Ethiopia’s prime minister greeted an Eritrean delegation on Tuesday at the start of the first high-level visit in nearly two decades that has raised hopes of ending one of Africa’s most intractable military stand-offs. Olympic athletes, singers, actors and religious leaders were also at the airport where Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and other top officials were presented with garlands of flowers. The flags of both countries fluttered from lampposts in Addis Ababa along with a banner reading “Welcome!” Eritrea won independence from Ethiopia in 1993 following a three-decade liberation war but conflict erupted between them once again in 1998 over their disputed border, with diplomatic relations broken off ever since. Tuesday’s visit comes after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said this month he would honour all the terms of a peace deal, suggesting he might be ready to settle the border dispute. Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki welcomed Ethiopia’s “positive messages” and decided to send the delegation that includes his adviser Yemane Gebreab and his envoy to the African Union, according to a Reuters witness who saw them arrive at Bole Airport. Abiy’s chief of staff tweeted that the prime minister “hopes the visit will lay the foundation for a much brighter future for #Ethiopia #Eritrea.” The border war killed some 80,000 people and the sides remain at odds over the status of the frontier town of Badme. The border remains militarised. Abiy was at a rally hit by a grenade that killed two people on Saturday an attack that government-affiliated media blamed on opponents of reforms announced since he took office in April, including airline and telecoms privatisations and the rapprochement with Eritrea. Eritrea and Ethiopia broke off diplomatic relations two decades ago, although Asmara has a permanent delegation in Addis Ababa representing it at the African Union, whose headquarters are in the Ethiopian capital. No Eritrean representatives have been part of an official visit for talks with the Ethiopian government since at least 1998. Source: – Reuters

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar have finally inked an agreement to end the war. The two met in Khartoum on Monday to continue their face-to- face talks and mute all the stumbling blocks to the peace in the young nation. On Tuesday, the two leaders reached compromises on a number of outstanding issues. CEASEFIRE The areas agreed upon include a permanent ceasefire, cantonments for all forces and the deployment of forces by Igad and the African Union to safeguard the ceasefire. President Kiir and Dr Machar further agreed to have three capital cities; namely Juba, Wau and Malakal on temporary basis to host the three proposed vice-presidents. According to the signed Framework Agreement, seen by the media, the two rivals agreed to allow the Khartoum government to secure the oil fields in South Sudan in coordination with the Juba administration, and to rehabilitate the wells to restore the previous levels of production. They also declared to work together again for the third time after their long disagreement proved difficult for peace and stability. Sudanese President Omar Bashir on Monday promised to end the war in South Sudan and pave the way for rigorous development in the war-torn state. His promise seems to be bearing positive results on the peace process. “I would like to assure everyone that Sudan will work hard and try all measures based on our experience during the war and peace times to ensure that this initiative is a success. “We shall use our experience in the management of national and community dialogues to address all the issues,” President Bashir said. Interestingly, however, the Sudanese leader is a suspect wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity and genocide committed in western Darfur region. Source: Daily Nation

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar have finally inked an agreement to end the war. Source: Hiiraan Online

He and his brother Hassan would take the family water canister to fill each evening, knowing they were going to have to dodge snipers along the way. They took pride in the way they always escaped. They could not, however, escape hunger. Source: Hiiraan Online

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online) – Col. Gebregziabher Alemseged Abraha, oo ay Soomaalida ay u taqaan Jeneral Gabre ayaa shalay laga ceyriyey xilkii uu ka hayey urur goboleedka IGAD, ee ahaa la-taliyaha sare ee arrimaha siyaasadd ee xoghayaha fulinta IGAD. Warqad uu ku saxiixan yahay xoghayah guud ee IGAD Maxbuub Macallin, ayaa lagu sheegay in maanta iyo wixii ka dambeeyey Gabre uusan u shaqeyn IGAD. Warqadda ayaa waxaa sidoo kale Gabre looga codsaday inuu wixii ka horeeya shalay 2:30 xilliga geeska afrika soo wareejiyo dhamaan wixii qalab iyo hanti ah ee IGAD ee leedahay ee uu gacanta ku hayo. IGAD ayaa maanta Gabre kusoo daabacday qeybta ogeysiiska wargeyska Daily Nation ee ah kan afka dheer dalka Kenya, ayada oo laga digayo in la iska ilaaliyo ninkan, oo ah nin Soomaalida ay aad u nacday. Qoraalka lagu daabacay Daily Nation, oo IGAD ay lacag ku bixisay ayaa lagu yiri “Waxaa la idinku war-gelinayaa in ninka kor ku xusan uusan hadda iyo wixii ka dambeeya u shaqeyn IGAD, sidaas darteed uusan sharciyad u haysan inuu IGAD ku matalo wax ganacsi ah. Wixii uu geysto IGAD mas’uul kama noqon doonto” Prof. Cabdi Ismaaciil Samatar ayaa wax yaab leh ku tilmaamay in Gabre shaqada laga ceyriyo islamarkaana dhammaan howlihii IGAD laga joojiyo hal maalin gudaheed, ayada oo sida caadada ah aan waqti la siin, taasina ay tilmaameyso arrin weyn oo dadka aysan ogeyn balse jirta. Hoos ka dhageyso wareysiga Prof. Samatar https://www.caasimada.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/b841bdae-fe63-4ab2-a878-c2d6c0711a9f_48k.mp3 Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

POLICE have appealed for information over a missing Somali national teenager who was last seen in the Glen Road area of west Belfast on Saturday June 2. Source: Hiiraan Online

GEBILEY– Ms. Nafisa Mohamud Shirwa, a lawyer by profession is the first female to have announced her candidature for the upcoming parliamentary election which is slated to happen in Somaliland in 2019. A well organized ceremony was held in Gebiley today which was attended by her supporters from all walks of life. Supporters who spoke at the function have said that Ms. Nafisa who is vying for the parliamentary election in Somaliland will be elected and will do lead the nation to progress. Gebiley has the first female mayor and Ms. Nafisa is the first female candidate that has thrown her name into the ring. Somaliland cabinet recently approved a quota for women representation in the government and outcast clans. Ms. Nafisa has vowed to serve for all those who will vote for her in the coming elections and the whole Somaliland populace.

Madaxweynaha dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo ayaa maanta ubax dhigay Taallada Daljirka Dahsoon ee magaalada Muqdisho, waxa uuna halkaasi kula hadlay boqollaal shacab ah oo u dabbaal dagayay maalamaha xorriyada. Madaxweynaha ayaa dadka Soomaaliyeed ugu hambalyeeyay munaasabadda 26 ka Juun, isaga oo sheegay in ay tahay maalin weyn oo farxad leh oo dalkeena qeyb ka mid ah, gaar ahaan Gobollada Waqooyi, ay xorriyadda ka qaateen gumeystihii ingiriiska. Madaxweyne Farmaajo ayaa shacabka Soomaaliyeed meel walba oo ay joogaanba ku guugaabiyay in ay muujiyaan midnimo, walaaltinimo iyo isjacayl, ayna ilaashadaan qarannimadooda. “Waxaa waajib naga saaran yahay in aan jiilka naga dambeeya uga tagno taariikh ay tixraacaan, waxaan ka shaqeyneynaa horumarka Soomaaliya, waxaan ka shaqeyneynaa wanaaga Soomaaliya, waxaa waajib inagu ah wax walba oo aan sameyneyno in aan ka fiirinno waxa naga haraya oo taariikh iyo dhaxal ah si dadka naga dambeeya ay u tixraacaan.” Ayuu yiri Madaxweyne Farmaajo. Munaasabadda ubax dhigga Taallada Daljirka Dahsoon waxaa goobjoog ka ahaa xubno ka tirsan wasiirrada Xukuumadda Federaaalka Soomaaliya, Gudoomiyaha Gobolka Banaadir ahna Duqa Muqdisho, ciidamada qalabka sida iyo dadweyne. PUNTLAND POST The post Farmaajo “Waxaa waajib naga saaran yahay in aan jiilka naga dambeeya uga tagno taariikh ay tixraacaan” appeared first on Puntland Post.

Addis Ababa– Ethiopia on Tuesday received a high-level Eritrean delegation for the first time since the two countries fought a bloody two-year border war from 1998-2000. The Eritrean delegation headed by Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Salah was greeted at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport by Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed and Ethiopian Foreign Minister Workineh Gebeyehu. The Eritrean delegation came to Ethiopia a week after Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki declared that his country would send a team to Ethiopia to assess a recent Ethiopia peace offer. Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a bloody two-year border war that killed an estimated 70,000 people from both sides before signing a peace accord, dubbed the Algiers agreement, in December 12, 2000. On June 5, the Executive Committee of the ruling party, the Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) passed decision expressing Ethiopia’s commitment to an unconditional implementation of Algiers peace agreement with Eritrea. The peace agreement ended the two-year border war, but a tense armed standoff continued, with the two countries engaging in skirmishes occasionally. Ethiopia until this month had declined to endorse the results of the peace agreement fully, including the symbolically important town of Badme which Ethiopia currently controls but which was awarded to Eritrea. Eritrea for its part had until recently insisted the border demarcation has to be done first before any talks on normalizing ties. Xinhua

Muqdisho (Caasimadda Online) – Sida ay xogta hoose ku heshay Shabakadda Caasimadda Online dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya ayaa wado dadaal ay ku dooneyso in baaritaan loogu sameeyo Col. Gebregziabher Alemseged Abraha, oo ay Soomaalida ay u yaaqaanaan Jeneral Gabre. Dowladda Soomaaliya ayaa codsi u dirtay Ra’isulwasaaraha Itoobiya Abiy Ahmed, iyadoo ka codsaday in baaritaan lagu sameeyo Jeneral Gabre isla markaasna lasoo taago maxkamad. Dowladda Soomaaliya ayaa Jeneral Gabre ku eedeysay inuu dambiyo badan ka galay dalka Soomaaliya isla markaasna ay muhiim tahay in lagu sameeyo baaritaan dheer si loogu ciqaabo dhibaatada uu u geystay shacabka Soomaaliya. Ra’isulwasaaraha Itoobiya ayaa laga sugayaa inuu jawaab kasoo bixiyo codsiga ay dowladda Soomaaliya u dirtay lamana saadaalin karo go’aanka uu ka qaadan karo arrintaan. Dadka Falanqeeyo siyaasadda ayaa qiyaasayo inay u badan tahay inuu Abiy Ahmed diido codsiga dowladda Soomaaliya maadaama Gabre uu kasoo jeedo Qoomiyadda Tegreyga. Dowladda ayaa ku guuleysatay in xilka laga qaado Garbe, kadib markii ay sidaas ka dhaadhicisay uuna ka ogolaaday ra’iisul wasaaraha cusub ee Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed, oo danaynaya inay Soomaaliya aad isugu soo dhowaadaan. Madaxweynaha Soomaaliya Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo ayaa ka codsaday ra’iisul wasaarihii hore ee Ethiopia Hailemarim Desalegn in Gabre uu xilka IGAD ka qaado, hase yeeshee qorshahaas ayaa waqti fog qaatay. Si kastaba Gabre ayaan iman magaalada Muqdisho wixii ka dambeeyey maalinkii la doortay madaxweyne Farmaajo, markaasi oo doorashada uu goobjoog u ahaa. Ceyrinta Gabre, oo ah nin ay aad u neceb yihiin Soomaalida, ayaa noqon doonta mid ka mid ah guulaha ugu weyn ee lagu xasuusan doono dowladda hadda jirta, oo ka dagaalameysa in dalal shisheeye ay faro-gelin ku sameeyaan arrimaha gudaha dalka. Caasimada Online Xafiisk Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

Jabouti (Caasimada Online) – Guddoomiyaha Golaha Shacabka Soomaaliya Maxamed Mursal Sheekh Cabdiraxmaan iyo wafdi uu hoggaaminayo oo safar ku jooga dalka Jabuuti ayaa Maanta waxa ay booqdeen Xarunta Baarlamaanka iyo Dekadda dalkaasi Jabuuti. Guddoomiyaha ayaa waxaa Koormeerka ku wehlinaayay Guddoomiyaha baarlamaanka Jabuuti iyo mas’uuliyiin ka tirsan dowladda Jabuuti. Guddoomiyaha iyo wafdigiisa ayaa xarunta baarlamaanka Jabuuti kulan kula yeeshay guddoomiyaha iyo Xildhibaanada baarlamaanka Jabuuti. Kulanka ayaa ahaa mid lagu xoojinaayay xiriirka walaaltinimo ee ka dhaxeeya labada dowladood iyo labada baarlamaan. Guddoomiye Maxamed Mursal Sheekh Cabdiraxmaan ayaa dalka Jabuuti waxa uu u tegay in Shacabka iyo dowladaba uu kala qeyb qaato munaasabada 27-July oo ku beegan markii dowladda Jabuuti ay xurnimada ka qaadatay gumeystihii Faransiiska.

8 Parliamentarians mark today’s 58th anniversary since the former British protectorate of Somaliland attained independence from the United Kingdom. They call on the UK government to begin the process of bringing Somaliland into the international community, as distinct from neighbouring Somalia. “As the UK continues to confront the global threat of terrorism, Somaliland acts as a trusted local partner to the international community in one of the world’s most unstable regions” Credit: Kate Stanworth Today marks 58 years since the former British protectorate of Somaliland attained independence from the United Kingdom. For most African nations previously under British rule, such an anniversary is cause to celebrate the beginning of the country’s life as an independent sovereign state – and also as a strategic partner to the UK through membership of the Commonwealth. For the Republic of Somaliland, the situation is somewhat different. Having entered into a political union with neighbouring Somalia shortly after attaining independence, Somaliland resumed its position as an independent state in 1991 and for all intents and purposes has functioned as one ever since. However, over 27 years later, neither the UK nor the wider international community has recognised Somaliland as a sovereign nation. This excludes the country from membership of the Commonwealth and other vital international institutions that facilitate economic growth and development. Despite this, and as unfamiliar as Somaliland’s situation may be to many in the UK, the ties between the two countries are far from being merely historic. A large number of Somalilanders currently live, work, and study in the UK, including thousands in our constituencies alone. This diaspora community has played a crucial role in pushing for the impending passage of new bills in Somaliland that will bring the laws governing sexual offences and FGM into line with international human rights standards, setting Somaliland apart from its East African neighbours. The UK is the biggest contributor of international aid to Somaliland. It was also a leading member of the 27-country coalition that independently observed Somaliland’s presidential election last November. That election, which employed cutting-edge iris-recognition technology to combat voter fraud and represented the sixth consecutive occasion since 2003 on which Somalilanders have participated in multi-party elections internationally certified as free and fair, underlined Somaliland’s commitment to those most British principles of democracy and the rule of law. Furthermore, as the UK continues to confront the global threat of terrorism, Somaliland acts as a trusted local partner to the international community in one of the world’s most unstable regions. Successive Somaliland governments have made security, both domestically and across the Horn of Africa, a top priority, preventing the terrorist insurgencies that exist beyond Somaliland’s southern border from taking root in the country. If these ties of history, culture, economics, and security beg the question as to why the UK has been so slow to formalise its relationship with Somaliland, Britain’s changing position on the international stage provides the ideal incentive for doing so. This is a moment of potentially profound transformation for Britain’s external relationships, in areas such as trade and security. There is a clear cross-party consensus on the benefits of developing closer ties with the Commonwealth’s member-states. Many of these nations, like Somaliland, are emerging economies with young populations and high economic growth potential, with whom we already variously share a language, history, political traditions, and citizens. The UK began its two-year term as Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth in April, providing us with the platform to drive greater collaboration and inclusion. On this 58th anniversary of Somaliland’s independence from the UK, the day that makes its Commonwealth credentials quite explicit, we call on the UK government to begin the process of bringing Somaliland into the international community, with all the opportunities, benefits, and added prosperity that will provide for the country, its citizens, and its allies. Authors and co-signatories: Clive Betts MP Stephen Doughty MP Zac Goldsmith MP Lord Luce Kerry McCarthy MP Liz McInnes MP Matthew Offord MP Stephen Timms MP

Garoowe (Caasimadda Online) – Wararka ka imaanayo deegaanka Takuraq ee Gobolka Sool ayaa sheegaya inay halkaas gaareen ciidamo badan oo ka tirsan kuwa Maamulka Puntland. Deegaanka Takuraq oo ay isku hor fadhiyaan maamulada Somaliland iyo Puntland ayaa ku jirto xaalad aad halis u ah iyadoo daqiiqad kasta u nugloon inuu halkaas dagaal ka bilowdo. Ciidamada ka socdo Puntland ee halkaas gaaray ayaa lasoo sheegayaa inay ka imaadeen Magaalada Qardho ee Gobolka Bari. Ciidamadaan oo watay gawaarida dagaalka iyo kuwa ciidamada lagu daabulo ayaa ku biiray ciidamada Puntland ee ku sugan difaaca hore ee dagaalka. Ciidamadaan gaaray halkaas ayaa Takuraq kusii abuuray cabsi iyo inuu mar kale qarxo dagaal aad u adag oo dhexmaro labada Maamul. Ciidamadaan halkaas gaaray ayaa kusoo aadayo xilli laba maalin ka hor uu Cabdiweli Gaas ku baaqay dagaal cusub oo lala galo Maamulka Somaliland kadib khudbad uu ka jeediyey furitaanka kala fadhiga Baarlamaanka Puntland. Sidoo kale Madaxweynaha Maamulka Somaliland Muuse Biixi ayaa isna sheegay dhankiisa inay ka go’an tahay sidii maamulka Somaliland loo gaarsiin lahaa xuduudiihii uu calaameeyey gumeystihii Ingiriiska. Haddaba hallkaan hoose ka daawo sawirada

Ethiopia’s prime minister greeted an Eritrean delegation on Tuesday at the start of the first high-level visit in nearly two decades that has raised hopes of ending one of Africa’s most intractable military stand-offs. Source: Hiiraan Online

Muqdisho (Caasimadda Online )_ Madaxweynaha dowladda Federaalka ah ee Soomaaliya Maxamed C/llaahi Farmaajo ayaa sheegay in sanad iyo bar ka hor aanay jirin cid ka hadleysay Wadaniyad, isla markaana laga baqayay, kaddib khudbad uu ka jeediyay Munaasabadda 26-ka June oo ku beegan 58-guuradii ka soo wareegatay markii Xoriyadda ay qaateen Gobollada Waqooyi. Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya Maxamed Cabdullahi Farmajo ayaa sheegay in manta la joogo xilligii la qadan lahaa Mabda’a dhabta ah ee Wadaniyada. “Maanta waxay taagan tahay in sidhab ah looga Shaqeeyo Wadaniyadda,waayo dalkan ayaa ku hormarayo,waxaa hubaal ah in Halsano iyo bar ka hor dalkan in aysan jirin cid ka hadleysay Wadaniyad,waayo dadku wey baqi jireyn ayuu yiri madaxweynaha. Madaxweyen Farmaajo ayaa sheegay in Wadaniyadda aanay aheyn kaliya in Soomaali la yahay, balse waddaniyada ay tahay wax intaas ka weyn, isla markaana ay muhiim tahay in wax laga barto dadkii ka horeeyay sida ay ugu guuleysteen in dadka Soomaaliyeed ay mideeyaan. “Xorriyadda aan maanta ku naalooneyno waa mid lagu soo bixiyay dhiig iyo dhaqaale. Maanta waxaan joognaa guul taasoo kasoo bilaabatay 1960kii markii ay waqooyi iyo koonfur isku darsameen. Guushaas waxay ahayd mid ummadda u horseeday Soomaalinimo iyo midnimo”ayuu yiri Madaxweyne Farmaajo. Hadalka madaxweyne Farmaajo ayaa Saacadihii la soo dhaafay waxa uu ahaa mid qabsaday Baraha Bulshada,isla markaana ay jawaabo kala duwan Shacabku ka bixinayeen. Halkaan hoose ka dhageyso hadalka Madaxweyne Farmaajo https://www.caasimada.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Madaxweyne-Farmaajo-Wadaniyad.mp3 Caasimada Online Xafiisk Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

Muqdisho (Caasimadda Online) – Sida illo wareedyo lagu kalsoonaan karo ay u xaqiijiyeen Shabakadda Caasimadda Online waxaa Magaalada Muqdisho ee Caasimadda Soomaaliya ku wada sugan dhammaan madaxda ugu sareyso Maamulka Galmudug sida Madaxweyne Xaaf, Guddoomiyaha Baarlamaanka iyo Madaxweyne ku xigeenka. Madaxdaan oo maalmihii dambe ku jiray xaalad khilaaf aad u adag ayaa waxaa Magaalada Muqdisho isugu keentay dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya oo dadaal dheer ku bixineyso sidii meesha looga saari lahaa Khilaafkaan fadhiisay shaqadii looga fadhiyey Maamulka Galmudug. Dadaalka lagu doonayo in Khilaafkaan lagu xaliyo ayaa waxaa iska kaashanayo dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya, Beesha Caalamka iyo qaar ka tirsan waxgaradka kasoo jeedo deegaanada Galmudug Saacadihii lasoo dhaafay ayey madaxdaan Muqdisho ku yeesheen kulamo kala goono gooni ah iyadoo ka wada hadlay sidii looga gudbi lahaa Khilaafa ka dhex taagan loona fiirin lahaa danta Shacabka Galmudug oo maamulkaan uga fadhiyo waxqabad. Waxa ugu badan ee laga doodayo ayaa ah heshiiskii Jabuuti lagu gaaray kaasoo Garabka ay hogaaminayaan Gudoomiyaha Baarlamaanka iyo Madaxweyne ku xigeenka u arkaan inuu yahay mid garab marsan Hanaanka awood-qeybsiga. Arrinta ugu kulul ee dooda ugu badan ay ka taagan tahay ayaa ah Dastuurka oo Garabka Cadaado ku sugan uu ku doodayo in wax ka bedalay lagu sameeyay, islamarkaana Madaxweyne Xaaf uu mudo kororsi ku sameystay mudada Xil-hayntiisa maadaama lagu qoray dastuurka cusub inuu xilka sii hayn doono afarta sano ee soo socota, iyadoo laga soo billaabayo markii ay midoobeen Galmudug iyo Ahlu Sunna bishii January ee sanadkan. Sidoo kale waxaa taagan muran ku aadan Caasimadda Maamulkaas, iyadoo garabka Xaaf kasoo horjeedo ay rabaan inay Cadaado noqoto Caasimadda Baarlamaanka Galmudug sida uu horey ugu dhawaaqay Madaxweyne Farmaajo. Madaxweynaha Galmudug Xaaf ayaa lasoo sheegayaa inay ka go’an tahay sidii loo dhameyn lahaa Khilaafkaan isla markaasna loo arki lahaa Maamulka Galmudug oo mideysan. Marka ay soo dhammaadaan kulamada goono goonida ah ayaa waxaa la filayaa inuu dhaco kulan ay soo diyaarineyso wasaaradda Arrimaha Gudaha kaasoo lagu dhameystiri doono heshiiska. Wixii warar ah ee kusoo kordha kala soco Caasimadda Online Caasimada Online Xafiisk Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

Qatar Charity (QC) has distributed dry food supplies to 1,000 Somali refugee families living in the Dadaab camp in Kenya to help them cope with the acute food shortage. Source: Hiiraan Online

A high-level delegation from Eritrea is heading to neighboring Ethiopia Tuesday for historic talks that could bring an end to one of Africa's longest-running conflicts. Source: Hiiraan Online

As the United Nations and member states undertake the sixth review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy this week, one of the many critical questions related to recovering from the effects of violent extremism and terrorism is: what is to be done with offenders when they return to local communities? In Iraq and Syria, for example, an estimated 40,000 foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) from over 110 countries joined the so-called Islamic State in the years it was active, and now about 5,600 from 33 countries have returned home, with many more to follow and others who will relocate elsewhere. Additionally, groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria and al-Shabaab in Somalia have attracted their share of fighters, both locally and regionally. Source: Hiiraan Online

When Kenya closed its border with Somalia in 2014, most Mandera County residents thought it was a short-term measure to curb Shabaab terror attacks. Source: Hiiraan Online

By Dr. Hussein Mohamed Nur Who were the culprits? Crimes against humanity are deliberate acts taken as part of a systematic campaign that accuses human suffering or death on a large scale. Crimes against humanity are any specific acts deliberately committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian or against an identifiable part of a civilian population. For the first time between 20 November 1945 and 1 October 1946, the Nuremberg trials were held for prosecutions of war criminals (the prosecutions of prominent Nazi Germany politicians, political, judicial and economic leadership). However, recently the International Court of Justice (ICJ) made prosecutions through the International Criminal Tribunal and International Court of Justice for the former Yugoslavia. The law of crimes against humanity has primarily developed through the evolution of customary international law. Unlike war crimes and genocide, crimes against humanity are not codified in an international convention as yet. But there is currently an on-going international effort to establish a treaty. This is led by an initiative on crimes against humanity. The crimes against humanity include torture, extermination, prosecution, ethnic cleansing against identified groups on political, racial, ethnic, national grounds etc. In the 1980s crimes against humanity, acts were committed in a widespread manner and systematic attacks against the civilian population in Somaliland. The acts took place before and during the eruption of the war in the North (Somaliland). As many as 50,000 (though other estimates show that about 200,000 civilians – men, women, elderly and children) were killed indiscriminately. “Almost everybody is missing a relative”, as remarked by the Chairman of the Somaliland Investigation of War Crimes Commission (WCIC), Kadar Ahmed ‘Like’. The conflict in the North formally ended when Somaliland withdrew from its union with Somalia. But the perpetrators and culprits (war criminals) who committed the heinous crimes against humanity are still at large at the present. Though many of the officers of the previous dictatorial regime were killed in fighting in the North, others are alive either in exile as refugees like the brutal Colonel Awes Geddow (who shelled Hargeisa mercilessly) ‘the destroyer of Hargeisa’ and General Mohamed Said Hersi ‘Morgan’, ‘the butcher of Hargeisa,. General Mohamed Ali Samatar, the ‘architect and destructor’ of the North, passed away recently in the USA (buried in Mogadishu’s Defence Headquarters). Colonel Mohamed Ali Barre ‘Canjeex’, the executioner of more than 50 young professionals and students at the Gezira beach (previous part), is still changing domiciliary homes and residential countries in the diaspora (Kenya, Syria, lately Saudi Arabia etc.). Colonel Yusuf Ali ‘Tuke’, ‘the butcher of Gabiley and Arabsiyo’ in the 1980s, resides in the USA and waiting for prosecution the same pattern as General Samatar. Many others are known to have been involved in massacres and directing genocidal acts of civilians well before and during the conflict in the north. They are now being haunted by the nightmares of their past inhumane crimes and genocidal histories. General Mohamed Ali Samatar was finally brought to justice solely with the sheer determinations, commitments, efforts and hard work of individuals of Somaliland origin who filed a lawsuit against him. As a matter of fact, the General was the major perpetrator of crimes against Somaliland people. Since the collapse of the Somali government until after his conviction and death, the General was living in Fairfax, State of Virginia, United States. The process of the court proceedings and the outcome of the case are recorded (in author’s forthcoming book ‘the Rebirth of Somaliland’). The case sets a precedent for catching up with all other criminals against humanity in Somaliland. General Mohamed Ali Samatar, a long time fugitive war-criminal, was identified by US citizens, the plaintiffs, of Somaliland origin who managed to bring him to the law and successfully prosecuted him in the US Court of Justice, the case of (Yousuf v Samatar) which had a long-term history in the US courts having went through battles in all the courts of the US, i.e., District Court, the court of Appeals and finally through to the Supreme Court. The case was initiated in 2010, in accordance with the Federal Law. The Court of Justice informed the defendant that he could only appeal to the General Defence Law of the country. After fighting the case for a considerable length of time, Samatar finally buckled and gave up accepting liability before Judge Leonie Brinkema, a US Federal Judge, for torture, extra-judicial killing, war crimes, and other human rights abuses committed against the civilian population during the regime of Siyad Barre. The lawsuit was finally concluded in the US Courts. Senator Patrick Leahy, the lead Democratic sponsor of the Torture Victims Protection Act (TVPA) spoke in support of upholding the importance of the human rights law and, therefore, to bring any other suspect with regards to this issue to court. Apart from Bashe Abdi Yusuf (Bashe Abdi yare) and his colleagues, there still are other surviving culprits of the widespread and systematic campaign of human rights violations carried out under the General’s tenure in office. (The article continues below) Resources: Yousuf v. Samantar Case Yousuf v. Samantar Goes Before the Supreme Court CJA Files Respondents’ Brief with U.S. Supreme Court in Samantar v. Yousuf Supporters of Somali Torture Survivors File Amici Curiae Briefs with the Supreme Court in Samantar v. Yousuf Samantar v. Yousuf: Victory at the Supreme Court Samantar v. Yousuf: Historic Victory at the Supreme Court Yousuf v. Samantar: Ex-Somali Defense Minister is Denied Common Law Immunity for Torture and Killings Update in Yousuf v. Samantar: Court Orders Questioning of Former Somali Defense Minister for Abuses Somali General And Commander Of The Armed Forces Liable For War Crimes Samantar Case: $21 Million Judgment in Favor of CJA Clients Samantar Admits to Ordering Hargeisa Attacks on BBC Radio Senator Patrick Leahy’s Comment on Samantar v. Yousuf As mentioned before, the success of the case owed much to the plaintiffs’ efforts to amass and bringing essential information and corroborating a huge amount of evidence which included the General’s previous confession in a BBC interview in London in 1988 in which he clearly admitted that, since he was the highest commander, it was himself who gave the orders to his commanders to launch the bombardment and shelling of Hargeisa and, hence, by implication the execution of its civilian population. Interestingly, though the defendant ignored that he admitted that in the BBC interview the journalist provided the tape and confirmed, by image photography, that it was him (Samatar) who gave that interview. https://www.voanews.com/embed/player/0/3757684.html?type=video Historically, the lower court of the US refused the General twice before to deliberate the case against his requests. After appeals the US District Court Judge, Leonie Brinkema ruled in favor of the Centre for Justice and Accountability (CJA’s) clients as the Attorneys from CJA and Pro Bono Co-Counsel Akim Gumb Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP convinced the higher court about the grievous injuries and the malicious intent with which Samatar committed the crimes. At the time Samatar continued to assert immunity and for a third time petitioned the US Supreme Court to hear the case as the last resort. He claimed immunity in his official capacity. The case was then brought to the US High Court after he (Samatar) made an appeal which was heard. Finally, the Supreme Court let the previous court rulings and convicted the defendant. The court awarded the Centre for Justice and Accountability (CJA) clients of Somaliland origin namely Bashe Abdi Yussuf ; Abdulaziz Deria; Buraleh Mohamoud and Ahmed Guleid US $21 million as compensation and punitive damages for torture, war crimes against humanity and human rights abuses committed by the former Somali Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, General Mohamed Ali Samatar. The US Supreme court’s decision sends a strong message for all perpetrators of atrocities carried out crimes against humanity in foreign countries. Some of those who committed the heinous crimes of atrocities against humanity in the North today live in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa. So they should not be cloaked with immunity against their crimes. Unfortunately, there are many other Somali war criminals out there and on the run living freely in exile or otherwise in the diaspora and in Somalia today. But nonetheless, at least in the USA the successful bringing of the case and subsequent success in the case of one of the major culprits, General Samatar’s case opens a ‘Pandora box’ for other cases with same trends to follow suit in the future. It is an encouragement to face the prosecution of other potential candidates of war crimes and brutality against humanity in the future in courts. The CJA’s case marks the first one of a Somali government official to be accountable for atrocities and crimes against humanity. This is a welcoming decision for lawyers, human rights groups and the all those who suffered violation and abuses of the civil and human rights. One member of member of the group, Abdulaziz Mohamed Deria Ali or Eid, who lodged the case, expressed jubilantly his feeling of elation after the court decision. The details provided by one of the victims, Bashe Abdi Yusuf, send gruesome pictures and personal ordeals and historical background of the case who was interviewed by the media (HCTV, Kalsan TV and others and elaborated in the forthcoming book ‘The Rebirth of Somaliland). Warfaa v. Ali (Col. Tukeh) Colonel Yusuf Ali Tuke burning a victim in Gabiley There are other cases in the US courts whose legal courses are still looming in courts. They were dependent on the determination of Samatar’s case. CJA’s other cases include the CJA filed on 10th November 2004 on behalf of Farhan Mohamoud Tani (Warfaa) against a high ranking ex-Somali military commander, Colonel Yusuf Abdi Ali (Tuke) for torture, extra-judicial killing, war crimes, and crimes against humanity at a US District Court, the Eastern District of Virginia. Warfaa, the plaintiff was 17 years old when he was accused of being a member of the SNM and was subjected to brutal torture. He abused by Ali and his subordinates. Warfaa informs that, under the command of the Colonel, he had five close shots by Ali (Tuke) himself. Colonel Ali (Tuke) was first exposed by the fifth Estate in 1992 in the US with allegations that he executed, tortured and maimed a countless number of people in the North (Somaliland) before the collapse of the Barre regime in Somalia. However, as Tuke found himself in a major landmark and human rights lawsuit, he sneaked secretly to Canada. After working several years in Toronto, Canada as a security officer, Ali was exposed by the CBC and deported back to the US, his original port of entry country, for the above mentioned allegations of crimes committed in Gabiley region where he was a military commander during the brutal strife as a henchman for the late dictator, Siyad Barre against the people of Somaliland. The case was re-opened in October 2011 but stayed twice pending the Supreme Court’s decision in Samatar’s case. The case was specifically brought by Farhan Warfaa with allegations of brutal interrogation by Ali himself in December 1987. “During his torture, Ali himself was directly questioning him”, Tara Lee, Warfaa’s legal representative, argued and added, ”At the conclusion of the torture and beating [Ali] shot Warfaa five times at point blank range while the victim was still chained”. Ali was reported by eyewitnesses that he conducted gruesome tortures and killings in Gabiley region. Ali used to tie victims to trees and burn them alive himself by dosing petrol on them. He also used to tie and drag victims behind a military vehicle until their bodies shred into pieces and used to order the remains to remain in the streets for days. The civil action was brought under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) and the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA). The case was filed jointly CJA Attorneys and pro bono Partner Cooley LLP, working on pro bono basis. The case was referred by the District Judge to the US State Department with regards to their input to which extent the foreign officials are entitled to immunity acts. Therefore, the case was stalled. The Court administratively closed in 2007 pending determination of Yusuf V Samatar case. Attorneys from CJA and pro bono Partner Akin Strauss Hauer and Feld LLP successfully moved to re-open the case in October 2011. However, the case was delayed again in April 2012, this time pending of another Supreme Court case, Kiobel V Royal Dutch Petroleum Co., regarding the extra-territorial reach of the ATS. In April 2013, the case made to stay after the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Kiobel case holding that the ATS is subject to a presumption against extra-territoriality. On 28 July 2013, the Court solicited the US State Department’s opinion regarding the adverse impact on US Foreign Relations. The State Department gave the court a “functional green” light to proceed. Again, the Court stayed the case for some time in anticipation of whether the Supreme Court would grant ‘certiorari’ to hear the Yousuf V Samatar case which was pending at the time on ruling on the immunity issue. The case is still going despite a series of legal circuits. The fate of this case is expected to follow a similar pattern as the Yousuf V Samatar case which is now closed. The case is now with the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia and a decision is expected. On 2 June 2016, the CNN provided a report on Ali for his atrocities in the North in the 1980s. After his deportation from Canada despite his known accusations, Ali was then found work as a security officer at Dulles Airport, Washington D.C. Surprisingly Ali escaped vetting by the Master Security employer which had contracted from the Metropolitan Airports Authority (MAA). Interestingly, Ali passed a full federally mandating process too. That again included FBI background check and a TSA assessment in the US. Subsequent to his exposure and based on the seriousness of the nature of the allegations, Master Security immediately put Ali on first on administrative leave withdrawing Ali’s airport access and later sacked him. Ali is now being sued in the US Civil Court, a lawsuit earlier filed by the CTJ, a human rights group in 2006 before he sneaked into Canada. According to Kathy Roberts, an Attorney at CTJ, Ali oversaw the most incredibly violent crimes that one can imagine. Ali is well by the local people in Gabiley and Arabsiyo. In Arabsiyo, a group of Peruvian anthropologists dug shallow bits and found battered bones, remains of civilians slaughtered upon Ali’s supervision and orders as the local people (relatives of the victims) confirm that. Ali was well known as a terrorizer and torturer and for his brutal methods of killing such tying victims behind trucks and burring live people. Over the years the case had numerous twists and turns. However, on February 2016, the US Fourth Court of Appeals ruled that part of the case can be moved forward – the lawsuit claiming that Ali tortured and attempted to murder Farhan, the plaintiff. The other part will be dealt by the war crimes courts. The lawsuit is now headed to the US Supreme Court and CTJ expects it is potential to be a landmark precedent for other cases that foreign criminals in the US where thousands of suspected perpetrators are known to be residing such as the murders in El-Salvador, Tortures in Chile, ethnic cleansing in Somalia in the 1980s. In line with a former decision of a case (Yusuf VS Samatar as above) by the Fourth Court of Appeals, final ruling by the Supreme Court in Virginia opened a path for an individual lawsuit for torture and attempted murder against Ali committed when he was the head of the Fifth Brigade of the Somali National Army in the north in the 1980s. The Centre for Justice and Accountability (CJA) confirms that this is a landmark decision to pursue justice in this case. Without a doubt, the credit is to the Media, the Fifth Estate Press that exposed and stripped Ali naked from hiding as a war criminal. The case involving Ali is currently with the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia, the USA and a decision are expected in the near future. This is a clear indication of crimes against humanity, violation of human rights and civil liberty. Though the administrators claimed to be Muslims, such an inhumane act which was commonly practiced attracted condemnation for being unethical and un-Islamic (Quran 85:4-7). Ahmed V Magan: This case was lodged by a former Constitutional Law professor, Somali National University, Abukar Ahmed who resides at Columbus, Ohio, USA against Colonel Abdi Aden Magan, who was the Chief investigator of the notorious National Security Services (NSS) during Barre’s regime in Somalia. The plaintiff is a CJA client who filed the case on 21 April 2010. On 20 November 2012, the US District Court of Ohio found the Colonel guilty but held the case waiting for the determination of General Samatar’s lawsuit. The following case is similarly identical to above case cases in terms of circumstantial pieces of evidence and probably more likely to end up in a similar verdict as Samatar’s case. In Somaliland the War Crimes Investigation Commission (WCIC) directed by Khadar Abdi Mohamed ‘Like’ collaborates with the Peruvian team gathering evidence and necessary testimonies. As a result of a grisly crackdown on SNM rebels between 50,000 and 60,000 civilian people were killed. By 2012, according to WCIC there, a total of 226 mass graves (Berber 12, Burao 8, Sheikh 1, Erigavo 2, Gabiley 2 and Arabsiyo 1) are thus far known. “Everybody is missing a relative. Fathers, mothers, brothers, cousins” says Khadar Like, the Director of WCIC. The commission has a list of 33 suspects as perpetrators of those killings. Many of them are living in exile in North America, Europe, and Africa and Somalia including the butcher of Hargeisa, Mohamed said Morgan. A Peruvian group is currently working on behalf of the Somaliland Crimes against Humanity and Genocide Commission. They have dug two mass graves so far in the vicinity of the towns of Gabiley and Arabsiyo. On March 1988 it was Colonel Ali who led the massacre of 18 civilians near Gabiley at Lag Barako hill. The victims were tied in pairs and later buried in a makeshift mass grave that has recently been discovered. In all mass graves, the bones and remains of partly worn clothes (shirts, pants etc.) with colors were found still distinguishable, small possessions, ropes and other distinctive marks (golden teeth) were found as being crucial for identification and confirmation by the relatives of the people massacred victims. Most of the war criminals who committed such heinous crimes against humanity during the conflict in the Northern regions of Somali Republic (now Somaliland) are at large and on the loose living abroad (North America, Europe, Africa, Middle East etc.). Among those presently identified in Canada include Abdi Ali Nur Mohamed, a former Judge at Hargeisa in the 1980s and Mohamed Hassan Ismail Farah, a former Police Lieutenant in Hargeisa too. The victims reside in the same parts of Canada. The cases are not filed yet for one reason or other. There are other alleged war criminals of cases of crimes against humanity against perpetrators are at large and on the run living in Canada, Somalia, Kenya, Syria, USA etc. A case against a former judge, Mohamed Ali Nur, and a former Police lieutenant in Hargeisa are not active yet. To be continued

HARGEISA– The President of Somaliland Hon. Musa Bihi Abdi has announced that Dubai Ports World will start the expansion and modernization of Berbera Port and the realization of Berbera- Wajale Corridor. DPW will start implementing the development projects by January 2019. The Head of State has made the remarks during a speech delivered on the 58th Independence anniversary which Somaliland gained its freedom from Britain. The president said that Berbera Port Free Zone will also be officially opened which will attract foreign traders to Somaliland. Mr. Bihi has said that Somaliland is welcoming to foreign business communities who are willing to come and seek invest opportunities to Somaliland. The Head of State has sent a cable of congratulation to the Djibouti populace and its government for the Independence anniversary which gained its Independence from the French republic in 1977.

Hargeysa (Caasimadda Online) – Muuse Biixi Cabdi Madaxweynaha Soomaaliland oo khudbad ka jeedinayey munaasibadda xuska sanad guurada 58-aad ee ka soo wareegatay markii ay madax banaanida qaateen Gobollada Waqooyi ayaa ka hadlay Go’aankii dowladda ay kaga hortimid deeqaha lasiiyo Maamulkaas. Waxa uu sheegay in dowladda dhexe iyo dowlad Goboleedyada ay duullaan ku yihiin Somaliland,taasina ay daliil u tahay dagaalka ka socda Tukarraq, go’aanka dowladda Federaalka ah iyo dowlad Goboleedyada ee deeqaha beesha Caalamka sida uu hadalka u dhigay. “Waxaa nagu socda weerar colaadeed oo aan kala har laheyn, maalin hore Ra’iisul Wasaaraha ayaa waraaq soo saaray oo caalamka ku oranayo Somaliland yaa la caawin, waxaa kaloo soo baxay warqad kale oo ay soo saareen maamul goboleedyada oo ay leeyihiin Somaliland yaa la caawin”ayuu yiri Muuse Biixi. Muuse Biixi ayaa sheegay in aysan isku qaban karin in la dhaho Soomaali ha midowdo iyo Midnimada waa muqadas iyo in la cunaqabateeyo oo kaalmadii Somaliland ay ka helayeen caalamka la dhaho in la hakiyo. “Midnimo la raadiyo iyo in lagana go’doomiyo deeqaha Caalamka ma ahan kuwo isqabta,iyaga oo iska kaashanaya dowladda Federaalka ah iyo dowlad Goboleedyada” ayuu sii raaciye. Mar uu ka hadlaayay Shaqada Hay’adda DP World ee dekadda Berbera ayuu sheegay in Bisha December ee soo socota ay billaabaneyso hawlaha rasmiga ah ee dekadda islamarkaana dhismaha wadda ka baxda Berbera illaa Wajaale tagtana la diyraarinayo. Caasimada Online Xafiisk Hargeysa Caasimada@live.com

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online) – Dhacdadaani ayaa ka dhacday magalada Muqdisho ee caasimada Somalia, gaar ahaan agagaarka dhismaha Wasaaradda Arrimaha Dibedda Somalia kadib markii Haweeneydan oo la soctay Mooto Bajaaj loo diiday inay u gudubto Isbitaalka ay ku dhali laheyd. Haweeneydan oo markii hore fool aheyd ayey ciidamada Dowlada eek u sugnaa Isgooska Banaadir u diideen inay la gudubto Bajaajka, xili ay u sheegtay inay ku jirto daqiiqadihii ugu danbeeyay ee foosha, hase ahaatee ciidamada halkaa ku sugnaa ayaa u diiday inay marto wadada. Ciidamada ayaa darawalkii waday Bajaajka si bareera ugu diiday inuu Haweeneyda gaarsiiyo Isbitaalka Hooyadda iyo Carruurta ee Banaadir oo aan ka fogeyn halka ay askarta ka xireen Jidka. Ciidamada halkaa ku sugnaa oo u muuqday kuwo aan lagu ababin la dhaqanka shacabka iyo qiimeynta duruufta dadka xanuunsan ayaa dhegaha ka fureystay inay Haweeneyda Foosha haysay u maciinaan iyo inay Bajaajkii gurmad ahaanta iyada u waday u fududeeyaan marista Jidka. Mid kamid ah dadkii ku sugnaa goobta ayaa yiri ‘’Waxaan ku leexday ashahaatanka iyo qeyla dhaanka Haweeneyda, ciidamadu waxa ay dadka gurmadka ku baacinayeen qori waxa ayna ku goodinayeen inay dilayaan qofkii kasoo gudba goobta’’ ‘’Runtii aniga aad ayey isku bedeshay shucuurteyda waayo askarta aan la shaqeyn laheenay ayaa nooga daran kuwa baneestay nafteena’’ ‘’Ciidamada Haweeneydii aan arkay xanuunka saarnaa u arxami waayay dabcan anigu kama sugaayo wanaag balse taasi waxa ay diiwaanka u gali doontaa Dowlada, weyna adkaan doontaa inay wada shaqeyn dhexmarto ciidanka iyo dadka shacabka ah’’ Muranka iyo mowqifka ciidamada oo adkaa kadib Haweeneyda ayaa ku umushay dhinaca wadada xili jawiga magaalada Muqdisho uu ahaa mid qabow saacaduna ay aheyd xiliga Maqribka kadib. Sidoo kale, dhacdadan ayaa ka mid ah Dhacdooyinka naxdinta leh ee ay dadweynuhu la kulmaan xilliyadda ay Ciiddanka DFS xiraan Waddooyinka muhiimka u ah isku-socodka magaalladda Muqdisho. Dhinaca kale, Ciidamada dowlada ayaa lagu eedeeyaa in xiliyada ay xiran yihiin waddooyin si ay ku jirto cadaawad ula dhaqmaan dadka shacabka, taa oo la sheego inay sabab u tahay wada shaqeyn la’aanta shacabka iyo ciidanka. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com