UN maintains minimal role in the failed state of Somalia particularly the Italian Somalia compare to IGAD role.
In other hand, Arabs preserve their policy of using oil for money as Arabs especially rich gulf countries distribute money to warlords like current Abdullah Yousif of TGS and his henchman, who later turned foe Former Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Geddi. Such Arabian policy in Somalia will not stabilize Italian Somalia, instead it will build muscles of new warlords in Somalia politics.
One of the analysis, U.S. Ambassador Edward Marks suggests the need for the international community to search for a structure of governance that would assist and strengthen a country experiencing internal and civil turmoil, guide it through an unstable transition period, and allow it finally to reach a mature condition of governance in the world community. He is aware that some authorities do not consider the past League of Nations mandates system and the United Nations international trusteeship system as successes or the type of structures needed in today´s environment.
Ambassador Marks described in his article how the international community, as an alternative to the trusteeship system, has attempted peacekeeping missions where the United Nations interfered in the internal affairs of member states such as in Cambodia, Somalia, Haiti, the successor state of the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Georgia, and Iraq — all with varying success.
In his conclusion, Ambassador Marks asserts that the world community must assume responsibility in international and internal conflicts, and that the United Nations is the most effective institution to accept this responsibility because of its consensual base. He suggests that the principle of a trusteeship system should be revisited with variations, even perhaps to supplement peacekeeping activities. UN should enforce again the UN Trusteeship System in Italian Somalia ( South Somalia), as the system worked successfully in 1950´s. The system will create local authority for Italian Somalis who suffered for two decades from civil wars.
In an address to the UN Security Council on 17th Dec 2007, UN Special Representative for Somalia A. Ould-Abdullah called for Saudi Arabia and NATO joint forces for Somalia, and described the situation in Somalia as dangerous and a threat to the peace and security. Ould-Abdallah, reaffirmed that a withdrawal of the International would result in a fighting that could create a humanitarian catastrophe. Mr. Ould-Abdullah is thinking that Saudi Arabia as the Custodian of Holy Mosques will win trust of Somalis, but reality shows the opposite. In Somali politics, the religion is no more important factor.
Ould-Abdullah is missing that Saudi Arabia, who is part of the conflict in Somalia failed several times to reinstate the stability in Somalia, and main reason is that Saudi Arabia build muscles of particular warlords that serve its interest in Somalia. Currently, Saudi Arabia supplied $32 million to Abdullah Yousuf and Geddi in cash.
My question, Can Saudi Arabia guarantee that the cash will not be used against innocent people in Mogadishu? The situation in south Somalia is deteriorating and UN should enforce UN Trusteeship in Somalia, as it´s the only way out from clan based conflict.
On 9th Oct 1992, UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali (1992-1996) proposed UN Forces in Somalia to transfer the administration of the country to UN Trusteeship Council and appoint administrator, in order to build the local administration. This proposal did not win the support of the UN Security Council who failed to stabilize the vicious Somalia.
Many analyzers highlighted the situation of Somali could have been different today, if the UN Security Council could have accept the suggestion of Mr. Ghali.
Republic of Somaliland: The Modern State in the Horn of Africa
In other hand, 18 years old independent, democratic and stable Republic of Somaliland remains neglected as international community preferred to remain uncommitted, although the peace loving people of Somaliland established complete infrastructure of statehood in their part of the world. And, even, IGAD countries that enjoy strong diplomatic and economic relations like Ethiopia and Djibouti remained silent to cause of Somaliland.
On the other hand, Somaliland leadership made clear to international community that Somaliland will remain independent with or without international community. Somaliland has peaceful border with all its neighbors unlike Somalia.
Somaliland voiced up many times to international community and officially requested African Union membership in 2005, after fact-finding team led by His Excellency Patrick Mazimhaka, Deputy Chairman of African Union suggested to the African leaders to consider Somaliland case different, and even highlighted to the leaders that recognizing Somaliland will solve the chronicle problems of Somalia.
The Africans should help the active and hardworking members of their community in the black continent like Somaliland that have security and democracy better then many AU members. Somaliland has entire necessary tools to build nation including modern government, defined border and populations, which are necessary conditions for modern state.
Somaliland managed stability and continuous growth through its democratic policy, but its foreign policy has been paralyzed by diplomatic embargo against Somaliland, where the international community realizes process, democracy and statehood in Somaliland but still remains blind and even refuses to hear the Somaliland voice of freedom.
In 2007, Somaliland diplomacy started shinning after Rwanda Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Charles MURIGANDE highlighted Somaliland development followed by a lecture delivered by Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Mohammed Duaale in the last AU Foreign Minister´s meeting. Besides, the recent statements of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in a support to Somaliland during his visit to U.S. Forces in Djibouti
Clearly, we can say Somaliland is victim of other regional policies. As I.G.A.D. is committed to Somalia's unity fearing that a successful secession of Somaliland could be misinterpreted as a precedent of other secessionist movements in East Africa. Arab countries are trying to balance Ethiopia's influence in the Horn, to ensure their interest in the region like Egypt with Nile Water Policy and Gulf Arab countries securing the path of oil exports to the west that crosses the Somali-Yemen coastal areas.
Conclusion,
UN should consider imposing similar trusteeship resolution to save Somalia, and support the independence of Somaliland in order to reduce the size of the problem in failed Somalia. This shows that keeping Somaliland away from current chaos in Somalia may accelerate restoring hope in the region. UN should know Somaliland can be helpful in restoring peace and stability in horn of Africa. UN Trusteeship System is must for Italian Somalia today, as Italian Somalia failed to solve their internal problems.
By Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi
Email: az.almutairi@yahoo.com
"Ambassador Edward Marks entered the U.S. Foreign Services in 1956 and worked in Republics of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. Edward Marks taught at New York University, and holds M.A. from the university. He wrote about Somali conflicts and well informative about Somali Politics"
April 28, 2008
Transitional Government of Somalia (TGS) failed to restored law and order in southern Somalia, including the vicious Mogadishu that paralyzed the country for about two decades. IGAD and Arab League also failed to install government in Somalia after 14 Peace Conferences in Arab and IGAD territories. It is likely that UN Trusteeship System that worked in the Italian Somalia for about ten years in 1950´s will again restore order in Mogadishu.
Effective from January 27th 1950, General Assembly adopted a resolution recommending that Italian Somalia be placed under an international trusteeship system, and requested the Italian government to be administrator of Italian Somalia until further recommendations to lift the resolution.
The decree worked fine between 1950 to 1960 and established local administration for the Italian Somalia until the failed unity betweeen Italian Somalia and British Somaliland on 1st July 1960. UN has necessary legitimacy, to impose trusteeship system on vicious areas around the world including Italian Somalia; this will help the civilians to live in peace.
We can say, during trusteeship, Italian Somalia passed best of its history and the people in Mogadishu today named as "Golden era of Italian Somalia". A lot of development and basic social services like education were founded.
Whereas, the General Assembly adopted a resolution recommending, with respect to the territory formerly known as Italian Somalia, that the territory shall be an independent and sovereign state; that its independence shall become effective at the end of the ten years from the date of approval of the Trusteeship Agreement by the General Assembly with Italy as Administrating Authority, aided and advised by an Advisory Council composed of representatives of Colombia, Egypt and the Philippines. Italian Somalia remained under the trusteeship for ten years of prosperity and peace.
However, it is recommended that UN must act upon its duties to maintain international peace and security more aggressively then it has in the past. UN should support the government that failed to restore domestic peace and human rights respect in their areas like that of TGS, as well as to promote the political, economic, social, and educational advancement of all the peoples in the world.
UN maintains minimal role in the failed state of Somalia particularly the Italian Somalia compare to IGAD role.
In other hand, Arabs preserve their policy of using oil for money as Arabs especially rich gulf countries distribute money to warlords like current Abdullah Yousif of TGS and his henchman, who later turned foe Former Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Geddi. Such Arabian policy in Somalia will not stabilize Italian Somalia, instead it will build muscles of new warlords in Somalia politics.
One of the analysis, U.S. Ambassador Edward Marks suggests the need for the international community to search for a structure of governance that would assist and strengthen a country experiencing internal and civil turmoil, guide it through an unstable transition period, and allow it finally to reach a mature condition of governance in the world community. He is aware that some authorities do not consider the past League of Nations mandates system and the United Nations international trusteeship system as successes or the type of structures needed in today´s environment.
Ambassador Marks described in his article how the international community, as an alternative to the trusteeship system, has attempted peacekeeping missions where the United Nations interfered in the internal affairs of member states such as in Cambodia, Somalia, Haiti, the successor state of the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Georgia, and Iraq — all with varying success.
In his conclusion, Ambassador Marks asserts that the world community must assume responsibility in international and internal conflicts, and that the United Nations is the most effective institution to accept this responsibility because of its consensual base. He suggests that the principle of a trusteeship system should be revisited with variations, even perhaps to supplement peacekeeping activities. UN should enforce again the UN Trusteeship System in Italian Somalia ( South Somalia), as the system worked successfully in 1950´s. The system will create local authority for Italian Somalis who suffered for two decades from civil wars.
In an address to the UN Security Council on 17th Dec 2007, UN Special Representative for Somalia A. Ould-Abdullah called for Saudi Arabia and NATO joint forces for Somalia, and described the situation in Somalia as dangerous and a threat to the peace and security. Ould-Abdallah, reaffirmed that a withdrawal of the International would result in a fighting that could create a humanitarian catastrophe. Mr. Ould-Abdullah is thinking that Saudi Arabia as the Custodian of Holy Mosques will win trust of Somalis, but reality shows the opposite. In Somali politics, the religion is no more important factor.
Ould-Abdullah is missing that Saudi Arabia, who is part of the conflict in Somalia failed several times to reinstate the stability in Somalia, and main reason is that Saudi Arabia build muscles of particular warlords that serve its interest in Somalia. Currently, Saudi Arabia supplied $32 million to Abdullah Yousuf and Geddi in cash.
My question, Can Saudi Arabia guarantee that the cash will not be used against innocent people in Mogadishu? The situation in south Somalia is deteriorating and UN should enforce UN Trusteeship in Somalia, as it´s the only way out from clan based conflict.
On 9th Oct 1992, UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali (1992-1996) proposed UN Forces in Somalia to transfer the administration of the country to UN Trusteeship Council and appoint administrator, in order to build the local administration. This proposal did not win the support of the UN Security Council who failed to stabilize the vicious Somalia.
Many analyzers highlighted the situation of Somali could have been different today, if the UN Security Council could have accept the suggestion of Mr. Ghali.
Republic of Somaliland: The Modern State in the Horn of Africa
In other hand, 18 years old independent, democratic and stable Republic of Somaliland remains neglected as international community preferred to remain uncommitted, although the peace loving people of Somaliland established complete infrastructure of statehood in their part of the world. And, even, IGAD countries that enjoy strong diplomatic and economic relations like Ethiopia and Djibouti remained silent to cause of Somaliland.
On the other hand, Somaliland leadership made clear to international community that Somaliland will remain independent with or without international community. Somaliland has peaceful border with all its neighbors unlike Somalia.
Somaliland voiced up many times to international community and officially requested African Union membership in 2005, after fact-finding team led by His Excellency Patrick Mazimhaka, Deputy Chairman of African Union suggested to the African leaders to consider Somaliland case different, and even highlighted to the leaders that recognizing Somaliland will solve the chronicle problems of Somalia.
The Africans should help the active and hardworking members of their community in the black continent like Somaliland that have security and democracy better then many AU members. Somaliland has entire necessary tools to build nation including modern government, defined border and populations, which are necessary conditions for modern state.
Somaliland managed stability and continuous growth through its democratic policy, but its foreign policy has been paralyzed by diplomatic embargo against Somaliland, where the international community realizes process, democracy and statehood in Somaliland but still remains blind and even refuses to hear the Somaliland voice of freedom.
In 2007, Somaliland diplomacy started shinning after Rwanda Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Charles MURIGANDE highlighted Somaliland development followed by a lecture delivered by Somaliland Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Mohammed Duaale in the last AU Foreign Minister´s meeting. Besides, the recent statements of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in a support to Somaliland during his visit to U.S. Forces in Djibouti
Clearly, we can say Somaliland is victim of other regional policies. As I.G.A.D. is committed to Somalia's unity fearing that a successful secession of Somaliland could be misinterpreted as a precedent of other secessionist movements in East Africa. Arab countries are trying to balance Ethiopia's influence in the Horn, to ensure their interest in the region like Egypt with Nile Water Policy and Gulf Arab countries securing the path of oil exports to the west that crosses the Somali-Yemen coastal areas.
Conclusion,
UN should consider imposing similar trusteeship resolution to save Somalia, and support the independence of Somaliland in order to reduce the size of the problem in failed Somalia. This shows that keeping Somaliland away from current chaos in Somalia may accelerate restoring hope in the region. UN should know Somaliland can be helpful in restoring peace and stability in horn of Africa. UN Trusteeship System is must for Italian Somalia today, as Italian Somalia failed to solve their internal problems.
By Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi
Email: az.almutairi@yahoo.com
"Ambassador Edward Marks entered the U.S. Foreign Services in 1956 and worked in Republics of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. Edward Marks taught at New York University, and holds M.A. from the university. He wrote about Somali conflicts and well informative about Somali Politics"
Monday, May 5, 2008
Canada to provide cash, not commodities in switch of food aid policy
Somalilandpage.blogspot.com
Monday, May 05, 2008
Photo: Manoocher Deghati/IRIN
Cash could buy more food
JOHANNESBURG (IRIN) - Canada is the latest major donor country to break the link between overseas food aid and supporting its own farmers.
The country says it will no longer insist on sending domestically grown food to the rising number of poor countries affected by escalating food and fuel prices, but will instead provide aid agencies with cash, giving them the flexibility to source cheaper food in the region or beneficiary country.
Canada's move to "untie" its food aid by removing restrictions on where the food can be purchased leaves the United States of America, the world largest donor of food, as the only developed country with tied food aid.
"With fuel cost increases eating into food aid budgets as much as food price rises are, untying emergency food aid is more important than ever, so as to conserve increasingly scarce funds and provide a quicker response," said Christopher Barrett, who teaches development economics at Cornell University, New York, and is the co-author of the book, Food Aid After Fifty Years: Recasting Its Role.
Canada also announced a donation of US$230 million to food aid programmes, joining the United Kingdom, the European Union and Japan, who have also pledged significant amounts to deal with the current crisis.
"Hopefully, the US Congress [which is considering President George Bush's proposed $770 million in new aid to feed the world's hungry] will follow Canada's lead," Barrett commented.
Almost all food aid donated by the USA is tied to domestic requirements for procurement, processing and shipping. According to Barrett, it costs more than two dollars of US taxpayers' money to deliver one dollar's worth of food procured as in-kind food aid.
Feeding while building agriculture.
Edward Clay, senior research associate at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), a UK-based think-tank, noted: "The implication [of Canada's announcement] is that the priority should be the food security of hungry people in developing countries and providing support that helps to promote local producers and markets, and also seeks value for money when funds are at a premium."
He pointed out that Canada had been providing food aid since the 1950s, almost all of it sourced in Canada. In 2005, when the global community signed the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, in which rich countries committed themselves to removing restrictions on procuring aid and promoting the recipient country's agriculture and markets, Canada announced that it would untie half its food aid.
Already profiting.
Barrett said the current high prices of food and fuel meant agri-businesses and shipping lines in the US were "enjoying record profits, so the defensibility of safeguarding their windfall gains from present US food aid policy is ebbing."
David Snider, a spokesman for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), said the Bush administration had put forward a proposal that 25 percent of food aid dispensed by the US government be in cash to buy food for recipient countries locally or regionally.
Neither Barrett nor Clay could see Bush's proposal getting the nod from Congress. Barrett said there were subtle signs of change in Congress, but thought the prospects were better for getting pro-local and regional purchases of food aid included in the next Farm Bill, a specific law governing food aid that is updated every five years.
New money.
The additional new aid proposed by Bush, which includes US$395 million for emergency food aid, has come under internal criticism, the daily Washington Post newspaper reported.
The Democrats, who voiced dissent, have argued that the money - part of the 2009 budget year that begins in October 2008 - will be too late to help countries already struggling with the food price crisis. Bush's request for another $350 million for food aid as part of the 2008 supplemental budget for the war in Iraq has also been slammed by the opposition as too little.
Democrats Senator Robert Casey Jr and Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin, who have asked Bush for at least $550 million in emergency food aid immediately, were quoted in the Post as saying: "That is far too late for the urgency of this problem. If you're hungry and your government is collapsing, waiting until December 2008 or January 2009 for food to hit the ground is just too late."
High food prices have been triggered by a host of factors, including dwindling stocks and a continuing strong demand for cereals, partly on account of an increased demand for meat and milk in India and China, and biofuels. According to the World Bank, high food prices could push 100 million people into deeper poverty.
Source: IRIN, May 05, 2008
Puntland: Giant Sleeping Cells of Al Qaeda are about to Erupt in the Port City of Bossaaso
Somaliland.blogspot.com
Source: Puntland Observer
December 27, 2007
In the wake of abductions of Journalists, medical Practitioners, I.N.G.O’s Maritime Shipping, vessels and other agencies in the Puntland State.
The so called State of Puntland is in a question marks????.
That fabric is shredding to pieces so fast in the eyes of the beholders and the message they are sending is that the Port city of Bossaaso is getting out of their hands sooner than later.
Al Qaeda and other Islamic clerics will control the Sea Port cities of that region in the coming days and not the coming months.
What’s happening in the region?.
The answer to this question is that the truth speaks for itself the volcanic activities are about to erupt sooner than expected. In the Port town of Qow, the Strong hold of Al Qaeda is becoming the largest base where the pirates and smugglers are re-grouping to set the strategic movements for all actions.
No U.N. or foreign staff are allowed to work and have bases in that region because the Islamic Courts are coming back to the power and they wouldn’t allow any NGO’s to operate on their fields where activities are immanent.
The rebel soldiers believe that all foreign agency workers are spies working for the Western Governments, but what they don’t know is that medical Doctors and their staff like DOCTORS without Borders are helping Mothers and Children needing basic health care. The miscalculation and premature actions makes them fall ahead of any plans they wanted to execute as they did it many times before.
Now they are repeating the civil war into the region between Puntland militia forces vs. Islamic court forces which isn’t the benefit of the Puntlanders where hundreds of Islamists killed and slaughtered before the late nineties when they fought Col Abdillahi Yusuf. Will this be the lesson for the authorities to manage the Puntland state accordingly, or this will be an example of failure to govern?.
The truth of the matter and the real answer to this question is here:
The Piracy is a government motivated project to lure money as a ransom fee for all maritime transport ships.
The local businessman sees this as an opportunity to collect wealth faster than any other venture to make quick bucks.
Journalist and other INGO staff are money making machine for local kidnappers who are supported for doing these kind of actions.
The government Ministers and local businessman are acting to be mediators and peace brokers but instead they are the deal makers.
The president of Puntland Adde Muse admitted on the Interview with the BBC Somali Broadcasting ‘that the machines we were forging with the Somali shilling are broken at this time for three months’.
The smugglers and the government officials know each other very well and make the deals together openly.
Since the transaction and trade of Human smuggling are daily routine in Bossaso then, what kind of government are you running? This is what the French journalist was about to uncover in a televised interviews with unhappy fellow Smugglers, Government officials and Business leaders in the state of Puntland. Until the well orchestrated and organized abduction took place so the Journalist won’t succeed to the quest of finding the truth.
Finally the last remaining question, when the Islamic courts Militia will capture the Port City of Bossaso? We know all kind of evil things are happening right now in that region with the late abduction of the Medical staff yesterday. The Puntland authorities are responsible and allowing the take-over of the Islamic courts to take place and the uprising of the Mad Mullah to capture the economic gate way of Puntland. This is another opportunity as they naively think to make money from Anti terror Task force
Source: Puntland Observer
December 27, 2007
In the wake of abductions of Journalists, medical Practitioners, I.N.G.O’s Maritime Shipping, vessels and other agencies in the Puntland State.
The so called State of Puntland is in a question marks????.
That fabric is shredding to pieces so fast in the eyes of the beholders and the message they are sending is that the Port city of Bossaaso is getting out of their hands sooner than later.
Al Qaeda and other Islamic clerics will control the Sea Port cities of that region in the coming days and not the coming months.
What’s happening in the region?.
The answer to this question is that the truth speaks for itself the volcanic activities are about to erupt sooner than expected. In the Port town of Qow, the Strong hold of Al Qaeda is becoming the largest base where the pirates and smugglers are re-grouping to set the strategic movements for all actions.
No U.N. or foreign staff are allowed to work and have bases in that region because the Islamic Courts are coming back to the power and they wouldn’t allow any NGO’s to operate on their fields where activities are immanent.
The rebel soldiers believe that all foreign agency workers are spies working for the Western Governments, but what they don’t know is that medical Doctors and their staff like DOCTORS without Borders are helping Mothers and Children needing basic health care. The miscalculation and premature actions makes them fall ahead of any plans they wanted to execute as they did it many times before.
Now they are repeating the civil war into the region between Puntland militia forces vs. Islamic court forces which isn’t the benefit of the Puntlanders where hundreds of Islamists killed and slaughtered before the late nineties when they fought Col Abdillahi Yusuf. Will this be the lesson for the authorities to manage the Puntland state accordingly, or this will be an example of failure to govern?.
The truth of the matter and the real answer to this question is here:
The Piracy is a government motivated project to lure money as a ransom fee for all maritime transport ships.
The local businessman sees this as an opportunity to collect wealth faster than any other venture to make quick bucks.
Journalist and other INGO staff are money making machine for local kidnappers who are supported for doing these kind of actions.
The government Ministers and local businessman are acting to be mediators and peace brokers but instead they are the deal makers.
The president of Puntland Adde Muse admitted on the Interview with the BBC Somali Broadcasting ‘that the machines we were forging with the Somali shilling are broken at this time for three months’.
The smugglers and the government officials know each other very well and make the deals together openly.
Since the transaction and trade of Human smuggling are daily routine in Bossaso then, what kind of government are you running? This is what the French journalist was about to uncover in a televised interviews with unhappy fellow Smugglers, Government officials and Business leaders in the state of Puntland. Until the well orchestrated and organized abduction took place so the Journalist won’t succeed to the quest of finding the truth.
Finally the last remaining question, when the Islamic courts Militia will capture the Port City of Bossaso? We know all kind of evil things are happening right now in that region with the late abduction of the Medical staff yesterday. The Puntland authorities are responsible and allowing the take-over of the Islamic courts to take place and the uprising of the Mad Mullah to capture the economic gate way of Puntland. This is another opportunity as they naively think to make money from Anti terror Task force
Report: Arrested "pirates of Ponant" related to Somali president
Somaliland.blogspot.com
May 06, 2008
Paris - Four of the six Somali pirates arrested for kidnapping a French luxury yacht are related to Somali President Abdullah Yusuf Ahmed, the French weekly Le Point reported Monday on its website.
Le Point said their identities, as members of the same Darod- Majteen clan as the president, have been confirmed by several French government sources.
The report was published just hours ahead of a scheduled meeting between Ahmed and his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy.
The six pirates were captured April 11, one week after hijacking the yacht Le Ponant and holding its crew of 30 for ransom.
They were arrested by a small unit of an elite French force after the ransom of about 2 million dollars was delivered and the hostages freed.
The suspects were transferred to France a few days later and an investigation was opened on charges of 'membership of a group of criminals preparing a crime,' which is punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Le Point quoted a French military source as saying that the relationship of the four suspects to the Somali president was not ascertained until French diplomats asked Ahmed to allow their extradition to France.
The officer, who was not identified, said that attempts to have the captured pirates extradited were suddenly interrupted 'when Abdullah Yusuf Ahmed was informed of the names and dates of birth of four of the six pirates.'
Somaliland Oil minister returns from Petroleum convention in the USA
Somalilandpage.blogspot.com
Written by Qarannews
May 05, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Hargeisa(QARAN)-
The Somaliland Minister of Water and Natural Resources, Mudane Qassim Sheikh Yusuf Ibrahim accompanied by a delegation from the ministry including the Director-General returned to Hargeisa after attending an international petroleum convention in the United States of America.
Speaking to the media upon his arrival at Egal International airport, Mudane Qassim Sheikh Yusuf gave a brief summary of the delegation's visit to the United States, the United Kingdom and Ethiopia.
The Minister stated that the visit enabled the Somaliland delegation to conduct a presentation to petroleum companies and investors at an international convention in San Antonio, Texas.
The Republic of Somaliland in partnership with TGS-Nopec of Norway recently completed an extensive inshore and offshore seismic surveys. The Somaliland government has announced its intent to conduct an open bid round later in the year after the data becomes available. A press release on the visit is expected to be issued by the ministry in the coming days.
Source Qarannews
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Illegal Fishing Costs African Continent Sh 62 Billion
Somalilandpage.blogspot.com
The Nation (Nairobi)
2 May 2008
Posted to the web 1 May 2008
Paul Redfern
London
The scale of illegal fishing across Africa is now so serious that it is in danger of decimating stocks across the continent, a new report says.
The report represents the first detailed quantitative analysis of the problem on a global scale and studies indicate that losses for sub-Saharan Africa total $1 billion per year.
Britain's minister for Trade and Development, Mr Gareth Thomas, said that the scale of illegal fishing could be double earlier estimates with weak international governance hampering progress in tackling the problem.
His comments follow publication of the 'Global Extent of Illegal Fishing' report which reveals that global annual losses from illegal fishing could be double earlier estimates at $10 to $23 billion (between Sh62 and Sh142.6 billion) annually.
The report follows a similar recent study by the Institute for Security Studies which says that that the scale of illegal fishing now threatens around 10 million African people who depend on fishing for an income.
ISS is currently monitoring the level of destruction of fish stocks off the Kenyan and Tanzanian coasts in a research project which will be published soon.
The culprits in the devastation of African fishing stocks are large-scale commercial fishing companies most of whom originate in the European Union and Asia.
Depleted stocks
Not only are such fleets overfishing in African waters, having depleted fishing stocks around European Union and East Asian shores, but the loss of fishing stocks is being compounded by the way the fishing fleets go about their business.
Firstly, the ISS report says that large amounts of unwanted fish are dumped at sea because they are not considered lucrative.
Secondly, is the way in which the fleets operate, using harmful fishing methods, such as nets and long-lines that indiscriminately damage the ocean bed or kill birds, dolphins and other marine animals.
Mr Thomas said that illegal fishing is a persistent global problem which is having a chronic effect on developing countries.
"People and countries who can least afford it are losing out - many developing countries generate more revenue from fish exports than coffee, cocoa, sugar, bananas, rubber and tea combined," Mr Thomas said.
"For a family in Africa, it's about the father no longer being able to go out and earn a living because the area's been over-fished by illegal trawlers.
"Governments are not doing enough to protect their natural resources -countries such as Namibia, Iceland and New Zealand have understood this and ensured their fish boosts their economies, but many developing countries are missing out. We can turn this situation around but only if governments act now to protect their communities from criminal operators."
Big trawlers
Ghanaian fisherman, Mr David Quaye, 63, said: "I come from a fishing family -my father was a fisherman and my brothers are fishermen and I am secretary of the local fishermen's association.
A long time ago, when we were fishing there were no big fishing trawlers and if there were, there was a particular zone for them where they fish. Now these bigger, foreign fishing trawlers are mixed with the local fishermen.
"Illegal fishing has cost our fishermen a lot. Formerly they get fish, they get money, they send their children to school. But now they are not able to give to their family." Mr Thomas said that the international trade in fish is worth over $80 billion a year with more than half of that from developing countries.
"DFID has led the way in developing the voluntary partnerships between the EU and exporting states to tackle illegal logging - we need to apply this approach to illegal fishing."
But the ISS report said that part of the problem is that African governments "often simply lack the necessary capacity and expertise and are, therefore, easy targets for predatory fishing vessels.
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Food, Agriculture and Rural Issues
Economy, Business and Finance
Oceans and Rivers
Sustainable Development
The task of combating the myriad forms of criminal activities involved in commercial fisheries requires significant infrastructure and spending. An effective strategy to combat illegal fishing will also involve strong regional co-ordination.
"African governments also lack the necessary political will. This may partly stem from insufficient concern about sustainable and responsible use of the oceans.
However, equally worrying is the empirical link between proxies of 'bad governance' and rates of illegal fishing. Countries where corruption is endemic are particularly ineffective at combating criminal activities and the reason for this may include politicians and public officials being complicit in crimes."
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