Africa News, May 9, 2003/BYLINE: UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
Somalia; UN Hails New Livestock Trade Initiative
The United Nations has welcomed a new initiative to support the development and export of Somali livestock and meat products.
The initiative setting up a common Somali Livestock Board (SLB) was launched under the auspices of the Dubai-based Somali Business Council, according to a press statement by the UN Development Programme for Somalia and the Food and Agriculture Organisation. The meeting earlier this month brought together the business community and representatives from the Transitional National Government, the self-declared republic of Somaliland and the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, along with representatives of the importing countries.
Through an improved system of disease surveillance, inspection and certification, the SLB could help the industry meet the requirements of importing countries for disease-free livestock and meat products originating from Somalia, the statement noted.
Africa News, May 8, 2003/BYLINE: United Nations
Somalia; UN Agencies Welcome Launch of Regulatory Body for Somali Livestock Exports
Two United Nations agencies have welcomed the launch of an initiative to set up a board to support the development and export of Somali livestock and meat products, through an improved system of disease surveillance, inspection and certification.
The UN Development Programme (&UNDP) and the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (&FAO) commended the formation of a Somali Livestock Board that could help the industry to meet the requirements of importing countries of disease-free livestock and meat products originating from Somalia. It also reflects the desire of Somalis to safeguard the quality and integrity of their herds and flocks, the agencies said.
The initiative was launched at the beginning of this month under the auspices of the Somali Business Council (SBC) of the United Arab Emirates at a meeting in Dubai, where the Somali business community, including livestock and meat traders, met with Somali authorities from the Transitional National Government, Somaliland and Puntland, and with representatives from importing countries in the Middle East.
UNDP said given the critical importance of livestock sector to the Somali economy, the establishment of the Board as a regulatory authority had potential for improving the livelihoods of both rural and urban dwellers in that country.
Agence France Presse, May 8, 2003/UN-Habitat-EU-Somalia
UN-Habitat, EU to support good governance in Somalia
The UN Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) and the European Union have launched a 1.5-million-euro initiative to promote good governance and build peace in Somalia, an EU statement said here Wednesday.
"An improved capacity for local governance is essential for Somalia's future peace and sustainable development," UN-Habitat's Executive Director Anna Tibaijuka and EU head of delegation Gary Quince said at a signing ceremony on Wednesday for the new initiative. The initiative, called the Somalia Local Governance and Leadership Training Programme, is aimed at enhancing sustainable peace, stability and good governance in the Horn of Africa country, the statement said.
"This programme is the continuation of the successful collaboration between the UN-Habitat and the European Commission (EC), which started in 1998 with the implementation of the Berbera Technical and Institutional Assistance Project in northwest Somalia," the statement said.
The Berbera project, currently under way in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, is aimed at developing the management capacity of a municipality, with a focus on administration, financial management, town planning and sanitation.
Somalia has been without an effective central government and wracked by clan warfare since dictator Mohammed Siad Barre was ousted in 1991.
Somaliland seceded from Somalia in May 1991, five months after Barre was overthrown, and although it is not recognised as an independent state by the international community, recently held peaceful elections that returned President Dahir Riyale Kahin to power.
BBC Worldwide Monitoring, May 8, 2003/SOURCE: Xog-Ogaal, Mogadishu, in Somali 8 May 03 p 2
Somaliland: Efforts said under way to end impasse over poll results
Despite the fact that the Somaliland Supreme Court is yet to issue a verdict on the case between Kulmiye and UDUB parties regarding the outcome of the May polls , parallel efforts are under way to organize a face-to-face meeting between the three men presidential contenders Dahir Riyale Kahin of UDUB, Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo of Kulmiye and Faysal Ali Warabe of UCID so that the current impasse could be resolved peacefully. The standoff has disappointed the international community which had hopes in Somaliland and is proving an obstacle to its recognition. One of the individuals involved is Abdiqadir Jirde. It is not known how they the three would agree to the initiative given that the court is yet to issue its verdict.
BBC Worldwide Monitoring, May 7, 2003/SOURCE: HornAfrik Online text web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 7 May 03
Somaliland: Parties urged to form coalition government
A report by the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland's electoral commission which has been conveyed to the supreme court has reportedly caused anxiety to the ruling party UDUB United Democratic Party . The executive councils of the Council of Elders and the House of Representatives have held several meetings with the leaders of the three parties and told them than none of the contenders had sufficiently won to form a government and urged them to form a coalition government.
Meanwhile, a festival marking the first anniversary of the death of former president Muhammad Ibrahim Egal was held in Gabiley.
The opposition Kulmiye Solidarity Party fully exploited the opportunity with its entire top brass taking part and making speeches.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 9, 2003/Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 8 May 03) BBC Monitoring
(CORR) SOMALILAND: SUPREME COURT STARTS HEARING ALLEGED ELECTORAL FRAUD CASES
Reissue, correcting headline and replacing "listening to" with "hearing" in para one; also expanding editorial insertions in para two
The Somaliland Supreme Court today started hearing cases on the presidential elections held on 14 April. The cases involve the UDUB ruling United Democratic Party and Kulmiye main opposition parties and the national electoral commission. The electoral commission released the interim election results on 19 April.