GARISSA, Kenya, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan security officers have launched a manhunt for al-Shabab militants who attacked a police camp in northeast Garissa county near the Somalia border on Tuesday, injuring three police officers. Source: Hiiraan Online

Nairobi (HOL) - The European Union has released €89 million (nearly $105 million) in humanitarian aid to Somalia just days ahead of the Somali Partnership Forum co-hosted by the EU. Source: Hiiraan Online

Thousands of Bosnian Muslims gathered in Srebrenica on Wednesday to mark the 23rd anniversary of Europe's worst massacre since World War II and attend the funeral for 35 recently identified victims. Source: Hiiraan Online

MOSCOW — Mario Mandzukic ran and ran and ran until he had almost nothing left. Source: Hiiraan Online

HARGEISA– The President of Somaliland His Excellency Musa Bihi Abdi leading a high powered delegation is due to embark on an official working visit to the neighboring country of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government has extended an official invitation to Somaliland president, Hon. Bihi and is due to hold bilateral talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali and the foreign minister. The government of Somaliland has not spoken of the visit that the Head of State is due to pay to Ethiopia and the date that the president will travel is not also clear. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the president is expected to visit Ethiopia next week.

Somaliland’s head of state H.E Musa Bihi Abdi has met with veteran politician Ismael Bubaa in his office at the presidential mansion. The veteran politician is a member of the opposition National Party (Wadani). The two veteran politicians decided to put their political differences aside and work together to anked the president for inviting for the meeting and said he will do whatever in his power to narrow the political difference and concentrate in national building. The opposition politician was once in the political oblivion following his rendezvous with the rogue Somalia regime. He was pardoned by president Silanyo who allowed him to set foot in Somaliland after many years of exile abroad. Solna

No one can deny that Somaliland is a democracy. A democracy that is operational in highly sensitive and war thorn region generally characterized as unstable. Despite being unrecognized, Somalilanders installed in hardship a democratic form of government. Now that is at risk, not because a coup happened, but democracy has been hijacked. The president of Somaliland, a former military commander under Siad Barre regime and a rebel fighter, came into power in 2017 disputed presidential election. His party controls both houses of the Parliament, the judiciary and the military. Apart from the state apparatus, the main civil society organizations, networks and umbrellas are under his command as well. In a political arrangement built on a clan system, the civil society organizations are led by individuals who belong to the clan of the president and are politically his supporters. When the judiciary and the civil society organizations whom their main responsibilities are to protect the citizens are aligned with the government in a clan-based scheme, obviously democracy and peace are in danger. Belonging to a clan does not mean automatic loyalty. My argument is not to claim that every person who belongs to the clan of the president is his devotee. That is not the case, and any argument solely based on that is very wrong. What I mean is that these people are given positions in a prearranged system intended to give the president a domination by marginalizing other communities. This is a sensitive matter in a clan-based society. Below table shows the clan affiliation of leading government authorities and civil society leaders of the country: Name Position Clan 1 Muse Behi Abdi President of Somaliland Gabiley Clan 2 Adam Haji Ali Ahmed Chief Justice Gabiley Clan 3 Nouh Ismail Tani The head of the military Gabiley Clan 4 Anwar Warsame The chairman of Somaliland Non-state Actors Forum (SONSAF) Gabiley Clan 5 Nafisa Yousuf Executive director of Nagaad Women Umbrella Gabiley Clan 6 Mohamoud Abdi Jama Chairman of Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) Gabiley Clan 7 Mohamed Mohamoud Hashi Chairman of Somaliland Lawyers Association (SOLLA) Gabiley Clan These are a few examples showing a control of one clan in the judiciary, the military and the civil society organizations.

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online)-Qoraal kasoo baxay Xafiiska Guddoomiyaha Golaha Shacabka Baarlamaanka Soomaaliya Maxamed Mursal Sheekh C/raxmaan ayaa waxaa lagu wargaliyay xildhibaanada Golaha Shacabka baarlamaanka Somalia. Warqada kasoo baxday Xafiiska Guddoomiyaha ayaa waxaa Xildhibaanada lagu wargeliyay in kalfadhigii Saddexaad ee Baarlamaanka uu xirmay 10-kii bishan July oo shalay ku beegneyd. Warqada fasaxa ee xildhibaanada Golaha Shacabka ayaa waxaa la ogeysiiyay Golaha Wasiirada Soomaaliya, Guddoomiyaha Golaha Aqalka Sare iyo Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka Soomaaliya Mudane Maxamed C/laahi Maxamed. Shalay ayay qorshaha aheyd in Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka Soomaaliya Maxamed C/laahi Maxamed (Farmaajo) uu soo xiro kalfadhiga Saddexaad ee Golaha Shacabka, balse wuxuu u baaqday safar uu Madaxweynaha ugu maqnaa dalka Turkiga. Gudoomiyaha Golaha Shacabka Maxamed Mursal Sheekh C/raxmaan ayaa xildhibaanada u rajeeyay nasiino wanaagsan, waxaana xildhibaanada ay soo laabanayaan 10-ka September 2018, sida ku cad warqada ka soo baxday xafiiskiisa.

Landlocked Ethiopia wants to make the re-opening of two roads connecting it to two of Eritrea’s Red Sea ports a priority in the two nations’ reconciliation process, a government spokesman said on Wednesday. In a move that ended a 20-year military stand-off, the Horn of African neighbors agreed on Monday to open embassies, develop ports and resume flights. The historic reconciliation could transform politics and security in the volatile Horn region, which lies along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Ethiopian government spokesman Ahmed Shide said on Wednesday that the reopening of two critical roads leading to the ports of Assab in Eritrea’s south and Massawa in the north would benefit the whole region. “The unfolding developments will not only benefit our peoples, but the entire Horn of Africa region will be a part of these developments,” Shide was quoted as saying in an interview published on the Eritrean information ministry’s website. Also on Wednesday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s chief of staff wrote on Twitter that Ethiopian and Eritrean passport holders would be able to travel to the other country and obtain visas on arrival. The changes are sweeping away years of hostility and raising hopes in both countries for a lucrative peace dividend. Access to the ports of Assab and Massawa could greatly help Ethiopia’s push to boost their exports and increase hard currency earnings, analysts say. The country of 100 million is heavily dependent on ports in tiny neighbor Djibouti, but since Abiy took office, has also negotiated access to a port in Sudan. Source: – Reuters

President of Ethiopia’s Somali regional state has reportedly ordered the release of all political prisoners held in the region’s notorious jail facility. According to Harun Maruf, a Voice Of America journalist who extensively covers the Horn of Africa region said Abdi Mohamud Omar, known as Abdi Illey released detainees including opponents and former security officials. Other journalists stressed that relatives of the inmates had queued at the premises of Jail Ogaden officially known as Jijiga Central Prison. The current move comes on the back of a scathing report on Jail Ogaden released by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The group called on Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to probe widespread rights abuses routinely carried out on inmates. The 88-page report asserted that “Prison officials and security forces have arbitrarily detained and tortured prisoners for years in the notorious regional prison known as Jail Ogaden. “Ethiopia’s new prime minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, should urgently order investigations into the horrific situation, and the government should ensure regional security forces and officials are held accountable. “The prison’s security forces, including the Somali Region’s notorious paramilitary force, the Liyu police, are implicated. The unit reports to the Somali Region president, Abdi Mohamoud Omar, known as Abdi Illey. “Most prisoners are accused of some affiliation with the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), a banned opposition group, but most never face charges or trials.” Barely a week ago, Ethiopia’s Attorney General fired heads of prisons in the country, accusing them of failing to respect prisoners’ human rights in the discharge of their duties. State broadcaster Fana BC reported at the time that Attorney General Berhanu Tsegaye called on their replacements to respect and protect human rights in accordance with the constitution. “Those responsible for the abuse of human rights will face justice after the necessary investigations are completed,” he said. Reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is on record to have said that the state had in the past sanctioned torture of political opponents in a move he described as unconstitutional. Mass release of political prisoners – regional and federal level Ethiopia’s federal government has released thousands of political prisoners since the beginning of the year as part of reforms to open up the democratic space and revert to constitutionalism in the country. Regional administrations especially Oromia, Amhara and Tigray, have all released political prisoners as part of the process of increasing political inclusion. The notorious Maekelawi detention and investigation center was closed in April this year. The former prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn had announced in December last year that that the Maekelawi prison would be converted into a museum, and that a new center compliant with the national parliament’s guidelines on human rights and international standards would replace it. Human rights activists and organisations have for a long time accused the Ethiopian government of torturing and mistreating its political opponents, who in the past have been detained en masse during periods of turmoil like the state of emergencies instituted in 2016 and early this year. Source: – Africanewss

President Uhuru Kenyatta held a meeting with General Thomas Waldhauser, the US-Africa Command Commander Wednesday morning where they discussed regional security including the situation in Somalia and South Sudan. During the meeting, President Kenyatta who has been at the forefront in the efforts to restore peace and stability in the two East African countries told General Waldhauser that Kenya is firmly committed to the cause of finding peace in Somalia, an aspiration that has in the past been negated by lack of adequate capacity, and proper military commands. Political turmoil in South Sudan, said President Kenyatta, has been made worse by unwarranted fear and mistrust between supporters of President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar. President Kenyatta however said hope to restore stability in both countries is not lost and partner-states working towards peace in the region will remain committed to the cause. “We shall give it everything we can. But it is not going to be easy”, President Kenyatta said in reference to South Sudan. President Kenyatta said Somalia faces further challenges of mistrust and internal politics between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and regional governments. “The deteriorating relationships between the TFG and the regional governments is of major concern to us,” said President Kenyatta adding that the conflict is a major security threat to Kenya and the region. He called for structures that will enable the TFG to work with the regional governments. The President counselled that for peace and stability to be restored in Somalia, its leadership needs to refocus its attention and energies into addressing issues that cause national divisions and avoid being drawn into partisan distractions. On his part, General Waldhauser underlined the need for Somalia to strengthen its leadership structures adding that the instability is partly due to indirect interference from certain Gulf countries. “We are ready to continue assisting the country so long as the federal government is willing to accept our support”, said Gen Waldhauser who called for neutrality from the Gulf countries that are extending their differences to the Horn of Africa nation. “The differences and clashes in these Arabian countries are playing out in Somalia. We call for their neutrality”, said the top Us military officer. The General said the US will continue its training programmes for the Somalia National Army (SNA) with the expectation that the Federal Government will work on the requisite structures for the trained personnel to operate effectively. Turning to the situation in South Sudan, President Kenyatta said there is need to make both President Kiir and Machar to truly appreciate the benefits of working together. The President said that the IGAD partner states are committed to keeping pressure on the two leaders to work together for the benefit of the people of South Sudan. President Kenyatta regretted that the South Sudan problem had taken an ethnic dimension between supporters of the two leaders. Gen Waldhauser said the US is committed to continued partnership with Kenya and lauded President Kenyatta’s upbeat economic agenda. Responding to a question raised by the military leader, President Kenyatta said he Big 4 Agenda aims at creating social harmony among Kenyans to create a favourable environment for wealth and job creation through manufacturing, affordable housing, universal healthcare and food security. President Kenyatta further said that the aim of his government is to establish an irreversible trajectory of growth and development that is totally dependent on robust institutions. General Waldhauser was accompanied to the meeting held at State House Nairobi by Brigadier General James Craig, the US Horn of Africa Commander and US Ambassador Robert Godec.

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online)-Waxaa maanta magaalada Muqdisho lagu qabtay kulan lagu wareejinaayay qeybtii ugu horeysay ee howlaha dib u-eegista Dastuurka dalka. Waxaa kulanka goobjoog ka ahaa Xildhibaanada guddiga la socodka Dastuurka ee labada aqal ee Baarlaamaanka,Gudoomiyaha Aqalka sare iyo wasiirka Dastuurka. Maxamed Daahir Afrax oo ah Gudoomiyaha Gudiga Dibu eegista Dastuurka ayaa sheegay in Guddiga uu bilaabay dadajinta howlaha loo igmaday ee dastuurka. Waxa uu yiri “Waxaa leygu wareejiyay qeybtii ugu horeysay ee dib u-eegista labaad ee cutubyada Dastuurka Qeybtaas oo ah shanta cutub ee ugu horeysa Dastuurka KMG” Senator Xuseen Sheekh Maxamuud oo ah Xoghayaha Guddiga Dib u eegista Dastuurka ee labada Aqal ee Baarlamaanka Somalia ayaa si kulul uga hadlay faragelin uu sheegay in lagu hayo shaqadii loo Igmaday Guddigooda. Waxa uu sheegay Senatorka in loo Gacan dhaafay Howshii loo xil saartay Guddiga, Isagoo dhinaca kalena sheegay ineysan Jirin cid wax ka qabaneysa Cabashadooda oo mudooyinkanba soo taagneyd, dhowr jeerna ay Gaarsiiyeen Cida ay quseyso. Xoghayaha Guddiga Dib u eegista Dastuurka Baarlamaanka labadiisa Aqal, ayaa sidoo kale sheegay ineysan lamid eheyn Xukuumadaha Heer Federal iyo Dowlad Goboleed, balse iyagu ay yihiin Guddi Shaqo loo dirsaday islamar ahaantaasina aaney heysan wixii ay ku shaqeyn lahaayeen. Si Kastaba, Guddigan uu Gudoomiyaha u yahay Senator Cabdi Xasan Cawaale Qeybdiid ayaa dhowr jeer oo hore soo bandhigay Caqabado Shaqadooda heysta, iyadoo wali loo dhag raaricin la’yahay. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

Jigjiga (Caasimada Online) – Madaxweynaha Dawlad Deegaanka Soomaalida Itoobiya ayaa ballan qaaday in la sii dayn doono maxaabiista ku xiran Xabsiga Dhexe ee Jigjiga oo ku magac dheer “Jeel Ogaadeen”, wuxuuna sheegay in masaajid loo badali doono. Isbedelada Cusub ee Ra’iisul Wasaare Abiy Axmed ayaa sababtay in ay isku-soo dhawaadaan Ururka ONLF iyo dowladda Itoobiya oo mudo Sanado ah wada dagaalamayey,waxana sidoo kale Xabsiyo ku yaalla dowlad deegaanka Soomaalida Itoobiya laga siidaayey Boqolaal ruux oo ay ku jiraan dad ka tirsanaa Jabhada ONLF. Cabdi Maxamuud Cumar Madaxweynaha Deegaanka Soomaalida Itoobiya oo daba socda qorshaha isku-soo dhawaasha iyo isbedelada ka jira dalka Itoobiya ayaa shaaciyey in lasiideyn doono dadka ku xiran Xabsiga dhexe ee Magalada Jigjiga kaas oo loo yaqaano “Jeel Ogaadeen”,. Warbixinta ka kooban 88 bog islamarkaana ay dhawaan soo saartay hay’adda u dooda xuquuqda aadanaha ee Human Rights Watch ayaa ku eedeeynaysa tacadiyo saraakiisha Itoobiya iyo booliiska deegaanka ee loo yaqaano Liyuu ay ka geysteen “jeel ogaadeeniya” . Inta badan maxaabiista ayaa xabsiga la dhigay iyaga oo aan wax maxkmad ah la soo taagin sida ku cad warbixinta. Hay’adda Human Rights Watch ayaa warbixinteeda ku sheegtay in inta badan dadka lagu xiro xabsiga “jeeyl Ogaadeeniya” ay yihiin kuwa lala xiriiriyo in ay ka tirsan yihiin jabhadda ONLF oo ah mucaarad dalkaasi laga mamnuucay. Tallaabada lagu siideynayo dadka ku xiran Xabsiga dhexe ee Magalada Jigjiga iyo isbedelada Ra’iisul Wasaaraha Itoobiya Abiy Axmed ayaa waxaa aad u soo dhaweeyey dadka ku nool dowlad deegaanka soomaalida Itoobiya iyo meelahaa ka baxsan intaba. Caasimada Online Xafiiska Addis-Ababa Caasimada@live.com

Single mother Hawo Osman Abdi and her nine children have been sleeping outside under a tree for several days and night since running away from their home in Aad, in central Somalia’s Galmudug state, after conflict erupted between local people and Al-Shabab fighters. Source: Hiiraan Online

President Uhuru Kenyatta held a meeting with General Thomas Waldhauser, the US-Africa Command Commander Wednesday morning where they discussed regional security including the situation in Somalia and South Sudan. Source: Hiiraan Online

President of Ethiopia’s Somali regional state has reportedly ordered the release of all political prisoners held in the region’s notorious jail facility. Source: Hiiraan Online

Landlocked Ethiopia wants to make the re-opening of two roads connecting it to two of Eritrea’s Red Sea ports a priority in the two nations’ reconciliation process, a government spokesman said on Wednesday. Source: Hiiraan Online

he surprising sounds of a late evening in Mogadishu: surf on the beach, laughs of revellers, clinking of cups and glasses, oaths of harassed waiters and the soft melodies of the oud of Aweys Kabanle. Source: Hiiraan Online

Shacabka Puntland oo si weyn uga dhiidhiyey duulaankii Somaliland ku qabsatay deegaanka Tukaraq ee gobalka Sool iyo hanjabaadii ka timid Maamulka Muuse Biixi ayaa su’ aalo badan iska weydiinaya hakadka ku yimid dhaq dhaqaaqii Puntland dooneysay inay ku xoreyso dhulka horey loo qabsaday gaar ahaan gobalka Sool. Tan iyo 8dii bishii Janaayo ee sanadkan oo ku beegnayd xiligii ciidamada Somaliland dagaal kula wareegeen deegaanka Tukaraq oo ahayd kastamkii Puntland xili shacabka Puntland ku mashquulsanaayeen soodhaweyntii wafdigii Madaxweynaha Dowlada Federaalka Soomaaliya Maxamed Cabdullahi Farmaajo ayaa waxaa socday dhaq dhaqaaq ciidan oo ay xoogiisa wadeen beelaha ku dhaqan gobalada Puntland oo iskood isu abaabulayey, kuwaasi oo ciidamo badan geeyey gobalka Sool iyo waliba xoolo ay ugu deeqeen ciidamada Puntland. Dadaalkaasi ka yimid beelaha Puntland ayaa ahaa kii sababay in isbedal ku yimaado dhawaaqii kasoo baxayey Maamulka Muuse Biixi oo horey ugu hanjabad in ay tagi doonaan caasimada Puntland iyo Garowe. Xukuumada Puntland oo iyadu ku dhawaaqday in dagaal ay u geli doonto xoreynta gobalka Sool ayaa baaqyo kala duwan u dirtay shacabka Puntland inay garab istaagaan ciidamada difaaca, baaqyadaasi oo ay shacabka si mugleh uga jawaabeen, iyagoo ku deeqay hub, ciidan, saanad iyo xoolo. Sidoo kale shacabka ku dhaqan magaalooyinka ay ciidamada Somaliland qabsadeen sida Laascaanood ayaa ka jawaabay baaqyadii kasoo baxay xukuumada Puntland, iyagoo dhigay banaanbaxyo ay ka dhasheen dhimasho iyo dhaawac oo looga soo horjeedo Somaliland kuwaasi oo ka dhacay xarunta gobalka Sool, ciidamada Somaliland ayaa xabsiga dhigay tiro badan oo dad rayid ah oo ay ku jiraan haween iyo caruur ku sugan magaalada Laascaanood. Waxaa iyaguna jiray weeraro hubeysan oo ka dhacay gudaha magaalada Laascaanood oo ay fuliyeen maleeshiyaad kasoo jeeda magaalada oo taageersan dhaq dhaqaaqa Somaliland looga saarayo gobalkaasi. Hadaba xiligan ayey shacabka Puntland su’ aalo badan iska weydiinayaan dib u dhaca ay keentay xukuumada Puntland oo ay hogaamiyaan Madaxweyne Cabdiweli Maxamed Cali Gaas iyo Kuxigeenkiisa Eng.Cabdixakiim Camey oo xiligan u muuqda inay ka gaabsadeen duulaan xiligan lagu qaado fariisimaha Somaliland ka sameysatay deegaanka Tukaraq oo wax ka yar 80km u jirta caasimada Puntland ee Garowe. Dadka qaarkiis ayaa aaminsan in arrintan ay la xariirto culeyska Beesha Caalamka ay ku saartay dowlada Puntland in la joojiyo dagaalka gobalka Sool, balse waxaa iyaguna jira warar isa soo taraya iyo tuhumo la xariira in xukuumada Madaxweyne Gaas sida ay daacad uga tahay qorshahii xoreynta Sool, arrimahan oo ay shacabka Puntland billabeen inay si weyn ugu falanqeeyaan baraha Bulshada ku sheekaysato. Muddo Kororsi? Madaxweynaha Puntland oo la doortey shan sano ka hor yaa lagu doortey barnaamij siyaasadeed oo uu wax ka qabanayo Amniga, hagaajinta dhaqaalaha, dhismaha ciidanka, daryeelka arrimaha bulshada, la dagaalanka Musuqmaasuqa,hirgelinta nidaamka Xisbiyada badan iyo midnmada Puntland ee dib u soo celinta magaalooyinka xukuumadihii hore lagala wareegay ee ka tirsan Puntland. Haddaba iyada oo la marayo malamihii u danbeeyey ee xilka loo dhaariyey ayaa la is weydiinayaa waxa ka hirgalay ballan qaadkiisi iyo dhartii uu shacabka u qaadey, sida Dhaqaalaha Puntland heerka uu maanta taagan yahay, Amniga, dhismaha ciidanka, la dagaalanka Musuqa, so celinta deegaanada maqan iyo hirgelinta nidaamka Dimoqraadiyadda. Xiriir kala duwan oo lala sameysey saraakiisha ciidamada ee ku sugan aaga Tukaraq oo waxna looga weydiiyey dareenka shacabku ka qabaan hakinta hawlgalka ayaa waxay sheegeen in xukuumadda baaqeedi si weyn looga jawaabey, loona diyaar garoobey in Sool laga xoreeyo Somaliland, laakiin aysan ka soo dhamaan Madaxtooyada Garoowe, iyagoo ka gaabsaday inay ka hadlaan in arrintan la xariirto arrimo siyaasadeed iyo dano kale. Dadka falanqeeya siyaasadda Puntland ayaa aaminsan in Madaxweyne Cabdiweli Cali Gaas markii horeba aanu dagaalka diyaar u ahayn, taas oo ay tusaale u tahay qaabka dagaalku ku bilowdey 15 May 2018, isaga oo ku maqan magaalada Baydhabo. Gaas ayaa docda kale ku argagaxay cududa militari iyo hubka ay ku jiraan gaadiidka dagaalka ee badan oo ay keeneen beelaha Puntland kuwaasi oo hadda noqday ciidamo ka baaxad iyo cudud badan ciidamadii ay dowlada Puntland geysay Tukaraq, isla markaana u arkeen xubnaha Xukuumada talada heysa in hawlgalkan uu waji kale yeelan karo hadii qaabkan lagu dagaal galo iyo cidda hantiyi doonta guusha xoreynta Sool oo hubaal ah inay saameyn weyn ku yeelan doonto Doorashada 2019. Waxaana la rumeysan yahay in dhaq dhaqaaqa ciidan ee ka madax banaan xukuumada talada heysa ay sidoo kale caqabad iyo jidgooyo ku noqotay qorshe la hadal hayey oo ahayd in xukuumada Gaas iyo Camey codsadaan muddo kordhin ku aadan xaalada dagaal ee lagu jiro. Mucaaridka damacsan inay u tartamaan doorashada 2019 ayaa sidoo kale ku lug yeeshay abaabulka ciidan ee socday isla markaana ka qeyb qaatay ololaha ay wadaan beelaha ciidamada ku deeqay, middaasi oo cabsi dheeraad ah ku abuurtay hogaanka sare ee dowlada Puntland. Xogta Muddo kororsiga ee Madaxweyne Gaas oo si weyn isu soo taraysa inkasta oo isagu aanu ku dhawaaqin ayaa keeni karta cawaaqib xumo ku habsata Puntland, marka la eego ciidamo beeledyada aadka u tirada badan ee Dowladdu durbaanka u tuntey, marka la eego xiisadahii ka dhashay isku dayayadii muddo kororsiga ahayd oo ay damceen xukuumadihii ka horeeyey tan hada joogta iyo waxybaaihii ka dhashey ayaa la oran karaa maanta ayeyba ka sii khatar badan tahay, marka la eego dhanka amniga, dhaqaalaha iyo siyaasadda. LASACO QAYBTA LABAAD EE MAQAALKAN W/Q: Hussein Farah Horseed Media

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online) – Wasiirkii hore ee arrimaha dibedda Soomaaliya Yuusuf Garaad Cumar ayaa ka hadlay qunsuliyado ay dowladda Kenya qorsheyneyso inay ka furato ka furato magaalooyinka Kismaayo iyo Hargeysa ee Soomaaliya. Caasimada Online ayaa sideeddii bishan shaacisay faahfaahin ku saabsan qorshaha Kenya ee qunsuliyadahan. Halka akhri warbixintaas. Qoraal uu facebook soo dhigay ayuu Yuusuf Garaad ku yiri:- “Kenya waxay Afrika iyo Asia ka fureysaa 16 Xafiis Ergo-Diblomaasiyadeed oo hor leh. Waxay isugu jiraan Safaarado midkood laga furayo caasimadda Djibouti, Qunsuliyado iyo laba xafiis oo ay ka fureyso Hargeysa iyo Kismaayo. Diblomaasiyiin culus oo lix ka mid ah ay hore u ahaan jireen Wasiirro ayaa qaban doona xilalkaas, sida ay ay qorayaan Wargeysyadu. Dhankeenna Soomaaliya dhowr iyo tobanka Safaaradood ee Danjire laawayaasha ah waxaan rajeynayaa in iyagana dhowaan la buuxin doono oo labada mas’uul ee waaxda Fulinta ee dalka ugu sarreeyaa ay howlmaalmeedkooda mashquulka ah ay ku darsan doonaan magacaabidda Danjirayaal na matala. Xiriirka laba waddan ka dhexeeya meesha ugu horreysa ee laga akhrisan karo waa wejiga uu leeyahay xiriirka diblomaasiyadeed ee labada dal. Safaarad sannad ku-dhowaad amaba ka badan ahayd Danjire la’aan, iyo Safaarado ku yaal caasimado muhiim ah laakiin aan xataa hal diblomaasi joogin ma ahan sida ugu qurxoon ee lagu kobciyo xiriir wax wadaqabsi oo laba dal dhex mara.” Caasimada Online Xafiiska Muqdisho Caasimada@live.com

Mobile money platform Zaad is booming in Somaliland, but there is concern its reliance on the dollar is damaging the economy. “The ex-governor of the Bank of Somaliland, Abdi Dirir Abdi, says Zaad “causes inflation and offends the dignity of our legal tender.” Grasping his mobile phone, Abdirizak Yussuf Mahmoud prowls the Mohamud Haybe livestock market outside Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. A camel catches his eye and the bargaining begins. He shakes the hand of the trader, haggling in a silent code. Pinching an index finger adds 1,000 dollars to the price; grabbing a hand means 5,000 more. Once agreement is reached, the handshake is broken. A quick chat confirms the details, before the sale is completed by mobile phone. No cash changes hands, no papers are signed. Instead, Yussuf Mahmoud types into his handset, the seller’s phone chirps, and the deal is done. Such scenes are commonplace in Somaliland, where innovation and technology are filling the void left by the absence of international commercial banks and formal banking infrastructure. In the past, a purchase like Yussuf Mahmoud’s would have required a signed letter authorising the withdrawal of cash from one of Hargeisa’s many money transfer operators. Now the favoured transaction mechanism is Zaad, a pioneering mobile money platform inspired by Kenya’s M-Pesa service. Zaad, launched in 2009 by mobile network operator Telesom, has boomed in Somaliland. More than 10% of the region’s 3.8 million people are subscribers, and Zaad account numbers are displayed on walls and shop signs. Its usage ranges from livestock trade to commerce, university fees to electric bills. Money transfer operators continue to dominate international transactions, but in Somaliland they have lost ground to Zaad. Abdikarim Mohamed Eid, chief executive of Telesom, says people were initially sceptical about the service. “We had to win their trust. So we convinced employers to pay salaries through Zaad and created an ecosystem. If everybody accepted Zaad, everybody would pay with it.” Within a year, the strategy began to work. Subscriptions increased, and in 2011 Telesom launched Salaam, an Islamic financial institution offering services – including savings accounts, current accounts and small loans – accessible through Zaad. The financial community began to take notice, and promises of a “cashless economy” and “branchless banking” in the Horn of Africa soon followed. Adbullahi Hassan, 24, a money vendor in Hargeisa, says Zaad has changed the way he works. “We turn paper money into ‘Zaad money’, so people can walk safe and carry [it] with them.” A stroll through the capital shows that cash still matters, however. The legal tender in Somaliland is the shilling, but Zaad deals in US dollars. Consequently, those most likely to use it are private sector employees, development workers, and recipients of international remittances. “We civil servants are paid in Somaliland shilling,” said Wali Daud Egal, director of planning at the finance ministry. “By accelerating the dollarisation of the economy, Zaad props up prices, and this affects us in particular.” The governor of the Bank of Somaliland, Abdi Dirir Abdi, says Zaad “causes inflation and offends the dignity of our legal tender. In Kenya or Tanzania, mobile money companies use the local currency. Why here is it different?” There are no published studies linking Zaad to inflation, though the service does fall within a regulatory vacuum: Zaad has implemented practices compliant with international anti-money laundering standards, but there is no state regulatory framework and parliamentary discussions about a commercial banking law have dragged on. While celebrating the usefulness of Zaad, many in Somaliland acknowledge Telesom’s unchecked influence on the economy. Meanwhile, Telesom’s rival, Dahabshiil, is launching its own mobile money service, E-Dahab, for Somtel users in June. Dahabshiil, often cited as one of Africa’s brightest business stories, acquired Somtel in 2008. Dahabshiil’s foray into mobile money will have the benefit of a far-flung network of money transfer agents, allowing Somalilanders abroad to send money home by mobile phone. In response, Zaad is going international. After striking a deal with Tawakal and WorldRemit, two money transfer operators, it promises to shake up the remittance business. Some say the brewing competition between Telesom and Dahabshiil has laid bare the failure of Somaliland’s authorities to monitor or regulate mobile money. Others argue this focus does little to help expand access to financial services. Company bosses believe real financial inclusion will happen only when Somaliland is properly integrated into the global banking system. Safyia Cisman Taani, a local consultant for the International Labour Organisation, points to the challenges women face in rural areas. “They have no collateral to apply for a loan, whatever the means, either in cash or in mobile money,” she says. “Often they cannot even open a Zaad account because they lack an ID. Financial inclusion should go hand-in-hand with political inclusion.” Guardian

Press Release Brussels, 11 July 2018—The European Union has released €89.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Somalia and Djibouti, as millions are grappling with the consequences of prolonged extreme weather conditions. The funding comes ahead of the Somalia Partnership Forum co-hosted by the European Union taking place next week over 16-17 July. “The devastating effects of two years of drought and the recent intense flooding are taking their toll on the livelihood of millions of people in Somalia,” said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides. “Our aid will target the most vulnerable and provide life-saving support to those affected by climatic shocks and internal conflict.” Out of the aid package, €89 million in emergency assistance will be channelled in Somalia to reach communities displaced by severe drought, focussing on the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, water supply and livestock protection, as well as health measures against epidemics. A further €500,000 is going to Djibouti to support refugees in the country (mostly fleeing the conflict in Yemen, but also from Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea) by providing water, sanitation and protection to the communities living in the Ali Addeh, Hol Hol and Markazi refugee camps. With €119 million allocated to Somalia in 2017 alone, the EU has drastically scaled up its humanitarian assistance to the country, helping to avert a catastrophe similar to the 2011 famine which resulted in 260,000 deaths. Background About half of Somalia’s 12 million inhabitants are food insecure and in need of humanitarian assistance, while an estimated 1.2 million children are expected to be acutely malnourished during the course of 2018. The country has 2.6 million internally displaced people, and the situation worsened following the April 2018 floods, which affected 427,000 people and left 175,000 displaced. In addition to climate shocks, conflict remains at the centre of the humanitarian crisis in Somalia with insecurity and violence taking a heavy toll on civilians for decades, affecting livelihoods and hampering economic progress and development. In Djibouti, the European Union provides humanitarian aid to the refugee population as well as the host communities. Since 2012, over €10 million in emergency assistance has been allocated to the country. Humanitarian funding from the European Union provides refugees with access to clean water and sanitation as well as, protection. Emergency assistance links up with longer-term development strategies to mitigate the impact of climate shocks and promote resilience among the affected communities.