Mass Graves exhumations begin in Somaliland by a Peruvian forensic anthropology team (EPAF)

Mass Graves exhumations begin in Somaliland by a Peruvian forensic anthropology team (EPAF)

A Peruvian forensic anthropology team has started on a project that is expected to reveal details of the widespread atrocities that were committed under the rule of dictator Siyad Barre against the people of Somaliland.

Truth behind enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, torture and other human rights violations of Somalilanders is about to be unearthed.

The Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team – EPAF, has begun exhumations in in the country, as part of a five-year agreement signed with the government thus unearth the truth behind an estimated 60,000 civilian deaths and hundreds of victims of enforced disappearances from 1970 to 1991.

The EPAF team which will also training local forensic personnel and college students of biomedical sciences in order to avail of the country relevant forensic expertise.

The exhumations result from the enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, torture and other human rights violations perpetrated during the reign of dictator Siyad Barre whose underlings are credited with the over 60,000 deaths and hundreds of unexplained disappearances

One of the main perpetrators in this case is General Mohamed Ali Samatar, who was Vice President and Defense Minister of the Democratic Republic of Somalia from 1980 to 1986. In January 1987, Samatar took over as Prime Minister of Somalia, until the fall of Barre dictatorship in 1990.

During the cause of its duties, the Jose Pablo’s led EPAF team that also includes a number of international journalists is assisted by Mr. Abdiaziz Mohamed Diriye who was part of the team that brought Gen Ali Samatar to justice in the USA where he was found guilty of committing atrocities against Somalilanders and fine $21 Million.

While informing that most of the mass graves documented has a minimum of 12 corpses the national massacre investigations committee, which is supporting the EPAF, work, gave the following breakdown of mass graves so far identified:-

I. Hargeisa (Maroodi-Jeeh region) – 200 mass graves

II. Berbera (Sahil region) – 12 mass graves

III. Burao (Togdheer region) – 8 mass graves

IV. Sheikh (Sahil region) – 1 mass grave

V. Erigavo (Sanaag region) – 2 mass graves

VI. Arabsiyo (Gabile region) – 1 mass grave

The Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team (EPAF) is a non-profit organization that promotes the right to truth, justice, and guarantees of non-repetition in cases of forced disappearance and extrajudicial execution. EPAF seeks to contribute to the consolidation of peace and democracy where grave human rights violations have taken place by working alongside the families of the disappeared to find their loved ones, gain access to justice, and improve the conditions affecting their political and economic development.

To achieve these goals, EPAF works in four principal areas: Forensic Investigation, Historical Memory, Forensic Training, and Human Development.

 Peruvian Forensic Anthropology (EPAF): http://epafperu.org/epaf-inicia-exhumaciones-en-somalilandia/

Somaliland Business Fund – Private Sector Re-Engagement Program Launched

Hargeisa– Somaliland Business Fund (SBF) was launched on September 15, 2012. The deadline for receipt of Concept Notes(initial applications) will be October 25, 2012. It is expected to award small grants at the end of december 2012 and large grants in early March, 2013. Four rounds are planned over the next 12 months with more rounds depending on the response from the business community and the quality of proposals.The SBF Term Sheet outlines how you can apply for a grant and explains how we assess applications.For further information on the Fund, call the Fund ‘hotline’ at  485-0660.

About the Fund

 —The $3.6 million Somaliland Business Fund (SBF) offers grants to the Somaliland private sector ranging from $5,000 to $150,000 for projects involving business development services and/or fixed assets. —Grants below $50,000 are considered small and processed in 2 months (following outreach phase) whereas large grants will be processed in 4-5 months. —Small grants are ‘matching’ i.e. 50:50 co-financing whereas the applicant contribution is reduced to 33% for 1st time applications. —Grants for large projects will be up to 50% i.e. determined on the basis of risks and returns – in this way we can get a higher leverage on the overall grant funds.

WHY SBF

The Somaliland Business Fund (SBF) aims to mobilize the creative energy and resources of the private sector to strengthen private enterprises, increase incomes and create new sustainable employment opportunities and thereby improve the lives of Somalilanders.

Since 1991 Somaliland has established a democratic state, education and health systems. Somalilanders have proven themselves to be enterprising people and urban-centred business such as telecom has experienced phenomenal growth in the last 20 years.

Nevertheless, challenges remain such as a fast growing population, and high rates of unemployment and illiteracy. There are also issues surrounding environmental degradation and food security. Citizens need sustained economic growth to reduce poverty levels.

A well-developed private sector has an important role to play – it provides investment, employment, livelihoods and vital services. The country has great potential – it is strategically located with a long coast line, access to ports, an excellent international trade position and investment opportunities in agribusiness, fisheries, meat, salt, financial services mining and oil & gas.

The Somaliland diaspora is a mojor source of productive investment in the country but the private sector is constrained by inadequate infrastructure, high cost of fuel and energy, lack of access to credit and banking facilities etc. At the enterprise level, competiveness is hampered by producers’ lack of market know-how and/or modern machinery and equipment, and workers lack of technical skills.

As a result, consumers make do with low quality, limited range or high priced products.

The Fund will help businesses to upgrade and strengthen their capacity, to improve their productivity or become more innovative. This will not only be good for the business but alos have wider developmental impact  as benefits will flow to other suppliers/producers in the sector or value chain, as well as workers and consumers.

DONOR SUPPORT

The Somaliland Business Fund (SBF) is one component of the Private Sector Re-Engagement Program Phase II that supports the investment climate, value chains (fisheries, gums & resins),

P-P-P (solid waste management, Berbera port), and the financial sector in Somaliland.

SomPREPII is financed by a World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund with contributions from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA),

the UK Department for International Development (DfID) and the World Bank State and  Peace-building Fund (SPF).   Landell Mills – a development consutling firm in the UK – has been engaged to manage the Fund.

For more info visit The Somaliland Business Fund (SBF) website:-  http://somalilandbusinessfund.com/