At least 10 dead in Somalia attack
Suspected militants armed with AK47 rifles have killed at least 10 people in an attack outside Mogadishu.
While no one has yet taken responsibility for the attack about 17 kilometres from the capital, Somali security official Mohamed Hassan blamed the home-grown militant group al-Shabaab.
Hassan and a local government official said at least 10 people had died, many of them women street-sweepers.
A witness described how the gunmen seemed to fire indiscriminately into the street.
“It suddenly turned into carnage; there were pools of blood everywhere,” Mohamed Adam said.
Many of the victims were participating in a government programme that allows Somali women to work as street cleaners in exchange for food from local authorities.
By Mohamed Odowa
Source: Deutsche Presse Agentur, February 26, 2019
US airstrike in Somalia kills 35 al-Shabab extremists
JOHANNESBURG — The United States military said Monday that its latest airstrike in Somalia killed 35 fighters with the al-Shabab extremist group not far from the Ethiopian border.
The U.S. military command for the African continent said Sunday’s airstrike targeted the al-Qaida-linked fighters as they were traveling in a rural area about 23 miles (37 kilometers) east of Beledweyne in central Hiran region.
The U.S. has dramatically increased airstrikes against al-Shabab since President Donald Trump took office. The military has carried out 16 such strikes this year, including four on Saturday that eliminated checkpoints used by al-Shabab to collect taxes to fund its violent campaign to establish an Islamic state in the long-chaotic Horn of Africa nation.
The U.S. carried out nearly 50 strikes in Somalia in 2018. A small number of strikes have also targeted fighters pledging allegiance to the Islamic State, who have been warring with al-Shabab in recent months.
Authorities and experts acknowledge that it will take more than airstrikes to defeat al-Shabab, which continues to hold large parts of rural central and southern Somalia and carry out deadly attacks in the capital, Mogadishu.
The group, which claimed the deadly attack on a luxury hotel complex earlier this year in the capital of neighboring Kenya, was also behind the deadliest attack in Somalia’s history, a massive truck bombing that killed well over 500 people in Mogadishu in October 2017.
The U.S. military is just one of several security actors in Somalia, along with a multinational African Union mission and troops from Kenya and Ethiopia.
The U.S. says it acts in coordination with Somalia’s government, whose military is expected to take over primary responsibility for the country’s security over the next few years.
As the AU mission has begun a step-by-step withdrawal of forces, some in the U.S. military and elsewhere have warned that Somali forces are not yet prepared.
A United Nations panel of experts monitoring sanctions on Somalia has described troops as largely poorly equipped and underpaid, sometimes selling their weapons or uniforms for a little cash.
Source :Associated Press February 25, 2019
Maxaa ku Jaban Ereyga Maamulka Somaliland
Ereyga Maamul (Administration) waxaa uu lee yahay macnayaal miisaankoodu kala culus yahay oo salka ku haya awood maamul oo ku saleysan xil ama maskab kala heer ah, tusaale maamul xafiis,Maamul urur, Maamul dugsi, Maamul shirkadeed, Maamul gobol ,maamul dal iwm.Waxaa aynu halkaa ka fahmi kartaa in uu ereygu ku saleysan yahay oo uu tilmaamayo Maamul ururo kala duwan oo kala heera.
Maamul(Administration) Waxay isku mid yihiin ereyadan hoos ku qoran:
Awood(authority), Maamul (governance) , Xukuumad (government) , regime, rule, jurisdiction and regimen.
Hadaba waxaa la yaab ila noqotey sheeko ka dhalatey boqashadii madaxweynaha Somaliland ee uu ku tegey dalka aynu Jaarka nahay ee Ethoipia sida aan ka maqlay dad siyaasiin somaliland ah oo ku doodaya in xafiiska raysal wasaaraha Ethiopia uu soo saarey war ay ku jiraan in uu isticmaalay ereyga Maamulka Somaliland (Somaliland Administration),hadaba ereygani wax waxyeelo ah oo uu u lee yahay sumcada iyo jiritaanka somaliland ma jiro waa mid la mid ah Dawlada Somaliland oo wax farqiya oo u dhaxeeyaa ma jiro,sidaa darteed dadka wax ka soo saarayaa maxaa ay ula jeedaan ma ka aqoonbaa,ma nacayb ay guulaha somaliland u qabaan baa oo ay ka xun yihiin in xidhiidhka wanaagsan ee dalalka jaarka la lee yihiin.Qoraalkaasi waxaa wax laga sheegi lahaa hadii la isticmaalo Maamul goboleedka Somaliland ee Somaliya ama Maamul goboleed taasi may dhicin ee waxaa cad iyada oo aan Somaliland hal dal oo qudhi aanu aqoonsaneyn in dalka Ethiopia oo ka mid ah dalalka Afrika ee doorka weyn kaga jira dalalka afrika in uu madaxweynaha Somaliland u soo dhaweeyey si heer madaxweyne dal la aqoonsan yahay oo weliba xafiiskiisuna warbixiintii uu soo saarey ay ku qorney Maamulka Somaliland. Maamulka Somaliland waa astaan dal madaxbanaan oo maamul gaara leh,hada ogow lama odhan maamul goboleedka Somaliland,balse malaha dad baa jeclaan lahaa in sidaa qoraalkaasi u soo baxo balse may dhicine meel kale wax ka doondoona dacaayad kale oo wadwadaan bal raadiya balse taasi way idin seegtey.
Maxaa loo wad wadi waayey arimaha cakiran ee diblamasiyada somalida federalka ah muxuu yidhi madaxweynaha Ugaandha dawladi kama jirto Somaliya,Kenyana xidhiidhkii diblamaasiyadeed ayey u goysey balse wax ka hadlaya oo dowlada farmaajo ku eedenaya inuu fashiilkaasi ma jiro balse Somaliland oo hore u socota oo horumarkeeda iyo dimuqraatiyadeeda la og yahay ayaa kaar ka mid ah siyaasiintoodu halkii ay dalka horumarkiisa ka shaqayn lahaayeen,waxay shaqo ka dhigteen buunbuunin wax aan jirin iyo marin habaabin bulsho,sidaa darteed waxaa aan u arkaa in dadka fikirkaa qabaa in ay yihiin kuwo cadaw ku ah dadkooda balse taariikhda ayaa sheegin.
Mahadsanidin dhamaantiin
EU – League of Arab States Summit, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, 24-25 February 2019
The summit will also provide an opportunity for leaders to discuss the latest developments in the region, such as the situations with the Middle East Peace Process, Yemen, Libya and Syria.
The European Union (EU) – League of Arab States (LAS) summit will be held in the International Congress Centre in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on 24-25 February 2019. The summit will for the first time bring together the heads of state or government from both organisations.European Council President Donald Tusk will co-chair the meeting together with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker also representing the EU.
The EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini, and the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn will also attend the summit.
The summit will seek to strengthen Arab-European ties. Leaders will address a wide range of current challenges and common opportunities, such as multilateralism and the rules based global order, trade and investment, migration, climate change and security. The summit will also provide an opportunity for leaders to discuss the latest developments in the region, such as the situations with the Middle East Peace Process, Yemen, Libya and Syria.
The summit will start on Sunday 24 February at 17.00 with the official welcome by the Egyptian host and co-chair President Al Sisi. At 17.30 there will be an opening ceremony, followed by a plenary session on ‘Enhancing the Euro-Arab partnership and addressing global challenges together – part 1’. After a family photo at 19.50 there will be a dinner for the heads of delegations.
On Monday 25 February the summit will resume at 10.30 with a restricted working session for the leaders devoted to ‘addressing regional challenges together’. This will be followed by part 2 of the plenary session starting at 12.00. The summit will end with a closing session at 14.20, followed by a press conference.
First EU-LAS summit
The summit in Sharm el-Sheikh will be the first meeting between the European Union and the League of Arab States at the level of heads of state or government. The decision to organise the summit was taken following the informal meeting of EU heads of state or government in Salzburg on 19-20 September 2018. In its conclusions on 18 October 2018, the European Council welcomed the holding of the summit.
The summit will be an opportunity for the leaders to emphasise the need for greater strategic cooperation between the EU and the Arab world, promoting a relationship of the kind that the EU has developed with other regional groupings.
Today the two regions comprise 12% of the world’s population. With the Middle East especially experiencing strong population growth (from 1950-2000 the population already grew from 92 million to 349 million, which is a 3.8 fold increase, or 2.7% per year) the cross-regional opportunities and challenges are likely to increase. The summit should hence be an opportunity to boost cooperation on a number of issues, such as socio-economic development, trade and investment, energy security, climate change and migration.
Euro-Arab opportunities
The two regions are already major trade and investment partners. Collectively the EU is the first trading partner for the LAS. This is also the case for 11 individual members of the LAS. The EU is also the biggest investor in the LAS countries.
For example, 23% of all EU oil imports come from LAS countries. The equivalent number for natural gas is 19%.
The summit will provide an opportunity for leaders to discuss how to further strengthen economic cooperation between the two sides. Leaders are expected to discuss possibilities to develop cooperation in the fields of energy, science, research, (digital) technology, tourism, fisheries and agriculture.
Global challenges
At the summit, leaders will have the opportunity to reconfirm their commitment to multilateralism and to an international system based on international law, as well as to discuss a number of pressing global issues. In particular, leaders are expected to reiterate their strong support for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to global efforts to tackle climate change, notably through the implementation of the Paris Agreement. They are also expected to discuss human rights and the promotion of cultural and religious tolerance.
Migration is a challenge for both the EU and LAS member states. Several LAS member states rank high among countries of origin, transit or departure of migrants and refugees to Europe (approximately 1/3 of total arrivals in Europe 2018 came from LAS countries) and some of them are also hosting large communities of migrants and refugees. Leaders are expected to underline the need to protect and support refugees in accordance with international law and to strengthen the fight against illegal migration and migrants’ smuggling.
Leaders will also discuss concerns related to the fight against terrorism. They are expected to agree on the need to further increase cooperation and coordination aimed at addressing root causes of terrorism, to combat the movement of foreign terrorist fighters and in cutting-off support to terrorist networks.
Regional challenges
Recent developments have highlighted the direct impact that open conflicts, protracted and humanitarian crises have on stability and security in both regions. There is an added value of increased EU involvement in stabilising regions. The summit will provide an opportunity for leaders, in a more restricted format, to discuss developments in the region, such as the situations in Syria, Libya and Yemen, as well as the Middle East Peace Process.
The EU and League of Arab States
The League of Arab States is the only pan-Arab grouping gathering all Arab countries. It includes 22 member states from Africa and the Middle East: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Syria’s membership was suspended in 2011, and it is not participating in the summit.
Since the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2015, the EU and LAS have maintained an advanced relationship, including biennial ministerial meetings and annual meetings between the
EU Political and Security Committee and the LAS Permanent Representatives. The EU and the LAS have also launched in 2015 a strategic dialogue to develop the Euro-Arab operational cooperation on security issues
Source: Council of the European Union ,
by africa-newsroom.com
In defense of Somali disunity
Michael Rubin @mrubin1971
February 21, 2019 9:37 am
| AEIdeas
US policy toward Somalia is anchored in the idea that a unitary Somalia best stabilizes the country and enables it to secure its territory. This has been the assumption for generations of policymakers, but its logic is tenuous.
At issue is the demand that Somaliland, the northern third of the country which has been largely peaceful since 1991, should once again subordinate itself to the government of and control by Mogadishu. While it is true that tribe rather than ethnicity separates Somaliland from the remainder of Somalia, the notion that ethnicity must define state is nonsense.
Somaliland’s ruling party candidate and newly elected president Musa Bihi Abdi greets his supporters during an election campaign in the city of Hargeisa in Somaliland November 9, 2017. Reuters/Stringer
Somaliland’s ruling party candidate
and newly elected president Musa Bihi Abdi greets his supporters during an
election campaign in the city of Hargeisa in Somaliland November 9, 2017.
Reuters/Stringer.
Firstly, consider the many examples of ethnicity and language spanning multiple, distinct states: There are two Romanias (one of which is called Moldova); two Albanias (one of which is called Kosovo); and more than 20 Arab states.
Second, even if Mogadishu were to re-establish control over Somaliland, it would not achieve Somali unity. Just as Kurds span four countries, so too do Somalis: Beyond Somalia itself, Djibouti is largely Somali; the only reason it is independent is because of its separate colonial history. Ethiopia’s Ogaden province is also ethnically Somali, as is the North Eastern Province of Kenya. To insist on reunification between Somaliland and Somalia risks encouraging destabilizing revanchism. The 1977-1978 Ogaden War, which began when Somalia invaded Ethiopia to seize its ethnically Somali regions, claimed thousands of lives, displaced one-half million more, and briefly became a Cold War flashpoint. More recently, tensions between Mogadishu and Nairobi flared when the Transitional Federal Government sought to auction off oil blocs in Kenyan territorial water. Should oil be found in waters off Somali-populated regions of Kenya, Mogadishu’s revanchism might worsen.
Perhaps policymakers have gotten it backwards: Rather than a strong, centralized government in Mogadishu — federal or otherwise — being the key to regional stability, maybe the better policy would be to reward those areas which have achieved security and stability. Djibouti has, for more than four decades, been largely a family operation (the current president is the nephew of the country’s founding president). While Djibouti is neither free nor democratic, there are reasons both strategic and historical to accept its independence and partner with it.
Somaliland has been effectively independent since 1991, when it emerged out of the ashes of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre’s efforts to eradicate the Isaaq clan. It has held several successive presidential elections, and should hold long-delayed parliamentary elections later this year. According to Freedom House, it is the freest portion of Somalia and, alongside Djibouti, it is the most secure. While the Somali National Army is hopelessly corrupt and ineffective, Somaliland’s small force has managed to secure the region, even while struggling under a UN arms embargo. Puntland, an autonomous state which sought to follow Somaliland’s lead, is also relative autonomous and secure, even as it has agreed to integrate with the Somali federal government instead of go its own way. The remainder of Somalia, including Mogadishu, is an insecure mess, albeit one awash in cash thanks to the Obama and Trump administrations’ decision to flood it with aid. Rather than rebuild the state, that money at best only rents loyalty and more often than not to exacerbate divisions.
In “Dancing with the Devil,” I noted that the State Department never conducts after-action reviews of its diplomacy in the context of outreach to rogue regimes. When it comes to the Horn of Africa, the problem set might be different, but the failure to assess policy remains the same.
Somalia has been in a state of failure for decades, with a government propped up only by foreign peacekeepers operating under the guise of the African Union. Rather than acknowledge failures, the Trump administration seems intent on throwing good money after bad, doubling down on what Transparency International now ranks as the world’s most corrupt country, all for the illusion of unity. A wiser policy might hold Mogadishu on account for its failures, and allow other Somalis the right of self-determination. If at some future point, multiple Somali states might want to reintegrate into a union, that is their choice, but it is not one upon which Washington should insist.
Kenya Gives terms to resolves Ocean Dispute
Kenya has issued three conditions for a diplomatic resolution to the maritime dispute with neighbouring Somalia.
Nairobi wants Mogadishu to immediately withdraw a map, which was displayed at an economic forum in the United Kingdom, claiming part of Kenya’s territory.
Kenya has also demanded that Somali authorities inform those who bought oil and gas blocks at the London auction that the Horn of Africa nation doesn’t own the area.
Thirdly, Kenya wants a maritime discussion between the two nations to arrive at an amicable solution outside the international court.
Yesterday, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau said Kenya expected the three conditions to be met as a pre-condition for restoring diplomatic relations with Somalia, which it severed on Saturday.
However, the Somali government yesterday denied any selling any oil or gas blocks as claimed. “Somali is not now offering , nor does it have any plans to offer, any blocks in the disputed maritime area until the parties maritime boundary is decided by the ICJ,” read a letter from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to the Kenyan Foreign Affairs ministry.
On Saturday the row over a maritime territorial area in the Indian Ocean between Kenya and Somalia escalated after Nairobi decided to cut diplomatic relations with Mogadishu over a claim that the latter had auctioned oil blocks located in a disputed border area.
Ambassador Macharia confirmed to The Standard that Kenya’s envoy, Lt Gen (Rtd) Lucas Tumbo, had arrived in Nairobi on Saturday evening. Somali Ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Nur also returned to Mogadishu on Sunday as ordered by Nairobi.
Macharia said Kenya was disappointed that Mogadishu went to London to auction the blocks even before a dispute over the oil blocks, which is at the International Court of Justice is determined.
“In diplomacy you don’t assume failure but success. We are hoping that our friends will act. We don’t have timelines to expect the response,” Macharia said when asked of Nairobi’s expectations.
There are also fears that following the move, Kenyan troops operating in Somali may be endangered or unwanted. The PS, however, sought to allay the fears.
“Our troops have been working in a dangerous environment and they know how to protect themselves. However, our troops are not in Somali as Kenya Defense Forces deployed by Kenya but working under Amisom.
Asked if Nairobi will consider withdrawing its troops in protest if Mogadishu does not budge, the PS said; “We will cross the bridge when we get there. Let’s wait for now.”
The Government also said the development should provide an avenue for Somalia to seek an out-of-court settlement on the dispute.
“Our wish as good neighbours is that we resolve this thing out of court. Friends don’t take each to court; they sit down and discuss. That’s what we expect of Somalia,” Macharia said, adding that President Uhuru Kenyatta was fully briefed on the developments.
Yesterday, Somali opposition leaders led by Senator Ilyas Ali Hassan, who is a key ally of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, downplayed the fallout between the two countries and expressed optimism that the misunderstanding will be resolved.
In an interview with The Standard, Mr Hassan said the Government did not seek the approval of the Upper House (Senate) before auctioning the oil blocks.
Source: standardmedia.co.ke
SOMALILAND – United Kingdom Ambassador David Concar To Revive Historical Relations By supporting Berbera Corridor Construction
Saturday [February 2nd], the President of the Republic of Somaliland Musa Bihi Abdi and the United Kingdom ambassador David Concar held a landmark meeting in the unrecognised country. Important issues were brought upsuch as health, elections or security. However, the central topic of all the discussions was the construction of the Berbera Corridor. Britain showed strong support for the project, saying it will play a vital role for both Somaliland and Ethiopia’s future economic development.
The article below was published by SomTribune
The outgoing United Kingdom Ambassador to Somaliland/Somalia, David Concar, paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Musa Bihi Abdi, Saturday, during which the two sides investigated ways to improve relations between the two countries and the planned construction of Berbera Corridor.
According to a press statement the presidency released after the meeting, the two sides touched on several crucial issues relating to a seemingly re-elevated relations between the two countries since Britain opted out of the rest of Europe.
“The two sides talked of a number of issues that are of great import which included strengthening mutual relations, the conduct and proper, timely implementation of the upcoming parliamentary and municipal elections and humanitarian assistance linking the two sides together,” the statement said.
“The meeting, furthermore, focused on relating areas placing special emphasis on on-going health programs, security-related issues covering both national and regional aspects and job-creation for youth and the unemployed, at large,” it continued to elaborate.
Ambassador Concar, the President statement said, underlined the vital role the projected Berbera Corridor inland road symbolized for both Somaliland and Federal Ethiopia connecting the Red Sea port of Berbera to Wajaale on straddling the border between the two countries.
On January 30, 2019, reports stated that Mr. Benjamin Fender was appointed as Ambassador to take over from Mr. Concar within the month of February.
Ambassador Concar paid several warm, very important visits to Somaliland while his diplomatic duty in the Horn of Africa countries lasted which left the impression that the United Kingdom was awakening from a diplomatic slumber at last leading to a revival of historical and political relations between the UK and its former protectorate.
Source: UNPO.org
Photo courtesy of F. Omer @Wikipedia
HAGAR DAAMOOYINKA JOOGTADA AH IYO BEERLAXOWSIGA MARMARKA AH EE SIYAASIINTA KONFUREED!
Tani waa faalo kooban oo aan ku eegayo aragtida Siyaasiinta Somaliya ee ku wajahan Somaliland oo aan ku cabirayo rayigeyga aniga oo ku saleynaya sida aan u arko in ay tahay runtu waxaana ku bilaabayaa sidan:-
Somaliland waxay Xornimadeeda qaadatey 26 Juun 1960 iyada oo hamigeedu ahaa Somaliweyn oo ay u arkeysey in isku keenida Shanta Somaliyeed tahay waajib wadaniyadeed,in badana u hawlgashay arintaasi balse 1 July 1960 Waxaa xoroobay Somalidii Talyanigu gumeysan jirey ee Somalida Konfureed.
- Khiyaamadii kowaad ee Siyaasinta konfurtu waxay bilaaban tay 1 July 1960 sida aan qabo anigu waayo waxay ahayd in 1 July 1960 aan laga dhigin maalintii Midowga ee ay israaceen Konfurta iyo Waqooyigu balse ay ku ee kaato Xornimada Gobolada Konfureed, Waxay ahayd in Maalinta 2 July ama Maalin kaleba loo asteeyo Isku darkii ama Midowgii Labada gobol, oo la kala madax baneeyo labda munaasibadood.
- Arimaha kale ee sanadkaa 1960 Bishii July soo if baxay waxaa ka mid ahaa qaybsigii masabka dawladnimo oo aan waxba laga siin wadnihii dawladnimo ee loo baahnaa in si siman loo qaybsado sida :-
Madaxweynihii oo Konfuri qaadatey, Raysal wasaarihii oo ay ku darsadeen, caasaimadii, Gudoonkii Baarlamaanka, Taliyayaashii Ciidamada iyo Masabyadii dawladeed ee wadnaha Qaranka ahaa.
- 1988 Waxaa uu madaxweyne Maxamed Siyaad bare Socdaal ku yimi Goboladii Waqooyi wuxuuna la shirey Waxgaradka goboladaasi wuxuu ka dhageystey dhibaatadii iyo tacadiyadii lagu hayey waxaana uu u sheegay in uu heshiis iyo wada hadal uu ogol yahay arintii oo halkaa taagan oo odaydii iyo wax garadkii kaleba rajeynayaan wanaag ayuu u duulay dalka Jabuuti oo uu shir uga qayb galey,waxay isku arkeen oo la isku keenay madaxweynihii Ethoipa ee wakhtigaa ,heshiis ayuu la galay in uu ururkii SNM eek a soo horjeedey laga soo saaro Ethiopia oo dawlada Somaliyana ka tanaasusho Gobolkii Somaliyeed ee Somali Galbeed. Jaale Siyaad markii uu ka soo noqday ee uu soo saxeexay heshiiskaasi ayuu Hargeysa kula shirey Waxgaradkii iyo Odayadii ay warka isku ogaayeen isaga oo aan ahaynba ninkii ay hore isku arkeen,baanid,hanjabaad iyo cagla jugleyn ayuu ku salaamey.
Wuxuu la jirey shaqaalihiisii waxaana uu balamiyey in dadweynaha loogu soo saaro garoonka weyn ee kubada cagta ee hargeysa dhibaatadii halkaasi ka dhacdey waatii lawada ogaa ee siyaad bare isaga oo baxsada Muqdisho ku soo galey.
- 1991 Markii xukunkii Dawladii Kacaanka xukunkii laga tuurey, Dawlad aan Jabhadihii halgan hubeysan la galey dawladii Siyaad Bare iyaga oo aan wax talo ah la yeelan waxna ka waydiin mustaqbalka dalka ayaa koox reer Konfureed ah iska dhisteen dawlad taasi waxay sii kala fogeysey xidhiidhkii iyo midowgii waqooyi iyo konfur waxaana 18 May 1991 Goboladii waqooyi ee British Somaliland ku dhawaaqeen in ay ka bexeen midowgii 1 July 1960 dibna ula soo noqdeen gobanimadoodii 26 June 1960.
Waad Mahadsantiin Dhamaan
La soco qaybta 2 aad………
Kenya, Somalia diplomatic spat not good for regional security
A border dispute between Kenya and Somalia has finally come to a head. Dating back to 2014 when both countries laid claim to an oil and gas island in the Indian Ocean along their border, Somalia lodged a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2014. While Kenya insists the maritime border with Somalia should run parallel to the line of latitude, effectively placing the disputed island in its territory, Somalia insists the border should run in line with its southern border, thus laying claim to the islands. No doubt, there must exist an internationally recognised method of determining how maritime borders run, but Somalia appears to have become impatient waiting for arbitration. This impatience is manifest in Somalia’s unilateral decision to auction oil blocks on the disputed Island in London last week. This action was taken, notwithstanding that Kenya had suspended oil exploratory activities on the Island in 2014 following Somalia’s complaint to the International Court of Justice. With the turn of events, Kenya read aggression into Somalia’s action and reacted by severing diplomatic ties, recalling its Ambassador from Mogadishu, Somalia and asking Somalia’s Ambassador in Nairobi to return home. That, however, is undesirous. A diplomatic spat between Kenya and Somalia, indeed, all its neighbours, is the least desirable thing anybody would wish for at the moment.
SEE ALSO :What to do to ensure affordable housing fund gets critical buy-inThe Somalia authorities did not just stab a worthy, helpful neighbour in the back, by putting a wedge between Somalia and Kenya; its staunchest ally in the war against terrorism, Somalia’s deed risks clawing back all the gains, painstakingly made, to bring lasting peace to the troubled Horn of Africa region that has borne the brunt of Al Shabaab attacks. Arguably, the peace Somalia enjoys today is courtesy of the Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) presence on Somalia territory. In 2011 when Al Shabaab abducted tourists on the Kenya- Somalia border, President Mwai Kibaki (now retired) ordered pursuit into Somalia that to date, has had the positive impact of dislodging Al Shabaab from its strongholds and weakened its malevolence. Separately, a number of Kenyan solders lost their lives in two camps in Somalia; El Adde (2016) and Kulbiyow (2017) while defending Somalia. No other country bears the brunt of insecurity in Somalia than Kenya. The Somalia based Al Shabaab militia attacked Westage Mall in Nairobi on September 21, 2013, killing 67 people. On April 2, 2015, Al Shabaab attacked Garissa University, killing 148 people. In 2019, an attack on dusitD2 in Nairobi left 15 people dead. Such sacrifices suffice to compel Somalia to act with utmost diplomatic caution in the way it handles disputes with Kenya and other neighbours.
SEE ALSO :The unseen war – Part 2Somalia cannot afford to challenge or antagonise neighbours who have stood by it in its quest for peace. Certainly not Kenya whose soldiers and people have shed blood defending the rights of innocent Somalis caught in the cross fires of clan feuds in whose grip Somalia has been since the ouster of Said Bare in 1990. The result of Barre’s ouster was the creation of the world’s largest refugee camps in Kenya; Dadaab and Kakuma that for decades, have been home to Somalia refugees. In maintaining these camps, even with international assistance, Kenya’s input has been great; sometimes compromising its own security for Somalia. President Kenyatta has gone out of his way to ensure a semblance of order returns to Somalia by not just organising, but also leading regional peace initiatives. He has stood firm against calls to recall KDF from Somalia where the cost of maintenance is gargantuan. This stems from the realisation that a stable Somalia is good for every country in the horn of African region. Indeed, an unstable Somalia, as events over time have demonstrated, is dangerous to our own security. In 2014 through to 2016, Kenya suffered travel advisories that nearly brought its tourism industry to its knees because of terrorist attacks.
While there is need for an amicable resolution to the dispute, it should not be lost on Somalia authorities that there is more to be gained by standing together than by creating weak links that our common enemies could exploit to weaken us and cause despondency
Source:www.standardmedia.co.ke
EU NAVFOR meets Global Somali Diaspora in London
Global Somali Diaspora is a non profit organisation that aims to advocate, promote, connect and organise Somali diaspora communities globally
Meeting with members of the Somali community is important for EU NAVFOR. It is an opportunity for the Somali community to learn the relevance of counter-piracy operations to their country and themselves, but also an opportunity for them to ask questions directly to EU NAVFOR.
These meetings are important because it creates people to spread the word…
Representatives of the Global Somali Diaspora met with the team of experts from EU NAVFOR in London. Global Somali Diaspora is a non profit organisation that aims to advocate, promote, connect and organise Somali diaspora communities globally. There was a presentation about the need for Operation Atalanta and what it is doing to tackle piracy in the region, followed by a spirited question and answer session.
The evening also had a more informal side, where a meal was shared. The diaspora talked more about their experiences and perceptions of Somalia, and sharing their views on counter-piracy efforts in the region.
A representative for the Global Somali Diaspora said: “These meetings are important because it creates people to spread the word…. There’s a lot of information out there [on piracy], but meetings like this give them understanding.”
This is just the latest in a series of meetings in which members of the Global Somali Diaspora have met members of EU NAVFOR . Meetings have taken place all over the UK to ensure a range of people from different age groups and backgrounds are reached, and to allow them to ask questions most relevant to them. This is important for EU NAVFOR to help understand what the Global Somali community feels about most strongly.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of European Union Naval Force ATALANTA (EU NAVFOR) Somalia.
TWO PEOPLE WHOM ALLAH (S.W.T.) IS PLEASED WITH
Abdullah inb Masood (R.A.) reported:“Rasululah (S.A.W) said: “Our Rabb is pleased with two people. The one who goes to Masjid to pray Salah leaving his beloved ones and his warm bed. Allah (S.W.T.) says about such a person: “O my angels! Look at that servant of mine, he is going (to the masjid) to pray Salah hoping to attain my promise (Jannah, reward and my pleasure) and safety my warning (Jahannam ,torment and my wrath)by leaving his warm and cosy bed while he is with beloved ones.”
And the one who continues to fight until he dies or gets killed when he and his friends have lost the battle since he knows the consequences (sins) of fleeing from the battlefield, as he aware of his religious duty and the reward he will get on continuing to fight. About such a person Allah (S.W.T.) says to His angels: “O my angels look at that servant of mine, he is keeping on fighting until he is killed to attain the things I promised and to safeguard himself from the things I have warned against.”
Together with this we pray Allah (swt) to give mercy and blessings on all humans and make this world a happy and peaceful place.
Jazaak’Allahu Khayran. n
