Somaliland: A News Digest in English 2

LAS ANOD,SOMALILAND – A roadside bomb killed one military official and wounded four others last week in the eastern town of Las Anod. Mr. Osman Yusuf, the commander of Somaliland´s 12th infantry division was the intended target, he was killed instantly.

Four others were injured, two military personnel and two bystanders who were rushed to local hospitals and are said to be in a stable condition.

According to eye witnesses, two remotely controlled bombs were used in the attack, first one missing its intended target – second blast causing all the damages.

Somaliland police have been put on high alert and reinforcements are said to be on their way to the city to take part in the investigation.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast but Somalia´s Al Qaeda linked hard-line group, Al shabaab is believed to be behind the attack while many suspect militias loyal to the Puntland state could also be behind the attack.

The attack came two days after Al shabaab threatened to attack Somaliland and other countries in the Horn of Africa including Djibouti, Uganda and Kenya.

Somaliland recently marked the first anniversary of deadly blasts that rocked the capital, Hargeisa, on October 29th, 2008, and claimed the lives of 24 people and left more than 30 others wounded. (source Somalilandpress)

WASHINGTON,DC,USA — The government of Saudi Arabia on Thursday removed an 11-year ban on livestock imports from Somalia, the self-declared Republic of Somaliland and the Puntland State of Somalia, after fears of Rift Valley Fever were allayed, the VOA has learnt.

The decision was well received across the region as hundreds of thousands of farmers heavily rely on animal exports to the oil-rich Middle East. Under the new arrangement, Saudi officials will closely examine animals before they are shipped off to Saudi soil.

"This is a tremendous decision for Somalis across the Horn of Africa," said Idiris Ibrahim Abdi, the livestock minister of Somaliland, which has developed one of the most sophisticated animal processing plants in its port town of Berbera.

(source VOA)

HARGEISA,SOMALILAND- A debit card service was launched for the first time ever in Somaliland this week. The region broke away from Somalia in 1991, when the country's government collapsed, and has been relatively stable ever since.

The new debit cards will allow customers to pay for goods and services at any commercial establishment, transferring money directly from the card holder's account to the merchant's account via an internet connection.

It also offers a cash-back service that lets customers add an extra amount to the transaction and receive the cash in return. The company that launched the system, Dahabshiil, said it will also make the transfer of remittances more secure and accessible.

Money sent to the region by emigrants working abroad amounts to around one billion US dollars a year.

(source Se7en Magazine)

HARGEISA,SOMALILAND- The Federal Republic of Ethiopia has appointed a new Representative to Somaliland and has upgraded its mission in Somaliland from a Trade office to a Consulate.

Mr. Berhe Tesfey replaces the previous representative, Mr.Wubishet Demisse, who has taken a new role with the Ethiopian Foreign office.

Meeting with the Somaliland Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdullahi Mohamed Duale, and Mr.Tesfey spoke of the close and strong relationship between Somaliland and Ethiopia.

Mr. Tesfey thanked the people of Somaliland for their warm welcome and looked forward to working closely with all members of the Somaliland society.

Foreign Minister Duale also spoke briefly about the strong relationship between Somaliland and Ethiopia and remarked that the new Consulate will work to strengthen those ties.

The new appointment and the official upgrade of the mission in Somaliland comes exactly a year to the day of the terrorist attacks in Hargeisa, in which, the Somaliland Presidency, the Ethiopian trade office and a UN compound were targets of suicide bombers.

(source UNPO)

BERBERA,SOMALILAND - Somaliland government officials and officers from the NATO forces on patrol against pirates in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean met aboard a naval warship off the coast of Berbera.

The meeting took place aboard a NATO warship anchored off the coast of Berbera. Participating in the meeting on the Somaliland side were members of the government, officials from the Sahil regional authority, the head of the port of Berbera and officers from the Somaliland coast guard and security services.

There was no official communiqué from the meeting, but sources confirm that the main agenda of the meeting concentrated on areas of mutual interest between Somaliland and NATO in combating high sea piracy in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The Somaliland coast guard has been active in safeguarding the shipping lanes from pirates operating out of Somalia.

According to eyewitness on the scene the meeting lasted approximately two hours after which the NATO warship headed for the high seas and the Somaliland delegation returned ashore.

In related news, a ship carrying supplies from the World Food Programme docked at the port of Berbera yesterday with logistics destined for Ethiopia.

(source Geeska Afrika)

HARGEISA, SOMALILAND-The Director-general of the Somaliland Ministry of Education, Mr.Ali Abdi Odowa has inaugurated the construction of a new centre at Hargeisa University. The new Mediation and Reconciliation centre is a new addition to the Hargeisa University campus. The new centre is being funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The foundation laying ceremony was attended by members of the faculty at Hargeisa University, senior officials from UNDP, led by Mr. Mark Bowden and officials from the Somaliland government.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of Hargeisa University, Mr.Mubarig Ibrahim Aar thanked the UNDP for its fulsome support of the new centre and stated that centre will be an addition to the development of Hargeisa University and will foster in a new chapter of study, co-operation and exchanging of ideas within Somaliland and throughout the region.

Mr. Mubarig Ibrahim Aar, stated that the new centre will facilitate training, workshops and seminars designed to enhance the mediation and conflict resolution process in Somaliland and elsewhere in the region.

Mr. Ali Abdi Odowa, Director-general of the Somaliland ministry of Education also gave brief remarks at the ceremony and highlighted the beneficial aspects of the new centre to the development of education in Somaliland and the throughout the region.

Finally, Mr. Mark Bowden from the UNDP remarked on the new centre and its role in the mediation and reconciliation field.

Mr. Bowden thanked the major donor nations to this project which includes Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom and several community organizations across the world.

Mr. Bowden also stated his confidence in the proper use of this centre by the people of Somaliland and those from across the region.

(source Qarannews)

HARGEISA, SOMALILAND – The Somaliland Parliament has approved a New Election Commission (NEC) in order to move forward with the upcoming Presidential election.

Parliament's lower house, the 82-member House of Representatives, met recently to vote on the new seven-member National Election Commission.

The NEC members are jointly appointed by Somaliland's President, Parliament and the opposition parties.

The new commission has since being sworn to office by the Chief Justice of the Somaliland Supreme Court and have chosen a new chair and deputy.

Somaliland President Mr. Dahir Rayale Kahin and the Somaliland opposition parties recently agreed on a six-point accord following a dispute over delayed presidential elections. The new accord called for the formation of a new National Election Commission.

(source Harawo)