OPINION/ By Rooble Mohamed

Do what exactly? 

Well the last discussion of the Pentagon about Somaliland was a positive move from the US. Some would say it is the best during the past 17 years. I think it is still hard for some people to believe that the US is finally in favor of Somaliland’s recognition. Why not ? what is Somaliland differ from its own sister, Kosovo ? 

Somaliland has been independent from the rest of Somalia for the last 17 years maintaining the best peace-building practices in the world. It maintained to start from the scratch without any support from the International community. Building a high quality military and police forces, creating a whole governmental body with its government, parliament, judicial system, national bank, etc. all elected by the public is something that is very rare in the whole Africa. For Somaliland it was success but it always met a blind eyes from the western powers when it comes to the issue of international recognition. With all the efforts done by the government, the opposition parties and the Somaliland individuals living inside and outside the country there are still no touchable results of the issue.

Suddenly here is the US debating over Somaliland’s recognition and clearly in favor of it. It was a big surprise to the world especially after the Kosovo’s issue. It was a big success for Somaliland’s foreign minister for his struggle to put this issue at least on the table and he immediately replied to the pentagon for their concern. The Somaliland community everywhere also welcomed the move as they see this is a golden opportunity for their abandoned country. 
 
Some Arab newsletters and journals started to highlight the issue marking it as Arabs loosing Somalia if Somaliland is recognized. It is usual that Arabs do not welcome anything that is for the good of Somaliland but they don’t have a choi... [Read More]

By Rooble Mohamed 

 

This is the story of Africa. Everybody and almost every country is yelling for a change in terms of the leadership and policies but does that mean that change will bring any change ?

By Rooble Mohamed

It is normal in every country that has gone through long and disastrous civil war there is a high number of disabled people. To say this looks very narrow but going into details will ensure it is an ocean and one can never see all the sides.

 

Here in Somaliland, the number of the people living with disabilities is very high starting from the moment the war started until this moment a lot of people are joining the group everyday. The cause is not only one reason but comes in different shapes and sizes. Some are effected by the civil war, some are suffering the problem of an accident they had, others are disabled because of a mine they found in their residence and so on. Some lost their legs, some lost their arms, others lost their fingers, some lost their vision or hearing system, some others lost almost everything in their physical structure.

 

Speaking about a growing and recovering unrecognized country like Somaliland it is very difficult to recover all those affects of the war. The social services are not up the standard and most of the time lack of funding and lack of international support would tackle the governments wishes of helping those people with disabilities.

 

In 1992, Handicap International, a French non-profit organization started the first rehabilitation center in Hargeisa in order to help those families and individuals affected by the war. The center is successfully working until now. It provided thousands of walking crutches, wheelchairs, artificial legs, etc. as they receive tens of patients everyday. The center also provides a physiotherapy services to the people. Although Handicap International established the center it is now independent from the management of the organization and has reached the level of sustainability.

 

For the moment, there are other two rehabilitation centers i... [Read More]