Tag: Puntland

HOW DJIBOUTI ERRED IN ITS RELATIONS WITH PUNTLAND

By a staff writer

How violations of its own entry visa permits had backfired on Djibouti in 1998. Two officials of then newly created Puntland State, having multiple Djibouti entry visas on Somali diplomatic passorts were denied entry into Djibouti, annulling their visas on arrival at airport. They were Hassan Abshir Farah Waraabe, the late Puntland New Minister of Interior and Ismail Haji Warsame, the New Chief of Staff at Presidency.

This diplomatic incident had impacted negatively on Djibouti-Puntland relationships, Arta Somali Peace Conference of 2000, in particular.

Ironically, the two Puntland officials were traveling with a UN delegation to deliver hostages freed at time by Puntland new authorities from pirates in the Red Sea to the French Government in Djibouti.

Later, we had learned that Djibouti authorities were annoyed by Radio France International broadcasting the news of Puntland transferring French hostages at Airport, but also they cancelled visas to prevent Puntland officials from meeting with French diplomats at embassy in Djibouti. Strangely, Puntland had no authority or influence over the French Radio newscast. but, since Djibouti was fearful and couldn’t challenge France diplomatically, they had decided to target the New Puntland Administration as a scapegoat. It was a diplomatic miscalculation. Puntland officials spent the night at airport transit hall, refusing to exit it without written apology from Djibouti authorities. They flew to Garowe onboard UN plane next morning. At the time, Puntland State was several days old.

Since 1998, Puntland- Djibouti relationships have never fully recovered.

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WDM BREAKING NEWS

PUNTLAND STATE OF SOMALIA

The official name of Puntland is “Puntland State of Somalia (Dawladda Puntland ee Somalia). This is the constitutional name of the State. Those who use the term “Dawlad-gobolleedka Puntland are wrong constitutionally and administratively. I admit myself got entangled with the term a couple of times. This term crepted into adminstrations’ vocabulary by Southerners reluctant to accept federalism. Most FMS administrations blindly use the term “dawlad-gobolleed” while not knowing where it was coming from.

Puntland State departments, agencies and institutions should avoid using the term Dawladd-gobolleed with regards to FMS.

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BREAKING NEWS: NOMINATION OF PUNTLAND SENATORS

Nominated senators

It is a daring political move that shook the foundations of political and traditional establishments in Puntland State.

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HOW DELAYED NOMINATION OF PUNTLAND NEXT BATCH OF SENATORS AFFECTS GAROWE CITY

By Ismail Warsame
Opinion Columnist

Garowe is experiencing shortages of parking spaces and hotel accommodations due to unprecedented influx of candidates, political lobbyists, clan elders, influence-peddlers and spectators of election campaigns. As far as one remembers, there have never been such huge crowds engaged in idle chatters in Garowe before. Paradoxically, they have no say in the decision-making process. Garowe is relatively a small town that cannot handle both the annoying auto- traffic jams and election campaign money that requires extraordinary lunch and dinning tables and banquet spaces, on the top of housing needs of large number of invited guests from other Puntland cities and around the world within the Puntland diaspora.

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There is a great deal of anxiety here among many candidates trying to squeeze themselves into the list of 11 senators-to-be. The State President, Said Abdullahi Deni, who decides upon the fate of unprecedented number of senate aspirants, is keeping his list of names close to his chest, not allowing any leaks on his wishes or intention to come out publicly. Surprisingly, he doesn’t consult with anyone in his selection process. In business, public service and in the world of politics nobody gets a job without vetting and going through an interview. Perhaps, Somalia adheres to lower bar standards based on political loyalty only that is deduced from gossipping groups and chat sessions.

It also shows that one man can keep a secret against the backdrop of the story that Somalis have no secrecy. The news blackout by the Presidency of Puntland on the date of release of the much expected list of senator-nominees have created a situation rife with rumors and wild speculations on who would be in that elusive list. This political situation and the system in which a legislator is selected exclusively by one official begs for answers from Somali population for the sake of their continued survival in a viable nation-state.

The political tension waiting to explode into violence in Dusa-Mareb, Galmudugh, conflict in Beletweyne, Hirshabelle, and arrests of businessmen associated with candidates and banning of opposition candidates to come to Baydhaba, Southwest State, are all indicators that the prevailing electoral process in Somalia isn’t only wrong, but also too dangerous to sustain.

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INTER-REGIONAL SPORTS COMPETITION IN PUNTLAND HAS ALLEVIATED YOUTH FRUSTRATION

By Ismail Warsame
Opinion Columnist

Before Maqrib prayers I drove along the main road in Garowe City today. On my way to the city centre, the scenes on the sidewalks of the road, after crossing the bridge, were amazing in the sense that no one has ever seen such huge flow of youth walking home out of Mire Aware Stadium, where inter-regional soccer games in Puntland are taking place. What is unique in these walking masses is that girls outnumbered young men. It defies my earlier impression that girls and women in Somalia were less interested in soccer games, not to talk about any other kind of sports. I was wrong, although I think, girls never had an opportunity to play games in Puntland, and perhaps, elsewhere in today’s Somalia for a long time, where everybody is expected to conform to Arab attires and customs, policed invisibly by peudo-religious culture scornful of any resembles of not only Western dress, but also traditional Somali clothing, native customs and history. It is a culture war being waged on the population under the pretext of religious norms for the past 4 decades. Saudi Arabia is the main source of this culture war. Al-Shabab extremists have been imposing strict dress code as the “new normal” of Arab customs even in areas they don’t fully control in Somalia because some of the other Tariqas (religious sects) are either complicit or don’t want to mess up with Al-Shabab’s code of conduct. Nowadays in the streets of Somalia you are better off, in terms of personal safety, to dress up like Pakistani or Afghani. Only men’s gown known here as “Macawis” is barely tolerable for older men. ‘Khamiis”, the long-sleeved white Arab over-dress is fast becoming the dress of fashion for the younger generations of Somalia today. No sports, no music, no folklore dances and no movie watching are permitted in the world of Al-Shabab. There is a monotonous cultural blackout in Somalia. Putting one’s shirt under trousers’ belt is considered Western or even blasphemy, a typical Boko Haram of Nigeria harsh impositions. Some, shallow in religious education, were even critical of Puntland 23rd Anniversary festivals.

But the purpose of drafting this short article is to draw the attention of Puntland authorities, businesses and parents to the plight of youth and frustrations they are suffering due to lack of infrastructure for recreational activities and social youth clubs.

If you don’t want Puntland youth to resort to drugs, delinquencies, crime and migration, consider supporting programs geared towards youth development.

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WDM EDITORIAL

WHY PUNTLAND MUST CAMPAIGN FOR A STINT IN VILLA SOMALIA

COMPETING for Somalia’s Presidency is consistent with the founding principles of Puntland as the First Pillar of Federal Somalia. There had been some setbacks in this regard in the past few years. Renewed interest now in Puntland to reset its national policy objectives at federal level is now being symbolized by Puntland President, Said Abdullahi Deni. Slowly but surely, President Deni has understood the importance of Puntland historical role in the federation. It is a commendable political stand to ensure that anti- federalist forces led by Farmajo’s political shenanigans and betrayal of national accord enshrined in the Provisional Federal Constitution wouldn’t succeed.

Without Puntland principled show of democratic forces and leadership, the modest gains of Puntland historical struggle since the First Opposition Force, The SSDF, to Central Tyranny in Mogadishu, are in jeopardy. It is in the vital interests of Puntland and Somalia that the State keeps engaged in Federal affairs and its leaders play in the forefront of Somalia’s governance. Puntland needs leaders with national vision and have political ambitions to ensure that Somalia wouldn’t fail again.

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ARAGTIDA SSDF/PUNTLAND EE SOMALIA

Take a watch

Halka riix Puntland

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HISTORY: 3RD ANNIVERSARY OF PUNTLAND FOUNDATION WAS ABORTED

By Ismail Warsame
Opinion Columnist

Puntland opposition elements and most titled elders couldn’t differentiate between the dislike they have for the State President of the day and significance of Puntland 3rd ANNIVERSARY. A group of traditional elders led by the Late Islaan Mohamed Islaan Muse opposing State President, Abdullahi Yusuf, had rebelled against holding the 3rd Anniversary of Puntland establishment as the first pillar of Federal Somalia. Their issue wasn’t against the State per se, but they had resisted holding the ceremony due to their opposition to the President at the time in the backdrop of a constitutional crisis. The incident alarmed people of Puntland that the modest achievements by then the new regional state were down the drain. This incident was also one of ugliest and toughest times in Puntland short history of statehood.

The Late Islaan Mohamed summoned the so-called “Kabo-Silik” (Boot-wired men), armed countryside youth, to Garowe City and ordered them to dismantle ceremonial decorations and facilities in Garowe Central Square unofficially known “Ciise Ku Caroh” (Issa’s Anger Square.) To avoid unnecessary loss of lives and to descalate the tension in town, Puntland Government abandoned the idea of marking the Day.

This history of Puntland State is closely linked to the conspiracies against Puntland by President Ismail Omar Ghueleh of Djibouti, Issayes Afewark of Eritrea and Abdulqasim Salad Hassan (Ina Salad Boy)/Ali Khalif Galaydh of Djibouti- sponsored Transitional National Government of Somalia (TNG.)

Those political developments eventually led to the brief collapse of Puntland Government. It was towards the end of year 2002 that Puntland Government was able to reinstate itself in an operation called “Restore Puntland Stability”.

Here is the record of what was happening then:

  • On BBC Focus On Africa with Robin White
  • Reposted in:
  • 19 May 2007 04:15
    BBC WORLD SERVICE AT 1706 GMT. THIS IS RACHAEL AKIDI WITH FOCUS ON AFRICA 
    The port town of Bosaso in the Somali region of Puntland has today fallen to forces loyal to Colonel Abdullahi Yussuf Ahmed. The fall of this economically important town follows two days of fierce fighting between colonel Abdullahi and forces loyal to Jama Ali Jama, his rival for leadership of Puntland. From Mogadishu, our Correspondent, Hassan Barisse, emailed this report:
     Hassan Barisse: The forces of Colonel Yussuf captured Bosaso without any resistance at about 8 AM local time. The whereabouts of Jama Ali Jama is not known. But sources close to his aides say he left Bosaso to Qardho town yesterday afternoon by road to Iskushuban District about 160 km east to Bosaso from where he is reported to have taken a plane to an undisclosed destination. Some of Jama’s supporters insist that he is still in Qardho town, but that sounds unlikely. Colonel Yussuf himself reached Bosaso town at about 11.30 AM local time and immediately went to the Presidential building in the town were he started receiving elders, religious scholars and women’s groups, all of whom congratulated him on his victory. Ugas Hassan, one of the main traditional leaders of Puntland told me today in a telephone interview from Bosaso that the arrival of Colonel Yussuf followed a meeting between elders, Muslim scholars and politicians from Bosaso with Colonel Yussuf himself in Kalabayr District, some 60 km south of the town. According to Ugas Hassan, the elders and politicians asked Colonel Yussuf to respect the peace and that if he wants to come to Bosaso town, he could do so without fighting. All day yesterday and last night, the local FM radio in the town has been broadcasting messages from the Commander of the Police Forces in Bosaso, Colonel Jaatta (as heard) telling the people they should remain calm. Many people understood from that message the whole thing was a set-up between the elders, the Police and Colonel Abdullahi Yussuf. Supporters of Jama Ali Jama had characterized the capture of Bosaso as a Coup d’ Grace and a plot masterminded by Ethiopia.
    RACHAEL AKIDI: That emailed report from our Correspondent, Hassan Barrise in Mogadishu. Well, Ismail Warsame is a spokesman for Colonel Abdullahi Yussuf Ahmed. Robin White asked him what the situation was. Ismail Haji Warsame: Well, the city welcomed Abdullahi Yussuf. There was not a single bullet fired today. Traditional elders, intellectuals, women’s group and the rest of the residents of Bosaso have met Abdullahi Yussuf at the gate of Bosaso to welcome and escort to the Presidential palace today.
     Robin White: eeeee, will he stay there?
    IHW: Yes, he will be there for quite a while as far as I know.
    Robin White: Did the Ethiopian troops help him in the capture of Bosaso?
    IHW: Absolutely nonsense.
    Robin White: There is no single Ethiopian soldier in Puntland proper.
    Robin White: Did the Ethiopians encourage you to take Bosaso?
    IHW: Not at all. Not at all. In fact the Ethiopian State were trying to mediate between Abdullahi Yussuf and his rival. Unfortunately, Jama Ali Jama refused to even sit with Abdullahi Yussuf in Addis Ababa recently.
    Robin White: So, what happens here? Is there any chance of reconciliation?
    IHW: With whom to reconcile? President Abdullahi Yussuf is trying to restore Law&Order. There is no fighting in Bosaso. There is no armed opposition against him. There was little resistance on the part of Jama Ali Jama. He has no grass roots support. That is why Abdullahi Yussuf is in Bosaso without even a fight.
    Robin White: Now, what is gona happen to your relations with the GOVERNMENT in Mogadishu? Clearly, they supported Jama Ali Jama and not you. So are relations going to   be really extremely bad between you and the Mogadishu GOVERNMENT?
    IHW: There is no Government in Mog that we recognize. We know there is ARTA Faction which controls less than 2 streets in Mog, enforced by Djibouti. So, what Government are you talking about? 
    Robin White: So, are you now working for the overthrow of the Mogadishu GOVERNMENT?
    IHW: We are working towards national reconciliation.
    Robin White: Does that mean trying to overthrow the GOVERNMENT in Mogadishu or the INTERIM GOVERNMENT?
    IHW: There is no government to overthrow. There is a faction.
    Robin White: So, will you try to drive out this, eee FACTION, as you call it!
    Robin White: It is not our obligation to overthrow a faction in Somalia. We will welcome that faction to talk to us.
    RACHAEL AKIDI: Ismail Warsame, spoksperson for Colonel Abdullahi Yussuf   

    Garowe, May 08,2002 To:  United Nations Organization, Nairobi, Kenya, European Commission, Nairobi, Kenya International Non-Governmental organizations, Pl, Kenya   Cc: All Government departments of Puntland State of Somalia, From: Hassan Ahmed Jama, Director-General, Ministry for International Cooperation & Planning  Garowe, Pl.
  • Subject: OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION This is to advise the staff of UN, EC and INGOs accredited in Puntland State of Somalia, who had been evacuated from Bosaso yesterday, to stay away from Puntland State of Somalia until further notice. This decision has been reached on the basis of the Operation Puntland Stability First and the fact that the decision to evacuate the staff of the above-named organizations from Bosaso had neither been coordinated with nor communicated to the legitimate authorities of the State.  In addition, some of these organizations have been engaged in activities incompatible with their stated mission objectives. Finally, this office advises the Heads of these organizations, who traditionally operate from Nairobi, Kenya, to reconsider or reschedule any planned mission to Puntland State until further notification by this Office to the contrary.
    GALKAYO, MAY 07,2002 BREAKING NEWS: PEACEFUL RETURN OF ABDULLAHI YUSUF TO THE PORT CITY OF BOSASO.Elders, prominent personalities, intellectuals, women groups and regional authorities of bosaso came out this afternoon to greet Abdullahi Yusuf at gate of the city. Bosaso therefore sees the peaceful return of country’s legitimate President. Residents of Bosaso are now lining along the streets of the city to welcome this peaceful return of the President and to witness such an important event. Governor of the Bosaso City declares the end of the coup attempt by Al Itihad and that the destabilising elements of the city had fled away before the arrival of the President in Bosaso this afternoon. Ismail H. Warsame, Chief of CabinetGalkayo, May 7,2002 BREAKING NEWS ON PUNTLAND STABILITY FIRST This is to inform the news media that forces of Puntland State had brief but intensive battle with forces of Al Itihad inside the City of Qardho this morning. This fighting follows the refusal of the members of Al Itihad armed groups to accept the advice of Qardho elders to lay down their arms and let H.E. Abdullahi Yusuf pass through peacefully in his determined bid to restore Law & order in the country. Subsequently, combat groups of Al Itihad have been crushed in Qardho and the forces of President Abdullahi Yusuf passed through the city on their way to bosaso. In another development, Jama Ali Jama, accompanied by a few of his personal body-guards, had fled eastward to his hometown of Bayla, where he is expected to be airlifted by either Arta Faction or Djibouti.  Moreover, political supporters of Jama A. Jama were reported to be fleeing Bosaso in all directions and overseas.Please stay tuned for further development of invents. Ismail H. WarsameChief of Cabinet——————-Published by SomaliawatchPosted 26th December 2012 by Ismail Warsame Blog

HAPPY PUNTLAND DAY! AUGUST 1ST.

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CRITIGUE ON COMMUNIQUE BY PUNTLAND EDUCATION SECTOR CONFERENCE

Puntland Education Sector Conference Communique

The work done by two former Puntland ministers of education, Dr Ali Abdullahi Warsame and Abdi Farah Juha is commendable. The ministers have put great emphasis on structural reform of education sector and important need for the insertion of vocational and skills training into school curricula. One would fully concur with them in their findings in the state of Puntland education sector.

The Communique or the review of the sector, however, doesn’t go far enough or ignores altogether a fundamental problem characteristic of entire Somalia’s education sector: That we are forgetting who we are as people and as a country – our cultural heritage and character of the nation are being omitted in our education sector and school curricula. It is my humble opinion that until this slow trend of erasing Somali cultural values from our education system is reversed, this nation is sleepwalking into deep crisis of identity and dangerous loss of national character.

The voice of the youth, cry for help.

By Ismail Warsame
Opinion Columnist

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[This article has been updated since posting.]

WISE ELDERS MISSING IN PUNTLAND TRADITIONAL SELF-GOVERNMENT

By Ismail Warsame
Opinion Columnist

Puntland State has no longer the unique historical advantages of traditional SELF-GOVERNMENT. The region has come to the end of the road with the ascent of new generations of junior elders replacing the old guard. The future of the state looks bleak as a result of political stagnation that kept these inexperienced tribal elders to remain relevant to the political system of the state, a situation far removed from the traditional roles of peace-keeping and peace-making among the clans. During the foundation of Puntland State, seeking grassroot support amid the civil war was essential and couldn’t had been done otherwise. But we fully knew that the job of a tribal elder wasn’t to select members of parliament and build institutions of a state. At the time, it meant to be a short-term arrangement, given the difficult circumstance we were in. Moreover, a government lacking checks and balance of power, on the top of the above systemic vicious cycle, will not survive much longer.

Until Puntland moves to holding general elections as soon as it is practical, we are progressing backwards with unpredictable and dangerous consequences of state failure again, this time with existential threat of not to be.

What had made Puntland historically unique in Somalia’s politics was the progressive nature of its residents to reform, renovate and re-think options for self-government. That is now finally being threatened.

Have your say.

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WDM BREAKING NEWS

By Ismail Warsame
Opinion Columnist

President of Puntland State, Said Abdullahi Deni, has arrived Garowe, the seat of the government today, in an unprecedented display of public welcome. observers have interpreted this untraditional public reception party as harbinger for important announcement to kickstart the President’s campaign for Federal Elections and his imminent declaration of Federal Presidential candidacy, the worse political re-election nightmare for Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, and perhaps, some other presidential candidates hailing from Banadir Region.

Taking advantage of Eid Al-Adha Holidays, all State officials, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril (Abwaan) and his deputies were at hand at General M. Abshir Airport today, perhaps with the diplomatic intention of covering up the lately simmering political frictions between the Executive and legislative branches of the government of Puntland. This issue was adjourned recently, subject to the return of the President to Garowe from extended overseas trip.

Perhaps, in unrelated event taking place simultaneously, Boqor Burhan Boqor Muse was enjoying a warm reception of his own in the town of Widh Widh in Ayn Region, to bless the announcement of a new titled elder, Garaad Mohamed Garaad Abshir Salah Jr.

Other election-related issues include the influx of Puntland Federal MPs into Garowe, a lifeline to the often vacant Garowe hotels. It is one of most profitable times when they have both the State President and Federal members of Parliament in town.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned.

Unprecedented public welcome
BOQOR BURHAN

CORONATION OF GARAAD MOHAMED GARAAD ABSHIR SALAH IN WIDH WIDH, AYN REGION, TODAY.

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SO, HERE WE COME AGAIN

By Ismail Warsame
Opinion Columnist

Editor’s Note

Puntland members of the outgoing Federal Parliament have been pouring lately into Garowe hotels, each one seeking another chance to remain and represent Puntland in Mogadishu. They face huge challenges to get renominations this time around, partly because of their poor performance and abysmal legislative records in Mogadishu, not to mention about their incompetence and proven misrepresentation of their constituencies. There are wild stories of sub-clan infightings among them, and some were reported to have been bragging about how they have succeeded in marginalizing the political chances of certain sub-clans in some regions of Puntland. These are the  kind of representations Puntland had been able to send to Mogadishu. This story is as sad as it gets. The problem lies mainly in the lack of strategic policy formulation of the State of Puntland towards promoting Puntland local and national interests.

Puntland outgoing members of the Federal Lower House were among those who had participated in the recent illegal attempt to extend the mandate of Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo to two more years as President of Somalia. When doing this, they all knew that their constituency, Puntland, was against that unconstitutional extension. Regardless of their ill-advised course of action, they have come here to campaign for re-election. That is because they know that there is no accountability for wrong-doing in Somalia’s corrupt/tribalistic political system – there is no shame here.

Kindly read the article below to understand deeper the core of the problem:

PUNTLAND REPRESENTIVES ARE FOOTBALL TEAM WITHOUT COACH

Garowe, April 17, 2019

Puntland is a state [twenty-three -edited] years old with people as old as the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, but have no strategic plan towards Somalia or how to deal with the rest of Somalia. An Amazing story to tell, you would say. Puntland successive governments had never thought of its urgent need and constitutional mandate to work out a permanent state strategic plan good for the thinking and operations of every Puntlander in Somalia and worldwide to follow and keep in mind for generations to come: be it a member of the Federal Institutions or Puntland officials attached to a foreign or international entities or an individual living or working in a global village. It is really a common sense to do so if she cares about the well-being and progress of the state, her people and position in Somalia and beyond.
Do the federal officials and MPs representing Puntland in Mogadishu have a strategic plan to follow on Somalia and Puntland issues? How does Puntland government expect them to operate, under which guidelines other than the constitutions and their individual gut feelings do they carry out their mission, tasks and responsibilities?
Sending Puntland Representatives to Mogadishu without a plan of action, thinking or guidelines is like sending Puntland Football Team to Mogadishu without a coach. To use my friend Abdi’s football analogy, “It is like sending a team of untrained Puntland camel boys to play ball in Mogadishu”.
Moreover, Puntland State is also a mother having kids there, who has properties and interests in other regional states of Somalia as well. How would our representatives in Mogadishu, Kismayo, Baydhaba and Dusa-Mareb takle with issues of common and Puntland interest? What are the Puntland channels of communication with those supposed to be looking after her interests in those regions? Is Puntland operating blindly in the dark, or she has no idea of what I am talking about?
On the internal affairs, you would say, there is nothing wrong with Puntland State except it is caught up and locked in bad governance that prevents her from moving foward in building strong state institutions, not to mention about her playing a leading role in Somalia’s reconstruction efforts.
That is good as long as you think that good governance includes elimination of corruption and changing the permanent perception by some of its constituent regions that it is a state dominated by a few privileged clans, doing away its persisting vulnerability to insecurity and lack of economic expansion and business investment, low and poor quality of education and skills training, absence of constructive engagement with the leaders of fedgling Federal Government.
Reasonable Puntlanders are OK with this thinking. But, is that all Puntland State and her people could do to build a bright future for her next generations?
I would say with confidence that Puntland State is frozen in time and space. Let me give you some examples. Puntland Government has the same salary scale for its personnel as we started 23 years ago. Puntland Government uses the same clan/regional power-sharing arrangements for the selection of members of the House of Representatives as we launched it 23 years ago. Puntland Government fell back to rely on clan militia forces for its security, which we had moved away 23 years ago. 23 years ago Puntland had an independent judiciary, independent parliament, independent auditor-general and independent accountant-general. None of above Puntland institutions of government are independent today. It is a big deal and alarming facts to ignore. This is a critical factor, among many, that Puntland President has absolute executive powers in the absence of checks and balance (Madax-ka-Nool).
What to do about the situation? Good question! Let us debate objectively without any attempt to spin. Let me start with my take of things here with a by-line from Garowe. First of all, let us find out areas we can begin work right away:

  1. To fight corruption and maintain law and order, restore the independence of those institutions cited above.
  2. Have a competent, transparent and independent public service commission right away.
  3. Establish state strategic advisory board or commission that act as government think tank or experts on working out strategic plan for Puntland.
  4. Puntland regional clan power-sharing arrangements for indirect selection/election had hit dead-end. Let us begin democratization process right away, starting.with local elections first.
  5. Streamline state departments to eliminate redundancy, duplications and inefficiency. Make a smaller government by cutting down cumbersome bureaucracy.
  6. Know that the Finance and security sectors are the Achelles Heels of Puntland State.
    The current Administration of President Said Abdullahi Deni is on the spot and hot seat to deliver on his election promises to avoid the bad legacy of his predecessor. People of Puntland have no alternative but to rise up against corruption and mal-administration of their public affairs. They have to meet the challenges of the moment.
    Finally, it was said by others before us, who too had been there that people get the leaders they deserve. This insight and wisdom is still true as it was then. People may give their leaders initially the benefit of the doubt, but not a free hand to a politician to do whatever he wishes to without making sure that he or she must be held accountable to the people individually and collectively.
    One good thing about the people of Puntland is that they never give a 2nd chance to their leader, let alone a bad one. If President Said Abdullahi Deni wants to come back to power in Puntland, he could so by popular vote through democratization process starting right now. [This article has been updated since posting in April 17, 2019.]

Read also https://ismailwarsame.blog/2019/05/24/puntland-reps-vs-ssc-reps-in-constituency-representation/

PUNTLAND MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS IN PICTURES AT GAROWE HQ

The time is 10:30 AM Garowe time.

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WHY PUNTLAND IS BORING TO YOUTH

Ismail Warsame
Opinion Columnist

Amid high unemployment among youth and diminishing opportunities for careers, Puntland youth need help.

There are no functioning recreational facilities in towns, no programs geared towards youth development, vocational training, no existence of social youth clubs, no debating societies. In other words, there is nothing to do on daily basis by young men in Puntland State. Browsing the smartphone non-stop has become the only pastime for the new generation of Puntlanders. It is hard to imagine what will become of residents of Puntland in the foreseeable future.

Around them, the talk of the town is either boring politics-talk or uninspiring mudane conversations and “none of your business” type of social engagements. Read this article to know the dire situation of youth here:
https://ismailwarsame.blog/2020/03/15/puntland-youth-unemployment-2/

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EMERGENCY PUBLIC SERVICES

By Ismail Warsame
Opinion Columnist

Residents, visitors and travelers of a country should be able to call for help in case of emergency. There should be dedicated public departments to respond to emergency situations concerning health and threats to personal safety. Contact information to access such assistance should be publicly advertised and made ready to respond to pleas for help. The need for public emergency services is part of perquisites for government existence. Tax-payers have every right to demand establishment and availability of assistance when needed and on-demand.

Recently I had had a chat on the issue with a gentleman, who briefed me on his experience. The man was receiving threatening phone calls from strangers. He didn’t know to do about his situation. He told me he was skeptical to seek help from Puntland Police Department due to the sensitivity of his case and mistrust he held about their competence. The only alternative he could think of was attempting to contact his former colleagues and persons in Puntland government he knew.

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The above true story sets out the best example for the absence of efficient and dedicated emergency services expected of Puntland government or any responsible modern government in the 21st century.
It is long overdue to look into this matter.

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AN APOLOGY

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MAFIA, AL-SHABAB AND SIMILAR TERROR GROUPS ARE NOTORIOUS IN REVENGE AND RETALIATION

By Ismail Warsame
Opinion Columnist

The recent cleanup operations against Al-Shabab will certainly attract the ire and angry responses from the Satans in Galkayo and elsewhere in Somalia. Residents and authorities shouldn’t put their guard down after initial operational and legal successes.

According to news sources, some residents in urban towns of Puntland State were receiving typical Al-Shabab phone calls to intimidate and terrorize people. This is the traditional modi operandi of the Evil Group in Somalia.

On receiving such cowardly warnings, residents are advised to contact authorities immediately, while taking extra security precautions and safety measures. Collect and document all messages and evidences of intimidation as much as you can to be used in a court of law against the perpetrators.

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Puntland authorities shouldn’t lose the momentum to uproot the menace of Al-Shabab and ISIS in their areas of jurisdiction, and help other regions in Somalia in eliminating these terror groups. Operations against the terror groups require discreet networking and cooperation between trustworthy organizations and reliable state agents. These also need the voluntary cooperation of citizens with the authorities. Concentrate on exposing financial and intelligence networks of the terrorists.

Intelligence and news resources are indicating that the leadership, financiers and intelligence networks of Al-Shabab Terror Group are still intact in Galkayo and other towns of Puntland. Some residents among the terrorist networks could be unsuspecting high profile persons in the community. They should be exposed and rounded up without fear or favors. Good luck!

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GOATS UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF GAROWE

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THE TERRITORY OF HAITI WAS A FOREST JUNGLE, TODAY IT IS A SEMMI-DESERT. SOMALIA IS NEXT, IF NOT ALREADY THERE.

A sad story on the deterioration of Puntland environment was related to me tonight by the Adviser of Puntland President, Abdirisaq Gawiido. After a brief visit to Galkayo, Gawiido has been raising an alarm on incidents he was briefed by Mudugh elders on the destructive environmental trends in the Region, and certainly, beyond it in Puntland State. These include wanton destruction by cutting down trees and massive commercial hunting of wild game in Mudugh and Burtinle areas. According to eyewitness report, one man alone has been spotted having a truckload of captured and slaughtered dik dik and antelopes in Galkayo. Similar stories were reported from the town of Burtinle in Nugaal Region. One dik dik is said to be sold under $1 to a displaced family in the yearly multiplying camps around Puntland urban centres.

Man-made environmental deterioration has no bounds in Puntland, perhaps, throughout Somalia. We hear horror stories of burning entire forest into charcoal in Jubaland with piles of sacks of coal at Kismayo Port for export to the Gulf states.

Destruction of fish habitat in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean by illegal foreign trawlers with worldwide banned fishing gears and dumping of industrial toxic wastes have been going on for decades now. Sea piracy was considered security threat to the rest of the world, but dumping of toxic waste is treated as local issue with indifference to the health hazards it posed to the local coastal communities.

What to do about it? For sure, there is no absence of laws on environmental protection in Puntland. These laws are collecting dust in the departmental shelves of the government of Puntland State and the House of Representatives. Laws, when unforced, do not exist. What you need here is a task force empowered to implement these laws, with attachment of experts and media campaign to bring awareness of the problem to the society, especially among the rural population. Puntland Ministry of the Environment should be activated with the formation of a task-force working closely with all levels of the government, including city councils to attend this existential threat on daily basis as a priority Puntland Government Environmental Policy. It is worth noting that even the Italian Colonial Administration then had a contingent of soldiers called “Duubcad” by the natives. They were tasked to keep the peace among the nomads and prevent environmental abuses.

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There are some suggestions on introducing new methods of making stables to the herd owners. Providing the nomadic population with barbed wires in stable-making to prevent cutting down trees is one option. Others advise for the construction of stables with the use of stone fence like they do in Sanaag.

If the environmental deterioration of Puntland is not reversed, this country would look like the Western Hemisphere country of Haiti, with its consequences of poverty, diseases and backwardness.

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THE INTERVIEW

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https://youtu.be/tL55dpFfPZs

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CHECKS AND BALANCE OF POWER IN PUNTLAND

The chronic Madax-Ka-Nool (lone head of the state show) political situation in Puntland State doesn’t expect challenges from the State’s dysfunctional House of Representatives. It was a rare move on the part of MPs to issue some independent resolutions the other day. Is it self-perservation, having witnessed some members of their colleagues easily impeached and expelled from their ranks or a meaningful attempt to re-assert their constitutional powers?

Many observers believe that the new attempt to grab power by Puntland Parliament is limited to enhancing their positions as unassailable branch of the government rather than insuring checks and balance of power for the common good of the people of Puntland and for the purpose of re-introducing good governance to Puntland State.

It looks that Puntland MPs are seeking more say in selecting senators this time around, besides jockeying for acquiring bigger junks of the corruption money sharing in this election cycle. A few others say it is first baby steps to challenge the traditionally exclusive powers of the State President and his governance style of one-man show in running Puntland government, whereby the State President doesn’t seem to understand that he is also the Head of Government to be accessible to all heads of departments (ministries) and members of the House of Representatives. Puntland President isn’t only the Head of State. He has to run the government too on daily basis, and that his executive powers fall within the Cabinet collectively as an executive prime minister. He wasn’t elected by the people. This is a parliament system that came through selection process, and therefore, with shared responsibilities and responsible to parliament.

On the top of the above observations, there is fear among some members of the House from the consequences of upcoming Puntland election in two years, and these, mostly from Sool and Ayn Regions, predict that the planned 1P1V in Puntland could erode their political fortunes. Upcoming Federal elections may also have some impact on the cohesion of President Deni’s own political team in the Cabinet, House of Representatives and power brokers at large.

Whatever the case might be, Puntland House of representatives has a long history of being a toothless institution. Their past performances and corrupt practices for vote selling don’t give any hope or confidence to the residents of Puntland State.

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SOMALIA: POVERTY, POLITICS AND POWER

Reposted from 2019 WDM articles

A country, where people are suffering from unemployment rate of nearly 90%, political parties are unheard of for 50 years, politicians are too polarized and clannish, scarce public resources are looted and used against the poor to remain poor and bribe them when needed for political advantage, the few educated are selfish, corrupt, short-sighted and intellectually bankrupt to rise up above tribal bickerings at arm-chair lazy debates, schools of poor quality ill-educate the youth, such a country will not create opportunities for the persons of Ilhan Omar’s strength and talent or the rise of Abdiqawi Yusuf and Ahmed Hussein Dirir, the President of International Court of Justice at Hague, and Canada’s Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, respectively. Those personalities had managed to flee their country of origin, Somalia, to become what they are today elsewhere in a globalized world.

 Those, who practise in corruption, cronyism and nepotism in public service are blind to cultivation of talent under meritocracy. They also feel vulnerable and threatened in their privileged existence to open up to and widen opportunities for others. Poor leadership in all spheres of life and endeavors tap into that school of thought on protectionism and maintenence of status quo. This is what has happened to Somalia, a nation of poets and powerful minds.

The vicious circles of Poverty, Politics and Power embedded in Somalia’s socio-economic circles, especially in today’s religious and political elites in all urban centers of Somalia must be uncoiled to expand opportunities to all citizens. That way the New Somalia would produce not only its abundant native talents of Ilhan type, but also attract more from other countries to help explore and extract Somalia’s resources of the near and distant future.

 In conclusion, Somalia’s traditional leaders are no longer the sacred cows as they become as corrupt as Nigerian Chiefs. It is time to revisit and do away the ills of Somalia’s clan system. How could one defend serial murderers and serial rapists to remain a clan leader?

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AMID CAPTURE AND EXECUTION OF SOME EXTREMIST OPERATIVES, IT IS TOO EARLY TO CELEBRATE IN GALKAYO

Puntland authorities may get complacent and put their guard down as a result of some initial successes in apprehending and bringing some extremist foot-soldiers to justice. Authorities should take note that they are dealing with mafia-style organization consisting of leadership, intelligence networks, financiers and supporting local and national networks. In Puntland urban centres, there are local financiers and intelligence networks of Al-Shabab that needs to be dismantled and eliminated.

Foot-soldiers of Al-Shabab are easy to be replaced promptly. In military terms, this recruitment isn’t expensive for a mafia organization extorting businesses on daily basis, and acting as a shadow government in the country. There is no shortage of funds in its recruitment drive of young unemployed and disillusioned youth in inner cities of Somalia.

What is needed here is penetration of the organization’s financial system and intelligence networks. Real successes depend on disrupting and breaking up this backbone of the mafia.

Now that residents of Galkayo have discovered the evil nature of Al-Shabab, and a lot of confusion and unknowns are cleared, a counter religious narrative is badly needed to warn people of the blasphemy of the group and its peudo-religious activities. People have to rise up against the satans in towns. Residents must also know that the authorities, in isolation, couldn’t do the work effectively without the cooperation of the general public. Those who rent out rooms in their houses must know their tenants. Businesses should know their customers. Suspicious activities should be reported immediately to the authorities. Strange and threatening telephone calls should be monitored and reported. In short, citizens should fight back to help eradicate the menace of Al-Shabab in the country.

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THE NEW SUEZ CANAL OF THE HORN OF AFRICA

Cape guardafui, also known as Ras Asayr (Casayr), at intersections of the Red Sea and Indian Ocean is a natural Suez Canal of the Horn of Africa. It is located within the territorial waters of Puntland/Somalia. More than a half of the international shipping pass by. In the old days before the advance in navigation technology, there was a permanent light house erected at Cape to guide the huge number of commercial ships passing through. Italian Colonial Administrations in Somalia collected fees from international liners crossing at the Cape. It would have been prohibitively too expensive for shipping world sailing to India and Far East to go around the Cape. Basically, the Cape connects the world in a way Suez Canal of Egypt couldn’t.

During the initial years of Puntland establishment, the late Vice President of Puntland, Mohamed Abdi Hashi, and I had decided to explore the possibility of developing the Cape into a tourist resort, providing recreational facilities, service bankers for fresh water, sunshine, fuel and luxury hotels for international travelers on tourist cruise ships. We had persuaded a Swiss expert to study our project proposal and to visit the Cape. He reported to us about the potential of the area for tourist attraction and benefits it offers to international commercial liners. We gave him the permission to go ahead and lobby for the project. Swiss government officials were impressed to consider encouraging Swiss companies to carry out feasibility studies. In the end, unfortunately, they were deterred by US government under the pretext that Puntland State wasn’t a sovereign country able to enter into an international treaty of that magnitude. Moreover, the Americans claimed this waterway was an international passage that couldn’t be disturbed. The pursuit of our project was adjourned, waiting for another day to re-start.

During the course of project studies, we learned a few historical facts. Almost all international commercial shipping fleet of the world is insured by the British Lloyd Insurance Marketplace. Insurance fees shot up suddenly then as false rumors had spread around the world that the people living in Cape Guardafui practised “cannibalism” and that was the reason why attendants of the light house at the Cape often disappeared, endangering ships passing by there. Later, it was found out that the residents of the Cape had been persuading these attendants to abandon their duties by resettling them there into family life, so that people could take advantage of shipwrecks as the light house guiding the ships goes off.

The story of “bad kasoo bax, Boqor baa leh (All findings from the sea belongs to the King), perhaps, had originated from this wild story of the Cape Guardafui Light House. Check it out.

LIGHT HOUSE, GUARDAFUI

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PROFESSOR ABDISALAM SALWE OF EAST AFRICA UNIVERSITY (BOSASO, SOMALIA) ON WARSAME DIGITAL MEDIA WDM

I read with interest your publication which I found very useful and on time as Somalia is passing through one of its worst time in history. I also liked the way you have been trying to transmit your publication through social media as today the social media has become the most essential tool to convey messages.

Another style that I liked is your technique of shortening and highlighting the messages. As we know, today Somali habit of reading has become lower than in the seventies and eighties.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Ismail+warsame

For example, I read the article “Private Sharia Courts Have Started Operating in Garowe City”. The truth is the Islamists are everywhere and they have been trying to create a government under a government.

I can say that “you have been saying what I always wanted to say to the public”. Thank you for that.

In the meantime, in some of my publications, I have discussed the colonial intrusion in Somalia. They can found online:

The Historical Context of the Conflict of the Horn
(in Abdisalam M. Issa-Salwe, Cold War Fallout: Boundary Politics and Conflict in the Horn of Africa, Haan Associates Publishers, 2000)
https://wardheernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/The_Historical_Context_of_The_Conflict_of_the_Horn.pdf

Colonial Intrusion and the Somali Resistance
https://www.slideshare.net/binsalwe/colonial-intrusion-and-the-somali-resistance
The Collapse of the Somali State: The Impact of the Colonial Legacy. Haan Associates Publishers, 1996, pp.25-55.

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PUNTLAND HAS MADE HISTORY. AN IMPORTANT INTERVIEW

Take a watch:

https://fb.watch/6gc29xY4sN/

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WHY SICK PUNTLANDERS GO TO HARGEISA AND MOGADISHU

https://ismailwarsame.blog/2019/03/22/why-sick-puntlanders-go-to-hargeisa-and-mogadishu/

HOW TO HANDLE CORRUPTION IN A DEEPLY CORRUPT SOCIETY

https://ismailwarsame.blog/2019/03/17/how-to-handle-corruption-in-a-deeply-corrupt-society/

SEASONAL OR PHONEY HOTEL BUSINESS IN GAROWE?

There is a growing tendency towards building and opening new hotels in Garowe, Puntland, Somalia, continually. The imitation or modeling of this hospitality industry one after another is intensive here. Occupancy is at minimum with many of the hotels in city empty. That is because hotel occupancy heavily depends on the presence of the State President in town, many anxiously waiting for his return to Garowe once he is shortly unavailable.

This is one of the factors that critics call Puntland successive administrations “Madax-Ka-Nool” or a government by one figure head. Nothing moves here without that figure, the biggest employer in town, after private small businesses. Since many of Puntland residents are unskilled due to poor educational background and total absence of vocational training, it is easier for them to seek government jobs through recommendations to the State President, who has the sole power to hire without the need for personnel screening or vetting candidates through professional and security agencies. That is why hotels in Garowe are built upon unsound business propositions with duplications upon duplications of typical Somali imitation from the other guy or the neighbor, to accommodate these government job hunters or in pursuit of favors from the State officials. Occasionally, Garowe hotels are lucky to host dignitaries and delegations from South-Central Somalia. Nobody visits Garowe hotels from Somaliland or Djibouti. Puntlanders, though, are frequent guests in Mogadishu, Hargeisa and Djibouti, for business and pleasure.

Garowe isn’t familiar yet with the idea of guest-housing called BnB (bed and breakfast lodging). They don’t build furnished apartments for rent. Since the city was historiclly one of backward towns in Northeast Somalia before the foundation of Puntland in 1998, luckily acquiring capital city status, locals are trying their best to catch up with lost time and lack of economic resources in the past. They are now taking advantage of Puntland’s Madax-Ka-Nool situation. Like Mogadishu does in Somalia, Garowe is privileged to siphon in more than its fair share of Puntland’s economic resources and benefits of the State that come with being the Capital City.

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GALKAYO: THE DYSTOPIAN CITY OF SOMALIA

It is the target of folklore jokes for different reasons:

  1. It produces daring and assertive residents, characteristics considered negative or derogatory by more urban residents of old Mogadishu, and by others as well.
  2. It attracts envy from rest of Somalia for contributing the finest soldiers to the Somali National Army.
  3. It is the home town of prominent Somalia’s politicians, leaders and top military officers.
  4. It had led the way in the struggle for national independence. For the bravery of its residents, Italian Colonial Administration Authorities called it “Rocco Littorio”, after the name of Italian Warship for brave soldiers.
  5. Galkayo was the epicenter of repression and persecution by the Military Dictatorship of General Barre for no good reasons other than the strong character of its residents.

Lately, since the foundation of Puntland State, Galkayo and entire North Mudugh Region had been neglected in terms of good governance and development projects, dismissing it as nuisance frontier and despicable Puntland trouble spot. It has been left to its own device as irredeemable enclave and ungovernable location of the State. Since the inception of Puntland State Galkayo has been suffering from Administrative vacuum. Regional authorities there were appointed in nominal fashion without any meaningful State backup to address the the unique chronic issues and historical problems in the absence of well-intended governance strategy. The City has been treated as an outcast in the family. Even Galkayo road links to the rest of Puntland State had been disowned and allowed to deteriorate beyond repair. It is now three times easier and faster to travel more than four hundred Kms on the way to Bosaso on the shores of the Red Sea in the east than to drive a little more than two hundred Kms to Galkayo from Garowe, the main administrative center of Puntland State. Any vehicle that reaches Galkayo safely from Garowe would need total overhaul and expensive repairs. A multi-clan Somalia’s town of a quarter million residents with the potential to become the future National Capital City has been let go to ruin and rot.

As a result of despair due to neglect, residents of Galkayo became disillusioned and lost any hope in the future. Youth have been taken advantage of by Al-Shabab and other extremist organizations of all forms and shapes. Youth have been recruited as killers and murderers of their own kinship. Even elders gave in to Al-Shabab intimidations.The cream of its residents had been assassinated by local hopeless youth under the spell of Al-Shabab. For the first time, strange questions on whether Galkayo belongs to Puntland or Galmudugh were raised. Some residents of the city have been contemplating the idea of seceding from Puntland altogether since being part of the State has lost all meaning. In the words of the New Governor of North Mudugh Region, Abdilatif Sanyare, “Galkayo was no different from the two regions of Shabelles” in Southern Somalia with regards to the menace of Al-Shabab terror.

Most recently, a break has come to the residents of North Galkayo:

  1. Relationships and good neighborliness with the Southern Galkayo have significantly improved.
  2. Relative security and calm have returned to the City of Galkayo in both parts of the town.
  3. Dozens of Al- Shabab assassins have been apprehended and persecuted, a security campaign still underway as we write this article. These prisoners of Al-Shabab assassins have been narrating, in their debriefings, graphic details of their murder exploits. But, it is still premature to conclude that the Dystopian Somalia’s City of Galkayo is out of the woods. It is too good to see Galkayo that lucky.

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BREAKING NEWS: PRIVATE SHARIA COURTS HAVE STARTED OPERATING IN GAROWE CITY

According to reliable eyewitness report, private Sharia Courts have been operating in Puntland Capital City for sometime now. These courts are reportedly attending land and properties disputes. They charge high fees for their services, according to an eyewitness, who was called in to testify about a land disputes between parties.

This is happening outside Puntland administration of justice. If allowed to continue to function in Puntland, these unofficial private Sharia courts shall turn into Al-shabab style system of parallel judiciary administrations similar to those operating in Southern Somalia. It is a new dangerous development unheard of its existence in Puntland before.

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PUNTLAND VIP SECURITY PROTECTION OVERDO

Residents of Garowe are the most patient people on earth, enduring the public inconveniences practised by authorities for years. It so happens that the State President, or more often, the Vice President attending an event in a public place in town seizes and seals off the entire area with unproportional security forces. Patrons reluctantly and patiently turn around and go home sadly. The protocols and related security departments couldn’t fix this problem since the foundation of the State, mainly because of the fact that the bosses are fond of seeing their presence and power felt by the public repeatedly.

Ironically, those who are now perpetuating this overzealous VIP security protection turn into ordinary human beings overnight when voted out or replaced. Right now, sitting near my table at hotel lobby is a former Puntland Minister of Public Security. He is alone without a single security guard. But the new comers or replacements go into same cycle of abuse of power or showmanship once installed.

This VIP security protection showmanship is happening tonight at Grand Hotel in Garowe with Puntland Vice President in attendance. I have been told that the whole security fuss and public inconveniences so created is about a school graduation ceremony. I also know that residence of the Vice President isn’t far off from the hotel – it doesn’t require carloads of security personnel to occupy forcefully and seal off the entire area. Why does it need such a show of force by a civilian administration in every event in town? I think it is more than ignorance. There is a dimension of public abuse as well. All they need here is a well trained and efficient police force to maintain law and order in such events. Puntland doesn’t need individual collections of personal bodyguards that would disappear with that VIP of the day once he goes away.

Next time you hear blaring car siren along the road in Garowe, don’t think it is an ambulance transporting a sick patient to a hospital emergency – it is the either the President or Vice President owning up the public highway.

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PUNTLAND: SHOWCASING INSECURITY IN TOWNS

Do Puntland authorities understand why zonal security rating is lower in Garowe than in Hargeisa? The reason is that Garowe showcases guns and technicals (battle wagons) in town. Puntland Capital City looks like dangerous war zone. Authorities should learn addressing security issues without the display of tools of intimidation and fear.

UN HQ in New York and that of European Union in Brussels require international workers not to stay overnight in Garowe without permission from them, while these same workers are allowed to bring their families with them to Hargeisa and spend time in town without security escorts for shopping, sightseeing and entertainment. There is a night curfew (from 6 pm) in place for internationals staying overnight in Puntland urban centres.The perception of security fear created by Puntland authorities in Garowe doesn’t exist even in dangerous Mogadishu, where expatriates do the bulk of their businesses, staying in as long as it takes.

Puntland authorities create a perception of insecurity in Garowe and other peaceful towns to unintentionally lower secutity rating in Puntland. This artificial exercise by busy bodies should be curtailed. The pattern also indicates that authorities do not understand the other soft means of keeping peace: intelligence and use of plainclothed security personnel. Visible guns in public view create the impression of fear and insecurity in urban centres. They must kept invisible, but ready in discrete stations, just in case.

Historically, the epidemic of the spread of acquiring bodyguards in Puntland State was initiated and used by former cabinet members, Hassan Abshir Farah Waraabe and Ali Ismail Abdigir, two former officials of Siyaad Barre Regime, against resentments by others.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/somalia

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FLASHBACK IN HISTORY

Raadraac: Wareysi Ismaaciil Xaaji Warsame: Doorashada Madaxtinimo iyo Guud ahaanba Xaaladda Siyaasadeed ee Puntland

ON AMBASSADOR YUSUF OMAR AZHARI (RIP)

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ADAM JAMA BIHI: THE UNRECOGNIZED TALENT OF PUNTLAND STATE, A GREAT PUNTLANDER

DO YOU KNOW THAT WITHOUT THE PIONEER WORKS OF ADAM JAMA BIHI WITH HIS WAR-TORN SOCIETY, THE CREATION OF PUNTLAND STATE WOULD HAD BEEN DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE? ASK AROUND TO KNOW ABOUT HIM?

As Project Manager of War-torn Society operating in North East Regions (now called Puntland), an international NGO owned, financed and based in Switzerland, Adam Jama Bihi had diverted the entire resources of the organization, including personnel to the successful conclusion of the two founding community congresses in Garowe with the product result: The Puntland State of Somalia. He had helped in hiring five Western European Constitutional lawyers and one Egyptian lawyer to help draft the founding Puntland Charter. Because of his bold and patriotic act in helping create the New State, he was severely reprimanded and sanctioned by his overseas bosses then, including Matt Bryden, the current VIP of SAHAN AFRICA. This sanction against Adam Jama Bihi had continued for many months after the successful establishment of Puntland State. Bihi’s actions are justified in the sense that he was helping a war-torn society, the true mission of that organization.

Adam had died in a car accident at “Xalima Dheere Mountain” near Garowe while he was traveling from Galkayo before War-torn Society operations came to an end in Puntland. His passing away was one of my saddest moments in life. He was gifted and genius, perhaps, in par with Einstein, if not more talented.

As activities of War-torn society were concluded, following Adam’s death, Puntland Presidency had moved to create PDRC (Puntland Development and Research Centre), mainly thanks to Adam Jama Bihi’s works under War-torn Society. I had pushed the idea and drafted the initial papers to establish PDRC, becoming myself a member of the Founding Board together with Waldo, Jurile, Abdiqawi of ICJ and Ali Isse Abdi of SSC Regions (Khaatumo), among a few more. We had appointed Abdirahman Abdulle Shuke as its Director-General under PL Presidency. It was a parastatale agency, but, because we didn’t have the funds to support the agency, we allowed it to operate as NGO. Abdiqawi and Ali Isse Abdi had never contributed anything meaningful to PDRC establishment or operations.

Like many of the talented personalities in Puntland, Adam had political frictions with then PL President Abdullahi Yusuf. In fact, I was the binding link between the President and perceived or real opposition elements in the country and overseas. These included General Cadde Muse, Mohamed Abshir Waldo, to name just a few of many others.

The late President had been accusing Adam Jama Bihi of collecting and empowering the opposition. One evening President Abdullahi Yusuf, Mohamed Abshir Waldo, Adam Jama Bihi and I were discussing an issue at sitting room of the President in Garowe. Hot argument broke out between Abdullahi Yusuf and Adam Jama Bihi. Nothing was spared between them except physical blows. As Waldo and Bihi had left us, I advised the President to allow me to look into the accusations that Bihi was supporting the opposition. He accepted my offer. I started attending Bihi’s War-torn Society workshops. I found out that a civil war breaks out when members of any society stop talking to each other. Adam Jama Bihi was facilitating that talk or dialogue happening and getting stronger in North East Somalia. Unfortunately, the President misunderstood Bihi’s noble and patriotic mission. I had, however, reported back to the President, warning him of his misconceptions. I don’t believe that he had heeded my advice as he continued bashing anyone perceived to belong to the opposition.

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KA BAXAY BACAADWEYN, MUDUGH, PUNTLAND, SOMALIA

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3901979086547189&id=1722832937795159&sfnsn=mo

POSITIVE MEDIA ITEM FROM UNEXPECTED SOURCE

PICTURE OF THE DAY

This boy of eight years old had moved with his mother from Mogadishu to Garowe just before Ramadan, seeking better life in Puntland. I asked him one question: “Does your mother work in Garowe?” “Not yet”, he responded. “But, I work for her”.

1P1V IN PUNTLAND

They say wherever the USA state of Iowa goes in an election, so goes the rest of the country. Is it equally true that wherever the State of Puntland goes, so goes Somalia?

Puntland State of Somalia was created in 1998 as the first pillar for the foundation of the 2nd Somali Republic. The establishment of other Federal Member States followed suit. Puntland sponsored the federal system of governance in Somalia, and rest of the country, region by region, followed suit. Other member states had adopted Puntland Constitution, replacing only the name of Puntland with their respective names of the state like Galmudugh State of Somalia, Southwest State of Somalia, Hirshabelle State of Somalia and Jubaland State of Somalia. There is nothing wrong in modeling after successful enterprise. Human progress and experiences indicate similar copycat modeling. People follow the leader.

We have been saying all along that One Person One Vote (1P1V) wouldn’t happen in Somalia until Puntland showed the way. It is happening now with pilot vote registrations in Puntland towns of Eyl (Nugaal Region), Qardho (Karkaar Region) and Uffayn (Bari or Bareeda Region). If successful, all the rest of Puntland towns will follow this vote registration lead. This vote registration would be the first critical phase for general elections for state presidency and House of people’s Representatives. By experience, the rest of Somalia will follow Puntland experiment in democracy post-Civil War.
Stay tuned.
Have your say.

In the meantime, don’t forget to get your copies of the best selling books at https://amazon.com/author/ismailwarsame

Elder registered to vote in Puntland