May 30, 2010
May 23, 2010
Coca Cola to Open Plant in Somaliland
Coca Cola to Open Plant in Somaliland
HARGEISA — If ever there was a brand that was truly international, this brand would of course be Coca Cola. Known in literally every corner of the world, it was once the most recognised brand worldwide. Even till this day, in the most remote regions of the world, people recognise the name and brand even in places where it is considered a luxury.
Coca-Cola logo
With the launch of the Coke Plant in Mogadishu in 2004, many were interested in seeing how profitable such a plant would be in the midst of the war torn country. The plant has since been closed down due to heavy fighting in the city and currently has no plans of reopening. Somaliland, on the other hand, has been a bastion of peace and stability in the region for over 19 years and just may be the answer to Coke’s needs to supply the region.
Coke is currently supplied to the region by exporters from Egypt, Djibouti as well as the UAE. While the quality of the products from some of those areas are questionable, it is the cost of these products in relation to local brands that has made it a luxury available only to those who are able to afford the half dollar price tag that they carry in most shops. A few wise Somalilander entrepreneurs realized quickly that there was a gap and excellent opportunity in this multi-million dollar industry in Somaliland and have taken it on themselves to bring the international big-name brand to Somaliland. Their timing couldn’t be better because it’s about time some of the big international players made their presence felt locally, because Somaliland is quickly becoming an important economic hub in the region.
COCA-COLA
The Coke plant is scheduled to be opened sometime before autumn, and staff have already been hired and are working on a major marketing campaign and the distribution of their family of products. The bottling factory will be located in a remote village on the road between Hargeisa & Berbera, making it central to distribution points all across the country.
The main investors in this project are the Geeley Arab family who have also taken on other investors in order to bring a more economical option to the people of Somaliland when it comes to their choice of beverages. Coke will be supplied in Somaliland by SBI (Somaliland Beverages Inc) and after the launch of the factory, bottles of Coke products will be priced to compete with locally bottled no-name brands and all Somalilanders will be able to take advantage of the great Coke taste at a great price.
There is no word yet as to whether or not SBI has considered recycling options for their output, however, perhaps somewhere in the future we can read about another group of Somaliland Entrepreneurs opening the country’s first recycling plant.
By Maxmuud-Aar
Somalilandpress
May 22, 2010
Somaliland parties meet at the Chatham House
Somaliland parties meet at the Chatham House
LONDON — The Chatham House has facilitated a meeting on Thursday between representatives of Somaliland’s three official political parties in order to ensure a stable election process takes place in the country.
Chatham House
Mr Faisal Elmi, Vice-Chair of UDUB Party in the UK, Mr Ibrahim Hussein, Vice-Chair of Kulmiye Party in the UK and Mrs Saynab Sahardiid, Chairwoman of UCID Party in the UK were invited on Thursday to provide an insight into the challenges which the region faces in the run-up to elections. The participants also included Mr Adam Jibril, Somaliland Envoy to the UK, Mr Ahmed Esse, UK Secretary for International Co-operation & Planning, UCID Party and Mr Mohamed Omar, Foreign Affairs Spokesman, KULMIYE Party.
The discussion was chaired by Mrs Sally Healy, Africa Programme Associate Fellow, Chatham House.
Despite the lack of international recognition, Chatham House considers Somaliland to be one of the “few secure and democratic territories of the Horn of Africa”.
The Chathan House expressed concerns about Somaliland’s stability and whether if the elections are not held on time it could cause further deterioration to region which is already the most volatile in Africa.
Chatham House Somaliland Parties Meeting
The panel faced questions ranging from if the election will be held on the proposed June 26th date to al-Shabab and other extremist organisations in the region, which could spoil the elections.
The three representatives have assured the presidential election will stay inline with the set timeline and there will not be any more postponements.
While addressing the panel, Mr Ibrahim Hussein of Kulmiye said the National Electoral Commission (NEC) should operate entirely independent.
“There must not be any orders from the government during the election date, all responsibilities should be given to the NEC to ensure compliance with voting procedures,” he said.
Mrs Saynab of UCID said she is worried the turnout for the election low might be lower than anticipated since many have crossed into neighbouring countries during the recent floods in the capital.
Even though the meeting was not a policy debate, however the three did get into a heated debate exchanging many attacks although they stayed united on the state’s sovereignty and maintaining peace.
The meeting lasted about an hour an a half.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the NEC led by Vice-Chair, Mr Ali-khadar Hassan Osman is due in London in the coming hours to obtain and ship out the official presidential elections’ ballot papers.
Chatham House, previously known as The Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a non-profit, non-governmental think tank that facilitates meetings and discussions in order to understand major international issues and current affairs.
(Somalilandpress)
May 21, 2010
May 20, 2010
Somaliland is cracking down on pirates
Somaliland is cracking down on pirates
Re: Somali pirate cash ‘coming to Ottawa,’ April 30.
Pirates
The Citizen article on piracy profits in Somalia coming back to Ottawa did not mention that Somaliland recently sentenced seven pirates to 15 years in prison and has now jailed more than 70, and sentenced a terrorist to 24 years in prison.
Somaliland’s reward for trying to be a good citizen in the international community is silence and neglect. Instead, newspapers are filled with stories of the mayhem in ungovernable Somalia.
Somaliland was a British protectorate from 1884 to 1960. It gained independence and UN recognition and then agreed to join with Somalia although the union was never ratified by their parliaments.
The informal partnership did not work and Somaliland attempted to withdraw in the 1980s. The succession was brutally repressed by the dictatorship in Mogadishu and lead to many refugees coming to Canada.
In 1991, Somaliland successfully withdrew following the collapse of the government in Somalia and has operated independently ever since. It has kept its coasts clear of pirates, tried to keep extremists out of the country and held three democratic elections, all with almost no outside help or aid.
One of the reasons these efforts have not been recognized is a desire on the part of the international community to put Somalia back the way it was. This will never happen given the situation in Somalia and the strong feelings that will always exist with respect to the 1980s conflict.
I have personally visited Somaliland and it already compares very favourably to many other more “well regarded” countries in Africa. It is time to help Somaliland and reward its efforts through aid and recognition. I am personally investing in a business venture in Somaliland because recognition will happen as long as it stays on its present course.
Gregory Bowes,
Carleton Place
May 18, 2010
VIDEOS:Somaliland 18th May News
Kulmiye oo 18.May u Dabaaldegay
Riyaale Kaahin Warsaxafadeed
Ucid Borame iyo 18.may
International observers welcome Somaliland election commitment
International observers welcome Somaliland election commitment
The UK-based team coordinating election observers for the delayed presidential elections in the internationally unrecognised Republic of Somaliland, have welcomed the recent announcement by the country’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) that the vote has officially been scheduled for 26 June 2010.
The development agency Progressio, the Development Planning Unit at University College London (UCL) and Somaliland Focus UK welcomed the news.
The three bodies declared: “After a string of delays since the election was first called, we welcome the NEC’s announcement of the date and the decree signed on 16 May by the country’s President Daahir Rayaale Kaahin which confirms the vote will now go ahead on 26 June.”
Due to disputes around the voter registration process, Somaliland’s planned poll was continually pushed back. The election observers team notes that the situation on the ground has improved considerably in recent months.
In September 2009, all three of Somaliland’s political parties signed a six-point agreement which paved the way for a resolution to the electoral stalemate. It included a guarantee from the existing government that a further extension of office would not be sought and that the disputed and delayed process of voter registration would recommence.
The agreement was subsequently approved by Somaliland’s upper house, the Guurti (House of Elders). In addition, all parties signed a code of conduct for the election campaign, as did domestic Somaliland media. A memorandum of understanding has also been signed between the international election observation team and the National Election Commission.
The observation team notes: “These developments have dramatically improved the relationship between the NEC and the donors who are providing funding and technology for the voter registration process and the election itself. We are heartened by what has been remarkable progress on many of the key issues; we are keen to take our observation mission forward – even though the timeframe for completing all necessary logistics to ensure a free and fair election campaign, especially security aspects, is tight.”
Progressio’s country manager in Somaliland, Dr Adan Abokor, said: “At long last the people of Somaliland have a clear timetable for this presidential vote which will come as a relief to many.”
Abokor added: “We commend the commitment shown by the national government, political parties, the media and the NEC to replicating the success of previous elections – and to the democratic process as a whole. We urge all stakeholders to come together to ensure a legitimate, free and fair presidential poll and consolidate Somaliland’s legitimacy as a democratic entity in one of the world’s most troubled regions.”
Somaliland’s Presidential elections were previously scheduled for March/April 2008, December 2008, March 2009 and September 2009.
The country is situated in Somalia’s northwest. It declared unilateral independence from the failed Somali state in 1991 and has since been a haven of relative peace whilst violence and instability has characterised Somalia, its capital Mogadishu and more recently the Gulf of Aden.
Progressio’s involvement in the election mission follows its leadership of the international observation team for Somaliland’s inaugural parliamentary elections in 2005, judged by observers as “basically free and fair”.
Progressio, formerly the Catholic Institute for International Relations (CIIR), has been working with local communities in Somaliland since 1995 by placing skilled workers with local organisations specialising in advocating for the rights of women, youth and people with disabilities as well as supporting basic health service provision and people living with HIV and AIDS. It also actively supports progress towards democratisation and stabilising the country.
The Development Planning Unit (DPU) is an international centre specialising in academic teaching, practical training, research and consultancy in the field of urban and regional development, planning, and management. DPU is part of University College London (UCL).
Somaliland Focus (UK) was established in London in 2005 with the aim of helping to raise awareness amongst decision-makers in the UK and elsewhere about the territory of Somaliland and to support Somaliland’s progress towards state-building and social and economic development.
sources: ekklesia
♥ Happy Somaliland Independence Day everyone ♥
♥ Happy Somaliland Independence Day everyone ♥
18 may memorial
May 18th Celebrations in Somaliland Cancelled
May 18th Celebrations in Somaliland Cancelled
Hargeisa- The president of Somaliland Dahir Riyaale Kaahin held a press conference in the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa informing members of the press that the official celebrations planned for Somaliland’s Independence Day have been cancelled.
The president of Somaliland Dahir Riyaale Kaahin press conference
The Independence Day Celebrations have been successfully held since Somaliland regained its independence in 1991 after an unsuccessful union with Somalia. The celebrations are held in various cities across the world as well as in Somaliland itself on the 18th of May of every year and have been a regular event celebrated by Somalilanders of all ages for 19 years running.
The President cited the current election registration process being conducted by the National Electoral Commission as his primary justification for cancelling the planned events.
The election date has been set as the 26th of June, which also happens to be the day that Somaliland gained its independence from the British Crown and was no longer a British Protectorate.
The leaders of the opposition parties are yet to speak on the subject, while a strong response is expected from both main political opposition parties as this move can be seen as an attempt by the current administration to conceal their lack of true support. This cancellation comes on a day when many are expected to display the flag of the political party they support alongside the flag of Somaliland.
The press conference held by the President had a somber mood due to the fact that the members of the press, who were invited, were also strictly prohibited from asking any questions in relation to the press release made.
Abdiqani Baynax / Maxmuud-Aar
Sources: Somalilandpress
May 16, 2010
Wafti ka socda golaha wasiirada somaliland oo soo gaadhay laascaanood
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