Month: June 2019

ON THE SOMALI DEMOCRATIC HISTORY

Take a watch.

IS SENATOR ABDIRAHMAN FAROOLE DOING POLITICS RIGHT?

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June 30, 2019
He is increasingly looking like the current President of Puntland, totally oblivous to the fact that he was one six years ago; tried to get re-elected president to lose narrowly; never gave up and got elected Puntland Senator in the Federal Upper Chamber. Thus, Puntland public expected him to vigorously represent the State in Mogadishu political conundrum
Instead, he is stuck in Garowe politics and don’t shy away getting involved in Puntland presidential politics here. He is all over the place and everywhere in every political activities in every given day in Garowe, just in the way and culture some Puntland Traditional Elders are doing instead of minding about their own tribal assignments, a new phenomenon in tribal culture unknown elsewhere in Somalia, and certainly not in Northeast Regions before the foundation of Puntland State.
It is an accepted and appropriate protocol requirement all over the civilized world that former presidents should avoid being entangled in presidential politics after they leave office. That is to avoid confusion in the public mind as to who is in charge of the country’s affairs, and most importantly, to avoid over-shadowing the administration of the day.
At his term in office, former President Faroole preferred Abdullahi Yusuf to be exiled, but, now he wants his influence and presence to be felt in Garowe perpetually. That is not a normal behavior of a former President. He should let others, who replaced him, govern independently.
A former president has a huge influence in the society. A lot of former politicians and appointees are still attached to him, and his visible presence in town impacts negatively on the new president and makes the country a bit ungovernable and people confused.
President Faroole should be mindful of unnecessary political complications his visible presence and political activities inside Puntland may entail.

PUNTLAND PRESIDENT DENI’S FIRST BABY STEPS

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June 30, 2019

Puntland President, Said Abdullahi Deni, has finally started his first baby steps in governing PUNTLAND State of Somalia, after disappointing several months in office since he got elected in January 2019.

It is was a stiff learning curve for him to understand the extent of mess left by his predecessor and to figure out the complexity of Puntland sub-clan political culture that has been pulling down the State since its establishment in 1998.
To start this journey, he, after a while, had paid a working visit to two important PUNTLAND cities, Port City of Bosaso, the backbone of PUNTLAND economy, and Galkayo, the security bulwark of the State. Now, it was time to address an annoying matter in Puntland, the Dubai P&O – Bosaso Port contract. He had paid a quick private visit to the UAE to takle with the issue. This secret business contract is still surrounded by suspicion and doubt about its contents and contractual conditions. President Deni still has to clear that cloud of mistrust in this deal.
Among the pressing issues of PUNTLAND includes infrastructure, new ports and road network. PUNTLAND is not land-locked as it is blessed with the longest coastline in Africa, being washed by waters of both the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. But, the State of Puntland has become air-locked with no reliable air-transport available despite modernization of its nternational airports in Garowe and Bosaso. That is because Puntland business community lacks behind all the rest of Somalia in their business outlook, entrepreneurship and collective pulling of finance to initiate and move major projects.
President Deni went on a quick travel, perhaps unprepared private visit, to Chinese firms in Peking. The visit and symbolic signing ceremonies were ill-advised to advertise, for the Federal Government and opponents of Puntland got noticed of DENI’S move in China, and according to informed source, they are trying to kill it. Nowadays, everything has to go through Mogadishu in the same way the world financial transactions go via New York City banking Swift codes. Welcome to Farmaajo-Khayre one city-state solution to all Somalia’s problems. Enroute to China via Addis Addis, President Deni managed to secure Fly Ethiopian Airlines deal to relieve Puntland passengers of the burden of driving all the way to and from Hargeisa of Somaliland. People see this here as one big baby step by President Deni. It is a welcome first step move.
Now, President Deni starts other baby steps like appointment of several regional and security officials. But, Puntland public is waiting for real reforms of government bureaucracy, fanance and security sectors, in particular, and creation of independent anti-corruption watch-dogs and legal instruments, and immediate movement towards democratization and multiparty elections. And, by the way, Deni re-election is only possible through multiparty election, if he does a good job in this Puntland Mandate.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS IN DAILY WORK ETHICS AND LIFESTYLE IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

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June 29, 2019
Unproductive, uncreative and lazy folks look forward everyday for an afternoon chat to listen to city gossips at tea and caffe shops. This is particularly true to the bulk of men in Africa and Middle East. No wonder they remain backward and had been frozen in time and space for centuries.
While those who live in Western hemisphere and in the so-called Asian Economic Tigers are too tired to have time and energy left for the day after hard work from morning till late in the afternoon. They do their lazy hobbies and leisure only in the days they are off work. So, as routine, they rush home after long working hours to catch up with what needs their attention before they retire to bed to recuperate energy for next day’s productive work. No wonder they are advanced and powerful as peoples and as nations.

On my own experience, I do recall a true story. My engineering colleague, Mohamed Xabashi, and I went to UK for industrial training on sugar production and technology some years back. At the time, we were both employees of Juba Sugar Project JSP at Mareerey in Lower Juba Region of Somalia.

While we were in training in different cities of England, Mohamed never woke up in the morning until late. He missed many hours of training. Our trainers didn’t like Mohamed being late all the time. One day in Derby in Midland England, where the Rolls Royce engines are manufactured too, Ms. Cook, the supervisor of the factory, asked Mohamed why he was being late for the training every morning. Mohamed’s response surprised everybody. He said, “I came from the City of Harar in Ogaden Region of Ethiopia. Harar men don’t work. They only chew chat and produce kids. Harar woman works for the man and family”. Ms Cook was taken aback a bit. But, the English men present started asking Mohamed how could they get hold of Harar wives, to the embarrassment of Ms. Cook. It was hilarious.

Have your say on the observation.

THE DEATH OF A SOMALI PROMINENT WARLORD

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June 29, 2019

Condolences to the Family of Mohamed Qanyare Afrax.

I knew Mohamed Qanyare as a political heavy weight, among South Central warlords of Somalia. He used to say at Somali National Peace and Reconciliation Processes that “every man should be allowed to have a say equal to the sizes of his guns and width of their barrels”

Mr Afrax led a warlord/political coalition of anti-Hirab, another loose warlord/political confederation of Habar-Gedir and Mudulood. He always felt vulnerable and threatened by Hirab’s possible conspiracy against his Murursade clan. He alone had been challenging Hirab hegemony in Mogadishu throughtout the course of the Civil War – the same political threat Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre is feeling now in Mogadishu.

To confront real and perceived security threats, he had managed to establish a strong militia base in Daniile quarters of Mogadishu with a well-ran airstrip connecting his fiefdom to East Africa and beyond. Later, he was the head of the CIA -funded Mogadishu warlord organization,

The Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism,

supposedly fighting terrorism and the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), but at the same time opposing the TFG of Somalia that was then just created in 2004, and in which he was also a member, together with his other warlord colleagues.

This is how the USA Intelligence Services in their “War on Terrorism” had messed up Somalia’s File once again.

Mr. Afrax was a shrewd businessman and smart negotiator.

He will be missed by residents of Daniile, his friends and colleagues in Puntland as well

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KA GABO QARAXXA MOGADISHU!

PRIME MINISTER MOHAMED IBRAHIM EGAL

On the record

(Photo credit: Sun, BBC)

SOMALI OIL

“Somalia Moves Step Closer to Reviving Oil Sector With New Terms“

“June 28, 2019, 9:00 AM GMT+3
No details are yet available on commercial terms for operators
Shell, Exxon reached agreement to convert prior concessions
Somalia’s oil ministry has moved a step closer to alleviating more than two decades of oil-sector paralysis.
The country’s new petroleum Revenue Sharing Agreement, or RSA, relates to Somalia’s petroleum law, which was approved last month in an effort to kick-start oil development that has been halted by two decades of civil war. Companies including Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Exxon Mobil Corp. have stakes in blocks, which has seen no activity since war broke out in 1991.
Under the terms of the RSA Somalia’s central government will retain 55% of revenue from future offshore oil production while its member states will receive the remainder, according to an oil ministry statement released on Friday.
For onshore oil output, the federal government will retain 30% of revenue, while member states and their local communities, which are free to decide how to invest the cash, will keep the rest. However, it’s still working on commercial terms for the companies which would operate the oil blocks.
Somalia’s new licensing round, which opened in February, has 15 offshore blocks on offer. The government is targeting a potential bid date for the blocks, which cover about 75,000 square kilometers, in November and hopes to award the first new licenses in January 2020. A Shell spokesman said the company will not be taking part.
None of the blocks on offer are in a disputed area with Kenya, which the United Nations has yet to determine ownership of.
Somalia’s Petroleum Revenue Sharing Agreement
Source: Somalian government
Despite the government pegging the offshore area’s oil reserves at about 30 billion barrels, it’s going to be a tough sell to international operators.
While war has halted onshore crude production, Somalia’s waters have suffered from piracy. Somalian Oil Minister Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed said in an interview in London that’s all in the past.
“Offshore Somalia is safe. The two companies that conducted the seismic for us experienced zero incidents. There hasn’t been piracy for a long time,’’ Ahmed said. “The data is promising and the location is attractive.”
The government said seismic data show “a high likelihood” that Somalia’s offshore has “similar geological structures” to large oil and gas reserves which have been found in neighboring basins in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique.
However, the government hasn’t released details of commercial terms which will be available to international operators it’s trying to attract back to hunt for oil in Somalia.
“We believe our model PSA should be attractive to oil companies and the Somalian people,” Ahmed said, adding that the government is working with the African Development Bank on what sort of commercial terms it may offer. The bank did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On June 21, the government reached a deal with Shell for repayment of fees related to oil fields which have been accruing since war broke out in the country in the early 1990s. Ahmed confirmed Shell was not carrying out exploration work in Somalia, contrary to an erroneous release from state news agency Sonna. Ahmed said he was “not aware” of the report from Sonna“

THE LATE ADVOCATE YUSUF HAJI NUR

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June 28, 2019

On behalf of all family members of Haji Warsame Jowjowle, Warsame Digital Media WDM and on my own behalf, I express deep and hearfelt condolence to the family of the late advocate, Yusuf Haji Nur (RIP).

I knew Mr. Nur as a simple, unassuming and honest man. He was a polite man and had an incorruptible rare nature in today’s world. He was a man of the old school and values.

One also has to appreciate that Mr. Nur was one of the few professionals, who stayed put in his own native land, despite the fact that many of his contemporary colleagues had left the country for comfort overseas. A big factor in the miscarriage of justice in Somalia is lack or shortage of professional judiciary personnel in the administration of justice.

Advocate Yusuf Haji Said had played a central role in the 2000-2001 Puntland Constitutional Crisis, not because he wanted power for himself, but, according to him, to protect the law of the land against a state president and parliament, who desired to extend their rule unconstitutionally as their terms in office had expired under his watch as the President of Supreme Court of Puntland State.

Mr. Nur had passed away recently in Turkey, while undergoing medical care. Nur’s body was airlifted today to Garowe and got final resting place in the City’s Main Cemetery.

Warsame Digital Media WDM
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PS:

Yusuf Haji Nur and Jama Ali Jama were key actors in the 2000–2001 Puntland constitutional crisis, a defining moment that tested the foundations of the young Puntland State.

A USEFUL SONG

Dhageysi wacan

THE SOMALI DOCTRINE

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June 28, 2019
Never re-elect a political leader is a Somali Doctrine and our contribution to the world of politics and political culture. The Doctrine is an exercise of democracy stretched to the maximum possible. It is consistent with George Orwellian famous quote that diapers and political leaders should be changed.
However, the Somali phenomenon has double edges. On the one hand, it cements a message to the president-elect or would-be elected that he or she wouldn’t have a 2nd chance, giving them only to choose one of two options:
  1. Abuse the system while have the chance
  2. Do something worthwhile to leave behind a good reputation, a proud nation and good name for own kids and family.
The Doctrine, on the other hand, had brought misfortune to the people of Somalia by producing bad and corrupt politicians one after the other.
Based on history and experience, most Somali leaders choose the first option. Hence, Somalis have become cynical of politics and politicians.
The Somali Doctrine is deeply rooted in its logic that, where corruption is of epidemic proportion and checks and balance of power aren’t in place or difficult to implement because of this malfeasance, the only choice left for Somalis to fight back is to not never return a political leader to power.

The problem with Ahmed Madoobe of Jubaland is that he has stubbornly violated that Somali Doctrine.

Call it the ingenuity of the Somali Doctrine.

Somalia: Federalism, a Guarantor of Peace Among Somali Clans – allAfrica.com

https://allafrica.com/stories/201302200056.html

FEDERAL PRESIDENT FARMAAJO NEVER LEARNED FROM HISTORY

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June 27, 2019

Take a listen and read:

Somali Federal President advocates for a strong Central Government while giving lip service to federalism vs confederalism by accusing his critics of preferring the later. This implies implicitly that Regional Member States are opposing his policies of restoring “One City-State” status to Somalia.

It is quite obvious to keen observers of Somali politics that President Farmaajo doesn’t want to understand, or intentionally ignores the fact that a strong state has three equal branches of government, as opposed to non-existent judiciary, a rubber-stamp parliament and dictatorial executive with no limits to its power and abuses as his Administration is undeniably wrong-headed along that path. Where are the checks and balance of government power? These roles and responsibilities now fall on the Federal Member States, despite their own known short-comings, as they are increasingly worried about Farmaajo-Khayre strong push towards tyranny.

A central government in a federation is required to have strong regional governments to be strong, a condition he doesn’t desire to entertain with. That exposes him badly and puts him on the road to a wishful unitary government bent on repeating yesteryears gross violations of human rights and unchecked absolute power.

Have you ever heard FGS leaders promoting the existing law of the land, the Federal Constitution? Have ever heard them criticizing or confronting those who advocate for unitary government and return of Somalia to one city-state status?

Have you noticed the current FGS leaders are using the social media to mislead the youth and young generation under the banner of “Nabad & Nolool” (N&N) in an attempt to unravel and discredit the Federal Constitution?

It also means that he had learned nothing from the root causes of recent Somali ugly history, communal violence and clan cleansing, particularly in Mogadishu and Hargeisa.

It is therefore fair to conclude that he was missing the march of history and shall be soon branded as uncelebrated failure, who had never understood what went wrong in Somalia.

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Postscript: In response to a comment:

Dablariday Dervish what you called tribal demarcation is the real world and realism in Somali clan society. Unless you restore trust among Somali clans after vicious clan cleansing, everybody is afraid for his/her own destiny. Until then, clan fox-holes are here to stay and justified to remain. Clan federalism is the first step towards re-instating Somalia again. Be real. You are better off living within a “tribal demarcation” rather in the abuses of repressive police state.

LONG OVER-DUE?

IS DUST SETTLING DOWN IN GALMUDUGH? NOT YET! HERE IS WHY.

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June 28, 2019

Now that the recent Djibouti Agreement between Galmudugh President Ahmed Du’ale Haaf and his Dusamareb political partner, Sunna -wal-Jamaacah led by Premier Sheikh Shakir has been revoked, all previous political arrangements between the two factions are in tatters and irreconcilable.

That is because Sheikh Shakir Group has just switched their allegiance to the leaders of the Federal Government at expense of Haaf, betraying the warlord when he needed them most against Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre.

Haaf had temporarily found himself in no man’s land as he had escaped from Dusamareb on the eve of Khayre’s arrival in town, and he couldn’t enter Caado without negotiating his way through with his other rival faction leaders of the broken Galmudugh Parliament in Caado. He finally got allowed to enter Caado with the understanding that he had lost politically. That realization brought him to his sense and had accepted the inevitable that election is the only way out for all competing parties.

But, the dust has not settled down yet in Galmudugh conundrum as election campaigns got started, and as usual, those who have deeper pockets and financial backing of Villa Somalia have bigger chance to win.

Galmudugh has additional legitimacy complications of not fulfilling the Federal Constitutional requirements to qualify for regional state status, failing short of having territory of at least two regions.

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IS THIS REAL?

Check out @NaUgbaad’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/NaUgbaad/status/1143167022366375936?s=09

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SOMALILAND: NOW, SECESSIONIST ATTEMPT HAS HIT THE ROCKS, WHAT NEXT?

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Three decades on to break away from the Motherland, and Northwest Regions of Somalia has hit the wall and reached the dead-end of no international recognition.

From Somaliland perspective, the world is unfair to them. From the perspective of international community, recognizing “Somaliland state” would amount to opening a Pandora Box for licensing unending breakup of present day nation-states. From Somalia’s perspective, the Act of Union of 1960 is a sacred document that couldn’t be violated by unilateral declaration of separation of any part of the Federal Republic. Only legitimate means through negotiated settlement of the issue, followed by a national referredum could technically revoke the Act of the Union. No Somali politicians could unravel that national binding historic document.

Now, what, where do we go from here?

Few options are worth contemplating.

Start with congratulations to all Somalis on the day they had succeeded in raising their national flag over the skies of Hargeisa for the first time in history.
Advise the Administration in the Northwest Regions to come to its sense and denounce secession. Let the Regions prepare for accepting Federal Member Status.
Advise the politicians there to have the foresight of avoiding disorganized break-up, disintegration and disarray of the Northwest Administration.
Advise people of the Northwest Regions to be wary of misleading statements and disinformation by unscrupulous local politicians.
Advise them to discontinue and desist local clan conflicts and fostering hatred among local population.
Advise them to facilitate free movement of people, goods and ideas all across Somalia.
But, today, let us mark the Occasion of June 26, together.

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    MUELLER TO TESTIFY

    Take a read.

    https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/25/robert-mueller-to-testify-before-congress-in-july?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Tweet&__twitter_impression=true

    THIS FLAG HAS BEEN PROUDLY FLYING FIRM

    THIS BLUE FLAG HAS BEEN PROUDLY FLYING FIRM

     

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    Here is Prof. Lidwien Kapteijns to mark the Occasion.

    “Hambalyo: Maalmaha gobanimada Somaliyeed ee 26, 27 Juun iyo 1da Luulyo. Aan maalno hasheenna Maandeeq. Qoor”

    This blue flag with a white star in the middle, for the permanent annoyance of historical enemies of this Nation, has been flying firm since its creation amid turmoils in the bitter fight for Somali National Independence. This beautiful blue flag with a white star in the middle had even stollen the show from the UN flag and over-shadowed it at UN Headquarters in New York City.

    This blue flag with a white star in the middle had held firm against secession, extremism, warlord-ism and dark forces of instability and division in Somalia.This blue flag with a white star in the middle is our most top-secret national defence weapon and nuclear deterrent,never to be challenged by anyone or anybody of ill-wish for the Nation of Somalia.

    Hail to the blue flag with a white star in the middle, flying proudly even higher in the blue sky of the Almighty.

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    Expressive young poet

    Public Trust Deficit in Somalia

    By Ismail Haji Warsame

    14/05/2021

    Nearly a decade ago I had penned this article, the contents of which are today as relevant as then. Hawiye political leaders and intellectuals didn’t still get it. Look at what is happening in the Council of Presidential Candidates acting as an exclusive club for one clan. Below is the article. Take a read:


    Oct. 02, 2012
    The Presidency of the Republic does not give the expected trappings of power, the magic of the highest leadership position in the land or the glory of the Office amid distrust and absence of loyalty within the population and regions of the country. That institutional empowerment must be earned nation-wide in the hard way, and in the case of Somalia, require hard work over many years to come for the future generations of Somalia to enjoy it. If successful, the new leaders can only pave the way for restoring that missing public trust. To accept any Somali President, Prime Minister or the Speaker of the House as a leader of all the people is a long shot, given the depth of distrust developed within the communities for the past 30 odd years towards government officials, or rather any institutions of governance unfortunately. In Somalia’s today the Presidency or any position of leadership is unenviable role for a decent person to play for it requires heavy personal sacrifices few are willing to commit to.
    The very idea of bottom-up approach in rebuilding Somalia is primarily based on the restoration of that missing trust before the country has central institutions. Quite a number of Somali intellectual circles and many politicians inside and outside the country, particularly in Mogadishu, do not still appreciate how important the “Building-Blocks’ concept is, as we coined the term more than a decade ago in Puntland State of Somalia, as the shortest way to heal the deep wounds caused by the civil war and abuses of the Military Government, in addition to nepotism and rigging of elections by previous civilian governments. Creation of Federal Institutions starting with the TFG Charter and current Provisional Constitution is a hard fought negotiated outcome towards rebuilding that public trust. Anybody who believes that we can have a highly centralized system of government again in Mogadishu or elsewhere in the country is either of out of touch with reality in today’s Somalia or must have his/her sanity re-examined as this dream cannot be realized in the present political conditions of Somalia. The sooner we all embrace whatever type of federalism we accept as result of a negotiated settlement, the better off we are to re-construct our country. I may add, under the current political atmosphere, having a Federal President and Prime Minister hailing from South-Central Somalia is a recipe for failure and does not meet the necessary power-sharing legitimacy to move the country forward. If proven true (I hope not), the rumors flying around these days in Mogadishu and beyond on the selection of a Prime Minister do not give me sense of optimism for Somalia to be on the mend.

    Practical intellectual thinking and bold political leadership are required to brainstorm on why Somaliland and Puntland were created in the first place. While the First went to the extreme of outright unilateral declaration of seccession, the Second did not lose hope that Somalia can be rebuilt from the ashes of the Civil War and the deficit of public trust. For the benefit of those who were not closely following major political developments in the country during the past 15 years or so, or limited/exposed to only superficial sideline debates on Somalia, Puntland State spent considerable resources including brain power to see Somalia re-instituted. This is a major political capital investment that cannot be written off without paying a heavy national price.
    A simple political instinct is lacking among the intellectuals and politicians in Southern Somalia, i.e. they could not figure out that if Mogadishu is to remain the Capital City and enhance its status as attractive to the residents of Northwest and Northeast Somalia among other parts of the country, it should be subject to power-sharing. Someone cannot be expected to have both ways or as they say, “have their cake and eat it”, given what happened in that City during the vicious Civil War. Mogadishu leaders instead, for the sake of national unity, would have been smart enough to encourage others get elected to the presidency. That did not happen unfortunately despite the great expectation from the new President to deliver, and a lot of people are worried about the direction and the future of the country.

    While it is not so popular to be an early pessimistic person, they say, a pessimist is a well informed optimist. Nevertheless, I have strong conviction that the best days of Somalia are still to come.

    “Lying by Omission ……”

    24 June 2019
    By Nino Pagliccia

    There is no doubt that lying in any form and for questionable reasons is not an accepted value. It can cause serious consequences on those who are the object of lies. It some cases it can cost lives. A person caught lying on a witness stand in court can face criminal charges.

    Lying by omission – that is willfully withdrawing important factual information – is no less serious than outright disinformation. When it comes to Venezuela today any form of omission of relevant information must be considered reckless.

    The Washington Post in its article of 21 June titled “UN human rights chief meets with Venezuela’s Guaidó, Maduro” [1] provides a good example of lying by omission.

    In its 22-paragraphs long article clearly the focus is on Guaidó. However, some half-statements – the other half being what is not said – are of concern because they do not give a balanced understanding of the event that took place in Venezuela with the visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.

    The Washington Post does not seem to value the importance that the visit may have in deescalating the dangerous US-Venezuela political tension at the international level. On the contrary, it finds the space to state that “Bachelet issued a tough statement criticizing Maduro’s government” and quotes from a statement that Ms. Bachelet gave last March:

    “I am also deeply concerned about the shrinking of the democratic space, especially the continued criminalization of peaceful protest and dissent.”

    That quote is accurate. What the Washington Post omits is something else Ms. Bachelet said in that same March statement:

    “Although this pervasive and devastating economic and social crisis began before the imposition of the first economic sanctions in 2017, I am concerned that the recent sanctions on financial transfers related to the sale of Venezuelan oil within the United States may contribute to aggravating the economic crisis, with possible repercussions on people’s basic rights and wellbeing.“

    Although that statement has also being criticized for not being totally accurate, [2] its omission is even more striking because the Washington Post would have had an opportunity to introduce a major relevant fact such as the extent of the numerous US sanctions on Venezuela.

    The Washington Post makes no reference at all in the whole article to the sanctions as if they did not exist or have negative impacts on the country. The first US sanctions were imposed in March 2015 by the Obama administration and have dramatically escalated to become a virtual economic and financial blockade. This is a widely documented fact easily accessible to the Washington Post journalist and editor.

    Further, the Washington Post states,

    “[Ms. Bachelet’s] predecessor, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, was repeatedly denied access to the country [Venezuela] for criticizing what he said was the government’s refusal to recognize a humanitarian crisis.”

    The Post journalist does not say when that actually happened. But we do have on video record Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein saying

    “I welcome the oral invitation of the government [of Venezuela] to my office to provide technical support for the implementation of the universal periodic review recommendations.” [3]

    The invitation was dismissed in that same declaration that was highly critical of the Venezuelan government, and was delivered at the UN Security Council presided by former US ambassador at the UN Nikki Haley and with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro present.

    However, that is not the only omission. Mr. Hussein made reference to the invitation on November 13, 2017 but the Washington Post does not mention that UN special rapporteur Alfred De Zayasvisited Venezuela invited by the Venezuelan government from November 26 to December 4, 2017 – arrangement that surely must have been worked out during Mr. Hussein tenure at the UN – and gave his official report to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2018, one month after Mr. Hussein ended his period at the UN. [4] In it Mr. de Zayas reports that there is no humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, among other facts.

    This type of media reporting that gives only part of the facts while omitting others is misleading, irresponsible, unprofessional, and reckless, and can only be construed as a sign of a biased and prejudiced view on Venezuela. I was able to find these relevant facts after a quick Internet search. And so can a professional journalist writing for alleged serious media. It only requires the will and the integrity to do so. Maybe the day will come when a journalist or editor can be prosecuted for posting articles that contain lies.

    *

    Note to readers: please click the share buttons above or below. Forward this article to your email lists. Crosspost on your blog site, internet forums. etc.

    Nino Pagliccia is an activist and freelance writer based in Vancouver. He is a retired researcher from the University of British Columbia, Canada. He is a Venezuelan-Canadian who follows and writes about international relations with a focus on the Americas. He is the editor of the book “Cuba Solidarity in Canada – Five Decades of People-to-People Foreign Relations” (2014). He is a frequent contributor to Global Research.

    Notes

    [1]https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/un-human-rights-chief-meets-with-venezuelas-guaido-maduro/2019/06/21/04353b5a-942f-11e9-956a-88c291ab5c38_story.html

    [2] https://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/14401

    [3] http://webtv.un.org/d/watch/zeid-ra’ad-al-hussein-ohchr-on-the-situation-in-venezuela-security-council-arria-formula-meeting/5643399460001/

    [4] https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G18/239/31/PDF/G1823931.pdf

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    FEDERALISM: IF YOU START IT WRONG, THOU SHALT IT GET WRONG

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    The conundrum, political and community turmoil is a shining example of how to do it wrong in building a Federal Member State. I was among the few Somali personalities, who had the foresight to warn the “Rush, Rush” approach of then Federal President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, with regards to the creation of new member states of Hirshabelle and Galmudugh. I had even posted the following article on WardheerNews at the end.

    CREATION OF A REGIONAL STATE IN SOMALIA’S CONTEXT MADE SIMPLE

    By Ismail. H. Warsame March 21, 2013
    Ismail Haji Warsame
    ________________
    There are a few simple steps along the way to establish a regional state in Somali context. These are critical steps to follow for a successful conclusion of the creation of a federal state:
    1. Respectful of the Federal Constitution, two or more regions must have common political, security and economic interests and must have potential to operate as a cohesive political block as well as a viable and sustainable economic unit.
    2. Regions must have overwhelming grass-root support for the idea of creating their own state. These include all levels of their masses, and traditional elders at forefront.
    3. A fully representative people’s congress must be held initially as Consultative Conference to resolve and agree upon:
    a) Endorsement of the very idea and need for the creation of the state
    b) Selection of Constitutional Committee for drafting the state’s constitution
    c) Selection of Preparatory Committee for the final Constitutional Congress
    d) Selection of Chairing Committee of the Constitutional Congress
    e) Selection of Fund-raising and Finance Committee
    f) Selection of Security Committee
    g) Selection of logistics and Accommodation Committee
    h) Selection of the venue of the Constitutional Congress
    i) Allocation of delegates to each participating region to the Constitutional Congress for the subsequent division among clans in each region along the traditional sub-clan proportionality.
    j) Creation of an atmosphere of voluntarism and regional political activism to spark off enthusiasm for urgent people’s action and personal contributions.
    k) Avoidance of confrontation with central authorities in the attempt to create the state.
    4. Convention of Constitutional Congress to pass the draft Constitution.
    5. Setting up an independent electoral or supervisory Committee with the formulation of criteria for their mandate.
    6. Election of the Chief Executive Officers (e.g. President, Vice President) if they are to be elected by the Congress.
    7. Selection of members of the Legislative Council (local parliament) by the participating regions either directly by the residents or in an indirect democratic fashion by their constituencies through traditional customs to be double-checked by the Electoral Committee; Election of the Speaker and his Assistants, and immediately the Chief Executive Officers by the newly constituted Assembly if they are to be elected that way.
    8. Start of regional power-sharing negotiations to form the Cabinet.
    Critical mistakes to avoid:
    1. When forming a regional state, never start from power-sharing approach. This is a non-starter and a recipe for failure.
    2. Avoid prematurely announcing candidates for leadership and never allow anyone to put their candidacy forward until the final execution of points 1-5 above. This is the main source of division within the participants and sure factor to fail the whole idea of successfully concluding the efforts.
    3. Denounce anyone seeking special clan, regional privileges or status.
    3. Suppress any hints of intimidation against Congress participants. Free will of people and expression must reign supreme. Everyone must feel comfortable and feel secure and safe in the Congressional environment. Everyone must feel ownership of the state to be created.
    All successful Somali regional conferences including those of Puntland, Somaliland and TFG conform to the above simple steps. All those failed violated them by starting first with power-sharing and leadership competitions.
    Ismail Haji Warsame
    WardheerNews Contributor

    WDM CAMERA VIEW AT CEEL-WACAYSEED PICNIC

    ARAGTIDA MAANTA DHANKA CEEL-WACAYSEED

    View from CEEL-WACAYSEED, Nugaal Region, Puntland, Somalia.

    DIBAD BAX CEEL-WACAYSEED

    DIBAD BAX CEEL-WACAYSEED

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    June 24, 2019

    Waa fursad dhiff iyo naadir oo qof reer magaal ah soo marta in uu miyi doogan tamashle ku tago, caano, hilib iyo nabadna ku naaloodo.

    Taa ayaan maanta fursad u helay markii koox asxaab ah lugta la helay, martiqaad uu noo fidiyey saaxiibkay, Wasiir Juxa, fadligeed.

    Naacawsi, geedo qurac iyo labi ah oo harac qabow iyo quud markaa geed kasoo go’ah ayaannu nafta magaalo ku raagtay ku doojiney. Sheeko xiisaleh oo miyi iyo magaalo is huwan ayaa madasha qurxisay. Hase yeeshee rag iyo dumar ayaa loo kala degay si xanta loo kala qarsado, in la isku dhacana meesha looga saaro.

    Dad degaanka ah ayaan marti u ahayn, si goobanima lehna noogu adeegay. Anigu nolasha miyiga waxbaan ka aqaan. Labo haddeer isu qosleesay ayaa ilbiriqsi isku dileeysa – weliba xiliga reer miyigu gu’ aaran ah helaan sida haddaba dhacday. Sidaa awgeed ayaa dhagtu iitaagnayd, ileen reer miyigu waxay ku maahmaahaan “dagaal gondahaagu ka dhashaa”.

    Si fiican ayaa naacawsiga, dal xiiska iyo tamashluhuba noogu tooseen.


    Anagoo aanan weli ka xiisadhicin madashii toolmoonayd, ayaannu cagajiid kaga soo kacnay. Aniga iyo saaxiibkay, Safiir Mohamed Cawil, ayaa gaarigayka wada saarnayn -anaa waday.

    In yar hadii aan wadada Garoowe u socota soo haynay, waxaa naga dabayimi gaari yar oo MARK-II ah, kaa oo si aan taxadar-layn wadada noogola dhaqmay, deedna si xawli nagu dhaafay.

    Jidgooyadii Rabaable ka so kaysay ayaa nala ku joojiyey. Askari ayaa iga codsay in aan gaari kasoo dago, aniga oo aan ka degin gaariga, ayaan askariga su’aallo weydiiyey. Durbaba, wiil baa gaarigayga soo dhinac istagay, oo yiri qaan baan kuu haystaa. Mar hadaan dhaqanka Soomaalida wax ka aqaan, wiilka kama waalin. Adeer, waa kaa taleefankaygu. Deedna isoo wac, malaha isagoo hubinaya taleefanka aan siiyey.

    https://ismailwarsame.blog/2019/06/25/wdm-camera-view-at-ceel-wacayseed-picnic/

    Ismail Warsame ismailwarsame@gmail.com
    https://ismailwarsame.blog
    @ismailwarsame

    SOMALILAND: DREAMS FOR BETTER DAYS IN OIL EXPLOITATION.

    Somalilandpress.com

    Somaliland: Ministry of Energy and Minerals concludes the third phase of Oil exploration activities in Sahil Region
    1h ago
    By Goth Mohamed Goth

    The Ministry of energy and minerals has official completed the third phase of the oil exploration exercise in sahil region.

    MoEm and Ras al Khaimah Gas Company LLC (RAKGAS) jointly conduct the exercise in Sahil region.

    Mr. Abdurrahman Abdeeq muhumed, the director general in the ministry of energy and mineral resources accompanied by other top officials in the ministry toured Naqdhibiijo,Ceeldaanyeer,Biyolay Burco Kibir, and xidxid districts where exploration work has being going on for the past month.

    The director of oil department at the ministry energy and mineral resources Mr. Ahmed Iidaan Adam-adde said that the oil exploration exercises undertaking which takes time and after the completion of ground which we used seismic vehicles which are used in sending seismic waves into the ground and aerial exploration. After that we began the third phase that consists of soil sampling the results of which will be used to compile final reports on the findings of the exploration activities.

    The director general said, “Ministry of energy and mineral resources is playing her role to make sure all goes well as it is mandated by the President of the Republic of Somaliland to oversee this oil exploration exercise become a success. Secondly I would like to thank the local populace for their cooperation which has being vital for the work we have being doing in the area.

    “The extraction of oil will bring many benefits to country and much needed job creation, moves towards middle-income status, and delivers to the large majority of citizen’s significant economic, health and social benefits now and in the future”, He added.

    Mr. Sacad Essa , local administrator said , “I would like to use this opportunity to continue urge fellow Somaliland citizens to support this Ministry of energy and minerals and the government in its efforts to develop our natural resources that God endowed us with for the common good. No problems occurred during the duration of the work.

    The Sahil police boss said,” We urge our citizens to be patient in realizing our dream as a nation to become a country that benefits economically from its natural resources.

    Local elders said that they shall continue supporting the ministry of energy and minerals resources in its efforts.

    FORMER PRESIDENT FAROOLE’S NIGHT AT PRDC

    FORMER PRESIDENT FAROOLE’S NIGHT AT PRDC

     

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    Garowe, 23, 2019

    As a Keynote Speaker at PRDC TALKS event, Former Puntland President, Abdirahman Faroole and Senator of the Federal Upper Chamber, spoke candidly on many Somalia’s political issues of the day and during his Puntland Term in Office. The topic was Puntland transition to multi-party system of governance, or the process known here as democratization in Puntland, and hinted that it could be implemented in the country, given a genuine commitment on the part of the government of the day. He has rightly claimed that as he left office, all legal Framework and the Electoral Commission were in place for the next Puntland Administration to carry on and implement. Unfortunately, the following Administration of Abdiweli Gaas never tried to consider the project moving foward, a lost opportunity. The former Chairman of the Transitional (Temporary) Puntland Electoral Commission, the TPEC, Mr. Mohamed Hassan Shimbiro-laaye agreed with Faroole’s take of the political situation now and then. Shimbiro-laaye had asserted that multi-party elections couldn’t be held in the absence of commitment from the government.

    Neither President Faroole nor Shimbiro-laaye, had acknowledged the fact that, despite their great attempt at Puntland Democratization then, the trial failed at end because of their partial approach to holding the election and enlisting all government employees and resources into the political party of the establishment, the Horseed, and that eventually contributed to an atmosphere of suspicion and political violence as the Faroole Administration was publicly perceived to be manipulating the election to its own electoral advantage.

    At event, there was a consensus that timing was an important factor in making the necessary security and logistics preparations early on, rather than last minute rush on the process.

    The event was well organized and attended by a wide spectrum of politicians, intellectuals and women groups. The event got started with a series of visual documentary films on the milestones of the democratization process during President Faroole’s mandate before it hit the rocks. The films showed the process had secured the full support from the International community, the European Union (EU), in particular.

    President Faroole on the PDRC Mike. Watch him here live:

    Panel discussion

     

     

    https://ismailwarsame.blog
    @ismailwarsame

    WHAT IS THE ROLE OF PUNTLAND IN THE FEDERATION?

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    Should Puntland State, which has been the Pillar of Federalism and pioneer in building a new Somalia, behave like Galmudugh or Hirshabelle? Would it act as a secessionist like Northwest Regions (Somaliland). What makes it an important part of Somalia? Why it is not supporting the Federal Government openly by putting forward sound advices and workable strategies for interaction and cooperation with the other Member States? Has Puntland become an entity led by angry management team seeking little hand-outs from Mogadishu Regime, or would it be a leader with tremendous poitical and cultural influence in reviving the Failed State of Somalia, spear-heading towards building a strong, sovereign, proud and prosperous East African Nation, highly visible in the community of nations again?

    Puntland States needs a fresh look at itself. A lot of things went quite wrong from its foundation objectives and mission. One need to remind Puntland about the ownership of the Federal Government. Who owns it? Is Puntland State among the owners of the Federal Government, infact, the main share-holder of the Federation?

    Please pay attention to the way Puntland State of Somalia has been behaving for the past 11 years, acting as a recent junior member of a club.

    Come on, wake up to re-claim historical role and play your part in nation-building.

    https://ismailwarsame.blog
    @ismailwarsame

    DINNER BY MINISTER JUXA

    It was a great pleasure to be a part of a marvelous dinner hosted by H.E. Minister Abdi Farah Juxa, his wonderful Wife, Fadumo Muufo and the entire family last night at Grand Hotel in Garowe, in honor of a long time comrade and mutual friend, Mohamud Abdi Ali-Bayr and his son-Dr, Ahmed. Glad to note that Mohamud has finally come home. Congratulations!

    https://ismailwarsame.blog

    @ismailwarsame

    FLASHBACK: PUNTLAND PRESIDENT, THE MICRO-MANAGER

     

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    While it is absolutely necessary for Puntland President, Abdiweli Gaas, to support the state institutions and regional self-governing bodies, what he is doing now in Galkayo definitely falls under the mandate of the Local Government.

    His current visit to the City of Galkayo is long overdue and his effort now is too little too late. Instead of using the opportunity to announce a major strategic Puntland State policy on GalMudugh, respect for the Federal Constitution, the New Deal and Somalia Vision 2016, he has opted for diverting people’s concerns on these issues to dismantling City dwellings and displacing IDPs in the town, while at the same time the most illegal occupation of the Old Galkayo City by the residents of Baraxley still remains intact and unattended. The President seems to have no stomach to follow up his orders in reversing the illegal expansion, or to use the Somali term “Udub Riixxa” Baraxley.

    The Presidential visit to Mudugh becomes a public relations exercise and detraction from the pressing fundamental issues of Puntland State, in general and Mudugh, in particular. What he is micro-managing in Galkayo now he could have easily done as well from his office in Garowe.

    Instead of coming down there to visit with a major policy shift announcement in the light of latest difficulties with the Mogadishu Government and its flagrant violations of the Constitution and multiple accords with Puntland State, he becomes a busy body in municipality issues.

    Puntland people should be asking President Abdiweli Gaas serious questions as to why Puntland’s series of “Agreements” with the Federal Government were not respected and what he was doing about it; What the future holds for Puntland State in Somalia amid its marginalization of its historical leading role by the fledgling Government of President Hassan Sh. Mohamud. And these are are just a few of the deep concerns people of Puntland have about Abdiweli’s leadership and his abilities to do his job as the President of the First Pillar State of Somalia’s Federalism.

    One of these grave concerns is the disturbing absence of transparency in the operations of his Office and Government. There are persisting speculations that things are always done behind closed doors. Equally suspicious is the fact that the President has yet to articulate Puntland State clear position on the latest political developments in and about Somalia.

    Escalating Puntland insecurity and threat to its stability from extremists all the way to the United Nations Security Council (see recent UN Resolution) to authorise deployment of AMISOM troops without informing his Cabinet and debate in Puntland Parliament is a serious and an impeachal act bordering on treason. These AMISOM troops will be definitely Ethiopians occupying parts of Puntland territory and some cities. Because of this, people of Puntland have legitimate right to be gravely concerned.

    By Ismail H. Warsame

    E-mail: ismailwarsame@gmail.com

    Twitter: @ismailwarsame

    Addendum: One of the main reasons why President Abdiweli Ali Gaas could not come out forcefully against the Federal Government violations of the Constitution and its partial involvement in Galmudugh formation is believed to be that he had been deeply compromised during his tenure as the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government. Much of the scribblings in the Constitution were done under his watch, according to reliable sources. He cannot talk and defend himself on those issues now as the President of Puntland.

    REFLECTIONS

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    By Ismail H. Warsame

    President Gas of Puntland is politically isolated within a short time into his mandate and  has lost touch with reality in both Puntland and larger Somalia. Despite his continuous travels and repeated tours in some parts of the country, while intentionally avoiding some regions, including those regions considered his political power-base, yet being highly visible in receptions at Villa Garowe with Somalia’s International Partners.

    This self-imposed political isolation and complacency is due to the following blunders of his making:

    1. The President chose to surround himself at the State House with young novices as his key advisors, who neither have the political skills, education, nor the experience of working in any region of Somalia, not to mention about having slightest field work experience in Puntland State of Somalia.

    2.The President is incapable of gauging the mood and the feeling of ordinary men and women towards his leadership performance in terms of the economy, public order and personal safety.

    3. State employees, including security forces are not paid for months after months, often triggering off threatening periodical mutiny of forces, ensuing dangerous security situation, and creating an atmosphere of growing popular deep discontents. The President does not treat this precarious situation as a national emergency and priority number one for the very survival and unity of Puntland.

    4. The President  is in a state of “a know-it-all“  mind, a superficial Ivory Tower Attitude, devoid of any real and on-the-ground political context and smart understanding of current dismal economic and geo-political situation of Puntland.

    5. The President clearly enjoys hosting high-level delegations, who continually jet in and out of Puntland with no benefits to deliver to the State, even a small budgetary support for the security sector engaged daily with extremists and militants-the very forces that enabled the so-called “international Partners” to have trouble-free discussions with Puntland authorities inside the country to show-case their engagements with Somalia, and thus defuse the concerns of their generous Donor countries. Rather than demanding reciprocity, the President is enticed with diplomatic niceties, empty, and meaningless receptions in his Office. It is disturbing to see even junior NGOs officers being to driven to the State House rather letting them mind their own business with government ministers and departments concerned. One critical fact Abdiweli has to learn about these international organizations is that they are not accountable to anyone. As they are faceless, their promises and statements to their interlocutors mean nothing as they would never honour or deliver on their promises- a black hole that Puntland fell into recently. The President often gets busy himself with departmental tasks and mandates- an award tendency to a one-man show exercises.

    6. Under the fledgling leadership of President Abdiweli Ali (Gas), Puntland State has abandoned the on-going Somali National Debate on the re-institution and re-construction of the Somali Republic, along the Vision the State of Puntland has been fighting for nearly two decades.

    7. Worse of all, it seems that President Gas has no a vague idea of the Mission and Founding Objectives of Puntland State of Somalia. Probably, in his Ivory Tower vanity, he did not bother to browse thatHistoric document even briefly. Let us Paraphrase some highlights of these Guiding Principles for his benefit:

    a)  After many trials and failures of the National Reconciliation Conferences, it became obvious that Somalia could not be re-instated and re-constructed from the “Top-down”. It must be re-instated from “Bottom-up” by the formation of “Building Blocks” (Federal States) producing legitimate and representative leadership to discuss the future governance of Somalia.

    b) Puntland State of Somalia is founded with a vision to create an orderly, peaceful and democratic society with the marriage of traditional societal leadership with a modern and efficient administration of statecraft capable of delivering public services, working towards economic self-sufficiency and safe-guarding the security and unity of the State. Puntland State of Somalia is an integral part of Somalia, and would not entertain unilateral secession or independence as an option. Governance system and public institutions would continue to evolve and grow leading to further democratization process, population census, population disarmament, and building strong, credible and lasting public institutions.

    c) Puntland State was committed to taking the leadership role required to help credible and representative community leaders from various parts of Somalia engage in constructive dialogue in building constituent regions to form regional states on free will and voluntary basis. The people of Western Galgaduud Region of Central Somalia were invited and had free option to join Puntland State whenever they were ready. In this regard, Puntland would spear-head a National Reconciliation Process leading to the resolution of the legacy of the Civil War, deepening peace and restoring public trust again in a shared government and institutions.

    d) Puntland State of Somalia would promote peace and good neighbourliness among the peoples of East Africa, and with Somali neighbour states, in particular.

    Based on the narrative above and serious issues raised therein, how does the “scoreboard” of Dr. Gas stacks? If you live in Puntland State, or closely follow its “state of the union” today, you have every reason to worry about where the country is heading. Besides the economic calamities besetting the people of Puntland, there is strong lack of political leadership and direction. President Abdiweli Ali (Gas) is now in a political trap designed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud’s faction in Mogadishu, to politically isolate Puntland, on the one hand, and destabilize it in the Central Somalia front, while welcoming and approaching Somaliland encouragingly. That is on the top of the political Puntland headache on threats to its unity and Sool and Sanaag issue.

    It takes leadership to acknowledge one’s mistakes, ask for advice, and listen to the concerns of one’s own constituency attentively. Would he?

    Puntland Cabdiwali

    Ismail H. Warsame

    E-mail: ismailwarsame@gmail.com

    Gaas Puntland