Category: News
Somaliland People Must Put Aside Differences to Engage with G21’s Plot
Somaliland People Must Put Aside Differences to Engage with G21’s Plot
In 2017, a political shift occurred in the Horn of Africa that set off a chain of events with repercussions felt far and wide. The election of Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, popularly known as Farmaajo, as the president of Somalia, was the match that lit the fuse. Continue reading “Somaliland People Must Put Aside Differences to Engage with G21’s Plot”
The Weekly Horn Tribune Sunday 29 October Edition
The Weekly Horn Tribune Sunday 29 October Edition
Click link below to access the latest weekly edition of The Horn Tribune published by the Somaliland government’s Dawan Media
Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Quells Neighbors’ Concerns Over Invasion
Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Quells Neighbors’ Concerns Over Invasion
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Thursday he would not invade any nation, in comments aimed at quelling neighboring countries’ concerns that he might use force to secure access to a sea port. Continue reading “Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Quells Neighbors’ Concerns Over Invasion”
GAZA | Israel’s Unwinnable War?
GAZA | Israel's Unwinnable War?
On 7 October 2023, Hamas launched a major attack on Israel from their base in Gaza. In what became the largest loss of life in a single day in the country’s history, over 1200 people were killed, many in a truly horrific manner.
On top of that, almost 3,000 were injured, and around 150 Israelis were taken hostage. In response, the Israeli Government declared war on the group. Since then, it has heavily bombarded Gaza and placed it under a “complete siege”. This has now seen over a thousand Palestinians killed and almost 6000 wounded, including many children
But as Israel appears ready to launch a ground invasion, many are asking whether this is a war Israel can ever actually win. For almost 80 years, the Israel-Palestinian conflict has been a feature of international politics. It has led to major wars in the Middle East in 1948, 1967, and 1973. In addition, it has fueled other conflicts and fed international terrorism.
However, in recent years, the conflict seems to have dropped off the international radar. Following a peace plan in 1993, the world has steadily turned its attention elsewhere. As a result, the conflict has lingered, occasionally flaring up. This was highlighted by this latest outbreak of violence. But as the region braces for the most serious fighting in many years, a conflict that could draw in the West Bank, Lebanon, and even Iran, real questions need to be asked about how the issue might finally be settled, once and for all.
PM Abiy Ahmed: “It Is Impossible For 150 Million People To Be Without Port”
PM Abiy Ahmed: “It Is Impossible For 150 Million People To Be Without Port”
In a televised speech addressed to Ethiopian law makers, and in what appears to be his first ever open comment on the issue of the Red sea, PM Abiy Ahmed said access to the port is an existential matter for Ethiopia and that Ethiopians should at least start discussing the red sea. Continue reading “PM Abiy Ahmed: “It Is Impossible For 150 Million People To Be Without Port””
China’s Footprints in Somaliland Insurgency Emerges
China’s Footprints in Somaliland Insurgency Emerges
The encounter between the Chinese Representative in Mogadishu, Somalia, and the head of the insurgency in Las Anod fills two needs for the Chinese government: to scare Somaliland by pushing them to disavow Taiwan, and to convey a message to the US that they likewise have a presence in Somaliland. Continue reading “China’s Footprints in Somaliland Insurgency Emerges”
Somaliland Telecoms Compromised: How China Gained Access to Vital Data
Somaliland Telecoms Compromised: How China Gained Access to Vital Data
For years, Somaliland’s telecommunications Continue reading “Somaliland Telecoms Compromised: How China Gained Access to Vital Data”
US Forces Deployed in Israel Flopped in Somalia
US Forces Deployed in Israel Flopped in Somalia
A spokesman for the Pentagon named Patrick Ryder said that the specially trained forces of the United States working to free the hostages have reached Israel, according to the Israeli media.
According to the Israeli authorities, Ryder added that sending an American aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean is “a deterrent message to Hezbollah and Iran not to interfere in the war,” noting that this ship has “espionage, surveillance, and response capabilities.”
He said that Washington will leave the F-35 fighters in the region, and strengthen the F-16 and F-15 fighters to ensure access to different opportunities, as he said.
What are Delta Forces?
Delta Force is a special operations unit of the United States Army that focuses primarily on freeing hostages and fighting “terrorism,” and most of their operations.
The unit was established in 1977 by Colonel Charlie Beckwith, who saw the need for a precision strike force within the army and worked with the British Special Air Service in the 1970s, which as part of the exchange of military experience between Washington and London, and to model the famous British Special Air Service.
Delta is involved in the destruction of terrorist cells, strategic reconnaissance and the preparation of battlefield operations, but it also participates in hostage rescue operations and CIA covert operations. This special force falls under the United States Army Special Operations Command (USAOC), but is controlled by the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).
The primary mission of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) is to conduct critical counter-terrorism operations, while the United States Special Operations Command (USAOC) focuses on unconventional warfare, domestic, foreign and international defense. preventing insurgents.
It is estimated that these forces reach up to 1,000 soldiers. Author Sean Naylor, writing for the Army Times Magazine, in his book about Delta Force, said there may be as many as 1,000 Delta Force soldiers. According to the website of the United States Special Ops, he said that joining this army is subject to conditions such as that the applicants are male, at least 21 years old, and be eligible military personnel.
Notable operations of Delta Force
One of the most famous operations that Delta Force participated in was in 1980, during an attempt to rescue American hostages held in Tehran during an operation called “Eagle’s Claw”.
The operation was described as a failure, due to a malfunction in the equipment of the flight operators, which caused the death of eight Americans, and then the 160th special operations unit of the Air Force was established.
According to the website “Insider”, in July 1983, Delta Force participated in the liberation of five Western “missionaries”, including two American citizens, who were being held by militants of the South Sudan Liberation Front. . It also participated in Operation Desert Storm to liberate Kuwait after the invasion of Iraq in 1991.
In 1993, Delta carried out an operation in Mogadishu, with the aim of arresting the leader of the Somali army, General Mohamed Farah Aidid, but it suffered a heavy blow, after 18 of those forces were killed and 73 others were wounded.
This unit also participated in the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq between 2003 and 2011, and carried out the famous “Red Dawn” operation that arrested former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
According to the Military Commentary website, there are other famous operations in which they participated, such as the evacuation of the US embassy in Libya during the Benghazi attack in 2012, the arrest of the Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, and the invasion of Syria from can mention the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The American commitment
US President Joe Biden said that he condemns the mass killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas, which he described as evil acts, promising that the United States will fully support Israel.
Biden said he would make sure Israel gets everything it needs, including more ammunition and air defense missiles. He confirmed that fourteen Americans were killed and others were captured by Hamas.
Biden added that he is ready to request that additional US troops be sent to the region to prevent any forces that think they are taking advantage of the crisis.
Somaliland Central Bank Deepens Poverty of the Poor
Somaliland Central Bank Deepens Poverty of the Poor
I have been working for some time to stop the contract with De La Rue involving the printing of 380 billion Somaliland Shillings.
First, I contacted anyone that I thought could do something about it. However, when I exhausted that venue and couldn’t lead me a solution, I posted my concerns in my social media spaces.
Following my exposure, the Somaliland Central Bank started to speed up the contract and money printing. This led the Sahamiye Foundation to send the below open letter to De La Rue.
The letter sheds light on the magnitude of the economic collapse that can be expected of such action for the country, which will particularly affect the low-income earners.
Since no one is competing for the contract, the price quoted by the company is exorbitant. In Tanzania, contracts for money printing are transparent and competitive among the companies involved in this type of business, and De La Rue has tripled its price in one of the biddings which caused them to lose the contract.
It is worth noting, as article 35 of the Central Bank Act (Act No. 54/2012), the design and appearance of the new 10,000 shillings note must be submitted to the House of Representatives for approval. At the time of introducing the 5,000 shillings bill, it was brought before the House of Representatives. After they discussed and approved it, then it became the country’s “Legal Tender”.
The current secret contract introducing the new bill of 10,000 shillings is bypassing and in violation of this legal legislative process and even Central Bank is denying that it is being printed.
Finally, it is clear that this company is robbing the nation. Companies that print money are privately owned and independent of governments. Therefore, there is no reason to award this contract to this company which has been known for corruption and bad reputation.
SAHAMIYE FOUNDATION
5 October 2023
De La Rue House,
Jays Close, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 4BS
Re: Urgent appeal to reconsider the contract in relation to printing of SL Shilling
Dear Mr. Clive Vacher,
I write to you to raise significant concerns regarding the contract between the Central Bank of Somaliland and De La Rue, involving the printing of 380 billion SL shillings. This contract poses serious economic, ethical and legal issues, and risks plunging millions of children and adults into deeper poverty. Those from low-income and disadvantaged groups of society will be hardest hit, further entrenching the socio-economic divide that inhibits progress and development.
I therefore call on you to take a principled stand. I urge you to cancel the contract and return the $9.6 million that the Central Bank of Somaliland sent you to fund the transaction.
The concerns I have about this contract are:
1. Economic Repercussions: The 380 billion Somaliland shillings you plan to print and ship to Somaliland would double the local currency in circulation and could potentially destabilize Somaliland’s already fragile economy. Somaliland’s economy is largely dollarized.
However, while affluent groups and those receiving international remittances transact in dollars, low-income groups—including nomads, farmers, civil servants, and small traders—primarily earn in Somaliland shillings. Increasing the local currency in circulation disproportionately affects these demographics, devaluing their savings and acting as a concealed tax on the most vulnerable. The highly unusual decision to print money, especially at a time when the country is preparing for presidential elections, is predicted to cause the value of the Somaliland shilling to drop from 8,750 to over 20,000 per dollar.
2. Pricing out the Poorest: Since the introduction of the Somaliland shilling in the mid-1990s, excessive and reckless money printing has caused the Somaliland shilling’s value to plummet from 50 to 8,759 Somaliland shillings per US dollar. While these transactions proved highly profitable for De La Rue, they impoverished millions in Somaliland. This rapid deterioration of the Somaliland shilling’s value contributed to the de facto dollarization of the economy. The local currency became so devalued that it required a wheelbarrow to carry the equivalent of $100.
Before the launch of mobile money services, the primary role of the local currency was to provide small change, required because there was a shortage of small dollar notes and coins. The digitalization of money has reduced the need for physical cash, making it convenient to transact in small dollar amounts. The mobile money accounts in dollars helped the poor to keep some of their money in dollars to hedge against the risks associated with the local currency.
However, in the wake of the last money printing in 2017, when the currency lost 50% of its value, the government mandated mobile money operators to offer Somaliland shilling accounts. They also imposed a rule forcing all transactions under $100 to be conducted in the local currency. This restriction robbed the poorer segments of the population of the opportunity to save in dollars, trapping them in a relentless cycle of devaluation. While affluent groups have devised strategies to bypass the $100 limit to avoid transacting in the local currency, it’s the voiceless majority that will bear the brunt of this insidious tax, which will disproportionately affect the poorest.
3. Improper Contract Rationale: The plan to print 380 billion SL shillings will exacerbate the existing currency oversupply, and is therefore, in effect, pointless and of no benefit to the people of Somaliland. Given that most of the currency is held in mobile money accounts in a predominantly cashless economy, nearly all physical notes are stored at the Central Bank. The primary reason for this contract appears, then, to be rooted in corruption and De La Rue’s desire for profit.
4. Questionable Procurement Process: De La Rue was awarded this contract through a process that bypassed the standard procurement rules and regulations. There was no competitive bidding to ensure value for money, nor was there approval from the parliament for the introduction of the new 10,000 legal tender as required by law. This behavior appears consistent with De La Rue’s involvement in corruption scandals and investigations by the Serious Fraud Office in the past and is disappointing. If the reckless printing process continues unchecked, it could push millions more into poverty.
This is particularly alarming considering existing vulnerabilities caused by local events, such as the Hargeisa market fire and global crises like the Covid pandemic and the Ukraine war. The number of food-insecure individuals could more than double because of the combined effect. Moreover, many children would be forced out of school as dollar-based fees become unaffordable for their families. In light of the above concerns, and the broader implications for Somaliland’s economic and social fabric, I appeal to you to cancel the contract with the Central Bank of Somaliland and return the $9.6 million intended to fund the printing. By doing so, De La Rue will publicly demonstrate responsible corporate citizenship, align with the principles of ethical business conduct and avoid the responsibility for harming the welfare of millions of people.
Yours sincerely,
Ismail Ahmed
Founder and Director, Sahamiye Foundation