My worst experience.
AbdiNasir Mohamed Guled
Friday, December 04, 2009
I was in the Hotel Shamo here Thursday morning to cover the graduation of the second class of doctors, engineers and professors to leave Benadir University — an image of Somalia different from the typical one, war.
After hours of tape-recording speeches, I felt thirsty and moved 10 steps toward the door.
Suddenly, the hall shook and I heard a PAW! sound from the front of the ceremony, where most government officials and dignitaries were sitting. I got down on the ground and looked back. Dozens of people were on the ground under a huge cloud of smoke. Others were stampeding to the exit for safety.
I looked to my right and saw one of my colleagues dead and bleeding. I couldn’t help him.
I saw the government officials’ chairs empty and bloody, and many people badly wounded. The ceremony hall became very dark, and seemed like a slaughterhouse, for the blood flowing on the ground.
A young man rushed to pick up his older brother, who had graduated that day, but he was already dead. The young man cried and cried. A girl who looked like a student draped her girlfriend’s purse around
her injured leg as she carried her to safety.
I tried to run forward but stampeding people pushed me aside, so I walked carefully to avoid them. I thought they might kill me, since everyone was terrified and couldn’t restrain themselves.
I got out of the hall, leaving my recording equipment behind. Soldiers started firing in the air to make their presence known. Other soldiers were picking up victims.
One older woman, crying over her son, sat down alongside him. His wounds were serious. She was talking to him, but his only answer was his breathing.
I ran and ran. My phone kept ringing but I couldn’t pick it up, I was so terrified. People at the gate were amazed to see me. There was so much blood on my clothes, they thought I had been harmed. When they
asked me what happened, all I got out was, “I can’t talk.”
I saw my neighbor, a mother, rushing to the hotel to find her two sons who were graduating. She learned that both were dead.
It has been hours since the time of the blast, and I haven’t been able to eat because I keep seeing the image of what happened, of people, hoping to be doctors to serve the country, sent to the grave.
AbdiNasir Mohamed Guled
E-mail: abdinasir4@gmail.com
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Dubai’s future
Some have called it the Vegas of the Gulf. Now it looks like those investing in Dubai could be gambling with their money.
Dubai’s debt runs at around $80bn. Dubai World, its leading investment corporation, is responsible for over two thirds of that – and it is having trouble paying it back.
Dubai has been trying to establish itself as a financial and tourist destination, but the global economic crisis has taken its toll.
Last week, the emirate asked for a delay on its debt payments – a move that triggered panic amongst investors. Stock markets across the world fell amid fears that Dubai would not be able pay back its many creditors.
Is Dubai defaulting on its debts? Is the once prosperous, gleaming city in the Gulf on the brink of collapse? And what are the implications for the global economy?
Inside Story, with presenter Nick Clark, is joined by Ibrahim Khayat, a strategic and business analyst, Ibrahim Saif, an economist at the University of Jordan, and Aly Khan Satchu, a stock market analyst.
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The increasing levels of piracy off the coast of Somalia have caused an unexpected spin-off, raising the levels of fish in the sea.
Fisherman in Kenya have reported bumper catches of shark and shellfish because commercial fishing boats from China and Japan have been scared away.
Now the fishermen are able to catch up to £200 worth of fish per day in an area where the average daily earnings are less than £5.
The massive factory trawlers which used to drain their fish stocks have been scared away and that means there is a huge bounty for local fishermen as well as helping to restore the health of the marine eco-system.
Source: Channel 4, 2009
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At least 30 people died and 70 were wounded in shelling on a marketplace in the Somali capital of Mogadishu Thursday, according to journalists and emergency services.
A local journalist called the rocket fire on Bakara market “unprecedented.”
“This was the most brutal shelling,” according to an ambulance service representative who said they had picked up 61 wounded, but expect the number to climb. Other victims were being brought to hospitals by family and friends.
The source of the shelling could not immediately be determined.
Journalists saw shell fire coming from AMISOM — the African Union Mission in Somalia — strongholds in a fortified district of the capital and from near the airport. AMISOM is the only force in the area believed to have the firepower capable of such an intense attack. However, AMISOM denied any involvement in the incident.
The African Union has a 3,400-member peacekeeping force in Somalia, made up of troops from Burundi and Uganda. It operates under a U.N. mandate to support Somalia’s transitional federal government.
The peacekeeping force is charged with protecting key government and strategic installations in Mogadishu, including the port, airport and presidential palace. It is the de facto military force of the weak, transitional Somali government.
African Union forces have been battling an al Qaeda-linked Islamist militia in Somalia called Al-Shaabab.
The United States is supporting the Somali government’s fight against the insurgents, including providing weapons to government forces. Al-Shaabab is on the U.S. list of terror organizations because of its ties to Osama bin Laden’s al Qaeda network.
The United States is concerned that Somalia’s weak government could fall to the Islamist insurgency, as it did in 2006 before Ethiopian forces ousted the militants from power in early 2007. Ethiopia invaded Somalia with the support of Somalia’s weak transitional government.
Source: CNN, Oct 22, 2009
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(CNN) – China plans to make “every effort to rescue” a merchant ship and crew hijacked in the Indian Ocean, the country’s state news agency reported on Tuesday.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu, speaking to reporters, said the government was monitoring developments and has developed an emergency response procedure, the news agency Xinhua reported. Monday’s hijacking is the first of a Chinese ship this year, according to the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau.
Ma said the ministry warned ships and citizens to avoid traveling along waters where the incident occurred, an area not far from the Somalia coast where pirates have seized many vessels.
“We will watch closely developments in the incident and make every effort to rescue the hijacked crew and carrier,” Ma said. There are 25 crew members aboard and they are all Chinese nationals. A European Union official Monday incorrectly said the total of crew members was 146.
The bulk carrier De Xin Hai was hijacked Monday about 550 nautical miles northeast of the Seychelles and 700 nautical miles off Somalia’s eastern coast. The European Union Naval Force said Tuesday the ship was 650 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia and appears to be headed toward there.
John Harbour, a commander with the British Royal Navy who serves with the EU Naval Force, said the UK Maritime Trade Organization in Bahrain called the ship but received no response. An EU force aircraft is monitoring the ship and reported seeing four pirates on deck.
The De Xin Hai is owned by the Chinese Ocean Shipping Company and was carrying coal from India to South Africa when it was seized.
The ship had been dragging two skiffs behind it, much like the kind of skiffs that pirates have been known to use to hijack ships in the waters off Somalia.
So far in 2009, 14 ships have been hijacked in the ocean off Somalia’s coast, and 33 have been hijacked in the Gulf of Aden, the body of water that lies between Yemen and Somalia, the International Maritime Bureau said. Most of Somalia’s coastline is on the Indian Ocean. At present, the bureau knows of four ships that are being held.
Source: CNN, Oct 20, 2009
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NAIROBI (Reuters) – Eritrea should be punished for threatening the Horn of Africa region by supporting Somali rebels, Somalia’s foreign affairs minister said on Sunday.
The United States, Britain, United Nations and the African Union (AU) accuse Eritrea of fanning the chaos in Somalia, through provision of arms and logistical support to the radical al Shabaab rebels, seen by Washington as al Qaeda’s proxy.
“Enough is enough. Eritrea has defied calls from the international community and individual countries to play a positive role,” Ali Jama Ahmed told Reuters.
Early this month, Britain told the U.N. Security council it was ready to punish Eritrea for its role in Somalia.
The government in the Eritrean capital Asmara rejects accusations that it arms the al Shabaab insurgents. [ID:nLE229162]
Ahmed said that while the region had been trying to engage Eritrea constructively, its leadership had chosen to continue to be part of the Somalia problem.
He said Asmara had to re-engage with the region in its search for an end to the fighting and human suffering in his country.
“Eritrea has to take the right trail or face sanction which we hope the Security Council will impose soon,” he said in the Kenyan capital on his way to Kampala for a meeting on Africa’s 17 million refugees.
Somalis displaced from their homeland by the fighting account for a substantial proportion of those refugees.
MORE PEACEKEEPERS NEEDED
The minister said al Qaeda’s presence in Somalia was not a secret and called for the AU to send additional troops.
“It is no longer in dispute that al Qaeda is active in Somalia and al Shabaab is promoting global jihad centres which is worrying Somali leadership and the region,” he said.
“We need to focus on strengthening Somali security forces … we hope AMISOM (AU peacekeepers) will be strengthened and the deployment of the original 8,000 troops will be completed soon.”
Only 5,000 Ugandan and Burundian peacekeepers have been deployed of the 8,000 promised by the AU.
Somalia’s 18-years conflict has killed nearly 19,000 civilians since the start of 2007 and driven another 1.5 million from their homes.
Pledges by the international community to help the Transitional Federal Government, in its war against al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam rebels need to be fulfilled on time, he added.
“We have to do everything in a concerted and comprehensive manner. The world has to come forward and play a more active role,” Ahmed said. (Editing by Jon Hemming).
Source: Reuters, Oct. 18, 2009
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Somali pirates have captured a Singaporean container ship in the Indian Ocean near the Seychelles. The MV Kota Wajar was seized 300 nautical miles north of the Seychelles on Thursday morning, Andrew Mwangura, head of the Kenyan chapter of East African Seafarers Assistance Programme, said.
Mwangura said the ship, which was heading to the Kenyan port of Mombasa from Singapore, had 21 crew aboard. The maritime security centre of the European Union, which has an anti-piracy naval force patrolling waters affected by Somali piracy, said an EU maritime patrol aircraft had been tasked to investigate the situation. Experts had warned in recent days that dropping winds near the Seychelles had attracted pirates.
Somali pirate gangs have made millions of dollars in ransom payments since last year and patrols by foreign navies in the Gulf of Aden have failed to end the problem. The latest hijacking brings the number of vessels held by Somali pirates to at least six. The others include a Spanish trawler, a Taiwanese fishing vessel and Ukrainian, German and Turkish freighters.
According to non-governmental observers Ecoterra International, at least 163 attacks have been carried out by Somali pirates since the start of 2009. Forty-seven of them have been successful hijackings. Nearly 20,000 ships pass through the Gulf of Aden each year, heading to and from the Suez Canal.
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Future of Somalia through the eyes of Students
This week Malaysian universities are hosting their annual convocation ceremony for student graduating from various degrees and studies. These graduation days represent the highlight of the student’s achievement. The occasion enables universities to publicly recognize and reward student achievement. It is also intended for graduates to receive their well-earned praise from parents, partners and friends.
This year marks the largest Somali students to graduate from Malaysia’s universities across Malaysia. Over 35 Somali student will be awarded degrees in different fields. Yaasir Mohamed, a student activist who has been in Malaysia over the past four years could not hide his excitements “despite of incremental challenges facing Somali students, they are showing serious commitment to education, we are competing and often exceeding students from more stable environment”
Center for Research and Dialogue – Somalia (CRD), a Somali research institution based in Somali was invited by the Somali student for a public forum. The intent of the forum was to exchange research findings and engage public dialogue. The session also provided research data and first hand analysis of the current dynamics on the ground from across Somalia and the Horn of Africa region in general. The CRD team engaged the students over 4 hour intensive discussion regarding the role of the students in rebuilding the Somalia nation. Abdullahi Egal, Secretary General of Somali students Association point out that “Fora of such level allows students to creatively discuss on a contemporarily issues pertaining to Somali people, in a university setting students can generate new ideas to help Somalia but also learn from each other”
Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, Director of CRD, presented a comprehensive analysis of the current socio-economic realities of Somalia, its internal and external dimensions, the foundations of the dynamics that lead to the current unacceptable situation of the country. Using facts and figures compiled by many institutions and the contribution of the CRD researchers and other independent analyst, Jabril managed to deliver a detailed background and research findings in his presentation. This presentation grabbed the student’s attention and it has generated a lengthy discussion that challenged the thinking of many of the students. Abdulkadir Mohamed, one the students who attended the session indicated that in many times students lack any relevant and up-to date information from Somalia “It is hard to do comprehensive research on Somalia as there is no contemporary data, this kind of engagement provide us with an intellectual and critical thinking on our approach to the Somali crisis”
Mohamed Ibrahim, research fellow at Melbourne University and CRD Chairman, covered the role of education and Media /IT in achieving peaceful resolution to the Somali conflict and achieving a fast-tracked sustainable economic development. The discussions focused on the source of the information Somalis received and how world media portrays Somalis and Somalia conflict. Mohamed emphasized the need to acquire knowledge and applied in a meaningful way. He pointed out that” We will not be able to recover from the mess we are in without educated generation taking over”
Learning from others
Refereeing to the role of education in state building process – Mohamed Ibrahim reminded the students that When Singapore was rejected by Malaysia in 1965, the founder of Singapore Mr. Lee Kuan Yew could not contain his fear, wiping tears from his eye he said “ The entire of my adult life, I have believed in Malaysian Merger and united two territories” Few weeks letter he told his young country “that Singapore will survive”…the rest as they say is history. What made Singapore to succeed is its people; Mr. Lee Kwan Yew invested in educating his people. Education is the key pillar of nation-building without an educated population; a country cannot recover nor build a solid foundation for development. Somali students can see what is possible in countries in Malaysia and Singapore and the experiences they gain in this region will enhance their leadership skills.
The most successful states in Africa has a large educated citizens, Kenya alone produces over 40,000 graduates each year while Somalia had produced less than 8,000 graduates over the past 20 years? Somalia is in short of educated people who can take Somalia out of the current crisis. “State building is creating and strengthening the institutions necessary to support long-term economic, social, and political development through which education is the foundation” said Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle
Rwanda has experienced one of the genocides in recent history. In a span of 90 days, over one million people were killed but it has recovered very fast – last year the country has seen 11% economic growth the highest in all Africa. when asked President Paul Kigami Rwandan success, he said ’”We have invested in our future through education!” Education also creates future leaders of a country. In Somalia, there are no viable institutions that exist to produce a new leadership that can face these challenges and come up with solutions for the country.
Many Somalis scholars made an effort to help rebuild the educational institutions, and there are many who have the vision to maintain the value of education and invested personal fortune, some of them even lost their lives. What have sustained Somalia’s meager institutions are brave Somalis who went beyond the call of duty. In across Somalia, there are community universities, colleges attended by Somalis funded and managed by Somalis.
Uplifting and inspiring environment
One of the reasons that CRD has been emphasizing and continually engaging with Somalis students in Malaysia and other south-East Asia and Africa is that Somalia’s future largely depends on these students who will most likely return to Somalia. “The old Somali generation who are currently in the Diaspora (Europe, Americas and south pacific) are unlikely to return to Somalia due to various reasons; while the second generation who are born and educated in these countries have very little commonalities with the NEW Somalia, very few of them will ever return to Somalia” said jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, some of the recent graduates from Asia and Africa have already returned to Somalia particularly areas that are relatively safe and stable. Some of these students are already holding government positions, leading and teaching higher learning institutions and managing business et.
Malaysia not only offers good education but it also provides uplifting experience for the Somali students who recently arrived from war-torn areas of Somalia. Many of the students show signs of trauma and violence fatigue. “Coming into such modern Islamic countries, uplifts their moral, allows creativity and show what is possible” said Abdiaziz Hersi, a retired Professor in Kuala Lumpur “it provides students with opportunity to combine Islamic studies with other discipline” the environment allows the young students to observe link between modernization and Islam merging together in a positive, natural and constructive way.
Abdurrahman Odowaa, one of the graduate students in Malaysia said, “everyday that I travel through Malaysia, I am challenged by the extraordinary achievement of Malaysian people, a country with relatively the same age as of Somalia and yet we Somali are far, far behind! ! I am inspired! Only committed educated Somali can lift Somalia from the current mayhem”
Malaysia is also a window to another world, a window to higher level of Islamic culture and tradition and appreciation of Muslim tolerance. There are mosques and other Islamic buildings through which enables students to understand and appreciate the golden history Islam society.
Welcome home
Malaysia is the one of the few countries that seems to help the Somali students without any hidden agenda. Malaysia provides a lot of help to the Somali students, providing heavily subsidized education and living allowance. Somali students using Somali passports can arrive and are welcome to Malaysia without complex entry VISA condition. Anyone with Somali passport who arrives in Malaysia legally receives highest respect unlike many Arab and African countries. Government officials even come to the defense of the Somali cause; recently other government expresses concerns over Somalis in Malaysia, Malaysia government issues statement defending Somalis in Malaysia.
This link with Malaysia needs to be acknowledged by Somali authorities and all who are involved in helping the reconstruction of Somalia.
Engaging with future leaders
Over the past four years CRD has visited Somali students a number of times engaging the students as well as other members of the Somali community in the region with the sole purpose of informing the students on what is going in Somalia. Challenging them to think ahead and prepare themselves to lead Somalia from the current uncertain times. This is an extension of CRD’s effort in ‘engaging with wider Somali Diaspora to actively participate in the rebuilding of Somalia.
At the end of the session, one student asked serious questions that forced many in the audience to reflect and think deeply. “How many more people must be killed, before we realize enough is enough?’ she asked. How do we create new dynamic leadership who understands our problem and ready to act on it? Another student emotionally pointed out that “What has prolonged our crisis is a lack of proper research and Somali input, until such time that we Somalis take critical inward look at ourselves, crisis will continue”
Many of the students were very grateful that they were given an opportunity to hear the latest development from home, watched documentary films produced by CRD, presented a selected award winning photographs and suggestion on how they can participate and contribute to the reconstruction of the country.
The future of Somalis looks pride in the eyes of Somali students; the best is yet to come!
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MOGADISHU (Xinhua) — Nearly 19 Islamist fighters including a senior commander from Hezbul Islam rebel movement on Tuesday defected to the Somali government, officials said.
The Islamist group of Hezbul Islam has lately been fighting Al-Shabaab, another radical Islamist rebel movement, over the controlof the southern port town of Kismayu.
“We have realized that we have been wrongly fighting the government and are now prepared to stand in defense of our people and country,” Shuke Abdurrahman Odawa, a senior Islamist commander leading the defecting fighters told reporters.
Somali government officials who presented the fighters from the opposition group to the media said in a news conference in the presidential palace in Mogadishu that the government welcomed the fighters.
“We are very pleased that our brothers who considered us an enemy until yesterday are now with us and ready to defend the national flag,” Security Minister Abdullahi Mohamed Sanbalolshe told reporters.
Sanbalolshe said the switchover by the opposition forces to the Somali government showed that Somalis can solve their differences among themselves “if left alone”.
This was the first time that fighters and officials from the opposition joined the Somali government. The opposition groups sometimes presented what they say are Somali government forces and vehicles that defected to their side.
The Hezbul Islam insurgent group has not so far commented on the defection from their ranks at a time when the movement has been in bitter power struggle with its rival and former ally Al-Shabaab.
Rebels control much of southern and central Somalia while the Somali government backed by African Union peacekeeping forces runs small part of the chaotic coastal city of Mogadishu.
Source: Xinhua, Oct. 13, 2009
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Feruz was born in Somalia and came to Glasgow when he was seven-years-old
Celtic forward Islam Feruz has been called up to the Scotland squad for this month’s Uefa Under-17 Championship qualifier with Cyprus at East End Park.
The 14-year-old Somali-born has lived in Scotland for seven years and is eligible under a new Fifa ruling.
Feruz featured in a recent tribute match in honour of the late Celtic hero Tommy Burns, who died last May.
“Scotland is a great country which is now my home and I will be very proud to wear the Scotland jersey,” said Feruz.
Fifa recently introduced a ruling that permits a British passport holder who has been educated for at least five years in one of the Home Nations to play for that country.
Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith welcomed the first application of the ruling and emphasised that the move was prompted by the youngster’s desire to continue playing his football in Scotland.
“Islam is a fine example of the type of person that this new rule is designed to benefit,” said Smith.
“The rule reflects the changes to our society in recent years, and is designed to promote social inclusion in football.
“Islam is a talented boy who has worked hard. He did not move to Scotland seeking to play international football.
“His family made their home here for their own reasons, and having grown up here, Islam regards himself as Scottish.”
Scotland international youth team coach Ross Mathie echoed Smith’s comments and singled out Feruz as a future talent in the Scotland setup.
“I’ve known about Islam since his first involvement with the Celtic youth squads, and I’ve long been an admirer of his technical ability and prowess in front of goal,” said Mathie
“I know his new international team-mates will be delighted that he has committed himself to Scotland, and they will look forward to playing with someone of his ability.”
Source: BBC, Oct. 13, 2009
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Recent Entries
- My worst experience.
- Dubai’s future
- The ‘benefit’ of Somalia’s pirates
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- Hezbul Islam rebel movement joins Somali government
- Young Somali called up for Scotland squad
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