Ainashe.net

The Russian InterFax news agency reports:

The boat Panagia with a Ukrainian crew that was seized by pirates off the Somalia cost was released late Saturday. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Vasyl Fylypchuk told Interfax that the boat was released at 11:30 p.m., Kyiv time, and left Somalia’s territorial waters. The boat was at a distance of about 90 miles from Somalia’s coastline as of noon on Sunday. At the request of the Ukrainian government, the boat is being accompanied by a French corvette. The crew is in satisfactory condition, and their relatives have been informed of their release.

Immediately after the release, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko talked with the captain by phone. He inquired about the crew’s health and wished them staying power and a happy homecoming to Ukraine.

Click here to view the full dispatch by InterFax news agency.

According to the Reuters’ AlertNet reports, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) issued a communiqué and said:

The Council of Ministers underlines the necessity in recognizing that Somalia has a legitimate government and in line with the transitional federal charter has the solemn right to establish, train and equip its law enforcement authority while seeking regional and international cooperation towards achieving that goal of lifting the UN arms embargo.

This is undoubtedly a great victory for the Somali people, President Abdullahi Yusuf and the rest of the Somali transitional federal government. Needless to say, this is also a finishing nail on the coffins of Sharif Xasan, the destructive Mogadishu warlords and their myopic tribalist followers. They kept the Somali people as hostages far too long. Luckily, their political demise is beginning to emerge, if it has not began already!

Click here to view the full dispatch on AlertNet.

A communiqué issued by IGAD foreigner Ministers after meeting with the Somali Transitional Federal Government in Jowhar states among other things:

Somalia has a legitimate government, and in line with the Transitional Federal Charter, has a solemn right to establish, train and equip its law enforcement.

Hurrah! What else can I say?

It seems to me that IGAD’s Foreigner Ministers are coming to their senses by realizing now what I have been saying for months, namely; Somalia has, for the first time in many years, a legitimate government with a wider popular representation than any other previous government in Somalia’s political history. Hence, the notion of telling the elected Somali government to be like a sitting duck under the mercy of destructive Mogadishu warlords was, to put it politely, an idiotic and ill thought political proposition.

The Somali transitional federal government must, just like any other, assemble its security forces so that law and order can be brought back to the country. Period!

Click here to view the full dispatch by Reuters’ AlertNet.

Inveneo, a nonprofit group of inveterate high-tech adventurers, has developed a bicycle-powered system that brings not just Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) but also e-Mail and Web browsing to remote areas, using a combination of Linux and the Asterisk (Overview, Articles, Company) open source PBX.

It uses Wi-Fi networking to route traffic to a central hub with existing phone infrastructure, with a range as far as 100 miles. The bicycle, mostly used as a backup to solar power, gives the rider one hour on the phone for every 15 minutes of work. In a village, a user might trade pedaling time for phone time or get paid by someone who wants to use the phone but doesn’t want to work so hard.

Click here to view additional info on i4d website.

The following question was sent to the “Dear Economist” of the Financial Times. “Dear Economist” column is written by Tim Harford of The World Bank Group (IFC).

Dear Economist,
For cultural reasons I am probably going to have an arranged marriage. This will mean that I won’t have an opportunity to cohabit first to find out how well things would work. I would have to take a decision that is more rational than emotional. There are a lot of things that I would like in a woman, but hardly anyone has it all. What can you advise?

The “Dear Economist” replies by saying:

When we elect members of parliament, we are the “principals” and they are the “agents” who, supposedly, represent us. Similarly, when shareholders elect a board of directors to maximise shareholder value, the directors are their agents. Those directors will hire managers to do their bidding; again, the managers are the agents.Think for a moment: are principals ever happy with what their agents get up to? You can understand why economists speak of something called the “principal-agent problem”.

Click here for the rest of the column on Tim Harford’s blog.

The Chinese Xinhuanet reports:

A top UN envoy for Somalia is traveling to Somalia on Tuesday for a regional ministerial meeting this week in Jowhar, the provisional capital of Somalia, officials said here Monday. A statement from the UN Political Office of Somalia (UNPOS)said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia(SRSG) Francois Lonseny Fall will attend the first Ministerial Meeting of the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)Council of Ministers which begins on Tuesday. “No part of the international community has greater responsibility towards Somalia than IGAD. The Somali national reconciliation process and the transitional federal institutions are very much IGAD’s babies,” said Fall. This week’s initiative is in line with the UN Security Council’s request urging IGAD, the African Union, the League of Arab States, European Union and concerned member states, to leverage their influence to ensure that Somalia’s transitional federal institutions reconcile their differences peacefully. The Somali transitional federal institutions moved to Somalia in 2004 from Kenya, where they were created after a reconciliation conference, but the administration has been divided over where the seat of government should be situated.

Click here to view the full report on Xinhuanet.

The Guardian Newspapers reports:

European Union and Mediterranean leaders today agreed on an anti-terrorism code of conduct, but were unable to settle on a definition of what constitutes terrorism at a difficult summit in Barcelona. After all-night talks on Sunday, foreign ministers from 35 countries, including Israel, finally agreed on the code, which denounces terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations” and outlines plans to coordinate anti-terror operations. However, the code’s failure to define terrorism meant the two-day EuroMed conference disbanded in disarray.

Click here to view the article on the Guardian.

The Yemen Times reports:

The Former Deputy President Dr. Abdulrhman Al-Baidani has declared that he will run the next presidential election conditional if President Ali Abdullah Saleh would not seek a new mandate. In his statement, Al-Baidani promised intense reforms in order to “alleviate the sufferings of the people and start real economic development and renaissance”.

In a statement he said: “Corruption has spread and inverted the interests towards achieving progress and development. We have become a nation dependent on foreign aid, loans and grants, while the wealth of the current corrupted officials disappears abroad in overseas banks, the current regime left the Yemeni people eating the crumples from the garbage, that is if hungry stray dogs and cats left them any.” Al-Baidani referred that the announcement of President Saleh not to seek a new mandate has paved the way for the peaceful handover of power, an aspiration blocked by constitutional provisions that limit nomination for the presidency to the candidate of ruling party. The fifth article in the constitution stipulates handover of power only in word, but factually presidency is limited to the current ruling party.

Click here for the full report on Yemen Times.

The Council on Foreign Relations prepared following Q&A.

Does al-Qaeda have a significant presence in Somalia?
Maybe. The Bush administration suspects that al-Qaeda has links to local radical Islamists in Somalia, but we don’t know how strong those links are. Ken Menkhaus, a Somalia specialist at Davidson College, writes, “there are at this time no terrorist bases and training camps in Somalia,” but with the post-September 11 attention, they may be lying low.

As I have written many times on this site, the notion that there are Al Qaeda camps in Somalia is based on fear rather than on facts. It is true that due to the chaotic political and security situation in Somalia, Al Qaeda or any other terrorist organization could enter the country unnoticed, but they will not be able to settle there for long. Hence, terrorists will not be able to mount any serious attack in a country with virtually no transportation infrastructure. More importantly, the closely knitted tribal based social segmentation system in Somalia will not allow uninvited foreigners to stay in the country very long. They will be seen as “tuke baal cad” (A crow with white feathers). In short, they will be not be able to hide long enough to achieve their evil objectives!

Click here to view the rest of the Q&A on the CFR website. You may also like to click here for more somalia related articles on the CFR’s website.

A new Book edited by Robert I. Rotberg; Director of the Program on Intrastate Conflict at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and President of the World Peace Foundation says:

Although Afghanistan and Iraq are at the epicenter of America’s war on terror, terrorist groups threaten other parts of the world as well. One of the most dangerous is the greater Horn of Africa region—Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and the Sudan, along with Yemen, their volatile neighbor. Al Qaeda has already struck in the region, and the area’s complex history, shared poverty, poor governance, underdevelopment, and renowned resistance against Western colonizers have created an intricate web of opportunity for potential terrorists.

(more…)

Robert I. Rotberg; Director of the Program on Intrastate Conflict at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and President of the World Peace Foundation writes in Foreign Affairs Magazine:

Africa has long been saddled with poor, even malevolent, leadership: predatory kleptocrats, military-installed autocrats, economic illiterates, and puffed-up posturers. By far the most egregious examples come from Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zimbabwe — countries that have been run into the ground despite their abundant natural resources. But these cases are by no means unrepresentative: by some measures, 90 percent of sub-Saharan African nations have experienced despotic rule in the last three decades. Such leaders use power as an end in itself, rather than for the public good; they are indifferent to the progress of their citizens (although anxious to receive their adulation); they are unswayed by reason and employ poisonous social or racial ideologies; and they are hypocrites, always shifting blame for their countries’ distress.

Click here to view a longer preview of this article on Foreign Affairs.

Starting on December 1st 2005, Ainashe.net will podcast a weekly Radio Somali political program called “Waxay Illa Tahay”. The program is in Somali and it is intended for Somalis back home who do not speak English.

Click here to listen a short announcement for that new Somali program.

TEST AUDIO FILE

The BBC News reports:

A 55-year-old man has been jailed for life for the murder of a prostitute whose body he cut up and left in his brother’s flat before taking it on a bus and dumping it in a canal. What lay behind the lurid headlines? Nasra Ismail, who was killed in March 2004, was unrecognisable from the loving mother and wife mourned by her family. The 27-year-old, a refugee from war-torn Somalia, was lost to them after she got sucked into a squalid life of prostitution to fund her addiction to crack cocaine.

As the saying goes; Allayow dhib badnaa, ninka tagay dhulkiisii!

Click here to view the full dispatch on the BBC News. You may also click here for more on the tragic death of Nasra Ismail on Google.

The UN Says cost of corruption is three-fold: political, economic and social:

Political Costs: corruption constitutes a major obstacle to democracy and the rule of law. In a democratic system, offices and institutions lose their legitimacy when they are misused for private advantage. Though this is harmful in the established democracies, it is even more so in newly emerging ones. Accountable political leadership can not develop in a corrupt climate.

(more…)

To strength peace and confidence, it’s important that the Somali people reap the rewards of the reconstruction and development strategy as soon as possible. Although the objectives must be ambitious, they should also be realistic and attainable within five year implementation period for this RDP. Activities must be prioritized and sequenced, especially as implementation and absorption capabilities are limited. In view of the complexity and magnitude of this challenge, it is acknowledged that reconstruction and development will continue beyond 2010 and will require resources and planning beyond this initial five year program. Meanwhile, the international community must continue to act in a concerted and coordinated fashion to meet humanitarian needs so they don’t weaken the reconstruction and development effort.

Cali Maxamed Geedi
Prime Minister
Somali Tranistional Federal Government
Jowhar, Somalia.

Click here to view the full speech by Hon. Cali Maxamed Geedi at the UN/World Bank Workshop on ” Joint Needs Assessment” for Somalia, Nairobi, Kenya. (November 23rd 2005).

Courtesy of Biyokulule.

The transition to peace and return of good governance in Somali will take considerable efforts by the Somali Government and require substantial support from the international community in re-establishing peaceful and secure environment for sustainable reconstruction and development program.

Hon. Abdirizak Osman Hassan (Jurile)
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation
Somali Transitional Federal Government
Jowhar, Somalia

Click here to view the full speech by Hon. Abdirizak Osman Hassan (Jurile) at the UN/World Bank Workshop on ” Joint Needs Assessment” for Somalia, Nairobi, Kenya. (November 23rd 2005).

Courtesy of Biyokulule.

There are many “development” vacancies at the UN agencies and other Humanitarian NGO’s operating in Somalia. Ainashe.net urges qualified Somalis to apply for those jobs. Remember, by taking one of those vacancies you will not only earning money but you will be helping your country as well!

Ciddina umma Maqna, Ceelna umma Qodna!

Click here to view the full list.

You may also like to click here to view all current UN vacancies.

The following Network Paper published by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) describes:

An emergency cash relief programme carried out by Horn Relief and Norwegian People’s Aid in the Sool Plateau in Somalia in 2003-2004. The programme distributed $691,500 to 13,830 drought-affected households, making it the largest cash response ever mounted in Somalia. The paper explores the motivations and objectives that underpinned the programme, the context in which it was delivered, the problems it encountered and the effects it had on the targeted community. The paper concludes that, even in areas of political instability, cash relief can be an effective and viable alternative. There can be no ‘blueprint’ for the use of cash across all emergencies and in all circumstances. However, evidence is growing to suggest that, where circumstances are amenable, there is scope for increasing the use of cash as an instrument in humanitarian response.

Click here to view the full paper on ODI’s website.

The World Food Program (WFP) says in its:

The start of the minor rainy season or Deyr (October-December) in southern Somalia was three weeks later than normal, has so far been both disappointing and unevenly distributed. With the exception of patchy and localized showers, Hiran, Bakol and Bay regions received only about 15 percent of their normal rainfall for October. No rains were reported during the month of October in the whole of Gedo region, where populations have been facing chronic food insecurity for the past four years. Field reports confirm that shortages of water and pasture in traditional grazing areas in the Juba valley and Gedo Region have resulted in an unusual movement of people and livestock towards Juba River. Malnutrition rates in many parts of southern Somalia are already unacceptably high, up to 20 percent in some areas. In addition, persistent insecurity and renewed civil strife and tension in the south is depressing further the coping options of the populations till the breaking point and this might lead to acute food shortage and hunger before the Deyr harvest season in February-March 2006.

The report went on by saying:

WFP’s in country stocks are at an all-time low, because the logistics supply line to Somalia has come under severe stress due to the spate of ship hijackings in Somali waters, which included two vessels with WFP food aid. Vessel owners are reluctant to call at Somali ports and are asking for armed escort. WFP has begun to again use the overland route from Kenya to south Somalia, while the possible use of Djibouti is being explored for north Somalia.

Click here to view the full report by the WFP.

According to the Monthly Brief (November 2005) of the Food Security Analysis Unit
Somalia:

Civil Insecurity Continues to Threaten Food Security and Livelihoods in Southern Somalia. The recent assassination attempt on the TFG Prime Minister, Ali Gedi, highlights the potential for a rapid deterioration of the political situation, which would have direct and widespread negative implications on food and livelihood security. Reports of the increased importation of weaponry, allied to existing political divisions within the TFG, means that localised or widespread conflict in southern Somalia cannot be ruled out. Therefore the general Alert Phase Classification status for southern Somalia remains.

Implications for Action:

1. Contingency planning for the possibility of widespread humanitarian relief continues to be an urgent priority for Southern Somalia.
2. Recommitment to peaceful negotiations from all political parties.

Click here to view the full monthly brief by the FAO’s Food Security Analysis Unit Somalia.

Unfortunately, the future looks very bleak for most parts of Somalia. The worse areas where starvation and widespread hunger is expected are north eastern and all southern regions of the country.

The Transitional Federal Government in close partnership with UN agencies and other international relief organizations must initiate a national strategic campaign to counter the coming danger before it becomes a full blown disaster.

Click here to view a map showing the extent of hunger and starvation in the country by the FAO’s Food Security Analysis Units for Somalia.

According to FAO’s Food Security Analysis Unit Post Gu Survey (August 2005):

Around 345,000 people are in a state of Livelihood Crisis while 200,000 are experiencing a Humanitarian Emergency throughout Somalia. Most of these communities are in southern Somalia where about 169,000 people in Gedo, Bakool, Middle and Lower Juba, mostly from riverine communities, are in a state of Humanitarian Emergency (and 91,000 in Livelihood Crisis). The livelihood and food security situation of people remains fragile and environmental degradation remains a problem. Stemming from deforestation for charcoal production and compounded by drought and flooding, the environment is slowly being depleted, holding long-term consequences for recovery.

Click here to view the report on the ReliefWeb.

You may like to click here to learn mor about FAO Food Security Analysis Units Somalia operations.

It looks like, that President Abdullahi Yusuf and his Prime Minister; Ali Gedi has a good reason to smile big these days. Sharif Xasan and the destructive Mogadishu warlords finally decided to accept the hard political reality in Somalia and face their imminent demise!

As the Norwegian saying goes, he who laughs last, laughs best!

Qur’aankuu macbuud soo dajee malag u soo dhiibay
murtidaa rasuulkiyo sunnaha lagu macnaynaayo
inaan midigta saarroon wax kale maya nidhaa weeye.

Gabyaa Soomaaliyeed

The leader of the “Jubba Alliance”; Barre Aadan Shire also known as Barre Hiiraale made several notable mediation attempts in recent months. His objective was to bridge the political gap between Sharif Xasan and the destructive Mogadishu warlords on side and the transitional federal government (TFG) on the other. However, since the destructive Mogadishu warlords agreed to meet with the TFG unconditionally and gave the TFG unrestricted political latitude to choose its own terms and conditions for the planned meeting. I do not see the need for Barre Hiiraale to continue his mediation efforts and call for a meeting to be held in the Somali port city of Kismaayo. Needless to say, he can and should participate the planned meeting both as minister of the TFG and as representative of his region. (more…)

James Shikwati; the Director of the Inter Region Economic Network in Kenya Writes:

Albert Einstein once stated: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Intellectual Property Rights are often considered as serious obstacles to trade and the transfer of technologies related to the conservation of biological diversity. African countries are rich in biodiversity and indigenous knowledge which has flowed freely to the developed countries. However global market trends are such that Africa must urgently address issues pertaining property rights if they have to fit into the global economy and also stimulate inventions and innovations. The challenge facing Africa is how to produce high quality goods and services while at the same time tackling aspects of poverty and unemployment. Africa is seen to participate in IPR as late comers already faced with other priority issues and lacking capacity to enforce IPR regimes.

(more…)

International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights released its 2005 report and says:

In the aftermath of September 11, the social climate facing Muslims has deteriorated in the countries covered by this report. As the fight against terrorism has been stepped up and the perceived threat of religious extremism has been given wide attention in public debate, pre-existing prejudice and discrimination against Muslims have been reinforced. Muslims have increasingly felt that they are viewed with distrust and hostility and that they are stigmatized because of their beliefs. These developments are a major focus of the report. In the wake of September 11, there have also been many positive initiatives aimed at “building bridges” between Muslim and other communities, promoting tolerance and supporting the participation of Muslims in society. In various ways, authorities and civil society have been involved in such initiatives in the EU member states.

Click here to view the full report on the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights website.

According to the Arab News Online:

The Intergovernmental Group of Experts (IGGE) of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), which is chaired by Saudi Arabia, is drafting an Islamic covenant on combating racial discrimination. It will highlight the inherent tolerance of Islam and the religion’s rejection of all forms of discrimination. The IGGE recommendation will be submitted to the ordinary session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) in Azerbaijan next year.

(more…)

Ismail Ahmed; a Somali student at the University of Southern Maine wrote the following note and wants to generate a discussion on “leadership” roles of Somali religious scholars or “imams”.

Ismail says:

I have not yet come across research to date; where Imams or Somalis’ Islamic preachers have been included in the discussions of leadership issues afflicting the Somalis (I use Somalis to avoid saying Somalia/land). There is no doubt that they function as important religious authorities in the Somali community. Much has been written about Somali culture and tradition. It is time Somalis examined their faith and spirituality. Somali problems might be caused by what we belief, practice, and profess rather than who we are. According to the constitution of Somalia, Islam is the official religion of the state (No religion other than Islam can be propagated in the country). A state with such a fundamental religious foundation will of course make one pose the following questions:

(more…)