en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1230468 Comments by Mohamed_Mahmoud http://somalilandpress.com/william-hague-visits-somalias-mogadishu-26398#IDComment282685517 I think the business of the Somalia meeting in London is clear. The British govt will not support nor advocate for recognition of Somaliland. Because of that, I refuse to agree that it is worthwhile to attend the London meeting. However, Somaliland can play clever and call its own meeting with supporting nations in Hargeisa. Even if that means we have Israel, China and Russia, then so be it. An international meeting held in Hargeisa will be a powerful force indicating to the international community ( western world) that the govt of Somaliland will not be intimidated to rejoin Somalia. The only issue I see is we lack strategic leadership to counter the effect of deniers of recognition. I once suggested when I met the Foreign Minister that we must be clever and seek British attention where they don't expect us to do. For example, with the many Somalilanders in UK, who are tax payers, why have any of the many organisation ever thought of seeking to judicial review of the British govt non-recognisation. That action may not go far because the Courts will say policy is for the executive, but imagine the publicity such an action will generate? All the papers will report it. Everyone in the UK will know about the plight of Somaliland. And, with the public supporting us, who knows. The British govt tends to follow public views closely. The Foreign Minister is busy eating khat every time he comes to the UK in the so called 'meeting the people get together'. I doubt with such people if Somaliland will ever move forward. The Somaliland deniers are doing more and shamefully as successful. Fri, 3 Feb 2012 09:58:10 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/william-hague-visits-somalias-mogadishu-26398#IDComment282685517 http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-al-khair-foundations-imam-qasiim-meets-with-president-siilaanyo-26403#IDComment282675112 Good news. However, I think Mo Guled should edit his posting - the following does not make sense, if not written poorly. "Imam Qasim thanked the Allah, the President of Somaliland and his Vice president for facilitating to materialize the development projects intended to accomplish in Somaliland". Fri, 3 Feb 2012 09:42:32 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-al-khair-foundations-imam-qasiim-meets-with-president-siilaanyo-26403#IDComment282675112 http://somalilandpress.com/paralysis-and-indifference-at-the-heart-of-british-policy-towards-the-horn-of-africa-23659#IDComment192601622 The current British government's interest lays on gaining petrol and seeking business deals abroad, neither of which the Horn of africa can offer. The conservatives are busy, very busy realigning themselves for the deals to be struck in Libya and others Arabs government after the spring revolution. That is why David cameron went to Russia, to kick start some relationship with them so that they ( Russia) not hinder the process of deal making after the spring revolution. Rather than waste time seeking the attention of the Union Jack, we, as Somaliland, must form liaison of others across the field and solemnise our affairs with wide ranging government. If Israel wants to be our friend, we must agree forthwith. Waiting for Britain will make us lag behind in international scene. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:54:53 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/paralysis-and-indifference-at-the-heart-of-british-policy-towards-the-horn-of-africa-23659#IDComment192601622 http://somalilandpress.com/kulmiye-party-second-man-in-charge-dismay-at-current-policy-of-the-government-23695#IDComment192595304 Abdi and Bedria I am in the UK, but usually follow politics bak home.I have read with interest what you wrote. Yes, we have made a great leap and inshaAllah we will continue to move forward. Whilst I agree that we need to nurture the growth already achieved, we must equally accept and allow criticism of our failings, or what seems to others as failures. It is only when we are tolerant and acceptable to our own misgivings to be pointed to us, can we really make the fathom steps that our country needs at the moment. Abdirahman Abdulkadir has the right to speak his mind. You might not agree with his opinions but he must be allowed to air them public without harm or hindrance. Afterall that is the government and country we all want – where everyone is heard. Some may come with selfish agenda, and try to propagate them. But, we will never knew what the message is if we stop people from making their minds known and rubbish everyone we perceive to be a threat. Further, the fact that someone questions the distribution of resources, is not bad at all. There must be equity in distribution of jobs, and others resources so that no one is left out. Everyone must be included. I think you are accusing Gaboose wrongly. He wants to be the president, there is nothing wrong with that, and he formed his own party, equally there is nothing wrong with that, too. I agree with you when you said, “ Our national political parties should never be exclusive to a single tribe or serve single "Beel's" interest, but rather should be inclusive and be underpinned by strong ideological foundations, supported by social justice and equality before the law”. For us to reach that stage, we must first make sure everyone in included and jobs and other amenities are distributed equally amongst our people. If that does not happen, then we will not reach the stage where our politicians do not have the need to defend ‘narrow tribal interests’, as you put it. Finally, we need to hear from the government and especially the president to respond to the comments raised by the Kulimiye party second in charge, who is number two to him. Silence will not make the issues raised go away. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:34:14 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/kulmiye-party-second-man-in-charge-dismay-at-current-policy-of-the-government-23695#IDComment192595304 http://somalilandpress.com/op-edsomaliland-why-media-is-a-male-dominance-23676#IDComment192302053 I think I am getting roped in some unhealthy conversation. God, what can of worms did I open, here? At the risk of losing my head, let me respond, hopefully this time you will understand where I am coming from, as you haven’t so far. If you take Benzir Bhutto to be your role model, the simple truth is you far way from Islam whatsoever you intent. Take it or lump it. Second, the point about trousers was a metaphor! Shame, you did not get it. It refers to women who think they are same as men. That is against Islam, and I have no apologies to make because I know it is the truth. Men and women are different. To think they are same and equal is un-islamic. Simple,period. For your information, I do not chew miraa, if anything I am very much against it. Further, I am comfortably educated and with a family, and therefore does not need to take hostage when making my points clear and known. Good luck and so long, I will now leave you with your delusions. Finally, you do need to learn to be brief, as brevity mirrors de-cluttered mind. Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:23:12 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/op-edsomaliland-why-media-is-a-male-dominance-23676#IDComment192302053 http://somalilandpress.com/op-edsomaliland-why-media-is-a-male-dominance-23676#IDComment192153774 Nonsense. Wikipedia is a website whose information in inputted by people like me and you. You take what is in there at your peril. In spite of that, let us 'interrogate' what you claim in islamic feminism. I think you seem to confuse 'feminism' with equal rights. They are two different things. I let you work out the difference. Feminism, if it means emancipation of the female dignity, values, and rights, is already well enshrined in Islam. Amongst the major shahabis were women and many played crucial roles. But they remain Islamic women, with the values that they inherited because of their respective roles. But, if your 'feminism' means women are equal to and same with men, then you are hopping on one leg! Women cannot be same with men, as the two are unequal in many aspects. That fact is well recognised in Islam, as well as Biology. So the fallacy in your 'source' is manifested in the examples it gives. Was Benzir Bhutto a perfect example of a Muslim woman? Bhutto is an example because she became a prime minister, but was she really an example to be followed? She inherited her father's political patronage and cultivated it more to reach the prime ministership. Having listened to her on several occasion, I doubt if Benazir knew any religious knowledge. She lived as any western women, but with a small cloth to cover her hair, usually on her shoulders. If that is your role model, good luck! Your role model should be the likes of Aisha RA who was an intellectual in islamic knowledge, a beloved wife of the Prophet PBUH, a great daughter of Abu Bakr RA and a staunch follower of Islam. Would you equate Benazir Bhutto ( who drank alcohol openly) to her - no chance. No need to quote your grand-mother, whom ever she is, or was! I can categorically told you a Somalilander woman even stood up for presidency of our country. We have women in politics, in Law, in the police, in medicine, and so on. All these women know they roles as mothers, wives, daughter, sisters and are very happy to be Muslimah - not the likes who want to wear trousers like their men folks! Now, you can see your assertion of Islamic Feminism is hot air - the type of sociology 101 you pick up in A levels. Fortunately for us, Islam is a perfect way of life. For the many 'western' somali women, young and educated, who though feminism meant they are equal to and same as men, their lives have remained a council flat, single with several babies from different fathers, ending up fat and disjoined from the reality of life, with no future other than benefits. Is that what you want, or would you rather be a Muslimah who respects her roles with her religion. Sun, 11 Sep 2011 06:24:57 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/op-edsomaliland-why-media-is-a-male-dominance-23676#IDComment192153774 http://somalilandpress.com/op-edsomaliland-why-media-is-a-male-dominance-23676#IDComment192042912 Whilst it is good to hear our people talk, I think in this particular discussion, the bottom line has been reached, and nothing pertinent could be said which has not already be said. It seems to me the issue of women in media was a storm in a tea-cup. No one is stopping any lady from being a journalist, and the stereotyping raised here is simply pathetic. The ladies themselves need to pursue journalism if that is want they want. And I am sure outlets like somaliland press will accommodate them in their midst. Many of the ladies contributing here seems to be western-type with sweeping statements like - men chew mirraa, they do not work, and so forth. That is not helpful. Granted, that may be the facts, bit it is not the way to proceed, when we are still at infancy state in out nation. Feminism will not help women further themselves in an Islamic environment like ours. Each party must learn to respect each other, and live to cultivate mutual understanding. I fear I see women yapping about how many A* they got in the GSCEs, and in the process missing on marriage, remaining bitter and twisted ending in misery. Education should open up new horizon for you to make you a better person, not some canning person dwelling on non-issues which are neither here nor there. So, education should make you better happy and easily integrated person, if it does not then you need help! Now, the following are misapprehension needed to be corrected. Islam puts the responsibility of looking after the family on the Husband. But, if the wife wants, she can work and whatever she earns is her to do with want she sees fit. She must while doing that observe hijab. The responsibility of the house falls on her, and likewise if the Husband wants to help, he can. Ps. It is not Somalians, for God sake. It is Somalis, or rather Somalilanders. Sat, 10 Sep 2011 21:47:51 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/op-edsomaliland-why-media-is-a-male-dominance-23676#IDComment192042912 http://somalilandpress.com/op-edsomaliland-why-media-is-a-male-dominance-23676#IDComment191127323 Amal, your yardstick to 'evaluate' Somalilanders man/women is wrong. Judge us on our own standards, not others. Kadhar has pointed you to some of issues where your yardstick - using Pakistanis and Arabs have fallen short. Moreover, you seem to 'attack' Islam, nor the subjects of the topic - Somalilanders. The pertinent point in the opinion posted was the male dominance of the Media. It was not the subjugation of the women Somalilander, or downgrades their respective intelligence. I take on board your elaborate examples in female ‘shahabis’. Our women should engage in media, politics, or any other fields they want. There are no restrictions, whatsoever. As far as I know a Somalilander woman even stood up for presidency of our country. We have women lawyers, doctors, soldiers, police and so on. So who is stopping the women in Media? I suggest no one, as they need themselves to engage proactively in the all spheres where they think they would. Women folks must take up opportunities in education, work, employment and so on. We have many areas now opening up in our country, and it is only right that they play their part as the citizenry of our country. I only add that we respect our religion, which says that women when not their houses must be on ‘hijab’. That is a command from Allah. Thu, 8 Sep 2011 16:34:04 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/op-edsomaliland-why-media-is-a-male-dominance-23676#IDComment191127323 http://somalilandpress.com/honest-healthy-debate-in-a-spirit-of-courtesy-and-tolerance-23632/#IDComment189610542 Somaliland press must regulate their sites to stop the perennial abuse of it. I suggest you moderate what people write and delete the nonsensical ones. It shameful and embarrassing to read what some people write here. Could they not use their time wisely and, at least, learn some English. When you see people yapping about politics and governance but cannot express themselves clearly, you wonder what contribution can they add to the country? Maybe it the product of half-baked education many receive in the country and assume they are well qualified to insult others - surely little knowledge can be dangerous! Somalilandpress must be proactive in cleaning their website from filth. Sun, 4 Sep 2011 07:41:27 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/honest-healthy-debate-in-a-spirit-of-courtesy-and-tolerance-23632/#IDComment189610542 http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-%e2%80%93-it%e2%80%99s-time-to-consider-calling-in-the-professionals-23520#IDComment189610371 Kamal Thank you for the insult. God bless. Sun, 4 Sep 2011 07:40:17 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-%e2%80%93-it%e2%80%99s-time-to-consider-calling-in-the-professionals-23520#IDComment189610371 http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-%e2%80%93-it%e2%80%99s-time-to-consider-calling-in-the-professionals-23520#IDComment189610252 Mohamed, I disagree. We must actively play our role in developing our country. Believe in destiny is pivotal, but we need self-believe in our ability to steer us towards success. Doing that, we must have strong faith in God, and do not forgot that his will is paramount. The Quran is replete with examples of human drama where the players were convinced that they were writing the script, only to find at the end of the day that God was the choreographer behind the scenes. Let me address your points in turn. 1.Mohamed Yusuf is a Somalilander, first and foremost. He is an experienced Lawyer. That means he can and will apply his professional view on investments for the country with a slant towards his motherland - because he will feel for his country. Law of investment is same across the board - whether in films or mines. Moreover, I doubt that someone like him, will steal from his country. 2.The best example of where people have taken forward their development is Botswana. Forget the Arabs who employ people but do nothing themselves. Having said that, even Arabs are now busy giving natives positions which were help but aliens. Even if we may not have the experts at hand, we must bring in positions systems which encourage home-bred professional to determine our success. 3.You are engaging in self-hate by assuming that a foreigner will better develop your country. Our people are better in understanding our needs and aspirations. We need to give self- purpose to achieve success for themselves. Sun, 4 Sep 2011 07:39:32 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-%e2%80%93-it%e2%80%99s-time-to-consider-calling-in-the-professionals-23520#IDComment189610252 http://somalilandpress.com/what-somaliland-needs-to-learn-from-the-london-riots-23383#IDComment186703214 I think Silnayo's son-in-law is on the money, to a point. Yes, there was an element of criminality. It was impossible not to feel horror, outrage and even fear at the images from England's streets. But the harbingers have been there for some time if anybody had cared to look. England's social and cultural ties that bind have been weakening and corroding for decades. That, I think is what Mark is saying on his article. As a nation, England is disoriented, brooding and suspicious. There is no sense of collective purpose or shared destiny. Those at the top are in the forefront of the charge to grab what they can without any sense of their proportional and due dessert, or accompanying responsibility to the society of which they are part. Of course there is no excuse for wanton criminality. But that does not help us much. We need to know why, and we need to get beyond invocations to better policing, tougher penalties and better parenting, however much they may be needed as part of the solution. The emergent consensus is that there was not even a higher political or social purpose behind what happened: it was mindless, feral youths and gangs – their members unparented – looting for the flat-screen TVs and trainers to which they wrongly felt entitled. It was an abysmal new social low. The country is economically stagnating. For anybody young and unlucky to be trapped in one of our sprawling sink estates through the bad luck of birth, what chance is there? Are their vanishing prospects in any sense deserved or fair? Meanwhile, those at the top take as much as they can get away with. It is simply accepted that the highest rate of tax is without purpose because so many organise their affairs not to pay it – even famous knights such as Philip Green or Richard Branson, now reportedly considering moving part of his business to Switzerland. So to avoid the England riots, Somaliland cannot let the brute bad luck of birth dictate destinies as lethally as they do in Britain. Nor can rewards be so gigantic for so little contribution or genuine innovation – or responsibilities be so widely evaded. We need a good capitalism and the good society that accompanies it. The wellbeing of the top and middle depends on the relative wellbeing and opportunities of those at the bottom. Societies cohere or they perish. It is time we held those at the top of the pile to account for the lapse of standards and their hypocrisy. Fri, 26 Aug 2011 06:32:19 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/what-somaliland-needs-to-learn-from-the-london-riots-23383#IDComment186703214 http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-%e2%80%93-it%e2%80%99s-time-to-consider-calling-in-the-professionals-23520#IDComment186693502 It is great to know that the Somaliland gov't is engaging with the World in seeking investment opportunities. True, many of those investors will have their own agenda and as such the gov't must be prepared to instruct the 'best' advisors. Most of the investments on the table have more to do with national dignity and security. Oil, gas minerals exploration can uplift the economy, improving the wellbeing of its people, as the case in Botswana. Or a curse, as seen in Nigeria, et cetera. I think the best people to handle such engagement are the Somalilanders themselves. Why engage others when we have able and competent individuals from Somaliland to do the business? I suggest 'Invicta Capita' led by our own Mohammed Yousef. He is a lawyer, with deep knowledge in capital investment, and has shown his commitment in Somaliland by investing his own resources in the country. NB. Could Somaliland press please regulate the comments and delete offending ones, and if possible remove the offenders. There is absolutely no need to the kind of language some write. Fri, 26 Aug 2011 05:41:05 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-%e2%80%93-it%e2%80%99s-time-to-consider-calling-in-the-professionals-23520#IDComment186693502 http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-merits-recognition-as-an-independent-state-17476#IDComment90941229 Seeking recognition – the next goal. Recognition is important. We need to participate in the world, and gain things like trade and credit facility to built our country. How else would we build infrastructural facilities likes roads, et cetera. We need to partake in global finance, and seek support of projects which individuals on their own accord cannot implement. People can build their own house, and so forth, but when it comes to hospitals, roads, sewage system, et cetera we need the cooperation of others both to finance and built them. The question is how to achieve recognition. Somaliland has a tiny territory and a tiny population but does fulfill the criteria for Statehood. The sizes of population or territory are irrelevant for the purposes of Statehood. What is important is that the entity possesses those criteria as well as the two other criteria for Statehood – which are: a government in effective control of the territory and independence (or what is called “capacity to enter into legal relations” in the words of the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States 1935). Somaliland as a territorial entity does have a government, which is headed by the President. Somaliland has its own independent legal personality. It has a functioning economy. More importantly, Somaliland is independent of any other State. Its independence from Somalia which is the State that could have had claims to control that territory is recognized its citizenry. Many States are indeed created by the unilateral declaration of one State. This is how colonialism in Africa and Asia ended. This is how the States in the Commonwealth achieved statehood. They were all granted independence by unilateral declaration – in many cases, by national Statutes – of the colonial powers. Independence means the right to control a portion of a globe without being subject to the legal authority of another entity. The way this is achieved in the case of territories previously under the control of another State, is by that other State renouncing the claims that it has to that territory. Somaliland needs to be member of a number of international organizations, including the Universal Postal Union, the International Telecommunications Union and the World Intellectual Property Organization. Although the UPU is open to territorial entities which are not States (see commentary to Art. 1 of the UPU’s constitution), the only territorial entities that may be Members of the ITU and WIPO are States. That way, it can work it way up the recognition ladder by getting recognised first by International Bodies, and then put forward for governmental recognition. Thu, 5 Aug 2010 06:27:43 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-merits-recognition-as-an-independent-state-17476#IDComment90941229 http://somalilandpress.com/kenya-and-africa%e2%80%99s-latest-independent-state%e2%80%93-south-sudan-16187#IDComment78869556 Obsiye Recognition comes when our leaders are focussed and determined to achieve it. There is much goodwill, but where is the leadership. In the UK - some dedicated people have formed a group - Somaliland Focus Group to advise and influence UK Politicians about Somaliland. Guess what, no one in the current leadership has lent a hand, spoken in their gathering nor attending any of their events. South Sudan has committed leaders who, from day one, planned and planned for their independency through a referendum. When people like Riyaale came to London they spend their time with their clan members seeking glory and fund-raising - money which is never used for collective development but for personal prosperity. That is why many of those leaders have large chunks of land and properties at the expense of the citizens. We need dedicated, determined leadership - and that I can tell with certainty is not Riyaale - who I hear since becoming president is now referred to as a 'doctor'. Time to vote wisely. Mon, 7 Jun 2010 05:39:57 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/kenya-and-africa%e2%80%99s-latest-independent-state%e2%80%93-south-sudan-16187#IDComment78869556 http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-needs-a-greedy-president-15931#IDComment78798673 Whilst we are busy glorifying ‘greed’, as Somaliland prepares for national election, I write to remember a great African president – the late Thomas Sankara, hoping and praying that a Sankara will arise in Somaliland. As Somaliland looks desperately for leaders of integrity and vision, the life and ideals of the late Thomas Sankara seem more and more relevant and exemplary with the passage of time. Thomas Sankara is still venerated on his own continent as the ‘African Che,’ a legendary martyr like Patrice Lumumba or Amilcar Cabral. A Somaliland considering the task ahead needs to be someone who can easily 'wear' such shoes. Sankara’s brief four-year rule and his revolutionary program for African self-reliance is a defiant alternative to the neo-liberal development strategies imposed on Africa by the West, both then and today. Sankara, a charismatic army captain, came to power in Burkina Faso, in 1983, in a popularly supported coup. He immediately launched the most ambitious program for social and economic change ever attempted on the African continent. To symbolize this rebirth, he even renamed his country from the French colonial Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, ‘Land of Upright Men.’ As soon as he took office, he reduced the salaries of all public servants, including his own, and forbade the use of chauffeur-driven Mercedes and 1st class airline tickets. He was one of the first to recognize that key to the development of Burkina Faso and Africa was improving the status of women. He was the first African leader to appoint women to major cabinet positions and to recruit them actively for the military. He outlawed forced marriages and encouraged women to work outside the home and stay in school even if pregnant. He launched a nation-wide public health campaign vaccinating over 2 ½ million people in a week, a world record. He was also one of the first African environmentalists, planting over 10 million trees to retain soil and halt the growing desertification of the Sahel. He promoted local cotton production and even required public servants to wear a traditional tunic, woven from Burkinabe cotton and sewn by Burkinabe craftsmen. He redistributed land from the feudal landlords and gave it directly to the peasants. Wheat production rose in just three years from 1700 kg per hectare to 3800 kg per hectare, making the country food self-sufficient. He started an ambitious road and rail building program to tie the nation together, eschewing any foreign aid by relying on his country’s greatest resource, the energy and commitment of its own people. Sankara’s experiment attracted intense interest far beyond Burkina Faso, posing a serious threat to the status quo, especially to France’s continued dominance of its former West African colonies and to the corrupt regimes ruling these client states. Sankara spoke eloquently and unflinching in forums like the Organization of African Unity against continued neo-colonialist penetration of Africa through Western trade and finance. He opposed foreign aid, saying that ‘he who feeds you, controls you.’ Decades before talk of cancellation of Africa’s debt became acceptable in world banking circles, Sankara called for a united front of African nations to repudiate their foreign debt. He argued that the poor and exploited did not have an obligation to repay money to the rich and exploiting. During the current, almost unopposed wave of globalization, Sankara’s brief revolution offers an alternative or at least the possibility of another route for African development based on autonomy and local self-reliance. Sankara’s unimpeachable personal integrity, his clear, innovative ideas and tireless dedication to his people set a standard for the leadership Africa deserves and craves. Last, guys we, Somalianders need such a person to lead us. PS. I was born aboard and have fallen for Somaliland, but every time I visit I am disappointed with the poor perception of reality by my people. We needs to start believing in ourselves and making our lives better - no one will come and do that for us. And stop the cheap mentality of only making a dollar here or there. Don't get me wrong. Recognition is a good thing, but we need to organise ourselves with the little that we have - manage it properly and equitably. Then look for others. When we mismanage the little we have, how will we ever prosper when we are recognised? On that front, I think Riyale has failed us. This is a man who should have led us into election 2008 but dragged his feet for extra two years - whilst busy creating patronage and nepotism. He stands for impunity. We are more divided under him than we have before. I humbly suggest we, the majestic people of Somaliland, ask him on his way out and elect someone else. Longlive Somaliland, long live my country. Sun, 6 Jun 2010 14:10:48 +0000 http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-needs-a-greedy-president-15931#IDComment78798673