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Hargeysa, Somaliland,
January 28, 2012 (SL Times) – Renowned journalist Dan Damon beamed his
program the BBC World Update from Somaliland’s capital Hargeysa for the
first time this week.
The BBC World Update covers events around the world and has world-wide
listeners. The broadcast was relayed to the world from the University of
Hargeysa campus. Other journalists who took part in the program were
Mary Harbour, Ahmed Said Ige, and Abdirizaq Haji Muhammad Sirad.
Among the participants were the CEO of Dahabshil company, Abdirashid
Muhammad Said Duale, University of Hargeysa students and others who took
part through the phone.
Dan Damon pointed out in his program that although Somaliland was not
recognized by any country, that has not stopped it from making economic
and political progress. He also focused on the fact that many Somalis
rely on remittances from the disapora. The CEO of Dahabshil company
which handles the largest amount of money transfers to Africa replied to
a question about whether money transfers from Minneapolis has stopped,
and the impact such a move would have on Somalis, by saying that, money
transfers from Minneapolis have not stopped yet but only small amounts
such as $20, $50, $100 are allowed to be sent. He also added that they
are still in talks and are hoping to avoid the scary scenario of ending
money transfers from Minnesota because it will have a devastating effect
on Somalis, many of whom depend on the money sent to them to survive,
especially in these difficult times of drought and famine.
Mr Duale was also asked how do they check that the person sending the
money is who he says he is. He said they use several methods for
verifying the identity of the person, such as the ID or passport of the
person, and that they also use traditional Somali methods such as the
clan lineage of the person.
In reply to a question about sending a large amount of about $4000 or$
10,000, Mr Duale said that would be difficult.
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