Lecture on Westgate Attack (DIINTA IYO JIHAADKA by SH UMAL)

Watch as one of the grand scholars of Kenyan Muslims speaks out against Al-shabaab and the attack on Westgate Mall. The lecture event took place in Nairobi on Sept. 27, 2013.

NIMCO DAREEN NEW SONG NABSI ((OFFICAL VIDEO ))

Is Somalia Moving Forwad?

This is the agreement between the Jubaland State and the Federal Republic of Somalia (FRS. The articles of the agreement were first published on Hiiraan OnLine on Aug 31 with this link here:

I have,however, reposted the entire articles of the agreement on the Somali Homeland Blog here below. It appears to me that the Jubaland State is ceding too much authority to the FRS too soon but we will see how this will further unfold in the coming months and of course years. I hope this will be the genesis of a lasting peace in the troubled Juba region so that it's displaced resident can once again return and rebuild the debris.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA AND JUBBA DELEGATION

PREAMBLE:

The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Jubba delegation held talks in Addis Ababa from 20th - 27th August 2013, under the auspices of the IGAD Chair of the Council of Foreign Ministers.

The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Jubba delegations herein after referred to as the parties, discussed several issues regarding the current political, governance and security situation of the Jubbas.

Recalling the Guiding Principles contained in the Communiqué of the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) adopted at its 21st Extra-ordinary Summit on 24th May 2013 held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;

The principles are as follows:

· Leadership of the Government of the Republic of Somalia in the process;

· Respect of the Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia;

· All inclusive consultative process with the peoples' of Somalia;

· Supportive role of IGAD based on the priorities of the Somali Government;

· Fighting Alshabab as the primary focus of the Somali Federal Government; regional and international partners;

Recalling the decisions contained in the Communiqué of the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) held on 4th August 2013 in Kampala, Uganda;

Reiterating the need for all processes particularly the ongoing efforts towards setting up Somali Regional Administrations and stabilization efforts to be anchored with the Principles of Federalism in the Provisional Constitution, the National Stabilization Plan and the Local Government Act.

In full recognition of the supremacy of the Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia; and that the Federal Government of Somalia shall be the sole representative of sovereign Somalia.

In full respect for the Unity, Sovereignty and the Territorial Integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia;

Hereby the Parties Decide and Agree:

ARTICLE ONE

Establishment of an Interim Administration

1. The Federal Government of Somalia and the Jubba delegations have agreed on to an Interim Administration for Jubba, consisting of Gedo, Lower Jubba and Middle Jubba Regions without prejudice to whatever the people of these regions decide finally as a result of constitutional process. This Interim Administration shall be called the Interim Jubba Administration.

2. The duration of the Interim Administration shall be a period of not more than 2 years, during which - and subject to the constitutional process - a permanent Federal Member State will be established.

3. Through a consultative process, the parties of this agreement shall work together in completing the remaining part of the administration without prejudice to the provisional federal constitution of Somalia.

4. The Interim Jubba Administration shall be constituted of an Executive Council and a Regional Assembly.

5. The head of the Interim Jubba Administration shall be the Leader of the three regions of lower Jubba, middle Jubba and Gedo and also the Chairperson of the Executive Council and shall be accountable to the Federal Government of Somalia.

6. The Leader shall have three deputies appointed by the Leader in consultation with Somali Federal Government and they will also become members of the executive council.

7. The Executive Council shall be the executive organ of the Interim Administration, and whose members will be appointed by the Leader with consultation and coordination with the Federal Government. The Federal Government shall have responsibility to assure inclusivity.

8. The Regional Assembly should be an all inclusive and representative body of all clans and constituencies and selected by the traditional elders with seats been distributed proportionally among the districts of the three regions in full consideration of inclusivity, balance and in reconciliatory manner. The rules and regulations governing this Interim Administration shall be consistent with the Provisional Constitution of the FRS and approved by the Federal Parliament.

9. While the local Government Act takes into effect, the Governors of lower Jubba and Middle Jubba Regions shall be appointed by the Leader based on quota basis ensuring inclusiveness in consultation with local elders and Federal Government of Somalia. The current Gedo administration will remain as it is for now.

ARTICLE TWO

On the Management of Federal Institutions and Infrastructure

10. The Federal Institutions and Infrastructure, including the Kismayo Airport and Kismayo Seaport and other institutions shall be recognized as the assets and commonwealth of the people of Somalia.

11. That the Kismayo Airport and Kismayo Seaport shall be utilized in a manner that is beneficial to the peace and prosperity of the people of Somalia under the leadership and management of the Federal Government of Somalia.

12. The Kismayo Sea Port and Air Port Management shall be handed-over to the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in 6 months period; after which the Federal Government of Somalia shall appoint a competent management team in consultation with the Interim Jubba Administration meanwhile the current management of port prevails for the next 6 months. The Federal Government of Somalia will appoint immigration officers to all entry points.

13. The revenues and other resources generated and accruing from the Kismayo Airport and Kismayo Seaport shall be managed in a prudent, transparent and accountable manner.

14. The revenues and other resources generated and accruing from the Kismayo Airport and Seaport shall be exclusively utilized, invested and disbursed on the priorities of security, service delivery and institutional building of the Jubbas.

15. This interim arrangement shall continue until there is final agreement on revenue sharing in the country as per the constitutional process.

ARTICLE THREE

On the Management of Security Forces and Militias Integration

16. That all security elements, including, RasKanboni Brigade (RBK), the Darwish and any other militias shall be integrated into the central command of the Somalia National Army (SNA); and the regional police will be under the command of the Interim Juba Administration.

17. The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the established Interim Jubba Administration shall jointly establish a Technical Security Committee that will agree on modalities and timetable for the integration of all security elements. The Technical Committee will also be responsible to undertake Security Reform.

18. Integration of the militias in to the Somali National Army will also be implemented within recommended specific timeline by a Technical Committee comprising the FGS, and the Interim Jubba Administration, in close coordination with AMISOM.

19. The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) shall, under the planned reintegration program, give priority to the Jubba Administration so that combatants, particularly lower-level Alshabab fighters in the regions can disengage from combat and return to civilian life in their home communities.

ARTICLE FOUR

On Reconciliation and Confidence-Building

20. The Federal Government of Somalia shall organize and convene, within two weeks a Reconciliation Conference in Mogadishu. A follow-up peace building conference will also be held in Kismayo.

21. Mogadishu Reconciliation Conference will be a consultation mechanism on the process of completing the formation of the interim administration and peace building.

22. During the Mogadishu Reconciliation Conference, modalities of development of the roadmap for the establishment federal member state will be agreed upon.

23. The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as chair of IGAD shall be the guarantor of this agreement.

Agreed Upon this 27th August, 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

___________________________ _________________________ Signature Signature H.E. Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islaan On Behalf of the Somali Federal On behalf of Juba Interim Administration Government __________________________________________ Guarantor H.E. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Chair of the Council of Foreign Ministers of IGAD

The Color of War

Dhawaqan

Dhawaqan is a political poem that analysis Somalia's current governance roadmap:

From Somalia to SCSU: Recent SCSU Graduates Share Refugee Stories

The article below authored by Vicki Ikeogu and first published on The University Chronicle highlights the challenges three siblings faced from displacement from their native land to finding a new place to call home in the State of Minnesota, U.S. It is not always easy navigating change across multiple levels but Abdikadir, Anab and Farhiyo Idifle have against all odds overcome great challenges to achieve their American dream in accessing higher education: Earning a college diploma may seem challenging to some, but three recent SCSU graduates have faced far greater challenges in order to even get to that point. Leaving their war-torn homeland, living in a refugee camp in Kenya for nearly two decades, flying half-way across the globe and being transplanted into mainstream American society, siblings Farhiya, Anab and Abdikadir Idifle have struggled with adversity in adapting to their new environment and the desire to maintain their national identity. After being born and spending the early years of their lives in Somalia, the Idifles were suddenly thrust into the chaos of Somalia’s civil war, which broke out in 1991. “Everyone was escaping for their lives,” said Ahmed Ali, Farhiya’s husband. “Everybody took flight. It was either fight or flee.” The Idifle siblings soon found themselves displaced persons. Without a home, Farhiya, Anab, and Abdikadir were forced to move into the Dadaab Protected Refugee Camp across the border in the neighboring country of Kenya. “Everything was taken away,” said Farhiya. “When you’re living there, it is difficult to survive.” The siblings described their seventeen-year stay at Dadaab as one of unknown dangers and constant concern. “Life was a struggle,” said Abdikadir. “There was not enough food.” “There was not enough healthcare,” said Anab. “The most difficult thing was security,” Ali said of the Idifle’s experience. “There was looting and rape. Without the protection of a government, people were vulnerable.” As a refugee, Ali explained that people in the same situation as the Idifles were essentially trapped. There was limited movement between the refugee camps; one was basically stuck there. “Your rights were not protected. You have lost your nationality,” Ali said. However, about five years ago, the Idifles got the chance they were hoping for; a chance to leave their refugee camp home of seventeen years. Ali explained how the process of relocating to another foreign country works. Ali said that each year, the foreign nations, such as the United States, allocate for a certain number of refugees they are willing to allow to stay in their country. Then, it will be decided which people are eligible to leave, and according to Ali, it’s those that have priorities, such as those who cannot go back to their home country, or those that have been in the camp for a long time. Those that are eligible, go through a lengthy process of interviews, background checks, medical screenings and security checks. Refugees that successfully meet all of the criteria are allowed to leave the camps for a new life. That new life, however, brought about a new series of challenges for the Idifles. Landing in Chicago, the Idifles stayed there for about three months before relocating to Minnesota, which houses a growing population of Somali immigrants, with nearly 10,000 in the St. Cloud area alone. “Everything was new,” said Anab. “You had to become dependent on someone,” Farhiya said. Ali explained the dependence on the existing Somali community was to help with the transition to life in America. “You don’t know the social norms or the culture. You have no navigation of the school or health care system. The community helps with financial aid, shows you where to go for a primary clinic, and how to apply for jobs.” “It’s all about the support system we get from the community,” Farhiya said. “One of the signs of our culture is to help each other,” Abdikadir said, “Even if we fought them back home, we still help them.” After being settled in the St. Cloud area, the Idifle siblings were able to enroll in college to discover and fine tune their passions. Farhiya, the oldest of the three, majored in Social Work with a minor in Human Relations. “I’m passionate about helping people,” she said. “After all, I was helped by a social worker.” Anab, the middle child, majored in Community Health and Biology. “I had a very strong interest in public health,” she said. “I want to work with health issues in the community, health promotion and health education.” Abdikadir, the youngest of the Idifle siblings, graduated with a degree in Statistics. “Growing up, I always had an interest in math and science,” he said. Abdikadir was also involved in an undergraduate study that involved recidivism rates in Stearns County, which is how the county handles and supervises repeat criminal offenders. While these degrees are important for Farhiya, Anab and Abdikadir, they are also concerned with the issues facing their former homeland. “My uncle, my dad’s brother’s children, still live in Somalia,” Farhiya said. “We feel we have a responsibility to our people,” Abdikadir said. While in the last few years, the Idifles have said Somalia is starting to stabilize, it is still an uphill climb. “The whole country is a little upside down. It will take time to rebuild,” Farhiya said. “I will definitely go back, but not right now,” Abdikadir said. Because of their education at SCSU, the Idifles feel that they can make a difference in the Somali community here in St. Cloud, and assist in rebuilding their country. “Who they were five years ago and where they are today. Now some of them have families and a very promising future. This is a country where you can come with nothing and have a dream,” Ali said.

Jubbaland State-building Conference Opens in Kismaayo

A state-building conference in Jubbaland has officially opened in Kismaayo on Thurs. Feb. 28. Efforts to form a new state has been expected to start since October last year but has faced many hurdles before including a sustained and continuing interference from Somalia's Federal Government. The participants in the conference come from the various sub-clans that live in Lower Jubba, Middle Jubba and Gedo.

The Somali National Basketball Beats All Expectations

The Somali National Basketball (SNB) team beat their Burundi counterparts 98-80
on Wed. Jan. 23 to move the next stage of the African Cup of Nations held in Tanzania.

This comes a day after they beat Kenya 81-78 in this tournament series.

The SNB’s performance is amazing given the lack of security in Somalia and the
inability to maintain a professional team thereof.

Somali President Visits Minnesota to Cheers, Protests

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the president of the Federal Republic of Somalia has visited Minnesota on Sat. Jan. 19 and met jubilant crowds.

Over 4000 people,most of them Somali-Americans, have welcomed the president at Minneapolis Convention Center.

The president spoke for an hour as the crowd waved flags and cheered on as he outlined his agenda for bringing Somalia back to the community of nations.

"We will open our embassy in Washington and a consular office in Minnesota," said the president.


There were about 50-100 people protesting outside of the hall where the president gave the speech. Some had banners that read "we need a president who respects the constitution."

France’s Somali Misadventure

Five helicopters carrying elite French forces have, in the cover of darkness, attacked a house in Bula Mareer, Somalia to rescue Denis Allex, a French spy at 2 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 12.

A French soldier was killed and another injured after facing a stiff resistance from the militia holding Allex.

Allex had been held as hostage since July 2009 when he was captured in Mogadishu by Alshabab forces.

Early reports show that Abdikadir Mohamed Nur,the governor of Lower Shabelle, has provided intelligence and facilitated the operation.

 It appears however that the federal government might have been kept in the dark about the planning and execution of the operation.

This would mean that France violated Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, a violation also of international law.

17 militia members were also killed in the fight, said French defense ministry. Sources on the ground however confirm over 25 people, many of them civilians have been killed in the combat.

France has carried out similar operations in the past. Four French nationals were freed and two Somalis and a French killed on Friday April 10, 2009 when commandos stormed pirates off the coast of Somalia.

An Amazing Kid

Watch Anas, a nine-year old Somali, welcome at an event Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs,Ms. Fowzia  Adan, on her first official visit to the U.K.

Insecurity, Rape hit Dadaab camps

The residents of Dadaab refugee camps, particularly those in Ifo 2 camp, have taken to the streets this week demanding improved protection from the Government of Kenya and the U.N’s Higher Commission for Refugees.

 Some of the residents contacted told The Somali Homeland that they face constant threat of rape, extortion and torture.

 The rapists, as the refugees said, have attacked at night, targeting women including elderly women, women who recently delivered babies and girls as young as eight without any discrimination.

 In a related incident, four bandits attacked Dagahaley camp yesterday at an early evening, three of which were captured alive and one killed in faceoff with the police.

 Ifo 2 was created in 2007 but opened for settlement in 2011 to accommodate the influx of refugees escaping from famine and the escalation of war between the rebel militia Alshabab and the Somali National Army with support from the Amisom Forces.

 The camp lacks adequate police presence and most crimes go unpunished.

The Somali Police Force Turns 69

For the first time in two decades, The Somali Police Force (SPF) celebrated, on Dec. 20, 2012, the 69th anniversary of its founding at General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu.

The Police, in groups of specialized units as marked varying dress colors and with their commanders leading, marched on the grounds of the academy to impress a city that has known no law and order for over twenty years.

If anything, this signals an improving return to normality and a promising strength for the premier law enforcement agency that was disbanded in 1991 at the onset of the country’s civil war.

While still under reconstruction, The SPF have shown a growing capacity to maintain security of various neighborhoods in the capital city including taking part in special operations, crime prevention, managing traffic, investigating crimes and protecting government institutions and VIPs.

Sharif Sheikhuna Maye is the current chief of the police.

What's Next for Somalia After the Transition?

Watch some of the current members of the Somali Federal parliament explain the goings-on in Somalia's post-transitional governance. Main points: 1. NGOs monopoly of power and malpractices: the danger of attracting and managing NGOs 2.Non-functional public institutions and their fight for power 3. Incompetent public leaders 4. Wide spread clanism 5. Mindless corruption and theft of public covers 6. Lack of civic consciousness 7.Low quality human capital 8. non-existent quality standards whether academic, institutional and individual 9. Rich natural resources in the midst of wide spread poverty 10.Locals versus diaspora competition for jobs and power

Will Sandy Hook Gun Violence Change U.S Gun Culture?

If you have been following the news this weekend, the tragic death of 26 people in Newtown has dominated the news cycle.

Adam Lanza, a 20-year old gunman took away the lives of 20 kindergarten children and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Connecticut on Friday, Dec. 14, throwing the hearts of the nation into a sudden grief.

This massacre comes in the wake of July 2012 Aurora shootings that killed 12 people, the August 2012 Wisconsin Sikh temple murder of six people and the 2011 Tucson Arizona terror in which congresswoman Gabby Gifford was shot in the head and six others killed.

But the saddening truth however is none of the earlier mass killings has resulted in any action to control civilian gun use. Worse even, you wonder when the collective conscience of the American public will rise up to say enough is enough in order to save more lives in the recent future.

It remains to be seen whether Friday’s gun violence will act as a catalyst to enact stricter gun laws and thus change the gun culture in the United States.

Somalia Moves Forward

The Somali Federal Parliament has, in a very bold move, passed a legislation to form house committees on Saturday, December 15, 2012 to expedite the nation-building task ahead.

When filled, the new committees shall offer the Somali people much needed services and the government a functional legitimacy.

Approved, with an overwhelming vote, are the following committees:

1.      Broadcasting, awareness, culture and telecommunication

2.      Budgeting, planning and government accountability

3.      Constitutional review and implementation

4.      Defense

5.      Education, labor and sports

6.      Finance, trade and industry

7.      Foreign affairs and international cooperation

8.      Humanitarian, women’s and human rights

9.      Internal affairs, regional governments and national security

10.  Justice, corrections, endowment, and religious affairs

11.  Natural resources

12.  Parliamentary conduct and ethics

13.  Roads, ports , airports and energy

14.  Rural and livestock development

15.  Truth, reconciliation and property restoration

  This is the first major legislative undertaking since the new parliament assumed power in august of this year.

When will Somalia’s faction leaders account for their crimes?

Ali Said Hassan’s documentary, Inside the Somali Civil War, depicts graphic scenes of some of Somalia’s unfortunate military confrontations in 1991. The documentary published on Keyd Media’s YouTube channel on November 1, 2012 shows atrocities committed by militia leaders and the ignorance of their fighters, some of who were duped to believe that they were fighting a holy war.

What’s more disturbing, however, is that the architects of these bloody conflicts, many still alive, never had to account for their war crimes, crimes against humanity and for their role in instigating and sustaining the war.

Embedded below is a copy of Hassan’s film:

How Somalia Won the 2012 Olympic Games

If you have been following the current affairs of the world, the 2012 London Olympic Games are the latest ‘big-story’ across the globe.  Of the 204 countries involved in these games, Somalia deserves my mention.

Two athletes, Zamzam Mohamed Farah and Mohamed Hassan Mohamed, represented the Somali republic at the games. Mohamed competed for 1,500 meters but didn’t qualify for the 5000 meters race while Zamzam competed for the 400 m. both didn’t go past the prequalification stage though Mohamed Hassan beat some nations in his track. Then how did they win, you wonder.

Background knowledge of the two athletes and what they are up against may help broaden your understanding of their chances to have a shot at glory.

Most Olympians come from countries that are more politically stable than Somalia. They enjoy a regular professional training schedule lasting over four years; most have access to state-of-the-art wellness facilities, highly nutritious foods and better healthcare infrastructure, all of which are either nonexistent or limited supply in Somalia.

In addition, Somali athletes dodge bullets in order to train. When your life is threatened everything else becomes almost nonessential.

For those who, while seated on sofas sipping juicy fruit cocktails, bash Somali athletes on the internet I tell you ignorance is bliss.

Nonetheless, it should be clear that Somali athletes have braved a lot of hardships including great insecurity to participate in the Olympics with pride.

Most countries have a huge number of athletes to choose from and those who get selected are the cream of their fellow countrymen. In lawless Somalia, volunteers are a welcome bet.

If anything, those who would want to see a better Somali Olympic team this is your chance to build that team for 2016. You can do so by making your donations available to the potential gold medalists.

It shouldn’t be lost to the public that Mo Farah who won the men’s 10,000 meter race for Britain is also from Somalia. Also, Abdi bile became the fastest 1500 m champion in 1987 Olympics and remained a formidable Olympian until 1996. This is where training infrastructure makes all the difference.

All in all, Somalia’s participation at this difficulty time in our history must be lauded as a win and the athletes cheered up wholeheartedly.

Kids and Television

Check out a professional medical advice on how early exposure to television affects kids:

This and other related videos such as newborn checks, developmental screening, feeding and safe sleeping are made for Somali parents with limited  English proficiency thanks to Centracare health system and the St Cloud Somali community.

A Portrait of You!

Miles away you may be

Separated by masses of snow

And cold wintry blasts

Yet fresh is your memory

A memory cemented in my heart

By the love of you

 And the joy of our relationship

Every day

And on the screen of my laptop

Appears a photogenic portrait of you

With a face glaring like the light of the sun

And with a smile that’s the envy of the world

On a face whose gaze evokes an adventurous romance

And a nature trail down the lane of ageless beauty

If anything

The black scarf wrapped over your head

And the fine prints of henna on your hands

Inspire courage

Demand respect

Command modesty

And most of all win admiration