Puntland elections; Time for new Leadership.

From: Somaliland Press.

Somalia

Somalia: Puntland elections; Time for new leadership

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Under President Farole’s administration, the Puntland security, economy, and territorial integrity have all suffered. President Farole’s autocratic rule and abuse of power in public resources has hindered progress and prosperity of the people of Puntland, and the time has come for him to be replaced.

Economically, President Farole’s government lack of transparency and accountability has discouraged investors from investing in the development of the region. In fact, Puntland is worse off today than before, when Farole came to power. The hopes and trust of business community has deteriorated to a point where Puntland born investors are leaving the major commercial centers of Puntland such as Bosaso, Garowe, and Galcaio in droves for more business friendly cities like Mogadishu, Jig-jiga, Berbera, and Hargeisa.  Many businesses have closed or are closing their operations here in Puntland because they no longer find attractive investment option. Thanks to President Farole’s lack of leadership Bosaso is not anymore the favored historic port for exporting livestock to the Middle East, and for importing goods into the North, North East and Central Somali. Given the importance and ideal location and close proximity to the Arabian Gulf States, one would have expected Bosaso port to be buzzing with activity but to the contrary the port is very much underutilized.

The Bosaso port is not competitive anymore because taxes and custom fees are much higher than competing ports such as Berbera and Mogadishu. These high taxes and port fees have discouraged investors, traders, and suppliers of goods and made them to switch to other business friendly ports like Mogadishu and Berbera. It is worth mentioning that products that come through Mogadishu and Berbera even when added to arduous transportation and journey are selling competitively here in Bosaso giving them cost advantage over goods imported thru Bosaso.

The port infrastructure and airports have deteriorated under President Farole. For example, the infrastructure in Bosaso, Garowe, and Galcaio airports are in dismal state and the landing strips are not suitable for larger aircrafts to land. This is the reason that even though Bosaso is two hours closer to Dubai than Mogadishu the fare is almost twice higher from Bosaso to Dubai. Much needed revenue could have been generated from the port and airports if they had been repaired or expanded.
The decades old road and the only one that links Bosaso, Garowe and Galcaio has deteriorated so badly with potholes that it is neither save nor efficient to travel on it. This adds to the cost of goods and the time it takes to deliver goods to customers, again making Puntland businesses unable to compete with goods from Mogadishu and Berbera.

The Puntland Security situation has been getting worse since Farole administration took power.  On a daily basis innocent individuals are assassinated all over Puntland. The police are poorly paid, trained, and are under equipped. The law enforcement agencies lack the discipline, demeanor and skills required of professional law enforcement agency to keep law and order.
Additionally, Somalis from the South who fled violence there, are routinely stopped at checkpoints and whisked out of vehicles and subjected to harsh interrogation, humiliation and imprisonment. The only way to regain freedom is to pay bribe to corrupted prison/police/judicial officials.
On the real estate front, the Farole administration has lost big chunks of territory to Hargeisa because of his mistreatment to the people in Sool, Sanaag and Cayn.
Politically, the Father and his sons rule by intimidation and iron fist. His administration has created sharp divisions among different citizen-groups, and alienated some of the most ardent supporters of Puntland, leading to the creation of Khatumo administration or annexation by Somaliland administration against majority’s will.

In health and education, suffice it to say low and poor quality.
By judging him purely on performance, there is not one good reason – save tribal solidarity- to re-elect him again to office. The good news is that his intransigence has made the political tide turn against him. The bad news is that despite his poor performance he will not give up power easily and there is still a possibility that he might come out victorious come Election Day because he has at his disposal all of the State’s machinery to harass and intimidate both voters and candidates, and he has a lot of money to bribe members of parliament and buy their votes. That is why it is too early to count him out.

It is widely believed that if anyone other than him wins the election he is determined to fight it to the teeth unless of course the winner is someone who hails from the same tribe but a nudge nobler than him. Then he would not risk fighting within his own clan. If such candidate succeeds him, that, I think, would ultimately save the region from further disintegrating.

Furthermore, since he will not easily give up power, he must have prepared for a long worn-out fight. Rumors have it that he has put on stand-by a formidable force that is heavily armed and well-trained by Saracen International, a security firm in South Africa, to call them to duty if he loses the election and if fighting between different factions breaks out it will be the end of Puntland as we know it because things might go out control and push the region to further disintegration, in-fighting, and perhaps another civil war, may GOD forbid.

So in the upcoming Puntland election, MPs have a moral duty to vote their good conscience to avert bloodshed. They must realize that this administration’s political life has come to an end and the strongman must be voted out of office come hell or high water; and another leader who is up to the daunting task of reversing the dire situation around must be elected.

The question is who can successfully challenge the strongman? I think the only candidate who stands a chance to the Throne is someone who is not tainted by Somalia’s ugly politics and protracted civil war/blood libel, someone who will bring about change, development, growth, and brighter future for the young, someone who will not steal from the coffers of the state, someone who will attract investors, someone who is rational and pragmatic, someone who in the political arena can keep his cool while standing his ground, someone who understands the art of decency in public speaking, someone who will work with regional leaders towards peace and stability, someone who will not use religion to sow the seed of discord, someone who will build and repair the infrastructure, someone who is not only educated and intellectual, but is also one whom Farole dare not pick a fight with, someone from Farole’s same clan but is more noble than him, and above all someone who will abide by the constitution and uphold the rule of law even if he is the one to be defeated.

Although the other candidates are all well qualified, none of them may be able to muster enough votes to win the election outright and none will be able to avert the bloodshed that would inevitably result in if Farole loses.

Now, having established the view that a nobler Farole cousin is the right candidate, then you may be in for a surprise because I have heard through the Fadhi-ku-dirir grapevines that there is one such candidate who goes by the name of Unknown.

So a word of counsel to the wise MPs is that the entire burden of this election and the winner thereof is on your shoulders. You can choose to be on the good side of history and become a savior of your people or you can choose to succumb to intimidation, pressure and bribery and keep the status quo, thereby living with their resentment ever after.

In conclusion, let’s hope that common sense will prevail and the elections will be held in a fair and free atmosphere; let’s hope the region will once again become peaceful and prosperous.

So help us GOD.

Ahmed Bashir
bashir1631@gmail.com

Boobka Dhul iyo Dad.

 Boobka Dhul iyo Dad.

Soomaalida cusub iyo dhismayaasha dawladnimo ama maamul oo aan aasaaska lahayn:

Ilaa burburkii dawladnimo ee Soomaaliya waxaa laga dhaxley qaab cusub oo ku saleysan in la sheegto dhul, ama dad aadan maamulin ama aan raalli ka ahayn maamulka aad sheegeyso.

Waxaynnu ognahay, in Dawladda Puntland ee Soomaaliya ay ku soo socoto doorasho, doorashadaas oo lagu doorto Madaxweynaha Puntland oo ay doortaan 65 Xildhibaan, 17 Xildhibaan oo ka mid ah waxay ka soo jeedaan reerka Dhulbahante la yiraahdo.

Waxaynnu ognahay in reerkani ay yeesheen shirweyne ay ku dhisteen maamul la yiraahdo Khaatumo. Maamulkaas oo ay ku cadeeyeen inuu yahay maamul iyagu ay u dhisteen dantooda iyo aayahoodda, kuna celceliyeen marar badan, iyagoo cadeeyey inayan ka mid ahayn maamulka la yiraahdo Puntland, intooda badanni.

Arrintaasi hadda waxay abuurtey in ay Puntland ka soo baxeen siyaasiyiin ku doodaya waa in sidii horey iyo tiraddii hore iyo qaabkii hore lagu soo doortaa madaxweynaha Puntland.

Arrintaasi waxay ka yaabisey, kuna ridey afkala-tag dad badan oo reer Puntland ah oo leh oo arrintaasi ma tahay macquul, anagoo og go'aanka ay Dhulbahante gaareeyn iyo meesheey ku gaareyn.

Waa arrinta hadda keentey in dadka qaarkiis ay leeyihiin looma baahna in shirweyne Isimadda Harti, Meheri, iyo Daaroodka dagga dhulkaan Puntland ineey isu yimaadaan , ee sidii hore halagu socdo, dhagtanna yaan loo dhigin Dhulbahante iyo qeylo dhaanta Khaatumo.

Meesha ay dadka intoodda badan leeyihiin:

1. War sooma fiicna in la isu yimaado go'aanna laga wada qaato in qaabkii hore uu jiro iyo in kale.

2. In la is weydiiyo rabitaanka Dhulbahante iyo waxay damacsan yihiin.

3. In laga wada xaajoodo intii maamulka Puntland uu dhisnaa maxaa qabsoomey, maxaanse qabsoomin.

4. In Maamulka soo socda go'aan adag looga qaato, loona sii sheego waxa laga filayo.

5. In ayan mar dambe dhicin in la isqab-qabsado, loona jeexo wado la isku og yahay in la maro.

6. In laga balammo, meella la isla dhigo qaabka xisbiyadda iyo sidii ay ku hirgalli lahaayeen.

7. In maamulka soo socda loo sheego in Maxkamadii dastuuriga ahayd la dhiso.

8. In maamulka soo socda loo sii sheego, in la sameeyo Hanti dhowr ilaaliya dhaqaalaha dalka si ayan mar dambe u dhicin kii yimaadaabba inuu u isticmaalo hantida ummadda Makhaayad uu leeyahay.

9. In laga wada hadlo sidii loo wada dhisi lahaa guddigii khilaafaadka ee doorashadda.

Markaan fiiriyey, labadaan qolo waxay iigu muuqdaan in qolanna ay tahay qollo cirka laga soo ridey, haba yaraatee wax naxariis ah iyo rabitanna aan dhulkaan u hayn, rabanna waxay bililiqeystaan, oo isu soo qaawiyey BOOB iyo DHAC aan geed loogu soo gaban. Waanna qoladda hore oo leh inna kiciya oo ina dhaqaajiya aannu wax aannu cunno raadinee.

Qoladda Dambe, waa dadkii dhulkaan u dhashay, kana naxaya ummaddooda rabanna in la gaaro horumar, cadaalad iyo barwaaqo loo siman yahay.

Wax Billaahi Towfiiq.

Ahmed M. Yassin

Notorious Pirate kingpin.

Afweyne, the Notorious Pirate Kingpin.

Notorious Pirate kingpin Afweyne who has been arrested in Belgium after he fell in trap to make movie about his life, had gave very disturbing information about Somalia and its Piracy industry to the Belgium authorities. After they interrogated him how his criminal journey started, who's involved, or invested and so on.

So far the information we are getting from all kind of sources, its unmatched criminal dynasty that have never seen before. Piracy business in Somalia in their profound involvement by businessmen and so called politicians alike. Whether, they are current or previous so called leaders.  

Therefore, When this story comes out, many so called Politicians, Businessmen and  Islamic groups leaders  in Somalia, there will be no place to hide any more.

Ahmed M. Yassin

Puntland and It's Leader.

Puntland and It's leader.

We do not need leader of one city or for that matter a one state but rather leader of the whole region. And this is what has been going on throughout his presidency now all of you who are supporters of this man tell us how he can lead this region.

Unless your intention are to put this region undue burdens which lead them to go their separate ways and put an end Puntland region as we know it. More so, all 11 emergency locations are in Nugaal none in Bari, Karkaar, Sanaag, Mudug, not only that he still have not tour the devastated area of the cyclone outside of Nugaal.

Furthermore, he’s also started complaining the very agencies that we need them to help our people for humanitarian assistance and other essentials. Thus a turf war where he’s asking all assistances must go through with his government so they can disperse it the hard hit area of the cyclone the very same citizens that he has not yet visit.

Last but not the least, how any of you in good conscious can support this man to lead us another four or five years of fruitless, and no development for Puntland.

Ahmed M. Yassin

Resignation Letter from Yussur to Somali President.

This is very historic resignation letter in Somali history.

Copy of the Letter.

Resegnation letter.

HE Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
President of Federal Republic of Somalia

Mr President:

It is with great sadness that I submit to you this letter to serve as
my official resignation of the post of Governor of the Central Bank of
Somalia.

Your excellency, when I accepted this role, I did so with the
interests of the Somali people in mind. Having worked at senior levels
at some of the largest financial institutions in the world, I was
looking forward to the opportunity to lend my skill sets to rebuild
the Central Bank and improve the lives of our people, as the Central
Bank is key to the development of the economy. I was encouraged and
inspired by the Somalis whom I met everywhere I went, so full of hope
that the nation’s recovery was near, and that they could soon partake
in the rebuilding process. Undoubtedly, economic recovery is critical
to this recovery from both a fiscal and security perspective.

However, it has become clear to me that my ability to act in the
interests of the Somali people has been undermined and will continue
to be undermined by various parties within the administration. From
the moment I was appointed, I have continuously been asked to sanction
deals and transactions that would contradict my personal values and
violate my fiduciary responsibility to the Somali people as head of
the nation’s monetary authority. To use one example, as you are aware
based on our multiple conversations on this matter, I vehemently
refused to sanction the contract with the law firm Schulman & Rogers,
regarding recovery of the Somali financial institutions assets frozen
since the fall of Siad Barre’s regime.

Your Excellent I have read both the Agreement and Power of Attorney which your office instructed theformer governor to sign with the law firm. I don’t believe that these documents serve the interest of the Somali nation and I believe that they put the frozen assets at risk and open the door to corruption. My suggestion to let me share these documents with a Central Bank appointed legal counsel for a second opinion fell on deaf ears.

The message that I have received from multiple parties is that I have to
be flexible, that I don’t understand the Somali way, that I cannot go
against your wishes, and that my own personal security would be at
risk as a result. I am the least concerned about the security threat,
but I am truly disappointed that I have not received your support and
leadership on this matter so that I could objectively perform my
duties.

Your Excellency, I am sure you are aware, Part II, Section 3, Article
6 of the Central Bank of Somalia Act states: “Except as otherwise
specified in this Act, the Bank, and the members of the Board or the
staff, shall not take instructions from any other person or entity,
including Government entities. The autonomy of the Bank shall be
respected at all times and no person or entity shall seek to influence
the members of the decision-making bodies or the staff of the Bank in
the performance of their functions or to interfere in the activities
of the Bank”. Unfortunately the Central Bank has not been allowed to
function free of interference, and as such cannot operate as a
credible institution.

Your Excellency, the Central Bank is in poor condition with payroll
processing the only semi-functioning unit. It will take dedicated
effort, expertise, and commitment from multilateral agencies to build
it into a fully functioning Central Bank. It requires a governance
structure starting with the appointment of a Board of Directors. Most
of all for the country’s economic recovery to start, financial system
to advance, and Hawalas to remain open and continue to serve the
Somali people, the Central Bank has to take its rightful place as
licensor, supervisor, and monitor of the country’s financial system.

In the seven weeks since my appointment as Governor, I have already
made significant progress. I met with global financial leaders,
including the World Bank, IMF, AfDB, Barclays and the US Government,
to raise the profile of the remittance crisis facing Somalia and help
drive a solution. I worked closely with the World Bank and the IMF to
develop a detailed plan to rebuild the Central Bank?s functions on a
large scale. The IMF has already started training our staff in
Nairobi. I reached out to the money transfer companies who are now
looking to the Central Bank for leadership and guidance. The staff at
the Central Bank is more motivated now than they been since before the
civil war. I can only imagine what could have been achieved provided I
had your support to perform my duties objectively.

Your excellency, while I am disappointed by this lack of support, I am
more disappointed for the Somali people who would have benefited the
most from these and future contributions.

Sincerely,

Yussur A.F. Abrar

Governor

Why Former Governor of Central Bank of Somalia Yussur Abrar resignation will save Somalia?

Corruption in Somalia had become a way of live in Somalia since General Mohamed Siad Barre regime. Somali society is the only society that I know that hailed, supported and expectant corruption, Get Rich Quick is a method that has to bring to an end in Somalia.

For example, if a person holds position like the General Manager of Mogadishu port for couple of years and did not take advantage to build houses, buy expensive cars and did not send his children to abroad for higher education, that person will be known in his peers and family members a fool that did not take advantage the position he’s been given, but if he does steel money from that position, he will be known a strong individual and will be respect in the society.

In that case, Yussur Abrar resignation will be situating good example to the small number in Somali community that are truthful and have a moral ethics. Get Rich Quick method in Somali government officials is the main reason that Somalia is still struggling to become state again from failed state.

As people, whatever we are must stand and make case Yussu Abrar courage that she has shown today to stand against dishonored leaders in Somalia. 

I am asking the International Community to make full investigation and make sure anyone who involved this scandal must remove from office or brought to justice.

Exporting Charcoal in Somalia up to now.

This environmental disasters in Jubbaland and Middle Shabelle  states of  Somalia is only going exacerbate by the Somalia Federal Government, Amisom in Kismayu and the scrupulous leader in Jubbaland.  

And now they have find way to export the charcoal to Arabian States from Somalia, while the changing the origin of the charcoal to Djibouti. We all know that Djibouti does not have trees to cut and burn.

It’s way to defraud the International Community and Somali people for their national assets, and also empowering Al-shabab.