Corrupt Monopoly: Why the Insurance Commission Selected Amanah to be the Sole Insurer at Berbera Port and Customs

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September 16, 2021

The chairman of the National Insurance Commission Mr. Saleban Awad Ali (Bukhaari), in a directive, announced that Amanah Insurance is the sole company that is authorized by the Somaliland government to provide insurance coverage to all vehicles in customs and all vehicles and trucks, need to access the Berbera port.

This is the first time automobile insurance is being implemented in Somaliland a necessary security instrument that shifts risk from an individual or a family to a company but Mr. Bukhaari’s directive has attracted an unwanted attention to the infant insurance commission and industry mainly by the selection of Amanah Insurance as the single company allowed to provide insurance coverage in Berbera – the country’s only port and single largest economic generator.

Enforcement of legal mandates governing vehicles such as motor vehicle safety inspection, road tax, and the driving license has been an issue in Somaliland.

Proof of insurance will run into the same issue but for the system to cover risks and stay viable it will need the maximum number of subscribers but at the moment National Insurance Commission’s only method is tie access to the port or the customs clearance of imported vehicles to a purchase of an insurance policy.

Car dealerships were the first to sound the alarm on the mandate to have all vehicles insured before being cleared in customs. The Insurance Commission’s directive does not differentiate dealerships from vehicles imported by private citizens and it is unclear if dealerships will recoup the cost of the insurance from car buyers.

Another issue that arose from the public debate about the chairman’s letter is the fact that laws that govern insurance such as minimum coverage for bodily injury or property damage resulting from automobile accidents do not exist and that the Insurance Commission itself needs much of its functions defined. In addition, it is unclear how long it will take Amanah to become solvent to cover its customers.

Amanah Insurance’s was launched in Hargeisa in February 2021, precisely one month after President has appointed the insurance Mr. Bukhari.

There isn’t much to go on in terms of history or track record in the insurance industry is not clear especially in assessing its ability to pay up when its customers need for the coverage they paid for and it is unclear if the company has deep-pocketed underwriters that guarantee its solvency to shoulder the responsibility of covering life and property damages in a country where the leading cause of death is motoring related.

Mr. Bukhari, the chairman of the Insurance Commission, responding to criticism of his decision for picking Amanah to ensure all customs and port traffic, stated the decision was made solely by the commission after carefully reviewing existing insurance companies and has insisted that the highest levels of government, presumably President Bihi, has been consulted.

The commissioner did not elaborate on selection criteria that qualified Amanah and disqualified others, but added that allowing multiple companies to provide insurance at the port would be chaotic and untenable.

According to sources, Mr. Bukhari and the Insurance Commission have stifled renewing other insurers operating licenses despite some willingness to pay a two million dollar license fee the commission has demanded. Somaliland Chronicle is unable to confirm these allegations.

What does Amanah Insurance share with GEOSOL?

Although you may not have heard of Amanah Insurance company before chairman Bukhari’s letter, its principals, including the chairman and other members of the Board of Directors, are part of another predatory business interest known as GEOSOL.

GEOSOL is the company that is co-owned by former Mayor Mr. Abdirahman Aideed SOLTELCO that has the exclusive contract to manage Hargeisa’s land and property records at an exorbitant fee.

Meet Mr. Abdikarim Gas, the Managing Director of Amanah Insurance, and Mr. Ibrahim Yusuf Isse member of the board of directors. While it is not illegal in Somaliland to be involved in multiple business interests that provide different services to the public, GEOSOL and its owners including the former Mayor of Hargeisa Mr. SOLTELCO are part of a new and carefully crafted form of corruption designed to drain the public in perpetuity often with the complicity of public officials.

Mr. Abdikarim Gas, whose brother Mohamed Ahmed Gas owns 9.25% of GEOSOL was himself a witness on the contract that formed the firm on December 9th, 2017. While Mr. Ibrahim Yusuf Isse owns a similar amount of 9.25%.

The nexuses between Amanah Insurance and the unsavory characters from GEOSOL coupled with the rushing of implementing one of the most complicated financial instruments before relevant laws are in place is problematic and seems to be yet another scheme to enrich private individuals who are essentially holding the Berbera port hostage.

The Insurance Commission and Amanah officials did not respond to request for comments for this article.

Read GEOSOL’s agreement with Hargeisa Municipality ownership documents and its schedule of fees below.

Download

Technical-agreement Download

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Somaliland’s Ministry of Environment and Rural Development and Cheetah Conservation Fund Note Decline in Cub Poaching

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Staff

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August 24, 2021

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Somaliland Government records zero interceptions or confiscation events in 10 months

(Right) One of 10 cubs rescued by Somaliland Police, MoERD, and CCF on October 17, 2020, the last time cheetah cubs were intercepted from the illegal wildlife trade in Somaliland. The cub was found with an ulcerated nose, facial abrasions and a poor coat due to severe malnutrition. (Left) Two of the cubs rescued the same day had zip ties binding their front legs.

HARGEISA, Somaliland – 22 August 2021 — Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), the international organisation dedicated to conserving cheetahs in the wild, and its partner, Somaliland’s Ministry of Environment and Rural Development (MoERD), announce a ten-month period without any confiscation or interception events involving cheetah cubs. This notable downturn in activity follows the wave of rescue missions taking place between July and October 2020, which was capped by two interceptions in Hargeisa that netted eight traffickers and 13 cubs, and led to the arrest and conviction of Somaliland’s most notorious cub trafficker.

Since the arrest of Cabdiraxmaan Yusuf Mahdi, better known by his nickname Abdi Xayawaan (Abdi Animals), October 17, 2020, no other Somaliland citizen has been caught with cubs. Police intercepted Abdi Xayawaan and a member of his criminal enterprise in possession of 10 cheetah cubs following a separate trafficking bust on September 23. That day, six men were arrested in an undercover sting when they attempted to sell three cheetah cubs to a local Hargeisa resident. Police seized their mobile phones, and the data they obtained led them to Abdi Xayawaan. The six were convicted along with ringleader Abdi Xayawaan and his accomplice in November of 2020.

“These back-to-back cases are remarkable for large number of suspects appearing in court and because it is only the third and fourth time convictions have been obtained in cases involving cheetah trafficking.

Seven defendants received a one-year jail sentence with a small fine, but Cabdiraxmaan Yusuf Mahdi, a repeat offender who was arrested on three prior occasions, received a four-year term and a fine of three million Somaliland shillings. His sentence is the most serious sentence handed down by any African court in a wildlife trafficking case involving cheetahs”, said Minister Shukri H. Ismail of MoERD.

News of the conviction and several other factors have had a chilling effect on cheetah trafficking in Somaliland, according to MoERD.

“The Ministry believes there are several reasons for the ten-month quiet period. First, a CCF-MoERD joint media campaign documenting the 2020 confiscations and arrests generated awareness in the local communities about the illegal nature of cheetah trade. For many people, this was the first time they learned taking cubs is against the law. Second, MoERD has been working with our Somaliland Regional Coordinators to increase awareness for all of our wildlife laws and the penalties for breaking them. And third, there appears to be a decrease in cheetah cub trading between Somaliland and Yemen. It could be due to COVID-19 or because Somaliland has stepped up enforcement in the Gulf of Aden, or a combination of factors, but there are fewer Yemeni vessels attempting to illegally access our coast”, said Abdinasir Hersi, MoERD Director General.

*Astur is a 1.5-year-old female cheetah that lives in CCF’s Safe Houses for confiscated cubs in Hargeisa.*

CCF and MoERD are grateful for the respite, which has allowed them to focus on other aspects of their partnership. In addition to providing 24/7 care for 55 confiscated animals that live in CCF’s Safe Houses, CCF has a mandate to build capacity in Somaliland wildlife law enforcement with LICIT (Legal Intelligence/Cheetah Illicit Trade), a 2.75-year project funded by the UK Government through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund. CCF and LICIT partners International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Legal Atlas, develop legal frameworks, fill in gaps in existing legislation, and provide training for government officials in both domestic and regional law enforcement. CCF and its partners are planning their next LICIT training in Hargeisa for this September.

“CCF is pleased by the cooperation between the Somaliland Police, Coast Guard, Ministry of Environment and Rural Development and the Somaliland courts system, which we support through LICIT. We consider this ten-month quiet period as significant progress in our efforts to stop cheetah trade”, said Dr Laurie Marker, Founder and Executive Director of CCF. “But while we are happy for the ground we gained, we know we still have a lot of work ahead of us”.

Ministry of Environment and Development, Republic of Somaliland

The Ministry of Environment and Rural Development (MoERD) mandate is to conserve, protect and manage the national development of natural resources and the environment for the benefit of Somaliland people. MoERD promotes the pastoral sector through sustainable development aimed at the eradication of poverty and improving living standards while ensuring that a protected and conserved environment will be available for future generations.

Cheetah Conservation Fund

Conservation Fund (CCF) is the global leader in the research and conservation of cheetahs and is dedicated to saving the cheetah in the wild. Founded in 1990, CCF is an international non-profit organisation headquartered in Otjiwarongo, Namibia, the “Cheetah Capital of the World”, with a field base in Hargeisa, Somaliland. CCF takes a holistic approach to conservation, recognising that to help the species, we first must help the people who live alongside wildlife. CCF’s strategies are built on three pillars: research, education and conservation. CCF marked its 30th anniversary in 2020, making it the longest running and most successful conservation organisation for cheetahs.
For more information, please visit www.cheetah.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Yannetti, susan@cheetah.org
(202) 983-4898 or WhatsApp +12027167756

The Elephant In The Room

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Staff

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August 23, 2021

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Decades ago during the British ruling and right after the independence, sending children to schools was a controversial and divisive even dangerous matter. Sending a girl to school was out of the question. Right after independence, the Burao and Hargeisa girl’s school were opened and among the alumni is our beloved Dr. Edna Adan. Those days were dark days for our young beautiful girls.

However, the notion that our children would be converted to Christianity never materialized and today we remain a hundred percent Muslim although our children were educated by instructors with different beliefs and cultures.

During the military regime over two decades in our school students were taught Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels Communism and socialist theories to undermine our Islam. Those were vulnerable times where Islam was under attack by then military leaders who embraced socialism. Students were forced to sing communist ritual songs before classes start in the morning under duress, yet they remained hundred percent Muslims.

During the collapse of the dictatorial regime, our people were forced to flee to refugee camps run by international organizations and religious entities. These organizations sponsored refugees to settle in different western countries including Australia. Most of the refugees were uneducated mothers and daughters under the mercy of foreign donors who were providing the basic human needs such as food and shelter, yet they never compromised their religious beliefs and they remain full-fledged Muslims in Christian countries.

Somali diaspora, in general, are considered among the minorities living in different western countries, however, they built mosques and religious schools in places where such beliefs were never practiced and our women are brave enough to wear Muslim attires without fear, unlike other ethnic groups.

If someone believes that Somalis are a weak and feeble-minded society that could easily be manipulated or misguided to convert to another religious believes, then one does not know Somalis well enough.

Since its inception Somaliland has experienced many obstacles including meddling in its internal affairs from resentful few who are not happy with the tangible progress that Somaliland has taken by politicizing certain social issues, but they failed again and again.

In their most recent attempt, they are trying to smear the name of a well-established center of education and that of the beautiful young Somaliland girls by using unsuspected individual Somalilanders. This School has produced young high-achieving Somalilanders who graduated or currently attending the most prestigious Ivy League universities in America.

These young beautiful adults came from strong family tradition, have completed Quran, basic high school education, and are the offsprings of the most resilient generations of all time who endured and overcome death and destruction from a ruthless dictator. They are many among a few and they can defend themselves and their religion. They are strong educated young girls who have the ability to challenge and convince someone, not the other way around.

Given the fact that our society is non like others, especially our young beautiful Somaliland girls, in their own homeland and under the protection of their caring government and in close proximity to their own parents and society should not be afraid of few misguided individuals with ulterior motives serving the enemy interests.

You are in good hands and we are proud of you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mohamed Adan Samatar is a Former State of Arizona Government Management and holds BSc, MS Agriculture. He can be reached madan.samatar01[@]gmail.com

Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints of the Somaliland Chronicle, and its staff.

Notice: This article by Somaliland Chronicle is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Under this license, all reprints and non-commercial distribution of this work is permitted.

Military Tribunal Hands down Death Sentence for Shooting of Student in Amoud University

By

Staff

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August 18, 2021

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Somaliland’s Military Tribunal has sentenced Osman Diriye Burale, the former Amoud University Campus Police officer who shot 21-year-old Engineering Faculty-student Mr. Ibrahim Abdishakur Ibrahim on July 5th, 2021.

According to multiple eyewitness accounts who spoke to the media after the shooting incident, the victim, Mr. Ibrahim was trying to access the University facility to retrieve his cellphone. It is unclear why Mr. Burale has resorted to deadly force to prevent Mr. Ibrahim from entering campus grounds.

Cases involving members of Somaliland Police and Military are handled by a special military court. Mr. Burale was a member of Somaliland Police forces who routinely provide security to many public and private facilities around the country. It is unclear if Mr. Ibrahim’s shooting death and other incidents of police brutality and use of deadly force is being examined by Police leadership to prevent future deadly encounters between law enforcement and the public.

Sand in the Gears of Democracy – Is President Bihi Engineering a Term Extension?

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Staff

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August 16, 2021

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The Political Associations and Parties Law No 14, recently passed by the previous Parliament and the House of Elders of Somaliland is a Mexican Standoff that will complicate the country’s political climate in 2022. This piece of legislation which was stuck in legislative purgatory since 2011 before President Bihi resuscitated it and tasked the previous Parliament to rush its approval in March mandates three major election events in 2022

the House of Elders or senate election in May 2022.
the presidential election in November 2022, and
the dissolution of existing political parties and the establishment of new ones in December 2022.

All three elections are so intertwined that the outcome is a political non-zero-sum game that may force everyone to accept a term extension for President Muse Bihi Abdi.

Testing the Waters with Trial Balloon Statements

Although it seems benign, off-the-cuff remark or the rambling of professional windbags, Kulmiye, the ruling party, is testing the waters that presidential elections will not be possible in 2022.

The Head of the Refuges and IDPs Agency Mr. Abdikarim Ahmed Mohamed Hinif and a senior Kulmiye party official rhetorically asked “do you think it is possible to hold two elections within a month?” when answering a question on how the passing of Political Associations and Parties Law No. 14 could lead to a presidential term extension. He is not wrong, and as far as anyone is concerned, we must view this as the official stance of the ruling party of Kulmiye, whose chairperson is the President of the Republic of Somaliland His Excellency Muse Bihi Abdi.

This bombshell statement by Mr. Hinif which barely made the news and had a zero reaction from the opposition parties was followed by another at the SONSOF general assembly from Kulmiye’s spokesperson Mr. Abdinasir Buni who with a straight face stated “In 2020, the presidential election will not take place, as the political party license [legal terms] will expire”.

President Bihi and the ruling party of Kulmiye may not be as confident heading into the Presidential election in November 2022, despite the bravado from some party officials, following the loud rebuke from the public that has given mayoral seats of the major cities to opposition figures and has left Kulmiye scrambling unsuccessfully for votes to keep the position of the Parliament Speaker.

Heading into the May 31st Parliamentary and Local Council elections, President Bihi was arrogant and thought Kulmiye’s victory was in the bag. This may explain why he passed on new political heavyweights like the new Mayor of Hargeisa Mr. Abdikarim Ahmed Moge to run on the Kulmiye ticket but it seems 20/20 hindsight has instilled in the President a new dangerous pragmatism to ensure every avenue is explored to win or remain in power via an extension.

After nearly two months of the May 31st election and a pitched battle for votes to install Mr. Faratoon as the Speaker of the House, Kulmiye and by extension, President Bihi suffered another devastating blow and lost the Parliament Speaker’s position to the opposition.

Despite all the praise heaped on President Bihi for holding a credible election in Somaliland where the opposition parties outperformed his ruling party of Kulmiye, Law No. 14 may have been President Bihi’s ace in the hole or backstop that offers an unpassable opportunity to remake Somaliland’s political landscape with the disbandment of the existing parties, and creation of new ones with the bonus of setting the conditions in the President favor for a term extension. Talk about one stone, two birds.

Multiple scenarios may be at play in President Bihi’s calculus in pursuit of a term extension, but some are more plausible than others and the new Parliament and its composition of young and fairly educated MPs is a wild factor that could complicate things

Parliament grants the House of Elders or Guurti an extension, which will be more than happy to give President Bihi a term extension.
President Bihi and the opposition parties of UCID and Waddani Chairmen agree on extending the life of political parties for a year and in exchange for a term extension.
Using the power of the purse, the Executive Branch fails to fund and adequately prepare for the Guurti, Presidential and new party elections.

Maybe there are other routes being considered, but the new Parliament seems to be the last line of defense that can prevent a term extension and ensure Somaliland builds on the momentum and reputation of being one of Africa’s best democracies.

What are the Implications of a Presidential Term Extension?

Presidential term extensions have been a constant feature in Somaliland politics and have in a way tarnished its democratic credentials and an extension for President Bihi in the wake of the most transparent and fair elections in the entire Horn of Africa will do irreparable harm to Somaliland and its quest for recognition.

The good news is that the Somaliland government has made its position on term extension abundantly clear, albeit with Somalia, where it has added its voice to the torrent of condemnation that Mohamed Abdillahi Farmajo received when he tried to hold on to power illegally. Rightly so, the Somaliland government and by extension President Muse Bihi Abdi saw the move as not only undemocratic but a destabilizing move that directly affected Somaliland’s security should Somalia descend into further chaos.

On July 12^th Muse Bihi penned an op-ed on Newsweek titled “Ray of hope in a challenging year for democracy” appealing to Biden admin for to partnership Somaliland because of its commitment to rule of law and democracy; to turn in 180 degrees and seek an extension to delay president election not only will damage 30 years of Somaliland hard work but derails Somaliland road to recognition which has a lot of momentum where multiple former US governments officials are advocating for recognition, which has never happened.

Kudos to former NSA O'Brien for positive comments on #Somaliland Wish AU would do the right thing and recognize that this defacto nation is better governed, more stable, and more democratic than many of its members. Time to end international hypocrisy towards Somaliland.
— Tibor Nagy (@TiborPNagyJr) August 16, 2021

Reputational damage extends to Taiwan as well, one of Somaliland’s true allies, who have taken risks setting up a diplomatic relation with Somaliland that made many world leaders take note of its courage of sending the People’s Republic of China packing.

Taiwan is very likely to be featured prominently in President Biden’s upcoming “Democracy Summit” and when the moment of truth arrives to highlight Somaliland democracy; Taiwan will be forced to distance itself from a partner where democracy has taken a turn and its President is seeking an extension to stay in power.

So far, there are no reactions from the new Parliament, the opposition parties of Waddani and UCID on the trial balloon statements being floated by Kulmiye officials that presidential elections will not take place in 2022. Perhaps the gravity of these statements has not sunk in yet, but election delay or a term extension for President Bihi will undoubtedly set Somaliland further back and undo every bit of democratic bonafide credentials Somaliland gained from recent elections and make it even more indistinguishable from Somalia.

Somaliland Chronicle is responsible for the content of this editorial.

Notice: This article by Somaliland Chronicle is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Under this license, all reprints and non-commercial distribution of this work is permitted.

Breaking – U.S. Air Force Transport Plane Lands in Berbera Airport

By

Staff

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August 13, 2021

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According to reliable sources, the United States is showing a renewed interest in Somaliland and has approached President Muse Bihi Abdi through a third party for a potential alternative aid corridor to Djibouti.

This week a United States Air Force C-130J-30 Super Hercules transport plane landed in Berbera airport for an undisclosed mission. It is unclear if the Somaliland government has reached an agreement with the United States to use the Berbera airport and port and if such an agreement would constitute a change in the US’s recent stance on Somaliland. Both facilities have been recently upgraded to international standards.

Conflict in Ethiopia’s northern regions Tigray, Afar, and Amhara is creating a potential chokepoint that may hamper humanitarian aid delivery to the people of Tigray through Djibouti. Most imports to Ethiopia come via this rail system.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cooperation and officials at Berbera Port did not return calls for comment on the Airforce flight to Berbera.

Somaliland: The last intervention in Somalia

By

Staff

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August 8, 2021

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Since the collapse of the Somali Republic, nearly every intervention on Somalia by the international community has failed. It started with Operation RESTORE HOPE in 1992 by the US army and it continues now with delayed elections and the prolonged war to eliminate the Al-Shabab terrorist organization. However, there were success stories such as ending the piracy off the shores of Somalia.

The only issue that didn’t invoke an intervention is the unilateral declaration of independence by the Somaliland people. This is despite the inviting 2005 African Union fact-finding mission that recommends finding a special method of dealing with Somaliland’s outstanding case.

In this article, I will explain why Somalia will never recognise Somaliland and for very good reasons. Then, I will explain why one last intervention is necessary for both countries.

In February 2012, the UK government hosted an international conference on Somalia where for the first time, Somaliland and Somalia agreed to start peace talks to address Somaliland destiny. As we mark its 10th anniversary, these talks have failed miserably since not only their relations has deteriorated but also the question of sovereignty has never been mentioned. In a smaller time frame, the world managed to end harder conflicts such as Scotland, Brexit, South Sudan and Kosovo to a certain degree.

Contrary to the common stereotype, the failure of the Somaliland talks is not due to the incompetency of either party. The question that the international community delegated to Somalia is one Somalia will always say NO.

Unlike the UK and Scotland, the union of Somaliland and Somalia has not been ratified. This is not to start the usual legal arguments of Somaliland leaders but to highlight that Somaliland in the new structure of Somalia is not a result of the union of equals or even unequals. While Somaliland still considers itself a founding country of the Somali Republic, Hargeysa is viewed as a region and a non-founding federal member state. If Somalia grants self-determination rights to one federal member state, it is setting itself on the path of Yugoslavia or close to home, Ethiopia. Therefore, Somalia cannot sincerely look into Somaliland recognition even if it was headed by David Cameron. The latter didn’t have a risk of Wales or Northern Ireland following the steps of Scotland. Again, their act of union was legally signed and it is a living document that serves in the handling of the Scotland question.

One of the goals of Somalia’s federal system is to address Somaliland’s quest for independence. Recognising Somaliland is a negative return in investment which leaves Somalia with a heavy legacy by maintaining a complex divisive structure compared to Somaliland’s stable central government. Furthermore, federalism in Somalia is slowly turning into a de facto confederal system thanks to the geopolitical pulls on Puntland and Jubaland. Accepting Somaliland by Somalia itself will only decompose it further.

Ironically, if Somaliland recognition comes as an intervention by the international community through a fair process, the Somalian government will be stronger in its engagements with the federal states after the dissolution of unity with Somaliland. With a guilt-free position, Somalia can reflect on what system of governance is needed and possibly move to a more centric form of that. It is also guaranteed that no one state in Somalia can dream of independence since no state possesses Somaliland’s unique attributes such as historical independence, genocide, and vibrant democracy.

Recommendations:

To the Somaliland government:

Accept the reality and stop wasting time by continuing the talks with Somalia. The situation is different from 1960. Somalia has moved on. No straight face or negotiation skills will convince her to become another Yugoslavia. After understanding this, continuing the talks only means a desire, maybe, to reunite with Somalia! Your efforts should be similar to the works of late President Riyale but with greater magnitude and wider outreach. Apart from western and African lobby groups, your new parliament should establish an international club of parliamentarians active all year worldwide keeping Somaliland on everyone’s mind.

To the International community:

The deliberate delay in addressing Somaliland quest for recognition is slowly damaging both countries. Somalia’s government structure is turning into a confederal and you have tasted some of that already in the latest election fiasco. In Somaliland, a prolonged lack of recognition could decay Somaliland’s social contract and replace it with extreme or tribal ideologies leading to a new wave of terrorism, civil wars, or both.

Acting on the AU fact-finding report, members of the international community should explore all options of interventions: A legal case in an international court, a referendum on dissolution, or even better, taking the bold action of what is best for the region similar to these great regional and world leaders.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi Daud is an Australian Somalilander and Software Engineer. Works as a principal developer in a fintech company. Melbourne, Australia

Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints of the Somaliland Chronicle, and its staff.

Notice: This article by Somaliland Chronicle is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Under this license, all reprints and non-commercial distribution of this work is permitted.

Life Safety First: Winning the Struggle Against Road Traffic Accidents in Somaliland

By

Staff

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August 7, 2021

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BY Nasir M. Ali

The mounting rate of road traffic accidents both inside and outside urban centers in Somaliland remains one of the major, if not the sole, factor that cause the death of numerous people. On each day, a road accident occurs somewhere in the country with fatality, injury, and destruction of property.

In a country of 4.5 million people, 4654 road traffic accidents occurred resulting in 201 deaths, 3322 injuries, and the loss of 127 animals, in the year 2018 alone. The question that arises from this is: what are the root causes of this ongoing tragedy? Who is responsible for these fatalities? And what can be done by the Somaliland Government to minimize the rising number of road traffic accidents, both in and outside of cities?

This study examines the causes of road accidents and analyzes the negligence within state institutions, especially the Ministry of Transport and Roads Development, in tackling these accidents. The Ministry is expected to regulate drivers and inspect vehicles’ conditions in order to ensure public and community safety, by utilizing the services of traffic police, who are expected to enforce laws and regulations in order to curb the growing danger of road accidents. The study proposes certain measures to tackle road accidents.

Read the full study

Life-Safety-First-Winning-the-Struggle-Against-Road-Traffic-Accidents-in-Somaliland Download

Somaliland Puts on a Master Class in Democracy with the Election of the Opposition to Parliament Leadership

By

Staff

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August 4, 2021

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After nearly two months since the Parliamentary and Local Council elections on May 31st and an intense jostling of the ruling party of Kulmiye and a coalition of the opposition parties of Waddani and UCID, the new Parliament convened and elected the opposition candidates for the speakership of the House of Parliament concluding weeks-long speculation of the new parliament’s leadership composition.

Hon. Abdirisak Khalif Ahmed of Sool region was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives with 42 votes. Hon Saeed Mire Giire of Sanag and Ali Hamud Jibril of Awdal were elected for First and Deputy Speakers positions respectively with 41 and 43 votes out of 81.

The constitution dictates that the Parliament’s first session should be chaired by the oldest member of the House of Representatives and Hon. Yasin Hagi Mohamoud Hiir (Faratoon)’s age and his candidacy for the speaker of the Parliament created a constitutional gap which was challenged by the opposition candidate Hon. Abdirasak Khalif Ahmed and citing precedents has successfully argued that Mr. Faratoon could not be a judge and contestant at the same time.

The issue was quickly resolved by the suggestion of The Chairman of the House of Elders Hon. Saleban Mohamud Adan that the session should be chaired by the Chief of Constitutional Court Hon. Adan Haji Ali instead of Hon. Faratoon which both sides have quickly accepted.

Candidates for the position of Speaker Honorable Abdirasak Khalif Ahmed of Waddani opposition party and Honorable Yasin Faratoon of the ruling party of Kulmiye were each given three minutes to address the first session of the parliament and made their case and final appeal for votes.

Hon Abdirisak Khalif Ahmed’s brief address to his follow MPs has centered around his understanding of the intersection of the executive, legislative and judicial branches and work with other branches and ability to unify the parliament and effectively restore the balance of power. He also touched on the importance of bridging a gap that exists between Sool region where he hails from, and the rest of Somaliland.

Honorable Faratoon spoke of his vision of how he will lead the new Parliament and focused on the need for more training and institutional support, international relations, and ensuring the new elected MPs are connected to their constituents

The transfixed public was treated to few unexpected curveballs when a Kulmiye Member of Parliament Hon. Ahmed Nur Guruje’s and others widely speculated to vote for Hon. Faratoon did not materialize for the ruling party, effectively giving control of the leadership of the House of Representatives to the opposition parties.

President of the Republic of Somaliland HE immediately sent his congratulations to the new the Speaker of the House Hon. Abdirisak Khalif Ahmed and his deputies and asked them to join him in the Presidency.

“This was not a victory for one man or a party. Today all of Somaliland has won. I welcome and congratulate the Speaker, the First and Second Deputy Speakers, and I congratulate the Speaker that was running against him. It was a close contest. It is a democracy and, I welcome the maturity he showed and how he conceded.” said President Bihi.

“Today, Somaliland is proud, and I am proud of Somaliland and I say this to Somaliland’s enemies: This is how far Somaliland has come. And to Somaliland’s only enemy still fighting in Mogadishu and all Somali speakers: You have all witnessed that Somaliland is the most transparent democracy despite tough elections, we are all united, and every citizen protects the nation and, all of Somaliland’s enemies and those trying to hold it back should learn a lesson from it.” The President continued.

Despite lacking international recognition, Somaliland has been widely praised for successfully holding transparent Parliamentary and Local Council elections on May 31st, 2021 where opposition parties have won the majority of seats in Parliament and mayoral seats in most major cities.

President Bihi Sets Date for New Parliament’s Maiden Session

By

Staff

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August 1, 2021

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In a statement, the President of the Republic of Somaliland HE Muse Bihi Abdi has asked the new parliament to convene on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021. The Constitutional Court has certified the provisional result of the vote for Parliament on July 7th, 2021. The new parliament is expected to elect the speaker and fill other leadership positions in its first session.

There has been fierce competition for the Speaker position between the ruling party of Kulmiye and a coalition formed by the opposition parties of Waddani and UCID. Most of the new members of Parliament, elected on opposition party tickets but following intense lobbying, some have broken party rank and pledge their support for the Mr. Yasin Hagi Mohamoud Hiir (Faratoon) of the ruling party of Kulmiye, where others from Kulmiye have gone the opposite direction and supported an opposition-led parliament.

On Thursday, the leaders of the two opposition parties have criticized the President for trying to influence opposition members of parliament to back Mr. Faratoon.

President Bihi has enjoyed an amenable parliament led by his party, it is unclear if his proposals or appointments will face resistance in the new parliament.

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