Category: Blog

The Foreign Desk: What are Somaliland & Somalia Discussing in Djibouti?

The Foreign Desk: What are Somaliland & Somalia Discussing in Djibouti?

As Somalia conducts talks with the unrecognized government of breakaway region Somaliland, Andrew Mueller asks if Somaliland’s time might be coming. Continue reading “The Foreign Desk: What are Somaliland & Somalia Discussing in Djibouti?”

Bihi Stressed Precedents for Somaliland Sovereignty at Djibouti Summit

Bihi Stressed Precedents for Somaliland Sovereignty at Djibouti Summit

President Bihi offered well articulated speech on Somaliland’s position, and her case for statehood at the summit between Somaliland & Somalia in Djibouti, at a time when international attention is on the first official and publicized meeting between the two leaders Continue reading “Bihi Stressed Precedents for Somaliland Sovereignty at Djibouti Summit”

“Siad Barre’s Somalia & the USA” marked as ““Very Confidential”

“Siad Barre’s Somalia & the USA” marked as ““Very Confidential”

LookI want to keep following up where I can, and today’s NYTimes report on Somalia as a new staging ground for militant Islam, by the brilliant reporter Andrea Elliott, brings to mind the Family’s Somalia connection. Everybody knows it’s been a long time since Somalia has been a functioning nation; less understood is the role the United States played in Somalia’s destruction — and the Family’s part in tearing a people down by propping up their dictator. Following is a short excerpt about Somalia from The Family: Continue reading ““Siad Barre’s Somalia & the USA” marked as ““Very Confidential””

Egypt Weaponizing Somalia in defiance to UN Embargo

Egypt Weaponizing Somalia in defiance to UN Embargo

Egypt, which has been at loggerheads with Ethiopia over the hydroelectric dam project the latter is building over the Nile, has now defied a UN arms embargo with an alleged arms delivery it has made to Somalia, on February, 2020, The Reporter has learnt.  Continue reading “Egypt Weaponizing Somalia in defiance to UN Embargo”

SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA: Mapping geopolitical trends for Quarter One 2020

SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA: Mapping geopolitical trends for Quarter One 2020

As the year moves past the first quarter, a close observation of multi-dimensional developments across political, economic, social and geopolitical spheres will provide crucial insights into emerging and established trends that will impact Africa in the medium-term to long-term horizons. Some of the trends, such as the growing threat of jihadist violence in the Sahel have developed over a number of years, and have evolved counter to shifts and shortcomings in policy responses. Continue reading “SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA: Mapping geopolitical trends for Quarter One 2020”

Donald Yamamoto: A Colonial Governor or US Ambassador to Somalia

Donald Yamamoto: A Colonial Governor or US Ambassador to Somalia

It is a truism among diplomats that it never hurts to talk. The reality is quite different. Certainly, diplomacy, properly practiced, can advance peace and stability. Careless diplomacy, however, can set back peace or empower terrorists and tyrants.  Continue reading “Donald Yamamoto: A Colonial Governor or US Ambassador to Somalia”

Somaliland: 90 Year Old Somali Writing in Arabic Script

Somaliland: 90 Year Old Somali Writing in Arabic Script

This letter, penned by a husband in Berbera to his wife back in his home town Burao, carries quite a history and illustrates the Somali writing in Arabic script that is known as “Far Wadaad in Somali”. It was written about 90 years when the Somali language was not even officially written, by utilizing an Arabic script that some might have been proficient in it. As the letter indicates, at that time, it was difficult to get jobs in Berbera. Continue reading “Somaliland: 90 Year Old Somali Writing in Arabic Script”