PRESIDENT MOHAMUD’S GRUDGES AGAINST SOMEONE OR COMMUNITY GO ALL THE WAY TO APPOINTING ILHAN OMAR’S EX-HUSBAND

President Hassan Mohamud’s Villa Somalia seems to be engaged in a feud with someone or community hard to fathom. Multiple cabinet appointments he made recently to the ire of leaders of the Federal Member States look like he is picking a fight that seems to undermine their authorities. This kind of political shenanigans is called “Dagaal Shaanshiyeed in Somali language political jargon (an attack below the belt). Appointing the ex-husband of Ilhan Omar as his senior adviser without indicating any area of expertise is not only ethically wrong, but can also be interpreted as ill-motive on the part of the President.

Ilhan Omar is a powerful Representative from Minnesota’s 5th District Electoral Riding, who is serving in the US Congress Foreign Relations Committee, and she won’t tolerate such a problem children to harm Somali-US cooperation for peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

One would only speculate that the New Appointee will not conspire against the mother of his own kids. At the least that is the common sense, contrary to the motive of his new boss. Here, nobody is suggesting that Abdisalam has no rights and equal opportunity to get hired as a Somali citizen, but his political appointment as Mohamud’s Team Member sounds fishy to independent observers. Initial reports from persons familiar with or briefed on this appointment said that Abdisalam would be working on a government project involving inter-parliamentary relations with the US, a personal capacity too ambitious for him as he had had neither the connections beyond his ex-wife nor the experiences to deliver on such government mission.

Presidential Decree on the appointment of Ex-husband of Senator Ilhan Omar

MASSIVE POPULAR DEMONSTRATIONS IN SOMALILAND

Public demonstrations are taking place in all major towns of Somaliland. Violent clashes resulting at least three deaths in Hargeisa and Erigabo are confirmed by the police. Dozens were reportedly wounded. The issue is about which comes first, chicken or egg? Reform of political parties or holding presidential poll? Failing to reach consensus on the issue has led to this political confrontation between the Regime of President Muse Bihi Abdi and political parties.

The elephant in the room, however, is the fact that the Gooni-isu-Taagii Somaliland (secession or unilateral declaration of Somaliland independence) has come to a dead end. Diminishing returns for Somaliland “project” have led to the flight of thousands of Somaliland youth to either perish in the highest seas or move to other parts of larger Somalia, seeking livelihoods and opportunities.

President Muse Bihi behaves like inexperienced soldier playing with gun fire. He should be careful about initiating renewed clan wars in that part of Somalia.

SOMALIS ARE LUCKY STILL TO EXIST IN THE COUNTRY

A strange man, sitting across at my teatable, and suspecting I was from the diaspora, asked me the other day, “what is the strangest thing you noticed in Somalia since you came back?” That was a question I didn’t expect, and I must admit that I was almost helpless to come up with any response. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, I uttered an equally surprising answer: “Somalis don’t pay attention to studying and preserving their national heritage”. They seem to be borrowing lifestyles from the Arabs and West. He said that he didn’t look at Somali traditions and customs that way. A colleague of mine joined us right there at that moment and sat beside me. I informed him that the other gentleman sitting opposite us whom I met first time asked me what was the strangest thing I have noticed in Somalia lately. “Why didn’t you tell him that five livelihoods Somalis depend on are livestock, fish, frankincense, agriculture and environment. None of them constitute a priority for their care. Do you think Somalis will survive in the long-term?” My colleague lectured. I was dumbfounded to suddenly realize the fundamental fact exposed and how common sense it was.

Consider the facts that there were no vocational schools or colleges in fishery, livestock, frankincense, farming and the environment, critical areas of our survival in this country as human species. There are no records or historical references and statistics on these livelihoods for centuries.

The irony of our existence is how come we never consider this truth about our paradoxical existence? Is it too late to do something about it?

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are all wrong-headed in life. Let us seek salvation for our continued survival by paying more attention and care to our livelihoods.

Article: Donald Trump’s home raided by FBI agents

Donald Trump’s home raided by FBI agents https://f7td5.app.goo.gl/ZT1dfh Sent via @updayUK

HSM NEEDS TO LEARN THE ROPES OF DIPLOMACY

WDM EDITORIAL

You don’t go to visit a foreign country and start negotiations at the top as a Head of State or Head of Government. Instead, you send diplomats and subject-matter experts upfront to prepare and negotiate on behalf of your government. Then, the head of your government goes there for photo opportunity and signing ceremony. The 2nd option is to select respective teams to work out together the details of possible agreement upon arrival of the delegation for signature and joint press briefing by the heads of State or Heads of government. That is how it works and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud should abandon amateur foreign visits and adequately prepare before he leaps into diplomatic fiasco. Look at what had happened in Uganda only yesterday, with two Heads of State negotiating and washing their dirty linens in Public.

What is amazing to note here is that Mohamud and Museveni press briefing was about military and security situation in Somalia, an issue that should be kept close to chest. This is good news for the extremists and enemies of Somali peace and stability monitoring Mohamud’s hasty foreign adventures. To President Mohamud: If you are unable to learn and grow, don’t try to lead.

Watch: https://youtu.be/5x22ct9PFNg.

Postscript

Here we go again. Look carefully at this photo. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud meeting with US Defence Secretary Austin. On the Somali side, who is attending? His Chief of Staff and rightly the Somali Ambassador to Washington. But, what has happened to Mohamud’s security and military personnel? A Somali cameraman is out of place in this meeting. He shouldn’t be there. Mohamud is either doing these diplomatic and protocol irregularities intentionally, or he is damn inert to learn the art of diplomacy and statecraft. Why isn’t there the Somali Foreign Minister?

U.S. STRATEGY TOWARDS SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

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Article: War in Ukraine set to enter ‘new phase’ as Russian forces massing in south, UK says

War in Ukraine set to enter ‘new phase’ as Russian forces massing in south, UK says https://f7td5.app.goo.gl/Gf7bM9 Sent via @updayUK

PUNTLAND LEFT BEHIND IN EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES

WDM EDITORIAL

In an early article from this blog, https://ismailwarsame.blog/2022/07/31/the-bleak-situation-of-readership-in-somalia/, we articulated that people who don’t read isn’t only literally backward, but it is also safe to say that they will have no future because they will not only lose their freedoms, but also their country. Tell me any county of nomadic population, which had established a strong nation. You won’t find one. Why? Besides their backward ways of existence, they don’t go to school to learn new and modern ways to make societal progress?

Although Puntland education was lagging behind Mogadishu and Somaliland, we hear these days that even textbooks for students whose primary and secondary schools were historically struggling to stay open, are beyond reach of already poor purchasing power of these students and families. Certain social media and radio broadcasts are reporting stress signals and interviews from parents on the issue. Some even speculate that mercyless and politically connected Puntland merchants are exploiting the situation with sales offer of more than fifty US dollars a class. Such prizes even in rich countries are not acceptable.This is worse than loanshark business, taking advantage of poor and low income population. Health sector fares no better either with Puntland sick traveling long distances to Hargeisa, Mogadishu and beyond.

Puntland Government must step in to address the alarming state of affairs with education, health and other important social services sectors.

ETHIOPIA’S “BUFFER ZONE”FOREIGN POLICY THEORY TOWARDS FAILED STATE OF SOMALIA

“IT IS GRATIFYING TO LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO LEARN WHAT YOUR SEEMINGLY FRIENDS THEN WERE DOING OR UPTO“, Ismail Warsame

Seyoum Mesfin, the late long-serving Ethiopian Minister for foreign affairs and Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, and Abdeta Beyene, Executive Director of Ethiopia’s Center for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation (CDRD) and Director General of the same ministry, were people I knew and interacted with, as a member of the National Salvation Council (Sodare Group) 1996-1997, and as an official of Puntland Government (1998-2004). These two gentlemen authored an essay published in American Academy of Arts and Sciences (Daedalus) and called it “The Practicality of Living with Failed States“. The issue is mainly explaining Ethiopian foreign policy towards the “Failed State of Somalia”. The authors had extensively deliberated how Ethiopia has been infiltrating into and meddling in the internal affairs of Somalia, using the excuse of lack of capacity on the part of Somalia to maintain internal stability and security at its borders with other countries like Ethiopia and Kenya. The authors tried to broaden the concept of Ethiopian Foreign Policy intervention of “Buffer Zone” (areas of influence and proxies) establishment as an academic discourse worthy of publication in reputable journals.

What is particular interesting in this essay is the unexpected and frank exposure of Ethiopian Foreign Policy towards different state and non-state actors inside Somalia, some of which they had intentionally created and others so formed on their own to provide “Buffer Zone” for Ethiopia’s security against Alshabab and other extremist groups. In dealing with stateless Somalia, the terms of sovereignty and territorial intergrity had lost any constraints in the thinking of Ethiopian policy makers, and paradoxically suggest to the international community some lessons to learn from Ethiopian experiences outside the constructs of international law and relations. Because of the security threats to Ethiopia from Somali regions of Gedo, Bay and Bakool, through the use of extremists as launching areas for attacks against neighboring countries, they said Ethiopia had to occupy forcefully these regions and create proxies like Raxanweyn Resistance Army (RRA) and SNF, according to the paper by these men. In Mogadishu, they claimed that Ethiopian forces entered to wipe out Islamic Courts Union (ICU) after it had threatened Ethiopia, and to support the fledgling Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG). They also claimed that Ethiopian authorities helped Somali regional federal state in Central Somalia and South West after Ethiopia had benefitted from the security and stability in Puntland and Somaliland. They said, after some delay, Ethiopia helped Sunna Wal-Jamaac Group in its fighting with Alshabab, and to reconcile the group with Galmudugh authorities, which was treated as a buffer zone for Ethiopia.

The overarching objective of this exposition was to explain why Ethiopia was interfering in the internal affairs of Somalia, regardless of the letter and spirit of the International Law. Finally, they also asserted that Kenya was creating its own buffer zones with Somalia too, but unlike Ethiopia, Kenya was using Somali local Ogaden politicians to invade Jubaland. However, corruption had weakened Kenya’s efforts to manage its buffer zones successfully.

I would say, as a long time observer of this policy, there is nothing new here other than the frankness of the authors of this essay, for Ethiopia has been historically hell-bent to weaken and isolate Somalia from Emeror Menelik, onwards. Somali armed opposition fronts of SSDF, SNM, USC and others in the 1980s, were part of the proxies Ethiopia has been using, although to the opposition, there was no other option, but to work with the devil in order to get rid of Barre’s oppressive Military Regime in Mogadishu then.

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WHY HANDING POWER TO UNTESTED SOMALI POLITICIANS HAS BEEN THE DISASTER THE COUNTRY COULDN’T STAND ON ITS FEET FOR DECADES

This is profound understatement of the year. Somalis never learned that choosing untested politicians is the most dangerous risk society could do to harm their nation. It is equally true that those politicians, who have been tested failure could never be allowed to return to politics. This is a chronic problem that supercedes everything else and prevents public accountability in any field of human endeavors in Somalia. This is a troubled country with no remedy possible in the foreseeable future. To fix Somalia’s governance is increasingly becoming like filling up a bottomless barrel. Why on earth we habitually choose unknown new quantities, losers and failures as our leaders? To name names of these real losers in this short article would become problematic because of this culture of impunity for these losers to avoid accountability and through vetting to hold public office.

For heaven’s sake, how a Head of State or Head of Government in his right mind embrace a terrorist leader in government? Who would work with him when he taints his administration with the inclusion of terrorist figures? Even worse is the state of mind of these men in their consideration for selection of Cabinet members. How sadistic and ill-motive it was! Roobow isn’t reportedly alone in this Cabinet selection- they are at least two or more, who have links to the terror group.

What about the incompetence of regional leaders who have no idea of how their societies function, and prone to administrative and political blunders every move they make?

It looks that Somalia is the home of a dystopian society thriving in shameless corruption as a way of life, mediocrity, primative societal existence and permanent disfunction, no matter how much resources and thinking you put into it.

How to fix such problems? Local and national elections are the remedy we are searching for. Do you have an alternative? Democratic and egalitarian nations couldn’t find an alternative to giving power to the people to choose their own leaders.

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Somalis join WDM in congratulations to Ismail and Munira on Primaries victory in Ohio State, USA.

HSM’S ELECTION CAMPAIGN PROMISES BROKEN

“XASAN SHIIKH MAXAMUUD INTUU YAQAANAY WAA DHAAFTAY” (Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is doing more than he could handle).

“Wada Ogool” (Governing by Consensus) and “Soomaali Wada Heshiis ah, Dunidana Heshiis la ah” (Somalis in agreement with themselves and with the world community) were big slogans and promises President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud repeatedly uttered during his presidential campaign for election or re-election, given he broke the Somali Doctrine for the first time in Somali history (winning re-election). That was quite impressive. But election campaign promises became inconvenient to keep once elected, and now he is doubling-down on Former President Farmajo’s disdain for consensus building and working with Federal Member States. Strangely, he started governing by non-stop foreign visits without his new government in place, something even Farmajo couldn’t do. He made high profile appointments immediately after he was sworn-in. It took him more than a month to screen out able and potential candidates for efficient Cabinet. While he was busy in unilateral decision-making on Cabinet formation and foreign visits without even his foreign policy team instituted, a few things were happening:

  1. Alshabab got bolder and deadlier;
  2. Ethiopia stepped in to reconnect with Federal Member States;
  3. Scramble for Miraa import from Kenya was occurring in Mogadishu among supporters and non-supporters of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu.

Since his campaign promises meant nothing now, political cynicism sets in in most Somali regions. It looks that Mohamud didn’t take advantage of popular optimism generated by the recent change of guard in Villa Somalia. Can he mend things and regain lost momentum? Some observers say that HSM’s mind on governance is already set like his predecessor, but in the case of HSM, he is a micromanager, who wouldn’t delegate even to his Prime Minister.

Have your say.

HISTORY WILL ALWAYS CATCH-UP WITH SOMEONE

Neighborly Security Tension at border with Somalia

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH SOMALI-ETHIOPIAN RELATIONS AND AT SOMALI FRONTIER?

WDM EDITORIAL

It looks that Ethiopia is back on its past tracks to infiltrate and divide Somalis in order to weaken Somalia. In Hargeisa and elsewhere in the Federal Member States, public visits by Ethiopian security officers are being conducted. Whether it is security concern on the part of Abyi Government, given recent attacks by Al-Shabab in Southern and Eastern Ethiopian boundary line, or provocative move to destabilize President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s Government for geopolitical reasons, isn’t clear yet. One thing is known – President Mohamud had close relations with Tigray Regime of Ethiopia and that is enough justification and reasoning for an African despot to get suspicious and annoyed. Tigrayan Provincial leaders were among the first to congratulate President Mohamud on his victory in the recent Somalia’s Presidential Race.

Whatever the case may be, Somalia has to mend its neighborly relations with Ethiopia. Somalia’s relationships with Ethiopia carry huge historical burden and shared cultural heritage that require careful consideration and risk management exercises. Hassan Sh. Mohamud must rise up to the occasion to improve relations with Ethiopia and outgrow Tigrayan hangover.

Ethiopian Chief Security Officer in Hargeisa

WHY MUKHTAR ROOBOW WAS SELECTED FOR CABINET POST IN MOHAMUD’S GOVERNMENT

According to informed sources, a debate has ensued recently on how to confront and defeat Al-Shabab ideologically. Mohamud’s advisers recommended a number of religious figures to choose from to be offered a ministerial portofolio. Finally, a consensus has been reached to consider one of Al-Alshabab’s approachable figures. They zeroed upon Mukhtar Roobow, a government prisoner, and former Al-shabab leader and commander of its Amniyat elite force, a well trained regular army of the extremist group. They are trained in all terrorist skills in sabotage, ambushes, assassinations, explosions, etc. Whoever commands Amniyat, commands Alshabab. Other militants include Hisba (police), martyrs or suiciders, and pay-as-you-go foot soldiers. There are also Mujahirin or migrant military trainers. Al-shabab expressed loyalty to Al-Qaeda and joined the international terrorist organization when Mukhtar Roobow, Abu Mansur, was active commander/leader.

In appointing Mukhatar Roobow, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his team of advisors didn’t take into account the political quagmire they were getting into, reactions of the world press and negative take of the issue by the diplomatic community in designating a world class terrorist leader as government minister. Who would work with a former terrorist leader? What message does it send out to law-abiding citizens of this country? Why pullute the body-politic of this country? President Mohamud should immediately ask Roobow to tender his resignation for the good of this nation.

Obviously, President Mohamud vaguely understands the intrigues and complexity of international relations. All Somali political leaders are prone to this accident as expertise in any field isn’t sought for. President Mohamud could have opted for a less controversial religious figure instead.

Another Mohamud’s agenda was political vendetta against those leaders of the Federal Member States, who supported former President Farmajo. Roobow is coming into the mix to undermine Laftegreen in the South West, Galmudugh Qoor Qoor by bringing in his opponent Fiqi, the Interior Minister designate. Puntland and Jubaland have been always targets for Mohamud’s tribal agenda. The Cabinet list was reportedly compiled by a Damul-Jadid colleague of Mohamud, Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir, known to Somalis by his nickname, Farah Sakin (Farah the scissor), who installed himself in the important portofolio of education, a priority in Mohamud’s policy. It is also rumored that there is a shadow government in place, monitoring all ministries and having real authority as published cabinet list is for public consumption only. Most ministries have Mohamud’s men and women as junior ministers. Check it out yourself.

HISTORICAL FACT FOR ALL TO NOTE

Abdullahi Yusuf (RIP), the Late President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was a Somali leader that had the greatest impact on Somalia’s political scene historically. What Somalis are doing and debating on now is his work in terms of governance, federalism, construction of federal member states, fighting extremism, religious sectarianism etc. Truly, he was a historical giant, whether all Somalis are willing to accept, honor him or not.

Nobody could come near him, whether it was Sayed Mohamed Abdulle Hassan or Siyad Barre.

Abullahi Yusuf was the founder of the 2nd Somali Republic (The Federal Republic of Somalia). He was the first Somali leader who formed and led the First Somali Opposition Front ( the Somali Salvation Democratic Front SSDF) against the Military Dictatorship of General Mohamed Siyad Barre with a vision to transform Somalia into a democratic state. He later founded Puntland State of Somalia, the first federal member state, before becoming the president of the Transitional Federal Government, the TFG (current Somali Federal Republic). Under his watch, needs assessment research for Somalia’s reconstruction and development Program (RDP) was launched by the UN and World Bank, leading to the New Deal by international donor community signed in Brussels with the pledge of US$2 billion. It was based on that research. It came through later as Somali government was recognized after transition.

We are reminding people of this historical fact, in response to a WDM Subscriber, who has raised the issue in another context.

Have your say.

WHY HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD ISN’T OPEN-MINDED

So, the long awaited list of Somali Federal Government Cabinet is finally out. Here it is:

1- Saalax Axmed Jaamac, Ra’iisul Wasaare ku-xigeen
2- Mukhtaar Rooboow Abuu Mansuur, Wasiirka Awqaafta iyo Diinta
3- Xasan Macallin, Wasiirka Cadaaladda iyo Dastuurka
4- Axmed Macallin Fiqi, Wasiirka Arrimaha Gudaha
5- Dr. Cilmi Maxamuud Nuur, Wasiirka Maaliyadda
6- Cabduqaadir Maxamed Nuur (Jaamac), Wasiirka Gaashaandhigga
7- Abshir Cumar Huruuse, Wasiirka Arrimaha Dibadda iyo Iskaashiga Caalamiga
8- Faarax Sheekh Cabdulqaadir, Wasiirka Waxbarashada iyo Tacliinta Sare
9- Maxamuud Cabdiraxmaan Beena Beene, Wasiirka Qorsheynta iyo Maalgashiga
10 -Jaamac ilka Jiir, Wasiirka Dekedaha iyo Gaadiidka
11 -Fardowsa Cismaan Dhoore, Wasiirka Gaadiidka Cirka iyo Dhulka
12- Jaamac Xasan Khaliif, Wasiirka Boosatada iyo Isgaarsiinta
13- Xasan Xuseen Eelaay, Wasiirka Xananaada Xoolaha
14- Jibriil Cabdirashiid, Wasiirka Ganacsiga Warshadaha
15- Ismaaciil Sheekh Bashiir, Wasiirka Howlaha Guud iyo Gureyenta
16 -Khadiija Maxamed Diiriye, Wasiirka Haweenka
17- Dr. Crisaaq Cumar Maxamed, Wasiirka Batroolka iyo Macdanta
18- Maxamuud Doodishe, Wasiirka Amniga Gudaha
19- Axmed Madoobe Nuunoow, Wasiirka Beeraha iyo Waraabka
20 – Cali Xaaji Aadan, Wasiirka Caafimaadka
21- Axmed Xasan Aadan, Wasiirka Kalluumeysiga iyo Kheyeaadka Badda
22- Daa’uud Aweys Wasiirka Warfaafinta
23 – Biixi Iimaan Cige. Wasiirka Shaqada iyo Shaqaalaha
24 – Jaamac Taqal, Wasiirka Korontada iyo Biyaha
25- Maxamed Barre Maxamuud, Wasiirka Dhallinyarada iyo Ciyaraaha
26- Khadiija Al-Makhzuumi, Wasiirka Bay’adda iyo isbddelka Cimiladda

Looking at composition of this list and underservingly prolonged time it took to produce, it is obvious that there has been deep screening to find persons who had no experience, or having no knowledge of business or public office expertise, with only few exceptions. Here, one is tempted to recall a Somali saying: “A mountain has been laboring painfully for days, and finally gave birth to a rat”.

We don’t want to get into the description and analysis of other constituencies from which President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has drawn the list of members of the New Cabinet, although we are fairly sure that some of the other constituencies fare no better in Mohamud’s selection or choice for his enterprise than Puntland. The few appointed ministers from Puntland include General Ilkajir, Fardowsa Osman Egal, Abshir Huruse and Hange, among one or two more. Those who haven’t yet looked at this selection from Puntland constituency, will discover that none of them, save General Ilkajir, has anything or experience to bring to Hamse Cabinet, a man who is nominally the “Prime Minister” of Somalia, but actually a decoy to deceive people. They have been cleaverly picked up by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to screen out any able candidates from Puntland State. Some people may argue otherwise. Be fair to Mohamud’s appointees, I agree. But, tell us what experience, skills or knowledge a still single young girl, Fardowsa Osman Egal, would bring to the Cabinet or her portofolio? What about Abshir Huruse, the Foreign Minister designate? How would he be able to handle Somali foreign affairs and diplomacy in this complex world of conflict, wars and ideological confrontation, when he had never held public office before? Hange was a junior minister in Said Deni’s Cabinet here in Puntland. As a Deputy Minister in Hamse’s Cabinet, that may be ok. But, still there are others more qualified.

To make a long story short, like most politicians of Somali origin, Mohamud’s concern in governance and leadership is personal, biased and prejugemental. As a student of Somali Civil War and religious sectarianism, he is daring, though, in carrying out his unbalanced political agenda, given the chance. After all, it wasn’t a long ago during his first term as Federal President that he fought hard to derail the formation of Jubaland Administration, and only accepted it after Jubaland President Madoobe had offered him some Hawiye members in Jubaland Cabinet and House of Representatives in a non-Hawiye constituency.

Finally, one Somali observer put the percentage at 45 of the total 26 cabinet members, who belonged to now defunct Union of Islamic Courts (Islamic Court Union, ICU). Amazing! Mr Mohamud had also managed to stuff his men into most key ministries like petroleum, education, security, interior, planning and others. He has eliminated the Ministry of Human Affairs and Disaster Management to give leeway to his Special Envoy, Abdirahman Abdishakur.

As a graduate of General Aideed’s ideology on ethnic cleansing and marginalization, he is committed to getting even more biased towards his own constituency. I can bet my money on this. Recall what tribalistic ideology of SOMALI CONCERN, HAWIYE ACTION GROUP (HAG) and SOMALI DIASPORA ALLIANCE, among other hate groups, HSM adhered to in the past. He was sympathetic to ICU as well and allowed militarily untrained SIMAD College students to fight alongside ICU militants against the Somali Transitional Federal Government. These young kids were decimated by the defending Ethiopian forces at Baydhaba City vanity in 2006. The decision to fight along ICU, Alshabab and Alqaeda militants by Al-Islah splinter group led by Hassan Sheikh Mohamud led to the rise of a faction called “Damul-Jadid. Watch out!

[This article was updated since posting].

TWO FATEFUL NIGHTS FOR PUNTLAND FOUNDATION

Towards the celebration of Puntland Day.

https://ismailwarsame.blog/2015/08/30/two-fateful-nights-for-puntland-foundation/

24TH ANNIVERSARY OF PUNTLAND, A MILESTONE IN LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT

Over the past few months, I have been sharing with you stories, articles on critical analysis on political developments and major governance issues, news, essays, history, etc, on the foundation of Puntland State of Somalia in August 1998, and the 2nd Somali Republic, the Federal Republic of Somalia, established in 2004, with the express intention of writing our history and role of Puntland in the revival of Somalia as a sovereign nation. That is because, if we don’t write our own history, especially in contemporary records as does Warsame Digital Media WDM, to claim our historical achievements in that regard, someone else would write it for us. It would be impossible to re-write or re-claim those missed opportunities later.

I would, therefore, urge you to put into record all that you know about Puntland contributions to history-making events in Somalia’s revival, survival, safeguarding its sovereignity and unity.

24 years on since its inception and Puntland is still engaged in rebuilding not only its own local public institutions, but also those of the Federal Government. For those who fear the potential failure of Puntland as self-governing entity, they would rediscover that the State is a historically developed concept or idea that will rise up again and again after each challenge. The obvious weakness in its governance and unity of its founding regions is a temporary political dynamics that may need time and healing, after which Puntland would only get steeled like hot iron thrusted into cold water.

In my experience as the First Chief of Staff at Puntland Presidency, I recall a conversation I had with US diplomat then, after one year of Puntland existence, in which I informed him the residents of Puntland State had more arms and weapon than the government, and the State was peaceful because of its legitimacy. He responded: “It sounds like you are talking about US Government”.

DEMOCRATIZATION STALLED AGAIN IN PUNTLAND

Like typical Puntland administration behavior at end of its term in office, the current government has run out of steam in pushing the agenda forward. Some politically naive persons or interest groups are propagating the notion that there is no enough time left to elect remaining local councils and have them in place before next parliament and presidential elections, not understanding a job half done is better than not doing anything at all. Members of Puntland House of Representatives fare no better than the so-called “AARAN JAAN” spin doctors in that regard, on the top of being a rubber-stamp institution for decades.

Since there is no long term vision by each of successive Puntland administrations, important public tasks are left for next administrations or generations to attend, thus becoming a vicious cycle not to initiate and administer any meaningful programs towards Puntland future governance. The State never laid down and worked out any significant public policy. It operates on ad hoc fashion as its modus operandi. Residents get accustomed to political thinking in the space of one term or one administration- for them, tomorrow doesn’t exist. Starting programs to be completed by the next administration isn’t in their books. But, the worse of all is the fact that authorities of the day see only the problems, not the opportunities. Most are likely to reason with you why this job can’t be done because of these impediments. It is people who love to raise their hands up in the air in surrender when they are challenged. They don’t get the world moves on with or without them.

People of the State of Puntland had observed how it was easy to hold municipal elections in Uffayn, Qardho and Eyl districts just recently. There aren’t any excuses not to hold similar elections in other districts of the State. Negative thinking on the part of interest groups and the government of President Said Abdullahi Deni are now the real obstacles to democratization in Puntland State of Somalia.

HAPPY PUNTLAND 24TH ANNIVERSARY, AUGUST 1ST! CONGRATULATIONS!

THE BLEAK SITUATION OF READERSHIP IN SOMALIA

To quote Nurudin Farah, the famous Somali novelist, in an answer to a question put to him by a BBC reporter, said recently, “Somalis don’t read in any language, including their own”. There are, of course, a few individual exceptions. But that is even less than one percent among those who consider themselves literate. That is as alarming as it gets. Think about a nation that has no trained minds. What would happen to their culture, history, literary and technological advances? Here, we aren’t even talking about producing writers as there is no readership among the population. Education has lost its merited position and value in today’s Somalia as everything is possible through corruption, fraud, nepotism and cronyism in both public and private sectors.

Still, people debate on potential bright future for Somalia, the accident rise of good government, effective public institutions and Somalia becoming a petro-dollar country one day.

In my experience as editor of Warsame Digital Media WDM, I have noticed that the attention span of actual Somali reader is amazingly short. Forget about reading books. In conveying my message, I have to be brief and precise. Another impediment to attention span is the information overload: Non-readers and readers alike constantly watch and listen to anything that animates in the social media. Trained minds are usually selective in their intake of public information. It is the ordinary people who are now true victims of garbage-in-garbage-out in the internet. We are living in a difficult epoch of human civilization.

Go to Kenya and you would notice that a shoe-shinner boy would stare at newspaper in your hand to catch the latest headlines. How many decades would pass by until Somalis develop the habit and curiosity of readership?

HISTORY: The New Somali e-Passport

https://ismailwarsame.blog/2019/07/29/history-the-new-somali-passport/

SECURITY SECTOR REFORM IN PUNTLAND AT FAULT

Today I had the chance of interacting with former officers of Puntland paramilitary forces, the Drawiish, and police. The issue involved security sector reform bragged about by current Puntland Administration. Experienced officers acknowledged that some training and screening of rank-and-file only to satisfy payroll requirements didn’t produce able officers and commanders to lead the forces. They said that it was the core problem that Puntland forces couldn’t pacify the Port-city of Bosaso in recent confrontations and violence. Officers accepted the military doctrine that the combination of good training, effective command and leadership, logistics and public support are all that count for success. They all acknowledged that, in recent clashes between opposing forces in Bosaso, there was poor command and absence of command structure that brought about the near defeat of government forces still loyal to the current Administration.

It is also known that the Chief-of-Staff of Puntland Drawiish Forces is a close relative of the mutinying elements of the armed forces, another factor for the goverment military failure in Bosaso. He couldn’t lead and command counter-offensive against his own kinship. All accepted the fact that Puntland Security Sector reform, one of the Achelles heels of the State historically, didn’t go far enough with regards to command efficiency and required preparation of Cadet officers for military leadership.

The debating group bursted into load laughter when an officer joked: “Were President Deni belonged to Al-Itihad Al-Islami, instead of Al-Islah Sect, he could have understood military expertise better. It was hilarious.

THE ECONOMIST: WAR AND HUNGER

Stopping Somalis from starving

Saving lives will involve talking to terrorists

In the contest to win recruits and funding, Africa’s jihadists
aim for notoriety. Al­Qaeda’s affi�liate in Burkina Faso has 
booby­trapped bodies to kill doctors. Islamic State West Africa
Province has beheaded captives. Boko Haram in Nigeria has
strapped ticking bombs to children and sent them into mosques
and markets. But al­Shabab in Somalia can claim to top this list
of savagery. America’s military command for Africa calls it “al-
Qaeda’s fastest­growing and most kinetically active affi�liate”. It
has abducted thousands of children to use as soldiers, slaves and
child brides. It has targeted schools and hospitals. Despite all
that, the world needs to talk to al­Shabab.
The reason is that Somalia faces a famine. The worst drought
in 40 years is killing livestock and causing crops to shrivel. Rus-
sia’s invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated the
crisis by raising grain prices, meaning that
farmers and herders cannot aff�ord to supple-
ment their diets. Roughly 7m people, or 40% of
Somalia’s population, are struggling to fi�nd
enough food to eat. Around 1.4m children are
severely malnourished. Experts say that, unless
urgent action is taken, this famine may be even
deadlier than the one that claimed more than
250,000 Somalis in 2011 (see Middle East & Africa section).
The fi�rst step towards averting calamity is for the world to
send more aid, quickly. A rapid response in 2017 prevented a
drought in Somalia from turning into a disaster. Cash sent early
is spent more effi�ciently, so less money is needed. Unfortunate-
ly, the funding today is falling far behind the targets laid down
fi�ve years ago. Although America pledged an additional $476m
on July 24th, the total raised so far is only 46% of the $1.5bn the
un says is needed in Somalia. Others should also do their part. 
The next step is where al­Shabab comes in. For the food to get
to the hungry, aid groups must negotiate with the jihadists, who
control large swathes of the countryside in central and southern
Somalia. At the moment, little help gets through to people in
these areas because aid workers are afraid of being kidnapped or
killed. As a result, starving families risk long, dangerous jour-
neys to squalid informal camps on the edge of cities. By the time
they set out, their children are often too weak to survive.
Countless lives would be saved if the food made its way to
people in the countryside, rather than the other way round. But
negotiating access with al­Shabab takes aid workers into moral-
ly hazardous territory. In previous famines the jihadists forced
humanitarian groups into handing over cash. This imposed a
dire choice on aid agencies: “Pay off� al­Shabab, a listed ‘terrorist’
organisation, or let people die,” said a report by the Overseas De-
velopment Institute, a British think­tank. Some groups, such as
the un‘s World Food Programme, temporarily withdrew from
southern Somalia. Others agreed to pay as
much as $10,000 for access, putting them at risk
of criminal prosecution under laws banning
the fi�nancing of terrorists. 
Although the president, Hassan Sheikh Mo-
hamud, elected this year, has said he would talk
to al­Shabab when the time was right, there are
plenty of reasons to balk at dealing with it now.
The group would be largely in control of where
and how food is distributed, helping it coerce Somalis. The jiha-
dists will want to deny the government credit for supplying the
aid, by controlling whose logos feature on lorries when it is deli-
vered. Payments by aid organisations would make al­Shabab
stronger. Meanwhile, charities have concluded that if they are
accused of supporting jihadists donors may abandon them, hin-
dering their work elsewhere.
None of that is good for the security of Somalia or the region.
But the world faces a trade­off�: to shun al­Shabab and watch a
famine claim perhaps hundreds of thousands of lives; or to talk
to al­Shabab in order to get food to the starving in the knowledge
that the jihadists will grow stronger. Caught between evils, the
world should choose the lesser of the two.  n�
Saving lives will involve talking to terrorists
Stopping Somalis from starving

[Courtesy: The Economist]

IS RELIGION A FORCE OF SOCIAL DIVISION IN SOMALIA?

Since time immemorial, or as long as Somalis considered themselves people of faith, the Sheikhs and Mufties of different Sunny Sects have been in ideological war against each other. This is perhaps true in other Sunny Muslim countries. Like Christian World, there are multiplying religious divisions and subdivisions. The difference is that Christian nations had managed to separate the state from the church, after a long and bitter historical struggle. Lately, Western nations were bragging about the term “freedom of religion”, while after the incident of 9/11, anyone carrying a Muslim name is a suspect of terrorism. This is clearly in demonstration at immigration entry points, police checkpoints and discrimination in the workplace. Nowdays, the state and church can’t, by law, interfere in each other’s affairs in the Christian World. Here, the only exception, enjoying common leadership (Imam) is the Shia division, mainly led by Iran. However, many Sunny scholars or sects consider Shia Muslims blasphemous, a rebellion against common spiritual leadership inherited from the Caliphates that followed Prophet Mohammed (SCWS). Whatever the case is, the Shiates enjoy more unity than the adherents of Sunny teaching.

Today any political leader in Muslim countries is rarely secular. Most often than not, he or she belongs to a particular Sunny Sect, immediately inviting resistance and anger from other sects of different school of thought. As a result, there is always political fluidity and instability within countries of Islamic Faith. Is religion a dividing force and permanent factor for national disunity in the same way tribalism plays a critical role in societal contradictions?

Here in Somalia, SYL nationalism, the First National Party for independence, temporarily succeeded in halting tribalism, but failed to freeze religious sectarianism. Obviously, this sectarianism is rooted deeper in Somali society than all the evils of tribalism. Yet, national leaders don’t show any sense of urgency to address the issue for the sake of national cohesion, least they are branded blasphemous, or at least, secular, and hence not fit to rule in a Muslim nation, according to most Somali clerics -roughly translated Qur’anic verse: “those who don’t rule by Allah’s heavenly messages are among the strayed”. To avoid criticism, Somali law-makers are defensive by saying that Somali legislations are based on Islamic law.

Let us know what you think about the matter.

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JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY IN ORIENTAL AND WESTERN CIVILISATIONS

Tonight, again, we sat at tea-table in Garowe, Puntland, for a chit-chat to exchange news on daily events in Somalia and around the world. Like typical Somali conversations under similar circumstances, the issues covered were wide and hopelessly scattered- some of us chiming in with out-of-topic subjects and boring life stories. Others talk in monotone hard to tolerate and maintain attention span. Suddenly the theme of discussion turned into the subject of justice. Luckily, there was a lawyer among us. Since most of us weren’t lawyers, we tried to show respect to the legal argument of our lawyer-friend. Incidentally, a colleague in the gathering said, “there are two kinds of judicial philosophy: The Oriental and Western”. The lawyer jumped in to ask, “what are you talking about? There is no such thing?
The other guy responded, “I mean that in the penal code or criminal law, the burden of proof of the accused is on the government in Western system of justice, while the burden of proof is on the accused in most Eastern countries”. The lawyer, irritably asked, “are you talking about the Sharia law?” The lawyer seemed puzzled, as if he has heard about this judicial distinction for the first time.
Another interculator dropped in his observation: “Somalis are now accusing each other everyday through the media outlets and social media on all sorts of malfeasances with no proof and no possibility or means to defend themselves. We are helpless against unscrupulous media persons. This is partly what is wrong with Somalia. It is endless civil war in par with extremists’ activities. Let us ask the lawyer what to do about it”.

Another colleague interjected saying, ”there is no absolute justice – you must always take it into context. But what impressed me most is the Qur’anic verse on the Walls of Havard University in the US about selflessly delivering justice” (see feature photo, Surah AnNisa, 4:135.)

As usual, the attention span of Somali debate on specific subject is limited, and the debate drifted again over to wondering generalities and meaningless specifics.

SEARCH FOR POTENTIAL RESOLUTION TO BOSASO MILITARY STANDOFF

There was a debate among friends last night over tea on how to resolve the impending confrontation and potential for violence in Puntland Port-city of Bosaso, a dangerous situation that went out of control twice already. The issue here involves two government forces, one acting as renegade with the blessings of traditional elders in Bari Region opposed to the rule of President Said Abdullahi Deni. Since titled elders in Puntland are divided and bickering along political lines due to prolonged absence of democratization in the State, there is diminishing returns to find compromise in conflict resolution.

Observers believe that President Deni and elders are on collusion course as all possibilities of negotiated settlement is unlikely to occur, given the environment of mistrust between two opposing centers now posed for potential outbreak of violence in a port-city constituting the backbone of the economy and commercial activities of Puntland State of Somalia.

Other colleagues in the debate, Warsame Digital Media WDM, among them, suggest to convene an all inclusive congress to deliberate on what went wrong in stability, good governance and progress of the State. Despite the pressing need to hold such important gathering, Puntland Administration seems not to understand the gravity of the time-bomb that could explode anytime with far-reaching consequences for Puntland self-government. The circumstance resembles a scenario when an English man once said “Wherever God builds a house of prayer, the devil erects a chapel there, and it has been found upon examination that the devil has the biggest congregation”. There are always elements within the society engaged in ill-wish for the people of Puntland. Let us all think about finding lasting solution to this unfortunate political and security situation.

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ECONOMIST: HELLO FROM LONDON


The war in Ukraine is entering its sixth month. Is there any way to assess the likely prospects for the rest of the year? Russia and Ukraine agreed a deal, in recent days, to allow the export of grain from Ukraine—a tentatively encouraging sign. But within hours Russian missiles hit Odessa, prompting Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, to accuse Russia of “barbarism”. It may still be in Russia’s interest to appear to allow the food to flow, even if in practice it does not. After all, its foreign minister pays a visit to Africa, starting on July 24th. That trip will go more smoothly if Russia is not blamed for high food prices. Nonetheless, any sort of rapprochement should be welcomed, along with Turkey’s efforts to play as a peacebroker.

There is evidence that Russia is dug in for the long haul. A gruesome war of attrition could drag on until winter, or indeed beyond. It is hard to be sure how many casualties—both deaths and injuries—have already been inflicted on soldiers and civilians in the war. See our latest article on the subject. Undoubtedly, the deaths must be counted in the tens of thousands. Russia alone has probably seen 15,000 soldiers killed. Injuries, many of them devastating, will be far higher yet. Vladimir Putin launched this unprovoked war of choice, back in February, without explaining his purpose to the Russian people. Indeed he still pretends this is a “special military operation”, not a war. Mr Putin is responsible for large-scale ruin and suffering, yet he can’t spell out what he is trying to achieve.

If that isn’t a gloomy enough prospect, this week is likely to bring some more economic reasons to worry. We have just published our latest assessment of the state of the world economy—asking whether recession is looming all over the place. One question is whether America itself will officially fall into one. One definition of a downturn, often cited by journalists, is two consecutive quarters of negative growth. On that basis, America is probably destined for recession when new GDP figures are released later in the week. Yet there are other ways to decide if one is under way, for example by looking at personal incomes and unemployment rates. On these scores, America’s economy looks rosier.

As mentioned, Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister will spend five days in Africa this week, shoring up diplomatic support (relevant at the UN General Assembly for example) and preparing for a summit later in the year, in Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia. His plane may yet cross vapour trails with that of France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, who is visiting three African countries himself. Mr Macron will pay most attention to questions of terrorism and migration.

Wrapping up the diplomatic jet-setting calendar, keep an eye on Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, who will be in China for two days. Why does that matter for the rest of us? It’s significant, I think, for what it says about the state of mind of Xi Jinping, China’s leader. Put aside the Winter Olympics, back in February, when foreign leaders including Mr Putin showed up in Beijing. Other than that, Mr Xi has not welcomed anyone to China since 2020, when strict covid-19 rules were imposed. At some point he needs to find ways to open up China again, not least to get its economy running.

Last, let me flag another of our reading lists. Have you ever wondered why some countries are able to escape poverty and improve the lives of their people, while others linger much longer without developing. We’ve pulled together a very short introduction to an essential list of texts that help to puzzle out why that is. I’d love to hear if you agree with our selection..

Please continue to write to me at economisttoday@economist.com, and, on Twitter, you’re most welcome to follow me.

Adam Roberts
Digital

[Courtesy: The Econimist]

EGYPT HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY A FACTOR IN SOMALIA’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Ethiopia has been left out in Somali President’s Blitzkrieg diplomatic offensive in Somalia’s neighbors. It is not yet known whether Ethiopia was reluctant to receive him, given the security instability in that country. However, there is no disagreement on the cooling off of relations with Hassan Sh. Mohamud”s presidency, knowing his predecessor, Farmajo, enjoyed close ties with previous Ethiopian leadership. Mohamud had had warm relations with TPLF Regime and even attended TPLF’s festivities in Makele, the provincial capital of Tigray, during the reign of TPLF. TPLF leadership were among the first to congratulate Mohamud on his presidential victory for a 2nd term this time. Mohamud lost no time to appoint Hamse Abdi Barre considered an Ethiopian because Ethiopia assumes he hails from Ogaden Region under Ethiopian administration, a historically disputed territory mainly inhabited by ethnic Somalis. Already, there is an escalation of violence and armed confrontation between Alshabab fighters and Ethiopian forces at long stretch of border between the two countries, with likely possibility of Ethiopian incursion into Somalia in hot pursuit.

Nile waters is synonymous to the existence of Egypt itself as they believe that Egypt cannot be without Nile River flowing to the desert and oasis of that country. Because of this natural and geographical fact, strained relations between Somalia and Ethiopia are in the vital interest of Egypt, making Somalia an strategic asset for Egypt in the same way Israel is for the United States in the Middle East. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud may be playing with fire in paying an early visit to Egypt, while he still doesn’t have his foreign policy team in place. It is too early to do that before weighing Somalia’s foreign policy options. Mohamud’s current visit to Egypt doesn’t even look like a calculated risk. Here, we see a lone president without a Cabinet sailing in troubled waters. Somali observers worry that the President may risk diplomatic blunders even before his government took office.

[This article was updated since posting.]

Postscript: Press report following Mohamud’s visit to Egypt: https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2022/07/25/egypt-and-somalia-condemn-ethiopia-over-nile-dam-dispute/