BBC Monitoring International Reports, March 16, 2004/Source: HornAfrik Online text web site, Mogadishu, in Somali 15 Mar 04
SOMALI GOVERNMENT "BITTERLY CONDEMNS" UK FOR INVITING SOMALILAND PRESIDENT
The Transitional Government of Somalia (TGS) has bitterly condemned Britain's invitation of Somaliland President Dahir Riyale Kahin.
A report released following a meeting held by the TGS council of ministers today in Mogadishu said it is unfortunate that the British government which sponsors the ongoing Somali peace talks in Kenya has invited a group referred to as self-separatists.
The information minister of the TGS, Abdiqadir Abdille Madahey, said the ministers have resolved that a condemnation letter be sent to the EU so as to do something over the issue.
The ministers also discussed arms said to have been brought to the country from Ethiopia and accused Ethiopia of destabilizing Somalia.
The council of ministers has supported a resolution passed by IGAD's foreign affairs ministers and asked IGAD to take action against the Ethiopian government.
BBC Worldwide Monitoring, March 15, 2004/SOURCE: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 15 Mar 04
Somaliland: President Kahin arrives in London
A delegation led by the Somaliland president, Dahir Riyale Kahin, last night arrived at Heathrow Airport, London, and will tomorrow, God willing, begin holding talks.The delegation, that is on a tour of the United Kingdom for several days, will tomorrow begin holding various meetings with British officials.
Agence France Presse, March 13, 2004
Female cut draws unlikely debate in Somaliland
BYLINE: ALI MUSA ABDI
HARGEISA - The campaign to eradicate female circumcision in Africa's unrecognised state of Somaliland has taken an unlikely turn: pitting men against women, while young girls continue to undergo the cut that has been rejected across the globe.
The age-old custom, widely practised in at least 28 African states, was the focus this week when women and girls gathered in Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa, and its other dusty villages, to disapprove the cut.
Apart from plotting ways of rescuing girls from what has come to be populary known as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the next five years, women devoted the better part of the day to staging anti-FGM skits, most of them incisive and tailored to mock men who back the cut.
FGM's chief opponent Ismahan Abdisalan told AFP that the practice, fervently backed by men, is widespread in Somaliland, itself a largely Islamic and patriachal country that broke way from Somalia proper in 1991 when dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled.
"I don't have the numbers, but girls are even being brought home for the sole purpose of FGM," said Ismahan, the chair of Somaliland National Women's Organisation, known by its Somali acronym as NAGAD.
Since the collapse of the Somali state in 1991, able families fled anarchy, mostly to Europe, where states -- notably France and Sweden -- have imposed criminal penalties for practitioners of FGM.
Despite developing tools of statehood -- flag, penal code, national athem, arms of government, -- Somaliland is yet to join 12 other African countries to enact laws criminalizing FGM.
Ismahan, who heads a wholesome female group, pointed out that girls suffer in silence, fearing to report to authorities their parents, who force them into FGM.
"The girls are silent because they don't like to criminalize their parents who force them into circumcision," she said.
It was far from business as usual in Hargeisa, when females united in purpose shouted, sang and displayed banners that condemned the practice, while most of the men, watching from a distance, sneered, laughed sarcastically and quickly dismissed the protests "as foreign, misguided and frivolous."
Girls were rarely in the frontline, but murmured momentarily, indicating that they sided with the women.
While women argued that FGM endangers their health, men dismissed the argument as "just an excuse" and insisted that the "essential cut" should never be replaced by bizzare lectures from old women how to control their libido.
The men argued that circumcising girls about to reach adolescence "is the guardian of discipline among unmarried girls when they are away from their parents' guidance."
An unhappy Aden Hassan Abdullahi, who blamed foreigners for corrupting the minds of Somali girls, told AFP: "Outsiders want our girls to become wild and follow every man."
Female circumcisors, potrayed in Somaliland as "ignominious profiteers," also came out fighting against anti-FGM campaigners, while at the same time defending their trade, but without backing it with scientific evidence.
"The practice is not a medical hazard as claimed by women paid by foreigners," renowned traditional circumcisor Hama said.
"If it is truly a health hazard, then all of us would be dead. I know mothers with more than 10 children, who were circumcised," said Hama, who refused to give her other names.
Hama also attacked the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other non-governmental organisations, particularly for transferring the war against FGM to small girls in classrooms.
"These nasty girls of today learn a bit of English and then challenge their seniors. Foreigners show them money and books to convince them that circumcision is bad," Hama added.
Somali gynaecologists have warned the cut is likely to exacerbate the spread of deadly HIV/AIDS.
BBC Worldwide Monitoring, March 12, 2004/SOURCE: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 12 Mar 04
Somaliland president leaves for official visit to Britain
A high level delegation led by the president of the Republic of Somaliland, Hon Dahir Riyale Kahin, this afternoon departed from Egal International Airport in Hargeysa. The 14-man delegation will be on an official visit to Britain and Belgium for three weeks.
The delegation left Hargeysa at the invitation of the British government and is expected to hold high level meetings with British and Belgian officials.
Prior to his departure at the airport, the president told reporters that the visit is a historic one since 44 years before we seceded from the British government whom we are telling our issues and how we want them most. The president added that the outcome of his visit will be one that will be appreciated by the country. Passage omitted on those accompanying the president .
The delegation that include the First Lady, Huda Bargad Adan, will tonight make a stopover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The president was escorted to the airport by the vice-president, Hon Ahmed Yusuf Yasin, members of the national council, army commanders and the public at large.
This is the first visit by Somaliland president to Britain since the secession of Somaliland and the first official visit received from the Kingdom of Britain.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, March 11, 2004/Source: Xog-Ogaal, Mogadishu, in Somali 11 Mar 04
BRITAIN NOT OPPOSED TO RECOGNIZING SOMALILAND, UK MINISTER REPORTEDLY SAYS
The British secretary of state for international development, Hilary Benn, has said that the "British government does not object to recognition of the self-declared state of Somaliland, but it is not essential that the UK be the first to announce such recognition."
Hilary Benn, who was speaking at a meeting organized by the economics and development department of London University, said any government with a good social administration which comes to power in a democratic system and subsequently forms all government organs, just as in developed countries, would be given assistance, including finance and projects. "We appreciate the peace, development and the democracy prevalent in Somaliland. I am aware of the positive moves in Somaliland and I also rely on reports submitted by British MPs. Therefore, the British government does not reject a recognition of Somaliland, but it is not essential that we be the first to announce such recognition. I hope the neighbouring countries would first recognize Somaliland. Fresh relations have opened up between Somaliland and the British government".
BBC Monitoring International Reports, March 9, 2004/Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 9 Mar 04
SOMALILAND: DELEGATION TOURS REGION AHEAD OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
A parliamentary committee delegation today arrived in Berbera and held several meetings with regional and district leaders from Sahil Region. The delegation that comprised 13 MPs, held talks with the Sahil Region governor and Berbera town council. The delegation briefed them on their mission that is related to the forthcoming parliamentary elections and how to fully work with regional councils. The meetings also discussed the Berbera town council by-laws and how they are being implemented. The delegation urged district and regional leaders to improve on service delivery and to strengthen security in the region. The delegation leaves for Sheekh District tomorrow and later for Burco, Toghdeer regional HQ.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, March 9, 2004/Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 9 Mar 04
SOMALILAND: MATERNITY HOSPITAL MARKS TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY
The Edna Adan Maternity Hospital which is one of the best hospitals in the Horn of Africa Region today marked its second anniversary since it was opened in 2002.
The hospital which is the brainchild of Lady Edna Adan Isma'il, the Somaliland foreign minister, told Radio Hargeysa today that she was extremely happy to see the success of a long dream she cherished which was to build a modern hospital that would addressed women health needs. Lady Edna said the hospital serves women from the Horn of Africa Region and people from far off areas.
She added that over 2,600 babies have been born at the hospital including twins and triplets. Lady Edna added that the other benefits of the hospital was that health workers had been trained at the hospital and that two groups of trainees from the hospital were currently working in various hospital in the country. Currently, new trainees are doing a course at the hospital.
She urged the people of Somaliland to take expectant mothers to the nearest hospitals and avoid the tendency of taking people to hospital when their condition had worsened.
Panafrican News Agency (PANA) March 9, 2004
UN HABITAT TRAINS SOMALI PARTNERS IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE
Nakuru, Kenya (PANA) - For nearly three weeks, some 21 Somali nationals drawn from universities, local NGOs and community-based organisations have camped in the central Kenyan city of Nakuru to map out ways of rebuilding their cities and towns ruined by a 14- year old clan war.
Somali human settlements have been severely affected by the civil war that caused wide-scale destruction of infrastructure and services.
As the violence subsided, most returnees and formerly internally displaced persons flocked to towns, whose local institutions are not in a position to cope with the emerging pressures of resettling them. Somali's urban centres have been in a poor state since the fall of the central government headed by President Mohammed Siad Barre in 1991.
The clan war that followed his ouster destroyed all their records and greatly reduced their capacities to give public services after the loss of human resources.
At the end of their training as trainers, the delegates drawn from UN Habitat Somali partner organisations, participating at the Good Local Governance and Leadership Training Programme (GLTP) organised by the Nairobi-based UN Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) are expected to apply their newly-acquired experiences and expertise to the local situation.
"The training of trainers (ToT) programme was moved from Bosasso, Puntland, to Nakuru, Kenya, because of increased tensions between Somaliland and Puntland over Sool and Sanaag, and because of the relevance of Nakuru in Participatory Planning experience, with the UN-HABITAT Localising Agenda 21 Programme," said GLTP senior coordinator Tomasz Sudra.
The programme, which targets a total of 15 locations in Somalia, seven in Somaliland, three in Puntland and five in Mogadishu, has incorporated universities, local research institutes and umbrella NGO-CBO organisations.
The programme, according to its manager Filiep Decorte, was provoked by a study conducted by the UN Habitat - 'Somalia Urban Sector Profile Study' - and funded by the European Commission, which outlined a strategy framework to guide interventions of how best to salvage Somali cities and towns.
"The inhabitants can have a lot of positive impact on the management of a city or town if they are properly mobilised," said Decorte, adding that the only challenge is that governments on their own can not manage settlements without the active participation of the residents.
The training, which began on 16 February and ran to 5 March, aims at building capacity of local authorities in roles and responsibilities, good leadership skills, involving women in local governance and development, and strengthening the role of NGOs in local development.
While in Nakuru, the Somali leaders will also borrow a leaf from the local authority on urban governance and development issues such as greening of cities, pavement construction, solid waste management, and resource mobilisation and management.
The training focuses on the capacity building of the Somali trainers in managing conflicts and differences and participatory planning.
Africa News, March 8, 2004/BYLINE: UN Integrated Regional Information Networks
Somalia;Campaign Against FGM Launched On Women's Day
On the occasion of International Women's Day, a campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been launched throughout Somalia, where an estimated 98 percent of all women have undergone the ritual.
The campaign is being led by four networks of Somali women's organisations, namely the Coalition of Grassroots Women's Organization (COGWO), IIDA Women's Development Organization (IIDA means celebrate in Somali), We Are Women Activists (WAWA) and NAGAAD (roughly translated in Somali as 'Stay Rooted'). The networks represent nearly 90 grass-roots women's groups, Maryan Abdulle Qawane of COGWO told IRIN.
The campaign was launched simultaneously on Monday in Hargeysa, the capital of the self-declared republic of Somaliland, Bosaso, the commercial capital of the self-styled autonomous region of Puntland, and in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, as well as in other towns.
The launches were marked by popular events such as rallies, demonstrations and drama performances, said Maryan, who is also the national coordinator of the Campaign Against Violence Against Women.
In Mogadishu, over 10,000 women came out to demonstrate against the practice, chanting slogans, such as "Save your daughter from FGM" and "FGM is not a religious obligation", according to Maryan. They were addressed by the president of the Transitional National Government of Somalia, Abdiqassim Salad Hassan, who attended the event accompanied by his wife, Maryan said.
Most of the 98 percent of Somali women who have undergone FGM have experienced the most drastic form "in the mistaken belief that they were observing a religious obligation", she said.
The aim of the campaign was to sensitise the Somali people, particularly women, "to the harmful effects of the practice", said Maryan. "We want to make it clear that there is no religious basis for this practice."
At the time that the operation was performed, the women suffered psychological shock, as well as pain and physical damage to the vulva, she said. Moreover, as a result, those subjected to FGM were prone to urinary tract infections and obstetric complications usually leading to "prolonged and severe labour pains and sometimes stillbirths".
Maryan said that later on Monday, religious leaders and doctors were expected to hold a conference in Mogadishu to discuss "FGM and its health implications in the context of religion". "Religious leaders will make it clear to the public that it is not a religious obligation," Maryan noted.
A separate statement issued by the Somalia Aid Coordination Body, which is made of donors, UN agencies and NGOs, said the campaign against FGM was part of the global Amnesty International campaign to stop violence against women. It pledged support to the Somali women groups for the total eradication of FGM in that country.
According to the World Heath Organisation, most girls and women who have undergone genital mutilation live in 28 African countries, although some live in Asia and the Middle East. They are also increasingly found in Europe, Australia, Canada and the USA, primarily among immigrants from these countries.
WHO estimates the number of girls and women who have undergone FGM globally at between 100 and 140 million, while each year a further 2 million girls are at risk.
FGM, often referred to as 'female circumcision', comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or religious reasons. There are different types of FGM but the most common type is excision of the clitoris and the labia minora, according to WHO.
The practise has immediate and long-term health consequences, depending on the type and severity of the procedure performed. These include severe pain, shock, haemorrhage, urine retention, ulceration of the genital region and injury to adjacent tissue and more recently, possible transmission of HIV/AIDS due to the use of the same instrument in multiple operations.
BBC Monitoring International Reports/March 6, 2004/Source: Radio Midnimo, Boosaaso, in Somali 1030 gmt 6 Mar 04
SOMALILAND FORCES REPORTEDLY ARRIVE IN DISPUTED REGION OF LAAS CAANOOD
Reports from Laas Caanood (disputed region between Somaliland and Puntland) say that Somaliland forces have arrived in Ari Cadeeye and Kurtatimaha villages.
The report further says that Somaliland vehicles with anti-aircraft missiles mounted on them have been sighted in Kurtatimaha village. The Puntland police force, which is in the frontline is not in a state of high alert and have shown no sign of defence preparations.
Some Puntland officials have denied the presence of the Somaliland forces and have termed the reports as mere speculation.
Whatever the case, some residents of these villages have confirmed the presence of the Somaliland forces, as well as their vehicles in the region. (Passage omitted).
BBC Monitoring International Reports, March 6, 2004/Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 6 Mar 04
FOUR PUNTLAND ARMY OFFICERS SEEK ASYLUM IN SOMALILAND
Four military officials loyal to the forces of the Majeertenia (Puntland) administration arrived in Ceerigaabo, the HQ of the Sanaag Region (disputed region between Somaliland and Puntland) last night.
The report from our correspondent in Sanaag Region, Mahmud Sirat, further says that the four arrived in a small Toyota car owned by a Majeertenia resident. The four were accommodated in Hotel Sanaag in Ceerigaabo.
The Ceerigaabo police commander, Mr Jama Abdi Shire, has told our reporter that the matter concerning the four officials is been handled by the Sanaag regional administration.
The four military officials said that they fled Boosaaso to come and seek asylum in Somaliland. (Passage omitted).
The Indian Ocean Newsletter,March 6, 2004, N. 1079/www.africaintelligence.com
Hassan Mahmoud Dhiilood
The Puntland minister of education (northeast Somalia) arrived in Hargeisa in Somaliland (northwest of Somalia) in late February. Hassan Mahmoud Dhiilood, a native of the Sanag region and a member of the Dhulbahante clan, defected from the autonomous administration of Puntland to join the self-proclaimed independent state of Somaliland. A latent conflict is pitting the two administrations against each other over the control of a border region. In addition to his ministerial portfolio, Dhiilood was an advisor to the president of Puntland, Abdillahi Yussuf, for defense issues in the Las Anod region.
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