The big drop in stats early in March indicates the time when WDM was scaled down or closed to subscription for editorial reasons.
WDM STATS IN MARCH 2021
Author: warsame digital media
About the blogger:
This blog is associated with the former Chief of Staff in Puntland State Presidency, 1998-2004. He also worked with the UN and World Bank Joint Secretariat for Somalia’s Re-construction and Development Program (RDP), 2005-2006, as a Zonal Technical Coordinator for Puntland and later as National Aid Technical Coordinator with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and European Union. He is now an independent political analyst and commentator on current issues and occasionally gives historical perspective on modern Somalia’s politics. He lives and works in Toronto, Canada. He can be reached at: ismailwarsame@gmail.com
SOMALIA V KENYA ON THE MARITIME DISPUTE
COVID-19 3RD WAVE IS MORE DEADLY
COVID-19 3RD WAVE IS MORE DEADLY
Saudi Arabia locked down, no flights in and out
TANZANIA total lockdown.
BRAZIL plunges into its deadliest chapter.
SPAIN has declared an emergency extendable until March 2021
UK announced one-month lockdown
FRANCE 2 weeks
GERMANY for 4 weeks
ITALY also followed today.
ALL these countries have confirmed that the THIRD WAVE is more deadly than the first So we have to be very careful and Take All Precautions.
Please become a communicator of the Alert among friends and family … SAVE EVERYONE YOU CAN FROM THE THIRD WAVE.
We can’t take the 2nd LOCKING PHASE AS IF NOTHING HAS HAPPENED …
History tells us that the 3rd wave is more dangerous than the 1st, as was the case from 1917 to 1919 with the Spanish flu. Millions of people died.
Protect yourself and your family.
Stay safe, wear a mask, keep social distance.
- COVID-19
__
DO NOT keep this information to yourself, share it with your family and friends.
WDM SUBSCRIPTIONS
WDM EDITORIAL
A FLIGHT TO NOWHERE, A STORY ABOUT REPATRIATION OF SOMALI GOVERNMENT BACK TO SOMALIA
A FLIGHT TO NOWHERE, A STORY ABOUT REPATRIATION OF SOMALI GOVERNMENT BACK TO SOMALIA
I was not in that flight to Jowhar in that early evening when planes couldn’t land there. But, I was in Nairobi, communicating on Thuraya satphone with Mayor of Jowhar, Mohamed Habeeb (Mohamed Dheere), throughout the evening. Dheere had been arranging enough cars with headlights blazing to light up the entire runway. I agree it was a risk flight too. There was no way Yusuf could return to Kenya as he was deemed extra burden on Kenyans having two presidents in town, blocking their streets traffic when moving around. Remember at time no aircraft could land in any of Somali airports, perhaps, Hargeisa ( I am not so sure), which was no go for Yusuf.
It was a mistake done by the organizers of the President’s trip to Jowhar, making such a delay to fly into Jomo Kenyatta Airport. I could confirm President Kibaki had been at Airport throughout the day with Yusuf, waiting for that flight to take the later to Somalia. Why such a delay had occurred? Later I learned that a merchant of Qat had persuaded the trip organizers that he would pick up Yusuf in the same day after he transports Qat to Somalia. Such a mess and poor judgment. Also recall I was not with TFG at the time. In fact, I was communicating with Mohamed Dheere on the trip on my own to help out. It was me who informed Dheere that the President’s plane had landed in Djibouti, to his much needed relief.
( Above is a cartoon by Penknife, Sunday Nation on the occasion. It is dated June 19, 2005. I have been keeping it in possession since then). In the Cartoon President Kibaki of Kenya saying bye bye, you overstayed here. No home in exile! Also shown in the cartoon are members of the newly established Transitional Federal Parliament beating each other with hotel chairs)
PS: At the time, there was no AMISOM and no international community presence in Mogadishu, only mob rule by the Union of Islamic Courts and rebel warlords, who were paradoxically members of Yusuf’s government. UIC and portion of the warlords re-united to oppose the repatriation of the Somali government.
(This article was updated since posting).
In Bad Faith Bordering On Lunacy
WDM EDITORIAL
Mr Mohamed Abdullahi (FARMAAJO) must see the writing on the wall.
There is no way for him to continue squattering in Villa Somalia with no legitimacy to be there. It is, in fact, shameless not to feel the gravity of the political situation he and his country are in, given what had transpired in Somalia for more than three decades of unrest, civil war and statelessness. Only a fool ignores the recent history of Somalia’s state failure and mahem its poor people endured and went through. I still believe that it isn’t too late yet for FARMAAJO to put everything on the table by giving up any notion to cling to the presidency, and behave like an outlaw in the eyes of the people of Somalia and international community at large.
Those supporting Mr Farmaajo for whatever reasons or motivation they may have, are accomplices in illegalities and disservice to the nation.
The voices of Somalia’s international partners and friends of Somalia must be heard loud and clear that they won’t be pushed around to participate in lawlessness and power grab by any means necessary, including total disregard of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
The leaders of the Federal Member States must feel the historical weight on their shoulders before the people of Somalia and world community. The country can’t tackle with extremists, poverty, diseases and ignorance, while there are no responsible authorities to guide and lead a collective response to the challenges of the time.
The political grilock and electoral impasse must be broken immediately, and fair, free and inclusive elections be held to produce legitimacy of the governors and consent of the governed.
US POSITION ON ELECTORAL IMASSE IN SOMALIA
The United States is deeply concerned by the electoral impasse in Somalia, which is creating political uncertainty that threatens security, stability, and development in the country. We call on Somalia’s federal and member state leaders to set aside narrow political objectives, uphold their responsibilities to the people of Somalia, and agree to immediately hold transparent and inclusive elections.
Somalia Should Hold Elections Immediately
ABSENCE OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS IN PUNTLAND
Somali poem on the diaspora plight
Ismail Warsame: December 2012
ICJ TO START DELIBERATIONS ON MARITIME DISPUTE
HOW THE CURRENT SOMALIA’S POLITICAL IMPASSE WAS CREATED.
The Federal Government of Somalia had created the political and electoral impasse in the country. How?
One should read this article to understand how the Administration of Farmaajo-Khayre policies had created a situation that fundamentally reversed the democratic trend along which Somalia was expected to move forward: https://ismailwarsame.blog/2019/09/26/nn-political-roadmap-discovered-read-this-article-for-free/
The Federal Government has been engaged in a vicious campaign of dismantling the Federal Member States, putting in their places centrally approved governors, all with the intention of returning to power through sham elections in 2020-2021. This policy started with the forceful installation of Laftagaren in Southwest State, followed by Qoor Qoor of Galmudugh and Guudlaawe of Hirshabelle.
The political atmosphere so artificially and illegally created had set in a polarizing effect, the resolution of which will make or break Somalia. Add to this, multiple attempts were also made by the Federal Government to destabilize and marginalize Puntland and Jubaland in order to depose their leaders, Deni and Madoobe, as well. That is why Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has difficulties with them today in a political deadlock nobody knows how it would end up.
It is solely the position and actions of the Federal Government that had led to this dangerous political paralysis and gridlock. In a scenario worse than that of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who spent half of his four-year stint fighting against the establishment of Jubaland State, Farmaajo has lost his own presidential legitimacy fighting for gaining absolute power by trying to destroy Somali federal structure. Farmaajo has succeeded in disabling all branches of the federal Government ( Parliament, Judiciary and Cabinet). We will watch out who blinks first. But, let us hope best for Somalia.
http://Amazon.com/author/ismailwarsame. Since you are here, support Free Press WDM for better Somalia. Send in your subscription of $37 a year to keep this blog running. Sahal Account 496091 or e-Dahab Account 77731) Tel: +252 703 4081.
Annual subscription
$37.00
(This article has been updated since posting).
Opinion: Tanzania’s Magufuli was both revered and reviled
By Mohammed Khelef with DW
Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli has died after weeks out of the public eye. He will we be remembered for reasons both good and bad, says DW’s Mohammed Khelef.
Tanzania’s government says President John Pombe Magufuli died as a result of a heart condition. POLITICS | 17.03.2021
Opinion: The mystery of Africa’s missing president
This follows weeks of speculation that his absence from public view would prove to be as ironic as it was tragic: that having ignored and laughed in the face of international guidelines published by the World Health Organization (WHO), the 61-year-old might have contracted COVID-19 himself.
Whatever the cause of death, his passing highlights the painful division that runs through the heart of Tanzania.
Many people sincerely believe President Magufuli was truly the best leader Tanzania ever had, tackling issues at every imaginable level of government. Many others think he was the worst president possible, crushing human rights and intimidating those who spoke against him.Advertisementhttps://5d49d3da3cb8a7f09165713ba9a08395.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
Riding these two extremes was a talent that Magufuli knew how to use to his advantage.
The Magufuli brand of politics
Magufuli came to power in 2015 following a campaign in which he had declared war on corruption. Upon his victory, his supporters were quick to elevate him to the level of a savior sent to save their nation — despite the fact that the election win did not exactly come as a surprise since his Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), party or its political predecessor, has been ruling Tanzania since the country’s independence in the early 1960s.
But part of the reason why Magufuli attracted so much attention was the fact that he managed to quickly establish his own brand of governance.
Magufuli used and misused the country’s constitution repeatedly to achieve his ends, even if that meant endangering lives and livelihoods. It doesn’t take a legal eagle to suggest that he singlehandedly managed to turn the presidential institution into something rather akin to a monarchy within a few short years, though many experts have indeed supported this view.
A new age in Tanzanian politics
Magufuli ultimately built the Tanzania he wanted. He and his appointees within the government and his party even took to using the term “Magufuli’s Tanzania” — and they certainly meant it.
Instead of seeking consensus and compromise, Magufuli stood out for his dominating style of leadership, issuing commands and orders to those seen not to comply.
To his credit, his system worked — to some extent: there were several occasions on which he proved he could solve challenges big and small in almost an instant. He soon became known as a man who put his money where his mouth is — even though that money wasn’t always his to spend.
Government by the people, of the people — but for the people?
Magufuli knew how to sell that brand to the people: Once he was seen handing money to a woman whose pastry business had reportedly gone bankrupt. On other occasions, he would have directors of public bodies fired if those on the lower echelons of the ladder had filed complaints. His every move was an extension of his election and reelection campaign, making him a uniquely hands-on leader in the African context.
Within a few short years, he had become the problem-solver-in-chief, with people from all backgrounds approaching him to sort issues out for them. He took his popularity and turned it into populism.
Not only did Magufuli appear to distrust those working for him and under him, he also got much of the populace to follow his authoritarian style. Public harassment, humiliation and threats became common methods in dealing to those that Magufuli deemed to be in the wrong — and many citizens believed him and followed their leader, as true to his brand, everything was reportedly done for them.
Between Magunomics and Magucracy
Despite his questionable leadership, Magufuli will be associated with the construction of major infrastructures in Tanzania — such as the Central Railway Project, the Stiegler’s Gorge Dam, and the completion of some projects that had been started during past administrations. His aggressive way of getting things done was frequently referred to as Magunomics — especially by those who benefited from his actions.
But the other side to Magufuli that many did not like — Magucracy — will equally be remembered as part of his legacy; being laws, regulations and even the constitution to pursue his own ends while promoting this as the public good.
Some people saw through his deceit and turned against him; but many Tanzanians continued to support the president who would ban opposition parties from holding rallies between election seasons; the leader who banned pregnant girls from school after giving birth; the head-of-state who was happy to ignore international protocol in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.447.1_en.html#goog_38946235 02:10 mins.DW NEWS | 03.02.2021
Tanzania: No plans in place to accept COVID-19 vaccines
Healing divisions
In the immediate aftermath of Magufuli’s death, there will be public mourning and grief for the president; but as far as his longer term legacy goes, there will likely be tears for entirely different reasons.
Magufuli will also be remembered as the president who shut down the media, threatened journalists, detained the rich, activists and politicians, charging them with economic crime cases, as these are not bailable offences under Tanzanian law.
He was also the president who presided over the last two elections — local council elections in 2019 and the October 2020 general elections, both of which have been reported as being neither free nor fair. And in six short years, Magufuli turned Tanzania into little more than a single political party state, where his ruling CCM party dominated more than 90% of seats in public offices.
Admired to the same degree as he was disliked, Magufuli leaves a behind a country that has to find its identity again in the absence of its divisive leader.
Judging by his legacy, this might not be a bad
THE RUMOURS
Political rumours are past time and way of life in societies lacking freedom of the media and strong public institutions. In these societies, there is no way of knowing the truth; no public access to information; no means of verifying the validity of rumours, and since they are informal means of communication, everyone uses them […]
THE RUMOURS
ON ICJ FINAL PUBLIC HEARING
SOMALI EXTREMIST MILITANTS WON’T ATTACK MOGADISHU SEAPORT AND AIRPORT. WHY?
Annual Subscription
$37.00
ABSENCE OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS IN PUNTLAND
The establishment of professional associations, cooperative societies and firms would take off heavy burden on the government and would make lives and livelihoods much easier.
The creation of professional societies is as important as democratization process in Puntland. It even makes democratization process easier and more organized. It is time for Puntland to think strategically about state and societal development. We need men and women to think daily on those lines and advise the authorities.
But, all these efforts would be in vain, if political leaders are not trained to listen to new ideas and ready to be challenged for their own personal growth.
These organizations don’t need government funding. They would operate on their own budget through levies of fees from their membership, fees for services and grants from the public and government.
Postscript: As a support for the contents of this article and in response to its posting, here is a statement by a professional CPA and Licensed Auditor , Ali H. WARSAME, on the issue:
“On my personal experience, when I became Minister of Education [Puntland] on Feb. 2014, I was informed that one of the vital educational institutions, namely Garowe Teacher Training College, was suspended from funding previously provided by SIDA of Swedish Government through Diakonia, due to audit noncompliance. The institution was literally grounded due to that sanctioning. I read the report first and I immediately recognised that the noncompliance was not a “material misstatement” to warrant such a drastic measure from the funder. I requested audience in Nairobi to meet Diakonia team and management. I first stated my professional background as a certified accountant and licensed auditor. Then I confidently explained to the team what went wrong and although it’s a misstatement, it doesn’t qualify to the level of sanctioning because it’s not “material”. In addition to that, I promised to follow up the misstatement to be rectified, reorganise & restructure the Board of Directors to contain at least 1 qualified professional accountant, change the finance director and give the director of the institute one-year conditional contract to make sure that he understands the situation. I did leave the meeting with full restoration of the funding and appreciation”
Sorry! This product is not available for purchase at this time.
Watch “ICJ Public Hearings about Maritime Dispute (Somalia v. Kenya) – Part 3 – Badda Soomaaliya” on YouTube
BIDEN-PUTIN NEW TENSE RELATIONS
Biden Agrees Putin Is Killer, Says He’ll Pay Price for Meddling https://ground.news/article/c0e38d89-630e-49a4-8993-742cf0e972f6
THE RUMOURS
Watch “What Qanon Follower REALLY Believes” on YouTube
DON’T EXPECT OTHER NATIONS TO DO SOMALIA’S BIDDING
When the State of Israeli was being established in the Middle East in 1948, drawing in Jewish communities from all over the world, they asked themselves one fundamental question for the success of the State: Who is going to do the hard work of building up that State, and make it sustainable in the face of Arab onslaught?
The answer was, “we the Jews”.
In pursuit of this objective, every Jew became the Jack of all trades – the professor became a labourer, farmer, construction worker, teacher, soldier etc. As Israel developed with confidence in their people, they became smarter to use Arab labour for hire. This is how the State of Israeli was built. Any extra assistance from Europe and USA was considered a God-sent and wasn’t relied upon.
The story of Israeli State is reminder and lesson for all Somalis, leaders in particular, on the importance national self-reliance and self-respect. No other countries or organisations will do Somalia’s bidding for continued survival, safeguarding of its sovereignty and success as a nation-state.
So, stop the childish behaviour and mundane existence in running Somalia. We aren’t interested in one man’s personal name or leadership without making it sure that he/she is servant of the people of the people of Somalia, and that we must have a mechanism in place to change leaderships at all levels of public endeavors whenever we feel that they aren’t up to the job.
Since you are here, support Free Press WDM for better Somalia. Send in your subscription of $37 a year to keep this blog running.
Annual subscription
$37.00
Unforgettable
by The Mind of RD REVILO
- January Sixth, a Date That Will Live In Memory
- As December seventh will live in infamy
- It Blew And It Was Dangerous Too
- Emotional the feeling of an election stealing
- Sent government reeling
- Or was it staged, a play
- Because so many felt that way
- Their leader, the president
- Implied they had his consent
- That he would lead the way
- But back to the white house he went
- The revolution he watched on TV
- They were going to hang Mike Pence
- Trump, glad that wasn’t me
- They were angry their representatives ran
- They wanted them fight, take a stand
- They felt, what do we have to lose
- If we can’t elect the president we choose
- The new man for hire
- Unity he would aspire
- But when we the people feel he is the enemy
- His solution, stimulus money
- He threw about trillions
- But that won’t satisfy the millions
- Who feels he is illegit
- That he is inept and should quit
- He won’t answer questions from the press
- Which strongly suggests
- That he is not fit to hold office
- These admonitions or admissions
- Cannot be concealed forever
- For presidents go on trips
- They meet with world leaders
- Who measure their leadership
- Can he be left alone to negotiate
- With Putin or Xi
- Have the nerve to attack Iran
- Maintain the drug business in Afghanistan
- Is he the ruler or ruled by committee
- Is he the master or slave of the intelligence community
- A community that attend a small circle of colleges and universities
- A community of intra bred families
- Trump dissed them
- To the point he dismissed them
- Kennedy was going to smash them into a thousand pieces
- Just before he died, these people instigate wars
- And can cause national suicide
- If Biden doesn’t open is eyes wide
- The British, America’s sunny day pal
- Thought they were invincible
- Until the crisis of the Suez Canal
- Bad intel and the crown fell
- If the intelligence community
- Is now running the country
- Are we in store
- For war after war
- Kaddafi, Saddam Hussein, Manuel Noriega Ayatollah of Iran
- They can create any strong man
- Can Biden render the strength to command them
- Will he seek their counsel or be under their control
- Will the future be unforgettable as sung by Nat King Cole…RD(Revilo)
A QUESTION IN CANADA PARLIAMENT BY HON. HUSSEN AHMED
KENYA’S NEW REQUEST TO ICJ
It is obvious that Kenya felt its maritime dispute with Somalia had no solid legal foundation. Kenya’s claim was based on deception and fraudulent misrepresentation of Somali position and documents such as the infamous MOU with Somalia, treating and submitting it as binding agreement between the two countries. Kenya claims also Somalia’s “Acquiescence” to Kenya’s unilateral claim to the disputed area of the ocean, saying falsely Somalia never refuted Kenya’s declaration on maritime boundary delimitation. Now Kenya’s withdrawal from the oral arguments before ICJ is strategic -Kenya is trying to rob legitimacy from ICJ potential ruling in favor of Somalia. Kenya decided to prolong its claim and fight on by other means, legal and non-legal. The ICJ ruling will not be the end of this dispute, I think. However, businesses and international firms will not risk their investments in parts of the Indian Ocean claimed by Kenya, after ICJ ruling in favor of Somalia. Somalia’s Team has been historically strong since the beginning of the case at ICJ.
Whatever the case, it is the people of #Somalia vs #Kenya at #ICJ, represented by their government of the day, whether it is #N_N, #M_Farmaajo or someone else. All Somalis support #M_Farmaajo in this challenging national case to repulse infringement against our sovereignty.
Just to make it clear to everybody to understand, Mahdi Guled, as a head of Somali government delegation was at ICJ to express the official view of the government and to explain to the Court the frustrations they had in negotiations with Kenya to reach at amicable solution to the boundary delimitation issue, and therefore the reasons that compelled Somalia to resort to international arbitration through the ICJ. I believe he has conveyed Somalia’s case well.
http://Amazon.com/author/ismailwarsameSince you are here, support Free Press WDM for better Somalia. Send in your subscription of $37 a year to keep this blog running. Sahal Account 496091 or e-Dahab Account 77731) Tel: +252 703 4081.
Annual subscription
$37.00
(This article has been updated since posting).
A LETTER OF APPRECIATION
Dear WDM reader,
As your payment of WDM Subscription is received, you will get a personalized Letter of Appreciation, which reads:
Dear reader,
Thank you very much, indeed, for being our valued digital subscriber. Please, welcome on-board!
We are pleased to inform you that your subscription is good for one full year, starting from the day of your subscription. We are happy to serve you as our valued reader.
Congratulations on your wise decision on WDM subscription as our valued reader! We appreciate your membership and look foward to your feedbacks in the future as we move forward together to a better world of enlightenment and positive critical analysis.
With the compliments of
Warsame Digital Media WDM,
Contact Person:
Ismail H. Warsame
Ismailwarsame@gmail.com
@ismailwarsame
WDM SUBSCRIPTIONS
Dear WDM reader,
Do you intend to continue reading WDM articles and feature stories on Somalia? Subscribe to WDM to be delivered into your WhatsApp number instantly as every article is posted.
Send $37 for one year subscription to:
Sahal Account 496091 or e-Dahab Account 77731) Tel/WhatsApp/Acct :+252 90 703 4081.
Another payment option: Pay with PayPal at ismail@ismailwarsame.blog
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER GULED ON SOMALIA’S POSITION ON ITS MARITIME DISPUTE WITH KENYA
Photo from Ismail Warsame
Who can tell the spot, location and which part of Somalia is it? That vehicle is one of the car pool I had hired for the JNA studies for Somalia’s Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) in 2005. The spot is located at GeelDoora Mountain in Calmadow in Sanaag. It takes six hours to cross from LasQoray on the Red Sea for a distance of less than 6 Kms.
This study a (synthesis of Puntland, Somaliland and South-central Somalia Needs Assessment Studies) had culminated in and used in the so-called “The New Deal” for Somalia, which was signed in Brussels during the stint of former Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
This study came up with two billion dollars to be raised from donor community in a Conference somewhere in Europe on Somalia’s initial reconstruction needs as TFG was proclaimed in October 2004.
KENYA WITHDRAWS FROM ICJ ORAL ARGUMENTS WITH SOMALIA
THE NEW SOMALI LANGUAGE OF THE YOUNG GENERATION
First of all, they are distinctly known for ignoring the grammar rules, particularly in removing the long vowels in words, making their written expressions ineligible. They write garowe, galkacayo, bosaso, jeriban, ahmed, Ismacil, in small initial capital letters for proper names. Secondly, they are generally fond of passive voice sentences like “wa la dhameyey, cano ku weyday, calosha ku caxanuntay, xogba lo shegtay. One would wonder whether these are Somali words. This is happening, I guess, for two reasons:
- It is the use of the smartphones for short-hand communication.
- It is the result of poor education in Somali schools or even lack of schooling.
When I returned to Puntland from a life of diaspora, I had decided to acquire a new Puntland driving license, although not necessarily required here or strictly enforced to have one, to be on the road driving, a dangerous situation. I went to the Ministry of Public Works in Garowe, to get a replacement of my foreign driving license. Guessing that I was a new face in town, they decided to exort some extra money for “lunch” from me beyond the required fee, thus demanding to conduct a driving test. Surprisingly, one of the questions they asked me in Somali was: ” No sheg shanta walalaha e gariga” (tell us the five brothers of the car). How would you answer such a question?
I heard some noises coming from the steering wheel of my vehicle the other day. I drove to a repair autoshop nearby to sort out the noise issue. The repairman, a man in his late thirties checked it out. He reported to me in Somali, “ciladu garigu wa bada” (your car has sea problem). I never understood an iota of what he was saying. When I asked him to explain what he meant, he had made it even more confusing. I gave up understanding him. Would he be able to fix the problem? Yes, he could and he did it.
http://Amazon.com/author/ismailwarsame.
Since you are here, support Free Press WDM for better Somalia. Send in your subscription of $37 a year to keep this blog running. Sahal Account 496091 or e-Dahab Account 77731) Tel: +252 703 4081.
Annual subscription
$37.00
Photo from Ismail Warsame
http://Amazon.com/author/ismailwarsame.
Since you are here, support Free Press WDM for better Somalia. Send in your subscription of $37 a year to keep this blog running. Sahal Account 496091 or e-Dahab Account 77731) Tel: +252 703 4081.
Annual subscription
$37.00
TEA-TABLES ALSO SERVE AS ABLUTION SPOTS IN MOST HOTELS IN GAROWE
Right now, sitting at a tea-table opposite mine is a former minister of Puntland State, who is using a plastic bottle of water washing himself in preparation for Maqrib prayer in one of premium hotels in Puntland Capital City. Momentarily, I felt the temptation for advising him not to do it here. As I had a bowl of mixed fruits, I noticed that the waiter didn’t bring me napkins. Instead of waving up for a waiter to bring me some, I stood up to look for them on other tables in the hotel lobby. I located a bundle on a table in some distance. Again and surprisingly, at that table there was a young man of about 25 years of age, engaged in washing his bodies in the act of hurrying up to prayers. The practice is now a common sight in most Garowe hotels at call for prayers from numerous mosques in town, and most probably, in other establishments elsewhere in the State. Talk now about the necessary 3WWWs ( Wash your hands, Wear a mask and Watch your social distance) in this era of COVID-19.
This untraditional and unhealthy new misconduct and antisocial behavior of using hotel lobbies for washing one’s limbs has to stop immediately.
City governments in Puntland State should have a word with owners and hotel managers to curtail this bad and unhygienic practice.
http://Amazon.com/author/ismailwarsame.
Since you are here, support Free Press WDM for better Somalia. Send in your subscription of $37 a year to keep this blog running. Sahal Account 496091 or e-Dahab Account 77731) Tel: +252 703 4081.
Blind, Elderly And Displaced Couple Begging For Food In Abudwaq
9 March 2021 – Source: Radio Ergo – AMISOM MONITORING SERVICE
Fadumo Mohamed Gelle and her husband, Ali Hussein, both blind, elderly, and displaced, have been forced to beg in the streets of the central Somali town of Abudwaq, after losing their lifeline support that used to be sent by a relative abroad. The couple depended on US $100 sent monthly by their nephew, the son of Ali’s brother, who was working in Kenya until April 2020, when he was laid off due to COVID19 and could no longer send money. “We get between US $1-$3 on good days, which we use to buy milk and sugar that we feed on for that day. Other times when we are sick, we stay home,” said Fadumo, who is guided by her grandson when she goes out. The couple lives in Salaam IDP camp, on the outskirts of Abudwaq in Galgadud region. They are also worried about the seasonal rains that are expected to start in April, as they are living in a flimsy hut made of grass that cannot withstand the rain.
As many as 750 families in Salaam camp are facing food and water shortages, with 150 of them dependent on small remittances and donations from charity organisations, as well as local casual labour jobs, that have disappeared as a result of the pandemic. Sahra Abdi Samatar, a mother of eight, depended on US $150 a month sent by her brother-in-law in the United States to support her family. But for the past seven months he has not sent anything. As she gets nothing in the camp, she now survives on dry food she begs from the shops in Abudwaq town. “We survive on one meal a day. Before, we used to cook three times, but since we stopped getting the money, we only make tea during the day and cook at night,” said Sahra, whose husband suffers from a mental health illness. Sahra’s brother-in-law and benefactor was a taxi driver in the US, where his work stopped following the upsurge of the COVID-19 outbreak there. Sahra said that COVID19 had disrupted the livelihood of her family and if their current situation persisted their lives would be miserable. “A relative has given me 10kgs of rice and sugar. We will eke that out until we get more food,” she said.
Those living in the camp who relied on small jobs have also suffered as COVID19 has resurged in Somalia. Abdi Mohamed Dahir earned a living washing cars, but since the new wave of the virus was reported in Somalia his business had dried up. “Car owners parked their cars at a specific spot where we washed them but now there are no cars. Everyone washes their car at home for fear of COVID19,” said Abdi. The chairman of Salaam camp, Indiriis Adan Abdulle, told Radio Ergo that he had formed a committee of 11 people, who are going round the camp helping needy families by providing them with cooked food contributed by others in a better situation. He said organisations had issued aid cards but no food or cash or other assistance had been received for eight months.
PREDIDENT BIDEN: LEGISLATIVE LANDMARK IN THE USA.
IN MEMORY OF GENERAL JAMA MOHAMED GHALIB: THE COST OF DICTATORSHIP: A BOOK REVIEW
April 27, 2014
By Ismail Warsame
Although I heard about it and reminded myself, on several occasions, to have a look at it, I, finally, had the opportunity to read Ahmed Jama Mohamed Ghalib’s book, The Cost of Dictatorship, 1995 Edition. While I commend the author’s efforts to record his own experience with the extremely repressive regime he served loyally for such a long time, and although I am, perhaps, a bit sympathetic to his inclination to the Somali unity, I found the author’s account in the book full of historical distortions, perhaps with intended omissions of facts and extreme partiality towards forces that led to the removal of Siyad Barre military dictatorship.
Cost of Dictatorship_Ghalib. When I read Ghalib’s book I suddenly remembered one incident involving the author during the Somali National Reconciliation Conference in Mbagati, Kenya, 2002-2004. For whatever reasons Mr. Ghalib avoided Hargeisa even when it fell to the forces of Somali National Movement (SNM) he claims that he was the key man in Mogadishu at the time to support its armed struggle against Barre; the General remained connected to Mogadishu even after the collapse of the Somali State. Whatever role he played within the reign of Mogadishu Warlords and their struggle to finish one another, the General finally decided to act as an active member of the Mogadishu civil society politicized organizations. Because of external donors’ manipulations, these organizations became the most serious obstacle to the restoration and re-institution of the Somali state. One day in 2004 at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, the President of Uganda, Yoweri Musaveni, in his capacity as the Current Chairman of IGAD, and in an effort to reconcile severely opposing views and differences within the Somali parties at the Conference, met with predominantly members of the Mogadishu civil societies. During the briefings and discussions with M7 (Musaveni), a lady from Digil and Mirifle group, named Ms. Ardo, who later became a member of the Somali Transitional Federal Parliament, complained to Musaveni that the “warlords are giving no chance to anyone, including a claim to be members of the civil societies like my brother General Jama Mohamed Ghalib”. Ghalib was comfortably sitting there when President Musaveni looked at Ghalib and asked him,” aren’t you a General? What are you doing here?”
The point here is that General Ghalib can claim for himself any past societal status or role rightly or wrongly he so desires to be remembered of, but he cannot be allowed to distort modern history as we are all witnesses as well, and perhaps more informed than him with regards to the Somali movements established to fight against Barre Regime.
Let me set the record straight. The movements of SNM and USC that the esteemed General glorifies are nothing, but the work done by the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF) in its historical efforts to mobilize Somali masses against the military junta in Mogadishu. When some political leaders of prominently Issaks led by Mr Duqsi and Mr Jumcale, came to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and met with then leaders of the Somali Salvation Front (SSF), a successor of Somali Democratic Action Front (SODAF) in 1981, it was agreed to form a united front against the Regime. There was no SNM at that time. It was decided that Issaks had to organize themselves, either to join SSF individually and in groups, or to form their own movement with an intention to join forces later. The formation of SNM was announced in London, UK, in 1982 after SSF became SSDF with its merge with the Somali Communist Party led by Abdirahman Aidid, who was from Sool and Togdheer regions of Somalia, and Somali Workers’ Party led by Said Jama, hailing from North-western Somalia.
The SSDF sent a high level delegation composing of Mr. Jama Rabile Good (after he defected to SSDF) and Abdirahman Sugule Xaabsey to SNM leadership in London for unification talks. The SNM delegation led by the organization’s Secretary-General, Mr. Duqsi, came to meet with the SSDF leadership in Addis Ababa for unity talks. The talks continued for several weeks and ended in stalemate. The main reason for the failure of talks was the position of the SNM leaders that if they were to join with the SSDF, they might not secure the support of Issak masses as they were mostly bent to fighting against what they called southern domination. It was agreed that the SSDF, rich with Qadhafi money and huge and generous supply of modern arms, would bankroll the SNM and arm its forces for the next two years, or until the SNM could secure enough support from its own constituencies while the unity talks would continue in the foreseeable future. The SSDF shared its broadcasting radio studio, Radio Kulmis, and changed the name to Radio Halgan, the United Voice of the Somali Opposition. That cooperation continued through Sheikh Yusuf Madar/Issak/Habar-Awal until the SNM leadership of Col. Kosaar/Issak/Habar-Younis, who was assassinated, perhaps by Siyad Agents, in a Mustahiil (off Hiraan Region) SNM Military camp.
Ahmed Mohamed Silaanyo/Issak/Habar-Jeclo/Adan Madoobe was elected as Kosaar’s successor. The SSDF leadership ran into trouble with Mengistu Haile-Mariam. Then, the SSDF leader, Col Abdullahi Yusuf, was arrested by Mengistu because of serious political differences involving opposing national interests. There was a temporary lull in the activities of the SSDF. Then, the SSDF broke into two factions.
Jama Ghalib ignores the fact that the USC was a splinter group of the SSDF following the arrest of its leader in Ethiopia. The second and most influential figure in the USC leadership after General Aideed was the Late Mohamed Farah Jimcaale/Harbar-Gedir/Saad, a once Deputy Chairman of SSDF until General Aideed forced his way to remove Hussein Ali Shido/Harbar-Gedir/Suleiman with the support of Jimcaale at a militia camp at Somali – Ethiopian border. When General Aideed came to Ethiopia, in his initial attempt to remove Hussein Shido from the USC leadership, he was received by Mengistu. In that audience, Aideed requested for the release of Abdullahi Yusuf. Mengistu warned him not to try that again.
The trouble I have with Mr. Ghalib’s accounts is that he could know better, having a formal police and intelligence training–unless his intention is to distort facts—deny others of their historical role and glorify the works of yesterday’s political stooges of the hated regime. One should not stay with and serve a dictatorship for twenty-odd years, always in-waiting for an appointment to high office and higher promotion within the regime while claiming to be a staunch supporter of the opposition. You cannot be a police general and a member of the civil society at the same time!
In The Cost of the Dictatorship, Ghalib has no slightest fairness or guts to mention about the role of the first organized opposition to the Regime, The SSDF. Read and see his tendency towards not mentioning even once the name of its leader, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, while he glorifies the names and noble contributions of his colleagues, including himself, in the Regime of Siyad Barre. He is easily exposed, however, when he ignores the fact regarding the SNM that an organization does not fight for liberation and independence while at the same time installing yesterday’s political stooges and security agents of the dictatorship as its new leaders. It makes no sense.
I, therefore, strongly believe that there are many distortions and twisting of facts in Ghalib’s book, The Cost of Dictatorship. Some stories recounted in the book must be re-examined and verified as its author seems emotionally partial, accompanied with a motive, I suspect, to deny his role and responsibilities in the gross misconduct of Somalia’s affairs, horrendous abuses of power and human rights violations during the period the author served not his country, but Siyad Barre’s junta.
Having said that, I am, however, a bit inclined to agree with General Ghalib’s overall assessment of the extent and the irreversible damages Issak intellectuals had done to undermine the existence and vital national interests of Somalia’s state in their blind fight against Siyad Barre Regime or the “southern domination”. In that regard, I recall one painful expression or rather a question relayed to me in a conversation in Nairobi, Kenya, a few years ago, with Mr Mohamud Jama “Sifir”, a longtime employee of the UN about the extra efforts of these intellectuals have been exerting in destroying Somalia as we knew it: “Who will ever dig Somalia out of the deep hole of our own making?” Sifir told me that the question was raised by one of his colleagues as they assessed the tremendous damages done not only to Siyad Barre Regime, but to Somalia to a much greater extent, during their anti-regime campaigns in foreign and Western capitals within the international community. No wonder Somalia becomes too difficult to fix.
Ismail Warsame
http://Amazon.com/author/ismailwarsame. Since you are here, support Free Press WDM for better Somalia. Send in your subscription of $37 a year to keep this blog running. Sahal Account 496091 or e-Dahab Account 77731) Tel: +252 703 4081.
Annual subscription
$37.00
Warsame Policy & Media Network (WAPMEN) 
You must be logged in to post a comment.