Somaliland’s Government perceives it as an opportunity to gain recognition; Somalia’s Federal Government, on the other hand, envisages recognition as a process of tearing the ‘Somali Republic’ apart. Whatever the myths surrounding any rational decision, the world is watching to see whether Somalis mend or break the fence that has divided them for decades. Continue reading “The Somalia-Somaliland Talks. A Crossroads or a Dead End?”
In the developing world, more than a third of their urban populations live in areas where the social amenities such as water, healthcare, housing and education are desperately needed. Therefore, the state institutions and their policies– whether or not supported by aid agencies and development banks – need to work harder in addressing these problems. But for many scholars, the attention does not only focus on the role of state institutions or international NGOs but the part of the poor groups themselves. This is because the traditional state-managed approaches to poverty alleviation have not fully met the demands of a vast majority of the urban population. Continue reading “Are state institutions relevant to the politics of the poor?”
“Qoysku waa sida kaynta oo kale. Marka aad dibadda uga baxsan tahay, kayntu way cufan tahay. Marka aad dhex joogtidna, geed kasta wuu kuu muuqanayaa.”
Maahmaahdan waa mid ay adeegsadaan dadka af-Sawaaxiliga ku hadla, ee ku nool inta badan wadamadda Berriga Afrika. Afrika marka aad dibadda uga baxdo, laga yaabaa in ay kuula muuqato hal dal, oo isku saansaan eeg, hal dareenana wadaaga. Bal se marka aad dhexjoogtid, macnuhu sidaas wuu ka badalan yahay.
Nus qarni ka hor, markii badanka dawladaha Afrika xoroobeen, waxa ay haabka ku hayeen in ay heli doonaan madax-bannaani dhammaystiran. Waxa ay odorsayeen in ay ka xoroobi doonaan colaadaha, maamul-xumadda, dawlad la’aanta iyo gaajadda rafaadisay. Bal se taasi weli ma dhaboobin! Ilaa haatan, ma jiro waddan Afrikaan ah oo cunto ku filan soo saartaa. Manna jirto dawlad Afrikaan ah oo ka kaaftoontay deeqaha iyo caawimadda ay ugu yaboohaan wadamadda horumaray. Sidaas la ajligeeda, Afrika waxa ay la wareegaysaa ‘moqorafadii dawarsiga’, waxaana weli ku xidhan seetadii gumaysiga! Continue reading “Afrika ‘habaaran’”
Somaliland’s judiciary – like other branches of the government- had to be reinstituted after the demise of the central Somali government. Many a time, the successive Somaliland governments have tried to improve the justice sector; but unfortunately their efforts did not yield the anticipated results.
Continue reading “The Challenges Facing the New Chief Justice”
Unhappy with their Somalia’s ‘marriage’, and upset with what appeared to be a policy of neglect, the people of Somaliland reclaimed their independence after many years of a die-hard struggle and became a republic on May 18th, 1991. Since then Somaliland has enjoyed relative peace and stability which has enabled its people to reach national consensus. Though not internationally recognised as a sovereign state, Somaliland has a working political system where the checks and balances between the government branches are in place. Continue reading “Reiventing the Wheel”
According to Oxfam’s report, Keeping the Life Line Open – Remittances and Markets in Somalia, Somalis abroad use money transfer companies to send home an estimated $1.3 billion annually. These companies have a presence throughout the Somali territories and beyond, and together they provide essential financial services.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Merchants Bank of California, which handles an estimated 60 to 80 percent of the remittances sent to Somali territories from the United States, announced the closure of its business with Somali-American money transfer operators (MTOs). This has created a heated debate amongst Somali communities all over the world because remittances have played a huge role in boosting the Somali economy amidst the turmoil over the past two decades. In a bid to address this matter, Red Sea Cultural Foundation organised a public lecture and debate at the Hargeysa Cultural Centre, under the theme: Breaking the Lifeline: the Crisis Facing Somali Remittances from the US on the night of 12 February. Continue reading “Cutting off the Somali Lifeline, a heated debate in Somaliland”
Over the last 20 years, a war of ugliest kind has been fought in Somalia, and Africa’s paradise was shattered by its people. Today, the country is regarded as the world’s number one failed state. So are the people. Because they lose the wisdom to bring their state’s pieces together and stand their feet again. Rather Somalis have many axes to grind amid the worsening humanitarian crisis. The truth be told, the world can no longer withstand our burden and it is up to us to devise solutions or take cover somewhere else. Continue reading “A Nation in Search of Peace”
