Waxa lagu dhawaaqay waqtiga la qaadi doono dacwada lagu soo oogay gabadha la dalatay dhaxal sugaha boqortooyada Sucuudiya Boqor Salman. Boqorad Hassa Bint Salman ayaa lagu soo oogay in ay ku amartay waardiyaheeda in uu garaaco nin loo shaqaalaysiiyay in uu qurxiyo hayga ay ku leedahay magaalada Paris ee dalka Faransiiska. Gabadhan la dhalatay dhaxal sugaha Sucuudiga ayaa wajihi doonta bisha soo socota Maxkamad la xariirta amarka ay ku bixisay in waardiyeedu garaaco ninkan shaqaalaha ah. Hassa bint Salman ayaa la filayaa in ay ka maqnaato dhagaysiga Maxkamada oo lagu wado in ay qabsoonto 9 July sida laga soo xigtay wakaaladda wararka AFP. Dhibanahan ayaa loo qaatay in uu naqashadeeyo boqorada guriga qaaliga ah ee ay ku leedahay caasimada Faransiiska sannadkii 2016, ninkan ayaa muuqaalo sawirro ah ka qaaday gudaha qolka ay daganayd boqoradu, kadib boqorada ayaa ku eedaysay in uu doonayay in sawirrada ka iibiyo warbaahinta. Mudo yar kadib waxay sababtay in ay amarto waardiyaheeda in uu weeraro ninkan waxey ku qaylinaysay,”Dill isaga, Eyga, uma qalmo nolosha” Ninkan dhibanaha ah ayaa sheegay in wajiga laga dhaawacay, halka gacmaha laga xidhay ka hor inta aan lagu qasbin in uu Dhunkado ama Shumiyo lugaha boqorad Muddo saacaddo ah kadib, halka qalabkiisii lagala wareegay shaqadana laga eryay sideed casho. Waardiyahan hore ayaa loo xukumay sannadkii 2016 danbiyo isticmaal Hub,hanjabaadyo iyo in uu dad ka hor istaagay rabitaankooda. Boqorad Hassa bintu Salman ayaa isaga carartay Faransiiska, halka dalabka warqadda dacwadda loo jaray in lagu soo xiro la soo saaray December sannadkii 2017, balse waqtigaas laguma guulaysan in lasoo qabto. Gabadhan ayaa la dhalatay dhaxal sugaha Sucuudiga Boqor Maxammed bin Salman. Haweenaydan oo ah 40 sano jirka ah ayaa warbaahinta Sucuudigu ku amaantay in ay shaqadeedu tahay caawinta iyo xuquuqda Haweenka. Boqorad Hassa ayaa ku noolayd wadada Avenue ee galbeedka caasimada Faransiiska, halkaas oo ah meel aad ugu fiican dalxiiska, waxa ku yaala guryaha ugu qaalisan caasimada Faransiiska. Xigasho: BBC

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Hargeysa (Caasimada Online) ― Xukuumada Somaliland iyo Jaamacada Mekelle University ayaa shalay caasimada dalka Itoobiya ee Addis Ababa ku kala saxeexday heshiis is-faham (MoU). Agaasimaha guud ee Wasaarada Biyaha Somaliland, Maxamed Yuusuf Ismaaciil iyo Gudoomiyaha Jaamacada Mekkele University Dr Atto Kindeya, ayaa heshiiskaasi is-faham kala saxeexday. Heshiiskan ayaa sidoo kale waxa diirada lagu saaray is-dhaafsiga khibradaha iyo horumarinta qorshayaasha ay ka mid yihiin: qaabeynta hirgalinta mashaariicda, khayraadka biyaha iyo horumarinta qaybta siyaasada biyaha. Agaasimaha guud ee wasaarada biyaha Somaliland ayaa faah-faahin ka bixiyey heshiiskaasi, wuxuuna yiri “Farxad weyn ayay ii tahay inaan joogo madashan aanu ku kala saxeexanayno heshiiska Is-faham aniga iyo jaamacada Mekkele University, ee ku saabsan dhinacyada horumarka”. Wuxuuna intaas kusii daray “Waxaan jecelahay inaan u mahadnaqo Madaxweynaha Jaamacada Mekkele University Dr Atto Kindeya iyo dhamaan kooxda oo nagu qaabilay si saaxiibtinimo leh anaga oo la saxeexanay heshiis is-faham”. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Hargeysa Caasimada@live.com

APO Group content is copyright free and can be republished at will. African Development Bank Group (AfDB) PRESS RELEASE Switzerland gives 3.2 million Swiss francs to African Development Bank’s ‘Boost Africa’ E-Lab and urban development fund ‘Boost Africa’ was launched in partnership with the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank to enhance entrepreneurship and innovation across Africa MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, June 13, 2019/ — The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of the Government of the Swiss Confederation (SECO) and the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) on Thursday signed two agreements to fund African initiatives on the sidelines of the Bank’s 2019 Annual Meetings. SECO contributed 3 million Swiss francs to the Entrepreneurship Lab (E-Lab) for innovative young entrepreneurs and 200,000 Swiss francs to the Urban & Municipal Development Fund for Africa (UMDF), which helps African cities plan and manage urban growth and climate-resilient development by improving governance and basic services. “These days it’s important that partners work together … to put talents together in a complementary fashion … These are two areas which are forward-leaning and positive for the African continent,” said Raymund Furrer, Bank Governor for Switzerland, who signed on behalf of SECO at the Sipopo Conference Center in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, the Bank’s Vice President for Finance and Chief Finance Officer, signed on behalf of the Bank. “Our partnership goes beyond the consistent and strong support of the two main windows of the Bank Group … Let me then take this opportunity to thank Switzerland for these two very valuable contributions, but also, for being a long-standing partner of the Bank Group,” she said. Switzerland joined the African Development Fund almost 50 years ago in 1972, and has been a full member of the African Development Bank for close to 40 years, since 1982. The E-Lab, a component of the Bank’s ‘Boost Africa’ strategy, provides innovative young entrepreneurs with financing, technical assistance and broader ecosystem support through incubators, accelerators, fund managers and others. Five countries have been identified to pilot the E-Lab: Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. ‘Boost Africa’ was launched in partnership with the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank to enhance entrepreneurship and innovation across Africa. The initiative, which has also received backing from the European Commission and other donors, is part of the Bank’s Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy (2016-2025) to create 25 million jobs and impact 50 million youth by catalysing private sector investments that create employment for youth. Successful entrepreneurship is key to Africa’s economic growth and job creation. According to the Bank’s Economic Outlook Report, between 11 and 13 million more young people will join Africa’s labour force every year between 2015 and 2030, and only 3 million will find secure employment. More than 20% of Africa’s working age population are starting new businesses, the highest rate in the world. Businesses with fewer than 20 employees and less than 5 years’ experience provide the most jobs in Africa’s formal sector. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). View multimedia content Media Contact: Gershwin Wanneburg Communication and External Relations Department African Development Bank Email: g.wanneburg@afdb.org About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org SOURCE African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (at) APO-opa.org www.APO-opa.com Qaran News

Hargaysa (Caasimada Online) ― Xildhibaan Saleebaan Garas Seed oo kamid ah xildhibaanada Golaha Guurtida Somaliland ayaa dhaliilo culus u soo jeediyey Dowlada Farmaajo, isagoona ugu baaqay inay fara-gelinta ka deyso Somaliland. Xildhibaan Saleebaan Seed ayaa sidoo kale xukuumada Farmaajo ku eedeyay inay dabino u maleegayso Somaliland, oo loo baahan yahay inay ka hor tagto Xukuumada Muuse Biixi. Xildhibaan Seed oo maanta la hadlayey warbaahinta ayaa quus galiyay midnimada ay baadi-goobeyso dowladda Farmaajo, wuxuuna yiri “Inagoo madax banaan oo waliba xoriyadeena ka qaadanay Ingiriiska, ayeynu Somaliya la midawnay, inagoo markaas raadinayna shantii Somalida, midawgaas aynu la midawnay dheef kamaynu helin ee midho dhalkiisi wuxuu noqday cadaadis, dil iyo in horumarka la inagala dagalaamo, halgan dheer kadibna dib ayeynu ula soo noqonay xoriyadeenii”. “Mar haddii aynu Somaliya kala soconay inagoo og sidii dadkeena loo galay, maaha inay ina daba socdaan, oo midnimo dambe raadiyaan ama ay ina sheegtaan, Somaliya oo dib ula midawnaan waa habeenkii xalay ahaa ee tagay, midnimadii hore ayeynu ka qoomamaynaa, ee Maamulka Xamar inay midnimo dambe raadiyaan, fikrad khaldana u sheegaan caalamka waa u damiir xumo, ee Xukuumadda Somaliland waxaa looga baahan yahay inay ka hor tagto dabinada ay Somaliya inoo maleegayso iyo beenta ay Caalamka u sheegayso”. Wuxuuna intaasi kusii daray “Xukuumadda Somaliland waxaa looga baahan yahay inay aad uga taxadirto khatar kasta oo inagaga imanaya Somaliya haddii ay noqoto dalka gudihiisa iyo dibadiisaba, Xukuumadda Somaliland waxaa looga baahan yahay in qadiyada Somaliland meel kasta ka rido, si aynu u helno aqoonsi caalamiya”. “Shacabka Somaliland waa Shacab muwaadiniin ah, oo dalkooda iyo dadkoodaba ilaashanaya, waxaan se leeyahay aad uga feejignaada, oo nabadiina iyo qarankiina ilaashada, oo Xukuumaddiina garab istaaga, oo Ciidankiina garab istaaga, nimcadiina waa taas inoo da’day, ee Alle inaga dulqaaday Abaartii, ee shugriga Alle-na aynu badino”. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Hargeysa Caasimada@live.com

Somaliland: Taariikhda iyo Wax-soo-saarkii Dugsiga Farsamada Burco Sanadkii 1999kii baan akhriyey buug ka sheekaynaya dib u kabashadii Germany. Cutub kamid ahi wuxu gaar uga sheekaynayey Dugsiga Farsamada Gacanta ee Burco. Nuxurka buuggu wuxu ahaa Jarmalku 15 sano ayuu kaga soo kabtay burburkii iyo bayhoofkii dagaalkii labaad, kaddibna wuxu wax la’qabtay oo caawiyey ummadihii soo korayay ee ku noolaa Africa iyo Asia. Dugsigan oo caan ku ah magaca Iskuulka Jarmalka waxa la’ dhisay sanadkii 1964kii. Kharashka ku baxay wuxu ahaa 400,000 Dollar oo xiligaas joogay una dhigma 4 Malyuun oo Dollar oo maanta jooga. Qorshaha dugsigan waxa lahaa mid kamid ah aabayaashii Xoriyadda waa Axmed-Keyse Xaaji Ducaale oo Reer Ceerigaabo ahaa laakiin Burco laga soo dooran jirey. Wuxu dowladdiii Cabdirashid Cali Sharmarke ka noqday Wasiirka Beeraha, kaddibna wuxu noqday Safiirka Soomaaliya u fadhiya Jarmalka Galbeed, kaddibna Ingiriiska. Jarmalku, caashaq ay caashaqeen Burco iyo dadkeeda ugumay dhisin dugsigan casriga ah ee dedaal iyo dagaal adag oo uu galay Ambassador Axmed-Keyse Xaaji Ducaale ayaa keenay dhismaha Instuutka Farsamada Burco. Dhismaha Dugsiga waxa la geliyey tacab badan, Jarmalkuna wuxu keenay. Aqoontii, Qalabkii iyo Macalimintii oo wada socda. Waa sababtaas sababta dadkii ka aflaxay dugsigani u noqdeen taabba-gal. Haldoorkii ka aflaxay Burco Technical Institute ka Burco aad bay u badnaayeen, waxaynuse ka xusi karnaa: Sheekh Mustafa Xaaji Ismaaciil (Sheekha weyn ee Soomaaliyeed) Dr Saeed Axmed Xasan (Guddoomiyaha Jaamacadaha Golis) Maxamed Kahin Axmed (Wasiirka Arimaha Gudaha iyo Amniga Somaliland) Sheekh Xasan Cabdisalaam (Hoggaamiye xagga Diinta ah oo caan ah) General Carab Ducaale Cilmi (5 Star General) Axmed Xaashi Cabdi (Wasiir, Xildhibaan) Cabdicasiis Samaale (Wasiirkii Maaliyadda) Cabdiraxman Xaaji Daahir (Cammuud University) Cabdirashid Xasan Mataan (Musharax Madaxweyne ku xigeen) Eng Maxamed Cali Burco (Ex-Xildhaan) Xaaji Abshir Axmed Xasan (Wasiirkii Dib u dejinta) Cabdiraxman Raage (Agaasimihii Hay’adda Inter-peace) Maxamed Faarax Laangadhe (Badhasaabkii Sool) Naasir Xaaji Cali Shire (Xildhibaan) WQ: Cismaan Abokor Dubbe Qaran News

Delegates from 187 countries voted on Thursday, 13 June 2019, to elect Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) to its global leadership. Osman was able to muster 192 votes needed to win out of the 216 votes cast by delegates from 187 nations from across the world during the 30th World Congress Journalists in Tunis. NUSOJ Secretary General secured the shock win following massive support from the delegates from the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, South Africa, India and Brazil. Omar Faruk’s success shows the support and solidarity of the world’s journalists for the NUSOJ and all Somali journalists indicating that the impact of the Somali media globally. IFJ executive committee elected Youness M’Jahed of Marocco as new Président, first from the African continent since the global voice of journalists was founded in 1926. NUSOJ was represented at the IFJ Conference 2019 in Tunisia by its its Secretary General, Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Organising Secretary, Awil Mohamud and Farah Lamane, secretary of the treasury. The IFJ, the global voice of journalists, represents more than 600,000 journalists in 140 countries. View the full article

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders will be leaving her post at the end of June, President Donald Trump has announced. Source: Hiiraan Online

Shirweynaha Guud ee Ururka Suxufiyiinta Adduunka ee ka soconaya magaalada Tunis ee dalka Tunisia ayaa galabta waxaa uu si aqlabiyad ah ugu doortay hogaanka ugu sareeya ururka suxufiyiinta adduunka Cumar Faaruuq Cusmaan oo ah Xoghayaha Guud ee Ururka Qaranka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed ee NUSOJ. Cumar Faaruuq ayaa helay 192 cod oo ka mid ah 216dii cod ee ay dhiibteen argada ka kala timid 187 dal oo caalamka dhan ah ayadoo uu ka guuleystay murashaxiin ka kala socday 17 dal. Cumar Faaruuq oo ahaa musharaxa qaarada Afrika oo isla markaana tageero ka helaayay ergada ka kala socotay dalalka Carabta iyo Islaamka ayaa sidoo kale waxaa taageero xoogan siinayay ergada ka socoto dalalka Ingiriiska, Faransiiska, Talyaaniga, Spain, Ruushka, Koofurta Afrika, India iyo Brazil ayaga oo u arkayay Cumar Faaruuq in uu yahay qof wax badan ka qaban kara howlaha ururka suxufiyiinta adduunka ee IFJ horyaala. Guusha Cumar Faaruuq oo muujineyso tageerada iyo hiilada suxufiyiinta adduunka ay u hayaan ururka NUSOJ iyo dhamaan suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed ayaa hadana tilmaameyso in saameynta ay Soomaaliya ku yeelanayso saxaafada adduunka ay aad u xoogeysaneyso. Shirweynaha IFJ ayaa sidoo kale waxaa uu maanta guddoomiye u doortay Younes Mjahed oo ah Xoghyaha Guud ee Ururka Suxufiyiinta Morocco. Younes ayaa noqonaya masuulkii ugu horeeyay ee qaarada Afrika ka socda ee abid loo doortay guddoomiyenimada ururka suxufiyiinta adduunka tan iyo markii IFJ la aas-aasay ee sanadkii 1926. Ururka NUSOJ waxaa shirweynaha IFJ kaga qeyb galaya sedax ergo kuwaasoo kala ah Xoghayaha Guud ee NUSOJ Cumar Faaruuq Cusmaan, Qasnajiga NUSOJ Faarax Maxamed Yusuf (Faarax Lamaane) iyo Xoghayaha Abaabulka NUSOJ Cawil Maxamuud Cabdi. View the full article

PRESS RELEASE British Armed Forces Minister bolsters UK-Egypt defence ties Minister for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster met with Egyptian Minister of Defence General Mohamed Zaki to discuss enhancing UK-Egypt defence cooperation CAIRO, Egypt, June 13, 2019/ — The meeting came as a part of the Minister’s first official visit to Egypt, and presented an opportunity to reaffirm the strength of the UK’s defence relationship with Egypt and deepen the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries. The Chief of UK Defence Staff’s Senior Advisor for the Middle East Lt General Sir John Lorimer, British Ambassador to Egypt Sir Geoffrey Adams and British Defence Attaché Colonel Edward Sandry accompanied the British Minister. British Ambassador to Egypt Sir Geoffrey Adams said: “The UK recognises the pivotal role Egypt plays in the region’s security. Our growing partnership ensures that together we stay one step ahead of common threats and build regional and international security”. Defence cooperation between Egypt and the UK has increased significantly in recent years. In March, Egypt and the UK conducted military training AHMOSE, the first bilateral exercise between the two countries in 30 years. The UK also joined Egypt, the United States and a number of other countries in Exercise BRIGHTSTAR last year. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of British Embassy Cairo. SOURCE British Embassy Cairo Qaran News

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online) – Duqa Muqdisho ahna Guddoomiyaha Gobolka Banaadir Mudane Cabdirixmaan Cumar Cusmaan (Eng.Yarisow) ayaa muwaadin Soomaaliyeed ku wareejiyey guri uu lahaa oo laga haystay muddo 28 sano ah. Guddoomiyaha oo furaha gurigaas ku wareejiyey muwaadinkii lahaa ayaa ka digay cawaaqib xumada Aakhiro iyo adduunba sugaysa dadka sida sharci darrada ah u deggan hantida muwaadiniinta kale ee doonaya in dib loogu soo celiyo xaqooda. “Cidna si sharci darro ah uma haysan karto muwaadin kale hantidiis, Maamulkan tan iyo markii aan nimid waxaan ku guuleysannay soo celinta hanti ay lahaayeen muwaadiniin, kuwaas oo dadkii haystay ay si mutadawicnimo ah usoo wareejiyeen, balse arrinta maanta waa ay ka duwan tahay oo maxkamad iyo xabsi ayeey gaartay.” Eng.Yarisow ayaa sheegay in muwaadinkii gurigan sida sharci darrada ah u haystay oo ahaa Sarkaal ka tirsan Ciidanka Booliska la horkeenayo Maxkamad, lana marsiin doono hannaanka sharci ee uu mudnaa. Dhankiisa, Eng.Cali Maxamed Baare oo ahaa muwaadinka lahaa mulkiyadda guriga ayaa uga mahadceliyey Maamulka Gobolka Banaadir dadaalka joogtada ah ee ay ku bixiyeen dib u soo celinta gurigiisa oo sanaddo badan ka maqnaa.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba says being Muslim has helped him find inner peace and become a better person. Source: Hiiraan Online

PRESS RELEASE European Investment Bank (EIB) to support EUR 4.5 billion new business, social, energy transition and sustainable transport investment This includes investment that addresses challenges facing female entrepreneurs in Poland and across Africa, supports lease financing in Italy, backs venture capital in Liberia and Sierra Leone LUXEMBOURG CITY, Luxembourg, June 13, 2019/ — EUR 1.6 billion support for private investment, including for women and rural communities; upgrading thousands of schools and expanding long-term care provision; financing renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean transport. The European Investment Bank (EIB) approved a total of EUR 4.5 billion of new financing that will tackle investment gaps hindering private sector growth, improve education and health care, replace old buses and trains. The new EIB support will directly back projects in 23 countries. “Tomorrow morning Europe’s finance ministers will meet as Governors of the EIB and discuss how we can accelerate climate action as we expand economic opportunities and improve social infrastructure. Climate has become a key priority for us all, and the projects we approved today show that the EIB takes its role as Europe’s climate bank very seriously.” said Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank. The EIB Board of Directors held its monthly meeting today in Luxembourg. Accelerating energy transition The EIB agreed EUR 611 million of new financing to support energy transition, reduce carbon emissions and scale up renewable energy. This includes backing new solar power in Zambia and wind farms in Portugal, energy efficiency projects in Lebanon and Jordan and support for rural communities across Niger to access clean energy. Hungary and northern Spain public transport users will benefit from EIB support to provide 3,200 buses and 31 trains with low-emission modern replacements. The EIB also agreed to support two new financing programmes with leading French banks to speed up the energy transition by encouraging greater use of renewable energy and more efficiency energy use by local companies. Upgrading thousands of schools and improving long-term care More than 3,000 schools across Italy will be upgraded in the coming years following EIB approval of more than EUR 1.3 billion of new financing for the National School Infrastructure Plan. The EIB also agreed to support construction of 19 new long-term care centres across Spanish regions that will provide new energy-efficient residential care places for more than 3,700 people. Targeted support for private sector investment The EIB approved EUR 1.6 billion of financing to help companies to innovate, expand and create jobs. This includes investment that addresses challenges facing female entrepreneurs in Poland and across Africa, supports lease financing in Italy, backs venture capital in Liberia and Sierra Leone and encourages new agri-business and renewable energy investment in Greece, Bulgaria and Romania. Reducing flood risk and improving water networks The EIB also agreed to support new water and water investment across France and improve flood protection in the Irish city of Cork. The EIB also agreed to support new investment to upgrade the sewage network in Skopje, the capital of northern Macedonia. EUR 664 million of investment backed by the Investment Plan for Europe Financing for six projects approved by the EIB board today will be guaranteed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). Distributed by APO Group on behalf of European Investment Bank (EIB). View multimedia content SOURCE European Investment Bank (EIB) Qaran News

APO Group content is copyright free and can be republished at will. Human Rights Watch (HRW) PRESS RELEASE Sudan: End Network Shutdown Immediately The UN Human Rights Council has unequivocally condemned measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of information online NAIROBI, Kenya, June 13, 2019/ — Sudan’s ongoing internet shutdown is a gross violation of human rights and should be lifted immediately, Human Rights Watch said today. Disruptions to access escalated over the past week and the country is now almost entirely cut off from the internet, after forces violently attacked and dispersed protesters. The authorities should immediately restore access to the internet. It is vital for emergency communications, including information from health care providers, and to access other basic information in times of crisis. “If the Transitional Military Council genuinely intends to restore peace and maintain good will with civilian opposition leaders, it should reverse this dangerous shutdown, which puts even more lives at risk,” said Priyanka Motaparthy, acting emergencies director at Human Rights Watch. “These shutdowns blatantly repress the rights of the people the military council claims it wants to have a dialogue with.” The UN Human Rights Council has unequivocally condemned measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of information online, in violation of international human rights law, and said that all countries should refrain from and cease such measures. Sit-ins and calls for peaceful civil disobedience do not justify the Transitional Military Council wholesale denial of internet access, Human Rights Watch said. Human Rights Watch has previously called for independent monitoring of the situation in Sudan, including an investigation from the Human Rights Council and an African Union independent inquiry. Activists began reporting mobile internet disruptions on June 3, 2019, when government forces carried out a bloody, large-scale attack on the sit-in in Khartoum, killing more than 100 people and injuring hundreds more. The attack followed weeks of growing tensions as negotiations stalled between the military council and opposition groups over the formation of a civilian-led transitional government, following the ouster of former president Omar al-Bashir on April 11. The Sudanese Professionals’ Association, an activist group opposing military rule, called for a campaign of civil disobedience starting June 9, asking supporters to remain at home until the country’s governance was transferred to civilian authorities. The military council has offered no compelling justification for denying internet access. On June 10, the authorities cut the remaining fixed line connections, effectively shutting down nearly all internet access. Netblocks, a nonprofit organization monitoring internet censorship, announced that Sudan now faces a “near-total restriction” on internet access in the country. The same day, Shamseddin Kabashy, spokesperson for the military council, confirmed on Al-Jazeera that the council had ordered the shutdown. “We stopped internet services for a limited period, at our discretion.” he said. The shutdown has resulted in wide-ranging harm. The outage has prevented activists and residents from reporting critical information about the volatile situation in Sudan, where government forces led by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces – known for their abusive campaigns in Darfur, Southern Kordofan, and Blue Nile – have reportedlycontinued to commit abuses following the June 3 attack. Mohammed, a 29-year-old demonstrator in Khartoum, told Human Rights Watch: “We…struggle with verifying information. This whole situation now is creating isolated locations where we don’t really know what is happening and what kind of abuses are taking place there.” The block on internet access has also caused serious safety concerns by denying access to information that could help people safely navigate roads during the current unrest. “It is dangerous now with all the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the streets and checkpoints to walk or drive around,” a 27-year-old man living in Khartoum said. “Without internet access, we can’t be warned, as used to be the case, on what streets to avoid and what are the safest routes.” The presence of security forces, including the RSF in Khartoum and at hospitals, has undermined or prevented access to medical care for those in need. Medical professionals said the lack of internet access has only made it more difficult for them to organize ways to provide care. Governments that seek to repress peaceful political opposition have in many instances cut off internet access during times of political sensitivity and crisis. Before the current shutdowns, Sudan’s government had blocked access to social media platforms – including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the messaging service WhatsApp – intermittently between December 2018 and April 2019. Such shutdowns violate multiple rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and information, and hinder others, including the right to free assembly. In their 2015 Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and Responses to Conflict Situations, UN experts and rapporteurs declared that, even in times of conflict, “using communications ‘kill switches’ (i.e. shutting down entire parts of communications systems) can never be justified under human rights law.” Under international law, Sudan has an obligation to ensure that internet-based restrictions are provided by law and a necessary and proportionate response to a specific security concern. Officials should not use broad, indiscriminate shutdowns to curtail the flow of information, or to harm civilians’ ability to freely assemble and express political views, Human Rights Watch said. David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, has previously stated: “A general network shutdown is in clear violation of international law and cannot be justified by any means… Access to information is crucial for the credibility of the ongoing electoral process. Shutdowns are damaging not only for people’s access to information, but also for their access to basic services.” Members of the international community in contact with military council officials should stress the importance of fully restoring service immediately, given the clear violation of rights and the harm linked to the current shutdown. They should also press the council on the need to more broadly respect demonstrators’ rights to information, free expression, and free assembly. “No one is going to believe that a government that has repeatedly blocked this crucial avenue of communication is otherwise dealing with protesters in a proportionate, rights-respecting manner,” Motaparthy said. “There is simply no legitimate justification for this overbroad measure that is designed to repress the exercise of fundamental rights.” Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW). SOURCE Human Rights Watch (HRW) Qaran News

(SLT-Sweden)-Dawladda Sweden oo ka Noqotay Xayiraaddii Socdaalka Hargaysa, Halkan hoose ka DAAWO Source

Cadaado (Caasimada Online) – Madaxweynaha dowlad gobaleedka Galmudug, Axmed Ducaale Geelle Xaaf ayaa tan iyo markii la doortay waxa uu ka dhamaan wayay khilaaf iyo dagaal siyaasadeed oo u gaar ah maamulkiisa ama mid uu la qabo dhamaan maamulada kae. Xaaf dagaalka uu ku jiro waa mid ka adag midka ay ku jiraan madaxda maamulada kale ee dalka waxa uuna maamulkiisa ku reebay raadad xun oo ay adag tahay sida looga soo kabto. Khilaafka ugu weyn waxa uu kala dhaxeeya DF Soomaaliya, gaar ahaan Madaxweynaha iyo Ra’iisul Wasaaraha Soomaaliya. Xaaf waxa uu waayay ku xigeenkiisa iyo Guddoomiyaha Baarlamaanka sanado ka hor kuwaas oo noqday qatarta ugu weyn ee Madaxweyne Xaaf maadaama aysan dowladda u soo weerari karin maamulkiisa balse ay u soo marto ragaan. Caasimada Online ayaa heshay xog ku saabsan in Madaxweyne ku xigeenka Galmudug Maxamed Xaashi Carabeey uu yahay qatarta ugu weyn ee Xaaf. Waxyaabaha ay ogaatay Caasimada Online waxaa kamid ah in Carabeey uu ku guuleestay baajinta dhamaan heshiisyadii uu galay Madaxweyne Xaaf. Heshiisyada la baajiyay ama socon waayay ee uu Madaxweyne Xaaf galay dhamaantood waxay ahaayeen kuwa dibadda ah oo ay la saxiixdeen hey’ado shisheeyo iyo dowlado kale. Carabeey ayaa sidoo kale la sheegay in uu helo dhamaan xiriirka hey’adaha heshiiyada la gala Madaxweyne Xaaf kadibna uu baa’bi’iyo waxyaabihii lagu heshiiyay. Xaaf ayaa qaabilay warqado badan oo uga yimid hey’ado heshiis lala galay oo ka baxay kadib markii lagu wargeliyay in maamulkiisa uu khilaaf ka jiro, sidaas darteedna aysan ku dhiiran karin fulinta mashaariic horumarineed Galmudug oo aan mideesneen. Madaxweyne Xaaf waxa uu abaabulay doorashada Guddoomiye Baarlamaan oo aan aheyn Cali Gacal Casir balse kuma dhiiran doorashada iyo xil ka qaadista Madaxweyne ku xigeenka waxaana sababta lagu sheegay in uu wali rajo ka qabo in laga joojiyo dabagalka uu ku haayo Carabeey. Carabeey ayaa sidoo kale buriyay go’aano badan uu dowladda Soomaaliya ka qaatay Madaxweynaha Galmudug Axmed Ducaale Geelle Xaaf. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

(SLT-Hargeysa)-Taliyaha ciidanka qaranka ee aagga bari Sarreeye Guuto Cali Barre Xuseen, ayaa waxba kama jiraan ku tilmaamay warar sheegayay in habeen hore ciidanka qaranka ee jiidda hore weerar lagu soo qaaday. Waxaanu taa bedelkeeda ku sheegay in maleeshiyo aan awood u lahayn in ay ciidanka qaranka ee fadhiismida hore weerar ku soo qaadaan in marka ay busaarad sadaan ay sameeyaan arrin ay marar badan wax ku heleen oo ay ku baadhaan dad dibadda jooga oo qurbe joog ah oo lacag ku bixiya marka ay yidhaahdaan Somaliland ayaan weerar ku qaadnay. Waxaanu intaa ku daray oo uu farriin u diray dadka qurbe joogga ah ee lacagta ku bixiya marka ay maqlaan Somaliland ayaa la weeraray, waxaanu ku waaniyay in lacagta ay dhibaatada ku bixinayaan in ay dadkooda wax ku soo taraan. Waxaa kale oo uu warbaahinta uga digay in ay faafiyaan warar aanay iska hubin oo cid dan lihi meel ka tidhaahdo. Taliye Cali Barre oo wargayska Dawan waraysi kooban ku siiyay taleefanka isagoo ku sugan jiidda hore ee ciidanka qaranka ee gobolka Sool, ayaa yidhi. “Waxaan ka maqalnay warbaahinta ciidanka qaranka ee Jiidda hore ayaa la weeraray laakiin waxay ahayd cidda warkaa sii daynaysaa in ay ciidanku masuuliyiin ayuu leeyahay ee in ay wax ka waydiiyaan oo ay war sax ah raadiyaan, maanta qofku wuxuu doono ayuu iska sheegan karaa oo muuqaal iskaga soo duubi karaa laakiin xaqiiqadu waxay tahay in wax weerar ah oo aanu aragnay in aanu jirin, laakiin waxaanu ugu yaraan meel 8 KM u jirta ciidanka qaranka aanu ka maqalnay rasaas ay maleeshiyo yari ka ridday taas oo ah rasaas ay ridaan markay busaarad sadaan oo ay ku baadhaan dad qurbe joog ah oo ay wax kaga helaan marka ay yidhaahdaan Somaliland, ayaannu weerar ku qaadnay iyo waxbaanu ka qabsanay, laakiin waxaan kuu caddaynayaa in aanu jirin wax weerar ah oo aanu aragnay.” Taliye Cali Barre Xuseen oo hadalkiisa sii wata, ayaa farriimo u kala diray qurbe jooga balaayo doonka ah iyo warbaahinta, waxaanu yidhi. “horta waxaan leeyahay warbaahinta markaad doonaysaan in aad tebisaan war ciidanka ku saabsan waa in aad wax ka waydiisaan madaxda ciidanka oo aydaan iska qaadan wax kasta oo aad maqashaan, waayo? Qof kastaaba intuu wax iska soo duubo ayuu odhan karaa dagaal ayaanu qaadnay iyo meel heblaayo ayaan weerar ku qabsanay, dadka qurbe joogga ah ee beenta balaayo sheegga ah wax lagaga qaadanaya waxaan odhan lahaa dadkiinu rasaas meel laga riday lacag ku bixinteeda idiinkama baahna ee waxay idiinka baahan yihiin in aad wax u tartaan oo aad balliyo u qodaan oo aad dugsiyo u dhistaan oo aan noloshooda ka talisaan halka aad imika geeridooda ka talinaysaan.” Source

Qaran News

Kusimaha, ahna madaxweyne ku xigeenka dowladda Puntland Axmed Cilmi Cismaan, ayaa amar ku bixiyay in mudda 24 saac gudahooda looga jawaabo, baahiyaha ka jira tuulada Af-urur ee gobolka Bari, gaar ahaanna adeegyada aas’aasiga ah, sida biyaha iyo caafimaadka. Sidoo kale, madaxweyne ku xigeenka, ayaa ku amray hay’adaha kala duwan ee sama’falka, in ay si deg deh ah uga hawlgalaan degaankaasi Af-urur. Go’aankan ayuu ku dhawaaqay, xilli guddoominayay shirka golaha wasiirada xukuumadda Puntland oo looga hadlay; Amniga dalka, Safarkii Madaxweyne Ku-xigeenka ee deegaanka Af-urur, Xaaladda Waddooyinka Puntland iyo Warbixino kale. The post Karaash oo amar ku bixiyay in mudda 24-saac gudahooda wax looga qabto adeegyada aas’aasiga ah ee Af-urur appeared first on Puntland Post.

(SLT-Paris)-Waxa lagu dhawaaqay waqtiga la qaadi doono dacwada lagu soo oogay gabadha la dalatay dhaxal sugaha boqortooyada Sucuudiya Boqor Salman. Boqorad Hassa Bint Salman ayaa lagu soo oogay in ay ku amartay waardiyaheeda in uu garaaco nin loo shaqaalaysiiyay in uu qurxiyo hayga ay ku leedahay magaalada Paris ee dalka Faransiiska. Gabadhan la dhalatay dhaxal sugaha Sucuudiga ayaa wajihi doonta bisha soo socota Maxkamad la xariirta amarka ay ku bixisay in waardiyeedu garaaco ninkan shaqaalaha ah. Hassa bint Salman ayaa la filayaa in ay ka maqnaato dhagaysiga Maxkamada oo lagu wado in ay qabsoonto 9 July sida laga soo xigtay wakaaladda wararka AFP. Dhibanahan ayaa loo qaatay in uu naqashadeeyo boqorada guriga qaaliga ah ee ay ku leedahay caasimada Faransiiska sannadkii 2016, ninkan ayaa muuqaalo sawirro ah ka qaaday gudaha qolka ay daganayd boqoradu, kadib boqorada ayaa ku eedaysay in uu doonayay in sawirrada ka iibiyo warbaahinta. Mudo yar kadib waxay sababtay in ay amarto waardiyaheeda in uu weeraro ninkan waxey ku qaylinaysay,”Dill isaga, Eyga, uma qalmo nolosha” Ninkan dhibanaha ah ayaa sheegay in wajiga laga dhaawacay, halka gacmaha laga xidhay ka hor inta aan lagu qasbin in uu Dhunkado ama Shumiyo lugaha boqorad Muddo saacaddo ah kadib, halka qalabkiisii lagala wareegay shaqadana laga eryay sideed casho. Waardiyahan hore ayaa loo xukumay sannadkii 2016 danbiyo isticmaal Hub, hanjabaadyo iyo in uu dad ka hor istaagay rabitaankooda. Boqorad Hassa bintu Salman ayaa iskaga carartay Faransiiska, halka dalabka warqadda dacwadda loo jaray in lagu soo xidho la soo saaray December sannadkii 2017, balse waqtigaas laguma guulaysan in lasoo qabto. Gabadhan ayaa la dhalatay dhaxal sugaha Sucuudiga Boqor Maxammed bin Salman. Haweenaydan oo ah 40 sano jirka ah ayaa warbaahinta Sucuudigu ku amaantay in ay shaqadeedu tahay caawinta iyo xuquuqda Haweenka. Boqorad Hassa ayaa ku noolayd wadada Avenue ee galbeedka caasimada Faransiiska, halkaas oo ah meel aad ugu fiican dalxiiska, waxa ku yaalla guryaha ugu qaalisan caasimada Faransiiska. Source

(SLT-Hargeysa)-Madaxweyne Muuse Biixi Cabdi ayaa tan iyo intii uu xilka qabtay waxa la dareemayay inuu jeediyay khudbado badan kuwaas oo uu kaga hadlay dhibaatooyinka dalka ka jira, isla markaasna aanu ku darayn wax talaabo ama qorshe ah oo arintaas ay xukuumadiisu ku wajahayso. Madaxweynaha oo si xogogaalnimo ah uga sheekeeya waxyaabo badan oo dalka dhibaatooyin ku haya oo uu qaarkood gaadhsiiyo aafo qaran ayaanu hadana soo bandhigin siyaasad xukuumadiisu ay ka qaadnayso ama ay ka qaadatay si dhibtaas wax looga qabto. Tusaale ahaan madaxweyne Biixi waxa uu ka hadlay khudbadii salaada ciida isaga oo shacabka Somaliland ku dhiiri galiyay in qofkii qof dila meel looga soo wada jeesto lana fuliyo qisaasta oo alle sheegay inay nololi aadmiga ugu sugan tahay, laakiin madaxweynuhu ma sheegin wax talaabo ah oo uu ka qaadayo dadka xabsiyada ka buuxa iyaga oo dil lagu xukumay ee sugaaya fulintiisa oo kaliyaata, waxaanu khudbada uu jeedinayay bishii lixdaad /4/2019 maalintii ciida uu yidhi, “ Umad ahaan waxaan isku dardaaraynaa dilka oo inagu batay oo ninkii wax dilay aad moodo In sidii islaamku ina faray aan loogu wada gurmanayn, oo dad kale siyaabo kale iyo qarqarin iyo la dhuumasho, alle ayaa inoo sheegay oo yidhi qisaasta aadmiyow nolol ayaa idiinku jirta, waxaynu isku dardaaraynaa dhamaanteen qofkii qof islaam ah badheedh u dila in aynu gacan ku soo wada qabano oo waxii kitaabkaas alle ku soo dajiyay la mariyo.” Bishii shanaad 26/2019 xaflada qalin jabinta ardaydii loo qaatay barnaamijka shaqo qaran waxa uu madaxweynuhu kaga hadlay dhibaatada dalka uu qaadku ku hayo, waliba waxa xusid mudan in khudbado aad u badan uu madaxweyne Biixi ku qeexay dhibaatada uu dalka ku hayo wali madaxweynuhu muu sheegin tallaabo uu ka qaadayo qaadka “ maalintu waa 24 saacadood markaad 18 saacadood qaad u fadhido oo caafimaadkaagii iyo naftaadiiba aad disho oo aad maskaxdaadii walaac galiso habeenkiina warwar iyo baqe aan aduunka jirin aad gasho aroortiina wax walba aad ka shakido oo aad tidhaahdo maxaa la qaban karayaa waxba la heli maayo waa layna waalayaaye caqligaas dadkuu galaa meel ma gaadhaan maantana dadkeena mushkiladaas ayaa ku badan waa inaan ka saarnaa. “ Madaxweyne Biixi bishii afaraad /17/2019 isaga oo ka dul hadlaayay aasaarta Laasgeel oo uu booqday waxa uu sheegay in Somaliland dalxiiska ay wax badan ka tabci karto laakiin talaabooyin xukuumadiisu xoojinta arintan ay ka qaadayso muu sheegin“ Goobaha taariikhda ah ee faraha badan ee magacyada badan aan u naqaano halkaas ka wada oo ilaa Saylac ka gaadha Camuudaas sodon sano ka hor suuqyada iyo guryaha oo dhan ayaa muuqday maantana baribaa la degay is odhan maysid, waxa ka mid ah Bulaxaar oo fooqyadu ciida hoosteeda ku jiraan waxa ka mid ah Calmadow imisa meelood ayaa ku yaala, waxaas oo dhami waxay u baahan yihiin in aynu isku xidhno oo wadooyin loo helo dadkuna u soo jeesto halkaas oo waxa yaala taariikh, aqoon iyo dhaqaale, dhaqaalaheenu waa uu kooban yahay waanan kori doonaa laakiin ahmiyad weyn ayaynu siin doonaa waxaana ka weyn in aynu dadka ku wacyigalino.” Bishii sadexaad /14/2019 waxa uu madaxweyne Biixi isaga oo la hadlaayay jaaliyada reer Somaliland ee Imaaraadka uu ka hadlay in dumuqraadiyadu ay tahay xoriyad hadal oo aanu gacan ka hadal ku jirin, laakiin madaxweynaha waxa hada u xidhan guddoomiyaha garabka dhalinayrada xisbiga mucaaradka ugu weyn Sidiiq Dhame oo madaxweynaha ku dhaliilay xaaladii degdega ahayd ee u uu ku soo rogay gobalka Sanaag “ Dumuqraadiyadu waa ay inagu cusub tahay dhaqankeena may ahayn waa laynoo dhiibay laakiin waynu jeclaanay, waxii rag ku heshiiyana Soomaalidu waxay tidhaahdaa ma qadhmuuna markaas dhibteeda inaan qaadano oo barano weeye, laba isku heli mayno dimuqraadi ayaan noqnaynaa iyo waanu coloobaynaa waan isku xanaaqaynaa waan is dilaynaa isma qabtaan, dimuqraadiyada afkaa lagu kala baxaa, dimuqraadiyada labadaas kursi ee iska soo horjeeda ayaa laysu dhigtaa sidii aynu odhan jirnay reer Xamarku Ganbadh ayay isugu fadhiistaan ganbadhkuunbaa laysugu fadhiistaa ee gacanta layslama gaadho. Madaxweyne Muuse Biix Cabdi oo xaaladaha dalka inbadan uga hadla si xogogaalnimo ah ayaan inta badan bulshada u soo bandhigin go’aamo uu gaadhay oo wax lagaga qabanaayo dhibaatooyinka is biirsaday ee Somaliland, waxaanu marar badan madaxweynaha hadalkiisu u muuqdaa in aanu isagu ahayn qofka haya maanta mindida daabkeeda ee looga fadhiyo dhibaatooyin badan oo Somalland ka jira siyaasadii lagu furdaamin lahaa. Source

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale has called for an amicable end to the ongoing diplomatic spat between Kenya and Somalia. Mr Duale said the two countries enjoy a long-standing bond that shouldn’t be undermined by a border dispute. Addressing journalists in Nairobi on Wednesday, the Garissa Township MP called on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somalia counterpart Abdullahi Farmajo to consider ‘brotherhood and neighbourhood’ in ironing out the sticky issues. “For the last three decades, Kenya has invested in Somalia in many fronts including security and hosting of refuges. Let’s not throw the baby with the bath water,” Mr Duale said. He, however, warned that Kenya’s territorial interests remain unconditional. “A lot is at stake and we need a prompt and amicable solution. The standoff is unhealthy. We have more issues to agree on,” he noted. The Majority Leader, who is the senior most Somali political leader in Kenya, said the matter currently before The Hague-based International Court of Justice may not be a sure solution to the maritime dispute. The two countries and not a third party, he said, hold the key to solving the border stalemate once and for all. Mr Duale called for goodwill from the two the nations in search for a solution. An emphatic Duale said: “I am a Kenyan Somali but I am part and parcel of the Kenya nation. No country can slice away a chunk of our country be it on land, water or sea. Somalia is our younger brother and we would like this issue resolved diplomatically.” Kenya and Somali have been at loggerheads in a renewed conflict over maritime boundary in the Indian Ocean which has seen the two countries trade barbs. Recently, Somalia announced its representatives would no longer attend regional meetings in Nairobi. Kenya, on the other hand, has slapped tough travel regulations on Somali nationals crossing into Kenya. Last month, Kenyan security officials ordered aircraft coming from Somalia to pass through Wajir for checks and on Tuesday, the Kiunga border with Somalia reportedly to curb contraband trade amid claims of the emergence of a secessionist group. According to the Kenya government, the boundary in the Indian Ocean sits parallel to the line of latitude but Somalia authorities want the boundary extend to the southeast as an extension of the land border. The simmering dispute has ended up in the international court despite senior officials of the two countries committing themselves in 2009 to have the matter resolved under the United Nations Commission in charge of mediating border disputes. At one point, Kenya accused Somali of auctioning its oil blocks in the Indian Ocean, a matter that saw cold relations between Nairobi and Mogadishu get to a new level. The ICJ’s final decision on the maritime boundary row is expected next year. Source: The Standard

Madaxwene ku-xigeenka Puntland ahna ku-simaha madaxweynaha Mudane Axmed Cilmi Cismaan Karaash ayaa shir gudoomiyey shirka golaha xukuumadda oo looga hadlayey arrimo muhiim ah oo quseeya [...] Source

Hargeysa (Caasimada Online) ― Guddoomiyhii hore ee gobolada Awdal, Gabiley, Sool iyo Maroodi-jeex, Mudane Mustafe Cabdi Ciise “Mustafe Shiine”, oo sidoo kalena ka mida jaaliyada Somaliland ee Ingiriiska ayaa markii u horeysay shaaciyey inay Dacwad ka gudbinayaan idaacadda BBC Somali. Mustafe Shiine ayaa sheegay inay Jaaliyada Somaliland ee Ingiriisku ay guddi u saaren arrimaha daba socodka laanta afka Soomaaliga ee BBC-da, taasi oo uu sheegay inay cabashooyin badan ka muujiyeen dowlada iyo shacabka Somaliland. “Jaaliyada Somaliland ee dalka Ingiriisku waxay guddi u saartay arimaha daba socodka laanta afka Soomaaliga ee BBC-da taas oo dadweynaha Somaliland, dawlada iyo shacabkuba ay aad uga cabanayeen, guddidaasina waxay diyaarisay saxeexyo loo gudbinayo maamulka guud ee BBC-da, laanta afka Soomaaliga iyo qaybta Afrika” ayuu yiri Mustafe Shiine. Wuxuuna intaas kusii daray “Saxeexyadaasi waxay toos ugu dhacayaan xafiisyada sar-sare ee BBC-da ilaa imikana waxa saxeexay dad ka badan 3000-qof, guddidii jaaliyadu saarayna way isku timid waxaanay go’aamisay hawl-galo cusub oo arintaas ku saabsan” “Waxa kale oo na soo gaadhay cabashooyin kale oo ku saabsan laanta afka Soomaaliga ee VOA, marka hore-na waxaanu go’aaminay in arinta BBC-da aanu meel isla dhigno, ilaa hadana waxa bilaabmay xidhiidho ay nala soo samaynayaan mas’uuliyiinta laanta afka Soomaaliga ee BBC-da kuwaas oo meel fiican uu marayo wada-hadalku”. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Hargeysa Caasimada@live.com

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti — Continued success by the American-backed military campaign in Somalia could set the stage for economic development in the country, which has been wracked by years of lawlessness and violence, U.S. officials said. In high-level talks in Mogadishu on Tuesday, U.S. Africa Command’s Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser and U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Donald Yamamoto discussed how to keep momentum “moving forward” in the Horn of Africa country, which has been in disarray for more than 20 years. “We discussed the way ahead and … how we (the United States) can best make a contribution,” Waldhauser told Stars and Stripes. “It’s never a straight line in Somalia. There’s always one step forward, two steps back, but there’s been some fairly good progress in the last few months with regard to taking back some territory al-Shabab had once held.” The U.S has about 500 troops in the country to help battle the al-Qaida-linked, homegrown terrorist group, which has an estimated 5,000 fighters and has been vying for control of the country for more than a decade. Efforts to stabilize the country have been complicated by the clan-based society’s skepticism of the central government, a defense official said Wednesday. Somalia, which consistently ranks among the most corrupt countries in the world, also has a history of resisting outside attempts to impose Western-style order, security analysts have long cautioned. Despite U.S.-supported military successes against them, al-Shabab and more recently the Islamic State in Somalia have proven resilient. Defense officials spoke about progress as “incremental” in the country, which is slightly smaller than Texas and filled with swaths of ungoverned territory. But there are encouraging signs of progress, Waldhauser said, citing a recent Somali-led offensive, alongside an international partner force known as the African Union Mission to Somalia, or AMISOM, to take back militant-held territory. “AMISOM partner forces and the Somalian National Army had been on a little bit of a campaign for the last couple of months,” Waldhauser said. “They’ve been able to hold ground.” Waldhauser’s visit Tuesday came after the United Nations Security Council last month resolved to extend the AU mission for one year, while withdrawing 1,000 troops from the country and limiting the contingent to about 19,500 troops, as part of a plan to gradually transition security responsibilities to Somali forces by December 2021. Source: Stars and Stripes