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Imprisoned May 31st Veterans Denied Trial
Hargeisa, May 31, 2003 (SL Times) - It is 15 years ago tonight when about 800 fighters belonging to the then opposition forces of the ‘Somali National Movement’ came into Hargeisa city to begin the final stages of the war for the liberation of Somaliland from former dictator Siyad Barre, one of the most brutal regimes that Africa has known. By May 27, 1988, SNM forces were already in Buroa. Siyad Barre's government retaliated with air and artillery bombardment of the civilian population in both Hargeisa and Buroa as well as other major urban and rural centers in Somaliland.
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A Briton Raises Donation For Hargeisa Hospital
 Hargeisa (SL Times) - Chris Hassan, a British teacher at Endeavour High School in Hull, Yorkshire country, has handed over $3362 to Hargeisa Group Hospital’s Committee. The money was donated by the Endeavour school children for the children’s ward in the Hargeisa Group Hospital.
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Blunder by SOLJA Associates
Hargeisa (SL Times) - Somaliland's Vice-President, Ahmed Yusuf Yassin, denied Thursday that President Rayale had agreed to take part in unconditional talks with KULMIYE’s leader, Ahmed Sillanyo.
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The Somaliland Government Sues Haatuf
The Somaliland government has decided to take the acting editor of the daily Somali newspaper, Haatuf, Saeed Ismail Gurase, to court. On Thursday, Mr. Gurase was told by a Hargeisa district court judge that he has to appear before the court on June 5, 2003. Judiciary authorities have not yet disclosed the nature of the charges brought against Gurase. But the Journalist had already been investigated by the CID with regard to a news article that was published by Haatuf on May 25, 2003.
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KULMIYE Party Rejects Kahin as Somaliland President
Nairobi, May 27, 2003 (IRIN) - The main opposition party in the self-declared republic of Somaliland says it does not recognise the legitimacy of President Dahir Riyale Kahin, according to a statement issued by the party on Sunday.
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| Editorial
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Dialogue is the Right Option
The fact that both President Dahir Rayale and Chairman Ahmed Sillanyo still consider dialogue as the only way for getting the country out of the present political impasse is encouraging. That is why a group of Sultans and civic leaders have taken the initiative to mediate an amicable resolution of the stand-off between the UDUB and KULMIYE parties over the April 14 presidential election. These efforts should be supported by all Somalilanders.
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Appeal to Ahmed Mohamed Sillanyo
Re: Attacks on Somaliland Interests Damage Chances for Recognition
Press Release, May 29, 2003
To Ahmed Silanyo: We are concerned about the attacks on Somaliland interest by few KULMIYE supporters. The recent article by Rakiya Omaar (Shadows of the Past As Human Rights Deteriorate) in the international media has damaged the interest of Somaliland including chances for recognition.
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 Human Rights and the Politics of Silence in Somaliland
Rakiya Omaar
Exchanges between Somaliland’s large Diaspora of information and views about the situation "at home", mainly conducted via email and the Internet, reflect the determination outside the country for this new nation to succeed. The economy of Somaliland already relies substantially on the remittances of these men and women.
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Somaliland’s Progress Should Not Be Held Hostage to KULMIYE’s Intransigence
Ahmed Hussein Kahin
In accordance with Somaliland’s constitution the final verdict on the country’s first presidential elections since its creation in 1991 was transferred to the Supreme Court and after two weeks of careful deliberation the Supreme Court declared on 11th May that the UDUB party had indeed won the elections.
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Somalilanders: Be Aware!
Mahamoud Yusuf Duale (Diktoor), Toronto, Canada
Our election was declared transparent and fair, even excellent to the African standards. That is how the international observers concluded in their statements. And the other night, here in Toronto, thousands of Somalilanders and others attended the 18th may celebration.
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This is Not the Somaliland I Envisioned
Ali Gulaid
Arbitrary arrests and searches, unjustified detention, misuse and abuse of power, illegal care views, soldiers’ overdue salary and benefits, overly compensated corrupt officials, incompetence, disregard of human rights and civil liberties, intimidation of independent media, hunting down certain groups because of political allegiance, utilizing the Radio as the mouth piece of political party and the Supreme Court as a rubber stamp, is not the Somaliland I envisioned. This resembles more of a past era, that of the "faqash".
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Why is KULMIYE Refusing to Accept the Decision of the Constitutional Court?
In any democracy, victory in an election can only be conferred by the voters, or, in the event of a tied or disputed result, by the courts sanctioned for such purpose by the constitution of that country. Thus, in the 2000 elections in the USA, George W. Bush won by decision of the US Supreme Court and Al Gore accepted his defeat.
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Somaliland’s Neglected Infrastructure
Eng: Abdirizak M. Farah (wiiwaa), Oakland, CA, USA
As one of the regions of the envisioned greater Somalia, Somaliland was neglected by both the civilian governments in the early 1960s and later the dictatorship regime of Said Barre. The only exception occurred when Bile Rafle was the Governor of Togdheer and later the Northwest region of ex-Somalia.
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May 1988
Suleiman Mohamoud (smohamoud@hotmail.com)
‘Those who don’t learn from history are forced to repeat it.’ Anonymous
We are in the month of May. This month is a memorable month in the history of Somaliland. The end of Siyad Barre’s regime and consequently the return of the people of Somaliland from refugee camps to their wholly liberated country.
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International
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Photos Raise Allegations of Torture
Lizette Alvarez
LONDON, May 30 (The New York Times) - A British soldier was arrested today after he left a roll of film at a photo store that appeared to show an Iraqi prisoner being tortured, the Defense Ministry said today.
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A Tall Story
At 2.31 metres, Hussein Bissad is the tallest man in Britain, and second tallest in the world. He talks about his big problems - and opportunities - with Adam Lusher.
 London, May 26, 2003 (Telegraph) - As greetings go, it is something of a one-sided affair. Hussein Bissad, the tallest man in Britain, peers down and affords me the honor he often grants curious adults. He smiles, ruffles my hair and pats me on the head. "Ahh, short man," he says in a deep, deep voice.
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CIA Categorizes Ethiopia as Illicit Drugs Transit Hub
Addis Ababa, May 23, 2003 (Addis Tribune) - The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) country fact book described Ethiopia as a "transit hub" for heroin originating in Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America.
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The Writing on the Wall
Jean-Jacques Cornish
Addis Ababa, May 23, 2003 (Addis Tribune) - With a disturbing mix of potency and pathos, Ethiopia has again stuck out the begging bowl. The euphemistically labelled Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC) said this week that about 12.5-million Ethiopians now need foreign food aid to survive.
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Local Muslim Leader Sentenced in Fraud Case
Attorney Says He Was Dodging Draft in Somalia
 Portland, May 30, 2003 (Koin.com) - A local Muslim leader arrested by the Joint Terrorism Task Force was sentenced to probation on Thursday.
Sheik Mohamed Kariye was arrested in September at Portland International Airport after customs officials apparently detected TNT residue on his bags.
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Federal Appeals Court Says Somali in Minnesota Can Be Deported
St. Paul, May 28, 2003 (AP) - The United States can deport a Somali refugee living in Minnesota even though Somalia has no functioning government that can receive him, a federal Appeals Court ruled.
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Some Somalis Try to Clear Country's Reputation as 'Terrorist Haven'
Alex Belida
Pentagon, 29 May 2003 (VOANews) - Although Somalia is considered a lawless, "ungoverned" country, it may not be as hospitable an environment for terrorists as widely suspected.
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World Bank Planning Joint UN-Somalia Endeavor
VOA News, 28 May 2003
The World Bank is planning a new initiative for Somalia, resuming operations there for the first time since 1991.
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133 Would-Be Illegal Immigrants Detained in Puntland
NAIROBI, 29 May 2003 (IRIN) - The authorities in the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland have detained a group of migrants who were waiting to be smuggled into Western Europe, Puntland's deputy information minister told IRIN on Thursday.
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What Was This Man Doing In Mumbai?
Ranjini Ramaswamy
Mumbai, May 22 (Mumbai Newsline) - He gorges on basmati rice. When he was not running an East African country, he used to compete with his friends to memorise Bollywood chartbusters.
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