Somaliland: Ship rescued off Zeila, Anti-Terrorism forces

Somaliland

Comments (10)

Somalilandpress has distilled some main stories making headlines across Somaliland this week (12 April, 2011).
Friday, 10 April: University of Hargeisa goes down under

University of Hargeisa (HoU) on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Western Australia (UWA), for joint cooperation in the fields of medicine and health science. The agreement was signed by Professor Mubarik Ibrahim Aar and Emeritus Professor David Allbrook. The cooperation which is between the two Faculties of Medicine, covers teaching staff exchange, joint research, academic and health consultation, student supervision and training and lecture programs.

Following the signing, Mr Aar said this was exactly what his university needed while Mr Allbrook said he was proud of the agreement. Professor Allbrook has been working hard to establish this kind of project for several years now and has visited the country three times since 2009. Allbrook is no stranger to Africa, shortly after completing his medical and surgery degrees at University College London in the UK the country of his birth he was appointed as a senior lecturer in anatomy at the Makerere University College in Uganda. For over a decade he taught various medical subjects and held numerous positions across some of the leading institutions in Africa including the Ugandan Medical Association. Today, Allbrook is a member of more than eleven Australian and international organizations and his work is recognized internationally. He is part of a dedicated and pioneering team of Australian doctors and professors which include Dr Gary Hastwell, Dr Rod Thelander, Profesor Ian Puddey and Dr Graham Forward. They are here for a fortnight as part of their annual visit to Somaliland to help improve local health services and skills (see SOMALILAND: Australian doctors arrive in Hargeisa).
Saturday, 11 April: HELLO Somaliland!

Somaliland will have telecommunications legislation for the first time after lawmakers in the country passed a law aimed at promoting competition and safeguarding consumer rights. During a tense assembly session on Saturday the Parliament narrowly carried through the bill which was introduced by the Telecommunication Minister. The media did not get copy of the bill and its exact details but the government maintains that the new legislation will make the country more independent and will no longer come under Somalia. Furthermore, it argues it will drive future growth, productivity and innovation across all sectors of the economy. Thirty-four MPs supported the bill while twenty-nine opposed and said it should be rejected, requesting modifications. Three abstained from voting while fourteen were absent including the Speaker, this session was chaired by the vice-chairman Mr Abdul’Aziz Samale. The Government hopes this regulation will pave the way for Somaliland to obtain its own international dialling code, currently it uses Somalia’s 252.
The law is expected to come into effect later in the year when the country also hosts a French firm that will help develop a national network. This will also give the greenlight for SomCable to deploy the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) Optic Fiber cable in the port of Berbera. The local company claims it will invest $30 million in key infrastructure and generate 10,000 jobs in Somaliland. In addition, it says it will deploy Seacom cable in Berbera, making the Red Sea port a telecom hub by connecting Somaliland, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. SomCable is a wholly owned subsidiary of MSG group of companies. It is owned by Mr Mohamed Said Gedi, who has more than five companies in energy, logistics, mining, telecommunication and general trading sector.
During the session, major telecommunication operators were present including SomCable, Dalkom Somalia, SomTel, Telesom and NationLink.
Sunday, 11 April: Eeber..eeber afar (May Day)

Somaliland rescue: MV Salahdeen safely docks at Berbera port with 77 onboard

Members of the Somaliland coastguard rescued a ship carrying 77 Somali passengers including16 children. The ship is said to have developed mechanical problems and got into difficulties at high seas off the coast of Zeila, 270km north of Berbera. After their distress call was answered, they told the Somaliland coastguard that they were fleeing the violent unrest currently sweeping Yemen.
The coastguard and some members of the international anti-piracy task forces in the Gulf of Aden were able reach them and deliver much needed supplies including food and water.
After being stranded for five days, their ship was pulled by another big ship and safely docked this morning (6 AM East African Time) at the port of Berbera. They were warmly welcomed by relatives and members of the government including Mr Abdullahi J. Osman, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
Upon arrival, they thanked the government, coastguards and the Berbera port authority for their support. They urged other Somalis fleeing Yemen to consider taking airplanes.
Sunday, 11 April: War on terror?
Local newspaper Waaheen has reported that the Minister of Interior’s office is establishing an Anti-Terrorism Task Force and branches aimed at combating internal and external threats. The paper said, the United States was providing the funds to form the new Anti-Terrorism forces in the country.
The Counter-Terrorism unit will include snipers and assault personnel and these be recruited throughout the six regions. The force will be commanded by the former Intelligence officer, Mr Ibrahim Farah Dodi.
This will not be the only force in the country trained and financed by a Western nation. Britain already funds and trains the Special Protection Unit (SPU) designed to protect foreign dignitaries and diplomats visiting the country. UK also trains and funds the Somaliland coast guard and plans to replace all their equipment and weapons.
Last year, they delivered 14 vehicles along with communication equipment that is currently used to connect 12 different coastguard stations. The Interior Minister revealed this week that the coastguards will soon received 19 new boats, 3 state of the art radars and construct a new floating dock and new facility in Berbera. Issues related to coastal protection have become ever more important in the light of maritime piracy, regional instability and increased trade involving Somaliland.
Edited by Mark T. Jones