BBC Monitoring International Reports/Source: Radio Shabeelle, Mogadishu in Somali 0500 gmt 26 May 04) BBC Monitoring
May 26, 2004
SOMALILAND, UN AGENCIES REPORTEDLY AGREE TO WORK TOGETHER
A press release from Somaliland's President Office said that dispute between the authorities and UN humanitarian agencies working in the area has ended.
The press release, signed by president's spokesman, Abdi Idris Du'ale, explained that all differences between the two sides had been resolved following a meeting between President Dahir Riyale Kahin and UN officials in Hargeysa, capital of Somaliland.
The press release also says that from now on the UN will not mix its activities in Somaliland with those in southern part of Somalia, which means that UN will carry out all programmes on Somaliland separate from those in southern Somalia.
The two sides also agreed to organize and decide together on all development projects in Somaliland. The authorities will form a committee to supervise the implementation of the projects. The two sides will from now meet every six months.
The presidential spokesman said that it is not fair to compare Mogadishu with Hargeysa, adding that Hargeysa is even more safe than Nairobi where many UN humanitarian agencies are based. Because of that, the UN accepted to open offices in Hargeysa.
Somaliland claims to be independent from the rest of Somalia and always demands donors and UN agencies treat it as a republic although no single government has recognized the secession of Somaliland from Somalia.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 25, 2004
SOMALILAND PRESIDENT RECEIVES VISITING BRITISH GOVERNMENT DELEGATION
Somaliland President Dahir Riyale Kahin today received visiting British government delegation headed by Mr Hordar Pius (both elements phonetic).
The delegation is composed of officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, department dealing with terrorism, and British embassies in Kenya and Ethiopia.
The aim of the delegation was to find ways of assisting Somaliland on issues pertaining to security and combating terrorism.
The delegation which arrived in Somaliland yesterday for a two-day visit, was making a follow up of issues agreed for implementation during the recent visit of President Dahir Riyale Kahin to Britain.
The delegation held talks with Somaliland ministers of interior, defence and foreign affairs. The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation.
Mr Pius told President Kahin that the meeting with Somaliland ministerial officials was very cordial. The delegation will leave for home on Thursday (27 May).
Mr Pius said his delegation would report its findings to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
He said his government was ready to assist Somaliland on security matters.
Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 25 May 04/ BBC Monitoring
PR Newswire, May 24, 2004
Equitable Life Investment Company launches aggressive acquisition of Somapterolium LLC
DATELINE: TORONTO, May 24
Equitable Life Investment Company, (symbol Eqlff OTC other market) announced today that the company has executed an agreement with Somapetrolium LLC to acquire Somapetrolium's rights to the oil and gas in the Berbera Block in Somaliland. The Berbera Block consists of: Blocks 35, 36, (on-shore) and M-10 & M-10A (off-shore).
Equitable Life Investment Company will become the holding company for Somapetrolium, and the revenues generated from the oil and gas reserves will be channeled to Equitable Life Investment Company. Somapetrolium LLC is 50% owned by Striker LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of McCarthey Grenache, and 50% by BLRS LLC.
Equitable Life Investment Company's CEO, Mr. Lawrence Skolnik commented: "the transaction is one that has been negotiated in between Somapetrolium LLC and the Ministry of Water and Resources of Somaliland over the past six months. It is now coming into fruition, as Somapetrolium is entering the last phase of negotiation on the revenue sharing agreement. Equitable Life has been seeking to become a holding company for a promising oil and gas reserve and exploration company, in areas which show all the indication of commercial quantities, but which have not yet been tapped. We are extremely pleased to have this transaction now completed. In the next few weeks, it is the intent of Equitable Life to enter into transactions with companies in oil and gas drilling. Discussions have begun with a few companies in China, and Argentina"
Hydrocarbons (oil and gas) have been generated in the Jurassic, Cretaceous and Tertiary rocks and have a sedimentary column thickening to 8830m. This is Strong geological evidence that substantial reserves exist.
Safe Harbor Statement
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements by Equitable Life Investment Company
This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations or beliefs, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in geo-political, economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, and factors affecting the agreement with the government of Somaliland.
SOURCE Equitable Life Investment Company
CONTACT: Contact Mr. Lawrence Skolnik, Phone (416) 410-3995, Email Lehat2000@yahoo.com
URL:
http://www.prnewswire.com
National Post (Canada) May 22, 2004 Saturday Man/Sask. Edition/SECTION: News; Pg. A12
Somalia sees no end to chaos: Warlords squabble, unable to form any government
by Kelly McParland
The U.S. State Department has a useful Web site, which provides potted profiles of just about any country you could be interested in.
The one for Somalia is particularly illuminating.
Under the heading Government, it reads: "none."
Under Constitution, it says: "none in force."
The entries for Supreme Court, political parties and legal system are similar: "none functioning."
The legal voting age is 18, but there are no elections.
Even the national holiday is in dispute. For most of the country, it's July 1; for Somaliland, a breakaway region in the northwest, it's June 26.
In the notes accompanying the profile, the chaotic state of the country is described in blunt terms:
"The present political situation in much of Somalia is one of anarchy, marked by inter-clan fighting and random banditry, with some areas of peace and stability."
Somalia hasn't had a real government since December, 1991, when the military ruler, Mohamed Siad Barre, was ousted. For a while there was something called the Transitional National Government, but it didn't control all of the capital, Mogadishu, much less the rest of the country. Besides, its mandate expired last summer.
There has been considerable effort to repair this mess, particularly from Western powers nervous about the obvious appeal a place such as Somalia holds for international terrorist groups. Talks have been underway between various warlords, tribal chiefs and clan elders in an effort to cobble together something that could pass for a government.
In January they reached a "landmark breakthrough" that settled some of the mountain of disagreements. They were supposed to get together again this week to pick a new Parliament, which in turn would select a Cabinet and President.
It's almost impossible to imagine it working. Somalia is a country of warring factions, run like a Sicilian enclave caught between competing clans of overarmed Mafiosi.
Just this week, the last remaining free medical clinic in Mogadishu was closed down when hired gunmen occupied the halls, offices and operating rooms.
They were employed by the family of a woman undergoing a difficult pregnancy, whose uterus was removed by a doctor who said it was necessary to save her life. The woman's family was outraged, complaining that without the ability to bear children, the woman was useless to them, and demanded 50 camels in compensation.
The country's borders are unpatrolled, with no one paying much attention to who arrives or departs. Kenya, which is hosting the unification talks, refuses to accept Somali passports, saying they are widely forged and can easily be picked up at street markets in Nairobi.
When Mohammed Adow, a reporter for the BBC, set out to investigate the claim, he found a Nairobi trader who was not only willing to sell him a passport, but would also "authenticate" it with a seal from the Somali ministry of foreign affairs and the forged signature of Somalia's last controller of passports.
Diplomatic versions were also available, Adow said. For US$100, the trader would identify him as Somalia's ambassador to China.
The passport ban isn't supposed to apply to officials attending the talks, but Abdiqassim Salad Hassan, who headed the Transitional National Government until it ceased to exist, felt insulted anyway and refused to turn up unless the ban was lifted.
"We are ready to participate in the peace talks but only if Kenya removes the ban on the passports, because the passport is our national symbol," he said in a statement.
It's hard to know which nation he's talking about. Since Siad Barre was ousted in 1991, bits and pieces of the country have withdrawn, declaring their own nations.
Somaliland, once a British protectorate, was the first, and may have the only semi-effective government of the lot. Puntland, located next to Somaliland, declared independence in 1998, and Southwestern Somalia followed a year later.
Hassan's absence might slow the talks even further, but probably won't perturb the hoteliers of Nairobi, who complain that the Somalis rarely pay their bills anyway. Recently the Sixeighty hotel, tired of getting stiffed, evicted more than 150 delegates from their rooms. The Kenyan foreign minister said the hotel debt amounted to more than $1-million, and other unpaid expenses from the talks added another $9-million.
Since neither Somalia nor any of its neighbours has any money, the bills are supposed to be paid by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, a five-country regional group that goes by the acronym Igad (as in "Egad! When will these talks ever end?"), which is in turn funded by the Igad Partners Forum, made up of the usual international donors -- the United States, Sweden, Norway, the United Nations, the European Union and the Arab League.
Those are deep pockets, but the donors are tired of pumping money into talks that go nowhere, so for this week's round only 203 delegates were invited, down from 366 at previous rounds.
Several of the warlords were so miffed at having their bloated entourages slashed that they marched off home in a huff. Another warlord was thrown in jail for failing to pay a business debt.
Despite all this childishness, foreign ministers at the talks have delivered optimistic assessments, maintaining a final deal can be reached by July.
"Everything is on course," one of the organizers told an African publication. "We anticipate the launch of the final phase to go ahead."
But it's hardly encouraging that progress has been delayed by a firefight in Mogadishu, between militias loyal to different people within the same clan.
Apparently one of the militias was guarding a hotel, when it was attacked by the other militia. Sixty people were killed before the fighting petered out this week.
Though authorities -- such as they are -- said a ceasefire had been arranged, local newspapers reported fighting had stopped mainly because both sides were tired and ammunition had run low.
GRAPHIC: Black & White Photo: Pedro Ugarte, Agence France-Presse; A Somalian bodyguard patrols the streets of Mogadishu, where factional fighting occurs regularly.; Graphic;Diagram: National Post; SOMALIA: (See print copy for complete graphic;diagram.)
Africa News, May 20, 2004/The Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda;Somaliland Seeks Uganda's Help
The de-facto leader of Somaliland is seeking President Yoweri Museveni's intervention in rebuilding the country. The country broke away from the main Republic of Somalia in 1991.
The main appeal to Museveni and Uganda, is Government to offer Somaliland student scholarships for higher education, export skilled manpower and developmental experts, and building the health sector in the country.
Eng. Faysal Ali Warabe, the chairman of the opposition Justice and Welfare party, said since the 1991 independence, Somaliland has never got any recognition from the international community.
"We are asking President Yoweri Museveni to sell us to the international community, especially the African Union and the Commonwealth. We are a lost child of the commonwealth and we have to be taken back," Faysal said.
He was speaking to the press at Speke Hotel. Faysal said they are particularly interested in Museveni because he is the IGAD boss.
Economist Intelligence Unit
Agribusiness: Somaliland
Construction is due to begin on a new veterinary school this month, with financing of US$2m being pledged by Italy and undisclosed amounts promised by the EU and the World Bank. Work on the Sheikh facility will be carried out by an Italian company, Terra-Nova. Somaliland’s planning minister has been pursuing possible new export destinations —including Ethiopia—for Somaliland livestock, which has been banned from the Saudi market since 1998. Figures for the livestock trade through Berbera showed a significant decline in exports for January-March, following healthy trade during the Haj pilgrimage in late 2003. Exports of sheep and goats thus fell from 177,000 in January to just 25,000 in March.
Copyright © 2004 Economist Intelligence Unit
May 16, 2004
“Silanyo Could not prepare a budget”, Ambassador Awil
Hargeisa (The Rep)- Minister of Finance Mr. Hussein Ali Du’ale (Awil) refuted criticism By former Commerce and Industry minister Mr. Mohamed Hashi Elmi, on the draft budget passed by the cabinet in which $16,724,300 were said to be misused and that the return of the 2002-3 were not brought to the cabinet.
Ambassador Awil in a press conference held here this week said, “This is false accusation aimed at instigating the public. The 2004 budget in greater than previous ones and is expected to double the income.”
Elaborating this the minister said, “Nine minister held this post and KULMIYE chairman Silanyo was one of them. Mr. Silanyo could not produce a budget and in May he confessed that he could not present. I expected him not to criticize me but commend me for adding development programs in the budget.”
The minister told the press that the 2004 shows increased income, pay increase for security forces and is based on 2003 income and increase of income from raised revenue on small cars and other sources of income.”
Ambassador Awil added that the 2002 budget return is ready and that of 2003 will be ready before June and that all income from the Ministries goes directly to the treasury, since he was nominated as Finance minister.
In response to accusations by Eng. Mohamed Hashi Elmi he said, “The former Minister is expected to clarify the sum of $557,000 for income from Ministries are registered and the amount of $3,600,000 from livestock which he said are not in the budget.”
Speaking about TOTAL he said, “The Company has reached an agreement with the late president Egal. I have officials from the company and I will discuss some of the articles in the agreement with them.”
“People differ in their reaction, when they are removed from office. Some take it silently while others make all kinds of fuss and noise. I requested MR. Mohamed Hashi Elmi to cooperate with me the day we were nominated, but the fact is that he was frustrated when he was not nominated as finance minister. I spoke with him about the budget and if he has anything to contribute, as other minister did. I was surprised to see him distribute another budget; the day the one I prepared was to be approved. Distributing 2 budgets is an unseen episode,” he said.
Ambassador Awil told the press that his ministry has an economic policy and that the lateness in the presentation of the budget was due to the movement of the army to the east and the president’s visit to Europe in search for recognition and economic aid. He said, “Governments postpone their budgets or even suspend them, if conditions force them to do that.”
“People are mature enough not to be instigated by appealing to their community affiliation. It is shameful to try that,” he added.
Source:
http://www.insidesomaliland.blogtales.com/archives/000085.html, May 17, 2004
Youth Demonstrators Released
The Radio Hargeisa announced yesterday that 18 of the 19 young demonstrators were released. One man, Ali Qooryoolay, a writer and one of the more vocal critique of the present government remains in jail. The arrest happened during a demonstration against corruption that was triggered by the termination of Somaliland's Minister of Commerce and Industry.
Somaliland opposition, Kulmiye Party leader Ahmed Mohamoud Silaanyo critisized the arrest in a press conference and raised that the government's continuous use of the Public Order Law, No: 21 of 1963 is unconstitutional.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 19, 2004/Source: Radio HornAfrik, Mogadishu, in Somali 0500 gmt 19 May 04
OVER 150 SOMALILAND OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS JAILED FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY DEMO
One hundred and fifty-four civilians have been sentenced to six months in jail after being found guilty of demonstrating against Somaliland President Dahir Riyale Kahin during yesterday's celebrations to mark the 13th anniversary of Somaliland being proclaimed an independent republic. The National Security Committee sentenced the demonstrators inside the central police station in Hargeysa and they were sent to Mandera prison.Their relatives gathered outside the police station before the pronouncement of their sentence. The interior minister has refused to comment.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 18, 2004/Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 18 May 04) BBC Monitoring
SOMALILAND MARKS 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF SECESSION FROM SOMALIA
Somaliland President Dahir Riyale Kahin today addressed thousands of Somalilanders on the occasion marking the 13th anniversary of Somaliland reclamation of its independence and secession from Somalia. The occasion was marked today at Hargeysa's Khayriyah Square.
In his speech, President Riyale emphasized the current situation in the country and both the internal and external policies of Somaliland. President Dahir Riyale Kahin also explained Somaliland's progress and performance. He said the international community had described the progress of Somaliland as sterling and commendable.
In his speech, the president also said the development strides made by Somaliland has made its enemies envious and to harbour a grudge against it. He said the enemies of Somaliland had attempted to damage the sovereignty and the existence of the country.
President Kahin further said the recent killings of (foreign) aid workers in Boorama, Sheekh and Hargeysa towns were enough proof and evidence of sabotage.
President Dahir said there were two main reasons behind such actions which he described as dangerous. Firstly, he said, it was to fight foreign aid workers in Somaliland with a view to creating panic and convincing the international community that there were terrorists in Somaliland. Secondly, he said, it was to frighten and stop foreign investors from investing in Somaliland.
President Dahir Riyale Kahin today sent an appreciation and congratulatory messages to the residents of Doqoshay village, which is situated on Hargeysa-Berbera road, where some of the bandits who committed the terrorist acts were recently arrested. The bandits killed a Kenyan woman who was working for an aid agency there, the president said.
On his recent visit to Britain, Belgium and Ethiopia, President Dahir said the Somaliland delegation met British parliamentary officials and explained to them Somaliland's cause. He said their visit to these countries was a historical one aimed at realizing the recognition of Somaliland.
HE President Riyale Kahin said they were well received and he was optimistic about the outcome of his delegation's visit.
The president also thanked the Somaliland community in the diaspora whom, he said, warmly welcomed his delegation. (Passage omitted: Water problem in Hargeysa and urged rumour mongers to stop spreading baseless rumours).
On Somalia and those (Somaliland) people who want to have relations with Somali factions and peace talks in Mbagathi (in Kenya), he said, he was personally opposed to such things and he was not going to have any relations with Somali factions or the Mbagathi talks.
He said his priority now would be to work on how Somaliland could stand on its feet. The president appealed to the international community to recognize Somaliland and support the progress it had achieved.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 20, 2004/Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 18 May 04) BBC Monitoring
Somaliland to hold parliamentary elections in March 2005
Somaliland President Dahir Riyale Kahin announced on Tuesday that the long-awaited parliamentary elections would be held in March 2005. This constitutes the last step in the democratisation process of the still non-recognised country.
In a speech on the 13th anniversary of Somaliland's reclamation of sovereignty on 18 May, President Riyale said that parliamentary elections would complete the country's democratisation process.
Somaliland gained world admiration for holding successful and internationally applauded local council elections and presidential elections despite the lack of international recognition as a sovereign an independent state.
On the killing of a number of foreigners in Somaliland, President Riyale said that the investigations had shown that the aim of such criminal acts was to portray Somaliland as a home of terrorism and to scare off foreign investors against coming to Somaliland.
He urged the people to work with the government to safeguard the country's security and to deny what he called "Somaliland's enemies" the chance to harm the peace and stability of the country.
The Somalilander President further again called upon the African Union and the UN to extend Somaliland its due recognition "according to the charter of the UN," taking account of Somaliland's achievements.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 15, 2004/Source: Xog-Ogaal, Mogadishu, in Somali 15 May 04) BBC Monitoring
SOMALILAND PRESIDENT APPOINTS NEW MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
In a presidential decree, president Dahir Riyale Kahin, has appointed a new minister of trade and industry following his recent dismissal of the incumbent. The newly appointed minister, Mr Nuh Shaykh Omar Shaykh Muse, will take over from the former minister, Muhammad Hashi Ilmi. (Passage Omitted).
The Times Educational Supplement, May 14, 2004, SECTION: LETTER; No.4583; Pg.25
All In The Name Of Abdi
Congratulations to the staff and pupils of Brine Lee's in their efforts to help Abdi Yusuf support schools in Somaliland (TES, Teacher magazine, April 23).
What a pity the article did not also mention Smallwood CE primary, also in Cheshire. It may be small in size but it has a very big heart. Their gargantuan efforts to support Abdi's charity, as well as a range of other deserving causes (including housing two donkeys), are quite remarkable and inspiring.
Brenda Keogh and Stuart Naylor 30 Mill Hill Lane Sandbach Cheshire
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 12, 2004/Source: Jamhuuriya, Hargeysa, in Somali 12 May 04) BBC Monitoring
SOMALILAND POLICE ARREST 19 ACTIVISTS IN HARGEYSA PROTESTING AGAINST CORRUPTION
Hargeysa police in the earlier hours of yesterday arrested some people who were reportedly planning to hold demonstrations in the streets of Hargeysa.
The members of the public who were arrested were carrying placards with the slogans: "Return the 16m US dollars and other public property" and other similar slogans.
The demonstrators were led by Mr Ali Dool Ahmad alias Ali Qoryoolay and at least 19 people were arrested, including Mr Ali Qoryoolay.
The demonstrators were arrested while staging a peaceful demos at Tima Adde Grounds.
The police operation to arrest the demonstrators paralyzed the public transport along Hargeysa streets.
Jamhuuriya reporters who were at the scene witnessed the operation. The reporters confirmed that among those arrested were two ladies, one of them was in an Islamic veil and there were two old men and youngsters. All those arrested were put on lorries and driven off.
A huge crowd that wanted to know what was happening gathered at the scene of the operation.
A member of the crowd was heard saying: "It is not even one year old (meaning the new Somaliland government) and they have already started arresting people like Afweyne (a pejorative nickname for former Somali President Muhammad Siyad Barre). Doesn't the (Somaliland) constitution allow demonstrations?" (Passage omitted).
Reports we received from the people at the scene said among those arrested were ordinary members of the public who were not participating in the demos.
Mr Ali Dool Ahmad (Ali Qoryoolay) told Jamhuuriya the demonstration was a peaceful one aimed at expressing public dissatisfaction at the level of corruption, misuse of public property, lack of water in Hargeysa city and the injustice in the judiciary.
"Our demonstration is a peaceful one and we have informed the Ministry of Interior in writing about the intended peaceful march," Ali Qoryoolay said.
However, Somaliland Police Commissioner, Mr Muhammad Egeh Ilmi, said the demonstration was intended to incite the public and the police had to intervene. (Passage omitted).
Mr Ilmi said: "The police will investigate the motives of the demonstration and those found guilty will be dealt with and those found innocent will be released."
Source:
http://somalilandweb.blogdrive.com/comments?id=176, 12 May, 2004
Somaliland Budget Analysis (FY 2003)
Ali Gulaid — San Jose, CA —
In light of the recent decry of corruption embedded on the budget (FY 2004) sounded off by Mujahid Mohamed Hashi, I thought it is an opportune time to reflect on the analysis I made exactly a year ago on the prior budget (FY 2003), while we are all anxiously awaiting the details of the current budget passed by the cabinet. Here is the analysis
- The budget of Somaliland for the fiscal year 2003 is (101,687,066,649 S/Shilling) and that is equivalent to US$16,140,804 according to the official exchange rate (US$ 1 = 6,300 Somaliland ah), which the ministry applied at the time.
- The President of Somaliland is the highest paid elected head of State in the hemisphere, north and south, according to the FY 2003 budget. If that sounds outrageous, unbelievable, and unconscionable, read on. The budget document doesn’t specify the salary of the President per se but the expenditure earmarked for the (Qasriga Madaxtooyada), which roughly translates to residence of the Presidency is $515,956. To avoid any confusion, the budget of the residence of the Presidency is different from that of the Ministry of the Presidency.
- The President doesn’t pay rent or utilities (power and water). Moreover, the staff of the President is paid from the budget of the Ministry of the Presidency (political fund/expense account), which has a budget of $998,000.
- The Ministry of the Presidency (political fund/expense account) has the third highest budget and the salary budgeted for the staff of the Presidency “Madaxtooyada” is $67, 682. This salary alone is more than the combined salaries of the following seven Ministries, which totals to a mere $63,937: foreign affairs ($17,192), contracts agency (3,610) removal of mines agency (8,690), the two houses of the parliament ($23,392), the Supreme Court (8,800), and parliament coordinating ministry ($2,253). Is it sensible to conclude that the staff of the Presidency is more and paid higher than the staff of these seven ministries combined?
- Furthermore, the salary of the bodyguard of the President could come either from the Ministry of defense or from the Ministry of the Presidency or from the National Army but which one I am not sure. The chance that the salary of the bodyguard of the President is paid from the residence of the Presidency “qasriga Madaxtooyada” is slim.
- This clearly demonstrates that the expenditure of the residence of the Presidency “qasriga Madaxtooyadu” is a misnomer. It is euphemistically labeled and there is no other reasonable conclusion but to label it ($515,956) correctly as the salary of the President. Furthermore, the budget document labeled it only as the expenditure of the Presidency in lump sum. No detail provided. Contrast that with the salary of President George W. Bush, which is mere $400,000 not monthly, but yearly. As a matter of fact, the salary of the President of the United Stated was only $200,000 when Clinton left office. It was Clinton who passed the legislation to double the salary of the President effective his successor. In addition President Bush has an expense account of $50,000 and not $998,000 like the President of Somaliland does. Contrast also with that of the President of South Africa $120,000 and that of the President of Eritrea $36,000.
- This bestows the President of the poorest country in the world to earn the distinction of being the highest paid elected President in the whole world. By salary scale the President of Somaliland is richer $119,956 than President Bush, the President of the wealthiest country in the world. Unconscionable.
- Similarly, the Vice-President isn’t doing poorly either. He is pulling down $188,700. Just this year the salary of the Vice-President was increased from $158,730 to $188,700. Contrast that with $186,200 the salary of the Vice-President of the United Stated, Dick Cheney. Can Somaliland afford this?
- The Vice-President’s salary of $188,700 closely matches that of the budget of the Ministry of public works $192,899, and that of the Ministry of Aviation $197,032. The salary of the President, that of the Vice-President and the political fund amount to $ 1,700,804, which is 10% of the total budget. And in total that is more than the total salary of Somaliland Police force, which happens to be $1,504,653. Ridiculous
- Common sense dictates that scarce resources allocated according to need in order to grow and develop economically. But how the government abdicated this fundamental responsibility and squandered by misappropriating funds is illustrated by the salary of the President, which is more than the combined budget ($499,956) of the following ten (10) ministries: Ministry of Family affairs ($29,693), Ministry of Youth ($37,914) Ministry of re-settlement ($42,011) religious affairs ($42,797), planning ($35,810), Minerals & water ($60,292), Commerce ($54,874), Industry ($60,152), Tourism ($65,424) and agriculture ($70,328).
- It is saddening to share with you how other departments and ministries are denied the resources needed to serve the nation. For example, the Salary of the Vice-President of Somaliland is more than the combined budget ($188,224) of the following five (5) Ministries: Ministry of Family affairs ($29,693), Ministry of Youth ($37,914) Ministry of re-settlement ($42,011) religious affairs ($42,797), and planning ($35,810).
- How do education, health and justice fare in the budget? Poorly. The salary of the President closely matches that of the budget of National Election Commission $539,233 and that of the Ministry of health $545,233. Wastefully, the budget of the Ministry of the Presidency (political fund/expense account) is bigger than the budget of the Ministry of education $982,510, bigger than that that of the Parliament ($796,786) and much more bigger than that of the Ministry of health $545,233. Unjustifiably, the budget of the Ministry of tourism is $65,424 and that is almost twice as big as that of the Ministry of Justice ($42,387). Is that justice?
- And there is some more heartbreak. The budget of the Military is $4,629,341; that of the prison Guard is $881,768 and that of the police is $2,287,862. In addition to that there is $31,746 in the budget of the Ministry of interior earmarked for security. That is a total of $7,830,717, which is 49% of the Somaliland Budget ($16,140,804). If you add that to the salaries of the President, the Vice-President and the political fund, which in total is 10% of the budget, only about 40% remains for education, health, agriculture, justice and other social services.
- In order to find out roughly the number of Somaliland security forces, one has to consult with the budget. And according to the salary subhead, the military salary is $3,214,367; that of the prison guard is $421,226 and that of the police is $1,504,653. This totals to $5,140,227. Therefore, on the basis of the yearly salary of $216 of a soldier, the number of Somaliland security forces is roughly 20,895. But according to the budget, the total government personnel are 22,533. This would make the government employed civilians only 1,638. That is hard to believe.
- Relatively, Somalilanders are as incarcerated as African Americans in the United States when one considers the funds allocated to the prison guard, “ciidanka Asluubta”. It has a budget of ($881,768), which is more than the combined budget ($864,351) of the following (15) ministries: justice ($42,387), agriculture ($70,328), development of the nomad ($57,434), livestock development ($107,833), minerals and water ($60,292), religious affairs ($42,797), industry ($60,011), fishery ($57,151), telecommunication ($55,977), tourism ($65,424), re-settlement ($42,011), sports &youth ($37,914), coordination of two houses Ministry ($9,998), Attorney General ($64,111), commerce ($54,874) and Planning ($35,810).
- Here is another mislabeled one. The budget of the emergencies and unexpected tragedies “gurmadka & hawlaha lama filaanka ah” is $523,809 and it is part of the budget of the Ministry of the Presidency. The funny thing is, it is used for unallowable expenditure. Thanks to the cooperation of Nature and the peaceful Somalilanders, nothing that qualifies under that classification has occurred recently. Yet, rather than saving it for future mishaps, it is expended as an operational budget.
- The budget of the Ministry of information is $152,901, which is bigger than the combined budget of the Ministry of justice $42,387, the Auditor General $62,268 and the civil service agency $46,159. The Ministry of information has only one radio station, which hardly reaches the outskirts of the Capital let alone the rest of the country. Regrettably, it is also two times bigger than that of Ministry of agriculture and much bigger than that of the livestock development ($107,833). Why blame Saudi Arabia for banning livestock export for health reasons?
- And some more waste. Interestingly, there is a Ministry that coordinates the Parliament (Guurti and Wakiilada) with a budget of $9,998 and I might add that the “Guurti” and the “Wakiiladu” are located in the same compound. What for?
- Then, there are: the lawyer of the National Army $8,412.70; no other ministry has its own lawyer, and the subhead of compensations “Magaha Hawlgalka Dawladda” under the Ministry of Interior, which is a whopping $63,492. Does the government compensate for its misdeeds and tort? Highly unlikely. And as much as $34,177 is wasted under the subheading of miscellaneous; add that to $34,017 for entertainment, which nearly every ministry and agency indulges.
- How about this one: the preparation of the budget “xisaab-xidhka & samaynta miisaaniyadda”, which is $37,032. This is neither for technical experts nor for overtime.
- The inequity, on the other end of the spectrum, is glaring and reprehensive. The yearly salaries of certain classifications are: $246 for a policeman/woman; and $480 for a government senior officer; $3,000 for a minister. Of course the ministers have perks such as a house and a car. Alarmingly, higher Education, (Hargeysa, Amoud Universities and the teachers training center) is barely surviving on $47,659.
In economics 101, one learns that resources are scarce and the competing and conflicting demands made on the scarce resources need to be prioritized in order to optimize utility. A nation that commits 60% of its meager resources to guns rather than butter, a nation that commits more on disseminating propaganda than judiciary, a nation that spends 10% of its budget on the salary of two employees of the State – President and the Vice-President, a nation that doesn’t save for a rainy day, a nation that ignores its infrastructure, a nation that spends least on education, health and justice is a nation that is predestined to failure, hopelessness and hunger. It is more so when already that nation is the poorest nation in the world. A nation’s resources are entrusted with its leaders and stewardship and if the budget (FY 2003) is any indication, the meager resources are grossly misappropriated and that is fiscally irresponsible.
Sub-Saharan Africa is the most impoverished region in the world and no one disputes that. Some of the reasons the pundits normally ascribe to the region’s poverty are as follows: civil and ethnic wars, environmental degradation and deforestation, foreign debt, corruption, lack of foreign investment, low prices of Africa agricultural exports, too many and too small sovereign States, HIV/AIDS, trade barriers, poor infrastructure. Most of these are man made causes that can be managed, controlled, negotiated or eliminated totally. But there is one more that is overlooked: fiscal irresponsibility. The practice of misappropriating public funds (taxpayers funds) is pervasive, reprehensive and would continue to bleed the region to more poverty. To mitigate the effect or eliminate these growth and development inhibiting practices requires strong political will and that isn’t forthcoming.
This seems bleak but it shouldn’t be. As a reminder, this culture of out-right misappropriation and corruption has been inherited from the prior administrations but this one has taken it to a shamefully higher level. It must be noted that the legislature has approved these misappropriations; hence they share the blame. There are several ways to stem this blatant waste of meager resources and here are some that spring to mind readily but one wonders if there is a will? The legislature ought to establish a) watch dog of its own, which is accountable to the house of parliament and, b) independent controller that reviews and approves government disbursements. Listing the functions of the proposed watchdog is out of the scope of this analysis, but the message should be clear; those who misappropriate and those who loot government coffers would be caught and punished severely without fail.
I wonder how different the outcome would have been, if priorities re-arranged, with the same amount of resources; and I wonder whether these funds, no matter how misappropriated, were expended for the intended use. I am bringing this to your attention, not out of malice, but out of a desire to see Somaliland develop, grow and become fiscally responsible
Ali Gulaid, San Jose, CA
Africa News, May 7, 2004/Addis Tribune
Somalia; If Somalia is Divisible Somaliland is Divisible
A country exists because its people want it to exist. That is its only moral basis for being. If part of its population actually desires to separate, they obviously have the fundamental right to do so. We must provide the constitutional means by which every person living in [Somaliland ]can decide whether to remain Somali or join a tribally defined republic.
The overthrow of Said Barre in 1991 led to a de facto division of Somalia, with the self-proclamation of the northern Republic of Somaliland on 18 May 1991. The international community and the United Nations, which upholds the territorial integrity of Somalia, have firmly rejected the partition of Somalia and so far no single country in the world has recognized Somaliland.
Somaliland is populated by various tribes: Gedabuursi and Isse in the Awdal Region, Habar Awal (Isaaq) in the South-West Region, Habar Jecllo, Habar Yonis, Isse Muse (all Isaaq) and Dhulbahante (Darood) in Togdheer Region. The Isaaq clans of Habar Yonis, Habar Jecllo and Isse Muse together with Darood clans of Dhulbahante and warsangeli are in Sanaag region. Sool Region is mostly Dhulbahante (Darood). Members of any of these tribes can also be found living in all corners of Somaliland, especially in the urban centers like Hargeisa, Berbera and Borama. Furthermore, there are other tribes from the whole spectrum of Somali population, however small, in number that lived there since time immemorial.
The non-Isaaq tribes of Somaliland, such as the Gedabuursi, Isse, Dhulbahante and Warsangeli did not participate in the armed liberation struggle for independence by the SNM against the brutal regime of Mohamed Siad Barre. In fact, most of these tribes were armed and mobilized as local militias. They waged a merciless war against the Isaaqs and their movement (SNM).
Mr. Dahir Riyale Kahin (from Gedabuursi tribe ), who is now the president of Somaliland, and his speaker of the "exclusive" men only" rubber stamp parliament, Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Aden (from Dhulbahante tribe), were part of the violent campaign to crash and exterminate the SNM. Mr.Riyale was a senior officer in the notorious Secret Service NSS that carried out killings and torture of the civilians suspected of being supporters of the SNM guerrilla movement. Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Aden (Qaybe) aided in the war effort of the regime and successfully negotiated with Menghistu Haile Mariam, the former dictator of Ethiopia, the expulsion of SNM from their bases in Ethiopia.
Non-Iaaq tribes (and some Isaaqs) of Somaliland do not share the separations of some separatists who would like to break up Somalia. The Dhulbahante and Warsangeli will never accept to be separated from their Darood blood brothers in Puntland, Somalia. They do not want to become like the Kurds of Iraq and Turkey, a minority in Somaliland and a minority in Somalia and lose their historic hegemony in Somali politics. The Gedibuursi tribesmen in the Diaspora also have been very vocal in their opposition to the secessionists.
A country exists because its people want it to exist. That is its only moral basis for being. If part of its population actually desires to separate, they obviously have the fundamental right to do so. It remains important, however, to expose the fallacy and danger in the notion that Somalia is divisible by unconstitutional or extra-legal action. There are not a dozen people outside the special interest group in Hargeisa and Berbera who believe that if Somalia is divisible, Somaliland is not. Equality of rights in a constitutional democracy requires the full application of democracy - not a resort to unconstitutional methods. We must provide the constitutional means by which every person living in [Somaliland ] can decide whether to remain Somali or join a tribally defined Republic. The end result of any such redrawing of boundaries should be that as few persons as possible are forced to live on the "wrong" side of the new international frontier."
The remnants of Siad Barre Regime (or Faqash) are ruling Somaliland today. The potential for catastrophe in their agenda, for everyone concerned, is very high. They see the current crisis in Sool and Sanaag regions as an opportunity to use the ill- treated SNM fighters as a battering ram against the peoples of Sool and Sanaag. They are whipping up anti-Southern chauvinism and hysteria. People who monitor Radio Somaliland, the voice of the regime in Hargeisa, are reporting an alarming Rwanda-like propaganda inciting people to take arms against their fellow countrymen.
If war breaks out, and it seems inevitable, genocide of unprecedented swiftness could be conducted with the approval of the state apparatus The killing will swiftly spread from Hargeisa to all corners of the counry. There are reports of people from the Dhulbahnte and Warsangeli tribes fleeing their homes in Hargeisa and other urban areas because of fear. People should reject the reactionary campaign by the remnants of Siad Barre regime and seek peaceful solution to the conflict.
I would like to call upon Mr. Kofi Anan, the General Secretary of the United Nations, and Mr. George W. Bush, the President of the United States, to send immediately to the region whatever it takes to prevent genocide worse than the one in Rwanda.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 7, 2004/Source: Radio Shabeelle, Mogadishu in Somali 0500 gmt 7 May 04) BBC Monitoring
PUNTLAND, SOMALILAND SAID DEPLOYING MORE FORCES NEAR CONTESTED BORDER
Forces loyal to the Puntland administration moved this morning with various kinds of battle wagons and weapons from Laas Caanood to Ariadeye village, about 30 km west of Laas Caanood (disputed region between Puntland and Somaliland).
Puntland forces were sent there when unconfirmed reports emerged about the presence of Somaliland troops in areas very close to Laas Caanood in Sool region.
Forces loyal to the two administrations have been based in villages very close to Laas Caanood town since December last year, when the dispute over the ownership of Sool and Sanaag regions between the two sides was sparked off.
Residents of Laas Caanood and Ariadeye have expressed their anxiety over the military movements between the two sides.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 7, 2004/Source: Radio Shabeelle, Mogadishu in Somali 0500 gmt 7 May 04) BBC Monitoring
SOMALIA: MILITIAMEN KIDNAP THREE IN THE NORTH
Three people and two vehicles are being kept hostage in the Buuhoodle area of Togdheer (northern Somalia) region by armed militiamen who are demanding the release of their relative who has been held in a Somaliland jail after an attack (in March) in which a Kenyan humanitarian worker was killed and another from Germany was wounded
The militiamen managed to hijack the vehicles and kidnap three men yesterday morning in the Somali region of Ethiopia. The three kidnapped men, who are from Burco (Somaliland), are now held in a house in Buuhoodle under the control of the militiamen.
The suspect which these militiamen are demanding to be released is among five suspects arrested by the Somaliland authorities in connection with the attack.
Elders are now trying to solve the problem but no solution is expected soon.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 6, 2004/Source: Xog-Ogaal, Mogadishu, in Somali 6 May 04) BBC Monitoring
BRITISH COMPANY SAID CONTRACTED TO BEGIN OIL EXPLORATION IN SOMALILAND
The Somaliland ministers of defence, water and mineral resources have returned to Hargeysa, the capital of the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland after a two-week visit to the UK, following an invitation from British business companies.
Reports released after their return say the ministers signed an agreement with a British company to begin oil exploration in Somaliland. The company contracted is the same one that conducted the oil exploration in Sudan .
The visit of the ministers and the agreement which they signed with the company have not yet been confirmed, although it is known the Somaliland ministers were invited to the UK by British companies.
BBC Worldwide Monitoring, May 6, 2004/Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 6 May 04
Somaliland: Foreign, interior ministers leave for Germany
The ministers of foreign and internal affairs of the republic of Somaliland, Lady Edna Adan Isma'il, and Isma'il Adan Usman, departed today from the Egal International Airport, Hargeysa, heading to Germany for a short visit, following an invitation by the German government.
During their stay there, the officials will hold talks with the German authorities on ways of bolstering relations between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the Somaliland's finance minister, Hon Awil Ali Du'ale, also left today Hargeysa Airport for Ethiopia. The visit is related to bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 5, 2004/Source: Radio Shabeelle, Mogadishu in Somali 0500 gmt 5 May 04) BBC Monitoring
SOMALIA: FORTY LORRIES CARRYING FOOD AID BARRED BY PUNTLAND FORCES
Some 40 lorries carrying food aid from the authorities in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland are now restrained at Yagori village in Sool Region where the troops of the two rival administrations of Puntland and Somaliland are based.
For the last 48 hours these lorries have been trying to cross the border between the two administrations in order to supply food to the drought stricken people in Sool Region. Somaliland officials escorting the lorries said that they could not manage to pass where Puntland troops were based. The troops expressed concern about the issue.
Elders in Sool Region are now trying to solve the matter and said that they are expecting a permission from Puntland officers in Sool to allow the trucks deliver the aid food to the needy people.
Puntland and Somaliland have been in a dispute over the ownership of Sool and Saanag regions that is claimed by both.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 4, 2004/Source: Ayaamaha, Mogadishu, in Somali 4 May 04) BBC Monitoring
SOMALIA: PUNTLAND PRESIDENT "READY" FOR TALKS WITH SOMALILAND
Puntland President Col Abdullahi Yusuf has proposed that differences between Puntland administration and Somaliland be settled through talks. Col Yusuf said people living in the regions (claimed by both Somaliland, Puntland) were very close and there was need to oppose any action that could create war between the people of Puntland and Somaliland. "The residents do not want war but there are designs by people with ulterior motives," said Col Yusuf who added that he was ready for talks with Somaliland anywhere (passage omitted).
Source:Somaliland.org, 05 May, 2004
President Dahir Riyale Sacked Minister Of Commerce And Industries
President Dahir Riyale sacked minister of Commerce and industries, Mohammed Hashi Elmi, amid rumours of an insurmountable rift between the two. Mohammed Hashi's sacking follows months of growing friction between him and the President.
Now it's not clear what ramifications this would have to the president, since Mohammed Hashi was one of the few respected cabinet members in Riyale's Government.
Mohammed Hashi joined the government in Jun 2003, as Minister of Commerce and Industries.
Source:Somaliland.org, 03 May, 2004/ www.fco.gov.uk
We Advise Against All Travel To Somalia Including Somaliland.
A Kenyan woman working for a German Government aid organisation was shot dead in Somaliland in an ambush on the Hargeisa-Berbera Road, on 19 March. No motive has been established for the attack. The European Commission and many international NGOs are pulling their expatriate staff out of Somaliland. The UN is evacuating all but a minimum of essential staff from Somaliland.
We advise British nationals currently in Somaliland to consider leaving. If they decide to stay, they should restrict their movements to Hargeisa, stay in doors, keep themselves informed of developments and take precautions, until the security situation becomes clearer.
There is a high threat from terrorism in Somalia.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Terrorism
There is a high general threat to Western, including British, targets from terrorism in Somalia, as there is in a number of countries in East Africa and the Horn. The bomb attacks in Riyadh, Casablanca and Istanbul show that the terrorist threat remains real.
We advise against all travel to Somalia, including all areas of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland. A Kenyan woman working for a German Government aid organisation was shot dead in an ambush on the Hargeisa-Berbera Road, on 19 March. A German colleague with her was injured in the attack for which the motive has not yet been established. The European Commission and many international NGOs are pulling their expatriate staff out of Somaliland. The UN is evacuating all but a minimum of essential staff from Somaliland. We advise British nationals currently in Somaliland to consider leaving. If they decide to stay, they should restrict their movements to Hargeisa, stay in doors, keep themselves informed of developments and take precautions, until the security situation becomes clearer.
Two British nationals were shot dead in Sheikh in Somaliland on 20 October 2003. The motive for the murders has not been determined. An Italian aid worker was murdered in Borama near the border with Ethiopia, on 5 October 2003.
In Kenya (Somalia’s southern neighbour), there was a car bomb attack on a hotel near Mombasa on 28 November 2002, in which at least fifteen people died, and an unsuccessful attempt to shoot down an Israeli charter plane on the same day.
These incidents highlight the threat posed by terrorism in East Africa and the Horn of Africa and the capacity of terrorist groups to carry out attacks. You should be particularly vigilant in public places such as hotels, restaurants, markets and tourist sites (see: Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism).
Crime
We advise against all travel to Somalia including all areas of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland. A Kenyan worker for a German Aid organisation was killed on 19 Marchomaliland (se Terrorism section above). Two British nationals were shot dead in Sheikh (Somaliland) on 20 October 2003.
There is a dangerous level of criminal activity by numerous bodies of armed militia in Southern Somalia, especially in Mogadishu. As a result there is a significant level of armed robbery and there have been a number of incidents of kidnapping for ransom.
We are looking into unsubstantiated reports that extremist elements are planning to kidnap Europeans and other expatriates employed by Non-Governmental Organisations in Somalia. We have no further information at the moment. Outbreaks of clan fighting remain frequent. Hostilities in Iraq have also led to some anti-Western sentiment.
Attacks of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Somalia's waters are frequent and continuing. Mariners are advised to be vigilant and take appropriate precautions.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 1, 2004Source: Xog-Ogaal, Mogadishu, in Somali 1 May 04) BBC Monitoring
SOMALILAND REOPENS CEMENT FACTORY, SAYS IT COULD EMPLOY "THOUSANDS"
The Somaliland president, Dahir Riyale Kahin, has announced the opening of the Berbera cement factory, after it had been closed for more than a decade.
Mr Riyale said the factory could employ thousands of jobless Somalis. He said the factory will start its production by cooperating with other countries, adding that if production commenced, the factory could supply cement to all countries in the Horn of Africa.
The president further said the Berbera cement factory would meet the need for cement in all countries in the region due to its good quality.
While visiting the Berbera port town, President Riyale said his government aims at improving activities at the port to make it highly competitive in the region.
BBC Monitoring International Reports, April 28, 2004/Source: HornAfrik Online text web site, Mogadishu, in English 28 Apr 04
SOMALI WRITER ASKS BRITAIN TO STOP "BETRAYING" SOMALIS
It seems that the British are back with yet one more aggression against the unity and well being of the Somali nation.
Early this year, members of the British Parliament's Select Committee on International Development visited Hargeysa, the seat currently of the secessionist rebel administration of "Somaliland" and capital during the colonial era of the former British Somaliland Protectorate. They declared, albeit hypocritically, intention of this British Parliamentary delegation was to study the humanitarian and development needs of this relatively peaceful portion of Somalia, to determine how, according to the delegation's report, the British government can best realize "...(all ellipsis as published) the millennium development goals for the poor people of Somaliland..."
On their way home, back from Hargeysa, the British parliamentarians stopped in Nairobi and told Somalis at the Embakathi (Mbagathi) Conference that their visit related solely to development, flatly denying any intent on their part to sponsor the extension of recognition by the government of the United Kingdom to the breakaway territory.
This unfortunately was an unabashed falsehood but it served the purpose of allaying the suspicions of the credulous Somalis, if only fleetingly. As before, the Somalis fell for the deceitful words of the delegation largely because the British government's envoy to the Mbagathi peace conference was playing at that time a very prominent role in fresh IPF-IGAD (IGAD Partners Forum - Inter-Governmental Authority on Development) mediation efforts among Somali faction leaders that they had brought together for a retreat at a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The "honourable" parliamentarians have finally revealed their true intention with talks full of misrepresentations that they have delivered in parliament - which was to lobby on behalf of the secessionists in Hargeysa. The "honourable" parliamentarians' passionate appeal for recognition by the British government of the treasonous act of secession effected in the northern regions of Somalia, essentially seeks, purposely or unwittingly, to harm the Somali people (passage omitted).
"Mean-spirited British attack"
Immaterial of whether Britain recognizes Somaliland or not, the reports of the parliamentary delegation will be seen by the Somalis as one more mean spirited British attack against them. Happily, for the Somalis and also for the future of Anglo-Somali relations, it appears that members of this parliamentary delegation have not convinced the British government with their strong appeals for the recognition of Somaliland. The response of the secretary of state for international development, Hilary Penn, to these presentations might have saved the situation. After carefully weighing the arguments presented in favour of recognition for the breakaway territory, the secretary responded with a much more perceptive analysis of the situation and in the end wisely counselled caution because "the people in the rest of Somalia have just as much need of peace and stability, and just as much of a right to a better life, as the people of Somaliland. It is indeed very clear from this exchange why the secretary of state is a minister and these parliamentarians are not!
Treaties signed in 1880s
Be that as it may, the British indeed seem to harbour inexplicable hostility toward the Somali people. In fact one can trace the roots of the current Somali crisis to their origins in less than honest protection treaties that the British had signed in the 1880s with unsuspecting elders of Somali clans. The treaties were simply unfavourable to the Somalis. The Somali elders who were not schooled in the intrigues of European diplomacy could not comprehend the political implications of the treaties, which were hidden from them in European diplomatic lingo with which they were not familiar. They, therefore, unknowingly signed away their sovereignty. Because of their truly inauspicious founding on treaties that the British apparently never intended to honour, Anglo-Somali relations never bode well for the Somalis. As it turned out, British enterprise in the Horn of Africa, which began with these infamous treaties, has been persistently harmful to the Somalis. This chapter of modern Somali history makes a dreary narrative of cruel British guile and repeated machinations against Somali interests, flagrantly violating in spirit and letter the treaties on which Anglo-Somali relations were based. A few of the many incidents of betrayal that the Somalis suffered at the hands of the British will suffice to clearly illustrate this point:
(1) In a series of treaties they signed with the traditional leaders of Somali clans during 1884-1886, the British promised to protect the territories belonging to these clans from external aggression in exchange for the privilege, solely granted to British citizens, of freely carrying on trade in the respective territories of the contracting clans. Additionally, the Somali clans also pledged not to ever offer their territories for occupation, or protection, to any other power. The trusting and politically rather naive Somalis were by and large faithful to the terms of the contractual agreements they had entered into with the British authorities who, unhappily for the Somalis, acted with cavalier disregard for what they had promised the Somalis. With characteristic duplicity, the British secretly agreed, through a series of bilateral agreements with France, Italy and Ethiopia during 1888-1897, to illegally cede portions of the territories they had covenanted with the Somali clans to protect. This cruel British perfidy became known to the Somalis when work on the demarcation lines separating the five colonial territories to which the land of the Somalis was divided, was begun on the ground in the 1930s;
(2) During the 2nd World War, all of the Somali territories, with the exception of the French enclave known as French Somaliland came under the control of British Military Administration. The Somalis, seeing in the rule of the British Military Administration a golden opportunity for them to get back together the dismembered Somali people and their land, began to vigorously agitate for national reunification. The British, however, lulled the Somalis to sleep with the Bevin Plan, which they put forth in 1946 with less than sincere effort and subsequently abandoned, to the Somalis' utmost disappointment. Instead of making amends for the damage that their secret agreements with other powers caused the treaties they had entered into with the Somalis, the British simply ignored the Somalis' call for national reunification and once more gave instalments of Somali territory to Ethiopia in 1942, 1948 and 1954;
"Cruel disregard" for results of plebiscite held in Kenya
(3) When the Somalis of the Northern Frontiers District (NFD) demanded union with the Somali Republic in the early 1960s, the British once more cruelly pretended to be paying attention to the Somalis' cry for justice. The then Colonial Secretary appointed an independent commission that was asked to determine the wishes of the people in the NFD by conducting a plebiscite in the territory, to see if the Somali inhabitants of the NFD desired to be reunited with their kith and kin in the Somali Republic or preferred to remain in the future independent Republic of Kenya. The inhabitants of the NFD voted with an overwhelmingly majority of 86 per cent in favour of cession from Kenya. Astonishingly, however, the British government acted with an utterly cruel disregard for the result of the plebiscite and simply decreed that the NFD would remain in Kenya.
In case this is of comfort to them, the Somalis should know that they are not the first, or the only people, to have been hurt by Britain's diplomatic double-dealing. In all likelihood though, the Somalis, because of their lack of familiarity with diplomatic trickery, suffered from British perfidy more than any other nation on earth. At a time when truthfulness was considered the cornerstone of successful diplomatic relations, a British statesman, whose name eludes me now, made a remark that shocked most of his contemporaries, possibly signalling the dawning of a new era in diplomatic history, an era in which hard-nosed realism and struggle for power would replace the idealistic notions of truthfulness and morality in international relations. When he was possibly confronted with proof of British dishonesty toward one ally or the other, this British politician instantly shot back with the famous rejoinder that Britain had 'permanent interests and no permanent friends'.
This politician's remark, in effect admitting that deception figured in Britain's diplomatic practice, reinforced other European powers' conviction that the British could not be trusted, and earned the United Kingdom the unflattering nickname of 'The Perfidious Albion'. According to this British politician credited with coining the above quote, the benefits accruing to Great Britain from her relations with other countries, rather than devotion to the observation of any general rule of morality, would determine how friendly or unfriendly Britain was to be to any particular country. If that is the case, why has Britain's attitude to the Somalis been so consistently hostile? What have the Somalis done to deserve Britain's eternal enmity? What is the pleasure that the British get from purposely hurting the Somalis?
Dr Ali A Hersi, Nairobi, Kenya
Source: Reuters, 20 April, 2004
East Africa Lures Gamblers In Global Quest For Oil
NAIROBI - There was a time when oil executives would be more likely to visit east Africa to lounge on its beaches or marvel at its wildlife than open a new frontier in the quest for crude.
That might be about to change. Exploration firms are taking a fresh look at the Indian Ocean coast stretching from Madagascar to Kenya, hoping to defy conventional industry wisdom that says the region has some gas but little oil.
"East Africa is likely to become one of the world's hottest oil exploration frontiers in the next few years," said Chris Matchette-Downes of JEBCO Seismic, which has reviewed geological data taken from east Africa's coast.
"I've seen a lot of evidence for oil," he said. "I think we're just beginning to see a realisation of that."
Long overlooked by an industry that has traditionally focused on west African producers like Nigeria and Angola further south, the eastern seaboard has drawn renewed interest from both oil majors and smaller firms hoping to strike it lucky.
Driven partly by increasing difficulty in finding fresh fields in time-worn exploration zones like the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea, companies are tapping new technology that makes offshore surveying more efficient.
While west African fields are ideally placed to serve US markets across the Atlantic, explorers hope new finds in the east will meet ready demand from across the Indian Ocean, in Japan, India, Singapore and other parts of Asia.
Royal Dutch/Shell is searching off Tanzania, Australia's Woodside Petroleum off Kenya, and US-based Vanco Energy off Madagascar, while the Malaysian state oil firm Petronas is looking for offshore oil and gas in Mozambique.
Sudan has been pumping growing quantities of oil for several years, and Canada's Heritage Oil Corp. has drilled exploration wells in Lake Albert on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Experts say huge finds might lie off the coast of anarchic Somalia - for anyone who dares to try.
Governments are keen to promote the energy potential of the Indian Ocean coast, sensing a chance to bolster economies reliant mainly on commodities like tea and coffee or tourism.
"For the first time in maybe 10 years we are having a lot of people making enquiries," said Peter Thuo, acting exploration manager at the state-run National Oil Corporation of Kenya, which markets Kenyan exploration rights. "There might be a lot of undiscovered resources."
Elusive elephants
The relatively low cost of exploration rights off east Africa has encouraged some firms to take a gamble - even if the risks of drawing a blank are high.
In Kenya, Woodside is hoping to replicate its strike in deep waters off the west African country of Mauritania in 2001, an area which it says shares similar geology to its exploration zone off Kenya's coast.
"For less than five or six million dollars we've got access to an area offshore east Africa that's about double what we've got in Mauritania," said Woodside spokesman Rob Millhouse. "It's a huge area where we can go and look, drill a hole if we like, and if we don't like, walk away."
While firms hope to strike what the industry refers to as an "elephant" - a large, oil bearing geological structure - firms are willing to admit that east Africa may provide more frustration than elation.
Gas fields have so far proved more numerous - including Songo Songo off Tanzania and a $1.2 billion project operated by Johannesburg-listed Sasol which began piping natural gas to South Africa from Mozambique in February.
Even if oil is discovered, drillers can only hope to make money if they find reserves which are big enough to be commercially viable.
"We recognise there's a potential for hydrocarbons to be there based on regional geological exploration," said Simon Buerk, spokesman for Shell, which has exploration rights off Tanzania. "The risks are quite high as well because this particular acreage is relatively unexplored."
Despite advances in seismic survey technology in the past decade, a lack of exploration wells in the region makes it harder to interpret raw data, making expensive exploration wells a more risky proposition than in more established zones.
Insecurity
Beyond the lack of data, some of the region's potential strikes remain off limits on security grounds.
Oil exploration in Sudan has been hindered by civil war, although talks between the government and southern rebels have raised hopes of a lasting peace in oil production zones.
Industry experts say the western Ethiopian region of Gambella may contain oil deposits, but hundreds of people were killed in ethnic clashes in December and January in the worst outbreak of violence there for years.
Somalia may have perhaps the greatest potential offshore reserves, but it also the most challenging prospect - having fragmented into fiefdoms run by rival warlords since the overthrow of military ruler Siad Barre in 1991.
But just as Woodside's strike in Mauritania helped fuel interest in less fashionable exploration areas in West Africa like Liberia and Sierra Leone, experts say a find off east Africa could draw more risk-takers to an overlooked region.
"Relative to other parts of Africa, it's very quiet," said Andrew Latham, a consultant at Wood Mackenzie. "The average company thinks that the balance of probability is that there are no oil reserves, and it would take a discovery to change that position."