WHERE I AM Somaliland What I do My Roots ABOUT SOMALILAND History Constitution Laws Political Arena Kulmiye Party Ucid Party Udub Party The Struggle of its People The Mass graveyard Images of Mass graves War Crimes against Somaliland Somali National Movement In Solidarity to Somaliland's Int'l. Recognition Somaliland International Recognition Action Group Unrepresented Nations and People's Organizations (UNPO) African National Congress (South Africa) ARTICLES & REPORTS On Parliamentary Elections Somaliland Electoral Commission List of Candidates per Region NEWS (1) CIIR to observe elections in Somaliland (2)Donor Support Democratization Process in Somaliland (3)Donors concerned over low representation of women in Somaliland (4) Campaign for Parliamentary Elections in Full Swing (5) Opposition Calls NEC to Restrain Government (6) Eastern Territory where election will be held (7)Preparations underway for parliamentary elections (CIIR) (8) Gov't under pressure to set early elections (CIIR) On Presidential Elections (1)The Electoral Institute of South Africa Report On Local Elections (1) Report of Domestic Observers (2) CIIR/ICD Report On Government Institutions (1) The Judicial System in Somaliland (pdf) (2)Consoldation and Decentralization of Government Institutions (pdf) On Somaliland Media (1) The Role of Media in Political Reconstruction (2) Somaliland Journalists Association On Somaliland Recognition (1) Somaliland:Africa's best kept secret (2)Think tank favors recognition of Somaliland (3) Roadmaps to Democracy (Download pdf file) (4) Somaliland and its implications on Africa (5) Painful push for Recognition (6)Iqbal Jhazbay's Interview (7)Somaliland:Democratisation and its Discontents (Int'l Crisis Group Report) On Somaliland Boundaries (1) Why Somaliland's Int'l border w/ Puntland is Sacrosanct (2) U.S. to help in protecting Somaliland's territorial waters (3) Somaliland Integrity not for Compromise Somalia Elections (1) Scepticism and caution greet election of Yusuf as war-ravaged Somalia's president (2)Somaliland Leader Rejects Unity of Somalia (3) Door is Closed on Somalia-Somaliland Talks (4)Somali enclave voices hostility to new president (5)Somaliland's two Houses of Parliament endorse government’s warning to new Somalia (6) Somaliland warns of war if new Somali government violates its territorial integrity (7) Somalia between Hope and Skepticism Border Conflict (1) Fighting erupts in Somalia (2) 15 Die in Somali Border Dispute (3) Puntland Militia Loyal To Abdullahi Yusuf Attack Somaliland. Commander Of Puntland Militia Captured Dead. (4) Fighting breaks out between Somali regions (5)At least 65 killed in Somalia fresh regional clashes (6)Attacks on Somaliland Have Started: Somalilanders Abroad Echo their Government’s Warning to the World (7) Somaliland wants to live in peace … again (8) Somaliland Repulses Major Attack By Abdillahi Yusuf's Militia (9) CrisisWatch N°15, 1 November 2004 African Security Review on Somaliland (All downloadable in pdf) (1)Iqbal Jhazbay's Editorial (2)Somalia and Somaliland:Envisioning a dialogue on the question of Somali Unity (3)Debating Secession and the Recognition on New States in Africa RECENT ENTRIES Somaliland Celebrates International Youth Day Somaliland nabs Belgian officials More on Somalia's ICU Hardline Islamist Militia Group SOPRI - Somaliland Conference in Metro-Washington DC Confirmed Speakers Dealing with Somaliland ''Conflict in Somalia Moves Toward Confrontation'' SOMALILAND LEADER: ETHIOPIAN INTERVENTION A ‘HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE’ Somaliland Focus (UK) New Amnesty International Special Africa Programme Website FEATURED POSTS Somaliland Elections (1) Election Fever (2) The Test (3) Somaliland elections-1 (4) Somaliland elections-2 (5) Election images-1 (6) That Thing called Freedom (7) Election images-2 (8) Election images-3 (9) Sug (10)Reasons for voting (11) Euphoria (12) Observers point of view (13) Nurturing Democracy (14) The morning after (15) Keeping the Peace (16) Stopping Time Images of Hargeisa (1) Hand holding Somaliland, Black headed sheep (2) Birds & Goats on a tree-1 (3) Bombed building (4) Birds of Africa (5) Nomad's house & Saadadin (6) Money exchange & flowers (7) Somaliland shillings, Mansoor Hotel, Ambassador Hotel (8) Flowers of Somaliland (9) Streets of Hargeisa (10) Plane, diaspora house, arch, khat trade (11) Somaliland International Airport Somali Food (1) Roasted Goat, Somali Rice, Xaraf Restaurant (2) Hilip Geyl - Camel Meat (3) Boodale Fever (4) Geyl World (5) Remembering Boodale Somali Spirit (1)Halimo's Spirit (2)Home of the Proud (3) Somali Badan (4)Hersi's Heart (5) Glaring Divide Health (1) Mental Health Facilities in Somaliland Women (1) Celebrating Life (2) To those who find Strength (3) Keeping a promise (4) Women of Berbera (5) When Women Play (6) Wives and Children (7)Somaliland Women and Politics (8)Somaliland Women and Politics (2) HIV/AIDS (1)HIV Testing in Somaliland (2) Remembering Amina and Aiderus (3) The Longest Wait Human Rights (1) The value of not forgetting (2) Indai's Voice (3)Let the Aqil's Speak (4) Prison Conditions (5)Traditional Leaders and Human Rights (6) Call To Action (7) Human Rights Day Mobilization (8)The Samsam Case Closed Youth (1)Rewarding Hard Work (2) Dhagax tuur (3) Women and sports (4) Keeping the spirit (5) Bee keeping Iniative (6)Amoud University Graduation (7)How Decisions Are Made (8)Hargeisa University Graduation Refugees and Returnees (1)Returnees and Refugees (2)Walayta (3)Images of World Refugee Day Disabilities (1) Walking hands (2) The people I work wth (3) Fighting the Stigma (4) Mental Health Facilities Annalena Toneli (1)Annalena Shot dead (2)Annalena-2 (3) Annalena-3 (4)She is Gone (5)From the Young people of Borama (6)Fund Raising Proposal for Annalena's Work Peace and Security-I (1)Safe (2)Life goes On (3)Prayer for Calmness (4)My Roots Peace and Security-II (1)Sixteen Days (2)Try to Remember (3)Illegal Immigrants ordered to leave Somaliland (4)Authorities Assure Foreign workers Peace and Security-III (1)GTZ vehicle Ambushed (2) GTZ Ambush updates (3)Vigilance pays (4) Public Uproar against Terrorism (5) "This is not Somalia" (6) Clearing the Air (7) Justice Delayed, Justice Denied CIIR NEWS ON SOMALILAND (1)Five arrested following the murders of aid workers (2)Women take a stand against Female Genital Mutilation (3)Hospitals face shortage of STD testing kits (4)Comic Relief documentary generates funds for hospital (5)Political leaders urged to recognise role of civil society (6)Reflections of a development worker on the elections (7)Opposition supporters protest election outcome (8)Presidential elections take place peacefully (9)Who contested the elections? (10)AIDS hope in Somaliland: Study sheds light on presence of virus CATEGORIES BURAO BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS CULTURE DIASPORA STORIES EDUCATION EVERYDAY LIFE FILIPINOS HUMAN RIGHTS IMAGES INITIATIVES INTERNATIONAL LINKS NEWS NOTES PEACE AND SECURITY PHILIPPINES POLITICS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 2003 REFLECTIONS REFUGEES SOMALI FOOD SOMALILAND NEWS WOMEN ARCHIVES August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 October 2005 May 2005 February 2005 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 February 2003 Search this site: TRAVELLING TO SOMALILAND? Airlines Daallo Damal Star African Hotels Ambassador Hotel Burao City Plaza Hotel Maan-soor Hotel Money Transfer Dahabshiil Somaliland Civil Society Movement Nagaad SOYDA Tisqaad SONYO SOCSA HAVOYOCO Somaliland Researchers Academy for Peace & Development State Failure and Governance in Afghanistan and Somalia/Somaliland <

August 17, 2006 Somaliland Celebrates International Youth Day Somaliland National Youth Organization (SONYO Umbrella) celebrated International Youth Day. A well-organized ceremony was conducted at the Ambassador Hotel wherein more than 100 youth members from 33 youth groups attended the occasion. The event was graced by the Minister of Youth and Sports, SONYO Chairperson, Ibrahim Suldan, Dr. Martin Orwin, Prof. Gaariye, Dr. Mohamed-rashid, Boobe Yusuf, Safiya Awad of UNICEF, Fatima Saed of UNDP, Mohamed of NOMAD and other respected guests attended the occasion. This is the first time Somaliland Youth celebrated for the International Youth Day. The theme of this year was “Tackling Poverty Together”. After the speeches of guests, a drama carrying messages about youth problems and opportunities has been presented. Then the Executive Director of SONYO umbrella headed the launching of a new magazine published by SONYO called “CODKA DA’YARTA”, (VOICE OF YOUTH) and a website for youth called “hellosomalityouth.net”. Certificates of appreciation were handed over to 9 SONYO member organizations for their significant contribution to social mobilization of youth all over the country. An evening event took place at Maansoor Hotel jointly organized by Youth Movement for Democracy (YMD), SOYDCO and SONYO. It was an open forum participated by 130 youth leaders, parliament members, governmental officials, and UCID partly leader, Mr. Faisal Ali Waraabe. Article submitted by SONYO. Posted by Yvette Lopez at 10:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) August 16, 2006 Somaliland nabs Belgian officials The authorities in the breakaway region of Somaliland say they have detained three Belgian immigration officials in the capital, Hargeisa. The three arrived on a flight from Ethiopia with a man they had deported from Belgium, Somaliland's Aviation Minister Ali Warran Ade told the BBC. He said they did not have visas to enter Somaliland or the prior consent necessary to deliver a deportee there. The minister said they were being held in a hotel pending investigations. Mr Ade said the deportee had been sent back to Ethiopia on the flight on which he had arrived. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia after the overthrow of dictator Siad Barre in 1991. Somaliland's self-declared government is not recognised by any other state, although it is credited with bringing peace and a degree of development to the territory, amid chaos in the rest of Somalia. Source: BBC News/Africa Posted by Yvette Lopez at 10:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) August 09, 2006 More on Somalia's ICU See Council on Foreign Relation's article on Somalia's High Stakes Power Struggle. Posted by Yvette Lopez at 03:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) Hardline Islamist Militia Group Recent information emerging from Somalia indicates that a hard-line faction within the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) may have evolved into a new organization called Shabbab (Arabic for "youth"), where youthful die-hard elements of the Islamists are being trained for specialized assignments. An official from Kenya's Embassy to Somalia (which is currently based in Nairobi), who requested anonymity, confirmed that there was such a youth wing in the ICU, but said its scope was not clear at the moment. Analysts of the current crisis in Somalia claim that this group is a part of the young Islamic courts supporters who have come of age in the ruthless and vicious life of modern day Mogadishu. They are known to be less educated and more dogmatic than the older clerics. They have not held formal jobs, apart from earning a living as bodyguards protecting foreigners or doing "dirty work" in exchange for payment. Written by Sunguta West. Read full article from Global Terrorism Analysis, Jamestown Foundation. Posted by Yvette Lopez at 03:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) August 05, 2006 SOPRI - Somaliland Conference in Metro-Washington DC Confirmed Speakers Somaliland Policy and Reconstruction Institute (SOPRI) will host the 2006 Somaliland Conference, in conjunction with the Somaliland Communities of North America, on September 8-10, 2006 at Metro-Washington DC. Capacity Building while holding hands: The Convention, which builds on last year's successful Los Angeles convention, aims to focus on the twin objectives of governance and development. After nurturing peace and stability for fifteen years and have successfully transitioned to a democratic system of governance, the focus will be on capacity building of te nascent democratic institutions and economic development to improve the lives of the people of Somaliland. Our objective is engaging the international community, and highlighting the need for the Diaspora community to organize and pool their economic and intellectual resources globally to give back to their people. The conference will feature prominent speakers who will share their experiences by addressing some of the critical issues that are facing Somaliland today. The following is the list of speakers, panelists and discussants confirmed thus far. . From inside Somaliland Somaliland Administration representatives. 1-2 senior Ministers, (including the Foreign Minister) and possibly even the President, to attend. The Heads of both Houses of the Legislature (the Speaker and Vice-Chair of Parliament and the Chairman of the Guurti (Council of Elders). Heads of Opposition Parties: Chairpersons of KULMIYE and UCID. Chairman of Somaliland Election Commission Representatives of Civil Society, Women’s Groups and Academia Representatives of the Business Community (among them: Chief Executive Officers of Daallo Airlines and Telsom (Telephone) Company. From the Diaspora: Prominent members of the Somaliland community in th US, Canada, Europe and the Middle East, from academia, the private sector, and community organizations). University professors. Friends of Somaliland Communities - keynote speakers invited include: Ambassador David Shinn, Adjunct Professor, The Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University Prof. Iqbal Jhazbhay, Lecturer, University of South Africa Stephanie Blanton Director of Africa Program (International Republican Institute) Dave Peterson Director of Africa Program (National Endowment for Democracy) Matt Bryden Director of Africa Program (International Crisis Group) Prof. William Reno Program of African Studies, North Western University Dr. J. Peter Pham Director of the Nelson Institute, James Madison University Ambassador, Princeton Lyman Director, Africa Policy Studies, Council of Foreign Relation Dr. Jeffrey Herbst Vice president-Provost-Academic Affairs, Miami University, Ohio Prof.Mitsugi Endo, Waka University, Tokyo Japan. For Convention logistics, including details about the conference agenda, conference registration, registration fee payment types, and hotel reservations; please visit the web site www.sopri.org Ahmed Mahdi, Director, Media and Communications 2006 Somaliland Conference contact@sopri.org Posted by Yvette Lopez at 10:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) August 03, 2006 Dealing with Somaliland Suliman Baldo in Development and Cooperation, ICG July 2006 Soon after the state had collapsed in Somalia 1991, the self-declared Republic of Somaliland proclaimed independence from the rest of the country. Whereas the southern part of Somalia slid into anarchy, Somalilanders restored peace and built up effective government structures. On its summit at the end of June, when this comment was already written, the African Union discussed the sovereign status of the territory. Somaliland’s application for AU membership provides an opportunity to settle the issue peacefully. On 18 May 2006, the self-declared Republic of Somaliland marked fifteen years since it proclaimed independence from Somalia. Its sovereignty is still unrecognised by any country, but its president, Dahir Rayale Kahin, submitted Somaliland’s application for membership to the African Union in December 2005. The claim to statehood hinges on the territory’s separate status during the colonial era from the rest of Somalia and its existence as a sovereign state for a brief period following independence from Great Britain in June 1960. Full Article Posted by Yvette Lopez at 11:42 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) ''Conflict in Somalia Moves Toward Confrontation'' During the weeks of July 17 and July 24, the revolutionary process in the stateless country of Somalia entered a new phase as the conflict between the rising Islamic Courts Council (I.C.C.), which is bent on creating a state based on Shari'a law, and the embattled and internationally recognized Transitional Federal Government (T.F.G.) moved toward armed confrontation with the entry of Ethiopian troops into the country in support of the defenseless T.F.G. Full Story from Power and Interest News Report (PINR) Posted by Yvette Lopez at 11:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

AND I SAY Taste of Africa is my online journal intended to update my family and friends about my life as a development worker in this part of the Horn of Africa. I am in Somaliland, a country longing for an international recognition. I decided to put my stories online for my friends, family and for those who like me, wanted to know more. Take Action Join us in our work in Somaliland Somaliland has one of the lowest literacy level in the world, not because they don't want to learn but because they couldn't afford to go to school. Young Somalilanders only need $5 to go to a vocational school run by Candlelight a local NGO in Burao and Hargeisa we are currently assisting. It is schools like these that keep learning alive in this country. A country where 1 out of 5 children do not live to see their 5th birthday, where maternal mortality is the highest in the world. A country where the people choose to survive by maintaining the fragile peace stability. Commend their steadfast spirit of survival and be a part of making this country rise from the wreckage of war. How can you help? Write to Dr. Adan Yusuf Abokor of ICD-Somaliland or to Pippa Hoyland of CIIR-UK or click here to Donate Online TAKE ACTION! EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN Let there be more women like her, triumphant in her victory in a country where women cannot play sports in public. SOCSA Center is the only organization that provide opportunities for young women to play. The price of burger and cola you buy can support incentives of teachers of these young girls. In a country where educational institutions could barely sustain itself education are provided by private and Non-government institutions. Their mothers didn't get the chance to go to school, most of them do not know how to read and write. Let them have a different experience. SONYO the only nationwide youth umbrella organization in the country formed a network of youth organizations conducting Non-Formal Education in villages and communities. Young students help out in teaching numeracy and literacy classes. Join UNICEF and ICD in its effort to support initiatives of the young generation today. WHAT I KEEP IN MIND There is a woman in Somalia, scraping for pearls on the roadside There's a force stronger than nature, keeps her will alive. This is how she's dying, she's dying to survive. Don't know what she's made of, I would like to be that brave (Pearls,Sade) ABOUT THE AUTHOR Somaliland.Org Interview Generationrice.com Interview CONTACT lopez [dot] yvette [at] gmail[dot] com COMMITTED TO International Cooperation for Development Social Democratic Caucus DEVELOPMENT SECTION Eldis Overseas Development Institute Africa Portal Fahamu NEWS AND WORTHY READS All Africa Awdal News BBC BBC Somali HOAPSA Pambazuka News Radio Somaliland Somaliland News Somaliland.Net Somaliland.Org TVSomalilandEurope Zmag DIASPORA LINKS Somaliland Forum SOPRI SISTERHOOD Africanwoman Amanitare Asianwoman Babaylan Babaylan Files Behind the Mask Cuntzilla Dyke Write Feminist Africa Filipina Women's Network Jeanette Winterson We have Brains Wougnet Philippines Accdg. to Blogs FILIPINO BLOGS As Our Dreams Unfold Ayeza (Canada) Dekarabaw Dennis (Manila) Go Burn (Manila) Ibalik (US) Jah (Canada) Jay (Singapore) Jet (Singapore) Jim Paredes Jing (Germany) Kengkeng (Belgium) Kid (Manila) Luis Pangilinan (US) Nicanor David (Singapore) Now What, Cat? Pansitan Community Paru Parong Bukid Pensive Fool Sienna (US) Writing on Air (Manila) Wormwood (Manila) BLOGS W/ TASTE OF AFRICA LINK Accidental Verbosity Africa, south of the sahara Africa Blog Africa Pundit African Oil Politics Ali Home International Ambiguous Adventure Anak Alam Aspasia Black Looks Blog Africa Cock and Bull Stories Commentary.co.za Daniel Hurie's Project Daudi's Profile Fainting in Coyles Farrago World of Blogs Globe of Blogs Headheeb Improving Me INSINUENDO Jewels in the Jungle Jay Solo's Verbosity Just World News Maticito Mentalacrobatics Meskel Square Mostly Africa Negrophile ODI 2005 Blog On Lesotho Oscar Jr. P. Scott Cummins Blog Piercing Pens Plep Red Constantino Redsea-online rhettscharleston Rwandan Politics Samizdata A Sassy Lawyer in Philippine Suburbia Scienceport.org SOQOTRA Swamp Cottage UN Job Vacancies COLLECTION OF IMAGES Taste of Somaliland DISCLAIMER Copyright © 2004-2005 A Taste Of Africa. The views expressed by the site owner are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organization she is currently or has been affiliated with. No part of this site may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, etc) without proper citation. This weblog is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Syndicate this site (XML) Powered by Movable Type 2.661 free hit counter Globe of Blogs