19 May 2007 04:13
 
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  • Title: [SW News] (News Wires) Hiiraan Elders Complained
  • From:[]
  • Date :[]1999-12-25 00:10:38

 

:Hiiraan Elders Complained for Lack of Action
1999-12-25

Nairobi, Kenay (Dec. 19). Mr. Elmi Farah Nur, made a long speech in Somali which was interpreted into English. Mr. Nur's speech was a series of complaints directed at the international community in general, and to UN agencies in particular. Mr. Nur said, "the only time we hear the international community talking about Somalia, is when they speak of 'Somaliland' and 'Puntland'. He continued to argue that while Hiran has full-fledged peace, the international community for some unknown reasons has, "ignored Hiran Region". He also said "it is wrong to link Hiran with what is going on in Mogadishu". Pilot Abdi Osman Farah alias 'Duuliye Sare', deputy chairman for USCPM, appealed to the international community and asked them to give special consideration to the people of Hiran region. Mr. Farah, while speaking on the issue of the new Somali peace initiatives and proposals sponsored by President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, said " we the leaders of Hiran region support this initiative in full, but the UN and international community should give this peace initiative commitment that is stronger than those they gave to the 12 Somali peace reconciliation that have failed in the past 9 years". Mr. Farah, stressed the need for a military force that would implement whatever comes out of the peace reconciliation plans that are coming with President Guelleh's proposals. After two hours of intense speeches, the audience was given an opportunity to ask questions, and hold discussions, and this was followed by a tea break. The second session commenced after 15 minutes. This session was a series of discussions on matters pertaining to the Hiran region, from both the panel and members of the audience. An issue that almost all speakers talk about, was a complaint related to Beletweyn's main hospital, which is now closed. Hiran leaders mentioned that the hospital, which was rehabilitated by COSV (Coordinating Committee of the Organization for Voluntary service), has never been completed because COSV, funds ran out. Hiran leaders argued that this hospital was a referral point not only for Hiran region but also for neighbouring regions like Gal-gadud. Thus, they all reiterated a request for the Beletweyn hospital to be completed, and the international community sends doctors and medicine to Hiran Region. The Hiran Region elders directed a question to Dr. Babafemi Badejo of UNPOS. They asked if he could explain why the fact-finding mission that visited both 'Somaliland' and 'Puntland', did not go to Hiran region. Dr. Badejo responded "no comment", but promised the Hiran leaders that he will report their concern to Mr. David Stephen, representative of the UN secretary-general for Somalia. Complaints related to UN limited activity in Hiran, were directed to me (Yabarow), being the UNDOS representative. I told the panel and audience, that UNDOS works in many regions of Somalia, including Hiran where UNDOS sends professionals on a regular basis. I gave them an example related to the findings of UNDOS professional staff member, Abdullahi Sheikh Ali, just a week ago. Several people on the panel nodded their heads in agreement, and one of them continued to say that he had personally met Mr. Sheikh Ali in Hiran. I informed the audience, that as recently as the morning of the meeting, I had left on my desk, a document about the Hiran reconciliation conference, which UNDOS Documentation Center is translating, and that the document would be ready shortly.I concluded my remarks saying that UNDOS would do anything within its ability to help Somalis. The discussions went on till midday, when Mr. Abdullahi Abdi of Tecno NGO made the closing remarks, thanking all participants for their attendance, and expressing the hope that Hiran leaders would meet the International Community in future meetings, like the one they had held that day. Abdirahman Yabarow, Manager, Documentation Center UNDOS



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