http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0 Somaliland News en-us Nucleus CMS v3.65 © Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0/nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0 http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1080 Amb David Shinn talks to Somalilandsun on the Ankara communique and 7th May London conference on Somalia. Somalilandsun-The Somaliland-Somalia dialogue should shift to Mogadishu and Hargeisa and be totally in the hands of Somalis.According to Ambassador David Shinn who gave Somalilandsun an exclusive interview the shift of dialogue venue will not happen until there is sufficient trust on both sides thus the indefinite continuation of the talks outside Somalia and Somaliland.
The Amb who is of the opinion that boycotting the London conference is a lost opportunity for Somaliland to gain a better understanding of Somalia's leadership and its position on a range of issues as well as to engage with senior officials from the United Kingdom it might be a blessing in disguise if the London Conference is lacking in accomplishments thence the Hargeisa administration can claim that it made the right decision.
In order effectively to implement decision will require the establishment of some kind of joint mechanism. Otherwise, it will be nothing more than a "paper" agreement with no real significance.
From left President Hasan PM Erdogan President Silanyo Turkish FM Davutoglu and Dr Omar signing the Ankara communiqueOn the Ankara Communique that he terms "a positive step" Amb Shinn says that the implementation of decision especially sharing of intelligence will require the establishment of some kind of joint mechanism Otherwise, it will be nothing more than a "paper" agreement with no real significance.
Below are the verbatim excerpts of the Amb David Shinn interview
Is the Ankara Communique of advantage or disadvantage to Somaliland, Why?
The Ankara Communique is primarily a commitment by Somalia and Somaliland to continue to dialogue. This is a positive step, although it is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage for Somaliland. It all depends how Somalia and Somaliland continue the process.
How will the two entities share Intelligence, Training and funds as per the communique? Doesn't this necessitate the establishment of a Federal body to facilitate the full implementation of the same?
The decision in the Ankara Communique to share intelligence, training as well as sharing scholarships for security sector professionals in order to become more effective in the fight against terrorism, extremism, piracy, illegal fishing, toxic dumping, maritime crime and serious crime is a good one. To implement this decision will require the establishment of some kind of joint mechanism. Otherwise, it will be nothing more than a "paper" agreement with no real significance.
What is your take on the assertions by Somalia MP Ali Khalif Galayd that by signing the Communique the Somalia president and his government recognized the existence of Somaliland as a sovereign country?
The Ankara Communique gives Somaliland a certain status , but I don't see that it constitutes recognition by Somalia of the existence of Somaliland as a sovereign country.
Is Somaliland justified in boycotting the 7th May London conference on Somalia? Why?
Participation by Somaliland in the 7 May 2013 London Conference is a decision it must make. I don't know the reasons why it decided to boycott the conference.
What are the consequences, Negative & Positive of President Silanyo's refusal to accede to both UK (Cameron) and USA (MS Sherman) requests to attend the conference?
Boycotting of the conference means that Somaliland misses an opportunity to gain a better understanding of Somalia's leadership and its position on a range of issues. It prevents the ability to further the dialogue with Somalia and to engage with senior officials from the United Kingdom. On the other hand, if the London Conference is lacking in accomplishments, Somaliland can claim that it made the right decision.
Was the opening of the UK embassy a show of displeasure with Somaliland or a genuine diplomatic move?
When the United Kingdom opened the British Office in Hargeisa on 3 Ms Fozia, President Hasan, Hague and Amb Matt at the embassy opening in MogadishuSeptember 2012, Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, William Hague, made clear that the British Office in Hargeisa and the future British Embassy in Mogadishu are part of the expansion of Britain's diplomatic network. When Hague opened the Embassy in Mogadishu on 25 April 2013, he stated that it was "testament both to the strength of the UK/Somalia bilateral friendship and to UK government's commitment to work with the Federal Government of Somalia as they rebuild their country after two decades of conflict." In my view, this was a genuine diplomatic move and not a show of displeasure with Somaliland.
Should the Somaliland-Somalia dialogue continued to be hosted by foreign governments or shifted to alternate venues in the two countries?
Ideally, the Somaliland-Somalia dialogue should shift to Mogadishu and Hargeisa and be totally in the hands of Somalis. This will not happen until there is sufficient trust on both sides. In the meantime, the talks will continue outside Somalia and Somaliland.
Amb David Shinn who received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from GW is an expert on Horn and other issues, currently an adjunct professor of international affairs at The George Washington University, a post he assumed after serving his country as ambassador to Ethiopia (1996-99) and to Burkina Faso (1987-90)]]> General http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1080 Mon, 6 May 2013 16:48:41 -0400 http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1077 Somaliland is the only true democrat in the Horn of Africa with three political parties and internationally has been praised time and time again for its free and fair elections.
Due to this, it has won many development projects and investment opportunities in recent times.Today, 6 major and minor oil companies are ready to start drilling for oil and gas by 2014-2016.]]> General http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1077 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:58:46 -0400 http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1076 Wararkii Radio Hargeisa Halkan ka Dhagayso


]]> General http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1076 Sun, 10 Mar 2013 20:02:47 -0400 http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1075 ]]> General http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1075 Sun, 10 Mar 2013 11:54:19 -0400 http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1073 Robin Le Mare of The Square spent two weeks in Somaliland as an international observer, incorporating his experience from 20 years of working for the charity Action Aid.Read More
]]> General http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1073 Wed, 2 Jan 2013 21:25:03 -0500 http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1072
Although the NEC has now moved to confirm results, and we have been heartened by various political leaders urging their supporters to maintain peace and security when protesting, we recognise that the post-election climate remains tense.

Our post-poll concerns follow those we expressed immediately following polling day, when we noted that observers reported attempts at multiple and underage voting and what appeared to be attempts to mobilise voters to engage in these attempts. While observers also noted polling station staff attempting to prevent such activity, such reports pose concerns for the integrity of Somaliland’s electoral process.

Now, a month on from voting, it is important that disputes around the election outcome are peacefully settled. Without peaceful settlement of disputes, Somaliland’s admirable democratic tradition may be damaged. We urge all Somalilanders to respect the electoral laws and procedures, so that future elections can be approached effectively and with confidence.

Specifically, we repeat the recommendation we made immediately following polling day: in advance of the next elections, we call for Somaliland to adopt a robust system for voter/citizen registration, in order to improve confidence in the electoral process.

In closing, we would like to highlight the many positives around this election: once
again, Somalilanders showed how dedicated they are to the unique democratic spirit
they have crafted from their challenging history. In particular, we are delighted to note
real progress in inclusion of youth and women in the process: the apparent election
of ten female candidates represents a huge step forward, and we look forward to
further progress on this front.

Dr Michael Walls, the mission’s joint co-ordinator, said "Somaliland has made
enormous progress in achieving a difficult transition to a form of representative
democracy. We have long been impressed with that process, and call on all
Somalilanders to maintain their commitment to a peaceful form of democratic and
participatory decision-making."






The full release is attached and pasted below, and at http://www.somalilandfocus.org.uk/]]> General http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1072 Wed, 2 Jan 2013 21:13:10 -0500 http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1071 Read More]]> General http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1071 Fri, 16 Nov 2012 21:06:39 -0500 http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1070 Read More]]> General http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1070 Fri, 16 Nov 2012 20:52:50 -0500 http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1069 EU - The overall objective of the project ( Berber Corridor)is to contribute to the promotion of interconnectivity and to the facilitation of trade and transport by developing the elaboration of the Berbera-Togochale road link project to a bankable level, as a missing link within the Berbera-Addis Corridor.Read More
]]> General http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1069 Wed, 17 Oct 2012 21:26:00 -0400 http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1068 HARGEISA, (IRIN) - Somaliland is grappling with an upsurge in traffic accidents, and officials say the trend will likely continue unless the government puts in place measures to curtail them. “About 1,251 road accidents [occurred] in 2004 compared to 2,199 in 2011, causing 75 and 142 deaths respectively,” said Abdi Moussa, the Commander of Somaliland's Traffic Police department.
Read More]]> General http://www.radiosomaliland.com/index.php?blogid=0index.php?itemid=1068 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:20:36 -0400