Somaliland: Administration sets conditions for holding talks with oppositions
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 24, 2002/Text of report by Somaliland's Radio Hargeysa on 24 February
The government of Somaliland said today that it was ready to enter into dialogue with any group, party or individual that believes in the existing constitution.
The government also says it wants the current political stand-off [with the opposition] to be solved through talks. However, the government said it would not agree to hold talks with anybody, group or party with an agenda of clan-based conference, or on an issue relating to the extension of the president's term of office by the parliament. It said any debate on the two issues contravened the constitution and are bound to destroy the country and its security.
On the subject of clan-based talks, the government says, since political parties have been registered and are currently active, there was no need for holding clan-based conferences. Concerning the parliamentary act to increase president's term of office, it said this was done in accordance with the constitution and therefore, obligatory for the government, the legislative, the political parties and all citizens to abide by it. Within the legal framework such a move is the duty of parliament, and the government, like any other institution, has no business meddling in it.
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 24 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somalia: New regional administration reportedly to be set up in north
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 24, 2002
Unconfirmed reports say that plans are under way to set up a new regional administration which will incorporate Togdheer, Sanaag [both in Somaliland] and Sool [disputed region straddling Somaliland and Puntland] regions. The report further says the plans are in place and the formation of the regional administration will soon be announced.
It is suspected that Somaliland and Puntland opposition leaders were behind the plan. It was not clear what name they would give to their new administrative region...
Source: AllPuntland.com web site in Somali 24 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland president reshuffles top posts
February 21, 2002
HARGEISA, Somalia (Reuters) -- The president of the self-declared republic of Somaliland sacked his foreign minister and the national army commander on Thursday without stating a reason.
A government spokesman said in a statement that Foreign Minister Abdilhamid Garad Jama and national army commander Ismail Mohamed Shaqalle were no longer in office.
President Mohamed Ibrahim Egal nominated former commander Hasan Yonis Habbane back to his old post. There was no immediate replacement for Jama.
Late on Wednesday, Minister of Ports and Telecommunications Abdijabbar Abdi Said resigned.
"I have hundreds of reasons to give for my resignation but am not ready to disclose them at this time," he told the daily al-Jamhuriya newspaper.
Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 after the overthrow of President Mohammed Siad Barre and the disintegration of the central government.
Its independence is not recognized internationally, although it is a relatively stable area in otherwise anarchic Somalia.
Somaliland: Foreign minister, army chief dismissed
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 20, 2002
Text of report by Somaliland's Radio Hargeysa on 20 February
The president of the republic of Somaliland, Hon Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, today issued a presidential decree dismissing Hon Abdihamid Garad Jama [Garad Ali] from the post of foreign minister of the republic of Somaliland. President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal also issued two other decrees on appointment and dismissal as follows:
1. Isma'il Muhammad Usman Shaqale was dismissed from the post of commander of the national army.
2. Hon Hasan Yunis Habane was appointed to the post of commander of the national army of the republic of Somaliland.
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 20 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland minister, UN delegation discuss expulsion of UN official
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 20, 2002/
Text of report by Somaliland's Radio Hargeysa on 20 February
The Somaliland's minister of interior, Hon Abdullahi Umar Igeh, today held talks at his office in Hargeysa with the visiting UNDP delegation from Nairobi. The minister and the UN delegation discussed matters regarding the expulsion of the head of security for UN aid agencies, Mr Bloh [name as heard]. They discussed the general security situation in the country.
The minister briefed the delegation in detail about the general security situation in the country and the stability it has achieved.
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 20 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Residents of central town stage demo in support of government
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 20, 2002
The residents of Laas Caanood [northern Somalia] today staged a big demonstration supporting the government and condemning clan conferences and other issues that sabotage the peace in the region.
A big crowed, marching on foot and on board vehicles, passed through Laas Caanood town chanting slogan in support of the multiparty system and condemning clan conferences.
The demonstrators later gathered at UDUB [United People's Democratic Party, ruling party] party office in Laas Caanood.
The governor of Sool, Mr Faisal Ali Warsame, who addressed the demonstrators, explained how the forthcoming multiparty elections would be conducted...
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 20 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland minister, UN delegation discuss expulsion of UN official
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 20, 2002/
Text of report by Somaliland's Radio Hargeysa on 20 February
The Somaliland's minister of interior, Hon Abdullahi Umar Igeh, today held talks at his office in Hargeysa with the visiting UNDP delegation from Nairobi. The minister and the UN delegation discussed matters regarding the expulsion of the head of security for UN aid agencies, Mr Bloh [name as heard]. They discussed the general security situation in the country.
The minister briefed the delegation in detail about the general security situation in the country and the stability it has achieved.
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 20 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland government reportedly expels aid agency official
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 20, 2002/
Text of report by Somali newspaper Xog-Ogaal web site on 19 February
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of [Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal's administration has ordered the head of security of the aid agencies operating in Somaliland to leave Hargeysa in 24 hours.
The ministry accused the official of engaging in activities inimical to the sovereignty of the country, although no clear reasons were given for expelling the official.
Source: Xog-Ogaal web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 19 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Parties given two more months to register for forthcoming polls
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 20, 2002
The House of Representatives of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland has extended the period for parties to register for the forthcoming elections.
Sixty-four MPs voted in favour of the motion seeking to extend the period of registration while 10 MPs voted against it. Ten MPs abstained.
The Somaliland parliament has now extended the registration period by two more months...
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0500 gmt 19 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Administration reportedly expels senior UN security official
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 19, 2002/
Text of report by Somali newspaper Mogadishu Times on 19 February
The minister of internal affairs of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, Abdullahi Umar Ige, has issued a statement ordering Mr Andri Serio [as published], a UN official in charge of security, to leave the country within 24 hours.
The minister said Mr Serio's expulsion from the country has something to do with his interference in the country's internal affairs.
A copy of the minister's statement has already been given to police and Somaliland's higher security committee.
Source: Mogadishu Times, Mogadishu, in Somali 19 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Minister raps media for allegedly supporting opposition
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 18, 2002
Text of report by Somali Radio HornAfrik on 17 February
The relationship between the [Somaliland] media and [Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal's [Somaliland president] administration is deteriorating.
The minister of interior in Egal's administration, Mr Abdullahi Umar Igeh, has reiterated his accusations against the media, saying it was supporting what he termed opposition group bent on causing destruction.
Newspapers in Hargeysa have recently been writing many reports regarding groups opposed to Egal in eastern Burco.
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0500 gmt 17 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Berbera Port: Extra-Legal Charges May Drive-out Clients
Somaliland Times, Feb.16, 2002
Feb 18 2002 Berbera (SLT): The Port of Berbera is Somaliland government's main source of financial revenues, as it handles most of the country's exports and imports. But extra-legal charges on imports and exports, widespread corruption, and a new tariff increase, are raising serious doubts among clients over their future use of the port.
Last year some merchandize traders had already switched their import/export operations to Bosasso Puntland, where the beleaguered administration of Jama Ali Jama has not been able to collect tax revenues.
Berbera has won back a number of these merchants since, thanks to modest improvement in services initiated by the Port Director Ali Hor-hor.
The substantial decline in income earnings amongst Somalilanders as a result of the continued ban on livestock exports to Saudi Arabia has equally diminished the purchasing power of domestic households.
Consequently, thousands of small-scale businesses have disappeared.
The government's introduction of a new higher tariff earlier this month has not helped the situation either. Port authorities have also infuriated clients by asking them to continue to pay a long list of extra-legal money.
They want us to pay higher port charges, higher tariff and extortion moneys. I just can't stand it, and I'm thinking to move somewhere else said one of the traders who used Berbera for a long time.
In fact, what bothers most of the port users is the requirement to pay for the same service twice. For example, after payment of about $ 400 as a feeding grass fee to the port authority, the same livestock exporter is required to pay the same amount again to private individuals
in return for no actual service performed.
As agents of visiting vessels pay a daily $ 30 fee for garbage collection and cleaning, they are also required to pay again the same amount to a bogus firm even if these kinds of services were not requested. The same dual fees exist for such jobs as unloading, tallying, piloting and
anchorage.
Last week, Djibouti lowered its tariff to 10% and concluded a revised agreement concerning tariff on import with Ethiopia.The Somaliland government has not yet taken any steps to eliminate theconditions that are weighing negatively on the clients of its major port at Berbera.
However, sources close to the Somaliland business community told The Somaliland Times, that President Egal have agreed to substantially lower the recently introduced rise in import taxes.
MUNICIPAL TAX RAISED
Somaliland Times, Feb.16, 2002
Feb 18 2002 Hargeisa (SLT): Immediately after the Somaliland central government decided on February 4 to increase the tariff by over 280%, the Mayor of Hargeisa, Mr. Awl Elmi Abdallah raised municipal taxes by almost the same level. Translate (for Somali articles no translation available, sorry!)
The Mayor's action actually violates a parliamentary act, which prohibits any increments to municipal tax rates without authorization of the
legislature.
In a secret memo, on February 5, the mayor instructed his finance department to collect the increased municipal taxes. In a Thursday interview with our sister Newspaper Haatuf, the Mayor conceded that he had only instructed the tax collectors to charge small extra amounts to taxpayers.
It has been reported that the Mayor's decision to raise municipal taxes was taken without the knowledge of the central government.
Borama Hospital Strike
Somaliland Times, Feb.16, 2002
2002 Borama (SLT): Health workers at Borame General Hospital returned to work on Wednesday, after striking. They agreed to temporarily resume work after the Regional commissioner urged them. Translate (for Somali articles no translation available, sorry!)
Our Borama based correspondent, Mohamed Omar earlier in the week reported of the owning of tools at the hospital due to rampant mismanagement and corruption at the institution. The mal-administration is said to be so deep-rooted, it reached unfathomable level. Reliable sources also have estimated that funds to the tune of 25 to 30 thousand dollars are unaccounted for in the past two years. It is believed that this is the main reason why its sponsors, COOPI, pulled out of assisting the Hospital.
Reports say that the meager capital obtained by the management is spent unjustifiably through favoritism. The offices are temporarily transferred to the residence of a top health official. It is also said Norwegian based Awdal natives have been donating aid to the hospital. These alms have been mysteriously finding their way into private Chemists and Pharmacies in town. These and more heart-rending felonies practiced at the hospital have only compounded the anger of the workers, and sadly resulted in the strike.
Despite the fact that the Regional Commissioner gave in to three days of return to work pact, it is not known whether he would be able to root out the evil and rectify the situation within the 72 hours. Whatever bedevils the institution is beyond general scope, hence is sadly pathetic, especially when there are no funds available.
Ironically, the same sponsor, COOPI, pulled out of another similar institution a few months ago. The Berbera workers demonstrated thereafter but were lucky to be able to have their bills footed by the port authority.
However their salaries were halved. The government had said they had not catered for the health workers budget in a statement released then. Their Borama counterparts may not be that lucky given that the cash- strapped hospital has some workers going unpaid for as long as up to three months.
Our sources say their top colleagues admit to all the above ills but have no say whatsoever. Most deplorable is the plight of the sick who suffer silently. Hospital workers, unlike other sectors, are only expected to go slow on work, but not to put down their tools altogether, as far as human international rights are concerned.
Somaliland: Commercial Bank branch opened in eastern Ethiopia
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 17, 2002/
Text of report by Somali Radio HornAfrik on 17 February
The self-declared Somaliland government has opened a branch of the Commercial Bank in Dire Dawa [eastern] Ethiopia.
The governor of the Central Bank of Somaliland, Mr Abdirahman Du'ale Ali, who spoke to the media in Hargeysa, said the bank branch was opened after receiving a permit from the Ethiopian government.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance of Egal's administration has fixed the exchange rates of the US dollar. A press statement issued by the Somaliland administration said one US dollar will be exchanged for 3,500 Somaliland shillings.
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0500 gmt 17 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Interior minister raps media for allegedly supporting opposition
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 17, 2002/
Text of report by Somali Radio HornAfrik on 17 February
The relationship between the [Somaliland] media and [Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal's [Somaliland president] administration is deteriorating.
The minister of interior in Egal's administration, Mr Abdullahi Umar Igeh, has reiterated his accusations against the media, saying it was supporting what he termed opposition group bent on causing destruction.
Newspapers in Hargeysa have recently been writing many reports regarding groups opposed to Egal in eastern Burco.
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0500 gmt 17 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
American warplanes reportedly to parade over Somaliland airspace
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 16, 2002/
Text of report by Somali Radio HornAfrik on 16 February
The defence minister of the self-declared republic of Somaliland has confirmed that American war planes will hold a display over Somaliland airspace on Sunday [17 February].
According to Radio Hargeysa, the minister informed the public not to perceive the presence of the planes as a threat to them.
Similarly, warships belonging to the coalition fighting against terrorism are building up off the Berbera [northwestern Somaliland] coast.
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0500 gmt 16 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Minister says no need for peacekeepers in Somaliland
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 16, 2002
The administration of [Somaliland president] Muhammad Ibrahim Egal has bravely replied the opposition groups' request to have a foreign peace keeping force in the self-declared republic of Somaliland.
In a press conference held in Hargeysa the minister of interior Mr Abdullahi Umar Ige said there was no need for a peace keeping force in the country at present.
Regarding peace, we are among the most peaceful countries in the region, Abdullahi Umar has said...
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0500 gmt 16 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Chinese oil experts begin oil exploration work along Somaliland coast
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 14, 2002/
Text of report by Somali Radio HornAfrik on 14 February
A ship belonging to a Chinese oil exploration company yesterday arrived in Berbera, northwestern region of Somalia.
Chinese experts are on board the ship which will prospect for oil along the coast of the self-proclaimed Somaliland region and in areas that are believed to be having oil deposits.
The Somaliland administration has given these companies [plural as heard] a concession to extract oil from the Somaliland coast if oil is found.
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0530 gmt 14 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Refugees returning, UNHCR asks for funds.
Feb 12 2002 GENEVA, (UNHCR) - Calling Somalia a "great experiment and test case," United Nations officials have appealed to donors to come to the help of the war-devastated African country as the second of six UNHCR-chartered planes flew Somali returnees from refugee camps in Kenya into the port of Berbera.
The voluntary return of the refugees from camps in Kenya was the first in nearly two years, with more than 200 people scheduled to be airlifted to northwest Somalia by early next week. UNHCR plans to repatriate an additional 50,000 Somali refugees from neighbouring states by the end of the year.
"Somalia is a great experiment and test case," Randolph Kent, the U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, told a one-day meeting of donors in Geneva Thursday. "Where else in the world is there a society that has completely collapsed but is seeking to rebuild itself?"
U.N. agencies asked donors for $83 million for Somalia and urged them to commit more funds. In recent years only half of the funding required for refugee programmes has been raised. Simone Wolken, UNHCR's Representative for Somalia, appealed for $6.8 million dollars for 2002, money earmarked for the reintegration of the projected 50,000 returnees.
"This year, we plan to assist the return of more than 50,000 Somali refugees mainly in Ethiopia but also in Kenya, Djibouti and Yemen," Wolken said. "We will focus on large-scale returns to northwest Somalia and hope to complete this by the end of the year. In 2003, we expect to assist some 12,000 refugees to return to the northeast and at the same time consolidate further our reintegration projects."
Last year, 50,000 Somali refugees from camps in Ethiopia returned home, chiefly to northwest Somalia, known as Somaliland, amid growing concern from aid organisations that the increasing number of returnees would quickly outstrip the region's capacity to reintegrate them. The organisations called for more relief and development aid for Somalia's ravaged economy.
Since 1993, more than 500,000 Somali refugees have returned home from countries bordering the war- and drought-ravaged country on the Horn of Africa following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime in 1991 and the ensuing civil war that led to the flight of 800,000 people.
Wolken told the meeting that in the last eight years UNHCR had implemented more than 600 small projects in areas such as income generation, crop production, water projects, schools and hospitals throughout the country at a cost of some $17 million. But she described the agency's work in a country with virtually no infrastructure as "spot repairs."
The UNHCR representative noted that there was still a "missing link" between relief assistance and development aid in Somalia, and called for bigger donor support for the development agencies.
"Through UNHCR's efforts, more than 400,000 people in Somalia have access to clean water, over 350,000 women can get mother and child health care, and nearly 60,000 students have access to schools and education," she said. "But all this does not give them gainful employment."
"UNHCR's action needs to be complemented by a larger development effort, otherwise our projects remain islands of intervention," Wolken added.
On the issue of refugee returns, the UNHCR representative said that an increasing number of refugees from less stable parts of Somalia such as the Juba Valley in the southwest continue to approach the agency for repatriation assistance resulting from a general desire to return home after years of exile. UNHCR, however, is not yet promoting return to areas where security conditions remain volatile.
Wayne Long, UN Chief Security Advisor for Somalia, described the security situation in the country as "challenging," although armed militia were "for the most part off the streets." He said that "if we get proper assistance into Somalia, we can rob the militia of young recruits, take away their AK47 guns, and give the young men an education and a job."
Meanwhile, in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, Shukri Mohammed Farah, 27, and her four children on Wednesday boarded the first UNHCR-chartered flight to Berbera. A visibly excited Farah, surrounded by her four children, all born in the dusty camp, said she was returning to her home in Lasanood to join her husband, who returned two years ago.
"My mother and brothers are also in Lasanood. I want to return home because life in the camp here is difficult and dangerous, particularly for refugee women," said Farah, referring to the significant rate of sexual assault on refugee women and girls who leave the camp to fetch firewood or tend livestock.
"In Lasanood it is safe," she said. "But if I have any problems, my relatives will protect my children and I. Here, I have nobody."
Ethiopian delegation arrives in Somaliland to discuss use of Berbera port
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 11, 2002/
Text of report by Somali newspaper Xog-Ogaal web site on 11 February
An Ethiopian delegation, which includes MPs, is currently in the capital city of Somaliland, Hargeysa. According to reports, the delegation, which toured the port of Berbera and several other Somaliland districts, has reached an agreement with [President Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal's administration regarding the use of the port of Berbera [northeastern Somaliland]
Source: Xog-Ogaal web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 11 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: President in talks with visiting British, EU delegation
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 10, 2002/
Text of report by Somaliland's Radio Hargeysa on 9 February
The president of republic of Somaliland, Hon Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, today held talks with a delegation from the British government and the EU. The delegation, which was led by Mr Philip Backson, and included Mr Owen Richards, was in Somaliland for several days. The purpose of the delegation's visit was to assess the general situation in the country.
President Egal and the visiting delegation held talks at the Somaliland presidency. President Egal said at the meeting the people and the government of Somaliland were closely monitoring the role which the British government would play in the international recognition of Somaliland's government since Britain was fully aware of the existence of Somaliland. The president also briefed the delegation on the prevailing situation in Somaliland.
On his part, the head of the delegation, Mr Philip Backson [phonetic], said the British government was fully aware of what was going on in the Horn of Africa and had succeeded in persuading the EU countries that the issue of Somalia's unity should not be included in the reconciliation talks as it was unrealistic at this particular time. He said the issue of the unity of Somalia did not reflect the reality in the Horn of Africa region.
The delegation pledged the British government's support for the holding of a genuine democratic election in Somaliland. The British government expressed satisfaction at the openness with which the referendum on the constitution was conducted in Somaliland.
The delegation also held talks with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Resettlement at the HQ of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 9 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland farmers appeal to FAO for aid following locust invasion
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 9, 2002/
Text of report by Somali Radio HornAfrik on 9 February
Farmers in Boorama [western Somaliland] town have appealed to the World Agricultural and Food Organization [FAO] for assistance to combat locusts which have been destroying crops and pastures in the region.
In a letter to the FAO HQ in Rome, Italy, the farmers expressed anxiety over the locusts invasion and its impact on this year's harvest.
The farmers have requested for chemicals, equipment and experts in combating the locusts.
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0500 gmt 9 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Opposition party reportedly says president dictator
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 9, 2002/
Text of report by Somali Radio HornAfrik on 9 February
One of Somaliland's opposition party, SAHAN, [expansion untraced] has cautioned the self-declared Somaliland administration of Muhammad Ibrahim Egal [Somaliland president].
In a written statement issued in Hargeysa, the party reportedly accused Muhammad Ibrahim Egal of being a dictator.
The party was protesting the arrest of some of its members by the administration accusing them of various crimes.
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0500 gmt 9 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Visiting British delegation in talks with electoral commission
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 9, 2002
The British foreign office delegation which arrived in the country yesterday has held talks with the electoral commission today.
The delegation led by Mr Philip [word indistinct], who was accompanied by Mr Richard Owen discussed with the commission issues regarding elections.
While speaking to Radio Hargeysa the commission's chairman, Mr Abdullahi Abdi Haji Umar, said the commission briefed the delegation on the democratic election system which the country has adopted.
For his part, Mr Richard said Somaliland's competency would depend on how it would conduct and oversee the elections...
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 8 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Two British diplomats arrive for talks with local officials
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 7, 2002/
Text of report by Somaliland's Radio Hargeysa on 7 February
A British Foreign Office delegation comprising two officials - Philip [name indistinct], who is responsible for the Horn of Africa at the FCO, and Mr Richard Owen, who is the deputy political secretary at the British embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - have arrived in the country.
The delegation, which will be here for several days, will hold talks with government officials.
On arrival at Hargeysa airport the delegation was received by the assistant minister of foreign affairs, Hon Muhammad Abdi Isma'il.
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 7 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Leader differs with cabinet over talks with opposition
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 6, 2002/
Text of report by Somali newspaper Xog-Ogaal web site on 6 February
Reports from Hargeysa [Somaliland administrative HQ] say that the president of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal, and several of his cabinet ministers have differed sharply on how to deal with the opposition groups.
According to the reports some cabinet members want the opposition to be given an opportunity for dialogue and talks, and at the same time form an all-inclusive transitional government, until a free and fair election is held within a year.
On the other hand, [Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal [Somaliland president] totally opposes holding any form of talks with opposition groups.
It is not clear whether it is the opposition clan elders or the political parties opposed to Egal's administration that Mr Egal and his cabinet are differing over.
Source: Xog-Ogaal web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 6 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Seven arrested for preaching Christianity
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 6, 2002
Text of report by Somali Radio HornAfrik on 6 February
Police in Boorama town yesterday arrested seven people allegedly spreading Christianity.
The seven were arrested at a house in the town where they carried out their mission. The police also seized materials including a Bible and video tapes. The arrested people are now being held at Boorama police cell for interrogation.
Similar arrests were previously made in Hargeysa town of people accused of preaching Christianity.
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0530 gmt 6 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Opposition clan elders say Egal's term of office over
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 5, 2002/
Text of report by Somali newspaper Xog-Ogaal web site on 5 February
Somaliland clan elders who have been holding meetings in Burco town and who are opposed to the administration of [Muhammad Ibrahim] Egal, have reportedly concluded their meeting.
The leaders have came out with the following resolutions:
1. An all-inclusive general conference for the Somaliland clan leaders should be held;
2. Somaliland clans should name their representatives to the conference.
The leaders said Egal's term of office was over and there was need for a general conference to form a national government.
Source: Xog-Ogaal web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 5 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Electoral body receives funds
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 3, 2002/
Text of report by Somaliland's Radio Hargeysa on 3 February
The first vice-chairman of parliament, Hon Abdiqadir Haji Isma'il, today gave out a cheque of 7,000 US dollars to the national electoral commission.
Mr Isma'il told the electoral body that the funds were part of the money received from the Somaliland people of the Diaspora, sent during the constitutional referendum process. He said as representatives of the committee that conducted the referendum process, they have decided to allot the money to the electoral body in order to pacify the smooth running of the electoral process.
The chairman of the electoral commission, Abdullahi Abdi Haji Umar, and Lady Shukri Haji Isma'il, expressed their appreciation for the funds...
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 3 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Clan leader raps regional administration, calls for "greater Somalia"
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 2, 2002/
Text of report by Somali newspaper Mogadishu Times on 2 February
[A famous clan leader] Garad Salah Garad Abdiqadir, has said that new faction administrations have emerged out of the originally existing Somaliland and Puntland administrations.
Speaking to Radio Laas Caanood, Mr Garad said the two factions have adopted new names, opposition and the conservative. The leader further said that the two administrations [Somaliland and Puntland] have nothing good to offer the people of Sool Region [disputed region between Somaliland, Puntland].
"I do not know anything better than the greater Somalia, and any party claiming to offer a better option without causing clashes and death must be having a hidden agenda," said Garad Salah.
"We do not want the Somaliland and Puntland army fighting over Sool Region," said the clan leader.
Source: Mogadishu Times, Mogadishu, in Somali 2 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
UAE experts undertaking mineral exploration in Somaliland
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Feb 2, 2002/
Text of report by Somali Radio HornAfrik on 2 February
Experts from United Arab Emirates are carrying out mineral exploration in the outskirts of Berbera town [northwest Somaliland], and in other parts of Somaliland which are said to be rich in minerals. The experts are aboard mineral expedition ships.
The project is being funded by companies from UAE, China and Bahrain.
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0500 gmt 2 Feb 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland president appeals for international recognition
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Jan 30, 2002
The president of the Republic of Somaliland, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal today meet in his office a visiting German (?NA) television crew that conducted a lengthy interview with him.
The president in his interview spoke about Somaliland's history before the country achieved its independence in 18 May 1991.
In the interview, which was conducted by Mrs Nerdja Kirwad [phonetic] the president explained the current situation in Somaliland, the social development the Somaliland people have attained and the abundant resources available in the country.
The president further said if Somaliland was recognized it could play a role in the Horn of Africa, Africa and the world at large...
Source: Radio Hargeysa audio web site in Somali 1700 gmt 30 Jan 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somalia: Somaliland administration accuses media of working for anti-government group
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Jan 30, 2002/
Text of report by Somali Radio HornAfrik on 30 January
The Somaliland government has accused newspapers published in Burco [southeastern Somaliland] and Hargeysa of working for groups bent on creating chaos.
The Somaliland president's spokesman, Ahmad Idris Du'ale, told Radio Hargeysa that future press reports must be authenticated and should bear the author's name, failing which stern action would be taken against the concerned newspaper.
In the past weeks, the Somaliland press has been carrying reports critical of President Muhammad Ibrahim Haji Egal. The spokesman further said the government will take stern action against the newspapers concerned if they fail to comply.
Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0500 gmt 30 Jan 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Electoral Commission chairman, his deputy named
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Jan 29, 2002/
Text of report by Somaliland's Radio Hargeysa on 29 January
The National Electoral Commission today convened a session at which a chairman and deputy chairman were elected.
The electoral commission elected Abdullahi Abdi Haji Umar chairman, while Ahmad Haji Ali Adhami was elected deputy chairman.
Reports say the chairman and his deputy will be changed after every six months.
The electoral commission has meanwhile completed drafting laws that would govern the commission.
Reports from the electoral commission say the commission will now truly embark on the task of preparing for the elections since it was only waiting for the appointment of the commission members.
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 29 Jan 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Leader in talks with Yemeni delegation
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Jan 28, 2002/
Text of report by Somali newspaper Mogadishu Times on 28 January
A big Yemeni delegation comprising of businessmen and government officials have held talks with the president of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, Muhammad Ibrahim Egal.
The aim of the delegation is to familiarize itself with Somaliland, which enjoys cordial relations with Yemen.
The delegation, expected to tour Berbera District, was accorded a warm reception by the Somaliland administration.
Source: Mogadishu Times, Mogadishu, in Somali 28 Jan 02
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
Somaliland: Parliament passes bill on morality, addictive drugs
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Jan 27, 2002/
Text of report by Somali newspaper Mogadishu Times on 27 January
Somaliland house of representatives [parliament] yesterday discussed a draft bill which was tabled in the house and passed after a thorough debate. The MPs also passed a draft bill number 99-96 on Somaliland constitution. The bill was on morality and addictive drugs.
The bill contains articles on the finer details of morality and addictive drugs regulations. The draft bill was in the House for a long period before it was passed.
Source: Mogadishu Times, Mogadishu, in Somali 27 Jan 02 P2
/BBC Monitoring/ © BBC.
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